Category Archives: Biz Briefs

Children’s Museum Celebrates and a Farewell to a Local Activist

Business News and Announcements
Compiled by Camas Frank

French Hospital Medical Center announced the election of new officers and the appointments to two boards for 2015-16. In total, 48 community members flesh out the hospital’s Community Foundation Boards. Newly elected Community Board Officers include: Patricia Gomez, Leopold G. Selker, Michael Clayton, and Kathleen Enz Finken. The French Hospital Medical Center Foundation is a non-profit, public benefit organization. Newly elected Foundation Board Officers include: Reese T. Davies, Liz Summer, and Jeffrey P. Garza. New Foundation Board members are: Tom Lebens, Michele Ferreri, and Tammy Loughead. Over the years, the FHMC Foundation has raised more than $24 million for patient care and services.

open canvas laser 9991 12Open Canvas Laser zapped through a ribbon cutting ceremony with the SLO Chamber of Commerce last month. Open Canvas Laser is a doctor and nurse, family medical practice with 20 years of experience. They provide tattoo removal and “skin revitalization.” See their website at: www.opencanvaslaser.com for more information. Continue reading Children’s Museum Celebrates and a Farewell to a Local Activist

Biz Briefs: July 23–Aug. 5, 2015

Business News and Announcements
Compiled by Camas Frank

chronic tacos0002 12The SLO Chamber welcomed new member, Chronic Tacos with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month. Their pitch line is that, “The menu at Chronic Tacos is the heart and soul of the Taco Life — a lifestyle which encourages individuality.” Orders are customizable, with choices from fresh, locally sourced ingredients made daily from scratch, all fused together using “third-generation recipes.” Chronic is located at 892 Marsh St. in SLO.


Morro Bay Veterinary Clinic is now open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  They will be available every day for emergencies, routine medical care and surgeries, and drop-offs and pick-ups for pet boarding at their boarding facility.  These new hours will be especially valuable for those Central Coast pet owners who are not able or willing to drive to Atascadero or Arroyo Grande on weekends to current emergency hospitals, or for those owners that work full-time weekday hours For more information, visit the office at 385 Quintana Rd. in Morro Bay, or online at: www.morrobayvet.com.


Continue reading Biz Briefs: July 23–Aug. 5, 2015

Biz Briefs: July 9–22, 2015

Business News and Announcements
Compiled by Camas Frank

Julie Bunce, cuts the ribbon with help from (left to right) Steve Polk, Marian Anderson, Alex Gough, Anne Gough and Carlee Porter during a special ribbon cutting with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.
Julie Bunce, cuts the ribbon with help from (left to right) Steve Polk, Marian Anderson, Alex Gough, Anne Gough and Carlee Porter during a special ribbon cutting with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.

The SLO Chamber welcomed new member, Sirens Sea Glass Gallery with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month.  Sirens Sea Glass Gallery is owned and operated by artist Julie Bunce and features a gallery and jewelry studio, highlighting fine art sea glass mosaics and hand wrapped jewelry. Visit the gallery at 964 Chorro St., #2 or online at: sirensseaglass.com for more information.

Camp Cinder, a fire fighting summer camp for girls, got a $5,000 grant from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County to help pay for housing in the Cal Poly dorms for the 18 high school girls who participated. Campers get introduced to firefighting in hopes that they will consider a future career in the fire service. Camp Cinder was one of 24 grantees with the Community Foundation, totaling some $193,000. For more information on the Foundation, call 543-2323 or see: www.cfsloco.org. Camp Cinder ran June 24-28.
Continue reading Biz Briefs: July 9–22, 2015

Biz Briefs: June 25–July 8, 2015

Business News and Announcements
Compiled by Camas Frank

cycletribeOn June 20, Cycletribe and Lulu Lemon Athletica of SLO hosted the first “INSPIRE Ride” to benefit the Women’s Shelter Program of SLO. Two spin classes were held in the front patio space of the Lulu Lemon showroom at 547 Marsh St., in Downtown SLO. “When we opened our studio our goal was to create a community of riders that are actively involved in creating a better life for themselves and lululemon_logosupporting those around them in the same goal. With fun, healthy and unique spin class settings, our INSPIRE rides help fulfill those goals and raise much needed donations for our local charities,” said Jayme Brunson, co-owner of Cycletribe. “Our future rides may involve locations like piers, mountain tops and vineyards, we are very excited about all the possibilities and the tremendous support we have already received.”

Continue reading Biz Briefs: June 25–July 8, 2015

New G.M. at S. Lombardi, New Airport Views & Kudos to Trainer

Biz Briefs
Compiled by Camas Frank

S. Lombardi & Associates, a San Luis Obispo-based marketing and advertising agency, recently won six American Advertising Awards (formerly The ADDY Awards) for the Coastal California area competition.   Brittany Hensley, account executive from S.L.&A., accepted the awards, which included three for Community Bank of Santa Maria. The newspaper ad, “Lending Oneself to Growth” and a TV campaign, “Santa Maria Style Banking” were recognized, as well as the SLA designed annual report titled, “A History of Opportunities,” which won in the collateral materials competition. The Cuesta College TV campaign, “That’s Why I’m a Cuesta College Student,” received an award, as did two radio commercials created by SL&A. For more information, call: Steve Lombardi at 544-9220. Continue reading New G.M. at S. Lombardi, New Airport Views & Kudos to Trainer

Biz Briefs: May 28–June 10, 2015

YNPGBusiness News and Announcements
Compiled by Camas Frank

The Young Professional’s Networking Group of San Luis Obispo County (YPNG) is looking for board members to oversee different aspects of their operation including: the Outdoors, Community Involvement and Promotions. Email if interested in an application or go online to ypng.org for more information.

