September 24th, 2009
Help is here, business owners and managers. Nab info on ways the U.S. Small Business Administration, local lenders and others can give you a boost during these trying times. Small Business Resource Day is loaded with good news. Friday Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m. at the Atascadero Lake Pavilion. Register for the free event at: www.atascaderochamber.org … Need for speed: Members of the Estrella Warbirds Museum note many returning vets miss access to high speed, powerful vehicles, so it made perfect sense to add an Automobile Display highlighting automotive and auto racing history to the museum’s extensive collection of military aircraft. Zoom on in Paso off Highway 46 East … Gotta love the copy – and the cause: the SLO County Annual Creek Cleanup Day folks invite everyone to help “Grab the Gunk, Can the Crud, Decimate Debris – Get it Before it Washes Downstream.” Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to noon … Be On The Lookout: More roadwork ahead on Broad Street in SLO, including at the intersections of Tank Farm Road and Orcutt. It could get dicey, so plan accordingly with anticipated dates Sept. 28 through Nov. 20. Some overnight work on Sundays will help address traffic impacts … Halloween has become one of those big-time holidays with an entire industry growing around it. Check out the offerings at the Halloween Express Store, located temporarily in the former Linens ‘n Things space near SLO’s Home Depot … No tricks, this is one great treat: Grade Potential, an in-home tutoring company, is sponsoring a Halloween costume recycling program for local needy kids. Donated costumes will be distributed Oct. 28 at three county locations. Paul’s Cleaners, the United Church of Christ San Luis Obispo, Family Care Network, Exploration Station and the Paso Robles Children’s Museum are all helping out. New or used costume donations needed … Plenty of fun things to do this weekend: Plein Air, the fabulous outdoor painting festival sponsored by the SLO Art Center unfolds for a week beginning this Sunday and ending Oct. 4 … Then there’s Bravo SLO 09, the Performing Arts Center’s first ever season preview. Saturday, 10a.m.-4 p.m., more than 20 organizations will offer sneak peeks of the year’s offerings. Music, drama, dance…food, conversation, prizes, short films, and a noon-3 p.m. wine tasting…all free. What can we say but, Bravo! … And speaking of the PAC, Some compliments just have to be shared, like this one from John Kieser, General Manager of the San Francisco Symphony, praising our fabulous Performing Arts Center after the SF Symphony performed here earlier this year: “I first saw the Cohan Center in 1998 and at that time was impressed with the care in design and attention to detail which set it apart from a number of facilities in larger centers. From lobby to stage the Christopher Cohan Center is a truly world-class facility. The acoustics are superb, the hall is beautiful, and the tech staff is skilled. Many thanks for presenting the San Francisco Symphony and we hope to return in the near future.” Kudos to Ron Regier and crew who operate the PAC, and Cory Karpin and his team at the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center (FPAC) who raise funds to keep it in tip top shape … The SLO Home Show is on deck Saturday and Sunday at the Alex Madonna Expo in SLO. The free event has a green theme and will offer seminars on green living and distribute a Homeowners Green Buying Guide … More green – it’s all good: On Sunday the SLO Botanical Gardens is hosting a “Connections with Nature” green summit to celebrate its 20th – yes 20th – anniversary. Activities for all ages. Congrats to Liz Scott Graham and her dedicated green-thumbers on making the two-decade mark.
September 24th, 2009
one of the good sports dressed for the cause at Hit ‘N Giggle golf tourney
Hats off to the hard working Women for Community members whose hard work and high spirits at the Hit and Giggle Golf tournament recently netted $26,000 for Jack’s Helping Hands. Cheers, too, to the good natured guys who have more generosity than fashion sense …One gang over 30 that is easy to trust: the folks at North Coast Engineering, who celebrated the firm’s 30th last week. Congratulations to founder Steve Sylvester and owners Larry Werner, John Sanders, Christy Gabler and Greg Jaeger … Another 30th anniversary of note: the SLO Women’s Network. Connie Framberger led the charge to create an organization and Betsey Nash was its first president … Who knows more about fabulous places than National Geographic? The beloved world travel magazine has identified 100 “best adventure towns” in the United States, and SLO is one of only seven California honorees. Check out who else scored for hiking, biking, kayaking and other pursuits.
