Industry Southern California

Trying to balance short-term transportation needs and long-term regional prosperity, county transit planners today will propose parallel programs for rail car buying and industrial development as a way to create jobs and let the county open mass-transit lines as planned.

To round up talent to build Universal Studios' newest theme park in Singapore, chief designer Kevin Barbee didn't look far from his Wilshire Boulevard office. After all, Southern California is a hive for independent designers and other creative types who perfected their craft at Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain and others. But with the U.S. economy struggling, veterans like Barbee are packing their bags for Asia, one of the few sources of steady employment for purveyors of pixie dust these days.

To round up talent to build Universal Studios' newest theme park in Singapore, chief designer Kevin Barbee didn't look far from his Wilshire Boulevard office. After all, Southern California is a hive for independent designers and other creative types who perfected their craft at Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain and others. But with the U.S. economy struggling, veterans like Barbee are packing their bags for Asia, one of the few sources of steady employment for purveyors of pixie dust these days.

Trying to balance short-term transportation needs and long-term regional prosperity, county transit planners today will propose parallel programs for rail car buying and industrial development as a way to create jobs and let the county open mass-transit lines as planned.

Edison Announces Restructuring: In anticipation of the state's deregulation of the electric power industry, Southern California Edison Co. and its parent, SCECorp., announced a restructuring to streamline the company and ease decision making. Among other things, the restructuring creates several new business units devoted to electricity generation, power transportation and customer service within the utility, accountable directly to Stephen E. Frank, Edison president and chief operating officer.

A shrinking aerospace industry Southern California was once a center of the aerospace industry, but the number of aircraft companies headquartered here has been steadily shrinking. Some key events: 1967: Douglas Aircraft of Long Beach merges with McDonnell Aircraft, forming St. Louis-based McDonnell Douglas Corp., which is acquired by Boeing Co. in 1997. 1995: Lockheed Corp., headquartered in Calabasas and with major operations in Burbank, merges with Martin Marietta Corp.

A free checklist/brochure, "Selecting a Professional Remodeling Contractor," is available from the National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry of Southern California. The brochure may be obtained by writing NARI of Southern California, 211 S. State College Blvd., No. 379, Anaheim, Calif. 92806.

So the Spruce Goose is moving to Oregon. Funny, one can almost see Howard Hughes at the controls, flying away from the rotting aerospace industry in Southern California. I guess it's really not so funny after all. JACK FARLEY San Pedro

A Chino Hills residence allegedly housing women from China who want to give birth to U.S.-citizen children is on the verge of being shut down by the city after complaints about traffic and a sewage spill. The home is on a hilltop at the end of a long driveway on Woodglen Drive, an area zoned for single family houses. City officials have issued a cease and desist order, alleging that the site is being used as a hotel in a rural residential zone. They plan to take the property owner to court.

Calstart Awarded $1.8-Million Retraining Grant: Funded by California's employment training tax, the contract will pay for retraining up to 335 workers to help them make a transition from defense and aerospace work to such new industries as manufacturing parts for electric cars.

Denman "Denny" O. Trout, 86, who co-founded a company that boosted the aerospace industry in Southern California. Trout and his award-winning aviatrix sister, Bobbi Trout, established De-Burring Service Co. in 1943. The new company flourished during World War II, subcontracting to smooth the sharp edges off newly made precision mechanical components for aircraft manufacturers.

California came several years late to the nation's economic recovery party, but the state should be celebrating all through 1997. Here is what key industries will be up to: TRAVEL & TOURISM: The tourism industry in Southern California is anticipating another good year, with visitor counts and spending showing solid increases. Convention bookings also are strong in Los Angeles and Orange counties.