Business Briefs

Supervisor Don Gage to Speak at Chamber of Commerce Biz Forum

Morgan Hill – Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage will speak at the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Business Forum next Wednesday.

Gage’s topic will be “County Issues Impacting South County Region: Now and in the Future.”

The chamber’s forum will be held from noon to 1:30pm at Mama Mia’ Ristorante Italiano, 275 East Dunne Ave. The cost is $25 for chamber members and $30 for nonmembers.

Details: Garrie Bryant, gb*****@********ll.org or (408) 779-9444.

Local Businesses Earn Green Biz Honor

San Jose – The County of Santa Clara has honored Morgan Hill businesses People and Planet/Integrity Express and Comcast Cable along with 52 other new green businesses.

Comcast, with a call center in Morgan Hill that employs 400 people, was recertified as a green business as every three years companies can recertify to ensure they are still in compliance and have taken additional steps to become even greener. Comcast is considered the largest provider of cable services. 

People and Planet, a fair-trade store started in September of 2005, also received the eco-friendly certification.

The businesses have taken steps to protect the environment by lowering water and energy consumption, increasing recycling and waste and pollution prevention. The eco-friendly measures lower the businesses’ environmental footprint, which often translates to lower operational costs and in many cases decreases green house gas emissions. 

“These businesses have made a strong commitment to the environment and have set an example for others,” said Don Gage, chair of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “We hope more businesses follow their lead and make the effort to go green.”

Through grant funding from the Santa Clara Valley Water District, the County’s Green Business Program expanded countywide in 2006. 

The program is part of the Bay Area Regional Green Business Program. Partnering with local cities, the Santa Clara Valley Water District and Pacific Gas & Electric, the program certifies businesses that demonstrate environmental stewardship and responsibility. More than 160 businesses have been certified in Santa Clara County since its inception and is available free of charge to businesses, schools, and other facilities. 

Details: www.reducewaste.org.

Rotary Hosts Fashion Show

Morgan Hill – The Morgan Hill Rotary Club will host a fundraising fashion show and luncheon Oct. 12 at Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill.

The event, with the theme of “Dazzle – A Celebration of Giving in Style,” will kick off with a champagne reception and Raffle Dazzle, a showcase of seven displays of gifts, each created by a designer around a theme and each valued at more than $750.

Designs are being created by Brotin Designs, Carol Spence Interior Design, The Colory, Elaine Ditmore, Johnson Garden Center and Teri Nelson, all of Morgan Hill; and lu· lu Pom of Los Gatos. Displays are available to the general public through a pre-event raffle by calling (408) 779-0076.

The fashion show will be on the outdoor hilltop terrace of Willow Heights Mansion, overlooking Coyote Valley. Celebrity moderator is Marla Tellez, Emmy Award-winning producer and correspondent for CBS 5’s “Eye on the Bay.”

The parade of local fashions comes from local retailers including The Goddess Bead Shop, Blush Boutique, CordeValle Golf Club, Doncaster, Go Run Sports, House of Thunder, LadyBug Fashions, Mafalda’s Bridal Shop, Michelina’s House of Haute, Royal Tailoring & Tuxedos and Silpada Designs. Cherisse’s Hair Salon will provide hair and makeup styling.

The event will conclude with a vendor trunk show.

Event tickets are $65 and available online at

www.dazzlemh.org. Tables of 10 are available by calling ticket sales chair Lisa De Silva at (408) 776-6212. Seating is limited and the event is expected to sell out.

Sylvan Selling Its Morgan Hill Center

Morgan Hill – Sylvan Learning Inc., the nation’s largest franchisor of after-school learning centers, has announced that it’s changing its consumer offerings and operating strategy nationwide, which includes re-franchising its 10 corporate-owned centers in the Bay Area.

The Maryland-based company is offering to sell its corporate-owned stores to franchise operators. One of the centers is in Morgan Hill. Two others are in San Jose while the rest are San Bruno, West Portal in San Francisco, Mountain View, San Ramon, Belmont, Pleasanton and Burlingame.

There are already 13 Sylvan learning centers in the Bay Area under franchise agreement, including one in San Jose. Other South Bay locations are in Fremont, Cupertino and Milpitas.

Sylvan said the change is due to the high amount of franchise ownership inquiries received each year. “Consumer demand for educational services is growing, but so is the complexity of those demands,” said Peter Cohen, president and CEO of Sylvan Learning. “We know that the best way to respond to those demands is by providing a brand and service footprint that is the most respected and recognized in the nation, delivered through a franchise system that serves every community in America.”

Chamber Hosts San Pedro Ponds Tour

Morgan Hill – The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs Council is inviting the public to tour the San Pedro Ponds 8am, Thursday. The ponds are located on Hill Road, just south of East Dunne Avenue and San Pedro Avenue. Those interested in attending should meet on San Pedro Avenue entrance.

Representatives from the Santa Clara Valley Water District and City of Morgan Hill will serve as tour guides.

Details: Dan at (408) 779-9444.