Area Republicans set example for the GOP
OpinionAt first blush, there doesn’t seem to be too much connection between Nao Takasugi and Abel Maldonado. They are generations and miles apart in their backgrounds. But Takasugi, who passed away Nov. 19 at age 87, and Maldonado, who was nominated to the lofty post of lieutenant governor shortly before Thanksgiving, do share plenty of Read More →
Tech firms get a boost from small business
Small BusinessThe economic slump has many small businesses scrambling to cut costs, but as a direct result one group of businesses is getting a boost: information technology firms. As small businesses look for ways to streamline their budgets, tri-county IT firms are seeing a wave of new clients — if they offer the right products and Read More →
Santa Ynez Marriott paves way for future hotel green certifications
ColumnsThe Santa Ynez Valley Marriott just became the first hotel certified by Santa Barbara County’s Green Business Program. And it all started when General Manager Mike Hendrick heard Bill Hayward of Hayward Lumber speak at a green business luncheon. “We were already listed as a participating business, but we hadn’t done the big thing — Read More →
Montecito Bank & Trust shares the wealth
OpinionIt’s nice to see traditions get established — especially when it comes to philanthropy. That’s why we once again recognized Montecito Bank & Trust for its seventh annual Community Dividends program, where some 150 area nonprofits shared in $1 million in grants at a luncheon on Nov. 23. The privately held bank, which has nine Read More →
Ten things to be thankful for this year
ColumnsFace facts. This has been a horrible year to have to navigate a business through the tri-county economy. Between the meltdown in commercial real estate, California budget woes, softness in tourism, the foreclosure mess and the ongoing travails of community banking, this has been one for the books. But hey, kvetching only makes things worse. Read More →
Landscaper wins in suit against producer
UncategorizedWhen a powerful Hollywood producer tried to stiff Santa Barbara small-business owner Arturo Gonzalez on half a million dollars of work, the landscaper stood up to the producer in court. And he won. Gonzalez’s landscaping firm, Progressive Environmental Industries, sued two entities controlled by Jon Peters, Barbara Streisand’s ex-husband, producer of “Rain Man” and Read More →
