June 2012 - Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce

Classic California Golf Invitational
I
Cypress Ridge Golf Course
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
581 Dolliver Street
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 773-4382 PH
(805) 773-6772 FAX
What’s inside
♦ From the desk of your CEO
♦ From our Chamber President
♦ New Advertising Opportunities
♦ Business of the Month
♦ Our New Members
♦Your Chamber Working for you
♦ City Council Vote
July Happenings
♦ July’s Happenings
1st —Art in the Park
Dinosaur Caves Park
4th—Concert & Fireworks
at the Pismo Pier
12th -15th —28th Annual
Central Coast Wine Classic
www.CentralCoastWineClassic.org
14th—Surf & Sport Expo
South County Regional Center
10 am—3 pm
Details & Information: 805-540-0710
17th—Cuba Trip Begins
18 th Tri-Chamber Luncheon
12 to 1 pm. TBD
Beach Bum Holiday Rentals
25th—Tri-Chamber Mixer
Burdine Printing, 5 to 7 pm
Edgewater Inn
21st—Stride with the Tide
Pismo Beach Pier, 8:30
Condor Security of America, Inc.
KCOY 12 & Fox 12
Martin Resorts
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PISMO BEACH, CA
PERMIT NO. 1
Pismo Lighthouse Suites
Avila Lighthouse Suites
Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge
Pacific Leisure Marketing
Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
581 Dolliver St.
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Rabobank
Sea Venture Resort
Shell Beach Law Group
Splash Café
Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar
Tolosa Press
June 2012
Get the best view of our wonderful July 4th Celebration by joining
us on the pier. Purchase your VIP tickets for $25 from
Peter or Rochelle. Call 805-773-4382 to reserve your
space now.
Downtown Business Owners Share Their Views
During the week of May 14th the Chamber conducted a general survey of businesses located west of
Pomeroy. A series of specific questions were presented, and the following is a general summary of your
opinions, business progress and suggestions to improve visitor flow.
Comparing last year to this year has business improved, remained the same or gotten worse? 45%
indicated their business was improved, 34% stated it was about the same and 21% said it was slower than
last year. Do you have plans for change, including remodeling or adding new merchandise? 57% yes,
43% no. Do you use the Chamber of Commerce to promote your business? 41% yes, 31% no and 28%
N/A. Do you see more business when the Benson Lot is open for free parking? 38% yes, 62% no. Do
special events help your business? 69% yes, 31% no. Do you think we need more special events? 57%
yes, 43% no. Do you have promotions for local residents? 37% yes, 63% no. Are you a member of the
Chamber of Commerce? 61% yes, 39% no.
Businesses were also asked specific questions. Below are the responses with higher percentages:
What would you like to see changed downtown.
Clean up older buildings, including empty stores, restrict sidewalk merchandise: 25%
Want to see better maintenance (cleaning) of downtown sidewalks: 52%
Improve paid parking signage, post cost per hour, have more parking attendants on duty: 60%
Remodel and clean up CPL restrooms, add more restrooms: 31%
Leave no left turn on all the time or set up a left turn lane and signal: 36%
Better signs to identify the one way streets to improve traffic flow: 27%
Share customer comments:
Post cost of paid parking, improve instructions, fix meters or eliminate completely: 57%
Love Farmers’ Market: 64%
More entertainment downtown: 35%
Lack of parking, paid or otherwise: 84%
Really appreciated free parking on Benson: 33%
Improve bathroom conditions: 35%
Suggestions by businesses to attract more local residents downtown:
More “Shop at Home” advertising by City and Chamber. 15%
Attract more high-end stores; recruit for those business types when a space is vacant: 11%
Have a POP on Pomeroy in addition to the Party on Price. 22%
Farmers’ Market should only sell produce and homemade crafts and bake goods so it does
not compete with downtown stores. 50%
Get more businesses involved in promoting each other and communicating. 29%
More entertainment geared to locals on weekends. (such as concerts on the pier) 43%
Encourage more stores to offer discounts to locals. (Off-season specials) 29%
Give downtown merchants an opportunity to have booths at our events. 37%
The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all the downtown merchants who participated. We don’t know the
answers if we don’t ask the questions. Hopefully, we can identify some problems your Chamber can assist in resolving. We welcome the opportunity to hear business concerns. In future months, we will be taking additional surveys in
the Five Cities area. Complete results of this survey are available at VIC
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The Source
From the Desk of the CEO
PETER CANDELA
The Fourth of July is the single largest one day event in our County. It comes with
a great cost and effort. The Chamber puts on fund raisers, accepts donations and
organizes volunteers to help make this event happen.
