Carmel & Naccasha, LLP in San Luis Obispo announces the addition of Alicia Gámez as an Of Counsel attorney in the firm’s taxation and trust and estates practice groups.

Gámez was previously an associate with the firms of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP and Shartsis Friese, LLP in San Francisco. She currently serves on the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women and on the Executive Committee for the Taxation Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Gámez received her J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) in 2006, as well as a Ph.D. from Stanford University and a B.A. after graduating with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation is proud to announce that more than $120,000 was raised during its annual fundraising “Celebration of Caring” Gala held August 27, 2011. The funds raised will be used for life-saving programs and services at FHMC. Of the total amount raised, $11,300 will go directly to the Angel of Hope Fund, a fund established through the Hearst Cancer Resource Center at FHMC, which provides immediate assistance for basic medical needs of cancer patients and their families.

The FHMC Foundation also presented the 2011 Louis Tedone, M.D. Humanitarian Award, sponsored by Founders Community Bank, to Frank and Betsey Kelton for their involvement with charitable organizations that have improved the quality of health care throughout our community.

Verdin Marketing Ink has dropped the Marketing and the Ink, but in title only. The San Luis Obispo-based marketing firm has rebranded itself to convey an evolution that has taken place over the past eight years.

The new brand, complete with a new logo, slogan, website, blog, social media pages and more, showcases Verdin’s professionalism using a friendly, creative design with a surprising color palette.

“We have a unique vision for what we can do for our clients, and in this business, our clients’ success is our success,” said Mary Verdin, the agency’s president. “We are partners with our clients, and will continue to push ourselves and remember that everything we do should tie back to our clients’ business goals, effectively reaching those goals in professional, friendly, creative and surprising ways.”

Central Coast law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery has concluded its third recent wine industry transaction, logging a total of more than $100 million in sale contracts. Andre, Morris & Buttery principal and leader of the winery merger team, Michael Morris, represented Sonoma Valley Winery Overlook Vineyards in the recent sale of Landmark Winery. The sale price was not disclosed.

Landmark is located in Kenwood in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, and includes production of 20,000 cases of wine per year, organically farmed estate vineyards, a tasting room and on site overnight guest accommodations. Landmark produces chardonnay, syrah, pinot noir and grenache and sells its wines throughout the United States and some foreign countries.

Pacific Eye is very pleased to announce board certified optometrist, Rupert C. Chowins, O.D., Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.

Dr. Chowins was one of less than 2 percent of all optometrists nationwide to attain ABO Board Certification.  The inaugural Board Certification Examination was given in June 2011 by the American Board of Optometry (ABO).  The Diplomates are from 45 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 

“We extend congratulations to Dr. Chowins,” said Pacific Eye Ophthalmologist and surgeon, Robert W. Higginbotham, M.D. “We encourage our physicians and staff to continually improve their knowledge and skills through training and education. Our commitment to lifelong learning will help us better serve our patients on the Central Coast.”

Ten years ago, Shopatron founder Ed Stevens had a choice of where he wanted to live and do business. He sat down with his family, considered a number of cities and decided upon San Luis Obispo. "San Luis Obispo seemed like the perfect place,” said Stevens. “A great location, fantastic weather, good schools, a strong technical university and friendly people. What more could I want for both my business and my family?"

Stevens had come up with a novel idea that would revolutionize the eCommerce industry and eventually become the preferred eCommerce solution for brands worldwide. The idea, based on his experience growing up in retail and owning a hobby brand, was simple—branded manufacturers can take advantage of the online sales channel and boost their retail distribution by sharing online sales with their trusted retail partners.

A new article released by the journal NeuroImage features the results of a study that examined changes in gray matter volume (GMV) in the brains of children with dyslexia who received intensive reading instruction using Lindamood-Bell’s Seeing Stars® program for reading and spelling.  The study, conducted by researchers from the Center for the Study of Learning, Georgetown University Medical Center, and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, found that “training-induced changes” in GMV in the brain can be seen in a pediatric sample, and that the changes are accompanied by improvements in reading.  Furthermore, changes in both reading skills and GMV were maintained after the training ended.

Fully one-third of the San Luis Obispo Symphony’s annual budget goes to support extensive Music Education Programs serving the county of San Luis Obispo. More than 16,000 children and adults take part in one or more of these programs, which are based on California State educational standards every year. Rabobank has been a Symphony supporter for over a decade, sponsoring the popular “No Ties Allowed! Free Dress Rehearsals” at the Performing Arts Center. Rabobank’s generous $10,000 donation also earns them the title of “Signature Music Education Sponsor” for their support of the infrastructure that makes the Symphony’s Music Education programs possible.  

Nine distinct programs comprise the Symphony’s music education continuum, including Everyday Etudes, Strings in the Schools, The Music Van, and a range of professional training and performance opportunities offered through the Symphony and Youth Symphony.