Business Billboard March 2010

Learn Spanish with a Smile
Students ages 10 to 85 are having great success learning Spanish from Luz Hutchins and her expert staff at the Spanish Language Center. Director Hutchins has been perfecting the Center’s effective verbal and visual teaching method since opening it in 1986. The program teaches all levels, from beginners to those wishing to improve their Spanish for school or work. Students come from throughout the county to the Mission Valley location for small group instruction (average four students) and private lessons with specialized materials, some created by Hutchins herself.
This year the center is placing a special focus on middle school students, confident that its academically-based program will provide them with a good foundation for high school.
“I am a person with a big heart,” Hutchins says. “For me to spend 12 hours a day here is a pleasure. Students leave here with a big smile!”
For a limited time, take advantage of the eight-week, twice-weekly offer of lessons in any level in a group of four for only $288.00.
Spanish Language Center
2835 Camino Del Rio South, Ste. #345, San Diego
www.spanishlanguagecenter.com
619-284-8636

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Web Design that Makes Sense
“Remember the last time you were on a Website and couldn’t find what you were looking for?” asks Christopher Bourgault, president of Realskies UX Engineering (UX stands for “user experience”). Bourgault and his staff work hard to make sure this does not happen to their clients. “We design Websites and Web applications that solve real problems for real people.”
Utilizing research and testing based in cognitive science and human computer interaction, they create a user-friendly Web experience for small- to mid-level companies like Hot Shot Basketball Camps (hsbcamps.com) and our own site, SanDiegoFamily.com. Their goal is to learn what a company or entrepreneur wants to accomplish, and then use it to either establish or build their Web presence.
Bourgault says, “[We are] finding ways to achieve business goals on the Web through good design.”
Realskies UX Engineering
2888 Loker Ave. East, Ste. 209, Carlsbad
www.realskies.com
800-260-5404

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Horseback Riding Fun for All
The 18 beautiful horses and ponies of Mega Arte Riding Academy serve as ambassadors to help people of all ages and abilities learn about horses and riding. The diverse riding instruction includes certified dressage, hunter-jumper training, trail endurance and pleasure riding for ages 3 and older, and even tiny tots lessons for 2-year-olds.
Owner Meg Brown also has programs for those with special needs, such as autism and Down syndrome, and invites the Make-A-Wish Foundation to visit several times each year.
Located on a country farm in coastal North County, Mega Arte has a lighted arena and plenty of nearby bridle paths to explore. They host birthday parties, events and day camps, where participants ride, work with the horses, tour the farm and visit the exotic animal petting zoo.
“We understand that with all the instability of today’s economy, people are cutting back on their favorite activities, and party plans,” Brown says. For this reason, Mega Arte will offer a 15 percent discount on its regular rates for any party or lessons booked for the next two months.
Mega Arte Riding Academy
20767 Elfin Forest Rd., Elfin Forest
www.ridingacademy.biz
760-822-4778

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Explore Our Natural World
Harness the current excitement about 3D movies to introduce the kids to the wonders of our own planet with a visit to the San Diego Natural History Museum’s newly converted 3D theater. Then explore the museum and let them view real history through specimens dating back 250 million years. 
Established in 1874, with a focus on our local region, the museum hosts many fascinating exhibits, including these opening this year: Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries (March 27), All that Glitters: the Splendor and Science of Gems and Minerals (May 15), Art and the Animal (Sept. 4) and Snakes and Lizards: Alive! (Oct. 16). The Museum also gives visitors unique opportunities to learn about nature through firsthand experiences.
“We offer over 1,800 public programs a year, from organic cooking classes to whale-watching in Baja California,” says Delle Willett, the SDNHM’s director of marketing.
San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
www.sdnhm.org
619-232-3821

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Follow the Path to Reading
The Yellow Book Road is a wonderland for young readers and those who strive to instill a love of reading in children. Filled with books, teaching tools, puzzles and educational toys, the focus here is to make literacy fun. The store specializes in reading-level books and offers teacher materials and resources for parents.
Owners David and Ann Diener increase the excitement with story times, book release celebrations and special author visits. Their expert staff can help kids and parents find just the right book to nurture a love of reading.
Diener says, “We employ teachers, librarians and those who are totally engrossed in children’s literature and have a love of literacy and children. We feel we are unique because we can offer professional advice about content, subject matter and age-level appropriateness to our customers. As we proudly say, ‘We know kids and we know books!’”
The Yellow Book Road
7200 Parkway Drive #118, La Mesa
www.yellowbookroad.com
619-463-4900