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IN PROGRESS ONLINE |
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Office of Economic Development, Placer County, California |
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Vol. 9, No. 7 |
July 2008 |
Ÿ Lincoln’s ‘Golf Fore Grads’ Tourney Set for July 16
Ÿ State Beverage Container Recycling Rate Jumps in 2007
Ÿ Metro-Pulse Celebrates First Anniversary
Ÿ Fountains at Roseville Opens
Ÿ Tahoe’s Historic Fish Hatchery/Lab Renovation Nears Completion
Ÿ Spot Runner Provides ‘Cost-Effective’ Access to Cable TV Advertising
Ÿ North Tahoe Arts’ ARTour 2008 Expanded to Two Weekends
Ÿ Thunder in the Sky Roars in on August 2 at Auburn Airport
Ÿ Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop Opens in Auburn
Ÿ Berries are Ready at Amber Oaks Farm
Ÿ Placer County Wine & Grape Association to hold Golf Tourney
Ÿ What’s in Your E-Mail Newsletter?
Lincoln’s ‘Golf Fore Grads’ Tourney Set for July 16
On July 16, the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 11th Annual Golf Fore Grads tournament at Lincoln’s Turkey Creek Golf Club. The Chamber and the Western Placer Unified School District have partnered to provide educational scholarships to Lincoln and Phoenix High School students. Registration is $125 per player or $500 for a four-person scramble. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. The event ends with lunch, awards, and prizes. Guests will have a chance to win a 2009 Honda Pilot, courtesy of Jay Cooper of Auburn Honda, in the Hole in One Shot. Sponsorships are available at levels from $200 to $5,000. For sponsorship and tournament details, visit the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce at http://www.lincolnchamber.com/
State Beverage Container Recycling Rate Jumps in 2007
Californians recycled a record 14.7 billion beverage containers in 2007, 1.5 billion more than in 2006, according to the state Department of Conservation. As a result, the annual recycling rate for California Refund Value (CRV) aluminum, glass, and plastic containers rose to 67 percent, up seven percentage points from 2006. Recycling rates were up for all material types. Sales of CRV beverages remained flat at 21.9 billion units in 2007, meaning the significant increase in recycling volume was achieved despite no increase in the number of recyclable containers. "This is tremendous news for California and the environment," said DOC director Bridgett Luther. For details about Department of Conservation programs, visit http://www.conservation.ca.gov/Index/Pages/Index.aspx
Metro-Pulse Celebrates First Anniversary
Metro-Pulse, the region’s signature Business Retention & Expansion Program, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Over the past 12 months, over 300 employers have been contacted in Placer County and provided their opinions on doing business in the Sacramento region. The Placer County Office of Economic Development and more than a dozen other investors in the Sacramento Metropolitan Area launched Metro-Pulse in May of 2007. The cities of Roseville and Lincoln also participate. Through Metro-Pulse, employers learn about resources available to help their businesses grow, while Placer County and its cities learn about barriers that impede growth, increased sales, hiring, and new investment. “During the inaugural year of the program, we have been able to connect numerous Placer County businesses to resources and opportunities” noted Dave Snyder, Director of Economic Development. “We’ve also assisted companies with regulatory or operating challenges, based on our knowledge of potential solutions available to the business community.” For further details on Metro-Pulse, or to participate in this program, go to http://www.metropulse.org/ and click on “Self-Assessment.”
Fountains at Roseville Opens
It’s the shopping that developers expect will draw thousands to Fountains at Roseville, the open-air lifestyle center that opened June 30. But they’re hoping customers will stay for the ambiance - including a 90-jet “show fountain” timed to music and lights in the development’s “Main Street.” The 340,000-square-foot center sports a slate of retailers ranging from national chains to local boutiques. But the main attractions might be outside the shops - a custom-built trackless train ride for kids, a summer concert series, a fire pit, and a children’s playground. It’s all part of a sense of place - part park, part mall, part town square - that is meant to encourage meeting with friends and family and lingering. For more visit the Auburn Journal at http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/83355.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Roseville+Fountains&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=6
or Fountains at Roseville at http://www.thefountainsatroseville.com/
Tahoe’s Historic Fish Hatchery/Lab Renovation Nears Completion
Once a sleepy old building covered in a blanket of dirt and grime, the historic fish hatchery and UC Davis lab near Tahoe City once again shines. A $3 million restoration of the building, a 1920’s one-of-a-kind structure, is just about complete. Now UC Davis scientists have a state-of-the-art field lab in which to filter samples taken from the UC Davis research boat, stage various experiments, and hold conferences. Future plans for the site include restoration of three acres of wetlands that extend from the hatchery down to the lake, and an interpretive walk educating the public about wetlands. Another interpretive center, sponsored by a $70,000 grant from the California Tahoe Conservancy, will focus on the hatchery’s historical significance. A grand re-opening of the hatchery and lab is scheduled for mid-August. For more, visit the Sierra Sun at http://sierrasun.com/article/20080404/NEWS/758282417 or UC Davis at http://terc.ucdavis.edu/education_outreach/tcfieldlab/tcfieldlab.html
Spot Runner Provides “Cost-Effective” Access to Cable TV Advertising
