NEW YORK - What could a Chinese dumpling maker and Mexican telecom mogul possibly have in common? They're among a record number of wealthy people who held the title of billionaire over the past year.  

FRESNO - After tribal elder Vera Quiroga was turned away from the very clinic she helped to found, she had little choice but to drive to a far-off reservation for her dental work.  

Steven Georges / Staff photographer

Will the land around the QM be the crowning glory of downtown's development?  

Stephen Carr / Staff photographer

SIGNAL HILL - From Big Oil to BMW, little Signal Hill has always proved savvy when it comes to attracting and promoting business.

Last year, the 2.2-square-mile city's businesses racked up $1.3 billion in sales, a figure estimated to be the highest per-capita in the state.

 

Diandra Jay / Staff photographer

LONG BEACH - Hair, oil, dogs, plumbing, religion it all excites Steve Goodling.

Goodling's name suits his job as the city's visitors bureau chief he once had to put a positive spin on a $1 million cost overrun during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials partly because organizers underestimated toilet usage by athletes.

 

The RMS Queen Mary Foundation has announced the formation of the RMSQMF Leadership Coalition. The newly formed Leadership Coalition will consist of key community leaders and stakeholders experienced in historic preservation and developing and guiding nonprofit organizations.  

It may be too late for this year's tax deadline, but there are a few major changes on the horizon that may make things easier for property owners. A loophole in existing law allows developers to impose private transfer taxes on home buyers.  

Despite high oil prices, strong demand and surging production levels, the Port of Long Beach's oil budget may end the fiscal year nearly $5 million in the red. Drilling costs, coupled with the enormous expense of cleaning up an old Pier A oil waste disposal site, will result in a net loss for the year if prices for local crude continue hovering around $50 per barrel.