Biz Briefs
Compiled by Camas Frank
The Blue Shield of California Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to local non-profit RISE to help the agency’s mission to provide services and shelter for survivors of domestic violence in Northern San Luis Obispo County.
“It is a privilege to partner with and support California’s network of domestic violence service providers, including RISE,” said Peter Long, CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation. “Their role in the community is absolutely essential, and we are committed to ensuring they have the resources they need to continue serving domestic violence survivors and their families.”
RISE’s Executive Director, Jennifer Adams, said, “The Blue Shield of California Foundation grant supports daily operations. This frees up funds to support the direct needs of our clients, like food and shelter.”
The SLO Chamber of Commerce welcomed another new member, Placer Title Co., with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Placer Title is a full-service title and escrow operation, serving Northern and Central California with 50 branch locations in 17 counties.
SLO County electrical contractor, Electricraft, Inc., has joined TEGG, a franchise brand of ABM Franchising Group, to deliver, “mechanical and electrical maintenance solutions to commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.”
ABM consists of four brands: Linc Service, GreenHomes America, CurrentSAFE and TEGG. Electricraft will operate under TEGG.
“We are very pleased to welcome Electricraft, Inc. to our TEGG franchise network,” said Bert Kendall, ABM’s chief operating officer. “The reputation the company has built in San Luis Obispo is well deserved and we look forward to expanding Electricraft, Inc.’s business with the help of our international network of industry leaders and best-in-class service, testing and educational offerings.”
The Mortgage House is expanding its “green financing” options, established in August 2014 to fund energy-efficient and water-saving homes. The Green Division assists homeowners with finding rebates and lending to pay for energy and water upgrades.
In addition to saving resources, homeowners are also saving money on their water and energy bills. Green Division Manager, Kevin Hauber, is spearheading efforts to make The Mortgage House the regional leader in green financing, helping to fund improvements that save water and to make homes energy-efficient. For more information, see: TheMortgageHouse.com or call (800) 644-4030.
Kylee Jepsen, the senior communications coordinator at Visit San Luis Obispo County, was recently honored as one of “The 30 and Under Emerging Leaders” by the California Travel Association for her contributions to the travel industry.
Jepsen was acknowledged through Visit San Luis Obispo Country, as well as her individual efforts to promote travel, tourism and hospitality. “I feel the best way to promote an area is to be actively involved in what it offers,” Jepsen said.
Downtown Paso Robles restaurant, Il Cortile Ristorante, is being honored for the second year in a row with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The announcement was made in advance of Wine Spectator Magazine’s Aug. 31 issue, which will feature all winners and will focus on cuisine.
The wine list at Il Cortile is selected by Carole MacDonal, co-proprietor with Chef Santos MacDonal. “Our wine list allows our guests the opportunity to explore the difference in the same varietals grown in Italy and here locally, like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Vermentino. It’s a treat for both us and our guests to experience the nuances of each,” said Carole. For more information see: IlCortileRistorante.com/wine.
Changes are afoot at the historic Olde Port Inn Restaurant in Avila Beach. They include some upgrades, additions to the menu, and a new owner David Whitestine, who purchased the fine seafood eatery from the Cohen Family. The Cohens operated Olde Port Inn for more than 40 years.
Whitestine, an Arroyo Grande High grad, worked as a chef at Olde Port Inn from 1998-01 for the Cohens. Later, when the family opened Ciopinot Seafood Grille in San Luis Obispo, Whitestine was head chef there before returning to Olde Port as the manager. Whitestine said business has been great since he took over, but the unforeseen closure in late June of the Avila Pier is posing a challenge.
“June was an unbelievable month because the presence of whales drew massive crowds,” he said. “But now the whales have moved on. Couple that with the Avila Pier closure, and we’re really struggling this month.” Whitestine said there’s been confusion about which pier is actually closed. For more information on the historic Harford Pier, where Olde Port Inn is located, see: PortSanLuis.com.
On July 26, Family Care Network, Inc. held its 12th Annual Benefit for Kids at The Madonna Inn’s Secret Garden in San Luis Obispo. Some 300 guests, along with 30 wineries, breweries and eateries, raised over $115,000 in support of local children, youth and families impacted by trauma and making this year’s benefit the most successful to date. FCNI attributes its success to the amazing compassion and generosity of the Central Coast community.
Additionally, FCNI also presented its 2015 Circle of Serving Award, an honor given to exemplary community members for their commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of children and families in our community, to the Engle Family. The Engle Family are longtime residents of SLO County and have, “collectively and individually dedicated themselves to serving their community in profoundly impactful ways, spanning four generations and counting.”
Local law firm, Carmel & Naccasha, LLP, has brought a new attorney into the fold. Emilie K. Elliott joined the firm in July as an attorney and will be a great addition to the firm in several of its specialty law practices.
“Elliott,” reads a news release from C&N, “has distinguished herself in many of the firm’s primary practice areas, including business and intellectual property transactions. She also brings an exciting new skill set and depth of experience to the firm in health care law.”
Elliott’s health care law practice comes with a unique background, as she formerly worked as a registered nurse in a hospital emergency room in Visalia, Calif.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from UCLA, and her Juris Doctor from the USC. While in law school, she earned the “Peter Knecht Award for Excellence in Copyright, Contract and Entertainment Law.” She also at the time served as the production editor of the Review of Law and Women’s Studies Journal.
After graduating from law school, Elliott started her practice at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton in San Francisco.
Most recently, she worked for a law firm in Visalia, her hometown, where she focused on employment law, health care and transactional work.
A member of the California State Bar Association, Elliott is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
With offices in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, Carmel & Naccasha is committed to exceeding client expectations with responsive, creative and results-driven service in the areas of municipal law, business transactions, real property, land use, commercial and employment litigation, taxation and tax controversies, trusts and estate planning, wine law, and insurance coverage.
The firm was originally founded in 2004 by Tim Carmel and Ziyad Naccasha. For more information see the website at: www.carnaclaw.com.
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