Cates named to Who’s Who

Gwen Cates, artist and owner of Calavira Studio, has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in the arts.

Cates does plein air oil paintings on California Central Coast ranches and vineyards. She has also completed a series of Santa Cruz Island paintings and is working on a series of paintings of Hollister Ranch in Goleta.

Her Calavira Studio is a large airy barn in the Santa Ynez Valley where Cates also paints abstract and figurative work.

She has had solo exhibits at Edith Grove Gallery in London followed by one person shows at Alex Gallery in the Du Pont Circle area of Washington D.C. as well as numerous exhibits in Virginia and California galleries. Cates was the featured artist in the AGSYV Guild Room at Gallery Los Olivos in July. gwencates.com.

 

YMCA honors two

Aaron Petersen has been awarded the Channel Islands YMCA Golden Triangle Award. This award is the highest award given to volunteers of the YMCA for distinguished service and dedication.

Petersen has served on the board of directors for the Channel Islands Association as well as a 13-year veteran and past chair of the Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA’s board of managers.

Paula Parisotto, associate executive director of the local YMCA, was also honored with the Channel Islands YMCA Lynn Franklin Spirit of the Y Award. This award is given to a staff member in the association who exemplifies the mission and values of the YMCA and goes above and beyond to help others.

 

Free business seminar

Buynak Law Firm will offer a free business seminar, “Save on Taxes, Avoid Liability Exposure: Use the Correct Business Entity,” 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 20 at the firm’s Santa Ynez Valley office at 433 Alisal Road, Suite C, in Solvang.

Presented by attorneys Tim Buynak and Joy Margolis and Certified Public Accountant Verva Enoch with the Solvang firm C&D LLP, the seminar aims to help business owners understand the legal and tax implications of different business entities such as partnerships, corporations and proprietorships.

A complimentary continental breakfast including organic fruit, coffee, tea, juices and pastries will be served. Space is limited to the first 20 guests to RSVP. Call (805) 688-8090 or email RSVP@BuynakLaw.com.

 

Bank posts losses

Pacific Capital Bancorp, the holding company that owns Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30. The company’s net loss for the second quarter of 2009 was $362.6 million, or $7.7 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.9 million, or $0.13 per common share, in the same period of the prior year.

George Leis, CEO and president of Pacific Capital Bancorp, said in a statement that company management was encouraged by an increase in net interest margin, but that the bank had increased its allowance for loan losses, citing the weakness in California’s housing market and economy.

The company earlier announced it has stopped paying dividends on the capital infusion it received under the Treasury’s bank-bailout program, known as TARP. Pacific Capital, which has assets of $9.2 billion, received $181 million in TARP money last fall.

 

Edward Jones ranked highest

Edward Jones has been ranked highest in investor satisfaction with full-service brokerage firms by J.D. Power and Associated. This is the fourth out of five years it has been so ranked. The company has an office in Santa Ynez staffed with financial brokers Kelly Hunziker, Bruce Porter, Jim Watts and Chris Nielsen.

 

Kohl’s seeking employees

Kohl’s Department Stores announced it will bring approximately 120 new jobs to San Luis Obispo when it opens a store there in September. Kohl’s is opening 30 new stores in California this fall, increasing the number of Kohl’s stores in the state to 121 and hiring an expected 4,200 new employees throughout the state.

The company is hiring employees for its new store. Job fairs will take place in San Luis Obispo at Embassy Suites Hotel at 333 Madonna Road at the following dates and times: Aug. 9, 10:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.; Aug. 10, 10:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.; Aug. 11, 12:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Aug. 12. 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit kohlscareers.com or call (877) 639-5645 for an interview or for more information.