September 24th, 2009
BCA extends its condolences to the families and friends of two longtime business and community leaders, both of whom passed away this week: Dr. John DeVincenzo and broadcaster Gary Owens.
September 10th, 2009
Speedy recoveries to local business leaders Reese Davies of Founders Bank and Bill Thoma of Thoma Electric, each of whom underwent surgery recently. Bill is short a gall bladder and Reese’s heart is beating easier – and both are happily on the mend … Steeled for the future: Sierra Vista recently honored a long-held tradition when the final steel beam in its new medical office building was hoisted into place. The beam was autographed by work crews and hospital administration prior to a crane lift in a “topping off” ceremony. All steel used in the new building was fabricated by local company Templeton Steel … Get your gourds growing: The SLO County Farm Bureau announces its 6th annual Giant Pumpkin Contest. Last year’s plumpest pumpkin weighed in at 790 pounds and nabbed a good-sized piece of the $2,500 prize pool … The SLO Downtown Association recently announced its pick for December Holiday Parade Marshal: retiring SLO CAO Ken Hampian, who will be joined by his wife Suzi. Bravo for a great choice. And Ken, this is one ride-along you get to just 
enjoy … Turnabout was fun play when Symphony Pops Mistress of Ceremonies Liz Summer was the surprise recipient of the Symphony baton and conducting rights to a rousing rendition of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” A syndicate of secrecy raised over $10,000 ahead of the fabulous Avila seaside event to honor the longtime Symphony volunteer.
September 10th, 2009
Call us proud: Sunset Magazine’s recent round up of “Ten Hideaways by the Sea” extended lovely kudos to the Cass House Inn & Restaurant in Cayucos and Avila Lighthouse Suites in Avila Beach. Sunset combed beach spots from British Columbia through SoCal and SLO County scored with two of the 10 best … Thirteen’s his lucky number: Pete Muran, M.D., a nationally recognized Lyme disease expert, is one of a baker’s dozen of health practitioners who each authored a chapter in a hot-off-the-press new book. “Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment: Thirteen Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies.” Contact Longevity Healthcare to find out more … Seeing Green: Join the forward thinking folks at the grand opening of the GreenGoods store on Saturday, Sept. 19 and learn how to install a floor, figure out a grey water system and more. 3071 S. Higuera … Signs of Success: The SLO County Economic Vitality Corporation recently announced a group of five businesses that received EVC help with startup or expansions. BCA FYI welcomes Sprigs N’ Things, a custom floral design studio, Central Coast Home Health, San Luis Rides, an electric scooter and bike shop, KJB Embroidery Screen Printing and previously FYI’d Fun Ride, a car sharing service using alternative fuel vehicles. Keep up the encouraging work, Exec Director Mike Manchak, Board Chair Tom Jones and a who’s who of community leaders serving on the EVC board.
September 10th, 2009
Congratulations to surveyor Joe DeChellis of Paso Robles-based North Coast Engineering (NCE). Joe recently, and on his first try, passed the State Specific portion of the Licensed Land Surveyor exam. This is one smart-under-pressure guy: he passed an earlier test for Licensed Surveyor in Training without the benefit of a calculator. It seems the one he brought to the test was disallowed and he had to calculate the old-fashioned way … It was a big month for Noreen Martin – not only was her Avila Beach hotel a Sunset winner, but the very busy business leader was honored by the Children’s Health Initiative for her work on behalf of children. Martin owns several SLO County hotels and A&R Furniture, and still finds time to be a driving force of the Paso Robles Children’s Museum. And while we’re on the subject of the museum – hats off to busy Board President Jean St. Martin, who leads the museum board of directors, is mom to two young children and a partner at the law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery. St. Martin manages AMB’s North County office.
