Banking and Finance
Novato-based Hennessy Advisors, Inc. (OTCBB:HNNA) announced that the Hennessy Select SPARX Japan Smaller Companies Fund (symbol:SPJSX) has been named a 2012 Lipper Fund Award winner. Lipper, a leading global research firm, presented this year's awards at a ceremony held in New York City on March 8th. The Lipper Fund Award honors funds that have excelled in delivering consistently stronger performance than their peers, and this award specifically recognizes the best three-year risk-adjusted performance among 12 Japanese funds for the period ended 11/30/11.Professional Services
PowerCAD Drafting & Design opened in Rohnert Park. It is an experienced team of CADD (computer aided design and drafting) professionals that support AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) industries utilizing 2D and 3D AutoCAD and related software. Led by President and CEO Rick Pappas with 20 years of executive management experience and senior project manager Yvonne Stillman with over 15 years of technical engineering support experience. Health Care
Hospice of Petaluma announced Clover Stornetta Farms as the new title sponsor for its 22nd annual benefit golf tournament. The annual hospice tournament, held every summer in Petaluma, has grown into a premiere event. A dedicated group of volunteers helps to set this event apart from others. Hospice wishes to thank the former sponsor, Papa Murphy’s, whose support for the past eight years helped raise over $100,000 annually for Hospice of Petaluma. The Clo’s Golf Classic will be held on Friday, Aug. 24, at Rooster Run Golf Course. Grief counseling and support services are also provided to hospice families and members of the community. All services are provided at no charge to patients and families and are supported by donations from the community. Hospice of Petaluma, Memorial Hospice and North County Hospice are part of the integrated continuum of care provided in the North Coast region by St. Joseph Health System--Sonoma County.Nonprofits
Children in the North Bay can learn about clean and renewable energy thanks to a $100,000 grant from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) recently awarded to the Children's Museum of Sonoma County. The grant is being used to design and sponsor a hydroelectric exhibit in the outdoor nature education area of the new children's museum called Mary's Garden. The exhibit will show children how hydroelectric plants work and how PG&E uses this clean energy source to power homes and businesses.Wine
Sonoma Valley’s Ledson Winery and Vineyards (www.ledson.com) recently took top honors at the 2012 San Diego International Wine Competition. The 2008 Bellisimo Knights Valley and the 2008 California “Gunsight” Red both were awarded gold medals.
All the winning wines, plus the entire range of Ledson wines are available at the winery tasting room and marketplace in Kenwood or simply by visiting www.ledson.com
Dan and Marguerite Capp have signed a long-term lease for a wine tasting venue in the Curbside Cafe space on First Street in downtown Napa, across the street from the entrance to Napa Town Center shopping mall. Napa natives, Dan and Marguerite have grown grapes in the Napa Valley since 1973.
Since 1990, the couple has produced wines for wineries in the Napa and Sonoma area. They also produce their own label, which will be featured at the new salon in the historic 1916 Migliavacca Building. The building features high ceilings, windows that open to outdoors seating and a beautiful 1880s bar.
Read more at www.lakesdiewinecompany.com. The lease was brokered by Cathy D'Angelo Holmes of Coldwell Banker Commercial, representing the Capps. Adam Green of Coldwell Banker Commercial represented the owners of Curbside Cafe.Retail
Customers strolling through Oliver’s Markets will soon have the opportunity to place yet another homegrown product in their shopping carts. The grocery chain already stocks about 5,000 items from Sonoma County growers and producers, but it is taking the homegrown concept to a new level with the launch of the Sonoma County Real Music program. The multifaceted campaign promotes local music and musicians to further the Oliver’s tradition of supporting the local community.
At the cornerstone of the program is a series of compilation CDs that will be sold at Oliver’s Markets with profits benefiting the Redwood Empire Food Bank (www.refb.org). Submissions are now being accepted for The Sonoma County Real Music Compilation Vol. 1, the first of three slated for 2012. The sampler CD will feature 14 acts and is expected to be available for purchase at Oliver’s Markets by April 20. (See below for submission information.Green
Assemblymember Jared Huffman presented his March Sustainable North Bay Award to Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, in recognition of the company’s environmentally responsible business practices and consumer products.
Located in the Sonoma County community of Freestone, Osmosis incorporates sustainability throughout their spa including recycling, composting, onsite vermiculture, reduced water and energy usage, and environmentally friendly products throughout the spa. Personal health, longevity, and planetary sustainability all connect in the spa experience at Osmosis.Business Achievement
The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce recently acknowledged twenty chamber businesses on their nominations for Small, Large and Green Business of the Year awards. Awards will be announced at the annual State of the City dinner on Friday, April 27th at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael.
Nominees for large business of the year are Buckelew Programs, Hospice By the Bay, Lifehouse, San Rafael Joe’s, Sol Food and Treemasters. Nomination for small business of the year are Bellam Self Storage and Boxes, Dotto Glass and Rayner Landscaping. Green business award nominees are Autodesk, Bank of Marin, Bellam Self Storage and Boxes, Building Care Systems, California Film Institute, Circle Bank, Delicious Catering, Embassy Suites, Marin Center/Marin County Fair, Marin Sanitary Service and The Tamalpais.
