Sunpower has donated nearly $500,000 worth of solar panels to Cal Poly’s engineering school and the panels are in the process of being put to use around the campus as the school cuts greenhouse gas emissions and becomes more self sufficient in its power needs. Students are experimenting with the panels and plans are in the works to install them at the Technology Park buildings and Water Research facility says the current issue of the engineering department news letter.
April 8,2014
The San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors approved a permit April 8 for McDonalds to open a restaurant in Los Osos that includes a drive-thru. The vote was 4 to 1 with Bruce Gibson voting no. The decision reverses a planning commission denial of a drive-thru for the fast food eatery even though the building already has a drive-thru in place from when it was a Bank of America. The applicant said they would not move forward without the drive-thru, critical to their profitability they said. Supervisor Debbie Arnold pointed out that McDonalds would be reducing current water usage at the shopping center.
Dynegy wants to demolish around 20 buildings surrounding their now closed power plant on the waterfront in Morro Bay.However there are no plans to demolish the plant itself. Morro Bay staffer Rob Livick says the company is seeking all permits to carry out the 20 building demo work.
Sources say asbestos in the stacks built in the late 50s pose a huge logistical problem in any demo plan. The City of Morro Bay will gain title to remaining property 15 years after tit closes for $1.
At its January 14, 2014 meeting, the Morro Bay City Council approved a deferral on a lease payment Dynegy owes until March 14, 2014.That move was anticipating an appraisal on properties Dynegy is willing to sell, which includes Lila Keiser Park, Fisherman’s GearStorage Area, Harbor and Coast Guard Storage Yard, and other property on the northern end of Dynegy’s property – that was expected last month.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA April 2, 2014—The San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is pleased to announce the release of the 2013 annual production statistics for the local agricultural industry. Statistics can be found on the Department’s website at www.slocounty.ca.gov/agcomm. Published copies of the Annual Report will be available in June.
Total gross crop values for 2013 are $960,710,000 compared to $861,820,000 for 2012. “This represents an increase of 11% in value compared to 2012,” according to Martin Settevendemie, County Agricultural Commissioner. “Despite challenging drought conditions and unusual weather in 2013, values reached record breaking levels, which is a testament to the perseverance of the local agricultural producers,” explained Settevendemie. Settevendemie cautioned the Annual Report only represents commodity gross values and does not include the ever increasing costs of production, such as transportation, labor and fuel costs that affect profit margins. Also, reported values do not include multipliers related to secondary economic benefits to the community.
Wine grapes were the number one ranked commodity in value in 2013. Overall, total production increased 10% compared to the prior year. Favorable weather conditions, strong prices, high production levels and high demand for San Luis Obispo County’s wine grapes set the value for all varieties combined at over $220 million.
The strawberry industry remained strong in 2013 and was ranked in the second position with a total value of of over $210 million. Mild weather conditions and limited rainfall resulted in an increase of 13% in production for fresh market berries.
During 2013, the number of cattle grazing the drought parched hillsides was dramatically reduced. The continued dry conditions, lack of available grass for grazing, and the high cost of supplemental feed caused producers to sell off livestock. This will lead to long term effects as it will take producers several years to rebuild herds. Due to greater numbers of cattle going to market, the production for 2013 was valued at over $96 million, an increase of 39% compared to 2012. The total production for the animal sector was valued over $100 million, a 37% increase over 2012.
Fairly mild winter weather conditions during 2013 had a favorable effect on broccoli, lettuce, bok choy, cabbage and cauliflower production. Broccoli ranked fourth in value compared to all other commodities. Overall, the value for all vegetables combined increased 16% over 2012 to over $237 million. The demand for produce grown in San Luis Obispo County remained high and prices were strong due to poor growing conditions caused by the drought throughout the rest of the state.
Despite variable weather conditions, avocado yields were at near record levels, ranking them number five in value compared to all other crops in 2013. Total production for avocados increased by 79% over 2012. Prices also held strong resulting in a value of over $44 million.
The nursery industry remained relatively stable with an overall value of over $97 million. Cut flower production increased, resulting in a 3% increase in value for this nursery category overall. Field grown flower seed production was negatively impacted by the ongoing drought.
Drought conditions in 2013 also negatively affected field crops such as barley and grain hay resulting in less acres planted, decreased yields or planted fields left unharvested due to lack of growth. Overall the combined value of field crops was 34% below 2012 levels.
The Annual Report provides current and historical production and value statistics of the local agricultural industry. Annual Reports from 1968 through 2013 can be viewed at www.slocounty.ca.gov/agcomm .
For more information about the Annual Report contact Martin Settevendemie, Agricultural Commissioner, at 805-781-5910. To request a hard copy when the printed copies are available in June contact the Ag Commissioner’s office in San Luis Obispo by calling 805-781-5910.
March 31,2014
New Frontiers Natural Marketplace and Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM [FREE Stock Trend Analysis]) announced today that Whole Foods Market will purchase four stores from New Frontiers. The stores average 22,000 square feet in size and are located in Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona, Ariz.; and San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Whole Foods Market logo The two companies expect the transaction to be finalized in the next few weeks. The stores will continue to operate under the New Frontiers Natural Marketplace banner until they are re-signed as Whole Foods Market stores.
