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IN PROGRESS ONLINE |
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Office of Economic Development, Placer County, California |
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Vol. 10, No. 9 |
November 2009 |
· Placer Community Foundation Receives Grantmaker Award
· Revionics Expanding South Placer HQ
· Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project Gets Grant; Locals Can Participate
· Newly Opened Restaurant Serves Farm Fresh Food with Family Flair
· Auburn Birth Center Announces Arrival of New Doctors, Manager, Amenities
· North Tahoe Arts Offers Unique Holiday Gifts
· Roseville Community Center Earns LEED Gold Rating
· Men’s Store Opens in Old Town Auburn
· Newcastle Produce Savors 10 Great Years
· Tahoe Skiing: All About the Deals
· Wag Hotels Reaches for New Market with Roseville Doggie Day Care Center
· What’s in Your E-mail Newsletter?
Placer Community Foundation Receives Grantmaker Award
On November 3rd, the Placer Community Foundation received National Philanthropy Day’s Outstanding Grantmaker Award for the Sacramento Region. The Placer Community Foundation builds community and grows philanthropy. The foundation connects donors who care with causes that matter. Known for sound financial management and knowledge of the nonprofit sector, the foundation and its donors have invested over $2 million in Placer County, supporting a broad range of issues. The foundation program strategy currently focuses on two timely priorities: Nonprofit Initiative – delivering grants, workshops, and technical assistance to help nonprofit organizations become stronger and more sustainable; and Arts Initiative – providing grants, workshops and convening to support audience development and ensure the arts are a prominent and permanent community resource. For details and information on how individuals and businesses can turn local giving into lasting value, visit http://www.placercf.org/ or the Auburn Journal at http://auburnjournal.com/detail/134656.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Placer+Community+Foundation&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=stories&town_id=
Revionics Expanding South Placer HQ
Revionics Inc. is expanding its headquarters in South Placer County this month as the retail-software company continues to grow. “It is definitely an upgrade, both in the size and class of building,” said Susan Boyme, director of marketing for Revionics. The new class A office building, housed in 111,000 square feet at 2998 Douglas Blvd., Suite 350 in Roseville, will include an integrated digital conferencing center where the company can conduct meetings and training sessions with its national and international clients. The building also features a customer center, classrooms, and conference space. For details, visit the Sacramento Business Journal at http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/11/02/daily61.html?t=printable or Revionics at http://www.revionics.com/
Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project Gets Grant; Locals Encouraged to Participate
A National Scenic Byways grant is giving the Sierra Nevada Geotourism project a shot in the arm to further the new tool’s momentum. The National Geographic Society is creating ecotourism maps all around the world as tourism information hubs, and the Sierra Nevada is the latest region to enter the project. With the Sierra Business Council spearheading the effort, the National Scenic Byways grant gives $205,000 to the project, starting in the Yosemite region. In January or February, the program moves to the Tahoe/Central Sierra region, looking for nominations of points of interest, and probably having a working map by spring of 2010. For details and to nominate areas of interest throughout the Sierra Nevada visit http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/. For more, visit the Sierra Sun at http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20091102/NEWS/911029999/1004/NONE&parentprofile=1051
Rustic Table: Newly Opened Restaurant Serves Farm Fresh Food with Family Flair
Step into the newly opened Rustic Table, located in the Sierra Woods Lodge near Emigrant Gap for fresh, farm-to-table food and an ambiance of country comfort. The model for the family-owned restaurant, headed by Chef Adam Ornellas, is a combination of culinary excellence with attention to detail and philanthropic philosophy. Ornellas trained with the senior chef at Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Culinary Academy, in Napa, and has appeared on NBC morning shows. He cooks from the heart with the freshest ingredients. The menu is moderately priced and changes weekly, serving seasonal delights. A percentage of proceeds from special dinners will benefit local schools and charities. As the holidays approach, Ornellas will present themed evenings with Spanish-Italian fusion dinners, including a Mexican-style Christmas. For details visit the Sierra Sun at http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20091102/NEWS/911029999/1004/NONE&parentprofile=1051
Auburn Birth Center Announces Arrival of New Doctors, Manager, Amenities
Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital’s family birth center is focusing on growth. The center, which opened 19 months ago is getting a shot in the arm with the arrival of two new doctors, who will join two obstetricians already on the staff. The birth center also has a new manager, registered nurse Nory Sargeant. Sargeant emphasizes the personalized care the center offers. And its 24-7 pain management and anesthesia capability sets it apart, Sargeant said. Another feature she hopes to have available soon is labor tub deliveries. The birth center is also getting a playground, to be constructed in a gated, secure patio area with help from Auburn Rotarians. For details, visit Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital at http://www.sutterauburnfaith.org/services/fbc/ or the Auburn Journal at http://auburnjournal.com/detail/133174.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=New+Birth+Center+in+Auburn&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=
North Tahoe Arts Offers Unique Holiday Gifts