French Hospital Medical Center hosted an official ribbon cutting, unveiling the newly remodeled front entrance, atrium, courtyard, and reflection pool. On May 13, community were also invited to share in the celebration of the, “ongoing transformation of our facility with a barbecue catered by G. Brothers Smokehouse and short program.” The hospital architect also discussed the progress of the Copeland Forbes and Rossi Health Pavilion with plans for the next phases of construction. Continue reading Biz Briefs: May 28–June 10, 2015

Big Donation; Grants Awarded; a New Hire at Keller Williams

Biz Briefs
Compiled by Camas Frank

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and Twin Cities Community Hospital have received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines” Stroke Quality Achievement Award. Sierra Vista earned Gold-Plus status while Twin Cities earned Bronze. The awards recognize the hospitals’ commitment to leadership in stroke care in San Luis Obispo County and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. To receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures.


Pacific Western Bank presentationBig Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County announced its “2015 Big Event” and its new sponsor, Pacific Western Bank, which donated $5,000. This year’s Big Event will be held at “Villa Monte” in SLO on Saturday, June 27 from 4-8 p.m. Guests will sample cuisine and wines from local businesses with emcee, Adam Montiel and auctioneer Todd Ventura. The winner of the Kevin Main Jewelry raffle will also be announced. For more information and to purchase tickets, see the BBBS website at: www.slobigs.org or call (805) 781-3226. All proceeds benefit BBBS of SLO County’s youth mentoring programs. In the attached photo, from left to right are: Tom Strait and Machele Dubois of Pacific Western Bank (also a Big Brothers Big Sisters board member) present a check to Patty Carpenter, Karen Colombo and Anna Boyd-Bucy from BBBS. Business partners include: Etna Interactive, Oso Libre Wines, JW Construction, JED Nicholson Law Office, BHE Renewables, TekTegrity, American General Media, KSBY, Promo Plus, New Times, SLOCO Data, Cannon, Whitaker Construction, Wacker Wealth Partners and Tolosa Press. Continue reading Big Donation; Grants Awarded; a New Hire at Keller Williams

New Offices for Law Firm, HotHouse, and The Mortgage House

Biz Briefs
Compiled by Camas Frank

empower_logoEmPower San Luis Obispo County is hosting workshops in the Second Supervisorial District (North Coast) and attendees can sign up for a home site visit and hear about common issues that lead to higher energy bills, such as the condition of the heating system, ventilation and air conditioning systems, insulation, water heaters and other major appliances. They will also learn about utility incentives and low-interest, unsecured financing that are available to complete qualifying energy-efficient projects. Workshops are: Wednesday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 Coast Union High School, 2950 Santa Rosa Creek Rd., Cambria; and, Friday, May 7 5:30-7:30 Cayucos Elementary School, 301 Cayucos Dr. The emPower program, part of the County Planning and Building Department, offers voluntary incentives, financing and other services to help single-family homeowners in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties make home energy upgrades easier and more affordable. Get more information at: www.empowersbc.org. Continue reading New Offices for Law Firm, HotHouse, and The Mortgage House

A New COO, Zoo Passes Test and Fitness Guru Honored

Business News and Announcements
Compiled by Camas Frank

San Luis Obispo County is celebrating National County Government Month in April with several public activities, including tours at SLO County Regional Airport and a volunteer workday to clean up areas around Lopez Lake Recreation Area. The theme for this year’s National County Government Month focuses primarily on transportation and infrastructure as, “the building blocks for a safe, healthy, livable, prosperous and well-governed community.” See: www.slocounty.ca.gov for details.


Grocery Outlet_8967The SLO Chamber welcomed new member, the Grocery Outlet, with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month. Grocery Outlet is a national bargain chain with the newest branch at 1314 Madonna Road in the Laguna Village Shopping Center. The store is owned and operated by Ryan and Shannon Parrish, who relocated to SLO from Washington. The store sells refrigerated and frozen foods, fresh produce, meat, organics, dry groceries, beer and wine, household, and health and beauty products. Continue reading A New COO, Zoo Passes Test and Fitness Guru Honored

Couch Potato Moves; New Docs in Town; and Arts Chief Hired

Business News and Announcements Compiled by Camas Frank

The 2015 WiVi Central Coast Wine Industry Conference & Tradeshow garnered more exhibitors and increased attendees by a third over last year’s figures. Organizers said 1,500 attended the 2-day conference with 180 vendor booths, making 2015 the most successful year for the organization. “We saw more vintners, growers, business managers, enologists and hospitality managers than ever before,” said WiVi Director, Becky Zelinski. “The word is out that WiVi is the place to meet with preferred vendors, gain insight on relevant topics, and network with peers all in our backyard.”
Adjunct to the conference, the WiVi Tradeshow featured every industry-related vendor from cork-makers and bottling machines to solar energy and point of sale software developers. For more information about WiVi Central Coast Industry Conference & Tradeshow, see: WiViCentralCoast.com.


Have A Heart_Finale10During February, Food 4 Less grocery stores in San Luis Obispo County and the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County collaborated for the 7th Annual “Have A Heart” campaign. Community members purchased pink paper hearts at the check stands of Food 4 Less stores in Paso Robles, Atascadero, and San Luis Obispo to show their commitment to end hunger. The 2015 Have A Heart fundraiser generated $15, 959 from paper heart sales. The Food Bank is able to provide $10 worth of food for every $1 donated, making the total donation of $17,500 worth some $175,000.

Continue reading Couch Potato Moves; New Docs in Town; and Arts Chief Hired