Getting caught with that Super Bowl grid or NCAA basketball tournament bracket became cheaper in California this year. That is, if you get caught to begin with.

Yes, office betting pools are gambling and illegal. But when done for small amounts of money it is law rarely if ever enforced.

In January, the penalty for those caught participating in workplace office pools was reduced to $500 from $5,000. Participation is now considered to be on par with receiving a parking ticket as long as the wagering amount stays below $2,500.

Still, employment law attorneys and business consultants have strong words to say about the practice.

Yes, it may promote camaraderie and boost morale but office pools are still illegal gambling and because of that management needs to be careful not to let company resources be used to aid or abet the pools or to be seen as condoning the activity.

But sometimes that isn’t easy, especially when the guy at the top is taking part in that activity.

One human resources consultant in the Valley region has a client company made up of mostly women where there is a weekly lotto that is handled by the chief executive.

The lotto has not caused conflicts at the business and contributes to a flexible environment the CEO wants.

“He wants his employees to know that they can do things,” the consultant said. “They can sell Girl Scout cookies or if someone is sick they can contribute to a fund.”

A 2008 survey from recruiting and staffing firm Spherion found that 44 percent of U.S. workers have taken part in an office pool. Not surprisingly, it is a male dominated activity with only 36 percent females participating.

It’s not just the money involved that motivates office bettors, the survey found.

Office camaraderie was named by 45 percent as a primary reason for jumping into an office pool as compared to the 36 percent citing winning money.

But two percent also said they took part in office pools because of pressure from coworkers.

That can be dangerous, employment law experts said.

If there is one thing that an employer doesn’t want to create is an environment where the office pool is seen as non-voluntary or that those who do participate are treated differently than those who don’t.

“That may lead to claim you do not follow own policies,” said Karen Dinino, a workplace consultant based in Westlake Village.

Her advice is that no company resources such as emails or letterheads be used to promote the betting pool. Also, management should keep any charts or grids from being displayed in officer common areas because that could give the impression they condone an illegal activity, Dinino said.

Employers also don’t want to risk looking irresponsible and not taking laws seriously.

The last place a manager wants to find herself is on a witness stand not being able to explain why some laws apply in the workplace and others don’t, Dinino said.

“There you sit with a quizzical look on your face wondering why you did it,” she added.

Falling sales contributed to Easton-Bell Sports Inc. posting a net loss for the 2009 fiscal year.

The Van Nuys-bases sporting goods manufacturer and distributor had a net loss of $4.1 million on revenues of $716.3 million for the year ending Jan. 2. For the previous fiscal year, the company reported net income of $13.4 million on revenues of $775.5 million.

For the year both team sports and action sports sales decreased.

In the fourth quarter, there were lower sales of cycling helmets and cycling components in the action sports category. Tight budgets at the high school level contributed to lower sales of football equipment in the team sports category.

Three commercial properties in the greater San Fernando Valley region recently obtained Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

CB Richard Ellis Investors obtained LEED Gold for its 500 North Brand Blvd. property in Glendale, a 22-story Class A office tower. Hines secured LEED Silver for its five-story, 179,336 square foot office building at 5700 Canoga Ave. in Woodland Hills.

And M. David Paul & Associates landed LEED Silver for its Serrano luxury apartment homes and gardens in Encino, a mixed use development located at 16110 Ventura Blvd.

“There was never a question of whether we would pursue LEED at 500 North Brand; it was just a matter of whether to go for Silver or Gold certification,” said Debra Greene of CBRE. “But it’s a long and very detailed process.”

CBRE started the LEED certification process in approximately the first quarter of 2009. The company sunk $160,000 into replacing all of the building’s toilets to low-flow, replacing lighting fixtures with low mercury and Energy efficient bulbs, and landscaping with low water use plants. City rebates offset $40,000 of the total investment.

The company operates a recycling program on the premises, a web site to educate tenants on “green” issues, and incorporates environmentally friendly cleaning technology and sustainable purchasing practices. It also had to report recycling practices of demolished suites to obtain LEED certification.

Restroom upgrades alone have resulted in saving 2.1 million gallons of water per year. Landscape changes reduced irrigation by 55 percent. And the building recycles 6.75 tons of office paper per year, which is equivalent to saving 625 trees, according to CBRE.

“We never did it with the expectation of being able to charge more for the office space,” said Greene. “But what we hope is that it’s something that sets us apart.” CBRE Investors has obtained, or is pursuing, certification on 83 percent of its properties, she added.

LEED Silver is the third highest level of certification, Gold and Platinum being the next two levels respectively.

To secure Silver for 5700 Canoga in the Woodland Hills/Warner Center submarket, Hines invested into alternative transportation options, Energy efficient lighting, reduced nighttime light pollution, low-flow water fixtures and a comprehensive recycling program.

Paul Stockwell of CBRE is one of the property’s leasing agents. He and John Sabourin of CBRE recently inked an 18,000 square foot, 10-year lease with a company re-locating from the Sherman Oaks Galleria. The 5700 Canoga property is 66 percent occupied.

Stockwell said it’s too early to tell whether LEED certification is attracting new tenants. But it certainly doesn’t hurt as a selling point. “If you’ve got the choice of a LEED certified building versus a non-certified one, for roughly the same price, why wouldn’t you go into the LEED building?” he said.

M. David Paul & Associates’ Serrano development includes 51 residential apartment units and 21,000 square feet of retail space. Walgreen’s and John O’Groats restaurant occupy the majority of the retail space, and there is still 1,600 square feet that’s vacant.

Serrano is one of the first apartment complexes in the Valley to receive LEED Silver certification. The company broke ground on the mixed-use project in 2007 after a two-year planning process, and opened Serrano in June 2009. It did not tap any of the city’s financial incentives for going green.