One of these fund raisers was our Classic Golf Tournament on May 24th. This annual event was
held at Cypress Ridge Golf Course. Although the weather was questionable (60 mile an hour winds
predicted) it ended up being a good weather day. We had an enthusiastic group of players, great
food and wonderful auction items. Did I mention great food? Lunch was provided by Splash, thank
you Ross and Joanne! The dinner was catered by the Cypress Ridge Golf Course and they did a
wonderful job. The auction items were made up with donations from 12 of Pismo’s best hotels, restaurants and wineries. I was lucky enough to bid on them. The donations and hole sponsorship were
very much appreciated. We especially want to thank PG&E for their generous donation.
When it comes to volunteers our Chamber has the best! The Ambassadors and Directors are always
there to help with the tasks-at-hand, and this event was no exception. Thank you all for being part
of our Chamber. And of course, our Chamber Staff wow, second to none, thank you Rochelle, Beth,
Tommie and Aveda!
We are including an additional fund raiser. We will be asking our business community to allow the
Chamber to place donation cans in their businesses. Please consider this request, we could use your
help! Help us light up the sky on the Fourth of July!
We are also selling VIP tickets to the July 4th Celebration. This ticket will give you a front row seat
to this spectacular patriotic display as the fireworks will be right over your head. The best- seat- inthe-house. The VIP ticket is only $25 per person, can’t beat that! You can purchase this VIP Ticket
on line at www.pismochamber.com
Thank you all for being part of the Chamber!
Peter
From the Desk of the President
Roger Wightman, General Manager/Sandcastle Inn
Hello fellow Chamber members
As I write this, I'm enjoying another absolutely beautiful day here on our amazing Central
Coast. I trust that you all were able to relax a bit as well and spend as much time as possible
with family and friends over this fantastic Memorial Day weekend. We truly are blessed to
live and work in such a phenomenal place.
Once again, our golf tournament to raise funds for our city's fireworks was another huge
success. Tony, Sunny, Peter, Rochelle and everyone else on the committee did an outstanding job in planning, organizing and pulling off another great tournament this past Thursday.
If you haven't participated in our annual tournament yet, you really need to mark your calendars now for next year’s event. Great golf, great food, great fellowship and great weather,
all for a great cause. This is our main fundraiser that truly allows us to put on a such a great
fireworks display for our great city.
Speaking of fireworks, would you like to get up close and watch all the action right from the
pier? See or call Peter or Rochelle to purchase your very own VIP pass to another great
event this year. I hope to see you all there.
Have a great June. Cheers!
Chief Executive Officer
Peter Candela
[email protected]
June 2012
CHAMBER BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
MON AMI
230 POMEROY AVE. PISMO BEACH
Executive Assistant
Rochelle Bento
[email protected]
Visitor Information Center
[email protected]
Courtney Raye
Aveda Stafford
Beth Stewart
Newsletter Editor
Tommie O’Donoghue
Visitor Information Kiosk
Paul Lacey
Louis Montalbano
April Thomas
Chamber Volunteers
Judy Burrows
Chamber Ambassadors
Mike Ebinger,
Chief Ambassador
El Dorado Broadcasters
Gary Stone
Mackey & Mackey Insurance
Robin O’Hara
Keller Williams Realty
Peter Ward
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort
Brett Gibbs
Cottage Inn by the Sea
Sean Dasmann
AMS Entertainment
Arlene Gonzales-Gee
Associate Member
Narlene Carter-Keenan
Keller Williams Realty
Tamara Burnes
Re/Max Del Oro
Deena Peak
Fidelity National
Kalie Howard
Martin Resorts
Page 7
Scott Brabson
Mon Ami is easy to find; the aroma of fresh baked goods drift up Pomeroy and leads the hungry customers into the quaint
cafe owned by and operated by Scott and Gordana Brabson. Mon Ami prides itself on featuring only fresh baked European
specialties accompanied by a full espresso bar.
