Nominations are now being accepted for the Fifth Annual Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award, which recognizes San Luis Obispo County individuals who demonstrate leadership, influence and advocacy in the pursuit of community organizing, and is named after longtime community volunteer advocate, the late Isabel Ruiz.

Established through the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation (SLOCCF), the award is open to all county residents. The deadline for nominations is June 15 and forms can be found online at www.sloccf.org by clicking on “Apply for an Award.” Submit completed forms by mail to P.O. Box 1580, San Luis Obispo, CA  93406 or by fax to (805) 543-2346. 

“This humanitarian award will not only honor the individual who has followed in Isabel’s footsteps, but will be a special remembrance of this remarkable woman’s contributions to our community,” said Foundation Executive Director Barry VanderKelen.

A change has come to the Sierra Vista Emergency Room. It’s now the first hospital ER in San Luis Obispo County to offer patients the opportunity to hold their place online, while waiting in the comfort of their own homes. 

The service, called InQuickER, uses an online registration form and provides patients with a list of available time slots throughout the day, allowing them to reserve their spot and arrive at the projected treatment time. InQuickER is only intended for individuals who have non-life threatening medical conditions. Individuals requiring immediate medical treatment should go directly to the nearest emergency department or call 911.

“We know people want more convenience and communication in their ER experience,” explained Georgette Sabota, RN, director of emergency services at Sierra Vista. “Estimates and averages about emergency room wait times may vary. With this service, users enjoy the convenience of choosing where they wait and a projected time to see a healthcare professional in the ER.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County is pleased to announce that valued community members Bret Colhouer and Adam Quaglino have joined its Board of Directors.

Colhouer, co-owner of Tolosa Press and co-owner of Simply Clear Marketing, joins the agency after seeing the positive impact mentoring has had on his own daughter, a Big Sister in the agency’s School Based Program.

Quaglino, a Realtor for the Real Estate Group, is motivated by a desire to raise funds and support the children of San Luis Obispo County.

Wyatt Renew, who has served as iii DESiGN’s art director for the past five years, has formally accepted a partnership position with the San Luis Obispo graphic design studio. 

“It’s a natural step for someone who is so creative and productive,” said Missy Reitner-Cameron, founder of iii DESiGN, Inc. “Wyatt has been integral in managing our staff and projects for several years. His participation in an ownership capacity is a direct result of his talents and dedication to creating outstanding work for our clients.”

Renew has been involved in every aspect of the firm’s production and operations, and has led the firm’s design staff on projects for Firestone Walker Brewery, Cal Poly Arts and Ortman Family Vineyards, among many other clients.

The Pithy Little Wine Co. tasting room is moving from one unique building in San Luis Obispo to another in Paso Robles this summer.

“We’ve enjoyed introducing both locals and visitors alike to our wines in our quaint little space in the heart of historic downtown,” owners Jeff Munsey and Felicia Alvarez said in an e-mail to Pithy newsletter subscribers. “We think of our customers and visitors as friends and part of our Pithy Little Wine Co. family. Sadly, we knew the time in our space would come to an end so the building could be improved creating a newer safer structure that complies with current seismic ordinances.”

Solstice Green Directory presented Prado Day Center with $350 from attendance donations at the March 22 Solstice Green Mixer at Harmony House in Pismo Beach.

Prado provides much needed services for the homeless in San Luis Obispo. Next Green Mixer will be at Sage Eco Gardens in Los Osos on June 21 and Woods Humane Society will be the beneficiary.

So far, more than $2,400 has been donated to nonprofits on the Central Coast through the Solstice Beneficiary Program.

The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation recently announced that the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) Endowment Fund has reached a $4 million milestone. This milestone has been achieved from several recent donations. 

First, the FHMC Foundation has been awarded an $800,000 grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. This tremendous gift from the Hearst Foundation is in addition to a $1 million grant by the same Foundation made in 2007 to establish the Endowment Fund.

News of this donation has been met with further excitement by the additional matching donation of $800,000 by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

One of California’s longest continually owned and operated solar company, Solarponics, is the first on the Central Coast to add the newest technological advance in solar energy – Echo solar systems.  

Developed five years ago by Echo First, the systems are considered the most complete solar system because they offer both electrical and thermal energy in addition to home heating and ventilation, while most solar systems only provide electrical energy. The Echo systems are 70 to 100 percent more efficient than popular PV panels because of their added thermal capabilities.

“With these new systems, customers are able to achieve more savings, have more control over the sun’s energy, and be twice as efficient with the same amount of roof space,” said Ryan Stepp, sales manager for Echo First.