Lief Labs, a formulation and product development innovator and manufacturer of dietary supplements, is pleased to announce that Lief is the recipient of the NBJ Award for Management Achievement from the Nutrition Business Journal for Lief’s business leadership accomplishments in 2022. The annual business achievement awards recognize industry leaders exemplary of strong market performance achieved with integrity.

Lief’s CEO and Founder, Adel Villalobos, accepted Lief’s Management Achievement Award among NBJ Awards winners from nutrition industry leading companies recognized across 10 categories at the NBJ Summit Awards Dinner on Wednesday, July 26 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes.

“Lief Labs is truly honored to receive the NBJ Management Achievement Award and to be recognized among an outstanding group of industry leaders and fellow award recipients,” said Villalobos. “I am especially proud, as this award reflects the incredible efforts of our entire Lief leadership team and all of our employees who helped Lief to persevere and achieve continued success for our company and for our valued partners during an extremely challenging economic climate. From the implementation of innovative strategies like our Lief ‘growth mindsetters’ team who strive to position and propel Lief and our clients toward future growth, to our Lief University training programs which provide participants with important skills and knowledge for career enrichment and advancement. We will continue to be guided by our purpose-filled mission and I look forward to ongoing achievements for Lief, our partners and for our industry as we look ahead.”

Lief houses over 220,000 sq. ft. of new and fully renovated, full-service, state-of-the-art, Current Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing facility, which includes an in-house analytical testing lab and a microbiology lab, and offers custom solutions for a multitude of supplement categories. Lief collaborates with entrepreneurial firms to help them build premier brands. Our turnkey solutions allow us to engage in seamless partnerships that help brands with scalability and sustainable growth. Lief hosts the Beyond the Supps podcast which covers a wide range of topics such as entrepreneurship, social media, quality control, health and wellness and the impact the dietary supplement industry has worldwide. The company is based in Valencia. 

Prepare for weeknight intermittent lane reductions in both directions between SR-14 and Parker Rd from 8pm to 6am to support all the below activities on I-5. Crews begin mobilizing at 6am and work hours are 7am to 4pm and 7pm to 6am on weekdays, and Saturdays as needed. 

SR-14 to Magic Mountain Pkwy 

Weldon Canyon Rd bridge construction. One-way traffic control with a flagger will be used as needed at Weldon Canyon Rd and Coltrane Av. | Full Notice  

Southbound outside shoulder excavation, shoring, and retaining wall work between Weldon Canyon Rd Overcrossing and Calgrove Bl. | Full Notice 

Center median retaining wall and drainage system construction between SR-14 and Magic Mountain Pkwy. | Full Notice 

Gavin Canyon Undercrossing bridge pile driving and concrete placement between Weldon Canyon Rd and Calgrove Bl. | Full Notice 

Calgrove Bl Undercrossing bridge forming, rebar installation and concrete placement between Gavin Canyon and Pico Canyon Rd/Lyons Av. | Full Notice 

Butte Canyon bridge forming, steel rebar installation and concrete placement in the center median between Pico Canyon Rd/Lyons Av and McBean Pkwy, adjacent to Vista Valencia Golf Course. | Full Notice 

Magic Mountain Pkwy to Parker Rd  

Full or partial lane closures of Rye Canyon Rd between The Old Road and Avenue Stanford. View the full construction notice for the schedule and detour routes. | Full Notice 

Castaic Creek bridge concrete placement utilizing daytime lane closures, between SR-126 and Hasley Canyon Rd. | Full Notice  

Santa Clara Overhead Bridge excavation activity between Magic Mountain Pkwy and Rye Canyon Rd. | Full Notice

Center median concrete placement between Magic Mountain Pkwy and Parker Rd. | Full Notice  

Important Note 

Due to pile driving activity, smoke will be visible from the I-5 freeway and The Old Rd at the Gavin Canyon Rd Bridge work zone, located between Weldon Canyon Rd and Calgrove Bl. Pile driving at this location is anticipated to continue through Summer 2023. If you have any questions regarding the active construction smoke, please call or email the I-5 NCEP hotline. 

Essential Details    

• Work hours: Monday through Friday and Saturday, as needed from 7am to 4pm and 7pm to 6am. Crews will begin to mobilize at 6am.    
• No two consecutive ramps in the same direction will be closed at the same time. Detours to the next on-ramp will be posted for each closure.    
• Traffic will be maintained in each direction.     
• All lanes will reopen by 6am each morning.      
• No lane closures will be implemented during morning or evening peak traffic hours.    
• The speed limit in construction work zones is reduced to 55 miles per hour.    

