BCA FYI

BCA FYI

Entries Tagged as Business Expansions

LOCAL BEAT

July 21st, 2011

July 1’s changing of the guard at the SLO Chamber of Commerce went like clockwork.  Dave Garth tied up the bow on his enormous community legacy, headed out the Chamber door and into new adventures, and new Prez and CEO Ermina Karim stepped up with grace and smarts. Well done all around … Atascadero’s hacker problems could happen to anyone. Our friends at TekTegrity offer great counsel: always approach email with healthy skepticism. Never open an attachment from an unfamiliar sender and don’t visit a website to change a password without first confirming the site is legitimate. Phishers set up phony sites, nab your password and have what they need to go on a buying spree … Cooking up some fun in Morro Bay: Defending champion Chef Neil Smith from Windows on the Water will go head to head, knife to knife, palate to palate with Chef Shawn Washburn from Shawn’s on Main in the Battle of the Bay at Sunset’s Savor Event on October 1. Sunset editor-in-chief, Katie Tamony, will be the discerning palate to please. Let the great food fly … More foodie-news-you-can-use: two Central Coast icons are combining forces later this year. The Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe is moving to Old Town Orcutt with Chef Rick Manson, the much-admired owner of Chef Rick’s as executive chef. Chef Rick, one of the epicurean honorees at the recent Central Coast Wine Classic, closed his eatery in late June to lead the charge at the new Far Western. And Applebee’s in San Luis Obispo is digging in on a remodel project to update the building and make big changes to the décor … Bru is the name of a very cool new coffee house located just north of the Carlton on El Camino Real in Atascadero. Owner Diane Helbert offers an inviting ambiance, great coffee drinks and pastries, and a most elusive asset: a private room that seats 8-10 people.

Categories — Business Expansions, Events, New Locations

LOCAL BEAT

June 23rd, 2011

Hot-hot-hot was the order of the day at Idler’s Appliances first-ever Father’s Day Chili Cookoff. Chili chefs from all over SLO County came out to compete. Travis Soule scored the top dog position in SLO and Toby Williams took it in Paso Robles. And while those chili recipes may be closely guarded, it’s no secret that Idler’s knows how to cook up community spirit and have some fun … If you are looking for 4th of July festivities, check out Morro Bay for its Sunday skateboard race attempting to break a world record, Sunday-Monday fun in Tidelands Park (games, food, music) and a Monday extravaganza that begins with a bike parade (several hundred pedalers) and ends with fireworks over the Bay at 9:15 p.m. … Still looking for something fun for the weekend? This weekend’s Roll Out the Barrels and the International Choral Festival are two more reasons why SLO is the Happiest City in the U.S. Check them out … Very soon you’ll be able to buy Olde Port Inn’s fresh fish without a trip to Avila – another location is opening at the corner of Olive and Santa Rosa in SLO … Added benefit to the July 1st Art after Dark event in Downtown SLO: the much admired Robert Reynolds will be discussing his work on site at the SLO Museum of Art on Broad Street, 6-9 pm. Bargains galore in Paso this Saturday with what’s billed as the North County’s Largest Yard Sale. Even kids have a shot at their own flea market. Downtown City Park; sponsored by the Paso Robles Main Street Association … Tomorrow, noon-1 p.m. the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce is hosting a training session to help participants get the most of out of Microsoft Office. One lucky winner will walk away with a complete Office package. Lyle Thomas of Computer-Techs is manning the mouse. 489-1488.

Categories — Business Expansions, Events, Tourism

SEEN & HEARD

May 26th, 2011

Big happenings at the SLO Botanical Gardens. New Executive Director Mike Bush has relocated from Singapore to lead the Garden, while passionate volunteer (and retired exec director herself) Liz Scott Graham was part of a powerhouse effort that snagged a $319,000 County grant to finish some amazing projects at the site. Be ready to see it unveiled before year end … Wonder what pieces fit where on the SLO Target project? The building going up in front is an AT&T store; Olive Garden will be on the corner of Froom Ranch Rd and LOVR, and our own locally owned MacSuperstore will be located next to Target … Gastroenterologist Dr. Vance Rodgers probably knows a thing or two about healthy eating. And since he and wife Virginia grow olives on their property, it only makes sense that they are bottling their own…what else…olive oil. “Obispo Olive” pairs beautifully with a balsamic vinegar the Rodgers’ import from Modena, Italy.

Categories — Business Expansions, Promotions

LOCAL BEAT

April 14th, 2011

The fabulous Cory Karpin is leaving his post as executive director of the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center after four years of raising major support for the PAC and its Youth Outreach programs. Don’t fret, though. This go-getter is taking a new lead station at another local organization, soon to be announced. In the meantime, FPAC is enlisting the help of former SLO Symphony executive director Sandi Sigurdson until the search for a permanent replacement is complete … Longtime RRM Design principal John Wilbanks is back in the SLO office after managing the firm’s Oakdale location for 19 years. Welcome home, John … BCA’s own biz development whiz, Scott Morrell, has joined the advisory board of SLO Green Build … Pomar Junction Vineyard and Winery in Templeton continues to host some of the best fun on the Central Coast. Coming up on April 16, Pomar is headquarters for the 5th Annual Earth Day Food & Wine Festival, featuring unlimited samples of seasonally-based dishes, more than 150 Central Coast wines, the can’t-help-but-dance music of Dan Curcio of Still Time and conversations with farmers who nurture a healthy environment. All this and a promise of zero waste. Check it out. And while we’re on the subject of food and wine and fun, it’s makes perfect sense to mention the May 15 event hosted by (and benefitting) the United Way of SLO County:  Flavor of SLO, 1-4 p.m. at SLO’s historic Jack House. More info at unitedwayslo.org … The Paso Robles Chamber’s Business Expo is coming up next week on Wednesday, April 20, 4pm to 7pm at the Paso Robles Event Center. Come by the BCA booth, say hi to Brian Trapp and enter to win our wine giveaway. Maggie Cox will be a featured speaker at the event.

Categories — Business Expansions, Business Successes, Events