January 28th, 2010
Don Idler, right, with Atascadero Chamber Board Chairman Jack Porter
Anita Robinson, right, with Chair-elect Chuck Braun
It was a weekend of big honors for many and today we name a few. Hats off to Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Don Idler (Idler’s Appliances), and Community Service Honoree Anita Robinson (Mission Community Bank).
John and Sandy Dunn
And there’s no doubt John Dunn’s SLO Citizen of the Year surprise was made all the sweeter by his wife Sandy’s successful surgery two days later … Atascadero-based Impact Absorbents has made big business out of spills and is now cleaning up for itself: the company has been named winner of a Pacific Coast Business Times’ “Family Owned Business” award. Impact Absorbents manufactures and distributes absorbent products used to clean up spills from milk-aisle mishaps to large scale industrial problems … Check out page 70 in this month’s Sunset Magazine for a burst of hometown pride. SLO photographer Chris Leschinsky shot a gorgeous photo at the home of Ed Thoma (Thoma Electric). The spectacular setting was designed by landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith of Los Osos and planted by SLO’s Al Hummell and staff of Rainscape … Zazz Daniel’s StoryAD Network is integrating advertising imagery and personal stories in closed circuit broadcasts “now showing” at Kennedy Club Fitness locations and the Hearst Castle gift shop … And It’s in the Mail’s Rane Aguilar has joined forces with Poor Richard’s Press, combining the two companies into a direct mail powerhouse.
January 28th, 2010
Honorees at last week’s luncheon for the Tribune’s “20 Under 40” were heralded by speaker Jonathan York, head of the Cal Poly Entrepreneurship Program … Speaking of Jonathan York, he’ll be moderating a “Meet the Press” style roundtable with Randy Flamm (IQMS), Ty Safreno (Trust Automation) and Steve Newell (Windset Farms), as part of the Central Coast Business Symposium coming up on Feb. 18. Sponsors Andre Morris & Buttery, BCA, Poor Richard’s Press, Taylor Frigon Capital Management and Morris & Garritano Insurance promise a dynamic event. Reservations required … Celebrity chefs from throughout the Central Coast will converge at Embassy Suites Hotel in SLO on Feb. 5 for a Culinary Carnival dished up by the Friends of Prado Day Center. Learn the details on the food, folks and funfest.
January 28th, 2010
Mission Community Bank has lured Clay Appleton away from a post with Coastal Business Finance in Santa Maria and into Mission Community Bank’s downtown SLO office, where he’s been named VP and commercial banker … Big career moves and tech-success for the Thoma family. Jennifer Thoma has been hired by Oracle and will be heading to Miami for her first consulting assignment. And son Jeff, has left QUALCOMM in San Diego to join Apple’s R&D team working on another version of the iPhone. Congratulations.
January 28th, 2010
The need for help in Haiti is still desperate, but BCA, Mission Community Bank and the United Way of SLO County are gratified by the $4,000 already deposited at MCB in response to our call for help. Please keep those checks coming.
January 28th, 2010
When your family is first in the 1950’s neighborhood with a TV (and a 50’ antenna to prove it), you know you’re headed for a future in communications. Dave Cox’s 30+ year experience in all aspects of media has been tapped by the Executive Partners Program of the Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business. The program hosts student mentoring and Business Issue forums. Dave is hoping to meet some new generation A/V geeks … Is yours a business that passes the sustainability test? Our free “Best Ideas to Make 2010 a Better Year” will help you walk the sustainability walk. Inspired by current tourism trends, we bet this BCA Bump will have something for every type of business. Put your business to the test.
January 7th, 2010
Star sighting in SLO?
It’s the New Year and we’re off and running. Let’s start with something light: Andre, Morris & Buttery attorney Kathy Eppright’s son Andy (that’s him in the red shoes) was downtown with some pals, Evan and Reagan Holly and Justin Hatcher, and made a sighting of someone Andy reported to be that “guy who goes to all the Lakers’ games.” Or is it? Whether real deal or wanna be, the star was game to play … Larry Embley of Jano Graphics teamed up with Cal Poly’s Mary LaPorte to give her graphic design students a real world “learn-by-doing” opportunity. Students designed and produced a calendar showcasing Jano’s services. Free copies of the enviro-friendly piece are available by e-mail request … Electronics into the trash? Read about IFixIt.com CEO Kyle Wiens’ trip to Africa to learn some scary facts about what happens to e-waste … The Seacrest Resort in Pismo Beach is in the good management hands of Myraline Morris Whitaker and her company, Central Coast of California Hospitality. Myraline is a well-known local tourism professional whose resume includes a year as Board Chair at the SLO County Visitors and Conference Bureau.
January 7th, 2010
Keeping business afloat: The Port San Luis Harbor District is inviting proposals for a retail/rental store, water taxi and small boat launch facility. Deadline March 1 … Mission Community Services Corporation has moved to new offices at 71 Zaca Lane (off South Higuera in SLO). And along with a new address, one employee got a new title: Maria Torres has been selected from a field of fifteen finalists to head the SBA funded Women’s Business Center (WBC) program. She previously served as WBC Business Assistance Specialist … Sixty-year-old law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery needed larger space for its North County office, and happily chose the historic Eppinger/Lewis home at 1337 Vine Street in downtown Paso Robles. A 120-year legacy, beautiful restoration and convenient access to the new Paso Robles Courthouse made the home an ideal office location for firm principals Dennis Law and Jean St. Martin and their staffs … Paris’ famed Latin Quarter comes alive at the PAC on Saturday, Jan. 30 when the Pacific Repertory Opera celebrates its 25th anniversary with “Paradis d’Amour.” Food, wine, music, dance, art – and a special unveiling … Big name means big fun ahead: The Late Late Show’s Craig Ferguson is Rotary de Tolosa’s choice for its annual Valentine’s Weekend fundraiser. Make plans now for the Saturday, Feb. 13 event at the PAC … Kristen Yetter looks great wearing two big hats. Not only is she the president of Promega Biosciences, but also the newly elected chair of the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center governing board. Outgoing chair Maggie Cox passed the gavel to Kris’s capable hands.
