Historically Underutilized Business Zones

Fresno Women's Network June Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, TorNino's Banquets, 5080 N. Blackstone Ave., 450-2102, $21, $17 members, www.fresnowomensnetwork. org/luncheons.htm.

Owners of small businesses are invited to a free Historically Underutilized Business Zones education and training workshop Tuesday.

Tuesday's workshop, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., will help eligible businesses get certification for the program, which can give them preferential access to federal government contracts.

Gazebo Gardens and Twee boutique were honored Wednesday, along with 27 other businesses, while the second annual BLOB Awards. BLOB is short for Best Locally Owned Business awards.

Bank of America has hired 14 new bankers in Fresno and the central San Joaquin Valley to concentrate on service to small-business clients.

The Valley'

Business leaders anticipate the Valley's economy will slowly improve over the at once three to six months, according to a survey released Friday by Fresno State's Craig School of Business

Va Tou Xiong was the last of three suspects jailed for burglarizing the Pacific Asia Market and two other southeast Fresno businesses.