http://www.TheUnion.com Serving Grass Valley, Ca Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 en 30 While some games focus on violence and destruction, John O’Neill develops games to connect people and build a sense of community through emotions and consideration of others. “I think the role of art is to create a catalyst to keep people in touch with their souls,” said O’Neill, a longtime … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6534068-113/games-neill-art-game http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6509495-113/solar-plan-tru-daniel http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6494445-113/broadband-sedcorp-community-consortium http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6470489-113/failure-game-step-questions Talk about teamwork: Husband-wife team Sharon and Jim Beckett have been a successful duo in business and life for more than 25 years. After moving up from Southern California more than 18 years ago, the Becketts added a 1,000-square-foot photography studio onto their log home and named it “Sugar Pine … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6472735-113/jim-photography-sharon-grit http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6426482-113/commons-nevada-sierra-business When you mix skilled movement with self-defense, you get a form of karate called Kenpo, something Grass Valley Kenpo Family Karate has offered for the past three years and will continue to offer in its new location. “We were working out of another martial arts school and started with two … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6457607-113/garcia-karate-david-class Community 1st Bank has named Ulrike Lapkass, who has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry, as a new senior vice president/senior relationship manager. An Auburn resident, Lapkass joins the Community 1st team to bolster the bank’s commercial lending services. She will work with business owners and … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6442689-113/bank-lapkass-community-auburn Lights, camera and a whole lot of technological action were unleashed in Las Vegas last month for the National Association of Broadcasters show. Multiple local broadcasting agencies received awards for their products, which were shown and judged by a host of top trade magazines in the world. AJA Video Systems, … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6180342-113/award-designs-received-video Burger Physical Therapy will host an open house Thursday at its new location at 857 Sutton Way in Grass Valley. The event will include a walking tour of the new office, a prize raffle and refreshments. “It’s a walk-through to check out the clinic and I will be there to … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6416440-113/therapy-burger-open-physical http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6417801-113/manufacturing-100-businesses-state Environmentally conscious investors are drawn to what we call socially responsible and green funds because they want put their investing dollars in things that help rather than hurt the environment. They also don’t want to throw their dollars at companies that do harm to the planet. Wall Street knows this … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6402786-113/green-funds-money-companies River Valley Community Bank, a Yuba City-based bank open since 2006, will expand and open a new full-service branch office in Grass Valley, possibly by mid-July on Sutton Way in the Glenbrook Basin. “We’re really excited to get involved with this community, and after speaking with local business owners, we … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6366696-113/bank-valley-community-river Several years ago, Margo Murphy visited a Marin County art studio so she could make hand prints with her young daughter. She loved the concept of the drop-in, create-your-own-art studio and began researching the idea of opening a similar business herself. “I really wanted a creative place that was family-friendly,” … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6354587-113/murphy-art-artist-studio The Social Security program originally drafted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt was set up as a trust fund, and it was meant to supplement the golden years of American citizens. The money removed from paychecks was secured in a trust, invested and then distributed to retirees when the time came. … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6042445-113/fund-money-budget-government Bill and Erin from San Jose own a successful cookie business with 20 talented and loyal employees. They called us with a quandary. For years they have been paying what they felt were exorbitant fees for the administration of their “Profit Sharing/401(k)” plan, a plan they set up to help … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6301625-113/employees-bill-erin-ira I sure am getting old. I go to a restaurant, and unless I have my glasses with me, I can’t read the menu. It seems like I should be able to somehow use the my phone to magnify the text for me. Is there an app that can do this? … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6301622-113/url-urls-shortened-add What is the game you cannot win? What is the quickest way to lose your personal power? What process is based in folly? What habit, if you can break it, will set you free to succeed and experience more fulfillment? The answer to all four questions is — comparison. The … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6271468-113/comparing-apples-game-based http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6351363-113/valley-grass-survey-retail Like most environmentally conscious people, Lori Largent was shocked when she first learned about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Truly the stuff of nightmares, the patch — also known as the Pacific Trash Vortex — is an enormous accumulation of non-biodegradable material — mostly plastic — in the north Pacific … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6276755-113/largent-nevada-plastic-store Today gets to be the day you have been waiting for. It all finally comes together. No more struggle and strife. From here on in, it’s easy street. Get your hopes up! Plan on it all working out just as you had hoped. Hope is great. It’s necessary and important. … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6177137-113/habits-become-winning-waning For many investors in Nevada County and across the country, the past 12 years have left you scratching your head. After enjoying a decade of unprecedented growth and prosperity in the 1990s, economic growth from 2000 through 2012 was essentially nonexistent. If you invested in the Dow Jones Industrial or … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6173780-113/estate-real-commercial-rates http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6201960-113/housing-prices-recovery-investors With the Dow hitting all-time highs, most investors are looking at profits in their portfolios compared to this time last year. Analysts are mixed as to why the Dow has moved so convincingly, and the theories run the gamut. An improving real estate market, improving business fundamentals and a pick … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6164613-113/stop-order-stock-investors Where are you in comparison to where you want to be in your life? Is it time for a change? Would you be willing to experience more health, more wealth and more happiness? Most