The following businesses, organizations or individuals have reached their 15-year membership milestone. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce congratulates and thanks all of the following members for their unwavering support and involvement:

The following businesses, organizations or individuals have reached their 10-year membership milestone. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce congratulates and thanks all of the following members for their unwavering support and involvement:

New Chamber member Playful Planet received national recognition this month when the Parents’ Choice Foundation honored the company with a Parents’ Choice Award for its “Storyland Yoga” DVD.

"Storyland Yoga" is a playful kid’s yoga DVD and download that engages children’s imaginations through storytelling. Children between the ages of 3 and 8 can learn yoga poses by imitating animals and gain interest in the planet by helping endangered species.

"The Parents' Choice Awards are so widely recognized that I believe winning this Award will help us connect with more families both locally and nationally," said Karen Duggan, Playful Planet Founder. Playful Planet aims to support families in raising healthy kids on a sustainable planet.

The following businesses, organizations or individuals have reached their five-year membership milestone. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce congratulates and thanks all of the three following members for their unwavering support and involvement:

REC Solar, a San Luis Obispo company that specializes in the design and installation of solar energy equipment, now offers the next-generation in home energy monitoring - the TED 5000.

The TED 5000 measures the power consumption of an entire household and makes the power metering information available to consumers, either through their computer, wireless display or a smart phone/PDA.

The following businesses, organizations or individuals have reached their 40-plus-year membership milestone. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce congratulates and thanks both of the following members for their unwavering support and involvement:

The United Way of San Luis Obispo County Youth Board has awarded three $1,000 grants to local youth projects and programs.

The grants were awarded to:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County, for improvement of their school based program. Elementary aged “Littles” from Nipomo Elementary School are matched with mentors of high school or college age, called “Bigs”. The grant will be used to increase participation and purchase equipment for the program.
• The 8th grade AVID class from Flamson Middle School AVID class received a grant for the “No Place For Hate” week. This event promotes tolerance, peace and acceptance through a variety of school-wide activities and an awareness campaign. The grant will be used to purchase materials for a mural in Victory Alley, host a Mix It Up dance with music from varying cultures and games promoting tolerance, and to provide students with rubber bracelets that say “FMS - No Place For Hate” as a daily reminder for students to get along.
• Two 6th grade students from the SLO County YMCA Healthy Kids Club who created a Traveling Library for after school programs. The grant funds will be used to purchase 100 books for the library. Older participants of the program will be encouraged to mentor younger students to improve reading skill and increase the enjoyment of books.

Once again the City of San Luis Obispo’s Natural Resources Protection Program has teamed up with The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to create Froom Ranch Open Space; a 310 acre property that offers new recreational opportunities and wildlife viewing among dense chaparral, oak woodlands and open grasslands.

Adjacent to the existing Irish Hills Reserve, the successful conservation of Froom Ranch will expand the Reserve to over 1,000 acres and allow for a series of new recreation trails and linkages. 

Valentina Inn & Villas, Pismo's newest property located in the heart of downtown Pismo Beach, will celebrate its first anniversary on Friday.

The charming hotel also just announced the upcoming addition of a wine bar on the Valentina ground floor, where Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar in Solvang will open its latest location. Services include wine by the glass, several wine flights and tastings accompanied by small plates and a selection of cheeses. The anticipated opening is approximately May 1.