February 28, 2024
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Street Smarts: Maritime Museum curator cooks a tasty burger; Coastal Cleanup Day approaches

IN THIS ARTICLE

Our infallible sources are excited to report Emily Falke, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s Curator & Director of Collections and Exhibits, won first prize in the 2022 Heinz “Art of the Burger” competition.
Her winning recipe was the Savory Spring Roll Bulgogi Burger, which took home top hardware in the “experimental” category.

“Her cooking often features East and West Coast influences, combines Asian and Mexican elements, incorporates elements of French cooking, and is based on local farm fresh produce,” said a release from the museum. Trained in teaching and art, she joined the staff of the museum in 2010. Now that’s a tasty award.

CLEAN THE COAST

The 38th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 17. Ventura County sites can be found at vcccoastcleanup.org, Santa Barbara County sites at exploreecology.org/coastal-cleanup-day and San Luis Obispo County sites at ecoslo.org/creeks-to-coast. You can also participate by cleaning up area parks and rec centers, according to the folks at E.J. Harrison & Sons, which is a major sponsor.

TIME TO PREPARE

Goleta recently welcomed new City Manager Robert Nisbet, and the City Council proclaimed September as National Preparedness Month. Businesses reminded to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies, including creating an emergency supply kit, putting together a disaster plan and being informed about the types of incidents that can occur.

MICROBIZ GRANTS STILL AVAILABLE

The Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program created by the county of Santa Barbara, in partnership with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate and the Santa Barbara Foundation, has unspent funds for local businesses. Eligible microbusinesses adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic are urged to apply for up to $2,500 in funding. Approximately $330,000 of the original $500,000 remains in the fund.

VALEO MAKES A PURCHASE

Valeo Networks, with offices in Camarillo, is acquiring Alura Business Solutions, a managed service provider based in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Financial terms were not released.

Alura Business Solutions provides IT solutions for organizations in a number of markets, including manufacturing, nonprofits and healthcare. It’s another expansion move for CEO Travis Mack, who has put Valeo on an Inc. 5000 growth track.

SMALL BIZ OF THE YEAR IN VENTURA

Assemblymember Steve Bennett has selected Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market in Ventura Harbor as the 2022 Small Business of the Year for the 37th Assembly District. The father-daughter team of Michael and Andria Wagner is a former Spirit of Small Business winner from the Business Times and is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The restaurant posted 25% growth during the pandemic.

BIG TIME FOR MICROGRIDS

The Clean Coalition is taking the wraps off a pair of microgrid projects, including a 14-site solar solution for the Santa Barbara Unified School District that will provide $7.8 million in energy costs savings over the life of a 28-year power purchase agreement. Goleta’s community microgrid stretches from Point Conception to Lake Casitas and will bring solar-driven backup power and additional resilience and environmental benefits.

ACADEMIC MOVES

After 17 years at the California Lutheran University School of Management, Associate Dean Veronica Guerrero will become associate vice provost at CSU Channel Islands. CLU faculty member and School of Management administration program director Ran Lu-Andrews will succeed Guerrero, who is a well-regarded professor of marketing and a former Business Times Latino Business Award winner. Her hiring is a coup for CSUCI.

FINAL SCENES

• BOTANICAL BONUS: The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden’s fall “Art in the Garden” display and sale will be held Nov. 5 and 6. The event will take place in the Garden’s Oak Glen Pavilion, the surrounding patio spaces, as well as the Garden display areas. Timed tickets are required, so visit slobg.org.

• GOING FOR THREE: Jonathan Abboud has filed to run for a third term as a trustee of the Santa Barbara Community College District.

• STATE STREET STRATEGIST: Downtown Santa Barbara has Daniel Ramirez as director of strategic initiatives. The Santa Barbara native will focus on economic development. We wish him luck.

• CAROUSEL IN SLO: Opera San Luis Obispo will produce Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic musical “Carousel” on Oct. 15-16 for just two performances. Visit operaslo.org for details.