Called an “ingenious and cost effective opportunity for small companies,” Spot Runner is the first Internet-based ad agency that makes it easy and affordable for local businesses to advertise on TV. Spot Runner offers, its website says, “a complete solution for television advertising - commercial production, media planning, and media buying - in a single turn-key, self-service system.” The entire process, which traditionally takes months and hundreds of thousands of dollars, now takes just days at a fraction of the cost. Co-founders Nick Grouf and David Waxman first joined forces in 1995 to create Firefly Network, Inc., acquired by Microsoft in 1998. Next, they launched PeoplePC, Inc., since acquired by EarthLink, Inc. Now, with Spot Runner, they have turned their attention toward revolutionizing the advertising industry. For details, visit Spot Runner at http://www.spotrunner.com/
North Tahoe Arts’ ARTour 2008 Expanded to Two Weekends
One of the summer season’s most popular events, ARTour at Tahoe, is being held this year on two consecutive weekends, July 11 - 13 & July 18 - 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tour takes in more than 30 North Lake Tahoe and Truckee artists’ studios, many of them in private homes. The artists will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss their work - everything from sculpture and painting to weaving and printmaking. A public Opening Reception will be held at the North Tahoe Art Center, 380 No. Lake Blvd., in Tahoe City, July 9, 5 to 8 p.m., at which attendees can browse through the galleries for an ARTour preview, chat with ARTour artists, and enjoy music and refreshments. Both the reception and studio tour are free. For more about ARTour and participating artists, visit North Tahoe Arts at http://northtahoearts.com/
Thunder in the Sky Roars in on August 2 at Auburn Airport
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman! No, wait, it is a plane, a whole fleet of planes! It’s Auburn Aviation Association’s annual air fair, Thunder in the Sky, held August 2, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Auburn Airport. Descending on the airport that day - in fly-bys or actually landing - will be experimental, antique and classic airplanes; war birds - primary, basic, and advanced trainers; T-28’s; fighters and bombers. Parachute jumpers will float from the sky. Antique autos will be on display. Food and drink will be available, starting with a pancake breakfast served from 7:15 to 10 a.m. This year’s air fair theme is The Wings of Eagles…Passing Aviation to the Next Generation. Air Fair sponsorships are available. For details, visit Thunder in the Sky at http://www.thunderinthesky.org/
What possesses a pickle to parade up and down along Hwy. 49 near Fulweiler Avenue in Auburn, pointing and posing as the cars whiz past? Well, this particular pickle is pleased to the point of publicly partying about the new Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop in the Sierra Elm Center. Mr. Pickle’s was opened in April by franchise owners Eric and Mandee Manley, and their reception has been “beautiful, excellent,” Eric said. On the menu are sandwiches of all kinds, several kinds of salads, and a full line of chips and drinks. Sandwich bread is made fresh daily, and a free chocolate chip cookie, also fresh-baked, comes with every sandwich. Catering for large groups is available. “On party trays, it’s nice because we can mix up the meats, cheeses, and breads to order,” Eric said. Meanwhile, the Pickle is plying his new trade out by the pavement. “He loves it, Eric said, laughing. “He says it’s the best job he’s had in 10 years.” For details, visit Mr. Pickles at http://www.mrpicklesinc.com/
Berries are Ready at Amber Oaks Farm
Red raspberries, golden raspberries, and large, sweet, thornless Chester blackberries - all are ripe and ready to pick and eat at Amber Oaks Raspberry Farm, in Auburn. The farm, owned by Tim and Rhonda Boughton, produces more than a hundred different items through the seasons. Amber Oaks is open for U-Pick on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, June through November, by appointment. The Boughtons also accept orders year-round on in-season items and sell their produce at many farmers’ markets. “Many families visit our farm annually and enjoy picking their own berries, tomatoes, chestnuts, and pumpkins,” notes the farm’s website. “We hope you make your farm experience at Amber Oaks a family tradition.” For details, visit Amber Oaks at http://amberberries.com/ or PlacerGROWN at http://www.placergrown.org/
Placer County Wine & Grape Association to Hold Golf Tourney
On August 3, the county’s wine and grape group and guests will swing away in a shotgun/scramble format golf tournament at The Ridge, in Auburn. Starting time is 9 a.m. A post-tournament awards ceremony and barbeque will be held at Pescatore Winery, in Newcastle. Pescatore, owned by David Wegner and family, features Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Barbera wines, all produced with grapes from the Pescatore vineyard, 600 to 800 cases a year. Pescatore is one of about a dozen members of Placer County Wine & Grape Association - wineries and commercial grape growers. The group works to promote the area’s growing wine-making industry and schedules community events throughout the year. For details and a list of association members and links to each, visit PCWGA at http://www.placerwineandgrape.org/
What’s in Your E-Mail Newsletter?
In Progress Online (IPOL), our monthly economic development e-mail newsletter, covers the latest news on Placer County business and industry, agriculture, tourism, and the arts. It reports on new projects in our cities and towns and keeps readers up to date on the state of the region’s economy. IPOL posts news of state and local training, incentives, and loan programs that benefit business. It provides links to more information on each item. News about your business is always welcome. Please send items, questions, comments, or suggestions to the Office of Economic Development at econdev@placer.ca.gov or visit the OED Web site at
http://www.placer.ca.gov/CEO/EconDev.aspx For past In Progress Online newsletters, go to Placer County Biz News at http://www.placer.ca.gov/CEO/Econdev/business%20news.aspx