“Over the years, when I have at times wondered if our stores would someday merge with a larger strategic partner, Whole Foods Market has always been my premier choice,” said Jonathan King, president of New Frontiers. “We are very enthusiastic about their ability to take our stores into a successful future. We know they will provide growth opportunities
for our exceptional team members, and continue to bring retail excellence and outstanding service to our local communities.”
“As New Frontiers has done so well, Whole Foods Market also has a long history of supporting the communities we serve. We are excited to expand our presence to new markets in Arizona and Central California, bringing our fresh, delicious and competitively-priced products with the highest quality standards in the business to these vibrant communities,” said Patrick Bradley, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific regional president.
As part of the agreement, Whole Foods Market will offer jobs to the team members at the four acquired locations.
“We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful team members in the four locations who have provided extraordinary service to our loyal shoppers for so many years,” said Jonathan King. “We also want to express our gratitude for the customers who have embraced New Frontiers as their trusted grocer. We are confident Patrick and his Whole Foods Market teams will continue to take great care of everyone.”
About New Frontiers Natural Marketplace
New Frontiers began in 1987 when a group of friends opened two small natural foods stores in Salt Lake City. The shared enthusiasm was to create a place in which everyone involved –customers, team members and suppliers– could make positive, healthy changes in their lives. New Frontiers grew to include three stores in northern Arizona as well as two stores and an organic farm on California’s Central Coast which serve their communities by offering high-quality, fresh, delicious foods in settings that appeal to a wide range of customers, and through supporting local non-profits through programs like monthly 5% Wednesdays. New Frontiers likes to say its culture is best characterized by the phrase, “New Frontiers, a place where people grow!” One of its fundamental goals has been to create an environment where the company takes extraordinary care of its team members, who in turn share that energy with each customer. The success of this goal is evident in the growth of the company over the years, as well as the numerous customer satisfaction awards the stores have received in their communities.
About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com) is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods and America’s first national “Certified Organic” grocer. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, team member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental stewardship. Thanks to the company’s more than 80,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked for 17 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine. In fiscal year 2013, the Company had sales of approximately $13 billion and currently has 373 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Farmers and communities in Central California awaiting some good news on water might have reason to hope over the next 10 days. Predictions of 8 and 9 inches of water falling in some parts of the state would be far above normal for this time of the year. Redding,next to Shasta Reservoir for example, gets just 2.5 in of rain on average in April. As Shasta fills this Spring there will be water for Valley farmers and communities later in the year.
SLO Jobless Rate Unchanged At 6.2%
The unemployment rate in the San Luis Obispo County was 6.2 percent in February 2014, unchanged from a revised 6.2 percent in January 2014, and below the year-ago estimate of 7.1percent. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 8.5 percent for California and 7.0 percent for the nation during the same period
SLO Hotel Room Revenue Surged 13.9 Percent
Smith Travel reports that February hotel revenues climbed by a surging 13.9% compared to the same month in 2013. The average daily rate climbed to $110.09 from $$105.76 Occupancy was up 9.5% to 61.6%.
SLO Median Price Up 23.6%
DQ News reports the average median price for homes sold in February climbed 32.6% to $475,000 in San Luis Obispo County. The number of homes sold fell 6.3% year over year.
Covered California Signs Up 51,000 On Central Coast
Covered California™announced this month that from Oct. 1, 2013, to Jan. 31, 2014, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 50,985 consumers in six Central Coast counties(including San Luis Obispo) enrolled in subsidized and non-subsidized Covered California health insurance plans. The new total represents a 44 percent increase from the 35,301 enrollments recorded through Dec. 31, 2013.
The four-month total also represents 156 percent of the base projection of 32,602 enrollments Covered California estimated for the region during the entire six-month enrollment period, which ends March 31.
SLO Construction Activity is Slow So Far In 2014
Construction Monitor reports that total construction activity in San Luis Obispo County is down through March 11 this year compared to the same period in 2013. The report says all permits,residential and commercial, add up to $30.8 million compared to $78.3 million over the same time period in 2013. The report says the number of new single-family home permits declined this year to 58 compared to 109 permitted through March 11 2013. An $8.3 million permit for a big solar farm in 2013 explains part of the difference.
Avila Wants To Expand Aquarium
Backers of the Central Coast Aquarium Marine Science facility is seeking county approval to expand their building in Avila Beach. The non-profit group wants to build on an adjacent parcel to their existing building if the Board of Supervisors approves this application and subsequent applications. A March 27 hearing is set to approve the transfer of the parcel located in Avila Beach Park The potential acquisition is said to be in conformity with the goal of boosting visitor serving facilities. That expansion would add 5200sf of land to build on.”We would like to raise $10 million to expand the aquarium says staffer Tara Mazlone who adds that the goal is to increase “ocean stewardship” by building better exhibits particularly for children”I would guess our current space is only 600 to 800sf. We really shoved an aquarium into an existing marine science space.”The facility has been there for 20 years.
