Tim Haley’s name is a familiar one in SLO County, and now his contributions as a military veteran have won statewide recognition. The Atascadero resident, former Marine and recipient of a Purple Heart Medal, led the campaign to create the recently dedicated SLO County Purple Heart Trail. Tim has been named 2010 Veteran of the Year for our 33rd Assembly District, an area that reaches from Lompoc to the Monterey County line, and includes 35,000 vets. Our warmest congratulations – and thanks – to Tim and other veterans and service members for what they do. If you’d like to acknowledge Tim, consider a contribution in his honor to support the Trail at www.purpleheartca101.org … SLO Seed Ventures, a great new program of the SLO County EVC, helps startup companies with that one all-important piece: finding capital. In addition, SLO Seed Ventures helps mentor and educate entrepreneurs. Kudos to organizers EVC exec Mike Manchak, venture capitalist Jo Anne Miller and program sponsor Gerry Frigon of Taylor Frigon Capital Management … We ran into John Shoals when he was wearing his Mayor-of-Grover-Beach hat, and he shared a boatload of great news: the city’s lodge and conference center proposal is making progress; the City is working to create a landing station for the Trans-Pacific Fiber Optic cable that goes through Grover Beach’s municipal network, and Grover Beach has moved up the ladder for Federal stimulus funding that, if secured, will help the city tie in to Digital West’s enhanced new Internet backbone. All that and Grand Avenue improvements. Go Grover … Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business offers a popular MBA program for fulltime students, and now the college is extending its program to working professionals in the Santa Barbara area. A new part-time MBA program launches this fall, with classes held at the popular Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara.
Entries from June 2010
LOCAL BEAT
June 17th, 2010
Categories — Awards, Business Successes
SEEN & HEARD
June 17th, 2010
Doug Swanson
Public relations professional-turned-Poly instructor Doug Swanson helped steer a winning PR curriculum for four years of students. His program included a student-run PR agency that offered help to local nonprofits and other interests. Great hands-on, real-life education and impressive outcomes. Doug is moving to Cal State Fullerton where he’ll exercise his muscle in a large PR program. He will be missed … Kardel Insurance Services welcomes Ann Hatley, who brings a number of notables to her post in client services and marketing: Texas native, USAF Academy grad and public relations officer, cycling team member – and holder of a law degree … Upcoming Mission Community Services “Brown Bag Dialogues” – all free and always informative: info at 595-1357. Seven Ways to Increase Your Business Income with local financial expert Melinda Thomas on June 18, and Marketing: Defining Your Competitive Advantage with business coach Christine Sommer on June 25 … Billboards 
on Highway 101 remind drivers of the stellar talent headed our way when the Mid State Fair kicks off on July 21. And on the topic of talent, we just have to brag on BCA Creative Director Isaac Horton and Graphic Designer Kristin Savage, who worked with Fair Marketing Manager Tom Keffury to create the billboard design.
Categories — Business Workshops
GOOD WORKS
June 17th, 2010
Lou Robinson has ink – and service – in his blood. In addition to offering counseling as a SCORE volunteer, the retired journalist and top rate PR professional volunteered his time this last year to a group of Oceano Elementary School students, teaching them (many of whom are ESL kids) how to write and produce a school newsletter … Hunger Awareness Day was June 3 and boy, locals opened their pocketbooks. Food Bank staff is still receiving contributions in the mail and note that despite the great response, overall contributions are down from 2009. Visit www.slofoodbank.org if you can help out and pony up a bit more by mail, web donation or text. And special thanks to “Amy & Kahuna” from KSTT 101.3 radio, who broadcast live for the event starting at 6 a.m. and hanging in for 13 hours … Terry Veal, longtime radio and voice talent, lost his wife several years ago. His experience dealing with grief led him to a new project, “About Tomorrow,” an audio cd that captures the perspective and comments of more than 20 people who have similarly made their way through a wrenching time.
Categories — Good Press
BRAGGING RIGHTS
June 17th, 2010
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center is Glee-fully showcasing the importance of infection-preventing hand washing. A custom soundtrack by SV neurosurgeon Dr. Harold Segal and his band, the Bluz Dog, combined with a building full of ready dancers, most in scrubs, adds up to something fun. Catch the act anytime … And while we’re talking Sierra Vista, there’s a new face (and some good humor) on the SV governing board, courtesy of newest member Cuesta Prez Dr. Gil Stork. We’ll resist the temptation to make an easy Birth Center pun.
Categories — Good Press
BCA BLURB
June 17th, 2010
Volunteer Sharon Young shows Lindsay Cox how to work that new college degree.
It’s that time of year, and BCA recognizes standout grads and an upcoming college senior: BCA interns Marie Christoffersen and Alisha Axsom and crackerjack Graphic Designer Kristin Savage. We knew we’d have to say goodbye to our interns, but we’ve had to add Kristin to that list, as she and her fiancé, Mike McCarty move to the Bay Area. Mike, a Cal Poly engineering grad student has received a prestigious job with PG&E, and Kristin, darn it, has skills that transfer anywhere … And finally, what kind of family-owned business would we be if we didn’t acknowledge our own Lindsay Cox, who graduated with a communications degree from Chico State on a Sunday – and cut short her after-grad vacation time to man the booth at Hunger Awareness Day. Congratulations!
Categories — Fundraising, Uncategorized
FYI Special Edition
June 3rd, 2010
Just one dollar from everyone could feed thousands. Donate today.
FYI Readers:
We love giving you FYI tidbits and updates twice a month. But today we’re turning the tables and instead, we’re asking you to give – to Hunger Awareness Day. Come on, keep reading: we’re not asking much.
Today’s the day. Please just take one moment right now and pass the hat in your office, go online to www.slofoodbank.org with a credit card contribution, or easier yet – text “feedus” to 20222 and your cell phone account will be charged $10. We thank the many people who have already stepped up, and we hope you’ll join the list.
There are 20 different donation sites throughout the county (check the Food Bank website). SLO Headquarters is in the First Bank parking lot at Higuera and Osos Streets, where on-air stars Amy and Kahuna, our dedicated pals from Coast 101.3, are broadcasting live for twelve hours straight beginning at 6 a.m. Come down, bring your cash, say hi and have some fun. The SLO booth is open through Farmer’s Market and heck, even into Bike Night.
One dollar, one day. Today.
