Heritage Oaks Bank donated $500 to both the Women’s Fund of Northern Santa Barbara County and the Afternoon Rotary Club of Santa Maria.

The Women's Fund honors the vital role that women play in our community and is dedicated to increasing the opportunities for women to participate as philanthropists.

Rotary is an organization of business, professional and community leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill in the community.

“On behalf of the fund, please accept my sincere thanks for your gift,” says Judy Markline, Chair of Women’s Fund Oversight Committee. “Your contribution demonstrates your strong support for the fund and its mission to serve as a catalyst for change on behalf of the women, children and families of Northern Santa Barbara County,” adds Markline.

To celebrate its 21st year in business, the Abella Garden Inn Bed & Breakfast in Arroyo Grande now offers a unique experience for Tea Lovers. The inn has opened its doors to the public for teas parties – bridal and baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries and many other “event teas.”

As an added bonus, the inn also rents its primrose garden “oasis” with a running stream and waterfalls for intimate weddings.

The bi-lingual Innkeeper/owner Gina Glass is an ordained clergyperson who can perform a wedding ceremony at the inn or at another private location. 

Enjoy a variety of quality teas, including fresh teas from our gardens, along with a traditional English Luncheon or Afternoon Tea, or be adventurous and try Gina's Luncheon or Afternoon Tea with an "Italian twist" that includes old-world Italian delicacies, scones, "frittatas", puffed pastry filled with fresh fruits, and Glass's own sandwich creations.

Fleet Management Solutions, Inc. (FMS), a local mobile asset management and GPS vehicle tracking company, recently completed the integration of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Detention and Removal (DRO) Vehicle Management Information Systems (VMIS) and FlyteComm Frontsight™.

Implementation of the FMS equipment and web services integration with enterprise applications is delivering the operational readiness, mission effectiveness and cost reductions anticipated when the project began one year ago.  

"The data being gathered from FMS for use in VMIS is reducing the overall cost of fleet maintenance and providing fleet efficiencies that enable us to meet federal mandates," said Charles "Chuck" Welke, DRO Fleet Inventory and Communications Unit. 

Cuesta College is offering a chance to win a $250 Visa gift card to anyone that participates in a short, online survey regarding the college’s new website design.

A link to a short survey was posted on Cuesta College’s Facebook and Twitter pages on Monday. Anyone that completes the survey by July 12 will be eligible to win.

"Survey feedback is an important part of the design process," said Stephan Gunsaulus, director of marketing and communications at Cuesta College. "The more feedback we receive, the better we will be able to address the needs of our website users, including current students, prospective students, parents, community members, employees or supporters of the college."

Since the 2008 housing crash, many real estate companies have either disappeared or seen a large decrease in business.

The Department of California Real Estate reports the number of agents who were licensed went from 544,962 in April 2008 to 489,946 just two years later. 

But one San Luis Obispo company has used its unique and creative approach to grow and flourish during this economic downturn. With over 65 years of combined experience, The Davies Company Real Estate team took the economic downturn as an opportunity to stand out and offer more than your average real estate services.

"Rather than seeing the demise of the marketplace, we saw opportunity. We dedicated our resources to reach out to our friends and community through non-traditional ways," said Dawna Davies, owner and broker of the Davies Company.

Unlike many real estate companies, the Davies Company is a single "side" agency. By working with only the seller or only the buyer, the company ensures to achieve the best terms for their clients.

Global media company Red Herring recently named San Luis Obispo software company MINDBODY among the 100 most innovative technology companies in North America in 2010. The award was announced at a conference held in San Diego, Calif.

Technology industry executives, investors and strategists use the Red Herring 100 list as an instrument for discovering and advocating the most promising private ventures from around the world.

Red Herring's editorial team analyzed hundreds of cutting edge companies and technologies and selected those who are best positioned to grow at an explosive rate and achieve global reach.

The Land Conservancy has set a goal to restore San Luis Obispo County’s natural areas by planting 10,000 new native plants during 2010 under its “Ten in ‘10” initiative. 

The nonprofit organization is asking community members to help by planting natives at their own properties in order to reach the goal and sponsoring businesses have offered up discounts to sweeten the deal.

Restoration plantings completed earlier this year by Land Conservancy staff include over 6,400 natives planted along Nipomo Creek and another 1,100 native plants at Black Lake Ecological Area in South County.

Pigs Can Fly (PCF) Aviation announced recently the opening of The Jet Center at PCF Aviation, a new full-service, Chevron-branded fixed base operator (FBO) at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (KSBP).

An FBO is the primary provider of services to general aviation aircraft and operators located at or adjacent to an airport.

The opening of The Jet Center at PCF Aviation will bring much-needed competition to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, where a lack of FBO options has led to high ramp and handling fees.

The Jet Center at PCF Aviation has a "No Ramp Fee" policy, although the airport-imposed overnight fees still apply. The Jet Center features include: a crew car, discount rental car rates, computerized weather and flight planning, pilot lounge, pilot shower, conference room and many other amenities.

The Mortgage House, the leading local mortgage banker based on the Central Coast, keeps expanding its staff of loan originators to assist mortgage applicants with the best possible service and advice.
 
Charlotte Storlie, vice president and Central Coast Division manager, announced recently that Fred Dellagatta is the most recent addition to the lending team. 

“He brings 14 years of experience as a loan officer, a mortgage broker, and a wealth of knowledge to serve potential homeowners or refinance clients, notably in the first step of pre-approval for a mortgage loan,” she says. 

She adds, “We appreciate his extensive background and the glowing recommendations from others in our direct lending field, and know that he will be an exemplary addition.”