McDonalds Los Osos Appeal April 9
The developer of the McDonalds restaurant in Los Osos has appealed a Planning Commission decision made last month to the county Board Of Supervisors. The appeal has been tentatively set to be heard April 9. McDonalds application to open a eatery in Los Osos in the former Bank of America building was approved by the Planning Commission but their request to have a drive-thru was turned down. Now they will appeal that decision to the BOS in this hotly contested issue locally.
Morro Bay Tourism Up 33 Percent
More visitors are staying overnight in Morro Bay according to the city Transient Occupancy summary. Through January, this fiscal year has seen around $12.8 million in hotel receipts compared to $9.7 million over the same time period a year ago (7 months). That is nearly a one-third jump in receipts. The city gets a 10% bed tax from these numbers meaning it has seen $1.28 million so far this fiscal year that started last July. July is of course, the biggest month with the latest occupancy level at 80% compared to 75% the July before. The city has around 900 motel rooms.
Couch Potato Finds New Home
San Luis Obispo’s furniture store Couch Potato will be relocating out of their familiar yellow storefront on Marsh down the block to their new Marsh St Commons building just completed by developer Craig Mangano. Mangano says the popular furniture seller will take 3 of the 5c storefronts in the mixed use project at Marsh and Nipomo. Of the 2 remaining commercial spaces along Marsh, a salon will take one and a local physician will help a family member with a start up store.
Couch Potato needs to vacate their current spot to make room for a major new block square project – Garden Street Terraces approved by the City Council this month. That ambitious project includes a four-story building that includes: 48-room boutique hotel with restaurant, bar and lounge, 11,820-square foot commercial retail space, 13,227-square foot neighborhood market or anchor tenant ,8 residential units and 24 hotel valet parking spaces & 16 residential spaces.
(pictured: Marsh St Commons)
Despite Drought – Optimism For Central Valley Salmon Returns In 2014
A recent Capital Journal column in the LA Times again cites an oft mentioned “decline” in salmon runs blaming it largely on the construction of dams, big pumps, and diversion of river water to grow crops instead of letting it flow to the ocean in large amounts.
But even in this dry year,as well as record drought in 2013 ,the expected salmon abundance remains the biggest in a decade.
Sacramento River salmon have returned to spawn on the river they were born in, their numbers estimated last year at 405,000 – up from 2007 through 2009 when just 23,000 fish returned, In those years when under 100,000 fish returned for 4 years straight – there were predictions the iconic fish was about to go extinct.
But fed by improved ocean conditions as well as cooperation to improve on land habitat and flows, Chinook salmon returning numbers have improved since then and in 2014 despite the drought, an estimated 320,000 fall Chinook is the working number estimate by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. “We should have no trouble making our goal of 122,000 to 188,000 fish returning” says agency spokesman Mike Burner.
“The fish in the ocean who will return in 2014 are not affected by the drought for now, says Jennifer Simon of the California Fish and Wildlife Service,a member of a technical advisory group to the PFMC. The drought could affect young smolts who this Spring will make their way to ocean and require river water flows as well as returning adults this fall.
While the Sacramento run looks similar to last year, the Klamath run will be down some expects Simon.That may require the fishery council push for tightened fishing regulations on the Klamath. Exact estimates will be posted on the fishery agency website in about a week says Burner.
Despite Drought California Winter Strawberry Production Up 45%
California has produced 17.45 million flats of strawberries this year compared to just 12.04 million flats for the same period – February 20 of last year. That’s a 45% increase with info from the National Berry Report.
The nation’s total supply of strawberries remains about the same at 42 million flats but Florida’s totals are way down this year from 2013. As of February 20,2013 20.3 million flats were picked in Florida compared to 12.8 million over the same period through Feb 20, 2014.
A recent news story says “Cool weather in Florida has hampered production of strawberries in the state. With less fruit this season, growers are hoping good prices hold to make up for less production.
“Production is just beginning to pick up right now, but volume has been very low,” said Bob Hinton of Hinton Farms Produce. He cited unusually cool weather as the primary reason for lackluster production, and he estimated that this season’s crop could be as much as 40% smaller than last season’s crop. While volume has been down, he noted that quality of fruit has been good, which, along with lower volumes of fruit, has made for strong prices.”
Meanwhile despite the drought California has had good growing weather for strawberries, the most popular fruit with the public.
Mexican growers have also increased their output by more than 2 million flats as well as both California and Mexico make up for lost production in Florida.
California has over 39,000 acres of strawberries under production including 9000 acres in the Santa Maria /SLO area – about 27% of the states acreage.
Milk Production in California Up 4.5%
Despite dry times California dairymen have increased milk production in January by 4.7%. While there is a bad drought in the state milk producers import most of their corn for feed from the Midwest which is not in a drought. Milk producers are enjoying record high prices in 2014 and not about the step on the brakes.
Walnut Farmers Plant 15,720 Acres Of Trees
Despite worries about future water supply Central Valley walnut farmers have planted some 15,720 acres of walnut trees in 2013, up from 11,310 acres in 2012 says USDA. With prices exceeding $2/lb and strong export demand farmers are looking to keep the walnut industry growing. Their bet – there will be enough water for them
