Alpha Fire & Security Alarm recently donated a new security alarm system and fire/security alarm monitoring services to Hospice of San Luis Obispo, a local nonprofit organization. The alarm system and services would have otherwise cost Hospice of San Luis Obispo nearly $2,000 to install. 

The recent loss of Alpha Fire’s founder, Frank Rheinisch, prompted his son and Vice President Erik Rheinisch to give back to the charitable organization.

“Every resident of the community will need Hospice’s services in time,” Erik Rheinisch said. “I wanted to provide what I could to help this supportive organization."

The California State University Board of Trustees today named Jeffrey D. Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University, as president of California Polytechnic State University.

"Cal Poly has an excellent reputation for preparing the knowledge leaders that help to drive California's economy," said Armstrong. "I am honored to join such an outstanding university and excited about engaging students, faculty and alumni to build on its strong foundation and create opportunities for the future."  

Armstrong was one of three finalists for the position who visited the campus during the last week of November and met with the trustees for a final interview Dec. 13. Armstrong will assume the Cal Poly presidency beginning Feb. 1, 2011. He succeeds Interim President Robert Glidden, who joined the campus in August following the retirement of President Warren J. Baker, who led the campus since 1979.

Central Coast Funds for Children (CCFC) has much to be proud of this holiday season. At the nonprofit's recent Christmas luncheon and general meeting held at the Madonna Inn, it was announced that a milestone was achieved by this amazing group of 35 women. 

“Today, we celebrate our million dollar goal of giving $1,025,670!" CCFC President Chris Poe announced. "This is not about us.  It’s about the kids we are helping. We haven’t reached a destination, we’ve just hit a milestone-a big one at that...our goal of reaching a million dollars in giving.” 

French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) recently appointed two new community leaders to our Community Board of Directors; Robert Doria, MD and Kerry Pollock.

Robert Doria, M.D., FACC has been practicing Cardiovascular Medicine as a partner with Coastal Cardiology since 1990. His areas of expertise include the treatment of coronary artery disease, interventional revascularization procedures, cardiac arrhythmias, and advanced congestive heart failure. In his spare time, Doria enjoys spending time with family, youth sports, basketball and snow skiing.

Pollock is the Chief Operating Officer at Morris and Garritano Insurance.  She has previously served on the FHMC Foundation Board since July 2005.  She has also served on the Executive Leadership team for the local American Heart Association as well as the IBA West Service Corporate Board for the state of California, which she currently chairs.  Kerry enjoys reading, running and staying active outdoors.

The increased proceeds from the Wine Festival Wine Country Auction & Dinner in May has allowed the Paso Robles Wine Country to more than double its dedication to the community by gifting $68,000 this year to 13 North County area charities who support the industry's gifting platform.

Support of the local community is a way of life in Paso Robles Wine Country and the wine industry came together during the new Wine Festival Wine Country Auction & Dinner in May to strengthen its community support like never before.

The event hosted 269 wine enthusiasts at a seated dinner in the Paso Robles City Park to enjoy an evening of wine, food and community spirit. The auction, with the support of winery and hospitality partners who donated rare and unique auction items, was a resounding success.

In anticipation of the New Year, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) is funding $10,000 of the proposed restoration to the Octagon Barn Milking Parlor for the refurbishment of the historic site, proposed to start in 2011.

The PG&E donation was announced at the Octagon Barn Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, where The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County staff, board members, and supporters gathered to celebrate the longevity of the historic Octagon Barn, as well as the new site developments for enhancing and establishing the Barn as an eventual community center.

"Our vision for the Milking Parlor is to create a place of historic reference, a place where we can look at the past and present in relation to farming and agricultural heritage and bridge those practices through a sustainable lens, to the ways of the future," says Teresa Tibstra, membership and outreach coordinator, after planning and hosting this year’s Barn Lighting event.

The PG&E sponsorship funds will jump-start the first phase of construction including structural re-design, planning, permitting, engineering, and incorporating LEED design to maximize the education potential of the parlor. Other amenities for the sustainable parlor will include energy efficient insulation, windows, and lighting, as well as introducing a solar water heating system with small photovoltaic panels.

Business First Bank, a division of Heritage Oaks Bank, announced the promotion of Tino Munoz to the position of vice president, commercial loan officer. Munoz will continue to manage and grow a commercial loan portfolio in his newly expanded role.

“For the past five years, Tino has been a valuable member of the Business First Bank Team,” said Joanne E. Funari, EVP/President of the Business First Division. "This promotion is well-deserved and speaks to the contribution that Tino has made and continues to make at Business First Bank."

The following businesses and organizations have been members of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for more than 40 years. They reached the 40-plus-years membership milestone in the month of November. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce congratulates and thanks all of the following members for their unwavering support and involvement:

• Daniel R. Solomon, DDS, Jon E. Hollister, DDS, & Lee F. Hollister DDS
• San Luis Obispo Symphony

TechXpress of San Luis Obispo recently became a Google Certified Partner when Internet Marketing Specialist Jamie Macedo achieved Google AdWords Certification.

The new AdWords Certification, introduced earlier this year, is a much more rigorous and comprehensive program with higher standards than those previously offered by Google. It also encompasses new technology implemented by the company in recent months.

Macedo underwent intensive instruction and training, followed by two comprehensive examinations in November. Certification candidates are required to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the tools and functionality of AdWords with regards to search ads, display ads and reporting/analysis.