Compiled by Camas Frank
SESLOC Federal Credit Union is the first corporate sponsor for Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. SESLOC joins the Corporate Founders’ Circle Sponsorship level with a $25,000 contribution to the center. “SESLOC has been part of this community since 1942,” said SESLOC President and CEO, Geri LaChance, “committed to our educational roots, and this opportunity is in great synergy with our Cal Poly legacy. We are honored to partner with a program that fosters support for bright, energetic learners.” SESLOC is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
The SLO Chamber recently welcomed new member, Allegretto Vineyard Resort with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Allegretto staff claim it’s, “home to endless wonders but, most of all, this is where one finds joy. As you’re swept into a rich tapestry of food, culture and endless beauty, you will feel a calming charge that connects you to what truly matters.” For information see: ayreshotels.com.
Food 4 Less is helping to alleviate hunger in the community by partnering with the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County for the 8th Annual Have a Heart campaign. To join the effort, visit Food 4 Less on South Higuera Street in SLO and make a donation at the check stand. In recognition of the gift, a pink paper heart will be displayed on the wall to symbolize your commitment to help end hunger in SLO County. One-in-six residents struggle to meet their basic food needs, often not knowing where their next meal will come from. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide $10 worth of nutritious food.
The San Luis Obispo Chapter of Senior Corps Of Retired Executives or SCORE is celebrating national recognition and honors from San Luis Obispo County and the City of Grover Beach. The chapter was recently chosen as the 2015 District Chapter of the Year and was named a Platinum Chapter for its work mentoring small businesses across the Central Coast. Only 5 percent of chapters across the nation have received the award for consecutive years. SLO SCORE’s Lorna Whiteaker, was also recently honored for her exceptional leadership to the chapter receiving a Mayor’s Proclamation from Grover Beach, as well as a Resolution from County Supervisors acknowledging her leadership and the chapter’s successes. SLO SCORE is celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2016. Its volunteers have counseled more than 7,500 clients, helped create hundreds of new businesses in the area and fostered the growth of many more.
French Hospital Medical Center has opened a new, 14-bed patient care wing focusing on, “the unique needs of orthopedic patients as well as other medical/surgical patients.” The new nurses’ station allows for quick and convenient access to patients, and each of the rooms is appointed with, “specialized equipment to aid in the recovery process.” The updated area also includes an indoor/outdoor physical therapy gym. “As an award-winning orthopedic hospital,” Alan Iftiniuk, French President and CEO said, “it is essential that we have the latest modernized equipment to care for the very specific needs of our orthopedic patients. This unit fulfills those needs for those who have undergone an orthopedic procedure as well as our medical/surgical patient population, as the increase in bed count allows us to care for a greater number of individuals.” Future projects are under construction, including a C-section suite, additional OB patient rooms, and a new nurses’ station in the Stollmeyer Family Birthing Center.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County is expanding its services with a “Five to Twenty Five” initiative, designed to support disadvantaged youth all the way into adulthood. The local agency has created over 2,000 mentor matches between adult volunteer and children facing adversity since 1995. Previously, they ended support when the youth reached 18 and graduated from high school. “Many of the Bigs continued to help and encourage their Littles through the challenges of college and job searching,” Executive Director Anna-Boyd Bucy said, “but official support through our program had ended.”
Big Sister, Sarah Levanway, emphasized the importance of a continued role. “As I watched Mayra grow up, I realized she looked to me as her Big Sister for advice in her decision making. Being there for her went beyond seeing her graduate high school to seeing her accomplish longer-term goals. Challenges for teens don’t stop when they turn 18 or graduate high school.” To learn more about how mentoring makes a difference for our communities and to find volunteer opportunities see: SLObigs.org or call 781-3226.
Templeton Tennis Ranch has hired a world touring professional and former Olympian and has new programs planned for 2016. Proprietors say they’d, “love to tour you around this stunning facility. It is truly breaking new ground in our region.” Sponsored tournaments are in the works with future room for spectators, but they plan to focus on an atmosphere conducive to learning, “tennis and pickleball and enjoy quality time together.” Day and weekend passes are available.
Castoro Cellars has completed an installation of a massive new solar project that will allow the winery to run 100% on solar power. The 625-kilowatt installation, which covers nearly 3 acres, will have an annual production of over 1 million kilowatt hours and eliminate an estimated $20,000 per month electricity bill. This marks the fifth solar installation in the last 10 years by Castoro, as they pursue a sustainable energy business model.
The solar project began construction in October in Castoro’s organic, Stone’s Throw Vineyard, adjacent to the winery production facility in east Paso Robles. Owners Niels and Bimmer Udsen said they expect the system to pay for itself by the fifth year, and to save nearly $240,000 a year for the next 25 years. “Bimmer and I have always felt the sun is a gift that we should utilize,” said Niels Udsen. “When the solar industry was starting they needed supporters to build the industry and we were eager to help.” All of the solar projects were planned and installed by REC Solar, based in SLO. See: www.castorocellars.com for details.
The San Luis Obispo Downtown Association will pour wines from Chamisal Vineyards at its 2016 Concerts in the Plaza this coming summer. The SLO Downtown Association is partnering with the local winery to bring concertgoers two of their most popular wines — Chamisal Stainless Chardonnay and Stainless Pinot Noir. The unique vintages are produced without use of any oak or malolactic fermentation, “allowing the pure flavors and aromas of the fruit to stand alone.” Chamisal Vineyards, is home to the first vineyard planted in Edna Valley. Concerts in the Plaza presented by Sunset Honda and hosted by SLO Downtown Association. The summer concert season kicks off June 10 and runs through Sept. 9.
Transitions-Mental Health Association is gearing up for the 35th Annual Strike Out Stigma Bowl-a-Thon to be held March 3-13. Hundreds of bowlers will fill the lanes at Cal Poly and Pismo Bowls to enjoy friendly competition and fundraise for a good cause. Behind the scenes, volunteers, donors, and sponsors have helped to make this event consistently successful year after year. Transitions describes the Bowl-a-Thon as, “a great way for work and social groups to team-build, have fun, and raise critical funds for community mental health services.” Funds raised will support SLO Hotline and other mental health services in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara counties. SLO Hotline, in continual operation since 1970, is a mental health support, crisis and suicide prevention telephone line offering free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Transitions has operated SLO Hotline (800-783-0607) since January 2010. It remains the only free service of its kind in the area, providing a critical service to our community.
The Central Coast Medical Association has announced Charity Dean, as president of their 2016 Board of Directors. Dr. Dean has served on the Board of Directors since 2012. She has also been active with CCMA’s state affiliate, California Medical Association, where she has worked on policies and legislation that affects physicians and public health.
Besides the Central Coast Medical Association, Dean is a member of the American Medical Association, California Tuberculosis Controllers’ Association, and California Conference of Local Health Officers. She works at the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department as an attending physician and health officer. In her role as health officer, she oversees all aspects of communicable disease control and outbreak response, while serving as liaison with the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
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