Towbes thrives in tough times
ColumnsMichael Towbes likes to keep busy. In the face of the worst recession he can remember, Towbes, one of the region’s most successful builders and bank owners, will not be slowing down anytime soon. The best evidence for that is a wall full of plans in the Towbes Group conference room in downtown Santa Barbara. Read More →
Moorpark film studio plot unfolds
FeaturesBernie Weitzman has a grand script in the works for Moorpark. Step by step, Weitzman, chairman and chief executive officer of Commonwealth Studios and an independent film industry veteran, is bringing his massive film studio dream to fruition on the outskirts of the Ventura County city. And it is a big dream. Weitzman and Commonwealth Read More →
California slips as others catch up
OpinionAs July heads past the mid-point, California still does not have a budget. This inability to get simple things accomplished underscores how far the Golden State has slipped behind its chief political rival, Texas. The July 11 edition of the Economist elaborates on the California-Texas rivalry, pointing out that among other things, Texas seems to Read More →
$60M sought in business jet accident
UncategorizedThe most disruptive accident at the Santa Barbara airport in decades has spurred a $60 million civil lawsuit between the parent company of one of the Tri-Counties’ biggest private companies and a French maker of corporate jets. The accident took place June 10, 2007, when a 13-passenger Dassault Mystere Falcon 900 ran off the main Read More →
CKE counts on viral media buzz for sales
UncategorizedCKE Restaurants, parent of the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s brands, is tasting success with an online marketing strategy that has racked up more 8 million views for YouTube videos about its burgers. The Carpinteria-based company put some of the video-sharing site’s biggest stars to work promoting its burgers. One YouTube star generated half a million Read More →
Occam wins contract
UncategorizedSanta Barbara-based Occam Networks has signed on another rural telecommunications company for its switching hardware, which helps copper- and fiber-based providers supply high-speed Internet, voice and video. Sebastian is based in Kerman in the Central Valley and has 10,000 access lines. Occam said the company will use Occam’s switches to speed up its copper-based network Read More →
One tasting at a time
UncategorizedOxnard is perhaps an unlikely place to become the Tri-Counties’ newest destination point, but the largest city in the area is quickly becoming a posh enclave. Beyond the emergence of new retail shopping centers and new luxury car showrooms, Oxnard has a blossoming wine district that is beginning to attract more visitors with the hopes Read More →