Scott was born and raised in Michigan and Gordana was born in Yugoslavia. Scott worked in Corporate International for 25
years before becoming the main chef of the café. Gordana continues her career as a psychotherapist. They have been married 26 years and have two daughters. They moved to Santa Barbara in 1998, came to the Pismo Beach area in 2005 and
purchased the café 4 years ago.
Mon Ami currently has six employees but will hire at least four more to prepare for the busy summer season. Each employee is trained to work all stations and master the art of creating every delicious item on the menu. Scott believes that being
able to alternate between the cash register and the baking duties makes for happy employees. He also believes that happy
employees make for happy customers. His philosophy is that every customer that enters the establishment is treated to a
friendly greeting and excellent service.
Scott admits that although he was taught to cook at an early age, it really wasn’t his favorite thing to do. His expertise i n
European delicacies was mastered after he and Gordana purchased Mon Ami. Cooking may still not be his favorite thing to
do, but he finds satisfaction in creating all the wonderful French Crepes, Italian Panini, Belgian Waffles, breakfast quiche
and the long list of pastries, such as croissants, muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, bagels and bread puddings that the café has
to offer.
Starting Memorial Day, the summer hours will be from 7 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday, and 7 am to 9 pm Saturday
and Sunday. Not only do many Pismo Beach residents visit, numerous employees of the downtown area come in for their
morning Espresso and maybe a tasty breakfast crepe, of which the café offers 7 different varieties. 20 savory dessert crepes
are also offered. Tourists from Asia, South America and Europe frequent Mon Ami when they are visiting because it gives
them a little taste of their home countries.
Scott stated that the customer favorite was the Chicken Royal – marinated chicken breast braised in olive oil, fresh garlic,
Roma tomatoes, pesto sauce, and mozzarella cheese and topped with fresh Basel and Béchamel sauce. His favorite dish is
Strawberry Romance- “Nutella”, fresh strawberries drizzled with a chocolate Ghirardelli sauce and Chantilly crème on the
side. However, with the wide menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is really difficult to decide which one to select.
Scott’s favorite thing about working in Pismo Beach is the wonderful climate and the proximity to the ocean. He tries to step
out of his busy café every once in a while to enjoy the view. He likes the variety of clientele, from business men and women
to locals, tourists and bikers. They are all treated with friendly and impeccable service.
When it is busy, Scott helps ease the wait by having singing contests with a reward of a free espresso or crepe to the best
voice. Being small and family oriented, the cooks prepare specialties right in front of the customers. Mon Ami means “my
friend” in French, and everyone who comes in is treated like a friend. So come on down and try some great food and fresh
Italian espresso while relaxing on the pleasant outdoor courtyard or sitting inside while using the free Wi-Fi. Enjoy a little
corner of Europe right here in Pismo Beach.
Page 3
June 2012
Chamber Board of Directors
Page 6
The Source
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Flyers for the Newsletter
Do you have a special event planned for summer? Place a flyer in
our July newsletter. We need 450 copies by June 25th. The cost is
$75.00 for handling and mailing. If you have questions, please contact Rochelle at (805) 773-4382 or [email protected].
Member to Member
Discounts
Increase your sales by bringing in more local residents.
Contact Rochelle at (808) 773-4382 to add your business to the Member to Member list. For more information, check out the list on the Chamber website.