Noteworthy    

Access to emergency responders will be maintained. Construction is a dynamic process, it is subject to weather conditions, and information is subject to change, visit the project website for the most up to date information and a weekly listing.  

We are thrilled to invite you and a guest to our Holiday Preview Event on August 23 from 4-7pm.

This is an exclusive opportunity to sample complimentary food and beverage from our new event and holiday menus. In addition, you will enjoy a fun-filled evening of bowling and games, giving you a taste of the entertainment options we offer.

Please RSVP by August 11th to secure your spot! We look forward to seeing you there!

Prepare for weeknight intermittent lane reductions in both directions between SR-14 and Parker Rd from 8pm to 6am to support all the below activities on I-5. Crews begin mobilizing at 6am and work hours are 7am to 4pm and 7pm to 6am on weekdays, and Saturdays as needed. 

SR-14 to Magic Mountain Pkwy 

Weldon Canyon Rd bridge construction. One-way traffic control with a flagger will be used as needed at Weldon Canyon Rd and Coltrane Av. | Full Notice  

Southbound outside shoulder excavation, shoring, and retaining wall work between Weldon Canyon Rd Overcrossing and Pico Canyon Rd/Lyons Av. | Full Notice 

Center median retaining wall and drainage system construction between SR-14 and Magic Mountain Pkwy. | Full Notice 

Gavin Canyon Undercrossing bridge drilling activity between Weldon Canyon Rd and Calgrove Bl. | Full Notice 

Butte Canyon bridge forming and steel rebar installation in the center median between Pico Canyon Rd/Lyons Av and McBean Pkwy, adjacent to Vista Valencia Golf Course. | Full Notice 

Calgrove Bl Undercrossing bridge forming, rebar installation and striping between Gavin Canyon and Pico Canyon Rd/Lyons Av. Full Notice 

Magic Mountain Pkwy to Parker Rd  

Full or partial lane closures of Rye Canyon Rd between The Old Road and Avenue Stanford. View the full construction notice for the schedule and detour routes. | Full Notice 

Castaic Creek bridge concrete placement utilizing daytime lane closures, between SR-126 and Hasley Canyon Rd. | Full Notice  

Center median roadway base activity between Magic Mountain Pkwy and SR-126. | Full Notice  

Center median concrete placement between Magic Mountain Pkwy and Parker Rd. | Full Notice  

Important Note 

Due to pile driving activity, smoke will be visible from the I-5 freeway and The Old Rd at the Gavin Canyon Rd Bridge work zone, located between Weldon Canyon Rd and Calgrove Bl. Pile driving at this location is anticipated to continue through Summer 2023. If you have any questions regarding the active construction smoke, please call or email the I-5 NCEP hotline. 

Essential Details    

• Work hours: Monday through Friday and Saturday, as needed from 7am to 4pm and 7pm to 6am. Crews will begin to mobilize at 6am.    
• No two consecutive ramps in the same direction will be closed at the same time. Detours to the next on-ramp will be posted for each closure.    
• Traffic will be maintained in each direction.     
• All lanes will reopen by 6am each morning.      
• No lane closures will be implemented during morning or evening peak traffic hours.    
• The speed limit in construction work zones is reduced to 55 miles per hour.    

Noteworthy    

Access to emergency responders will be maintained. Construction is a dynamic process, it is subject to weather conditions, and information is subject to change, visit the project website for the most up to date information and a weekly listing.  

AA+ Rating Reflects Stable Long-Term Financial Outlook

SANTA CLARITA – Citing SCV Water’s sophisticated management and diversified water portfolio, as well as the ability to maintain strong debt service coverage and operating reserves, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has upgraded or affirmed the Agency’s credit ratings at the AA+ level for a number of bonds and senior-lien certificates of participation (COPs), including:

• Raised the long-term rating to AA+ from AA on the Upper Santa Clara Valley Joint Power Authority’s (USCVJPA) subordinate-lien revenue bonds, which are issued for SCV Water

• Assigned a AA+ long-term rating to the USCVJPA’s anticipated $63.7 million series 2023 subordinate-lien revenue bonds

• Affirmed a AA+ rating on SCV Water’s existing senior-lien COPs, as well as parity subordinate-lien COPs

Following its comprehensive review of SCV Water’s finances, S&P Global Ratings found that the Agency’s operating revenues that are available for junior-lien payments are “very strong,” leading the firm to upgrade the rating for the associated bonds on the determination that S&P “no longer believe[s] junior-lien bondholders are materially disadvantaged relative to senior-lien bondholders.”

