Steve Cushman

The Bishop Ranch housing project is back on the Goleta City Council agenda in August. The Larwin Company is requesting that the Council allow them to spend several hundred thousand dollars of Larwin's money to produce an EIR on the project. The Santa Barbara Chamber has supported this workforce housing in-fill project for more than 10 years. Let's hope it can take a small step forward. This much needed housing could ease freeway traffic congestion and stimulate job creation in the Region.

Smart Meters. Both PG&E and Southern California Edison are installing smart meters in both homes and businesses. The use of these meters is regulated by the State Public Utilities Commission. The utilities believe that these meters will help them is establishing a unified electric grid in the Country. There is considerable debate about this technology. If you want more information about the law and the technology, there will be a free seminar at UCSB on July  26. See details in this newsletter.

Fire Season. Clear your brush. Have a disaster plan, both at work and at home. Have an emergency number for all family members to check in with. Support your local fire departments. Take photos of all your property and grounds. Update your insurance. It seems like only a few months ago that I was abandoning my home and seeking shelter from the fire storm in Mission Canyon. Be prepared.

Salary Survey and Census summary.  I have had a request for a salary survey for jobs and wages in both the city and the county. I have those surveys and am happy to provide them to any members. I also have a summary of the 2010 US census. If you would like either or both reports, send me an email  steve@sbchamber.org.

United Way Campaign. I have a fabulous opportunity for you to expand  your business network in Santa Barbara. It will only take a few hours  of your time. It will make you feel great about the world. And,  and...you will become a part of our fantastic fifty. Janet Garufis, president of Montecito band and trust, and I are launching this year's United Way corporate campaign. It is a  simple premise....we make a few phone calls, meet some great people,  raise some money for united way and make the world a better place. We  have finalized the dates for our United Way Campaign and look forward  

to a successful and fun project. The dates of the campaign are: July  13, July 27, August 10 (all 7:30 AM-9:00 AM at the United Way offices,  320 E. Gutierrez St.) then we will celebrate victory  on Aug. 31  

somewhere fun. I hope these dates work for you. It is our intention to  pull together the fantastic 50.....volunteers , so you will meet some  very interesting new people. Thanks for your consideration. Email me if you would like to join us.....steve@sbchamber.org

Join us every third Thursday of the month for lively discussion on important local issues. 

This month:

Chandra Waller

Santa Barbara County CAO 

In June it was pouring rain and visitors! We had one and half inches of rain, when it was just supposed to be a slight shower. Our visitors were surprised by the weather (so were we) but happy to receive our hand out for Rainy Day Activities. There are so many fun things to do in Santa Barbara, even in the rain.    

Here are some of the events you don't want to miss in July:

· July-Aug 13 · Music Academy of the West Summer Festival · www.musicacademy.org

· July-Aug 28 · Museum of Art · Van Gogh to Munch · www.sbma.net

· July-Sept 11 · Butterflies Alive! · www.sbnature.org

· July 6-Aug 26 · Free Movies · Wednesdays at UCSB Campbell Hall at 7:30 pm and Fridays at the Sunken Garden SB County Courthouse at 8:30 pm www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu

· July · Saturdays · El Capitan Concert Series · www.elcapitancanyon.com

· July · Tuesdays · Music At The Ranch · www.goletahistory.org

· July 1 · Trail Blazer Botanical Hike: Rattlesnake Canyon · www.sbbg.org

· July 1-11 · Semana Nautica (Summer Sports Festival) · www.semananautica.com

· July · Thursdays · Concerts in Chase Palm Park · 6-8:30 pm

www.santabarbaraca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/C4883E7A-DD39-412F-B388-5043B2A439BC/0/Concertshalfpage2011.pdf

· July 7 · 1^st Thursday · www.santabarbaradowntown.com

· July 8-10 · SB Orchid Estate International Orchid Fair · www.santabarbaraorchidestate.com

· July 9 · Pacific Pride Festival · www.pacificpridefestival.org

· July 13-17 · SB County Fair in Santa Maria · www.santamariafairpark.com

· July 14-16 · California Wine Festival · www.californiawinefestival.com

· July 16-17 · French Festival · www.frenchfestival.com

· July 30-31 · Greek Festival · www.saintbarbara.net

Please see The Chamber Web Site for details on all the events for the summer and all the Main Events for 2011. Go to www.sbchamber.org, click on CALENDARS and then CITY EVENTS.

Happy July!

Annmarie Rogers

Visitor Center

1 Garden Street

805-965-3021 or 568-1811

Annmarie@sbchamber.org