SELAH, WA -- Replacing eight portable pear conditioning rooms with four permanent facilities, Blue Star Growers and Rainier Fruit Co. are "leaping ahead of the U.S. pear industry and current technology," according to Rainier Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter.

Ms. Wolter said in mid-July that the facility is the first of its kind in the industry, and she noted, "We see this as a long-term program.

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA -- With few exceptions, the women in downtown Medellin are dressed to kill.

In a four-day trip to Colombia, this was the closest threat to mankind that I witnessed.

This modern city -- overwhelmingly known in the United States for its dark association with the word "cartel" -- is very much alive, apparently safe and moving ahead.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA -- Dole retiree Gino Scialdone died Aug. 15 after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gherig's Disease. He was 75.

Mr. Scialdone retired from Dole in 2002 after more than 40 years of dedicated service.

The Oppenheimer Group in Vancouver, BC, announced the promotions of three of its employees.

Industry technology leader Doug Grant's role as the company's chief information officer has been expanded to the new position of vice president and chief information officer. In addition to his IT responsibilities, Mr. Grant will direct his efforts into other areas of Oppenheimer's business, including procurement and grower relations. He has led the company's IT initiatives for over a decade.

PHILADELPHIA -- The site for the new Philadelphia wholesale produce market has moved a mile to the south, but members of the city's wholesale produce trade are not bothered by the latest announcement regarding their future home.

Earlier this month, Prime Produce International relocated its corporate offices to a Placentia, CA, facility previously occupied by Sunrise Growers, which moved its fresh operations to San Clemente.

But the two companies now have even closer ties with the Aug. 18 announcement that Doug Circle, founder and chairman of Sunrise Growers, Frozun Foods and Circle Farms Inc., has become an investor and partner in Prime Produce.