people answer with the affirmative to all three of those areas. What they tend to hesitate … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6062284-113/track-beliefs-distracted-getting Jane asked how she could clear her Windows desktop clutter and interact with an icon on her desktop. The problem is that she has lots of windows open concurrently, and she can’t really even see her desktop through all the windows. Is there an easy way to clear away the … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6085411-113/windows-alarm-desktop-siri About 10 years ago, wine-maker Tony Norskog went fishing for several days at Lake Faucherie with Paul Matson. When packing up to go home, they noticed more than a few empty wine bottles and began considering to how those glass containers could be better used outside of the recycle/waste stream. … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6085698-113/business-byob-bottles-norskog For the hungry and time-crunched, a new grocery delivery business will bring groceries right to your door. Groceries on the Way will be available May 1 for Grass Valley, Nevada City, Alta Sierra, Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley and San Juan. “I thought it would be a really great idea after … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6073018-113/tambourine-groceries-delivery-service When high school sweethearts Kellie and Anthony Macejunas moved up to Nevada County in 1988, the young couple took a leap of faith and bought a limousine service. With fond memories of taking a sleek limousine to their high school prom just a few short years before, the two had … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6062626-113/anthony-limousine-airport-service A coalition of Nevada County residents and school children is pushing local officials to ban single-use plastic bags such as those commonly found at grocery store check-out counters. “We are serious about this,” said Sue Roberts-Emery, a member of Bag Busters of Nevada County, a group of residents seeking a … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6099544-113/bags-plastic-ban-emery More than 50 representatives from 24 local schools and nonprofit organizations Thursday at the Grass Valley store on McKnight Way to show their appreciation to SPD. Many groups presented Ben Painter with signs, banners, cards and gifts to demonstrate their appreciation. In 2012, SPD contributed $204,266.64 to these and other … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/6063058-113/spd-organizations-community-appreciation That look of panic on a customer’s face — Sim Finau, owner of Ray’s Radiator Services sees it all the time. “I see them standing there, terrified that their car won’t pass the smog test,” he said. “I can understand why. Cars are a lifeline for many people. If it … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5973700-113/star-smog-station-program http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5817109-113/library-nevada-meter-county For two nurses who share the same life goal of helping people on a personal basis, the ability to start up their own business, RNs with Ease, was a dream come true. Diane Miessler and Nancy Nolan, both registered nurse care managers, visit the homes of those in need of … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5792824-113/miessler-nolan-ease-rns http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5771445-113/domain-drive-information-warranty http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5665291-113/done-prioritize-become-completion At Naggiar Vineyards and Winery, the rows of neatly kept grapevines are beginning to show signs of life after their winter dormancy. So, too, do the winery’s tasting room and outdoor entertaining area. A tractor parked in the lot, piles of gravel and cut-out areas clearly indicate where crews have … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5731414-113/naggiar-winery-wine-vineyard http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5705131-113/buying-buy-decision-money With 20 years as a hair stylist under her belt, Michella Lockwood had long dreamed of running her very own salon. One day, while “Googling” some information for her husband online, something unexpected popped up: “Salon for rent: Cedar Ridge.” She thought long and hard about it, then dialed the … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5666796-113/salon-cedar-lockwood-ridge Local rehabilitation care facility Spring Hill Manor Convalescent Hospital was recently awarded five stars by Medicare for outstanding service, much to the delight of the friendly and welcoming administration and staff. “It’s because of the education, intervention and awesome nursing staff,” said Brian Collier, administrator. The facility had four stars … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5665915-113/hill-spring-facility-collier http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5665287-113/excuse-excuses-center-coach After graduating from Bear River High School two years ago, T.J. O’Brien remembers the look his friends gave him when he said wasn’t set on college. Today, at 20 years old, he’s already getting hit up for jobs by some of those same friends as his steam-powered auto detailing business … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5660703-113/brien-steam-car-leno http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5634036-113/broadband-service-community-sedcorp For those with a desire to offer their passion to the world, the opportunity to open a store is a dream come true. Such was the case for Gaylene Miller, who opened her fabric store 14 years ago and recently moved locations and expanded her selection of bridal wear. “I … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5495388-113/miller-bridal-fabric-dresses For the creative at heart and hand, pottery remains a way to meld utilitarianism with craftsmanship and creativity. Such is the way of Amy Conley, owner of Refried Greens Pottery, a Grass Valley-based company that offers handmade goods. Conley began making pots in 2004 after she retired from dentistry to … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5633435-113/conley-pieces-pottery-wine http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5430784-113/401-solo-vicky-income When Henry DeCorte bought the historic Washington Hotel in 1994, it had been sitting empty for more than a year. Smack in the middle of the small town of Washington, the majestic 1896 building was surrounded by barbed wire and a chain-linked fence. “Red-tagged’ by the county, an official sign … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5574446-113/hotel-decorte-washington-town After nearly two decades in one of Nevada City’s most prominent locales at the corner of Pine and Broad streets, the owners of Indian Springs Tasting Room are preparing to close the doors of their wine-sipping hot spot in June. “Our customers are sad,” said Julie Holmes, who opened the … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5600644-113/ball-holmes-indian-springs The smell of burning incense, the sound of distant chanting and the soft glow of the warm lights activate your senses as you step onto the rock-covered ground of a shop that is nearly nothing but rocks, gems and minerals. But it is not the visage of an eerie shopkeeper … ]]> http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5555325-113/musgrave-shop-rock-store http://www.TheUnion.com/news/business/5555121-113/winery-ball-indian-springs