A Monthly Publication of the Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region

May 2016
Vol. 3, Issue 5
In This Issue
Letter from the President
Photo Of The Week
Business Leaders Council

Chancellor Henry Yang

Marybeth Carty
Executive 
 Members
New Executive
Members

Von's - Goleta
Carlos Illingworth

Von's - Santa Barbara
Carlos Illingworth

Renewed Executive Members

Steven Walker

Eryn Hecker

Yvonne Parsons
Hospitality Members
New Hospitality Members


Renewed Hospitality Members

New Business Members
Renewed Business Members 
Keith C. Berry/Coldwell Banker
 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
Steve Fort
Janet Garufis
Geoff Green
Joanne Funari 
Scott Hadley
Karim Kaderali
 Bibi Moezzi
Tom Patton
Bill Shields
Cynder Sinclair
Sherry Villanueva
Steve Windhager

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

Council Needs to Take Up Infrastructure Question Again

Crumbling roads.  Dilapidated buildings.  A total of over $450 million in infrastructure needs touching almost every part of our community.

That is what the seven members of the Santa Barbara City Council are facing.

And to their credit, Santa Barbara is certainly not alone.  Every local government across the state is dealing with aging infrastructure problems with little or no clear plan for how to pay for the shortfall.  In fact, the work the Council has done over the last few years to address wages and rebuild their reserves has put the City in a far better spot than most when it comes to its finances.

Be that as it may, we are still facing a massive headache, and one that time will not solve.  We must reinvest in this community by building a new police station, rebuilding miles and miles of roads and address other general fund infrastructure issues.  And now is the time.

 

Ken Oplinger, ACE
President/CEO
The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region
Chamber News  
Thurs | May 12 | 5:30 pm
Join The Bay Club Downtown on Thursday May 12th as they host our May After Hours! Stop by for a wonderful evening of networking, food and much more! Come check out their wonderful location on Carrillo St.! 

Thurs | May 26 | 7:30 am
Join the Chamber at the Santa Barbara Zoo for our Coffee & Connections Breakfast, Thursday May 26th! Join Village Properties as they sponsor our May Breakfast! Be ready for fast paced networking with: a 60 second commercial for your company, lots of business cards and marketing materials and door prizes for extra promotion! 

Fri | Sept 23
Join the Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region for our annual #MySantaBarbara Business Expo and Job Fair!!! 
- Meet a wider diversity of customers, over 1500 attendees
- Meet new clients and enjoy traditional networking in a fast paced setting
- Enjoy diverse businesses from our region
- Tastes from Local Restaurants, Wineries and Breweries
- Giveaways - Prizes - Raffles and More!

or contact the Chamber at info@sbchamber.org
 
Weekly Water Conservation Message 
May is Water Awareness Month! The City has a diverse water supply portfolio that includes surface water, groundwater, imported water, and more. Learn about the City's diverse water supplies 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! 
Business of the Month
  
FRESH FROM THE OVEN, NOTHING BUNDT CAKES OPENS SANTA BARBARA/GOLETA BAKERY Just in time for Mothers Day and Graduation Featuring 4 Bundt Cake Sizes, 9 Flavors and 40 Designs


Santa Barbara/Goleta, CA - - Local resident Beverly Doman, and her sister Beth Enriquez, are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Nothing Bundt Cakes, reintroducing an old family favorite - the Bundt cake - with a light, moist taste, signature frosting and creative presentation that appeals to all ages and enhances any occasion. Nothing Bundt Cakes is located at: 5784 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117, in The Calle Real Shopping Center.
"We are ecstatic to be opening our bakery and we can't wait to share our delicious and wholesome Bundt Cakes with our remarkable community!" commented Owners, sisters Beverly Doman & Beth Enriquez.
No matter the occasion or the size, from birthdays and Mother's Day to work events and holidays, Nothing Bundt Cakes offers the perfect centerpiece for your memories. Its bakeries include charming gifts, such as greeting cards, candles, balloons, serving sets and platters to complement your celebration.
Nothing Bundt Cakes offers a wide range of cake flavors and sizes from bundtinis- bite sized bundts - to larger bundts that serve 18-20 and tiered cakes for everyone to enjoy; including a gluten-free option.