“There is much to like on the walls and shelves at two Tahoe Art League galleries,” writes Mark S. Bacon in an article for the San Francisco Chronicle. Holiday-themed works are now on sale at North Tahoe Arts, Bacon says, and galleries at both North and South Tahoe feature the area’s staple: art that focuses on the lake and surrounding mountains. “Visitors want to take a piece of Lake Tahoe home with them,” says Karen Ellis, North Tahoe Arts Center’s executive director. The center, at 380 N. Lake Tahoe Blvd., has a main gallery and shop downstairs, and a loft gallery that is now home to the Holiday Arts and Gift Show, running through December 28. Ceramics, wooden bowls, ornaments, glass, photography, paintings, and other works make up the show, including eye-catching fabric pinecones. For details, visit the San Francisco Chronicle at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/08/PKOC1AAR2H.DTL or North Tahoe Arts at http://www.northtahoearts.com/
Roseville Community Center Earns LEED Gold Rating
This fall, Roseville unveiled its first “green” building, a community center that houses the library, an exploration center dedicated to environmental issues, and a community television studio. The building opened in 2008 but recently received a gold rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program that evaluates buildings for efficiency and conservation measures. The center is located at 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd. It houses the Roseville Utility Exploration Center, in which exhibits display principles of sustainable living and resource conservation. The LEED program, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, is one of the most widely recognized for determining energy and resource conservation levels in buildings. For details, visit the Sacramento Business Journal at http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/09/28/daily36.html or the Roseville Utility Exploration Center
http://www.roseville.ca.us/explore/ or the U.S. Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org/
Men’s Store Opens in Old Town Auburn
A longtime clothing wholesaler, Al Holewinski, recently opened a menswear store called Al’s Place in Old Town Auburn. “It’s casual wear - more outdoor guy,” he said. “Customers can expect to find a great variety of quality men’s resort and outdoor wear.” Holewinski and his wife, Judith Crom, choose much of the inventory at trade shows. “We’re always adding, whenever we find a new line or a new product,” he said. Shirts range in price from $25 for a basic style to $100 for embroidered silk. Holewinski’s focus is on dressing customers well. “I like to think we offer a personal service, and we want you to look good because you’re a reflection of the store,” he said. Al’s Place is located at 157 Sacramento St. and is open seven days a week. For details, visit the Auburn Journal at http://auburnjournal.com/detail/132229.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Al%27s+Place+open+in+Old+Town&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=stories&town_id=
Newcastle Produce Savors 10 Great Years
A local shop that has become a favorite for chefs, cooks, and foodies celebrated its 10-year anniversary in October. Newcastle Produce is known for its locally grown fruits and vegetables, wide array of gourmet foods, and deli specialties. Jan Thompson, who owns the store with her husband, Francis, grew up around farming. The Thompsons also own Twin Brooks in Loomis and have sold produce at the Foothill Farmers Market for 20 years. Jan’s focus from the beginning was to fill the store with locally produced foods. The store has grown in scale as it has established a regional presence. In 2007, Thompson hired Chelsea Federwitz, a chef recently graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, who has introduced many new, and now popular, items to the deli menu. The store also offers jams and preserves, foothills wines, and dozens of condiments and specialty items. For details, visit the Roseville Press Tribune at http://rosevillept.com/detail/133580.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id= or Newcastle Produce at http://www.newcastleproduce.net/
Tahoe Skiing: All About the Deals
This year, skiing at Lake Tahoe is all about the deals. Many of the resorts have made improvements and added terrain and/or facilities, but the overriding message seems to be, “We know the economy is bad, but please come visit us; we’ll make it worth your while.” Deals on hotel packages, specialty passes, lessons, and rentals will supplement what it is hoped will be a great snow season. Alpine Meadows, http://www.skialpine.com/; Homewood, http://www.skihomewood.com/; Northstar, http://www.northstarattahoe.com/; Squaw Valley, http://www.squaw.com/; and Sugar Bowl, http://www.sugarbowl.com/home - all these resorts sport new and improved features this season along with “screaming deals.” Alpine Meadows, for instance, offers a $155 Stay and Ski package at Resort at Squaw Creek, including shuttle lift tickets and breakfast. For details visit the San Francisco Chronicle at http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/08/TR4F1ACNV4.DTL
Wag Hotels Reaches for New Market with Roseville Doggie Day Care Center
Wag Hotels is expanding, but in a different way from what the pet care company originally envisioned. When Wag opened its first pet resort in West Sacramento four years ago, the company’s leaders anticipated a chain of 25,000-square-foot hotels. Wag still wants those large hotels - it has one in San Francisco - but now the company will pursue a hub-and-spokes model with small doggie day care centers supplementing the overnight pet resorts. Wag opened its first dog day care center, called All Day Play, in October in Roseville, just off the Riverside Avenue/Auburn Blvd. exit off I-80. It measures 2,300 square feet. For details visit the Sacramento Business Journal at http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/11/02/story10.html or Wag Hotels at http://www.waghotels.com/
What’s in Your E-mail Newsletter?
In Progress Online (IPOL), an economic development e-mail newsletter, is published bi-monthly. IPOL 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/Departments/CEO/EconDev/Business%20News.aspx