I want to share an article I gleaned from Tuesday's Union Tribune, which hit on a point as improtant as ever given the realities we all face.

Perhaps now more than ever, we could use a good laugh. Laughter is the glue that bonds us. Laughter can make the impossible seem achievable. What may be perceived as not going to happen can change with a laugh. Laughter is the body's way of self-adjusting, allowing us to move on. It's the greatest despair nullifier. Laughing is literally the cheapest form of therapy and by far the most pleasant one. It has the power to heal not only your soul, but also your body.

"With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh, I should die and you need this medicine as much as I do." Abraham Lincoln, speaking to his cabinet members, 1862.

"Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away." Benjamin Franklin.

"We don't laugh because we're happy; we are happy because we laugh." William James.

I don’t know about you but right now as much as anytime I’ve experienced a good laugh is just what I need.

On a more serious side, please join us this Thursday at 6pm as we host our 4th and final Candidate Forum. This series has proven to be very well received and we thank all of you who have particpated, watched live via Facebook, or watched the archived versions of the first 3 parts of our series. It’s been a proud partneship with your Chamber and the Escondido Times-Advocate sponsored by SDG&E, Grangetto’s and Shuster Oil.

On Thurday’s Forum we will have a panel discussion of the November 3^rd election qualified ballot propositions. Our guests will include our Mayor Paul MacNamara, the Times Advocate Managing Editor David Ross, Faith Much of the Valley Center Business Association and myself. In additon to the discussions we will take questions from the audience. Please join us and here’s an easy link to register.

Additionally, as we all look to regain some normalcy to our lives or at least adapt to our current situation, the Chamber is hosting it’s 22nd annual Challenge Golf Tournament on November 2^nd at the Woods Valley Golf Club. This is an opportunity to enjoy a day of commaraderie, fun and support not just your Chamber but, our Rising Stars scholarship program. This outing will help fund the scholarship program which is going into it’s 4^th year and is definitely worthy of your suport. More information about opportunities to sposnsor this event can be found here or contact the Chamber. All of this of course will be done with socially responsible protocols in place.

Let’s all work together to begin to recover and build an even stronger business environment here in our corner of North County San Diego.

Support local businesses, it’s a choice we must make and the right thing to do.