Ambassador of the Month
 Hi my name is Lore Coudert and I am honored to be the Chamber's Ambassador of the Month. I have been with Remax of Santa Barbara located at 140 S. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara as their Office Representative since September 2015 and could not be more pleased to work in such a great office.
I pride myself on generating business and referrals through persistence and strong interpersonal relationships. My role allows me to connect with the community of Santa Barbara bringing awareness of various fund raisers, prospecting, public relations, marketing and promoting that Remax provides. I enjoy being able to connect clients with the right networks to ensure successful and satisfied transactions that also lead to long term relationships. I also serve as a primary customer service professional to receive direct sales calls and to support the Broker and agents.

I became a Santa Barbara Chamber Ambassador in January of 2016, and have enjoyed all of the wonderful people that I have been introduced to. Attending the various events has given me an opportunity to promote Remax as well as help members receive all the benefits their membership brings. It is truly an honor to be a part of this community and to give back on so many levels through the Chamber of Commerce.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy being outside hiking, yoga and taking in long days at the beach. I also enjoy touring wine countries and exploring the vineyards and wine tasting.
I love working in Santa Barbara and am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing community.  The greatest pleasure comes from knowing that I have worked and informed my clients and friends to my very best ability. The most enjoyable facet of my job and as an Ambassador is working with people in our community and establishing professional relationships. I look forward to many more connections and opportunities in the future!

 
Non-Profit of the Month


 In July of 2001, WORK, Inc. joined United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties. Known as a leader in assisting individuals with disabilities in all facets of daily living, the merger with United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties has enhanced our capacity to offer services throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties for children and adults with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, physical limitations and other neurological disabilities. In 2003 WORK, Inc. became UCP WORK, Inc.. Today, UCP WORK, Inc. offers Supported Living Services, High School Transition Programs, Mentor and Youth Programs, as well as employment opportunities and social enrichment programs throughout Santa Barbara County and serves over 500 residents with significant disabilities.
Member News  
Thank you to everybody that came out and joined our new chamber member Subway for their ribbon cutting event last Friday!  Make sure to stop by their new location, 1936 State St., Ste B, and order some delicious sandwiches! 


Sat | May 14 | 10 am

Coastal Housing Partnership's 5th annual Home Buying Fair offers potential home buyers a wealth of information and resources on their path to home ownership.
Whether you are ready to buy a home, getting back into the market after a short sale or foreclosure, or simply dreaming of buying, this Home Buying Fair is for you.
Whether you can stay for 30 minutes or several hours, you will walk away a more informed home buyer. 
This year's Fair is in Ventura, but the information, tools & resources are applicable wherever you are purchasing a home.
When: Saturday, May 14
Time: 10 am  - 3 pm
Where: Ventura Beach Marriott, 2055 Harbor Blvd
Who: Anyone who wants to get on the path to homeownership
 
- Learn how to navigate the home buying process and today's real estate market
- Meet with local real estate agents, lenders, residential builders, and credit & financial professionals in an efficient, no-pressure environment
- Attend free home buying education sessions throughout the day on key aspects of the home buying process and local market condition
 
Admission is free for Chamber members
Parking will be validated

Tues | May 17 | 12 pm
Please join us for this outstanding Lunch & Learn program as we hear from Jim Turner, Senior Associate with Radius Commercial Real Estate. Acquire a keen knowledge of our local commercial real estate market and profitable rips for business owners. 


Wed | May 18 | 12:30 pm


Sat | July 23 


 
The Santa Barbara Community Phone Book was awarded "First Place" in the ADP's annual Gold Book Awards, held during their 2016 trade show and convention in Las Vegas, NV.  The award recognizes "Excellence in Print Directories" and is judged on several criteria, including the amount of advertising content and information available to local consumers, plus overall excellence in design, layout, print quality, and ease of use.  The Santa Barbara Community Phone Book was recognized in the segment of directories with total circulation of 50,001 to 100,000.  This is the third consecutive year the Santa Barbara Community Phone Book received the top honor. 
 
