With help from local sponsor, Utility Telephone, the Land Conservancy unveiled its final vision of what the future San Luis Obispo Octagon Barn Center will be for the Central Coast. Despite a national demand for old barn wood from the building and design community, the historic Octagon Barn will remain a local icon thanks to a $150,000 pledge from Utility Telephone.

“The Octagon Barn is an important part of the history of San Luis Obispo, and we at Utility Telephone, feel strongly that support of such projects is vital to the community,” said Mark Jordan, Utility Telephone Vice President of Sales. “We hope our participation in this endeavor will encourage others to consider the importance of this soon-to-be hub of activity in San Luis Obispo.”

For more information, please visit their website: http://www.astuzi.com/

A Cal Poly professor has received a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop new ways to help low-income mothers return to their pre-pregnancy weight within a year of giving birth.

Kinesiology Professor Suzanne Phelan of Cal Poly’s Science through Translational Research in Diet and Exercise Center (STRIDE) will work with low-income mothers in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties for the study.

“Helping women return to their pre-pregnancy weights within a year of giving birth is important for their long-term health,” Phelan said. “High postpartum weight retention occurs in approximately 25 percent of young adult women. It’s a significant predictor of long-term weight gain, obesity, and obesity-related health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease,” Phelan said.

Five Chamber members reach their 5-year mark in September 2011. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce would like to thank and honor the loyalty of for their dedication and commitment to making the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce the largest Chamber on the Central Coast. The following businesses are:

• Relax the Back
• PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
• Dr. Betty O'Connor - O'Connor Pet Hospital
• Digital Foundation, Inc.
• California Star Limousine Service, Inc.

Two businesses, organizations or individuals reached their 10-year Membership Milestone in September 2011. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce would like to thank and honor the loyalty of the following members for their dedication and commitment to making the Chamber of Commerce the largest Chamber on the Central Coast.

• Pismo Lighthouse Suites (Martin Resorts)
• Digital West Networks, Inc.

Four Chamber members reach their 15-year mark in September 2011. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce would like to thank and honor the loyalty of  for their dedication and commitment to making the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce the largest Chamber on the Central Coast. The following businesses are:

• Sunrise Mortgage and Investment Company
• Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo #1532
• Kimco Realty Corp. (Marigold Shopping Center)
• Hearst Castle Theater

Carmel & Naccasha, LLP in San Luis Obispo announces the addition of Alicia Gámez as an Of Counsel attorney in the firm’s taxation and trust and estates practice groups.

Gámez was previously an associate with the firms of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP and Shartsis Friese, LLP in San Francisco. She currently serves on the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women and on the Executive Committee for the Taxation Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Gámez received her J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) in 2006, as well as a Ph.D. from Stanford University and a B.A. after graduating with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation is proud to announce that more than $120,000 was raised during its annual fundraising “Celebration of Caring” Gala held August 27, 2011. The funds raised will be used for life-saving programs and services at FHMC. Of the total amount raised, $11,300 will go directly to the Angel of Hope Fund, a fund established through the Hearst Cancer Resource Center at FHMC, which provides immediate assistance for basic medical needs of cancer patients and their families.

The FHMC Foundation also presented the 2011 Louis Tedone, M.D. Humanitarian Award, sponsored by Founders Community Bank, to Frank and Betsey Kelton for their involvement with charitable organizations that have improved the quality of health care throughout our community.