A Monthly Publication of the Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region

January 2016
Vol. 3, Issue 1
In This Issue
Letter from the President
Photo Of The Week
Business Leaders Council


Ed Stonefelt

David Edelman

Peter Jordano

Lynda Nahra

 Mary Lynn Harms-Romo

Entrepreneur
 Members
 
Renewed Entrepreneur
Members

Ron Schaefer

David Schaefer
Executive 
 Members
New Executive
Members
 
Maria McClintock

Renewed Executive
Members

Johnathan Dolev

Chad Stevens

Craig Wilberg

Tom Harding
Hospitality Members
New Hospitality Members

Gillian Muralles
 
Aparna Sherman

Zacc Young

Renewed Hospitality Members

Sherene Donoghue
New Business Members
Renewed Business Members 
 Chamber Staff

President/CEO
Ken Oplinger
Vice President of Sales
Scott Ericson
Vice President of Marketing
Stephanie Armstrong
Marketing/Events Coordinator
Cheyanne Brooks
Visitor Center Director
Annmarie Rogers

Director of Economic Development 
Zoe J. Taylor
 
Membership Service Coordinator
Kali Embry

2016 Board of Directors
Chair
Nathan Sigler

Vice Chair
Jim Turner

Secretary
Rich Block

Treasurer
Michelle Apodaca

Immediate Past Chair
Jonathan Miller

Tyler Duncan
Michael Fauver
Janet Garufis
Joanne Funari 
Scott Hadley
Karim Kaderali
Tom Patton
Bill Shields
Cynder Sinclair
Sherry Villanueva
Bonnie Zappacosta

Stay updated and Follow us on Social Media!
Business After Hours Sponsorship
President's Message

  
















Don't Worry, We're Still On

Last month, Judge Thomas Anderle issued an order that caused a bit of a stir amongst policy wonks around the region - if not the thousands of commuters that could be affected by it.  The order stemmed from the Environmental Impact Report that has been completed for Phase Four of the 101 widening project - the addition of a third lane from Carpinteria to Montecito.

As reported in the press, the order stated that Caltrans EIR was "inadequate" in its assessment of impacts the widening would have on nine intersections in Santa Barbara, and that Caltrans needed to go back and address those. 

Ken Oplinger, ACE
President/CEO
The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region
Chamber News  
Thurs | Jan 14 | 5:30 pm
Kick off the new year with the Santa Barbara Public Market as they sponsor our first Business After Hours Networking Event of 2016! Join the Chamber every 2nd Thursday of the month for tasty bites from local businesses!

Thurs | Jan 28 | 7:30 am
Join the Chamber at the Santa Barbara Zoo every 4th Thursday for our Coffee & Connections Breakfast! Don't miss out on the first Coffee & Connections Breakfast of 2016, sponsored by CIO Solutions! Be ready for fast paced networking with: a 20 second commercial for your company, business cards and marketing materials and door prizes for extra promotion! 
 
Tues | Jan 19 | 11:30 am
Join The Greater Santa Barbara Restaurant and Lodging Association for their Annual General Meeting! Come meet this year's Hospitality Star Award Winners! 
 
Fri | Jan 29 | 11:30 am
Please join the Chamber for our Annual Regional Business Awards Luncheon! Come see who will be our 2015 recipients for Small and Large Business of the Year, as well as our Business Man and Business Woman! Sponsorship opportunities still available, contact
 
Fri | Jan 8 | 12 pm
Chambers of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Annual Meeting. 
 
6. Join the 2016 Chamber Ambassador Council TODAY
The Chamber is looking for enthusiastic member representatives to join our Ambassador Council. Come be a part of one Santa Barbara's best networking groups! Find out more today by emailing stephanie@sbchamber.org or by calling (805) 965-3023 x103
 
Order Your 2016 California Employment Poster Today! Don't forget to pre-order your employer posters for 2016, fines will be as high as $17,000 if you are not up to date! Order today through the Chamber (805) 965-3023 or info@sbchamber.org
 

 
The Chamber is looking for enthusiastic member representatives to join our Ambassador Council. Come be a part of one Santa Barbara's best networking groups! 
Find out more today by emailing stephanie@sbchamber.org or by calling (805) 965-3023 x103
 
Water Conservation Message
Rain On - Sprinklers Off! Reminder that you may not water your landscape during or 48 hours after measurable rainfall (statewide regulation). Check the soil near the root zone before turning your irrigation system back on. For real-time rainfall data countywide, click here.
Santa Barbara Life

 Two Great Ways to Win and Grow Your Business!

  
1. Include your business on Santa Barbara Life and reach thousands of customers in our local marketplace (Special Chamber Member Discount) 

Monthly Contest Getaway
 
2. FIND ANOTHER beach ball like this one elsewhere in this email and click it to enter the SBLIFE Monthly Grand Prize Getaway! Good luck from your friends at the Santa Barbara Chamber and Santa Barbara Life! 
2016 Regional Business Awards Nominees
Congratulations to ALL of our Nominees! 

Large Business
 
Small Business
 
Congratulations to the  Santa Barbara Zoo as the 
Non-Profit of the Year! 
Ambassador of the Month 

With a priority on service, Peter Lyman of Peter Lyman Insurance Agency has developed a reputation for dedication to serving the communities of Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA, Peter has the knowledge, skill, and expertise you need in a local insurance agent. Peter will work with you to create a custom tailored policy to suit your needs. This attention to client needs is what makes Peter Lyman Insurance the preferred choice when you are looking for an California Insurance Company.
Our firm was established to provide efficient, expert solutions to insurance problems for our clients. Our primary services include personal lines, commercial insurance, life, health, disability and we also offers a host of specialty services catering to the unique needs of our clients. Our partners and staff serve a wide range of individuals, corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations and state and local governments and are experts in the complex insurance issues that impact our clients.
 
