International Food Fest benefits local YMCA

INDIO -- An International Food Festival is being held at the Indio Fiesta Mall this weekend.

European, Asian, Spanish and American cuisine will be represented at the festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday. Attendees will be able to purchase “mini-meals” and be entertained by live music and dancing, according to a news release.

Admission is $5, which benefits Family YMCA of the Desert. Mini-meals are not to exceed $3. The mall is at 82227 Highway 111, Indio.

Monica Torline

Governor signs bill restoring small business loan program

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week signed a state bill designed to restore and protect the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program.

The program, shut down during budget cuts, is designed to promote the expansion of small businesses that are unable to acquire capital from a private financial institution without a loan guarantee.

Senate Bill 66 was authored by Sen. Curren Price, D-Los Angeles, and co-authored by Assembly members V. Manuel Pérez, D-Coachella, and Marty Block, D-San Diego.

Erica Felci

Networking event for women's business association Thursday

PALM DESERT -- The Trendsetter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association is having an informal networking event Thursday in Palm Desert.

Attendees are urged to bring friends and business cards to the mixer, which begins at 6 p.m. at Casuelas Café, 73-703 Highway 111.

Information: (760) 862-5577

Monica Torline