Retailer to donate part of Jan. 16 receipts

January’s recipient for the monthly donation from New Frontiers Natural Marketplace will be Valley Community Mentoring, a volunteer group that helps young people through difficult times. The donation, five percent of its total sales on the third Wednesday of every month, is given to area organizations that focus on helping others. Recipients in the past include People Helping People, Valley Haven Senior Care Center and Arts Outreach.

Valley Community Mentoring helps young people set goals using Christian values. It also nurtures emotional and spiritual growth.

This month’s donations will be given for sales on Jan. 16. Customers of the Marketplace, 1984 Old Mission Drive, Solvang, are encouraged to plan their weekly shopping trips for that day to increase the donations given.

 

School to open for business

The Montessori Children’s House, Solvang, is expected to begin its school year later this month. Operated by Bonnie Gordon, the school will be for children between the ages of two and six. In the Jan. 3 edition of the Santa Ynez Valley Journal, the school’s phone number was listed incorrectly. Interested persons may contact Gordon at 688-2903.

 

Deadline nears for nominations

The deadline is Jan. 15 for nominations for the Buellton Business Person of the Year. Sponsored by the Buellton Chamber of Commerce, the annual award will be presented during the annual State of the City luncheon Feb. 13. Nomination forms are available online at www.buellton.org. or at the chamber offices, 376 Avenue of Flags, Buellton.

 

Bargain Day planned

Buellton Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its first annual Buellton Bargain Day on May 3. The event, which encourages residents and non-profits to hold garage sales that day, will also feature business sidewalk sales and special merchandise “deals.”

Forms are available for those wishing to participate. Participants will be listed in a Buellton Bargain Day Directory, which also will list participant addresses and items for sale.

 

Window contest announced

Window decorations are a big part of Solvang’s draw for its customers. As part of the upcoming Amgen event beginning Feb. 22, the Solvang Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a window decorating contest using the theme, “The World of Cycling.”

Winners will be announced Feb. 17 with the prize being two starting gate passes, which grant access to a hospitality VIP tent at the starting line, a continental breakfast, and bleacher seats.

The last window decorating contest was for Winterfest. Winners from that event were First Street Leather, first place, and Ingeborg Chocolates, The Mole Hole, Rasmussens, and Z Folio, all honorary mentions.

 

Board to be installed

The Board of Directors for the Solvang Chamber of Commerce will be installed Jan. 17 at Alisal’s Sycamore Room, 1054 Alisal Rd., Solvang. The event begins at 7 p.m. and includes a buffet dinner. More information is available from the chamber at 688-0701.

 

Check out the Mystery Raffle

The sixth annual potluck and Mystery Raffle Mixer will be held Jan. 15 at Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant, 373 Avenue of Flags, Buellton. Sponsored by the Buellton Chamber of Commerce, the event is part of the monthly mixer series for members.

The Mystery Raffle has brought laughs every year. Members are encouraged to re-wrap a gift they received and bring it for the raffle.

Raffle tickets will be sold and winners will select a gift from the mystery pile of gifts, which for six years has proven to be a bit bizarre, crazy, unusual and fun. RSVP to Jon McDermott and Doniece Parsons at the restaurant or call 688-7829 for more information.

 

Marketplace plans seminars

Two free seminars are scheduled at New Frontiers Natural Marketplace, 1984 Old Mission Drive, Solvang. The first, “Ten Tips to Weight Loss,” presented by Dr. Daniel Bivins, a chiropractor specializing in relicensing and a lab physician consultant, is set for Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. He will discuss adrenals and the role they play in weight control.

The second seminar, “Introduction to Raw Food,” will be given Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. by Olga Purington, a certified raw food chief and educator in the science and benefits of raw food nutrition. She will discuss women’s health issues, diet, osteoporosis, hormones and soy in the diet. She also will demonstrate raw food recipes.