When the San Luis Obispo Symphony’s 51st Classical Season opened on October 8 at the Performing Arts Center, Symphony patrons were the first to learn of the news that Atascadero resident Jim Black had been named to the position of executive director.

June McIvor, president of the Board of Directors, made the announcement from the stage before a nearly sold-out opening night concert that went on to earn the orchestra three standing ovations. Black is no stranger to the Symphony organization, having served on the Board of Directors from 2003-2011 and as president during the 2006-2007 season. He succeeds Brian Hermanson, who left the organization last July to return to the East Coast.

French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) has officially opened the French Health Center, a comprehensive primary care practice in San Luis Obispo, at its new, permanent location at 1941 Johnson Ave., Suite 301. The Center opened on October 3, after significant remodeling and renovations. This new practice is intended to meet the primary healthcare needs of San Luis Obispo residents and is now accepting new patients.

“This is an exciting new chapter for both the hospital and the community because it offers better healthcare options,” said FHMC President Alan Iftiniuk. “With changes in healthcare reform, this is our way of creating an integrated and seamless health care delivery system by providing greater access to primary care and hospital services.”

The San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation has presented the 5th Annual Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award to Jack’s Helping Hand Charitable Administrator Mary Illingworth.

The Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award annually recognizes and rewards a local individual for outstanding efforts in advocacy and caring for local people in San Luis Obispo County. The award was presented on Oct. 4 at San Luis Obispo City Hall. David Ruiz, Isabel’s son, and Janice Fong Wolf presented the award and Mayor Jan Marx presented a city proclamation honoring Illingworth.

The Gay And Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast (GALA) has received a $1,500 grant from the Growing Together Initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation (SLOCCF) to develop a Senior Cultural Competency Training program.

The goals of the Cultural Competency Training program are to help health care, social service, and other organizations create inclusive, safe, and welcoming environments for Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) seniors and highlight the needs and concerns of LGBT older adults and the reasons they are less likely to access health and social services.

Cuesta College is inviting the public to an open forum on October 11 to meet the final three candidates for the superintendent/president position.

The forum will be held on Cuesta College’s San Luis Obispo campus in the Associated Students Auditorium, Room 5401, from noon to 3 p.m. Each candidate will have 50 minutes to introduce themselves, answer a series of pre-determined questions, and respond to questions from the campus community and public attendees. Parking permits will not be required to park on campus between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. the day of the event.

Beginning October 12, the candidates will be interviewed by the San Luis Obispo Community College District Board of Trustees. The selected candidate is anticipated to be announced at the December Board of Trustees meeting at the San Luis Obispo campus on December 7 at 4 p.m. during open session.

Attracting thousands of attendees, including scores of out-of-town food and wine lovers, Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011 wrapped up earlier this month.

The four-day destination food and wine event, which showcased the beauty and bounty of San Luis Obispo County, included a host of sold-out gala events, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chef appearances, gardening seminars, adventure tours to local outdoor hot spots, farm tours, and wine tasting excursions. Event managers claim the 2011 event an overwhelming success.

With help from local sponsor, Utility Telephone, the Land Conservancy unveiled its final vision of what the future San Luis Obispo Octagon Barn Center will be for the Central Coast. Despite a national demand for old barn wood from the building and design community, the historic Octagon Barn will remain a local icon thanks to a $150,000 pledge from Utility Telephone.

“The Octagon Barn is an important part of the history of San Luis Obispo, and we at Utility Telephone, feel strongly that support of such projects is vital to the community,” said Mark Jordan, Utility Telephone Vice President of Sales. “We hope our participation in this endeavor will encourage others to consider the importance of this soon-to-be hub of activity in San Luis Obispo.”