The Bank of America Foundation has awarded a $7,500 grant to the San Luis Obispo County Housing Trust Fund.

"Bank of America has a commitment to all of the communities that we serve throughout the nation," explains Greg Bland, the BofA Market President for California's Central Coast. “We support local community partners, such as the Housing Trust Fund, because we can create far more housing opportunities for low and moderate income households by working together.”

“Bank of America has been a generous and consistent supporter,” adds Jerry Rioux, the Housing Trust Fund’s executive director. “Over the years, the bank has contributed nearly $80,000 to help us increase the supply of affordable housing in San Luis Obispo County."

Do You Have Bicycle and Transit Requests? Now is your chance to provide feedback on how to enhance current and future bicycle facilities and public transit services. The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) reviews public input annually to determine countywide bikeway & transit needs.

A public hearing was held this morning, but you can still provide input. Anyone interested can e-mail requests to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (with "Unmet Needs" in the subject line) or fill out their form online by Feb. 9. 

Requests can also be sent to:
SLOCOG,1114 Marsh St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Open Bicycle Advisory Committee Positions  

For more information, or to submit a request, click here.

The Two Cooks Catering husband-and-wife team of Russell and Heather Thomas are now sole owners of the award-winning catering company.

Two Cooks, which celebrates its five-year anniversary this year, was formerly a joint venture between the Thomases and Ben Richardson. Richardson’s recent decision to pursue a teaching career in culinary arts at Cuesta College presented Russell and Heather Thomas with an opportunity to assume full ownership. The Thomases' purchased Richardson’s share of ownership for an undisclosed amount.

Following the change in ownership, Mr. Thomas will now assume the role of executive chef, overseeing all aspects of the kitchen and event management, while Mrs. Thomas will continue to run the company’s side business.

Artists, designers and community members are invited to submit works for the 2011 Bike Month Image Design Competition. Bike Month, a local celebration occurring annually each May, encourages the use of bicycle transportation through a variety of free community events.

This year’s theme, Change Lanes, will act as the guiding force behind the 2011 design and bicycling festivities, encouraging San Luis Obispo County to spend more time in the bike lane and less time behind the steering wheel. 

First Bank of San Luis Obispo employees raised $278 during a month-long "Jeans Day" fundraiser to support United Way of San Luis Obispo County's Community Impact Fund.

During the month of November, United Way set up a display in the downtown San Luis Obispo, Calif. and Marigold Center branches. First Bank employees, and their customers, were invited to donate to United Way.

Any employee making a contribution was allowed to wear blue jeans to work every Friday throughout the month. Several more dollars were also raised in December through their sale of candy grams.

To mark the beginning of American Heart Month, French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC), a leader in cardiac care, celebrated the grand re-opening of the French Bistro Café yesterday.

The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce held a special ribbon cutting ceremony and presented a certificate from the the city and the Chamber to commemorate the occasion.

The French Bistro Café, located off the main hospital lobby, has been remodeled to offer a more convenient and enjoyable dining experience. Improvements include stylish interior decorating, a beautiful hand painted wall mural, eco-friendly countertops and low energy lighting.

The Three Speckled Hens antique show last year raised $750 for Jack's Helping Hand, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the families of children with special needs. 

The antique show was held on October 16 and 17, 2010, at the Paso Robles Event Center.

ARTS Obispo, the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, has announced that California State Summer School for the Arts (formerly known as InnerSpark) is seeking talented high school-aged visual, literary, media and performing artists from throughout California. 

CSSSA, one of the country’s premier summer arts institutes, is a rigorous, pre-professional, training program with specific instruction in the fields of Animation, Film, Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts.

Selected teenagers will be designated California Arts Scholars, and will attend the month-long workshop on the campus of the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia from July 9 through Aug. 5. Participating students are able to hone skills and explore new techniques and ideas in a dynamic and supportive environment while making friends with others that share their passion.

Information has been distributed to local high schools, libraries and arts councils. Application forms along with instructions and program information also can be obtained online at www.csssa.ca.gov. Applications must be postmarked on or before Feb. 28.

Lee & Associates Central Coast welcomes Jim Slaught as principal. Slaught will specialize in investment sales with an emphasis on working closely with the Lee Associates Investment Services Group. He will be based in Lee's Santa Barbara office.

Slaught is a 20-plus year commercial real estate veteran who has transacted more than $700 million in acquisitions, dispositions, developments and leasing on over 2 million square feet of shopping centers and other investment properties throughout California.

Some of his notable transactions in Santa Barbara County include the Pavilion @ Paseo Nuevo, the Mesa Center, the Montecito Inn, and Town Center West in Santa Maria. Within San Luis Obispo County, he has completed repeated transactions on the SLO Promenade, Higuera Plaza, Pismo Plaza, and Atascadero Factory Outlets.