BRIEFLY COLLEGE EVENT TO HONOR UVDI.

Tickets are available for the College of the Canyons Business and Industry Breakfast that will take place from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ultra Violet Devices Inc., 28220 W. Industry Drive, Valencia.

This year, the event will honor UVDI for the company's continued commitment to education and employee development. It is sponsored by the College of the Canyons Foundation, the college's Employee Training Institute and the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies.

The morning will feature a breakfast and a speaker, followed by a tour of UVDI's Valencia facility. The featured speaker will be Thomas Orr, coordinator of regional programs at California State University, Bakersfield. Emcee for the event will be Kathleen Maloney, executive director of the College of the Canyons Foundation.

``The Business and Industry Breakfast brings business and education professionals together to hear about new trends in industry, to see behind manufacturing plant walls, and to learn about some of the outstanding partnerships that have been forged between the college and the business community,'' said Dianne Van Hook, superintendent-president of the college.

Previous winners of the award include Answer Products, Bertelsmann Industry Services Inc., ITT Aerospace Controls, Aerospace Dynamics International Inc., and B & B Manufacturing.

The college and UVDI have been partners in support of education in the Santa Clarita Valley for some time, with UVDI playing a leadership role in championing education issues within the Valencia Industrial Association and the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. The company has also worked extensively with the Santa Clarita Valley School and Business Alliance, a local school-to-career organization.

Oak Tree event a big hit again

More than 150 golfers participated in the sold-out Oak Tree Classic Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Oak Tree is the oldest-established charity tournament in the valley and through its 18 years it has generated thousands of dollars for various causes.

Conservative golf wear was replaced by colorful leis and festive Hilo Hattie shirts for the Hawaiian-themed tournament, which raised more than $25,000 for chamber projects, including the Education Foundation.

Don Fleming of Valencia Acura nearly won his own car in a hole-in-one contest, and was successful in capturing the closest-to-the-pin competition. Fleming was not only the title sponsor of the event, but his foursome took first place for low gross score with a 55.

Winning first place, low net, with a score of 56, was the team of Michael Hogan, Kurt Bohmer, Mike Rego and Aaron Norris. Buck Geyer took honors for longest drive on hole 15, and Jim Wiggins won the putting contest.

No one captured the hole-in-one prizes, which included a vehicle from Valencia Acura, a set of clubs from Giant Golf, a $6,000 travel package from Travel Bug and a vehicle from Santa Clarita Golf Cars.

Prior to the tournament, participants enjoyed breakfast from HomeTown Buffet and Newhall Roasting Co., and the sumptuous awards buffet was sponsored by Randy and Anna Ott of Import Stone. Various merchants donated items for golfer goody bags, as well as larger items for a live auction and opportunity drawing that helped boost the bottom line.

Samuel Dixon award winner

In keeping with its mission statement, ``To be involved and coordinate the business community of the Santa Clarita Valley by addressing issues of mutual interest that support economic and social vitality,'' the Valencia Industrial Association has named the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center as this year's recipient of its annual Charitable Organization Award.

The Charitable Organization Award is a cash donation from the Valencia Industrial Association, given once a year to a member nonprofit organization. This year's award will be presented at the Business World Bash 2002, the association's annual black tie fund-raiser to be held Sept. 20 in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Valencia.

Founded in 1980 by the Rev. Samuel Dixon, the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center provides physicals, health education, treatment of illness and injury, family planning, pediatric services and a full range of primary care from its two community clinics in Val Verde and Canyon Country, and also from a mobile health van.

All health services are provided on a sliding fee, ability-to-pay basis and no one is ever turned away due to lack of funds. According to Cheryl Laymon, executive director, the mission of the family health center is to serve the unserved and underserved residents of the Santa Clarita Valley. The organization prides itself on being proactive in reaching out to the community and providing care when and where it is needed.

More than 20 letters of invitation were sent to member organizations of the VIA, whose nonprofit status allowed it to apply for the annual Charitable Organization Award. Last year's recipient was Carousel Ranch, an organization providing therapeutic horseback riding for children with mental, emotional and physical disabilities. Another past recipient is Pleasantview Industries, an organization which meets the vocational needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

The theme of this year's gala is ``An Evening with the Rat Pack.'' Helping the event gain steam early on are Don and Cheri Fleming, who have secured the ``Ocean's 11'' package, the main table sponsor for the event.

``Don and Cheri are always so great in helping us to kick off the bash in grand style,'' said event chairwoman Stella Pilarski.

Organizations wishing to purchase a table or receive additional information about Business World Bash 2002, should contact Kathy Norris, executive director of the VIA, at [phone].

- Daily News