“Achieving a AA+ credit rating across the board recognizes SCV Water’s strong financial footing and ability to pay debt,” said Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Rochelle Patterson. S&P assigns ratings to companies using letter grades to communicate to investors how likely a borrower is to repay its debt. A rating of AA+ indicates the institution is financially strong and that associated investments have a very low chance of default. “These ratings will enable the Agency to secure lower interest rates when financing capital improvement projects, which is a benefit to ratepayers as well,” added Patterson.

SCV Water Board Adopts Sustainability Plan

Initiatives focus on operational sustainability through 2045

At a special meeting on July 11, 2023, the SCV Water Board of Directors adopted a Sustainability Plan (Plan), which contains a comprehensive assessment of SCV Water’s current sustainability initiatives, a baseline for measuring progress and a roadmap to improve operational sustainability. Implementation begins in 2023 and goes through 2045, with updates anticipated on a five-year schedule.

“The Sustainability Plan is the culmination of work that builds upon SCV Water’s Green Team’s

efforts to coordinate sustainability activities across the Agency,” said SCV Water Sustainability Manager Matt Dickens. “It leverages the State of California’s sustainability initiatives with SCV Water’s long-term planning objectives.”

The Plan contains sustainability goals, greenhouse gas emissions targets, and specific steps to achieve the targets. It also aligns with the Agency’s strategic planning efforts, which include: 

• Adopting environmentally sustainable business practices

• Actively managing natural resource use

• Assessing SCV Water’s carbon footprint

• Development and implementation of appropriate emissions reductions

The Plan will enhance SCV Water’s eligibility for State and federal grant and loan packages and provide a guide to evaluate SCV Water’s capital improvement and general operating programs for sustainability.

“Implementation of the Plan will help SCV Water align with State initiatives, and better position the Agency for funding,” added Dickens. “It also identifies pathways for SCV Water to increase its energy use efficiency and to become carbon neutral in its operations over time while simultaneously mitigating its impacts to climate change. Successfully accomplishing these goals aligns with the Agency’s core mission of providing responsible water stewardship to the Santa Clarita Valley.”

About the Sustainability Plan

The Sustainability Plan establishes a roadmap to implementing key sustainability initiatives. It will serve as a guide in planning and evaluating investments in capital projects, water resources and conservation and help SCV Water align with state initiatives and position itself for funding that supports operational sustainability. The Agency’s historic water conservation successes and forecasted conservation are critical to achieving sustainability and resiliency to substantially decrease SCV Water’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The Sustainability Plan reinforces SCV water’s four core operational pillars as identified below:

• Reliable and resilient operations;

• High-quality water and resource sustainability;

• Cost-effective and efficient; and

• Transparency and accountability.

This Plan and its associated actions complement SCV Water’s long- and short-range planning efforts, as well as existing sustainability strategies and ongoing water conservation programs. These include, but are not limited to, the Urban Water Management Plan, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, Water Supply Resiliency Plan, Water Shortage Contingency Plan, and Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan.

Plan preparation began in 2021 and included a public workshop (July 2022) and a 30-day public review process (April-May 2023), to solicit input on priorities and ideas. Implementation of SCV Water’s Sustainability Plan will begin in 2023 and go through 2045.

SCV Water Ends Stage 2 Water Shortage Contingency Plan

Agency transitions to normal conservation levels and continues progress on making conservation a "California Way of Life"

SANTA CLARITA – After a record-breaking winter snowpack and precipitation, SCV Water (Agency) has deactivated its Water Shortage Contingency Plan and Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Ordinance. The Agency now returns to its normal water conservation and water use efficiency program conditions. SCV Water’s water conservation programs provide customers with education, rebates, and incentives to implement long-term water use efficiency practices, ensuring sustainability for the future. This transition follows California Governor Gavin Newsom lifting the voluntary conservation call and the State Water Resources Control Board’s Stage 2 water shortage implementation requirement.  

“Record rain and snowpack filling the state’s reservoirs, along with changes to statewide drought emergency compliance requirements, have led us to move from Stage 2 to a No Shortage Stage,” said General Manager Matt Stone. “We are thankful for our community’s response and dedication to reducing water waste and consumption during Stage 2. Together, we have saved a remarkable 4.1 billion gallons, equivalent to a 16.4% reduction. As we move forward, we kindly urge everyone to keep embracing the spirit of conservation, making it part of our California Way of Life.”

