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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. 3 |
March 2008 |
Ÿ New Rocklin Wine Shop Celebrating Grand Opening
Ÿ Squaw Valley Institute to Hold Community Involvement Fair
Ÿ Lincoln Raley’s Roof Goes Green
Ÿ Food is Love When You Eat at Mama’s
Ÿ ETP Awards Training Funds to Placer County Firms
Ÿ The Bears are Back in Tahoe City
Ÿ Market Chain Picks Two Placer County Sites
Ÿ Roseville’s Blue Line Gallery Stages “Impressive” Inaugural Exhibit
Ÿ Help in Finding Child Care Offered
Ÿ Web Site Offers Assistance to Local Entrepreneurs
Ÿ What’s in Your E-Mail Newsletter?
New Rocklin Wine Shop Celebrating Grand Opening
Francis Mitchell and his partner Scott Pryor will celebrate the Grand Opening of their new business, WineStyles of Rocklin, March 28 - 30. “The WineStyles franchise system is exciting because it allows us to sell wines from around the world, and many different varietals,” said Mitchell. “And local wineries are very important to us. We currently carry about eight local winery selections out of our 144 selections, and hope to soon carry more.” WineStyles offers a wine club that costs $34.99 per month for two quality wines, and members receive a 10 percent discount on all wines purchased. The 1,625-square-foot retail shop also houses a tasting bar and patio, where visitors can enjoy wine by the glass and snacks. Mitchell and Pryor will soon be hosting wine tasting events, with winemakers and wine educators. “Our operation is focused on providing great value,” Mitchell said, “and most of our wines are $25 or less; plus, our service is second to none. We believe that a customer should be able to taste any wine they want before they buy.” WineStyles’ Grand Opening will include a ribbon cutting with the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce on March 28, and a live radio remote with KYMX (Mix 96) on March 29. WineStyles is located in the Rocklin 65 Center, at 6508 Lone Tree Blvd., Suite 108. For more, visit WineStyles at http://www.winestyles.net/locations.asp?id=128100&st=CA&page=1&pagenum=2 or call (916) 789-0300.
Squaw Valley Institute to Hold Community Involvement Fair
“Civic Engagement -- Finding Your Passion” is the title of Squaw Valley Institute’s second event in its Civic Engagement series, to be held Thursday, April 3, at the Resort at Squaw Creek. The evening will focus on how leaders can make a difference in a community with volunteering and philanthropy. Speaker John Chapman will talk about how to be involved effectively. In the 1980s, Chapman founded, owned, and managed two unrelated companies, both listed in the INC. 500 fastest-growing U.S. companies. By the early ‘90s, both companies were sold, and Chapman focused his efforts towards civic affairs and the non-profit world. The free event opens at 6 p.m. with a no-host bar; presentation begins at 7 p.m. For those wishing to make an evening of it, Resort at Squaw Creek is offering attendees a 10 percent discount at three valley restaurants. For more, visit Squaw Valley Institute at http://www.squaw.com/squaw-valley-institute-presents-squaw-valley-institute-community-involvement-fair
Last August, the FDA gave clearance to market and sell Active Manuka Honey for the management of wounds and burns, the first FDA clearance of a honey-based product for medical use. Entrepreneur Joanne Neft is selling the product locally through her business, called Manuka Naturals. “People are looking for natural remedies to long-time skin issues, and this handles most of them,” Neft said. In February, a story about Manuka Honey on National Public Radio’s Marketplace program prompted an immediate response. “After the story aired, I had nine personal phone calls, and orders started piling in,” Neft said. Active Manuka Honey is honey produced from the nectar of the manuka bush, a tea-tree variety indigenous to New Zealand. The Manuka products are manufactured and produced in New Zealand and available locally at Sunrise Natural Foods, Auburn Drug Co., Eisley’s Nursery, Auburn Nutrition Center, Newcastle Produce & Deli, and Lincoln Produce Market. The company is currently searching for facilities to produce and package locally. For more, visit the Auburn Journal at http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/77638.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Manuka+Naturals&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=6 or Manuka Naturals at http://www.manukanaturals.com/
Lincoln Raley’s Roof Goes Green
Raley’s recently unveiled a new solar electric generation system at its Lincoln. Edward Estberg, senior facilities director, said “this is the first solar installation for Raley’s and, in fact, a first for any grocery store in the Sacramento region.” Over several months, workers installed 1,576 solar panels and associated electrical equipment, covering the entire roof of the grocery store. The solar power system is expected to save about 300,000 kilowatts per year, enough to provide 20 percent of the store’s average annual power usage. Estberg pointed out that for at least the last 10 years, the company has been installing highly reflective “cool” roofs, and skylights to save on lighting costs, and also recycling its waste. “Raley’s has always been committed to saving energy,” he said. For more, visit the Lincoln News Messenger at http://www.lincolnnewsmessenger.com/detail/76041.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Raley%27s&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=12
Food is Love When You Eat at Mama’s
A restaurant tucked away in Downtown Auburn has enjoyed a successful first year by infusing lots of love into its food. Pacha Mama’s, or So Much Love, located in the Gold Country Mall, offers healthful wraps, rice bowls, smoothies, and salads, many of the items made with organic ingredients. “Every time I’m interacting in business, I bring love into it,” said Dawntrix Kerry, who described herself as Pacha Mama’s “catalyst.” Kerry, who owns the nearby Auburn Alchemy, said Pacha Mama’s has evolved from her simple desire to have quality food readily available. She secured a loan, and then others joined her to become partners in ownership. “We’re still figuring it out,” she said, “but it’s magic.” For more, visit Pacha Mama’s at the Auburn Journal at http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/75336.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Pacha+Mama%27s+restaurant&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=6
ETP Awards Training Funds to Placer County Firms
Three Placer County companies were recently successful in contracting for Employment Training Panel (ETP) funding. North State Grocery, Inc., dba Holiday Quality Foods, is a local family-owned independent retail grocer with 23 stores in rural Northern California. Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) Medical Group, Inc., in business for more than 90 years, provides diagnostic and nuclear imaging, radiation oncology, and medical management at 23 California offices. RAS plans to open a Lincoln office sometime in 2009. The third company, Yes! Solar Solutions, Inc. of Roseville, will train 30 (of 55) full-time construction workers, general laborers, installers, project managers, and front line supervisors in commercial skills associated with the manufacturing, engineering, design and testing of solar systems and products. To learn more about pursuing a training grant through ETP, contact Barry Worthington at bworthington@etp.ca.gov or visit http://www.etp.cahwnet.gov/. For more about Holiday Quality Foods, visit http://www.holidayqualityfoods.com/html/company1_fr.html; for Radiological Associates, http://www.radiological.com/; for Solar Solutions, http://www.yessolarsolutions.com/.
