August 13th, 2010
Gauchos are gone, Central Coast rolls on: when UCSB made the tough decision it could no longer support a three-county economic forecast, an easy decision was made by the local board: we will live on! Led by Chair Terry Westrope (Ocean Park Hotels) with the help of Anita Robinson (Mission Community Bank) and a board of 20 dedicated community business leaders, the Central Coast Economic Forecast is born with barely a missed breath. Same great program (Embassy Suites, Nov. 5), same great forecasters (the straight-talking, sometimes politically incorrect boys of Beacon Economics) and, with a nod to business-can-be-fun-and-heck-let’s-laugh, the masterful MC’ing of funny money man Bob Wacker (RE Wacker Associates). Save the date and rev up your sponsor checkbooks – we need your help to keep a great thing going … More on economics: our friends at the Economic Vitality Corporation, under the leadership of Mike Manchak and new board chair Candy Markwith (Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center) are working full tilt on a countywide economic strategy project – and making real progress. Check it out …
Galaxy Theatres showing now at Movies in the Park
When a group of Atascadero community leaders trooped to Tulare to tour a Galaxy Theatre operation and get a feel for what’s in store at the new Colony Square development, BCA captured the outing on video. Now we’re using a snippet of the piece to welcome guests attending Atascadero’s “Movies in the Park,” a fun (and free) family movie series produced by City of Atascadero Parks & Recreation and sponsored by Galaxy Theatres. See what videographer Joel VanZeventer saw when he rode along to Tulare. … Uncommon architect provides common denominator: Thom Jess of SLO-based Arris Studio Architects is leaving a big imprint – architect of record for the new SLO Target Center, the New Frontiers store (moving into Circuit City’s empty space at Froom Ranch) and the aforementioned Colony Square development. Six degrees of separation?
August 13th, 2010
Diane Henderson
It’s been a couple of FYI issues without mention of any direct relatives of the Barnett Cox crew. Time’s up: we can’t wait any longer to extend kudos and congrats to Diane Henderson, Maggie Cox’s sister (Dave’s favorite sister-in-law), recently installed as president of the San Rafael Rotary Club. And yes, event programs and other stunning design were in fact provided by BCA … While we’re on the topic of family, come on – check this out – an adorable new litter of kittens – seven to be exact – several of
You can't resist this face. Give these kittens a good home.
which are available to good homes. Scott Morrell, BCA biz development guru, shows he knows a thing or two about marketing – puts his own adorable daughters in the “find me a home” kitty pics. Awwwww, give him a break: e-mail smorrell@barnettcox.com.
July 29th, 2010
Avila Beach
The Economic Vitality Corporation has all kinds of interesting news about local companies. We loved the sound of this one: Penny Revolution™ Inc., based in SLO. This start-up company uses material from recycled plastic milk cartons to manufacture patented, reusable coin banks called Toggle Tubes ®. No more counting coins – just load, snap the ends and cash in … Talk about hands-on fun for the Leadership SLO class: a recent session on healthcare issues included a fun opportunity to try out the “DaVinci” surgical robot at Sierra Vista. This new darling of local surgeons is being used on procedures from hysterectomies to lung surgery. Note the leadership classmates never got near a real body … The Compact Gallery is just that – an intriguing space showcasing interesting art. Check it out at 1166 Higuera Street, open Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon to 6 … It’s a perfect time of year to get outside and pedal around our spectacular nooks and crannies. RRM Design Group’s current newsletter offers an easy guide to great bike rides. … And speaking of gorgeous scenery, enjoy a view of Avila Beach as seen recently through the eyes and artistry of BCA Creative Director Isaac Horton.
July 29th, 2010
The Thoma chiefs and leaders: Pearl & Bud (front) and sons Ed and Bill (back).
Thoma Electric Company has earned many accolades over the years for impeccable electric design and construction, generous community support and for being one great company. It’s nice to see the news spread over three counties as it did this week when Pacific Coast Business Times selected Thoma Electric to receive the Spirit of Small Business Award in San Luis Obispo County. Congratulations to the Thoma team, especially present day chiefs Bill and Ed, and the company’s dedicated founders, parents Bud and Pearl Thoma … Congratulations to first time grandpa, Wade McKinney, Atascadero CAO whose gorgeous granddaughter Hannah was the centerpiece of a recent five-generation photo. Son Jay, and daughter-in-law Courtney, are the proud parents. Wade is happy to share photos.
July 16th, 2010
We talked about Project Surf Camp in our last FYI, and today we can report the fabulous news that the group was named on the NBC Today Show as one of only three runners up in “Pepsi Refresh Project.” Top winner of a $100,000 grant was the Gulf Bay Area Food Bank. But here’s the best part: the runners up got more than just kudos – each of the three received a surprise grant of $50,000, enough to keep the local surf project in the water and serving 500 campers for two more seasons. Special kudos to Nate Ditmore of Morro Bay Surf Company and his wife, Jolie (Central Coast Pathology), dedicated Surf Camp volunteers … Even if you don’t fully understand what they do, you have to be impressed by Digital West Network’s relentless push for excellence. Tim Williams’ internet hosting company has made a huge upgrade to its internet backbone and transit system, now offering 100 times more volume and speed than was previously available.
July 16th, 2010
Welcome to the Railroad District Transitions-Mental Health Association, proud new owners of the “old Quaglino Hardware store” on Osos Street. Handsome renovations have been completed with special thanks to Thoma Electric Company for donating services to help wire the building into a suite of offices … Insurance agent Susan Polk must have a strong attention span. She is reading all 2,409 pages (and 153 page amendment) of the Health Reform Bill – 25 pages a day until Oct. 10 and updating her findings on Facebook and Twitter … Big hats off to a woman who wears a few – Ermina Karim, newly named VP of governmental affairs and economic development for the SLO Chamber of Commerce. The accomplished writer, mom and all around savvy local works hard to keep business humming here.
July 16th, 2010
The most recent issue of the prestigious Bender’s Labor & Employment Bulletin includes not one, but two articles written by Andre, Morris & Buttery attorneys Kathy Eppright and Dennis Law. Maybe not your easiest reading, but well worth touting: “California Supreme Court Vacates Arbitration Award for Legal Error” and “Ninth Circuit Decision Demonstrates Breadth of Federal Class Action Fairness Act” … Jerry Michael, Engineering Division leader and principal at RRM Design Group, has been elected president of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), representing over 5,300 firms in California. Maybe Jerry can lure members to the Central Coast for an annual conference … And more big-time leadership from right here at home: SLO County EVC president and CEO Mike Manchak has been elected to the board of directors for the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), California’s leading statewide economic development organization.
