Good bugs
UncategorizedFull-on bug wars may soon be breaking out in a vineyard near you. After decades of supplying beneficial insects that help protect Ventura County’s citrus and avocado crops, Santa Paula-based Associates Insectary is now launching a wasp to help protect California’s grapevines. The vine mealybug, discovered in Santa Barbara County in 2000, is a formidable Read More →
Business of culture
Small BusinessIt’s been open for just over a year, and already Live Culture in Santa Barbara has its eye set on the national stage. Owner-operators Darin Fiechter, Sierra Falso and Rebecca Klarich opened the chic eatery, wine bar and music venue in the Paso Nuevo mall last March. Now they say they’re ready to take the Read More →
Affinity refinancing paves way for recovery
UncategorizedWith new financing in place and a recovery brewing in the recreational vehicle industry, Ventura-based Affinity Group could be back on the road to black ink. Affinity Group owns a nationwide network of discount clubs for RV owners, along with the 75-location Camping World chain of retail stores and a stable of niche magazines targeted Read More →
Ten lessons learned from a decade
ColumnsYou might have noticed that the masthead of this edition of the Pacific Coast Business Times reads “Volume 11, No. 1.” The obvious thing to say is that 10 years ago, we began publication of the region’s first weekly business journal. We’re going to acknowledge our born-on date of March 17 with a special anniversary Read More →
Santa Barbara needs its Silicon Valley link
OpinionWord that the Santa Barbara airport is about to lose its daily service to San Jose is a troubling development that threatens the 101 Technology Corridor’s link to the Silicon Valley. But examples from San Luis Obispo show that a strong lobbying effort by business interests can keep service going. We think that a coalition Read More →
Hollywood
OpinionPerhaps it was the moment that Montecito resident Jeff Bridges stepped on stage to accept his well-deserved Oscar for Best Actor on March 7. Perhaps it was the evening that music industry maven Mark Hartley turned on the lights at the Watermark restaurant in downtown Ventura. Or the moment when property titan Triliad Developers and Read More →
