KCBX Hires New News Director
KCBX Central Coast Public Radio welcomes Monica Lopez as its new news director. Lopez has a decades-long career in journalism and public radio, and has been a news director and editor, bureau chief, writer, reporter, and producer on nationally syndicated newscasts and documentary programs in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Houston.
Lopez’s 25-year tenure as a journalist spans senior positions in the newsrooms of UC Santa Barbara’s KCSB-FM, Los Angeles’ KPFK, Houston’s KPFT, and the international daily news program “Free Speech Radio News.” Lopez’s most recent position was with The Financial Times, for which she served as an audio engineer for the newspaper’s flagship news podcast, the “FT News Briefing,” and as a co-editor for the documentary podcast series, “70 Million.”
Lopez holds a degree in Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies from UC Santa Barbara and specialized in video documentary production at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
Through her years in terrestrial radio and podcast production, Lopez has developed an affection for local public stations like KCBX.
“I love community radio and covering local communities where there can be a greater connection and impact with listeners,” said Lopez. “I am thrilled to be joining KCBX, and I look forward to helping our news team provide information about critical public services and accountability reporting that people can rely on to make informed decisions.”
KCBX Program Director Marisa Waddell said she’s excited that Lopez is joining the station’s management team. “With her decades of experience as a journalist, editor, producer, and mentor, she brings a full toolkit to lead our news team and to serve our community,” said Waddell.
Monica Lopez’s news stories for KCBX can be found at kcbx.org/people/monica-lopez.
KCBX FM broadcasts on 90.1 in San Luis Obispo, 91.1 in Cayucos, 95.1 in Lompoc, 91.7 from Paso Robles to Salinas, and 90.9 in Santa Ynez, Goleta, Avila Beach and Cambria. KCBX streams online at kcbx.org.
Yoga Day to Help Kindness Collation
Cayucos Yoga is giving back to the community with their monthly Donation Yoga Day on Saturday, February 22, with a variety of Yoga throughout the day. All proceeds will go to Estero Bay Kindness Collation in supporting their efforts in providing food and clothing to under resourced students and their families in the Estero Bay Community.
Join the Stoked Cayogis’ at Cayucos Yoga, 625 S. Ocean Ave
Cayucos. There is a $25 suggested. Space is limited, so book in advance at https://www.CayucosYoga.com.
Poly Announces New VP for Development and Alumni Engagement
Cal Poly named Matthew A. Weinstein, a longtime higher education development professional, as its new vice president of University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE).
Weinstein, current associate vice president for development at Carnegie Mellon University, will begin at Cal Poly on March 1.
“As a Bay Area native, I am excited to return to my home state and to take on this new role supporting Cal Poly’s critical Learn by Doing mission,” Weinstein said. “I understand the important role Cal Poly plays in providing the workforce talent and future leadership for the state, the nation and the world. I am confident we can enhance the university’s development and alumni engagement efforts to bring in additional crucial support and resources to help ensure the strength of a Cal Poly education far into the future.”
Weinstein brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education development to his new role. He has spent nearly a decade in senior-level positions at Carnegie Mellon. Previously, he was at the University of Pittsburgh, where he served as senior executive director of advancement for the Swanson School of Engineering.
Weinstein will oversee a division that focuses on fostering strong relationships with internal and external partners to enhance support for Cal Poly. UDAE establishes and implements an overall advancement program, including coordinating fundraising, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration.
“Matt has exactly the skills necessary to elevate our development efforts and help us strengthen our financial future,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “The vice president of development position is critical to Cal Poly’s future. If we are to meet our ambitious goals — including increasing our graduation rates, recruiting and retaining top-notch faculty and staff, housing more than half the student body on campus, and increasing diversity — we need to enhance our ability to secure financial support from private philanthropy and industry.”
Weinstein did his undergraduate studies in political science and government at the London School of Economics and at Clark University. He earned a master’s degree in political science from Lehigh University and a doctorate in political science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Weinstein succeeds Stacy Cannon, who has since August 2023 served as Cal Poly’s acting vice president for University Development and Alumni Engagement.
SLO Buy Local Bonus Provides $900,000 in Economic Impact
The results are in, and the City of San Luis Obispo’s 2024 Buy Local Bonus program funneled $868,597 into the business community.
The City’s initial investment of $115,000 in gift cards incentivized $753,597 in additional local spending by shoppers, resulting in a record-breaking 685% return on investment.
“We are excited that so many in our community deliberately chose to support local businesses this past holiday season,” said San Luis Obispo Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann. “Each dollar spent locally has a huge impact, and the Buy Local Bonus program amplifies that impact, benefiting both shoppers and local retailers.”
For the fifth year in a row, the City partnered with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce in November and December 2024 to bring the Buy Local Bonus Program to the community and incentivize local spending during the holiday season. The City purchased 25 gift cards at $25 each from 165 qualified local businesses. Then from Black Friday on November 29 until it sold out on December 22, 2024, shoppers who spent $100 or more locally and saved their receipts were eligible for a $25 gift card as a reward for supporting local businesses in the city of San Luis Obispo.
“The Buy Local Bonus program is a win for both the community and small businesses, and not just because it happens during the ever-important holiday season of spending,” said Lindsey Haring, co-owner of The Mountain Air and The Switchback. “It brings new customers through the door, which can be the first step toward a lasting connection, the kind of connection that small businesses are known for.”
This year’s program was so successful that it sold out sooner than anticipated. Combined with the City’s $115,000 investment, the total direct local spending reached an impressive $868,597. While $100 in local spending was needed to qualify for a $25 gift card, the average amount spent per qualification was $162.52. In total, there were 4,637 qualified entries from shoppers who submitted 7,389 receipts.
“Both local retailers and shoppers embrace this program, and it’s fantastic to see so many people rallying behind their favorite local businesses, particularly during the holiday season,” said Jim Dantona, president and CEO of the SLO Chamber of Commerce. “We’re proud to partner with the City in this meaningful investment in our local economy.”
Are you or a neighbor Taking Care of Business. Is your business, including non-profits, supporting our community? Maybe you’re launching a new business, or you’re making updates to your current business model, or re-opening. Perhaps you have a job opportunity, or have been doing some volunteer work, or are collaborating with another business or a non-profit. Or maybe you know someone who is. Submit your awesome local efforts for publication to EditorEBN@gmail.com.
