Business

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the leading real estate company in the Bay Area, announced today that it collected 5,112 toys and 2,152 coats this holiday season to benefit families in need throughout Northern California. The annual Toys for Tots and Operation: One Warm Coat collection campaigns this holiday season marked the 26th consecutive year that Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has supported the efforts in partnership with the United States Marine Corps Reserve and several non-profit organizations throughout Northern California. The Gilroy office collected 172 toys and 98 coats, and the Morgan Hill office collected 100 toys and 150 coats.

Gilroyan and South County banker Kurt Michielssen has joined Pinnacle Bank as its new senior relationship manager. Michielssen said he is “very happy and excited” about his new position. He has been a South County senior vice president for the past 30 years. Prior to that he spent five years with Valley National Bank of Salinas as a loan officer. He is well known in the Gilroy community and is a member of the Rotary Club of Gilroy, Gavilan College Education Foundation, Gilroy Foundation and is currently the board chairman of the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation. The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce named him Man of the Year in 2010.

Marisa Otto of Edward Jones in Morgan Hill has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) to use the certification mark CFP®. Otto completed CFP Board's initial certification requirements, which include completion of financial coursework and a comprehensive examination. Those who hold CFP® certification agree to meet education requirements and uphold CFP Board's code of ethics and professional responsibility and financial planning practice standards.

Anritsu Company, a global leader in communications test and measurement solutions, announces Frost & Sullivan, a growth partnership company, has presented Anritsu Corporation with its global Company of the Year Award for Test & Measurement. Frost & Sullivan cited the company's strong customer relationships, ability to develop products that meet market needs, and value proposition, particularly in introducing test solutions for the LTE market. Based upon the evaluation, Anritsu set a benchmark unmatched by other instrumentation companies.

Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center President Christine Giusiana along with chamber staff, ambassadors and People and Planet customers, vendors and owners, Mike and Erin Monroe, celebrate the grand re-opening and expansion with a ribbon cutting event. People and Planet takes great pride in providing quality products to support their customers special dietary and organic lifestyle needs. They offer a wide range in products from home to beauty essentials including special orders. Details: (408) 782-2700, visit the store at 15750 Vineyard Blvd., suite #170 in Morgan Hill or visit www.PeoplePlanetStore.com.

Amoretto Boutique opened the doors of its new location in the heart of downtown Gilroy, 7490 Monterey St., on Nov. 30. Sisters Sandra and Hilda Castaneda, their families and Chamber ambassadors gathered to cut the ribbon.

Marisa Otto, a financial advisor with the financial-services firm Edward Jones in Morgan Hill, and Cheryl Creamer, a branch office administrator, recently attended an invitation-only training opportunity at the firm’s headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.

Owner Gurvinder Singh and manager John Casteneda proudly snip the ribbon at the one-year anniversary celebration at Gold’s Gym Dec. 8. This beautiful gym includes a steam sauna, indoor basketball court, cinema cardio room, techno-gym along with many other unique features. For more information, visit them at 8795 San Ysidro Ave. in Gilroy or call (408) 852-7028.

Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Christine Giusiana, Mayor Steve Tate and Lorrain Welk join Limor Margalit, regional sales manager of Bay Alarm Company, and sales staff, members, friends and guests celebrate Bay Alarm Company’s expansion into the South County region at Troy’s Bocce Room and Wine Bar. Details: Nicole Arce, Sales Rep for Bay Alarm at 408-637-0767 or visit www.bayalarm.com.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage announced the kickoff of its annual Toys for Tots program in partnership with the United States Marine Corps Reserve and its annual Operation: One Warm Coat clothing drive. Both campaigns run until Dec. 14. Individuals interested in donating a new, unwrapped toy to the Toys for Tots program may do so at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices in Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, San Jose and Saratoga. Individuals interested in donating to Operation: One Warm Coat may do so at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices in Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos and San Jose. Details: (925) 275-3085.