Front Display Windows
Hospitality Board
The busiest tourism time of the year is almost here. Get your hotel
or vacation rentals displayed on our board. Contact Rochelle at
(805) 773-4382 or [email protected]. for more information.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Check out www.pismochamber.com
Wheel Fun Rentals
Lori Tullberg
805-773-0197
Curves of Five Cities
Teri Gambril
805-773-3337
Chateau Madrid Wigs & Beauty
Nicky Sowerby
805-773-0510
RENEWING MEMBERS
Addie Townhomes, Effie McDermott
Banner Airways, J.R. Smith
Beach Walk Resort, LLC, Anthony Wells
Beachcomber Inn, Grace Le Grand
Beauty Secrets of Pismo Beach, Wesely Carlson
California Property Services, Robert Lee
Central Coast Bride, Carolayne Holley
Coastal Vacation Rentals & Property Mgmt. Billie Kelly
Cracked Crab, Mike & Kathy Lee
The Edgewater Inn & Suites, Kristi LyBurtus
Five Cities Chevron, Brian Patrick
Guiton Realty, Glenda Guiton
Hamner-Jewell & Associates, David & Lillian Jewell
Harry’s Night Club & Beach Bar, Paul & Joan Bailey
Hobert E. Herber, D.D.S. Hobert E. Herber, D.D.S.
Keller Williams Realty—Central Coast Shelly Aleshire
Keller Williams Realty—Central Coast Alan Williams
Keller Williams Realty—Central Coast Robin O’Hara
Kon Tiki Inn, Erwin Sedley
Consider a display advertisement in the front window
of the Visitors Information Center. Space is available
for the Spring of 2013. Contact Rochelle at (805) 7734382 for more information.
RENEWING MEMBERS, cont.
Martinho Construction, Inc., Brian Martinho
Ocean Palms Motel, Ramesh Patel
Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Jim Parkhurst
Pismo Beach Hotel, Mike Frey
Pismo Beach Lions Club, Tim Yager
Pismo Beach Optix, Cindy Leger
Pismo Beach Optometric Center, Michael Jocobs
Pismo Beach Winery, Bryan & Martin Friedman
Pismo Beach Fish & Chips, Janie & Phil Graham
Quarterdeck Restaurant, Inc., Cynthia Jones
San Luis Ambulance Service, Inc., Frank Kelton
Sand Castle Inn, Roger Wightman
Scotty’s Bar & Grill, Scott Milstead
Sea Garden Motel, Raj Patel
Sea Gypsy Motel, Gabrielle Land
The Shoe Tree Inc., Dick Taylor
Sierra Body Shop LLC, John Fielder
Steven Singer,Steve Singer
Splash Café, Joanne & Ross Currie
Spyglass Inn, Jim Guthrie
Sycamore Construction & Design, Dan Guthrie
Tomasko’s Salt Water Taffy Shop, Roger Tomasko
Ed Waage & Jeannie Nix
Check out the enclosed flyer describing the Chamber’s new SHOP, DINE & STAY Visitor’s Map
that will increase your sales by identifying your
business and your location. Information will be on
a full color map and also posted on the Chamber’s
web site. A full year of dual advertising for one low
price!
President
Roger Wightman
Sandcastle Inn
Vice President
Marc Lebed
Law/Disputed Solution
Medicine, DPCS
Treasurer
Rick Turton
Pacific Leisure Marketing
YOUR CHAMBER WORKING FOR YOU
The Chamber Staff made the following referrals in April, in person,
on the phone, by requested mailings and through email responses:
VIC
VIK
Lodging
392
Walk-Ins 1247 Walk-Ins 764
Dining
675
Phone Calls 768 Out of Country 54 Recreation 1391
Emails
113
Real Estate 49
Mailed Info 1556
Retail
473
Brochures 1290
Every visitor to the VIC and
Out of Country 177
Events 672
Wine 216 Total Referrals 4149
Camping 281 Total Contacts 2779
VIK is your potential customer.
