Dozens attend Buellton mixer

Members of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce met at their sixth annual Potluck & Mystery Raffle Mixer on Jan. 15 at Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant. The group enjoyed a variety of potluck main dishes and hamburgers furnished by Jon McDermott and Doniece Parsons, owners of the restaurant, located at 373 Avenue of Flags, Buellton.

The highlight of the event was the “regifting” raffle where winners were able to select gifts from a table of wrapped items – all gifts that members had received in the past and rewrapped to give away again.

 

Deadline set for reservations

The Solvang Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Solvang State of the City luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Jan. 31 at the Alisal Ranch Sycamore Room. Deadline for reservations is Jan. 25. More information is available at 688 0701.

 

Businesses offered rebates

Santa Barbara County is offering rebates to businesses if they will participate in the “Save Water, Save a Buck” program, which has been expanded and extended to June 30.

Originally set to end Dec. 31, 2007, the project has received additional funding and will continue to review rebate requests. Initially it was only offered to businesses in six water service districts, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Carpinteria, Goleta and Montecito. Now, however, the additional funds allow the program to be available to any business in the county.

“This just make sense,” said Rob Almy, manager of the Santa Barbara County Water Agency. “The county wants to make sure all businesses have access to this opportunity to save water and help their bottom line.”

The rebates are given for businesses that retrofit toilets, urinals and clothes washing machines that use high amounts of water. When replaced with more efficient models, the businesses and the county save water, money and energy. The program awards cash rebates for businesses that install commercial and institutional water fixtures, as well as those that install clothes washing machines in shared laundry facilities in multi-family housing.

In addition, high efficiency toilets now qualify for rebates. These use 1.3 gallons per flush and have been tested thoroughly for performance and efficiency. Lists of tested models and manufacturers are available on the program’s website, www.sbwater.org. Information is also available at 568-3541.

 

Library schedules roundtables

Larry D. Edwards, a certified financial advisor with the Valley Oaks Branch of Montecito Bank and Trust, spoke at the monthly Solvang Library Investors Roundtable on Jan. 12. His topic, Exchange Trade Funds, reviewed where exchanges, such as AMEX, NYSE and NASDAQ, come from and how they are regulated.

He also discussed how investors can use the funds and how to know if they are liquid; tax efficient; transparent; cost and price efficient; and long-term. Creating a portfolio, gaining leverage and hedging were also explained.

The next roundtable is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the library, 1745 Mission Drive. More information is available at 688-4214.

 

Restaurant status listed online

The public now has access to the inspection status of restaurants in Santa Barbara County. Published by the county’s Environmental Health division, the web site lists the restaurant’s name and location, as well as its inspection history since January, 2007. The site allows consumers to check food facilities to see if they are meeting appropriate health and safety standards, said Rick Merrifield, director of the service.

 “This approach provides specific information on major violations identified in the inspections and indicates when the violations were corrected,” he added. The site can be viewed online at www.sbcphd.org/ehs.

 

Business owner to attend pageant

A Montecito resident, Deborah Nelson, has been selected to represent Santa Barbara County in the Ms./Mrs. Corporate America Pageant, to be held in March in Orlando, Fla. The pageant features competitions in evening gowns, athletic wear and judges interviews, but it is unusual in that contestants also must own their own business. She will be one of 20 contestants.

As part of her campaign to compete in the pageant, Nelson has invited entrepreneurs in the county to “Mix Business with Beauty” at seminars where businesses will be showcased locally.

“We invite all aspiring entrepreneurs to join us, network, and demonstrate your talents,” she said. “Join our management team and we will help you enhance your business.”

Nelson owns The AdStuff Company, a promotional marketing group. She also gives self-employment coaching for business owners who need help in getting started. This past year she organized the After School University, a non-profit group based in Santa Barbara, and The Dating Passport, a new dating identification system.

Business owners interested in participating in the local seminars can contact Karen Dickson at 729-6719.