With the Governor’s statewide drought emergency declaration still in effect, the State Water Resources Control Board has continued emergency regulations that restrict water waste activities. Though SCV Water is in a No Shortage Stage, the public is reminded that the following activities are prohibited:

• Allowing runoff when watering with potable water.

• Using potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways, except for health or safety reasons. 

• Using hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars.

• Watering outdoors during and within 48 hours following measurable rainfall.

• Using potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate the water. 

• Using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional sites. Potable water is not prohibited to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings or for health and safety needs.

Although the Agency has moved toward hitting its planned yearly conservation targets, its banked water supplies (stored in Kern County) need to be replenished. Continued conservation by SCV Water customers will ensure the Agency can replenish the 45% of banked water used during the drought and grow its banked supply for future years.

“Even though we are currently not experiencing any water shortages, now is the perfect opportunity for customers to work towards creating their own sustainable landscapes,” said Stone. “By establishing a drought-resilient landscape now, customers will be better prepared to handle any future droughts or drastic shifts in climate or water supply.”

SCV Water offers a variety of rebates and programs to help customers save water and money. Rebates and programs include lawn replacement, irrigation and efficiency product rebates, free home check-ups, workshops and more. Visit www.yourSCVwater.com/rebates for full details.

“Providing our customers with the tools, technologies and resources they need to conserve water now for the future is a top priority,” said Stone. 

Please contact Emilio Groisman to register for this event:
Emilio.Groisman@employbridge.com | 661-255-0010

Weekly Look-Ahead

I-5 NCEP Weekly Look-Ahead: July 10 to July 16, 2023 

Prepare for weeknight intermittent lane reductions in both directions between SR-14 and Parker Rd from 8pm to 6am to support all the below activities on I-5. Crews begin mobilizing at 6am and work hours are 7am to 4pm and 7pm to 6am on weekdays, and Saturdays as needed. 

SR-14 to Magic Mountain Pkwy 

Weldon Canyon Rd bridge construction. One-way traffic control with a flagger will be used as needed at Weldon Canyon Rd and Coltrane Av. | Full Notice 

Southbound outside shoulder excavation, shoring, and retaining wall work between Weldon Canyon Overcrossing and Magic Mountain Pkwy. | Full Notice 

Electrical work in the center median, southbound Magic Mountain Pkwy on-ramp, northbound Magic Mountain Pkwy off-ramp, and southbound Valencia Bl off-ramp. View the full construction notice for the schedule and detour routes. | Full Notice  

Center median retaining wall construction between SR-14 and Magic Mountain Pkwy. | Full Notice 

Gavin Canyon Undercrossing bridge foundation and forming work along the northbound shoulder, between Calgrove Bl and Weldon Canyon Rd. | Full Notice 

Butte Canyon bridge foundation work and steel rebar installation in the center median between Pico Canyon Rd/Lyons Av and McBean Pkwy, adjacent to Vista Valencia Golf Course. | Full Notice 

Magic Mountain Pkwy to Parker Rd  

Full or partial lane closures of Rye Canyon Rd between The Old Road and Avenue Stanford. View the full construction notice for the schedule and detour routes. | Full Notice 

Castaic Creek bridge construction in the center median between SR-126 and Hasley Canyon Rd. | Full Notice  

Center median roadway base activity between Magic Mountain Pkwy and SR-126. | Full Notice  

Center median concrete placement between Magic Mountain Pkwy and Parker Rd. | Full Notice  

Important Note 

Due to pile driving activity, smoke will be visible from the I-5 freeway and The Old Rd at the Gavin Canyon Rd Bridge work zone, located between Weldon Canyon Rd and Calgrove Bl. Pile driving at this location is anticipated to continue through Summer 2023. If you have any questions regarding the active construction smoke, please call or email the I-5 NCEP hotline. 

Essential Details    

• Work hours: Monday through Friday and Saturday, as needed from 7am to 4pm and 7pm to 6am. Crews will begin to mobilize at 6am.    
• No two consecutive ramps in the same direction will be closed at the same time. Detours to the next on-ramp will be posted for each closure.    
• Traffic will be maintained in each direction.     
• All lanes will reopen by 6am each morning.      
• No lane closures will be implemented during morning or evening peak traffic hours.    
• The speed limit in construction work zones is reduced to 55 miles per hour.     

Noteworthy    

Access to emergency responders will be maintained. Construction is a dynamic process, it is subject to weather conditions, and information is subject to change, visit the project website for the most up to date information and a weekly listing.