Jnauary Newsletter from the Buellton Chamber of Commerce

Happy New Year! Hopefully this finds you safe, healthy, and adjusting to the sound of 2012. I am really looking forward to a great year in Buellton as we celebrate 20 years of cityhood. Now that we've passed our teenage years, we're ready to move on and make things happen. I hope you join us this on this exciting journey.

Welcome Aboard!

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our 2012 Board of Directors. The new Board was installed on December 8th at our Annual Installation Luncheon. Joining us this year are:

-President: Ron Anderson, Ron Anderson Realty

-Vice President: Dan Baumann, Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground

-Treasurer: Pete Robertson, Coldwell Banker

-Past President: Tish Beltranena, Santa Ines Planning

-Military Affairs Chairman: Rudie Henderson

-Director: Matt Snyder, Valley Pets

-Director: Amy Lee, Blush Beauty Boutique & Spa

-Director: Joe Padilla, Avant Tapas & Wine

-Director: Megan Mintz, Chumash Casino Resort

-Director: Tessi Martinez, First American Title

We are looking forward to a great year! Stay tuned.

Russ Hicks honored with Vincent B. Evans Award.

The Buellton Chamber honored Russ Hicks, posthumously, with the Vincent B. Evans Award during the Holiday Installation Luncheon. Receiving the award in his honor were wife, Cindy Hicks and son, Matt Hicks. The Vincent B. Evans Award recognizes an individual for their outstanding service to the community. Russ accomplished many things while active on the City Council and was a true advocate for the City of Buellton. A plaque hangs in the Chamber office, honoring Russ along with all other recipients of this prestigious award.

January 10th Mixer at

Mother Hubbard's Re-Gifting Mixer & Potluck ~ 5-7pm

Please notice the date change for this Mixer. Jon & Doniece have invited us back for our Annual re-gifting/Potluck mixer which will take place on Tuesday, January 10th. Join us as we kick off the New Year in a fun, spirited way. Jon & Doniece will provide the main dish and we ask you to bring a passing dish and a fun gift for the raffle. Our mixers provide you the opportunity to stay in touch with the community and network with fellow members. Hope to see you at Mother Hubbard's on January 10th.

Buellton Branding Luncheon, January 26th at Avant

Simon Andrews, Branding Expert with Graphic Solutions, will be doing a presentation on January 26th at Avant Tapas & Wine. Lunch is $15.00 and reservations are required. We are looking forward to Simon's expertise in the Branding field and hear what he has to say about a brand for Buellton.

Lunch will include the following: Apple/Almond Salad, soda/water, chips, cookie, and your choice of the following sandwiches; Jalapeno Chicken Sandwich, Mediterranean Sandwich, or a Portabello Sandwich. Please specify which sandwich you would like to order when you RSVP to the Chamber at: 688-7829.

Green Business Luncheon

Businesses that have achieved certification during the past year as "green" businesses from the Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County (GBPSBC) will be honored on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 during a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, located at 555 McMurray Road in Buellton. Rick Crandall, Director of Environmental Stewardship for Albertsons, Southern California Division, will serve as the keynote speaker. The cost of the luncheon is $25.00 per person, if payment is received by February 8th or $30.00 per person for payments received after that date. Click Here for more details.

Canstruction Challenge Canstruction photo

The 2012 2nd Annual Santa Barbara County Design / Build Competition is looking for participants to compete in the Canstruction Build. This competition puts a visual spotlight on hunger while showcasing Santa Barbara County design community's best and brightest. Deadline for entries and designs is January 10, 2012. The actual build will take place on February 8th from 2-6pm at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. All canned food will be donated to the Santa Barbara County Foodbank. Contact Rose Hess at SBCCanstruction@gmail.com if you would like to participate.

CERT Training Course

The Santa Ynez Valley Prepared will be offering a 25-hour emergency response and preparedness course approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Learn first aid, medical triage, search and rescue, basic fire fighting, disaster preparedness, CERT team organization, disaster psychology in emergency situations. Think about it...if something catastrophic happened today, are you prepared? Would you know what to do? You might be the first responder to a situation, would you be able to act or would you panic? Contact Tom Walton, CERT Coordinator at (805)686-7435 or Tomw@cityofbuellton.com to sign up for the next set of classes. First class to begin on January 11th from 6-9pm in the Ranch Club Estates- Club House.

Thank you to all of the Chamber Elves who helped make our Holiday Festivities in Buellton a Huge success!

The Buellton Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following for their assistance with the 1st Annual Breakfast with Santa and the Buellton entry for the Solvang Christmas Parade: Bill Gnekow, Candia Flynn Photography, Valley Gardener, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Country Garden Catering, Rotary Interact Club, Buellton Rec. Center, Tim & Melanie Julius of Timbuku Furniture, Casey Cypert, and the Buellton City Council. We couldn't have done it without your help.

Whassup Buellton?

So here's a new column for our members. If you have something going on or have news to share with our members, please send it to us and we'll do our best to make mention of it here in this Whassup column.

-Overnite Computers is offering Adult Beginner Computer Classes starting in January. $49.00, sign up by calling: 686-8811. Located at 85 W Hwy 246, Buellton.

-Parks Plaza Theater is going digital by the end of January. Who needs to travel into the big cities, when you'll be able to see the same quality right here in Buellton? Located at 515 McMurray Road. 688-7434 for showtimes.

-January 22nd: Celebrated author Polly Frost is bringing her one woman show to Casa Cassara Tasting Room in January. She takes a humorous look at the challenges that arise for all of us with our families as the years go by. Tickets are $15.00. 688-8691. Located at 291 Valley Station Rd, Buellton.