The Chamber held 6 ribbon cuttings in April
Secretary
Paul Jones
Associate Member
Board Members
Anthony Wells
Beach Walk Resort, LLC
Mike Spangler, Associate Member
Roger Wightman, Sandcastle Inn
Bill Bookout, Pismo Beach Surf Shop
Joseph M. Scott
Associate Member
Ross Currie
Splash Café
Narlene Carter-Keenan
Keller Williams
Keenan-Carter Group
Dr. Robert Higginbotham
Pacific Eye
TRI-CITIES LUNCHEON, noon to 1:00 pm Wednesday,
June 20, 2012 at Steamer's Restaurant. A presentation on
Spanish Springs will be presented by David Watson and
Carol Florence. Call Rochelle at 773-4382 for reservations.
Mike Spangler
Associate Member
Carla Soares
Rabobank
Ash Mehta
Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar
J.G King
King Ventures
Pacific Western Bank
Peter Keith, Associate Member
Cayucos Shoreline Inn
Reserve your booth space at the Mega Mixer to be held at
the South County Regional Center on June 27th from 3:30
to 7:00 pm by the AG & Pismo Chambers of Commerce.
Contact AG Chamber at 805-489-1488.
Congratulations to Our Taste Of Pismo Winners!
Zorro's Restaurant & Cantina
Voted Best Food
Pismo Brewery
Voted Best Beer
Morovino,
Voted Best Wine
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June 2012
Page 5
Going Green for the Community
The proposed ECO Rotary Club of the Central Coast is waiting to obtain a Charter, but has already jumped in feet first to
help citizens and organizations realize the importance of recycling. We all saw the amazing results of their efforts at the
Taste of Pismo, when the mass of trash was reduced to two bags going to the landfill and four bags going to the Dairy
Creek Compost Center.
Anita Shower, who has been a past Rotary President and now President of this new organization, has taken the reins in
creating the new club. Once chartered, it will be only one of five in the nation that focuses on recycling. Morro Bay, one
of those five, is sponsoring them.
The club currently has 23 members, all sporting t-shirts with the back logo “We just want to work.” Their next project
will be assisting the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce with recycling trash at our Clam Festival. They are definitely
up to the challenge. You may even see their group at the Car Show. Each item recycled reduces the amount that goes to
the landfills, which is important for everyone.
The club already has a list of eight projects, not only in recycling but in joining together to make our cities more beautiful. The volunteers in the “Gorgonzola Gardeners” have already committed to maintaining the beauty of the area around
the Price Street Clam and have their eyes on beautifying the Grover Beach Police Department’s grounds. Other projects
include establishing a parking lot for the Grange Hall in Grover Beach and looking at other events that most certainly can
use their help turning trash into treasures.
The Club meets for one hour twice a month. Membership dues are only $10 a month. Individuals who share concern for
our community should certainly look into joining this fantastic organization. There is something for everyone to do.
Going green and making our surroundings more beautiful is not only rewarding, but beneficial to everyone on the Central
Coast. Contact Anita Shower at (805) 459-6096 for more information.
THE CHAMBER NOW OFFERING “COMMEMORATIVE CUTTING” CEREMONIES
One of the many benefits of membership in the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce is our newsletter.
The Source is distributed monthly via email and the U.S. Post Office to over 450 member businesses. New or continuing
members have been recognized with a ceremonial ribbon cutting with the Pismo Beach Chamber Ambassadors, CEO,
members of the Chamber Board, City Counsel Members, and other elected city officials. The photographed ceremony
provides member companies and associate members opportunities to highlight their business, employees and logos in a
picture for all members to view when placed in the newsletter. The photo is also posted on the Chamber’s Facebook
page, typically within a few days after the ribbon cutting. Your special event is shared with Chamber and non-chamber
members via the Ambassador’s network of friends. This value-added membership service gives your business a true social media marketing experience via the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.
To expand this promotional opportunity, the Pismo Chamber is now offering a new kind of ribbon cutting… the
“Commemorative Cutting.” This ceremonial cutting is designed to highlight a milestone in your business; such as an
expansion, a new building or location, a new product, or simply to commemorate the best year you have had in a long
while… you get the picture. If something extraordinary has happened in your business, you can request a special
“Commemorative Cutting” from your Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and have it displayed along
with your accomplishment in our newsletter and on the Chamber’s Facebook page.
