Rescue group receives three grants

Local businesses have awarded three grants to California Shock Trauma Air Resource, a non-profit group that serves Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The group assists about 300 patients a year.

The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation donated $10,000 for the installation of a global positioning system and communications equipment. This will allow dispatchers to reach crew members while in flight and facilitate constant monitoring of flight status and location.

Arroyo Grande Wal-Mart will donate $1,000 for equipment upgrades. An award of $7,691 from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation will be used to acquire two sets of night vision goggles.

CALSTAR also serves sections of Ventura, Kern and Monterey counties.

 

Buellton Chamber lists winners

Five businesses and seven residential sites have been selected as winners of this year’s holiday decorating contest sponsored by the Buellton Chamber of Commerce. Theresa Strong, president, and Victoria Pointer, Buellton city councilwoman, presented certificates for the awards given for the first annual Buellton Christmas Decorating Contest.

Winners were Rabobank, Onsite Computers, Flying Flags RV Park, Buellton Self Storage, and Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant. Residents taking honors were the Miguel Suarez family, 210 Kim Sue Lane; Mike McCurdy family, 350 Dogwood Drive; Ken Sorenson family, 371 Dogwood Drive; Mike Johnson family, 551 Farmland Drive, Dan Alexander family, 83 Six Flags Circle; Rodrigues family, 398 Elisha Court; and Pablo Gallardo family, 295 Kendale Road.

 

Nominations are now open

Nominations are now open for the 2007 Man and Woman of the Year. The annual award, given by the Valley Foundation, honors volunteers who have performed service in such areas as health and human services, senior citizen and youth programs, and cultural and educational activities.

Selected individuals in the past include Peter Robbins and Carolynn Petersen, 2006; Michael Balaban and Mary Ann Evans, 2005; and Dr. Art Kaslow and Tresha Sell, 2004.

Nomination forms are available online at www.thevalleyfoundation.org or by calling the Foundation office at 688-2991. A banquet honoring the recipients is scheduled for April 5 at the Marriott in Buellton.

 

Two free business workshops set

Two free two-hour small business workshops, sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Technology Club, will be held Jan. 10 and Jan. 15. The first workshop, at Royal Scandinavian Inn, Solvang, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., will show how to systematize a business for rapid growth and increased profits. The second event at Holiday Inn, Goleta, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., will discuss business plans that work. Both are facilitated by Ed Seaman, an entrepreneur with 27 years of business experience. Call 686-8477 for details.

 

SBCAG presentation planned

The Solvang Chamber of Commerce will sponsor an informational presentation on Measure D and how it is affecting businesses in the area. The event, given by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, will be Jan. 14 before the Solvang City Council and Jan. 24 at 8:30 p.m. Both will be in the Solvang Council Chambers and the public is invited. Call 688-0701 for more information.