May 6th, 2010
Baby Lola Ciufo, and Nick and Kacey Ciufo
One month to go to SLO County Hunger Awareness Day on June 3. It’s one of BCA’s best-loved causes. We knock ourselves out to help raise “one dollar one day” and boy, we can use your help. Pass the hat, send an e-mail, text to donate, write a check – we’ve got lots of ideas for how you can make it happen. Can you join us? E-mail mcox@barnettcox.com … We’ve got a knack for finding talent: Spring quarter BCA writing intern and Cal Poly student Alisha Axsom wrote a terrific piece for the Mustang Daily a year ago about a dynamic student leader in charge of the University Union Art Gallery: none other than Kristin Savage, another BCA intern and now a prized employee … Two great pieces of happy news: 80th birthday greetings to Clifford Chapman, one of the true jewels of the Central Coast. And a warm welcome to Baby Lola Ciufo, daughter of Nick and Kacey Ciufo. The then-Kacey Ampi worked for BCA and has since expanded her life to include a husband, a teaching credential and motherhood (in that order).
December 3rd, 2009
Congratulations to Mission Community Bank, whose Santa Maria branch is celebrating its first anniversary … Inspiring is the word for the KLIFE Radio’s recent Community Impact Awards dinner honoring Jack’s Helping Hands, Jim Sargen, Beverly Aho and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. Videos noting the contributions of the honorees and a moving presentation by SLO Fire Chaplain Mike Ward made for a powerful evening … Delicious news: the Tribune’s Bill Morem placed a spotlight on Organic B.R.A.T.’s “ah-ha” business moment in today’s edition … Former Cuesta President Grace Mitchell’s recent move to Novato is a loss for SLO, but a nice win for the town where Maggie Cox grew up, and where her dad, who served as mayor, still lives. Something tells us Grace won’t be a newcomer for long.
November 19th, 2009
A jewel of an idea: PAN Jewelers is placing gifts around downtown Paso every Friday through Christmas. Keep an eye out for small blue and gold boxes that announce “finders keepers” and hold gifts of up to $100 in value, provided by PAN to help make the season bright … Don’t end the year without taking time to think ahead. Mission Community Services Corporation’s Dec. 4 brown bag session features Lynn Krammich discussing “Emergency Preparedness for Small Business.” Sessions are free … Born at Sierra Vista anytime in the last fifty years? Party on with some of the many who called SV their first home. Sierra Vista’s 50th Anniversary party is Sunday, Dec. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the hospital’s auditorium … Pacific Air Taxi is a SLO company offering flight service to 30 West Coast cities including big daddies like Sacramento, SF, LA and San Diego, and, hallelujah, direct service to Chico, Temecula, Fresno and others.
November 19th, 2009
Kris Kington, new executive director of Hospice of SLO County.
Kris Kington is taking her extensive healthcare and community service background and tying them together in a fabulous new assignment. She has just been named executive director of Hospice of SLO County, replacing longtime exec Donna Keane, who is retiring after 13 dedicated years. Kris has had a big year: she is a small business owner (Central Coast Wigs & More in Templeton) and a newlywed whose husband, Bill Barker, is a familiar member of the local construction industry. Congratulations all around … Local company with extensive roots: kudos to SLO-based Parable Group, whose nationwide network of 300 member stores creates a big brand presence. A 24-billboard campaign is set to decorate the countryside and promote holiday sales … Collaboration, LLC and the EVC ’s recent program to assist small businesses in Grover Beach was by all accounts a huge success. Forty business owners clamored for seats at the innovative program funded by City-obtained stimulus dollars. A group of eager students is on a waiting list for the next round and similar efforts are anticipated in other SLO County cities … Local consultant Jim Seybert has completed training in the Marcus Buckingham SimplyStrengths™ Immersion Workshop. The training focuses on principles developed in Buckingham’s popular “Now, Discover Your Strengths” book on business management. Seybert specializes in strategy retreats and executive coaching … BCA’s Teri Conklin recently taught a group of talented regional volunteers top fundraising tips for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In 2009, Relay for Life raised $29.3 million in California, and $6.7 million in the region that includes San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
October 22nd, 2009
Kudos coming in threes: The recent Scarecrow Contest/Harvest Festival produced by the Cambria Historical Society (and led by BCA pal Susan McDonald) attracted 1,000 happy attendees. And speaking of Cambria, the charming community was named “one of America’s prettiest towns” by Forbes Traveler. SLO County shared this month’s media spotlight with a multi-page article in SkyWest magazine … Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center has been selected for the 2009 “Best of San Luis Obispo Award” in the Hospitals Category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) … Major congratulations to BCA’er Teri Conklin, who successfully completed the Nike Women’s Half Marathon benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in San Francisco on Sunday. Teri, a dedicated local volunteer for the American Cancer Society, walked 13.1 miles to further the fight against cancer.
October 8th, 2009
Continued get well wishes to Robin Dudley, recovering from a wicked bout of pneumonia that landed her in ICU. And if you’d like to help Missie Hobson with her battle against breast cancer by wearing a bracelet of support, contact Maggie Cox … Connie Framberger of Framberger Employee Benefits and Insurance Services sure knows how to celebrate a 30th business anniversary: She’s in the middle of moving her offices to 1920 Broad Street, near Downtown SLO … Planning to be busy: Chris Clark, principal of Crawford Multari and Clark land use planning firm in SLO (and husband of SLO Economic Development Director Claire Clark) is doing double duty, teaching a new crop of planning students land use and law classes at Cal Poly. Great way to nab the new talent coming along …
Dana Nafziger (back row, third from right) and his award-winning team at Aqua Systems.
Dana Nafziger and his team at Aqua Systems, an Arroyo Grande cleaning chemicals company, have joined an elite list of only 60 California companies receiving SHARP designation from OSHA. SHARP, the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, honors small employers who operate exemplary safety and health management systems. Nice side benefit: Aqua is exempt from OSHA inspections while the certification remains current … Business is pleasure for Judith Bean, Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce President and CEO by day and member of “Mudskippers” musical group in her off hours. The skippers go schnitzel every Thursday night during Oktoberfest at Old Vienna Restaurant in Pismo Beach.
