North Bay Business Journal

SANTA ROSA — As part of a wide-ranging review of zoning and permitting policies to spur business growth, the city of Santa Rosa plans to try same-day permitting for simple commercial tenant improvements, possibly shortening a process that can take weeks.

Novato-based Circle Bank has partnered with Keiretsu Forum, said to be the world’s largest angel investor network, to provide financing advice to startup and early-stage companies in the North Bay and San Francisco. … Adam Capital, a Sonoma-based lender specializing in financing small-scale solar projects, is urging solar companies to act before the window closes on a 30 percent federal grant on solar projects at the end of this year. … Westamerica bank is making preparations to move its branch in Ignacio near its current location in the Pacheco Plaza shopping center early next year, said Robert Thorson, the bank’s chief financial officer. … Community First Credit Union signed up the greater number of new members in November than in any month in its 50-year history, beating a record set in October. … The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a free web seminar on Dec. 15 to help small business owners prepare for the end of the 2011 tax year. … Images in Motion, a Sonoma-based studio specializing in puppets for television, is filming a series of commercials for Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union to “explain the benefits of credit union services to customers on the Big Island.”

SANTA ROSA — REACH Air Medical Services and Methodist Healthcare announce the expansion of their partnership providing emergency helicopter service to include a second base in Pearsall, Texas, called Methodist AirCare 2.

A number of major private-sector construction projects will be under way or are set to begin in 2012: Grady Ranch, San Rafael; Madera Vista, Corte Madera; East Washington Place, Petaluma; Marin County Emergency Operations Facility, San Rafael; Safeway expansion, Petaluma; Bell Village, Windsor; Multitenant warehouse, Napa; Kaiser data center expansion, Napa; The Barlow, Sebastopol; and Napa Century Center, Napa.

BloodSource, a Sacramento area-based blood supplier of hospitals in Central and Northern California, has leased nearly 7,200 square feet at 3505 Industrial Drive in Santa Rosa, which will be the company’s permanent location for Sonoma County. … OffSiteCare, a telemedicine company founded by Sebastopol physician Dr. James Gude, has opened a central hub in San Francisco, where it it intends to provide nighttime hospitalist and specialist consultations for seven Northern California Hospitals, including several in the North Bay, the company said. … Daymon Doss, the current executive director of the Northern California Health Care Authority and former Petaluma Healthcare District CEO, has taken a three-month consulting job as interim executive director of the Mt. Diablo Health Care District in eastern Contra Costa County. … Marin Commuinty Clinics was awarded $460,000 by the Marin County Board of Supervisors to help adults suffering from the onset of serious psychiatric illness, along with other mental health services. … Napa County has selected San Diego-based McAlister Institute to operate a short-term residential and detox center on the campus of Napa State Hospital.

Rob Davenport recently joined Wells Fargo Insurance Services as a wellness consultant to its employee benefits offices throughout California. He previously worked on implementing large-scale wellness approaches for employers like the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Pacific Coast Companies, Inc., among many others. Most recently, he was the wellness program manager for NASA at the Johnson Space Center. All told, he’s been working in the wellness field for the past 25 years.

Mr. Davenport recently shared his thoughts with the Business Journal, particularly on how wellness can have an impact on employers health insurance rates.

NOVATO — With continually rising health care costs, independent physician practices and groups are searching for more efficient, money-saving tools to help them manage their businesses and comply with government regulations, and a Marin County company is enjoying rapid growth providing a high-tech solution.

Information on volunteering for and donating to Council on Aging Services for Seniors of Santa Rosa

Information on volunteering for and donating to Social Advocates for Youth of Santa rosa

Calendar information includes the name of the fundraising event, the date, the location (if available), the nonprofit benefiting from the event and the nonprofit’s website.

NAPA — Walnut Creek-based Bay Commercial Bank (OTCBB: BCML.OB) announced this week that it has received regulatory approval to open a full-service branch in Napa.

GEYSERVILLE — River Rock Entertainment Authority, which operates the River Rock Casino, announced today is has completed the restructure of $200 million in debt after obtaining approval from 95 percent of note holders.