BCA FYI

Local Beat

January 26th, 2012

Retired SLO Police Chief Deb Linden and husband Bill Turner (retired Santa Barbara County Sheriff Dept) met popular mystery writer Sue Grafton years ago when they were technical advisers on “Q is For Quarry.” The trio became fast friends, and Sue’s latest, “V is for Vengeance,” introduces “Sergeant Detective Turner” of the SLO County Sheriff Department on page 260 – a shout out to Deb and Bill … Good news for him, bummer for us: Tim Seidel, the terrific manager of the ConocoPhillips Refinery on the Nipomo Mesa is on the move – the company has him climbing the career ladder with a new assignment in Oklahoma. No news yet on his replacement. We wish all the best (and thanks for his community work) to Tim and family. They will be missed … Congrats to new Coast National Bank CEO Anita Robinson. Great news for community banking … Assuming the gavel as chair for the Central Coast Economic Forecast is Dick Willhoit, CEO of Estrella Associates. CCEF is at work on the Mid-Year Update event slated for early summer … Nothing square about it: Morro Bay’s tourism efforts use a jazzed up mosaic-y box QR code graphic at the bottom of its ads to give it a shot of pizzazz – a shell shape … Hospice of SLO County has announced plans to move its Concours d’Elegance to June in Madonna Meadows and is extending invitations to owners of beyond-the-pale luxury cars (think Bentleys and Rolls Royces) to come for the fun. Got car? Lots of parties and plans are shaping up for Valentine’s Day, including one to benefit the Five Cities Homeless Coalition on Sunday, Feb. 12: count on this one for a crooner (Rick Jarrett and the QuieT Knights), a chocolate buffet and an auction. For more info, call (805) 710-4330 or email liz5chc@yahoo.com … Gotta love a program that promises to “highlight how disruptive business models and new technologies, combined with the ‘lean startup’ model, have made this a great time to be an entrepreneur.” It’s on tap at Cal Poly on Feb. 13.

Categories — Business Successes, Business Workshops, New Locations, Tourism

January 12th, 2012

Time flew and we’ve had a lot of fun. Congrats to Dave Congalton on the celebration of his 20th year hosting home town radio on KVEC. Dave’s wife, Charlotte, and Dave and Maggie Cox were there from the beginning and got together recently to reminisce on air. Dave’s program provides an important (and appreciated) local forum. Bravo … There’s no shortage of fun facts and crazy videos that make their way via the infamous “forward” computer button, but some are just too good not to share. If you love words like we do, you’ll enjoy Visual Thesaurus magazine’s “Word of the Year” feature (with thanks to FYI reader Deb Spatafore for punching the aforementioned forward button and getting the goods to us. Click here. And BCA staffer Teri Conklin circulated the crazy dots clip —this one will get your creative juices going … Welcome to new Morro Bay arrival and quickly-becoming-a-favorite wine and cheese stop, Bella Vinos, located next door to Distasio’s … Another food scoop, this one in South County: the amazing, giving guys of Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab offer an all-you-can-eat ice cream promotion every Tuesday at 5-9 p.m. Flavors change weekly … Rollie Pirkl is the new Chief Financial Officer at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, coming to the post from similar positions in Indio, Los Gatos and Redding … Mission Community Services and Jeannine Young of United Staffing teamed up to share an article Jeanne authored focusing some of California’s 740 new laws, many of which have direct impact on the business community. Read ‘em (and weep?) Continue to read article … More help: our friends at Longcrier CPAs offer online info about 2012 payroll rates and limits and other fun new year tax issues … And a quick tip: If year-end cleaning includes discarding household medications, keep in mind that the Integrated Waste Management Authority, the SLO County Sheriff’s office and the local police departments all have designated drop boxes for unused or expired medications including over-the-counter, pet medicines, medicated lotions and ointments. The products are transported to SoCal where they are safely destroyed.

Categories — Business Successes, Business Workshops, Marketing Tips

December 15th, 2011

Charles Weber is the phenomenal new chef at the Adelina’s Bistro at the Monarch Club at Trilogy in Nipomo. He delivered award winning performances in Chicago, Napa Valley, NY and SF, and happily, he’s landed here, delighted with access to local produce, seafood and meat and the SLO life (avid cyclist and father of four). Charles recently hosted a group of local reporters and community VIP’s to help select items for the new menu at Adelina’s. The food is well worth the drive … The first lady of mortgage loans, Roxanne Carr, is officially retiring from The Mortgage House at year end. But no worries—she’s staying close and will be a senior advisor to her MH team and continue her energetic volunteer activities … The recent Santa Maria Holiday Parade was old fashioned with a high-tech boost. Gadget guru “Clicker Guy” Chuck Anders helped parade judges use his computer technology to instantly tabulate judging results. Parade broadcaster KCOY TV received results just minutes after the final entry crossed the finish line … The ConocoPhillips Refinery on the mesa hosts the Cuesta College Women’s Basketball Tournament every year. Cuesta finished third in the recent event, but happy half-time shooters every night cleaned up: COP offers gas gift cards for a lucky fan at each game. Jenny Devore travelled from Arizona to see her cousin, Cuesta player Giavanna DeFrancesco in action, and went home with a $50 card. Speaking of basketball, Mitch and Leslie Massey are understandably proud to share news that son Morgan, a senior at St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria was recently named the “Player of the Week” by MaxPreps. Morgan showed his bb chops shooting 6 for 6 in the St. Joe’s victory and was nominated for the honor by area coaches.

Categories — Promotions, Staff Changes

December 1st, 2011

And you thought he was just an engineer. Bill Thoma is also a crack photographer (dare we say artiste?) who was moved by the amazing colors now on display in the Edna Valley. Take a drive and enjoy the spectacle before the weather washes it away … Get in the Spotlight: SLO Little Theatre is hosting a first ever Talent Show competition Jan. 16-19. It’s wide open: all ages welcome; solo or group performers invited and any talent considered. Take a chance and have some fun for a good cause – proceeds benefit the theatre’s Scholarship Fund. Find out more … Welcome to Joshua Roberts, P.E., new project manager in RRM Design’s Engineering Group … Two of Santa’s reindeer are touring the Central Coast this holiday seasons, courtesy of Hopper Bros. Family Christmas Trees. Find the duo at one of Hopper’s locations (AG, Santa Maria and Paso) and show your appreciation with a gift toy or non perishable food item. Learn more … Holiday gift ideas eluding you? Galaxy Theatres in Atascadero offers gift cards, and now with a new free Rewards Card, Galaxy dollars buy even more. And if you’re still looking for a party location – think Galaxy Theatres. Fun way to celebrate.