Restaurant Group Fundraisers for LA Wildfire Relief
The recent wildfires have left a devastating impact on the restaurant industry, with over 30 establishments destroyed and countless others struggling with drastic business declines of up to 90%. In response to this crisis, Novo, Luna Red and Robin’s Restaurants are uniting to host a series of fundraising events on February 2, 4 and 5 to support those affected.
“The devastation to our neighbors in LA from the wildfires is overwhelming,” said Shanny Covey, proprietor of Robin’s Restaurant, co-poroprietor of Luna Red. “We feel the heartbreak and sadness and want to do what we can to support the rebuilding of lives in LA.”
The local community can take part in three ways to raise funds for Restaurants Care, a grant fund administered by the California Restaurant Association. The organization provides emergency relief grants ranging from $350 to $1,500 to food and beverage workers impacted by the fires.
Fundraising Schedule
Sunday, February 2: Robin’s Restaurant in Cambria will host a ticketed 4-course fundraiser dinner paired with local wine. Al net proceeds will be donated. Tickets are $125 per person gratuity and tax included. Menu can be found at robinsrestaurant.com.
Tuesday, February 4: Novo Restaurant & Lounge in downtown San Luis Obispo will donate 100% of net proceeds from all sales between 5 – 9 p.m. (novorestaurant.com).
Wednesday, February 5: Luna Red Restaurant & Bar in downtown San Luis Obispo will donate 100% of net proceeds from all sales between 5 – 9 p.m. (lunaredslo.com)
For more information about Restaurants Care and their relief efforts, visit restaurantscare.org.
Cal Poly Startup Creating a Device to Detect Concussions
Connor Heffler discusses his startup during the annual Demo Day at the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
(Photo: Ruby Wallau for Cal Poly CIE)
While concussions continue to garner publicity amidst the NFL playoffs, a former Cal Poly football player is working to develop a device that will detect sports-related brain injuries within minutes.
Connor Heffler’s startup, ODIN Diagnostics, recently won a $15,000 award at Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE). The startup originated when Heffler’s senior project team began investigating various problems in the health space, leading them to common problems related to concussions.
“We talked to everyone, from athletes to optometrists, and came back to the idea of concussions,” said Heffler, who graduated last June with an economics degree and a concentration in entrepreneurship. “We kept hearing, ‘concussions, concussions, concussions.’”
These brain injuries caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head or body have been a growing conversation in several sports — particularly in relation to the NFL. Some recent players who had highly publicized concussions this season include quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars star Trevor Lawrence and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, all in their mid-20s.
In the 2023 season, according to the NFL, there were 219 concussions, which was six more than the 2022 season but fewer than 2017’s 281 among preseason and the 17-game regular season.
ODIN Diagnostics was founded with stats like that in mind. Last spring, ODIN won the top prize in the CIE’s Innovation Quest, and ODIN participated in the CIE’s Summer Accelerator program, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. Heffler is now working to commercialize ODIN’s product with the help of the CIE’s Incubator program, a two-year program that offered $10,000 in seed funding and more to further support to build their startup into a business.
Besides Heffler, the current team includes engineering students Joshua Gottschalk, Seth Saxena and Marina Zellers.
“It’s probably one of the best experiences I had at Cal Poly,” Heffler said, “because you get to meet people and work with people that you don’t have the chance to in your economics classes.”
For Heffler, football and economics have impacted one another by helping him succeed in both areas.
“Football is a grind,” he said. “You’re waking up at 5 a.m. The sun’s not even out, and then you’re out hitting heads on the field and putting your body on the line. It’s hard — and doing that consistently daily makes you tough. Now that I’m in the working world after graduating, everything feels easier.”
“I am fully committed to getting ODIN Diagnostics off the ground over the next years,” Heffler said. “It is something I am passionate about, and I will not stop until we have developed a more meaningful solution to solve problems in the concussion space.”
SLO AARP Tax-Aide Free Tax Preparation Services
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide of San Luis Obispo County recently announced the initiation of tax preparation services for the 2025 tax season. Services are free, and while funded through the AARP Foundation, are available to all seniors and low to moderate income residents, not just AARP Members. There is also no age limit for using the service. Tax return preparation services will be offered from February 1 through early April 10.
AARP Tax-Aide offers an online self-booking appointment system for taxpayers at CCFREETAX.ORG. Taxpayers without a computer, tablet or smartphone can call the appointment line at 805-931-6308,. Taxpayers are strongly encouraged to use the online appointment system.
AARP Tax-Aide has nine locations in San Luis Obispo County including Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. Go to CCFREETAX.ORG for location addresses and hours of operation. All sites are by appointment only.
AARP Tax-Aide has provided tax preparation service to Central Coast residents for more than 30 years. The over 75 AARP Tax-Aide counselors, and other volunteers, are trained and IRS certified each year.
Started in 1968 by four volunteers, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is now the nation’s largest free, volunteer –run tax preparation services. By using these services, seniors and low to moderate income taxpayers avoid preparation and electronic filing fees. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS. In prior years our local Tax-Aide program in San Luis Obispo County prepared approximately 3,600 tax returns resulting in over $ 2,100,000 in refunds being returned to the local economy.
Hampton Named Assistant Superintendent at Cuesta
Dr. Todd Hampton, a leader with over 14 years of experience in the California Community College system, has been named Assistant Superintendent / Vice President of Administrative Services at Cuesta College.
“My first priority is to learn about Cuesta College and how Administrative Services fits into the larger institution,” said Dr. Hampton. “I’m committed to finding ways we can enhance our service and strengthen our connection to students, ensuring our work supports their success.”
The San Luis Obispo County Community College District Board of Trustees approved the appointment at their December meeting, following a thorough national search and the recommendation by Cuesta College Superintendent / President Dr. Jill Stearns.
“Dr. Hampton’s extensive leadership experience and passion for student success make him an excellent fit for Cuesta College,” said Dr. Stearns. “His commitment to removing barriers to education aligns perfectly with our mission to empower students and community.”
Dr. Hampton earned his Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership from California State University, Northridge, in 2015. He also holds an MBA and a BS in Management Information Systems. He is a California native and first-generation college student beginning his educational journey in the community college system. He is passionate about education and the opportunities it provides for students and is dedicated to removing barriers and positively impacting their lives.