To request a “Commemorative Cutting”, simply email your request to: [email protected] or call the Chamber at
(805) 773-4382. All cuttings are on the second Tuesday of each month from 9:30AM to 11:30AM on a first come basis.
However, we can accommodate other dates on a case by case basis if you have a grand opening event, etc.
Take advantage of this excellent advertising opportunity. The Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce looks forward to seeing your smiling face in print and on-line.
CITY COUNCIL VOTE, May 15, 2012
From the Consent Calendar: A Resolution Accepting a $10,745.50 Donation From the Dinosaur
Caves Preservation Society for the Construction of Stairs at Dinosaur Caves Park.
AYES:
Mayor Higginbotham, Mayor Pro Tem Vardas, Councilmember Ehring, Councilmember Waage, Councilmember Reiss
NOES:
0
ABSENT 0
The Dinosaur Caves Preservation Society, and staff agrees, the construction of stairs leading from the sidewalk along Shell Beach Road to
the Dino Caves Parking Lot, Bid Alternative A, would provide a much needed access route to the park. To that end the Dinosaur Caves
Preservation Society has very generously offered to donate $10,745.50 to the City of Pismo Beach to cover the entire cost of this construction. Accepting this donation would allow the City to construct the stairs without having to use the contingency funds allocated to this
project.
“Marty’s Pismo Beach Community Corner” By Martin L. Meltz, Ph.D.
Five Cities Meals on Wheels
Five Cities Meals on Wheels provides low-cost or free meals Monday through Friday every week to the homebound who suffer
from physical, emotional, mental, or economic limitations, regardless of their age. Many of our neighbors in the 5-Cities area
find themselves in situations where they are isolated from the community, and a regular warm nutritious meal becomes important for their health and sometimes even survival. Interestingly, several things do or can happen when one of the volunteers
working with the Five Cities Meals on Wheels comes knocking on the door. One is the delivery of food, a second is a warm
and very welcomed greeting and smile, and a third is the possible determination by the volunteer of a person in trouble. Each of
course has a reward in itself, both to the volunteer and the client receiving the food.
The Five Cities Meals on Wheels was incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization in 1975; yes, it has been in operation for 36 years.
It has a part-time staff, including a Director (Mary Howell), a professionally trained Chef, and a Kitchen and Logistics person.
It has a Volunteer Board, Chaired by Richard Strachan, Board President Volunteers are crucial to the Meals on Wheels program. The current volunteer group has served anywhere from a few months to 13 years. There are currently approximately 20
volunteers, ranging in age from 30 to 92 years of age, working anywhere from one time every two weeks to a few days a week.
The volunteers work in the kitchen, or serve as drivers. The latter donate their auto expenses in addition to their 2 – 3 hours of
driving time. The official office hours of Meals on Wheels are 8:00 am to Noon, but food preparation begins between 6:00 and
6:30 am. While the “case load” varies, the current client list includes about 100 households. The Five Cities Meals on Wheels
is currently providing approximately 25,000 meals per year.
The Five Cities Meals on Wheels exists because of the generosity of donors, contributions from clients, and a few grants from
local organizations and government, such as the City of Pismo Beach. Food donors include KK’s Gourmet Bundt Cakes and
Trader Joe’s of Arroyo Grande, and the Food Bank Coalition of SLO South (Oceano). Other needs include varying equipment
and supply items. The Five Cities Meals on Wheels is currently looking for underwriters for its Fall 2012 fundraiser, scheduled
for September.
The contact information for assistance, to volunteer to assist in the kitchen or as drivers, or for any other inquiries is: 805-7732053. Cash donations can be mailed to Five Cities Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 156, Pismo Beach, CA 93448.
Thanks you for your great service to our Community!
If you know of a non-profit organization serving Pismo Beach, please email its name, the name of a contact person for that organization
and his/her email address to [email protected]. I will look into each such organization, and hopefully be able to write a
column about its work.