KENNEWICK, WA -- A freak hailstorm that hopscotched around the fruit- growing region of Peshastin, Dryden, Chelan and Manson in eastern Washington on July 5 might have knocked more than 1 million boxes of pears -- roughly 6 percent of the Northwest's crop -- out of production this year.

Lyn Hughes, who for the past three-and-a-half years has boosted the "Birds Eye Fresh" brand in the produce industry with the development of licensing agreements for a number of commodities, has left that company for a position as senior director of sales and marketing for Salyer American, based in Salinas, CA, effective Aug. 1.

In her new role at Salyer American, Ms. Hughes will assist in identifying and developing new business opportunities as well as spearheading new product development and packaging innovation.

MONTEREY, CA -- Citing a figure of "more than 1,500 attendees," the Produce Marketing Association said that its 2006 Foodservice Conference & Exposition drew record attendance. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the show.

Saturday, July 22 marked the 29th anniversary of the Watsonville Criterium Cycling Race, which was held in downtown Watsonville, CA. The course was to have many dips and turns and was on local city streets allowing plenty of involvement from the neighborhoods with the opportunity to cheer the riders on as they passed by Brewington, Cerritos, Rogers, Oregon, Hill and California streets. The race had several categories including local juniors division, masters, women and Cat 1/2 men.

A salesperson was just completing a long-winded presentation to a retailer. After it ended, the retailer asked, "So what's new about your item?"

Not expecting that question, the representative hemmed and hawed, "Well, umm, I mean, umm, well & nothing. But the package is neat anyway."

What company can afford to throw away valuable revenue dollars by not being inventive? Today, companies have to be "sly as a fox" in creating something new and of value for consumers. And if they're not, they're sunk.

RIVERHEAD, NY -- To say that Lauren Keenan is an animal lover would be an understatement.

While most 26-year-olds would probably choose to take a week's vacation sitting on a beach or partying in Florida or Mexico, Ms. Keenan drove to New Orleans last October to help rescue and take care of animals that were left homeless and ownerless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.