Ojai bypassing the buck? Small town looks at having own currency
As the global meltdown continues to put pressure on regional economies, the Ojai Economy Group may have found a way for citizens to keep the area’s economy vibrant, jobs local and economic relationships face to face. Drawing its inspiration from Western Massachusetts’ successful BerkShares program, the group wants to implement an alternative currency system for Read More →
Botanic Garden
It’s been a memorable year for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, partly for the wrong reasons. Less revenue and a budget shortfall were its initial worries, but severe damage from the Jesusita Fire added grief. Now the popular tourist attraction in the hills above Santa Barbara faces new struggles — yet it also sees new Read More →
Ventura County Red Cross seeks LEED
With its environmentally friendly new headquarters, the American Red Cross of Ventura County is now the first chapter in the country to go green. “Operating green allows the Red Cross to provide for our clients in a variety of ways,” said Chris Johnson, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Ventura County. “Aside Read More →
Lynda.com founders in finals for E&Y awards
Lynda Weinman wrote the book on graphic design for the Web. “Designing Web Graphics” came out in 1995. The first guide designed for graphic artists instead of programmers, it became a bestseller. With the profits from the book, Weinman and her husband, Bruce Heavin, moved to Ojai, bought their first house and co-founded a business Read More →
Cal Poly
More than a decade after San Luis Obispo residents began pushing for a technology park, the dirt is finally flying at California Polytechnic State University. The result will be a $4.5 million two-story building where small companies can lease space and have access to Cal Poly’s facilities and students. Jim Dunning, project administrator for the Read More →
Minding the skills gap – Workforce program trains employees for emerging firms
If your business is hiring, Cheryl Moore has good people and money for you. Moore is the executive director of the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County, a federally backed program that helps laid-off workers retrain and find new jobs. But what’s less known, Moore said, is that the board can help funnel pre-screened applicants Read More →
Spinning the Web – Internet-based firms find creative ways to turn profits
Bryan Brand wants to let the Internet make you dinner. Brand’s Web site, SBmenus.com, allows hungry people to browse the menus of 400 Santa Barbara area restaurants. Rather than fumbling with a phone or waiting in lines, the customer orders through an online order form, bypassing human contact altogether. Through efficiency and convenience, Web-based businesses Read More →