Why go through the rigors of getting certified?

“As a company, we’ve been doing projects with (environmentally friendly features) for years, and we figured now is the time to get credit for something we’ve already been doing,” said Paul Krueger, development manager for M. David Paul & Associates. “It’s also about giving tenants efficiency and savings on their monthly utilities,” he added.

The company tracked waste practices during construction; installed tankless water heaters; increased each apartment’s insulation and air tightness; installed energy efficient appliances; used drip irrigation and low water use plants for landscaping; installed a water catchment system; and used low volatile organic compound interior finishes.

With no new feature film releases, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. relied on DVD sales, cable sales, and television specials and series to drive its fourth quarter financial results.

The Glendale-based animation studio reported net income of $43.6 million or $0.50 per diluted share, on revenues of $194.2 million for the quarter ending Dec. 31. For the same period in 2008, the company had net income of $51.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, on revenues of $199.8 million.

For the full year, DreamWorks Animation brought in net income of $151 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, on revenues of $725.2 million. That is a 6 percent increase over the net income of $142.5 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, on revenues of $650.1 million for the previous year.

Having released only one feature in 2009 – “Monsters vs. Aliens” – DreamWorks Animation is coming out of the gate much stronger in 2010 with an unprecedented three films, starting with “How to Train Your Dragon” in March, followed by the summer release of the latest installment of the “Shrek” franchise, and concluding with “Megamind” in November. All three films will be released in the 3D format.

First quarter revenues are expected to be driven by the merchandising and consumer product tie-ins with “Dragon” and the domestic and overseas television sales of previous titles.

Image entertainment Inc. cut 30 percent of its workforce and renegotiated vendor contracts as part of a restructuring program by its new management.

Those two moves are expected to bring about $10 million in savings to the Chatsworth-based home entertainment programming producer and distributor.

“We are now more streamlined, cost aligned and positioned for future growth,” said Chairman and CEO Ted Green. “While these changes are difficult overall, they are needed for the long-term viability of the company.”

Image has struggled over the past year as consumer demand for DVDs plummeted in the face of the recession. The company also dealt with a botched merger, defaulting on a $4 million payment on a convertible note, and delisting from NASDAQ.

In January, affiliates of private equity firm JH Partners became majority owners of Image that led to a change in the executive team. Shares purchased by the affiliates allowed Image to pay off lingering debt.

Despite shedding money-losing properties, such as radio stations in Milwaukee, and its CCM magazine title, Christian conservative media company Salem Communications continued to post losses in 2009.

The Camarillo-based company had a net loss of $1.6 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, on revenues of $51 million for quarter ended Dec. 31, 2009. For the same period in 2008, the company had a net loss of $30.6 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, on revenues of $55 million.

For the 2009 fiscal year, Salem had a net loss of $8.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, on revenues of $199.2 million. For the previous fiscal year, the media company had a net loss of $33.1 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, on revenues of $222.5 million.

Rep. Brad Sherman has declined support of a push to replace the illustration of Ulysses S. Grant with Ronald Reagan’s image on the $50 bill.

The 40th president remains too controversial a figure to be canonized on a currency note, Sherman told the Los Angeles Times.

“Our currency ought to be something that unites us,” Sherman was quoted in the Times.

The City of Palmdale will extend the Metrolink train platform at its transportation center thanks to federal funds.

Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon helped secure the $470,000 the city received from a federal appropriation bill.

In addition to the train platform extension, the money will also be used to increase and augment small business recruitment and retention through the South Valley WorkSource Center.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford sent a letter to McKeon thanking the congressman for his continued commitment to the Antelope Valley.

Despite shedding money-losing properties, such as radio stations in Milwaukee, and its CCM magazine title, Christian conservative media company Salem Communications continued to post losses in 2009.

The Camarillo-based company had a net loss of $1.6 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, on revenues of $51 million for quarter ended Dec. 31, 2009. For the same period in 2008, the company had a net loss of $30.6 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, on revenues of $55 million.

For the 2009 fiscal year, Salem had a net loss of $8.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, on revenues of $199.2 million. For the previous fiscal year, the media company had a net loss of $33.1 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, on revenues of $222.5 million.

Defense contractor ITT will close its Lancaster facility and transfer the development and manufacturing of test equipment for military electronics to its Thousand Oaks location.

The move was made as ITT makes changes to its defense segment and consolidates seven business units into three.

Some Lancaster employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to Thousand Oaks but about 140 people will be laid off, said ITT spokesman David Albritton.

We looked at a number of facilities and Lancaster was one we really took a look at the footprint and how to shift that to another facility in California,” Albritton said.

In addition to Thousand Oaks, ITT also has a facility in Van Nuys.

PS business Parks, Inc. reported operating results for the fourth quarter of 2009. Net income allocable to common shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was $9.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, on revenues of $67.7 million.

This is compared to $9.5 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, on revenues of $71.0 million for the same period in 2008.

Net income allocable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $59.4 million, or $2.68 per diluted share, on revenues of $271.7 million. This is compared to $23.2 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, on revenues of $281.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

The Valley Economic Alliance honored the Airtel Plaza Hotel with the Valley “Economic Engine” Award Feb. 24 in Sherman Oaks at its Board of Director’s meeting.

The award recognizes exceptional Valley-based businesses that have contributed to the regional economy and their local communities. This quarterly award is presented to one outstanding business from the San Fernando Valley.

According to the Alliance the Airtel is known for their “extraordinary service level.”

The Airtel has made both monetary and service contributions to the community. Owner James A Dunn donates his time to support local organizations. The hotel has hosted various Valley business groups, government agencies and community organizations. The hotel has recently renovated 267 guest rooms and 10 suites.