Music Director Michael Nowak and the San Luis Obispo Symphony are proud to announce their 2010-2011 Season.

A season that will unite old friends, further the Symphony’s commitment to music education and continue the Symphony’s tradition for exceptional performance. 

Among the highlights taking place in the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly next season are two performances of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, bringing together the SLO Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra, the Cuesta Master Chorale and Cal Poly Choirs; two world premiere commissions by two great artists – José María Gallardo del Rey and local Grammy-nominated Craig Russell – and the reunion of many world class friends, including soprano Maria Jette, cellist Zuill Bailey and violinist David Kim, among many others.

This vibrant and enriched season is a celebration of the Symphony’s 50th Anniversary Season.

"This is a season that is steeped in the most beloved of masterworks," states Maestro Michael Nowak. "Kicking things off with the popular Pops by the Sea concert on September 5th, featuring Brazilian pop artist Téka, we will launch into a season filled with music by the great composers, including Bach and Beethoven."

Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif) highlighted a new report showing that 456,500 California small businesses with fewer than 25 employees will be eligible for tax credits this year to help pay for health insurance coverage for their employees. 

These new tax credits are part of the new health insurance reform law enacted earlier this year. The report Capps cited was jointly issued by the nonprofit, nonpartisan health care organization Families USA and the Small Business Majority, a small business advocacy group. 

"Making health insurance affordable for small businesses — the engine of our economy — will ensure the United States is able to compete in the 21st century economy. I encourage my constituents to go to my website to learn more about the tax credits,” Capps said.

Morro Bay Pacific Wildlife Care Center received a solar water heating system from Solarponics, one of the leading solar companies on the Central Coast, as a donation to help reduce operating costs and save natural resources. 

PG&E also gave a grant to the center for a radiant heating system, which was also installed by Solarponics, to help keep the birds warm and increase the building's water heating efficiency.

"Solarponics feels that PWC provides a vital service helping to preserve wildlife. As a nonprofit, PWC has limited resources and one of the tenets of Solarponics is to provide local services to the local customer base and be a responsible business citizen," said Solarponics owner Mike Emrich.

The American Dance of SLO members became stars of their own Disney show in May when they took the stage at Plaza Gardens Stage at the Disneyland Resort.

The San Luis Obispo dance studio traveled from San Luis Obispo to the Disneyland Resort in California to take part in a Disney Performing Arts program.

Dance groups, choirs, ensembles and marching bands from around the world apply to perform each year as part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests.

Shining a positive light on evidence that the economy is coming back, San Luis Obispo marketing firm Verdin Marketing Ink (VMI) recently announced three promotions and one new hire.

Two new major clients, the California Space Authority and the San Luis Obispo County Tourism Business Improvement District, represent exciting growth for the company.

“The last 12 months have been remarkable,” said VMI President Mary Verdin. “Last July we purchased an office condo and designed it to match the flow of our business and our culture, we’ve partnered with a national ad agency, enabling us to expand our capabilities, and, because community is at the heart of who we are, we’ve now donated almost $200,000 in time and money to local nonprofits organizations since 2003.”

After six successful years of providing user-generated, online news, links to mainstream news, and moderated commentary in Santa Barbara, Edhat Online Magazine has announced similar community websites launches in San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties.

“The dedicated staff of edhat.com will serve the same role in these communities as it does in Santa Barbara,” notes Edhat founder Peter Sklar, “delivering as much information to the public as is possible, and facilitating productive conversations.”

Edhat is community-driven, featuring postings from local residents and visitors about the community, its events and news. The staff reviews and posts links to local news that is interesting or relevant. Sklar calls it "a big online neighborhood block party."

It’s free to receive the daily newsletter, a collection of county news links updated daily. Revenue is earned through these subscriptions and through advertising.

American Perspective Bank (APB) now has a full service office in Santa Maria, located at 2646 Santa Maria Way, Suite 101.

The unique business bank is opening to provide concierge service to existing and new clients in Santa Maria and all of Northern Santa Barbara County.

APB will host a grand opening for the community on Aug. 4 from 4 - 6 p.m., including a ribbon cutting scheduled for 4:30.

The event will include refreshments, entertainment, personal tours of the facility and socializing. Hors d'oeuvres will be served along with a Santa Maria-style barbecue.

SLO Veg, a local produce delivery service, celebrated its first year in business with a ribbon cutting and special certificate presented by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce on July 14. SLO Veg hopes to help its customers gain a few extra hours every week.

What would you do with a few extra hours? Would you exercise, play with the kids, read a book or cook a healthy meal?

SLO Veg hopes to help you find the answer by delivering the freshest, locally grown produce directly to you on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

SLO Veg offers only locally grown fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and juice all pesticide free, and strives to provide exceptional produce and excellent customer service.

Visit SLO Veg on 747 Woodbridge St. in San Luis Obispo or find out more at www.sloveg.com.

In an effort to enhance the Small Business Administration (SBA) department, Heritage Oaks Bank recently named Karen Nuño its vice president/SBA lending manager.

Nuño is responsible for expanding the local bank's SBA department and enhancing the its small business program.

"I desired to work for a bank that remained a true ‘community’ bank,” Nuño said.   

She will be headquartered at the Town Center West office in Santa Maria and will provide SBA services throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.