Medical center honors Galvez, Tong

Maria Galvez, employed at the hospital and Hongxia “Helen” Tong, employed at the Comprehensive Care Center, have been named employees of the quarter at Lompoc Valley Medical Center.

Galvez is an EVS technician and has worked at the hospital for nine years. Tong is a registered nurse and has worked at the senior nursing facility for 27 months.

Employees of the quarter are selected by their peers and receive a plant, a plaque and a specially designated parking spot at their workplace.

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Salesman donating to cancer research

During the month of November, Lompoc Honda sales associate Mike Kempthorne will donate $25 for each car he sells to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer.

Kempthorne said his mother, Charlene Marie Kempthorne, who died July 29, 2007, from breast cancer, was a big contributor to and strong supporter of the organization.

“Breast cancer is something that has affected my life forever, and I hope and pray that we someday find the cure,” he said.

Lompoc Honda is located at 1224 North H St.

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Diani Companies marking 60th year

The Diani Family of Companies announced it is marking its 60th year in business this year.

The Santa Maria-based construction company provides services from general building construction, pre-engineered metal buildings, construction management and design/build services to environmental remediation and restoration.

Projects performed by the company over the years include the renovation of the Santa Barbara Bowl and construction of the Hearst Castle Visitor Center, Santa Maria Juvenile Hall expansion and Juvenile Courthouse and the Cuesta College High Tech Learning Center and Arts Music Center.

The company also performed security upgrades at Lemoore Naval Air Station and built the first commercial launch facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Founded by the late A.J. Diani in 1949, the company today is operated by sons Jim and Mike and son-in-law Don Ward.

The Diani Family of Companies includes Diani Building Corp., A.J. Diani Construction Co. Inc., Diani-Ward-Diani LLC, Ward and Associates and Central Coast Remedial Resources Inc.  

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Wells Fargo grant aids housing group

Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded $45,000 to Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, said Jeanette Duncan, executive director of the nonprofit organization.

Duncan said the unrestricted grant will be used to further Peoples’ Self-Help Housing’s mission to provide affordable housing and programs leading to self-sufficiency for low-income families, seniors and other special needs groups on the Central Coast.

Since 1970, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing has developed and now manages more than 1,250 affordable rental units and 1,150 self-help home ownership residences in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

For 40 years, the nonprofit organization has also provided community facilities, supportive housing programs, financial education and youth after-school education.

Aubrey Kachmarik, San Luis Obispo Wells Fargo branch manager, said bank officials direct the foundation’s giving to areas they believe are important to the future of the nation’s vitality and success — community development, education and human services.

For more information, visit www.pshhc.org.

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Santa Ynez Valley Marriott goes green

The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is the first hotel in Santa Barbara County to complete the Green Business Program process, said Mike Hendrick, hotel general manager.

The Green Business Program is a countywide collaborative effort of local governments, special districts, nonprofit organizations, utilities, chambers of commerce and waste haulers to reduce energy consumption, conserve water and eliminate waste.

Hendrick said the green measures include installing bulk soap and shampoo dispensers in guest rooms to reduce plastic bottle waste, upgrading lighting throughout the hotel and installing controls on vending and ice machines to reduce energy use.

Landscape irrigation is monitored closely for water efficiency, and new native and low-water-using plants have been added.

Recycling programs are in place throughout the hotel, including the kitchens. Employees are encouraged to share rides, and a monthly drawing is held for participating staff.

For hotel information, call 688-1000 or visit www.syvmarriott.com. For more information on the Green Business Program, visit www.greenbizsbc.org.

— From staff reports

November 17, 2009