United Way of San Luis Obispo County brought the year to a successful close by awarding $80,000 in grants and awards to local health and human service programs that provide the community with a wide array of resources.

As part of United Way’s annual Community Impact Fund grant process, more than 30 community volunteers reviewed 56 grant applications, requesting financial support to help meet the most pressing needs in San Luis Obispo County. After careful consideration, 20 grants totaling $75,000 were awarded in the areas of education, income and health.

The United Way of San Luis Obispo County Innovation Award recognizes a local not-for-profit organization for inventive approaches and programs. The 2011 recipient is GLEANSLO, a program of the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. Through a growing collaboration with farmers, health advocates, food providers, backyard gardeners, community volunteers and other nonprofit agencies, GLEANSLO harvests and donates produce gleanings to San Luis Obispo County’s food system.

Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Executive Director Stacie Jacob has announced her plans to open a new lifestyle marketing firm, SolTerra Strategies. Her transition from the Wine Alliance to running her own business has begun and the search for a new executive director is actively underway. Jacob has agreed to assist the Alliance with the transition until a new leader is in place.

During Jacob’s seven-year tenure working for the 500 member based organization, she led an effective marketing campaign that achieved regional, national and global brand recognition for the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA). Under Jacob’s leadership the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance became one of the nation’s leading wine trade organizations recognized for its creative marketing, leadership and powerful regional brand. In addition, proactive public affairs initiatives have been created and a robust membership, which benefits from the Alliance programs focused in media relations, trade relations, direct-to-consumer marketing and industry education.

“It’s been an honor representing the growing, dynamic and maturing Paso Robles wine region,” Jacob said. “The prestige of the Wine Alliance, quality of its marketing programs and power of the Paso Robles brand are accomplishments of which I am most proud. I look forward to ensuring a smooth transition as I launch SolTerra Strategies, based in Paso Robles.”

United Way of San Luis Obispo County held its Annual Recognition Event on June 8 at The Monday Club in San Luis Obispo and honored several local businesses and individuals for their contributions to the community and United Way.

The event was sponsored by Mission Community Bank.

The following awards were presented:

Business Awards

Excellence Award
MINDBODY

Leadership Award
Accessories Marketing, Inc. (Slime)

Achievement Award
First Bank of San Luis Obispo; Plains Exploration and Production Co.

Community Spirit Award
Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo Daybreak

Lee & Associates Central Coast, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, has closed on the $2.1 million sale of a 1.12 acre parcel in San Luis Obispo, Calif., where buyer, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, will build a 10,000-square foot store due to open in Q1 2012.

Stephen Leider and Clarice Clarke, principals of Lee & Associates’ Central Coast offices, represented the seller, Halfterty Development Company. The parcel is one of three pads at the Village at Broad Street development in the city’s downtown area. Lee Central Coast is marketing the other two parcels for sale or lease at the location, which will include a mix of retail and residential units. 

The city of San Luis Obispo’s Preliminary 2011-13 Financial Plan, which includes the work program for the Economic Development Major City Goal, is now available online at the city's website.

This work plan, which begins on page B-29 of the Preliminary Financial Plan (pages 71-77 of the electronic version) will direct the City's Economic Development efforts over the next two years and was created with input from the City Council, residents, the Chamber of Commerce and local business owners. 

This summer, the city of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department is making improvements to City streets, parks and facilities, and storm drains – all made possible by Measure Y funding – your half-cent sales tax at work.

The following is a list of Measure Y projects, along with estimated construction schedules and costs:

Street Improvements
ADA Access Curb Ramps 2011
Construction to continue improving curb ramps for better accessibility throughout the City began in May and is scheduled to continue through November 2011, with an estimated construction cost of $179,000.

Street Reconstruction 2011
Construction to pave streets near the Downtown and surrounding area is scheduled to begin in August and will continue through October 2011, with an estimated construction cost of $1.245 million.

Recipe, a food and beverage marketing company on the Central Coast, won three Communicator Awards for its design work on a brochure for Bonipak, one of Santa Maria’s leading vegetable growers.

The Communicator Awards is an international competition that honors creative excellence in the communications fields and received over 6,000 entries this year.

“Our Bonipak team should be especially proud of the overall design win, as the competition is not limited to budget, size of company or industry," said Frank Scotti, owner and creative director of Recipe.

A discounted regional transit pass can help alleviate parents' financial constraints this summer, while teaching youths how to use sustainable transportation.

San Luis Obispo County K-12 students can go anywhere the bus goes in the county through Sept. 5 with a special Summer Break Pass.  

The Summer Break Pass only costs $30 and works on all buses in San Luis Obispo County including the Avila, San Luis Obispo and Cambria Trolleys.

The Summer Break Pass can be purchased online at www.summerbreakpass.com or at Regional Transit Authority pass outlets.

For each pass purchased, a free Regional Day Pass is available for parents or siblings who want to accompany the pass holder on the first transit trip.

For trip planning assistance, pass purchasers are encouraged to call Rideshare at (805) 781-4362 or visit www.summerbreakpass.com to use the online bus trip planner or view the How to Ride the Bus Video and the Places to Go Guide. 

At a time when arts-related programs have been cut from our public schools at an alarming rate, the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif. has stepped in to help fill the void by partnering with local arts organizations to bring increased children’s programming to the PAC. 

Now the Performing Arts Center has begun a two-year transition to become responsible for booking and presenting children’s programs.

A full-time position will be created. It will be dedicated entirely to youth programming and outreach. This position will be responsible for managing and expanding the primary existing program – School Matinees – while creating new programs to further engage young people in the arts and increase their participation in the creative process.

Last month, the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center received a generous grant from the Hind Foundation to support the creation of this new position.