Posted 5/31/12 – The Chamber has begun doing a podcast on RadioFishbowl.com, with the first one having aired about 4pm this afternoon. This is a new venture, and will evolve over time. Currently, it appears that the podcast will be broadcast on Thursdays, and rebroadcast later in the week. We’ll let you know when things become a little more firmed up. In the meantime, we’ll let you know what we know when we know it. The podcast is going to be printed on SierraMadreNews.Net in addition to being aired on www.RadioFishbowl.com. Below is the transcription of the first podcast by the Sierra Madre Chamber on RadioFishbowl.com.
Hello there, this is Bill Coburn of the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce. Today we are bringing you the first of what he hope will be a regular series of broadcasts on Sierra Madre’s only radio station, RadioFishbowl.com, providing you with information about what’s going on with the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce, its member businesses and local organizations.
We are recording this at the Farmers’ Market on Hermosa Avenue, which is held every Wednesday from 3 to 7pm and features fresh produce, bread, desserts, prepared meals and much more. The management company for the Farmers’ Market, Raw Inspiration, Inc. is one of our members and as we head into summer, we hope you’ll make it part of your week to come down and see us at the Farmers’ Market. The last two weeks in a row have been perfect weather for a Farmers’ Market, there’s a nice breeze that often blows up Hermosa, even if it’s a hot day, and last week I noticed that by about 4:30, the entire market was shaded by the trees on the west side of Hermosa. So even if it’s hot at your house, you might find the Market to be a much more pleasant place to be. And – look forward to some great new vendors and events at the Farmer’s Market – I’m told that July 11th we will see a major expansion with several new vendors, and the following week will be their annual kids day event. Listen to “Radio Fishbowl and our podcast for more news on that as we get closer to the date.
If you are a Sierra Madre Chamber member and would like to promote your business, organization or event at our podcast, which will also appear in print at SierraMadreNews.Net and in the Mountain Views News, feel free to send us an e-mail with any news or information you have at BillCoburn@SierraMadreChamber.com, or stop on by here at the Farmers’ Market and we’ll do what we can to get the word out, maybe even record you live as part of the podcast.
Lots of interesting news this week about downtown businesses, probably the biggest news being the announcement that Fresh and Easy has submitted an application for a Conditional Use Permit to the City to operate a grocery store at the corner of Sierra Madre Blvd. and Baldwin Ave. The project is still early in the review process, and won’t come before the Planning Commission probably until September or October, according to Danny Castro, director of Development Services for the City. The plan as submitted calls for removing the building where Taylor’s Meat and Produce is currently located, and replacing it with a 10,582 sq. foot single story building on the eastern part of the lot. No word yet on whether Taylor’s will close, or find a new location. Speaking of Taylors’ did you know that in addition to the excellent meats and produce they offer, you can also bring your knives down to get them sharpened? I was in the other day and noticed a sign on the counter, prices seemed very reasonable. Another reason to stop by.
At their last meeting, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit application from Greg and Judy Asbury to operate the Pinney House at 225 N. Lima as a Bed and Breakfast that would feature six bedroom suites. Some of the conditions of the permit approved by the Commission required changing the parking plan to accommodate more parking, limiting the number of Temporary Use Permits they could get for special events to six per year with no more than one per month, and limited check-in and check-out times to minimize impacts on the neighbors.
Last week, the Chamber held a meeting for downtown business and property owners to give them an opportunity to learn about the proposed Kensington Assisted Living Facility, meet with the developer and get their questions answered and to air any concerns they might have. While I was going door to door distributing flyers prior to the event, I was surprised that several people thought this project was already a done deal. No folks, the City hasn’t yet approved this project. It goes before the Planning Commission again on Thursday, June 7th. The meeting starts at 7pm, and residents are encouraged to come down and address the Commission about the project. There’s also going to be a public hearing in front of City Council, either in June or July, and an election in November before this project can move forward.
KNX 1070 news radio is going to be featuring Sierra Madre in several spots on Friday’s broadcasts during morning drive time and afternoon drive time. Not sure which interviews will be broadcast or when, but we understand they talked with people about the Pinney House, the Wistaria Vine, the Mt. Wilson Trail Race, our Fire Department, and living so close to the hills and the wildlife that occasionally spills over into our neighborhoods.
Be sure to come downtown to welcome Sierra Madre’s newest business, PE Dean’s Consignments, Etc., located at 49 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. P E Deans is predominantly a furniture and decorative accessory consignment store. Owner Sherry Grossi (also co-owner with her husband Chez of Zugo’s across the street) also offers new gifts in the mix to enhance the assortment and provide her customers with a source for hostess and special occasion items. The mix is eclectic and ranges from traditional to modern.
Art and mirrors are also prevalent as these are so important to the personality and beauty of any room. Pricing is key and the main criterion is value. Items must be priced to sell and they must represent value.
Well, that’s it for this week’s podcast, but I’ll take this opportunity to remind you that if you are a Chamber member and would like to promote your business, organization or event on our RadioFishbowl.com podcast, contact us at the Chamber office at 20 W. Montecito, by e-mail at BillCoburn@SierraMadreChamber.com, or come by and see us at the Farmers’ Market each week and we’ll see what we can do to help you get the word out…