In a special Q & A series, Heritage Oaks Bank President Larry Ward discusses how the proposed financial regulation changes may impact how a community bank does business, interest rates, inflation, and unemployment. He also shares his insights on how having a strong capital base benefits our local economy.

Question: Will the proposed financial regulation changes being discussed on Capitol Hill stifle or stimulate a community bank’s ability to do business?
Answer: It is too soon to predict how the new tidal wave of regulations will impact community banking. It is safe to say local banks’ compliance costs will go up as we must comply with all new regulations. I do hope that our representatives in Washington put the interests of the nation and the small banks which serve their communities before any political interests.

We do not need new regulation based on popular movements, but rather based on what is best for the financial well being of the country. If Congress moves too aggressively with new regulations, its actions could have the negative impact of stifling innovation. This is not good for either the industry or the consumer.

Nominations are open for the third annual Central Coast Community Impact Awards, honoring individuals and organizations that advance the quality of life on the Central Coast. 

The Selection Committee encourages nominations to be submitted by the public for these four awards before the deadline of July 30:

• Outstanding Non-Profit Organization of the Year
• Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
• Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year
• Outstanding Business of the Year

For the first time, all nominees will be recognized at a special outdoor reception and ceremony at Avila Beach on September 9. 

Pacific Eye's Dr. Chowins and surgery technician Eric White have returned from their medical mission to the remote town of Nuevo Progresso, Guatemala. 

They utilized Hospital de la Familia’s local clinic to perform 178 surgeries and hold over 480 consultations.

The majority of surgeries performed were to remove cataracts. The team had a very careful selection process to determine which patients were in most dire need of surgery as doctors had to carefully assess if the eye would be able to function beneath the cataract.

"The most difficult part about this trip was realizing that I can't help everyone. Some patient’s conditions are so severe and advanced that you have to send them back home. It's truly heart wrenching."

Mission Preparatory School seniors Nicole Mainini, Andrea Conway and Jill Mueller recently presented a check to Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County. 

These ladies are volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters School Based Mentoring program at Sinsheimer Elementary School, where they presented the check. Bigs and their Littles cheered and clapped for these girls, thanking them for their contribution.

Mainini, Conway and Mueller raised the funds at a school event, Kids Day Out, in which children came to Mission Preparatory School for an afternoon of crafts and activities.  

It's never too early, or too late, to teach kids the valuable skills they need to budget, save, and manage money. A group of Heritage Oaks Bank employees recently participated in the National Teach Children to Save Day, by connecting with children in classrooms and after-school programs to share lessons on the importance of saving. 

"Heritage Oaks Bank has a history of community service, and programs like this that promote financial literacy,  which are a perfect fit for both the skills of our employees and the financial education needs of the communities we serve," says Sarah Scott, Vice President and Compliance Manager, Heritage Oaks Bank. 

"It is our hope that the lessons taught during Teach the Children to Save Day will help inspire life-long savings habits for the children, which in turn will help ensure their financial success," adds Scott. 

One of San Luis Obispo’s leading web development firms, Hathway Tech, is going green as a means to decrease its carbon footprint, as well as promote environmental awareness the community.

The importance of Internet presence today creates a constant stream of energy into cell phones and computers. Hathway Tech is promoting decreased energy use, while maintaining cutting edge web design.

With financial strain heavy on most businesses, going green is not only good for the environment, it can save businesses substantial amounts of money in the long run. Promoting energy and water conservation is the easiest way to save money and be environmentally responsible.

Granada Bistro, an intimate European-style bistro tucked away in downtown San Luis Obispo's historical Hotel Granada building, introduces a grown-up version of the brown-bag lunch.

The Bistro's red bag lunch includes a panini, side salad, and choice of an Amy Bakes Cupcake or a Bionade Soda all for $12. Customers can call in their orders or stop by the restaurant. 

Independently funded, filmed and produced with as much grit, passion and determination as its subjects, Gripped Films presents a special screening of "Chasing Legends," a feature-length documentary following the HTC-Columbia Team through the 2009 Tour De France at The Clark Center for the Performing Arts on May 20 at 8 p.m.

Cycling fans are desperate for heroes they can believe in, and Gripped Films gives them Team HTC-Columbia like they have never seen, through an intense and personal glimpse inside the most winning professional cycling team as told by the riders themselves, both current and past heroes.

Included in the film will be commentary from Eddy Merckx, Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Jens Voigt, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and many others.

"Chasing Legends" highlights the greatest heroes in professional cycling with a dramatic show of teamwork and panache from Team HTC-Columbia through the 2009 Tour de France.

With a generous donation from the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, the San Luis Obispo County Chapter of the American Red Cross will purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for the chapter’s Emergency Recovery Vehicle (ERV).

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.slo-redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.