Mike McGill, President of McGill Directional Media, publisher of the Santa Barbara Community Phone Book, said this was a collaborative effort with the local community.  "We could not have won this award without the local community supporting our efforts to produce a high-quality, community phone book that features so many local businesses.  Advertisers, consumers, and local agencies and organizations joined together to support our mission to "Shop Local" and promote local businesses.  And supporting local businesses is the best way to boost our local economy."  
 
EF International Language School's Santa Barbara campus, Heal the Ocean and Looking Good Santa Barbara are partnering in a massive cleanup of both the downtown area and Santa Barbara South County beaches to take place on Earth Day 2016.
Funding for the beach cleanup equipment is being provided through Heal the Ocean from the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, founded by Kim and Jack Johnson to support environmental, art, and music education.
EF International, which has campuses around the world, has a large student body in Santa Barbara, 500 students, who will spread out to work on EF International's Ocean & Environmental Awareness campaign entitled "EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY."



  

Santa Barbara County
Workforce Development Board Presents 
the 2016 Connect to Careers Summer 
Youth Employment Program 
for South and North Santa Barbara County
 
A joint partnership between the County of Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Santa Maria Chambers of Commerce, and the Santa Barbara Workforce Development Board
Click Here to Continue Reading

Contact:
Consumer:
 
Media:
Jason Weaver
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Goleta, CA- April 26, 2016-  Santa Barbara County Fire Station # 14, located at 320 N Los Carneros Rd, Goleta, has converted their lighting to LED using DELux LED bulbs & fixtures installed by Murphy Electric. Both companies are local, family owned businesses.
 
It all started when DELux LED had their routine fire inspection at their office/ warehouse located off Los Carneros. Jason Weaver, DELux LED President & CEO, struck up a conversation with the fire inspectors about lighting. The inspector mentioned that they had been working on a project to upgrade the lighting at the firehouse but they weren't sure what the best options were. The firefighters were concerned with light quality in their living space, kitchen and work area. The County of Santa Barbara was concerned with saving tax payer's dollars.
 
Jason proposed that they replace the 36 fluorescent tubes with LED panel lights by DELux LED. Jason describes the look of these 2x4 LED panels as "large iPads" with a high quality warm white light, that only draw 45 watts per panel (vs the 128 watts that the fluorescent fixtures they replaced).
 
Now the firefighters have safe and reliable lighting in Fire House #14 while the County of Santa Barbara is saving tax payers hundreds of dollars per month in electricity costs.
 
DELux LED products come with a five year manufacturer's warranty and provide local customer support from their warehouse and administrative offices in Goleta. By buying direct, customers receive the most competitive pricing and highest quality LED products on the market.
 
For more information on this local company & to find out how to switch out your antiquated commercial or residential lighting, visit their website at www.deluxleds.com or call (805) 308-2995.
 
###


News
Noozhawk |  Matt Fountain

Money continues to flow into the hotly contested race for the 24th District congressional district seat, with Democrat Salud Carbajal topping $1.7 million and Republican Justin Fareed garnering more than $1 million in an election that has attracted nine candidates scrambling to succeed retiring nine-term Rep. Lois Capps, a Democrat.


Detectives are still searching for two men and one woman who on Tuesday, March 29 reportedly stole five Rolex watches from Silverhorn, the jewelry store inside Montecito's Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel. The luxury watches, valued at $35,500 all together, were stolen around 3 p.m. over a month ago, said Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kelly Hoover in a May 3 press release. Video clips and surveillance photos are now being released, Hoover said, to catalyze the ongoing investigation.


Santa Barbara's American Riviera Bank reported net income of $176,000 or 4 cents per share for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $443,000 or 17 cents per share for the same period in 2015. 

Noozhawk | Gina Potthoff

A restoration project is under way at Pacific Crest Santa Barbara, a beachfront hotel whose owners are cleaning up the mess - and damaged reputation - left by a longtime manager.


The Chamber of the Santa Barbara Region | 104 West Anapamu St., Ste. A | Santa Barbara | CA | 93101