Our Goals
- To provide the best customer service experience possible.
- To make each client feel like our only client.
- To promote an inclusive workplace and help the community.
- To offer the highest quality products and services from the world's premier carriers'.

Our partners and associates offer our clients the benefit of years of insurance experience. This experience is gained from successfully managing previous projects and businesses. We are an equal opportunity employer and are members in good standing of the Santa Barbara and Goleta Valley Chambers of Commerce as well as multiple professional industry organizations.
Click Here to Visit the Website

 
Member News  
Wed | Jan 20 | 4:45 pm

The W.A.C.E. Foundation is presenting a one item online auction for a very special and rare item:
Win tickets to the NFL Super Bowl 50 kick-off honoring Super Bowl Winning Head Coach John Madden. The Emmy Award-winning announcer will be recognized at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Merle Olsen Luncheon on Friday, February 5, 2016 from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel.


Lack of available housing tops the list of problems tackled by the 19-member chambers of commerce group started last year by the county Board of Supervisors

After working nearly a year to identify the biggest problems facing Santa Barbara County business, a group of local chambers of commerce leaders are ironing out plans to tackle them.

Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge Replacement
Project Update:  January 2016
Happy New Year!
 
In December, crews poured the new concrete bridge deck over the horizontal girders that support the new mountain side of the Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge.  Crews finished the new creek bank walls with sandstone caps. 
 
In the beach park area, the temporary pedestrian bridge was installed and utility relocations began to move lines prior to Stage 3 construction of the Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge.

Upcoming Work:
Throughout January, sidewalks, barrier rail, and roadway improvements will be constructed as weather allows along the mountain side of Cabrillo Boulevard.  Underground utility work will focus on storm drain improvements.  Crews will also start pedestrian crosswalk improvements at the Cabrillo Boulevard and Anacapa Street intersection.  
 
On the beach side of the project, the temporary bridge is in place and utility relocations have begun.  Utility work will continue for the next few months in preparation for Stage 3 construction.  Utilities will be temporarily relocated to the temporary pedestrian bridge during Stage 3.  The pedestrian bridge will also maintain pedestrian and bicycle access when some sidewalks and paths will be closed to enable construction of the new Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge.  The pedestrian bridge was prefabricated due to its temporary nature and is scheduled to be removed at the completion of the project.   
Utility Relocations:
During utility relocations, there will be a temporary shutdown of the recycled water line in mid-January, likely January 12th - 14th. Temporary portable restrooms will be in place to maintain public services on the Waterfront and at the Santa Barbara Zoo during this time.  
 
Closures:
Throughout Stage 2, the mountain side of Cabrillo Boulevard will remain closed near the bridge.  One lane in each direction remains open on Cabrillo Boulevard during daytime construction for vehicular use.  Helena Avenue is closed to vehicles at Cabrillo Boulevard, but access will remain for pedestrians, bikes, and segways.  
 
To accommodate the work area, the left turn lane from westbound Cabrillo Boulevard to Stearns Wharf is closed.  Motorists can enter Stearns Wharf from State Street and eastbound Cabrillo Boulevard.  Detour signs are in place to highlight access around the closures.
 
Fall 2014 - 2016:
The Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project includes a new bridge, enhanced Mission Creek banks, and improved pedestrian areas.  Cabrillo Boulevard, surrounding businesses, parks, Stearns Wharf, and the Arts and Crafts Show will remain open throughout construction.  

For more information, please visit www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/CabrilloBridge or call 805-897-2637.

 
Santa Barbara, CA - 11/9/2015

Notice of Upcoming Public Works Road Work

State and Mason Street Closure Helena 
Avenue Night Work Construction 
Entrada de Santa Barbara (Entrada) Project, MATT Construction will close early the easterly side of State Street (North bound lane) just north of Mission Creek Bridge to Union Pacific Railroad crossing, to complete utility installation and public street and sidewalk improvements. Construction will also include installation of underground utilities on Helena Avenue and portions of Mason Street as described below. Underground utility work on Helena Ave. will be completed during non-business hours between 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM  (night work). 

Open to Santa Barbara Area Students

The movement to create a nationwide day of recognition for tamales began locally. It was successfully supported by the Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region, and the country's first National Tamale Day is set to be celebrated on March 23, 2016. The Chamber believes the special day deserves a worthy logo, and has announced a design contest open to high school, college and university students in the Santa Barbara County. 
Participation is free, and rules are available online at www.nationaltamaleday.com/logo-design-contest.html. The contest winner, along with first and second runners will be selected by a panel of five Santa Barbara area design professionals: Michael Bayouth (Bayouth Productions), Brian Comstock (Brian Comstock Marketing), Courtney Reilly (UpShift Creative Group), Greg Russo (Joseph Gregory Design), and Leslie Lewis Sigler (Sigler Studio). 
The entry deadline is January 31, 2016, with the winners to be announced at a special gathering in February. Gift card prizes valued at $550 will be provided by members of the Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region. In addition to gift cards, the winning contestant also receives artistic credit as well as a special recognition on the National Tamale Day website.
Scott Ericson, Vice President of Sales for the Chamber, says the competition is a way for talented students to be acknowledged. "They'll have their work reviewed by graphic design professionals, and get a real shot at receiving national recognition." Ericson adds, "We know the Santa Barbara region has a wealth of student talent, and we expect to receive some terrific logo designs that are fresh and distinctive, just like a great tamale."
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PLEASE NOTE:
The Trolley will not run on Mondays in January and the last tour will be at 3 pm on all other days.