Quick Pickle Looking to Support Schools, Non-Profits
The Los Osos based business QuickPickleKit.com is looking to help community organizations in need of funding.
“For over 27 years, QuickPickleKit.com has supported nonprofits and schools as well as provided jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said President Andrea Wasko. “We’re on a mission to utilize our business and our products as tools to create a healthier and more caring world.”
Pickling Kit is a Safe, Quick, simple, and natural way to pickle any vegetable in a fraction of the time and with minimal effort.
For more information, send an email to AndreaCWasko@gmail.com.
Los Osos Student Wins PG&E Scholarship
A Los Osos girl was one of three local school students awarded scholarships from Pacific Gas & Electric, the company announced.
“The PG&E Corporation Foundation,” reads a news release, “announced 60 students — 20 more than last year — from hometowns across PG&E’s service area will receive scholarships from the 2023 ‘Better Together STEM Scholarship Program.’”
The three local kids who won scholarships were: Joel Lozano, of Santa Maria, who won $10,000; Nicholas Quang of Arroyo Grande with $10,000; and Kaimana Kiaha of Los Osos with $5,000.
Kiaha was happy to get the award. “As the fifth child of 12 in my family and the first of them to be attending a 4-year university,” she said, “I am honored and grateful to have received the PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship.
“The funds will help me tremendously with the burden placed upon me to finance my college education. I will be attending Cal Poly in the fall majoring in environmental earth and soil science.”
She sees the field of study as a means to fulfill her childhood dreams. “Helping save the earth has been a passion of mine ever since I was a child and I’m happy to be pursuing it as a career,” she said. “This scholarship has made my college dreams attainable and eliminated financial stressors. I am incredibly thankful to PG&E.”
The PG&E Foundation scholarships totaled $350,000 this year, according to the news release, an increase of $100,000 from 2022. The PG&E Foundation gave out 20 scholarships of $10,000; 20 of $5,000, and 20 of $2,500 each. The $5,000 scholarships are new this year.
So who is eligible for this free money? “Scholarships,” the Foundation said, “are given to students pursuing a degree in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math [STEM] disciplines.
“STEM education fosters ingenuity, creativity, and experimentation, leading to new ideas, innovations, and technological advancements that can have global impact.”
Over the past several years, Morro Bay High School has gradually moved towards a STEAM style of learning, which is STEM with the added discipline of the arts (STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).
Scholarships, the Foundation said, are awarded based on “academic achievement, demonstrated participation and leadership in school and community activities, and financial need.”
The company’s local vice-president, Teresa Alvarado, said, “As someone who pursued an engineering degree with the support of a scholarship, I am especially proud to help alleviate some of the financial burden of college tuition for these three exceptional students pursuing their STEM-based higher education goals. I am also excited that we are able to provide a larger number of scholarships this year and send our heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s scholars.”
Now the scholarship winners will have to follow through with their plans to go to college, specifically, an accredited 4-year university or historically black university anywhere in the U.S., seeking their first bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is good for the first year at school.
Since 2012, the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has awarded more than $7 million to accomplished students, the Foundation said. Charitable donations come from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.
The various union groups within the company also contribute to scholarship funds and since 1989 nearly $6 million in “Engineering Networking Group” or ERG scholarships have been given out.
The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent nonprofit community benefit organization, separate from PG&E (the utility company) and sponsored by PG&E Corporation (the parent company).
Poly Cat Program Seek Volunteer Coordinator
The Cal Poly Cat Program is looking to add another volunteer coordinator to the team. This position entails different responsibilities than those of our other volunteer coordinators. An individual in this role will need to be organized, efficient, and in good communication with volunteers and the other staff members. The primary tasks consist of:
•Logging volunteer hours and providing a thorough monthly report to the staff
•Maintaining a volunteer attendance Excel spreadsheet
•Providing a weekly MIA report to alert the other volunteer coordinators as to who is failing to show up to their shifts
•Monitoring the volunteer sign-up schedule to identify gaps in shifts and posting requests for extra shift help on the GroupMe chat
•Organizing interviews with local radio and TV stations and creating/distributing press releases
Readers who are methodical, good with interpersonal communication and community outreach, and love cats, are asked to apply to this position. Email cat-program@calpoly.edu with your resume and any other inquiries.
Ribbon Cutting at Red Tail Bikes
Red Tail Bikes in Morro Bay is officially open. The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce recently marked their inaugural day with a ribbon cutting at 890 Main St.
“Pedal into excitement as Red Tail Bikes kicks off its journey in style,” said Chamber officials.”Explore this fresh addition to Downtown Morro Bay’s landscape and experience the thrill of their offerings firsthand.”
Pictured: Jon Elliot, Jon Peterson, Erica Crawford, Scot Graham, Jack Smith, Eric Meyer (in the front kneeling), Marlene Peter, Heather Richert, Leila Richert, Kealani Richert, shop owner Jon Rickert (holding scissors), Dave Peter, and Brad Evans.
Locals Invited to Concerts, Strolls, and Long Evenings in Morro Bay
Morro Bay’s “secret season” has arrived! There are myriad opportunities to savor the gorgeous weather and long evenings of our early Fall weather.
The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce presents its Shop, Sip & Stroll event series on Thursday, September 14, and Thursday, September 28. Indulge your senses, support local businesses, and create lasting memories. Discover what our local businesses have to offer while sipping on both alcoholic and refreshing non-alcoholic beverages as well as sampling some delicious treats at businesses nestled along the picturesque Embarcadero and our unique and welcoming Downtown in Morro Bay.
Register and receive a wine glass to savor every sip and a tote bag to carry your purchases throughout the event. For more information, go to morrochamber.org/shop-sip-and-stroll.
Morro Bay Active Adults again presents Tunes at Tidelands, a free concert series at Tidelands Park every Thursday from 5 -7 p. m.in the Waterfront district. For more information, go to morrobayseniors.org.
Buttercup Bakery presents its Summer Concert Series in partnership with Big, Big SLO every Thursday from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Downtown district. For more information, go to bigbigslo.com/buttercup-concerts.
Live music abounds on Thursdays in Morro Bay brick-and-mortar venues like The Siren downtown and The Savory Palette on the waterfront.
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 Editor@EsteroBayNews.com.
