August 13th, 2010
The Giving Bean Co., special gifts for special clients
You’ve been looking for a fresh alternative to a gift basket to give your clients. We’ve found something extraordinary. The Giving Bean Gift Co., launched by Maalaea Quirk, provides custom gift boxes filled with classic home and office décor gifts, edibles and gift certificates. The gifts are presented in The Giving Bean Gift Co.’s signature black box with satin ribbon and delivered for you. Your clients will love it and remember you. Visit Maalaea’s website to place your orders today … In September a documentary on the local fashion industry will be screened at the Palm Theatre. Two BCA pals are prominent in the credits; filmmaker Robin Chilton, who produced the trailer promoting the film, assisted by videographer Joel VanZeventer. Take a peek for yourself … The ConocoPhillips Battle of the Blazing BBQ’s pits refinery chefs Tim Seidel, Jim Anderson, Derron “Bubba” Johnson and Dane Underwood against some of Santa Maria’s best grillers on Aug. 27. It’s a BBQ throwdown at the Santa Maria Airport, part of the “Thunder Over the Valley” air show. High stakes cooking – winner takes a ride in an A-6 (a very cool jet for you lacking in aeronautical knowledge). The dueling mitts prep food for air show pilots and flight crews. Up, up and away and come on, ConocoPhillips, do us proud.
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 1st, 2010
Call it dessert for the Sunset Magazine “Savor the Central Coast” extravaganza unfolding Sept. 30-Oct. 3: a finale at Avila Beach that includes fireworks and a concert by rock musician Chris Isaak. Find out more … It’s getting harder to avoid the decadent baked goods of Utopia Bakery on Broad in SLO: a second devilish location is about to open on Price Street in Pismo Beach … Not just for ice and potato chips. We hear former Food for Less owner Milt Souza’s new Oak Hill Market on the way to Oak Shores is a most inviting place. Fabulous meats, bakery and deli; open seven days a week 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. … Two great organizations and the beautiful sculptures of artists Allen Root and Ann Bernhardt converge on July 10 when the SLO Botanical Garden and Hospice Partners of the Central Coast debut an inspirational site at the garden. The Life Celebration Garden honors and remembers families and friends.
April 22nd, 2010
Heavy lifting comes naturally to Mike Zamar Robinson of MZR Fitness, a new gym and training facility now open next door to Mac Superstore in SLO’s Pacific Coast Center. And Mike offers a shout out to SCORE counselors who helped him realize a boyhood dream of creating his own business … Another dream-made-reality: Katie McCarthy-Cobler has turned her love of fashion into a downtown SLO business. Check out Retrofit at 956 Monterey Street for a fabulous collection of gently used women’s clothing and accessories … This is not your high school AV Club. The Hind Foundation’s support of the arts will be readily apparent this fall when the Performing Arts Center flips the switch on an upgraded technology that includes a movie theater-quality HD video projector, a state-of-the-art 40 foot screen, and satellites capable of receiving an array of live programming such as The Met: Live in HD … Share the wealth: California’s Travel and Tourism Commission wants to tip off visitors to the spots prized by locals. Share your top five Central Coast destinations, and then click on “CA Fives.” And please, nobody mention Bubble Gum Alley, ok? … Santa Maria is rolling out the red carpet to boost restaurant business. “Dine Out: Santa Maria Style” continues through April 25. Special menus discounts; visit here and click on Hot Travel Deals.
February 16th, 2010
Parable Christian Stores’ owner Steve Potratz says the retail store’s move next to Trader Joe’s in SLO went off like clockwork: crews arrived at 7 a.m., finished by noon and store staff had the new digs (50 percent bigger than the former downtown location) ready to open by dinnertime … The curtain’s gone up on a new name for a local favorite: the Pacific Repertory Opera has unveiled its fresh new name,
Opera San Luis Obispo's new look
Opera San Luis Obispo, and a contemporary logo designed by Isaac Horton of BCA. Bravo! … Economic powerhouse Diablo Canyon Power Plant has filed a request with the NRC for license extensions for each of its two reactors, currently permitted to 2024 and 2025. The next round of NRC meetings in SLO unfolds March 3. Find out more. … The ConocoPhillips Refinery on the Nipomo Mesa is working its way through regularly scheduled maintenance, called “Turnaround”, with the help of about 250 extra workers who come to the area for the several-week project … Anyone who watches the many reality based television shows on HGTV, DYI or the Discovery Channel is aware of prominent advertiser Lumber Liquidators. According to Internet sources, they are opening a store in SLO – 170 Suburban Lane, Suite 130. Welcome to the “hood.”
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.
November 5th, 2009
Forgive us, but we’ve gotta call it the “scoop”: Beloved Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream in the Village of Arroyo Grande is adding a second location, this one in the Santa Maria Town Center. The completely redesigned center is expected to open after the first of the year and will also include mainstays Johnson’s for Children and Tom’s Toys … Speaking of Santa Maria, when the Parade of Lights rolls through Santa Maria on Dec. 1, it will mark the 15th year of the Santa Maria and Nipomo Rotary Clubs’ extravaganza. Applications are accepted until Nov. 20, but space is limited to 105 entries. Don’t be left on the waiting list … Fowl weather friends: our pals at the Food Bank are hosting a Turkey Drive that tops off on Friday the 13th. Swing by Sierra Vista and Twin Cities hospitals and St. Pat’s School in AG and drop off foods and funds to help neighbors in need. KCOY, KSTT and Cat Country will be lending a hand. And a turkeymobile will be buzzing by doctors’ offices to beef things up. Amy, call Grandma and get her on the job … Please don’t jump on the beds, but do buy something at A&R Furniture’s Customer Appreciation party the weekend of Nov. 14 and feel like a kid. A portion of sales benefits the Children’s Museums of SLO and Paso Robles …Welcome to Mary Jacob, new executive director of the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society. Jacob is a longtime animal lover whose past positions include one with the Humane Society of the U.S., where she built the nation’s first statewide animal cruelty response system … We’ll avoid the not-so-funny cracks about homebuilders already bleeding, and instead ask you to support the Home Builders Association of the Central Coast in a three-day blood drive, Nov. 17-19. In SLO, Nov. 17 at Cannon, 1050 Southwood; in Santa Maria Nov. 18 at Celebration, Miller Street and Inger Drive, and in Paso Robles Nov. 19 at River Oaks, 2727 Buena Vista Drive. Additional info, please contact Liz Moody at 704-7912.
