The very popular Saturday morning SLO Farmers’ Market at the Promenade just got better with the introduction of prepared gourmet meals provided by chefs from some the area’s finest restaurants including Buona Tavola, Luna Red and Neon Carrot.

Others include Full of Life Flatbread, Pure & Simple Bakery, Crushed Grape, Meze Wine Café and Market, Saffron, BABA Foods, Rinconada Dairy, Dairy Goodness, PC Cattle and Mon Ami.

Market visitors can purchase freshly prepared, take-home, pre-packaged meals during Farmers’ Market at the SLO Promenade off Madonna Road at 8 to 10:30 a.m. every Saturday. Market visitors can also serve them, at home for lunch or dinner along with, fresh greens, vegetables and tree ripened fruits.

Another sold-out event, the fifth annual BBQ fundraiser for special needs children brought in the highest amount of donations ever received.

Over $187,000 was raised at an Evening with Jack’s Helping Hand (JHH), which was held at the Santa Margarita Ranch on July 9. 

“The funds that we raise at this wonderful annual event continue to support our programs that help meet the unmet physical, mental and medical needs of special children, and their families in our community including our Assistance Program, Teen Yoga, Little Swimmers, and our Adaptive Toy Lending Libraries,” said Mary Illingworth, charitable administrator. 

Tickets sold out over a month before the event with close to 650 guests in attendance. The event included a traditional barbecue buffet, live music from a mariachi band and the Bangin’ 58’s, a live auction with seasoned auctioneer Jim Settle and the good company of others who share the passion for assisting special needs children in San Luis Obispo County. 

Residents at the Danish Care Center in Atascadero owned by Compass Health now have enhanced security in an already safe environment with the implementation of the Senior Crimestoppers Program funded by American Perspective Bank (APB).

APB made a commitment to sponsor the program for the next seven years through the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation, Inc. (SHCPF), an organization devoted to reducing crime in the nation’s senior housing facilities. 

Since its establishment in 1995, the SHCPF has cut crime such as abuse, neglect, fraud, theft and vandalism by more than 92.5 percent at sponsored senior housing facilities across the country.

Debra Larson, a civil engineering professor and Academic Affairs administrator with Northern Arizona University, has been named the new dean of Cal Poly Engineering, university President Jeffrey D. Armstrong announced today.

Larson, 54, will join Cal Poly Aug. 22, taking the reins of the university’s largest college with about 5,000 students, 13 degree programs and more than 80 laboratories.

“Debra understands Cal Poly thoroughly and brings an excellent blend of experience as an administrator and faculty member,’’ Armstrong said. “She knows that our primary mission is undergraduate education, that our highest priority is student success, and that Learn by Doing is an integral part of the Cal Poly experience.’’

The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa announced the club’s 2011-2012 Board of Directors on July 1.

Incoming President Ali Semon said that she will have a focus on “fun and funds."

“I want members to have a good time raising funds to serve our community and world,” Semon added. She brings a love of travel and world understanding to her new post.

Construction to replace a waterline on Johnson Avenue and repair the surrounding pavement will began July 14 and is estimated to be completed on Aug. 22.

The original waterline on Johnson Avenue broke in late May, causing disruptions to French Hospital and residents in the surrounding area. This project will provide a backup connection for the hospital from a different waterline and repair the roadway.

Normal working hours for the project are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition some night time work will be required and will take place between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. on three occasions (specific dates to be determined).

French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) is now accepting applications for the 2012 Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) Community Grants Program.

CHW and its member hospitals, including Marian Medical Center, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, and FHMC, administer this annual application process to support local nonprofit organizations that are driven to provide compassionate and high-quality healthcare to our community. 

Available grant funds total $45,353 and will be divided among several grant recipients.

The criteria for the 2012 grants will focus on health education and disease prevention program areas which target those in our community with disproportionate unmet health related needs as identified in the FHMC Community Benefit Plan in the following areas: cancer prevention, congestive heart disease, cardiac wellness, diabetes, and obesity.

The SLO Triathlon is looking for hundreds of volunteers to help it run the exciting annual event on Sunday, July 24.

Various stations that need volunteers include:

• Swim course
• Bike course
• Running course 

Shifts to sign up for are:

• 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon)
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• All day

Those interested in volunteering can contact Brian Roberts, the volunteer coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (805) 781-7455.

Paso Robles Wine Country and SLO Vintners will officially participate in Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast this fall. The two wine regions will be engaging in many facets and auxiliary events including agricultural tours and winemaker dinners, as well as in the Marketplace within the Main Event on Saturday and Sunday.

“With the surge of great winemaking both in Paso Robles and South SLO County, the region is the perfect spot for Sunset to hold an event celebrating great wine and food," said Sunset Wine Editor Sara Schneider. "We want to bring our coverage to life — give our readers a chance to get out and discover the talent and abundance we’re so excited about on this part of the Central Coast."

On Saturday, Oct. 1 the Paso Robles Downtown City Park will be transformed into a site of illuminated reverie featuring farm to table cuisine from local chefs and world-class Paso Robles wineries during Paso Glow: A Culinary Experience.