AMUSEMENT
Disney California Adventure is now the 10th most visited theme park in the world, according to the Themed Entertainment Association’s annual report. The park attracted 8.5 million people in 2013, 750,000, or 9.5% more, than in 2012.
EDUCATION
Chapman University said it will analyze data collected during “evidence-based” treatment of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in partnership with the Los Angeles-based Center for Autism and Related Disorders, which treats ASD and contributes to autism research. The goal is to help better understand the disorder, direct research funds more effectively and to identify trends in and improve autism treatment, the school said. It said the work reflects its growing emphasis on the life sciences and data sciences, another area it’s been expanding.
FINANCE
Pacific Investment Management Co. fund manager Jeremie Banet told Bloomberg News he plans to leave the Newport Beach company and launch a food truck in Orange and Los Angeles counties. He said he plans a menu of croque monsieur—grilled ham and cheese sandwiches native to his home country of France. Banet has been with Pimco since 2011.
HEALTHCARE
Activist investor Bill Ackman said he and his Pershing Square Capital Management LP will call for a special shareholders’ meeting of Allergan Inc. in order to remove six of its directors—the latest in the ongoing hostile takeover effort by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. Ackman would need the backing of at least 25% of Allergan shareholders to force a special meeting. His move to seek the meeting comes after he and Valeant offered a second revised bid for the Botox maker late last week that’s worth about $53 billion, less than some Allergan shareholders said they would consider. Ackman, who owns about 10% of Allergan, urged the company to negotiate with Canada-based Valeant and added that a deal could be done within a week. Allergan has said it would consider Valeant’s new offer.
Fountain Valley-based MemorialCare Health System’s Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach is now known as Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. Hospital officials said they changed the name to better reflect the type of care Miller provides. The hospital provides perinatal care for expectant mothers and handles high-risk pregnancies in addition to pediatrics.
LAW
Two law firms have sprouted from the folded Hodel Briggs Winter LLP in Irvine: commercial litigation firm Hodel Wilks LLP and employment defense firm Kading Briggs LLP.
OTHER
Online technology magazine Red Herring included three OC companies on its list of the world’s most promising private ventures. Software makers Kareo Inc. and SecureAuth, both based in Irvine, and personal vehicle maker T3 Motion in Costa Mesa made the list.
RESTAURANTS
Redding, Calif.-based Black Bear Diner was scheduled to open its first Orange County location today in Buena Park. The bear-themed chain aims its family fare “comfort food” at high population and traveler areas, such as in suburbs and near interstates. The 7005 Knott Ave. site was formerly a Hof’s Hut. It’s between the I-5 and SR-91 freeways three miles from Knott’s Berry Farm. Black Bear has 58 franchises and five corporate-owned restaurants, most in California. The newest is corporate-owned. It plans 100 locations by 2018.
SERVICES
MNX in Irvine named Paul Martins chief executive. He comes from Pacific Logistics Corp. in Pico Rivera, where he was vice president of sales and marketing. MNX provides transportation and logistics services to industries that include aviation, entertainment and media.