The Bears are Back in Tahoe City
This month, North Tahoe Arts is hosting the BEAR League exhibit, a display that brings home many of the issues related to the interaction of bears and humans. The show includes art works, children’s projects, and information about living in harmony with bears. The BEAR League is a 900-member; volunteer, non-profit organization committed to keeping bears safe and wild in their natural habitat, and educating the public on bear-safe behavior. BEAR League pins, shirts, and books that help in the league’s fundraising efforts will be available to visitors to the exhibit, which lasts through March. North Tahoe Arts is located in Tahoe City at 380 North Lake Blvd., next to the fire station. For more, visit North Tahoe Arts at http://northtahoearts.com/ or the BEAR League at http://www.savebears.org/.
Market Chain Picks Two Placer County Sites
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets announced in February that it has locked up 19 store sites in the region, including two in Placer County -- in Lincoln and Rocklin. The 19 stores will open next year, with an unspecified number added later. Some will be newly built, while others will move into vacated retail spots. The venture is backed by billions of dollars from Britain’s Tesco PLC, the world’s third-largest retailer. Fresh & Easy combines elements of a traditional grocery story and a convenience store. At about one-fifth the size of a typical supermarket, the stores emphasize fresh items, prepared take-home food, and private-label goods. “Our theme is simplicity,” said company spokesman Brendan Wonnacott. “Keeping things simple reflects our commitment to keeping costs low.” For more, visit Fresh & Easy Markets at http://www.freshandeasy.com/ or the Sacramento Bee at http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/745705.html
Roseville’s Blue Line Gallery Stages “Impressive” Inaugural Exhibit
A giant eyeball and a quirky robot made of television sets greet visitors at the entrance to the new Blue Line Gallery in Roseville. Part of “Art and Illusion,” a major exhibition of works from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation in Los Angeles, the pieces sum up the show’s theme and herald a bright future for art in Roseville. As impressive as the show, if not more so, is the gallery itself, a beautifully designed and appointed 5,000-square-foot facility on the ground floor of a new parking structure at 405 Vernon Street, Suite 100. Blue Line is the result of a partnership between Roseville Arts and the City of Roseville, and is a cornerstone in the city’s revitalization efforts. The gallery will feature national and regional art; workshops, lectures, hands-on art activities for all ages; and educational outreach programs. The “Art and Illusion” show is on display through May 3. For more, visit Blue Line Gallery at http://www.rosevillearts.org/ or the Sacramento Bee review at http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/story/745125.html
Help in Finding Child Care Offered
Placer County’s Office of Education - Early Childhood Education Services helps businesses find quality childcare for their employees. The free service is open to anyone, with no eligibility requirements, through the office’s Resource & Referral Program. For more call (530) 745-1380 or visit http://www.placercoe.k12.ca.us/departments/childcare/
Web Site Offers Assistance to Local Entrepreneurs
The High Country Business Park (HCBP) web site helps entrepreneurs and small businesses, especially those in the region’s rural areas, market their products and services, and improve their business practices. Sierra Economic Development Corporation (SEDCorp) business counselor Patrick Landon is on-line live on the site Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., answering questions about all aspects of business. The HCBP site also has a 24-hour-per-day message board available for questions, comments, and discussion. The Web site is sponsored by the County’s Rapid Response Program, Golden Sierra Job Training Agency, and SEDCorp. For more, visit High Country Business Park at http://www.hcbp.com/ or SEDCorp at http://www.sedd.org/ or Golden Sierra Job Training Agency at http://www.goldensierra.com/wib.htm or Business Advantage Network at http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/CEO/EconDev/BusinessAdvantageNetwork.aspx
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/Departments/CEO/EconDev/Business%20News.aspx