Your Weekly La Mesa Chamber News

In case you missed last week's e-blast: June 17 Eblast See more past email blasts here.

Attention Chamber Members & Business Owners:

We Want to Hear from You - Help the City of La Mesa Evaluate How to Spend Their Funding

Council Member Laura Lothian is a co-chair on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Ad-Hoc Committee for the City of La Mesa that evaluates how to spend the funding directly received from the Federal Treasury. ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021, with the purpose of funding various programs and provide critical assistance to small businesses across the country. Council Member Lothian would like to target $2 million dollars of La Mesa’s ARPA funds for local businesses and help them recover from the 2020-2021 pandemic. She believes that 400 grants in the amount of $5,000 each would be an effective way to assist members of our business community.

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to share your valuable feedback and let Council Member Lothian know if these funds would help you as you continue to recover. We plan to share your responses with her and assist her desire to allocate a portion of ARPA funds to local businesses. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP!

This survey is designed to assist ALL La Mesa businesses. You do NOT have to be a member of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce to respond. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every facet of life, including how businesses operate and prepare for the future. La Mesa businesses are the backbone of the City’s economic engine. All information will be handled confidentially, and any results will be aggregated to ensure anonymity.

Note: For purposes of this survey, we will consider the beginning of the pandemic as approximately March 2020.

ALL QUESTIONS ARE OPTIONAL - ANY responses you submit are helpful and the questions regarding the potential funding are VERY important to us as we move forward on assisting businesses with proposed financial assistance of $5,000 per business in La Mesa.

Take the survey here:

tinyurl.com/lamesabizsurvey2022

Chamber Welcomes Plates, Tags & More to the La Mesa Business Community

Friends and business owners gathered on June 15th to properly welcome Plates, Tags & More to our business community. It was wonderful to meet owner Elaine Wilson, her Husband and her son and Daughter-in-law and family friends at this celebration. It was a true “family affair.”  As we all gathered it was great to get together and enjoy snacks, beverages, and a raffle on all were celebrating her new business. Elaine prides herself on making the process of providing great DMV services, tags for your vehicle, notary services and more conveniently for you. Plates, Tags & More is located at 7317 El Cajon Blvd., Suite103C in La Mesa. Elaine has early bird hours by appointment, as well as will stay after hours to accommodate your needs. She has a mobile notary service as well. Unfortunately, the processing of new vehicle tags and license plates must be done in her office so that service cannot be mobile. There is no need to stand in line at the DMV when you want to renew your vehicle tags or other related services – call Elaine at 619-635-1246 and she will set a convenient appointment for you! 

Join us on Wednesday, June 29th, and welcome Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burgers to our business community. This newly renovated building has been transformed into a friendly neighborhood restaurant serving the finest Oklahoma style hamburgers, fresh cut fries and hand-dipped milkshakes. Founder and Owner Frank Schultz prides himself on making dressings, pickles, ketchup, and other items from scratch and serving only fresh items to his customers. 

In addition to ordering your favorite type of hamburger, you can “take a walk on the wild side” by ordering different types of fries to add to your meal. Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burgers offers steak and blue cheese fries, taco fries, chili cheese fries, Spanish fries, onions, jalapeno fries and more! Only fresh Angus beef patties are served and are cooked to order. Add a hand-dipped milkshake to your meal and you are set!  Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burgers is the perfect place to join friends and grab a bite to eat in a comfortable setting. 

Join us and sample the burgers, fries and see why Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burgers are becoming popular within the area. Join us and meet Founder and Owner Frank Schultz as well as his staff and personally welcome them to our business community.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting at 6:00 p.m.

Location: 5020 Baltimore Dr., La Mesa

Cost:

Chamber Members FREE | Guests $10

Entertainment will provided by Chris & Anna of The Ideas Band

RSVP now so we know you will be joining us!

The Chamber’s 13th annual popular “foodie” event is set for Monday, July 18, 2022. This special evening where guests can “eat their hearts out” will happen between 5-8 p.m. at the newly renovated Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley. The popularity and crowd of this annual event has outgrown the La Mesa Community Center, where it was held for the first 10 years. So, make plans to join us and “Taste, Savor and Mingle” in one ballroom, with plenty of room to stroll throughout the food and business vendor tables. Enjoy great food samplings, free prizes from business sponsors/vendors, a silent auction and raffles during this fun-filled evening. Visit taste.lamesachamber.com.

Monday, July 18, 2022

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

VIP: 5-8p.m. | General Admission: 6-8p.m. | Sponsor Tasting: 4:30-8p.m.

Where: Town and Country San Diego

500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley

Cost:

VIP: $60 | General Admission: $40

NO TICKETS SOLD AT DOOR.

To become a sponsor or for details/questions, call (619) 465-7700 or email [email protected].

Photos courtesy of Sandra Small/ Photographer, www.CeCePhoto.com and Rippee Photography.

From the City of La Mesa: June 17, 2022 City Manager Update

La Mesa Classic Car Show

June 2 - August 25 | Every Thursday from 5 - 8 p.m.

The La Mesa Village Association is hosting the 2022 La Mesa Classic Car Show! The event runs June 2 - August 25, every Thursday from 5 - 8 pm. Visitors can stroll down La Mesa Blvd. to see beautiful pre-1974 cars, trucks, and vans (located between 4th St. - Spring St.). Also enjoy live music every week from local bands that play atop the iconic La Mesa Lumber truck "stage" located at 3rd & La Mesa Blvd. and a DJ, also from 5 - 8 pm!

This is a FREE, family-friendly community event! Come out and celebrate summer with family & friends. And, be sure to dine, shop & explore all that La Mesa Village has to offer while you're here!

Deadline Extended: Volunteer for a City Board or Commission!

We are seeking La Mesa residents who are interested in serving their community by becoming a member of a City board or commission. 

Current Openings:

• Community Relations and Veterans Commission
• Community Services Commission
• Design Review Board
• Historic Preservation Commission
• La Mesa Community Parking Commission
• Mobility Commission
• Personnel Appeals Board
• Youth Advisory Commission*

Applications are due by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Interviews will be held the following week at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. *Youth Advisory Commission meetings will be held in September. Please be aware that some positions have specific residency, professional, or other requirements.

Visit the Boards and Commissions page to learn more and to apply!

Free Community Mulch at PW Ops Yard

Community self-serve mulch is available for La Mesa residents at the Public Works Operations Yard located at 8152 Commercial St. Bring your shovel, sturdy containers or tarp if transporting in an open truck bed, and load your vehicle. Mulch is available on a first come first serve basis.

Mulch is a mix of ground local yard waste and tree trimmings and is provided by La Mesa’s waste hauler, EDCO. Mulch helps build soil structure, inhibits weed growth, and conserve water by reducing evaporation which allows water to be held in the soil for longer. Mulch should be placed over soil in a depth of three to five inches around your plants. It should also be pulled away from tree/shrub trunks to reduce the chance of root rot.

County of San Diego Cool Zones

The Cool Zone program is an established network of free, air-conditioned settings (such as libraries or community centers) across San Diego County that allow respite for older adults, persons with disabilities, or anyone looking to escape the extreme heat during the summer. Cool Zones are a way for residents to lower individual utility usage and help conserve energy for the whole community.

The County of San Diego, in partnership with SDG&E, provides free electric fans to those who are 60 years of age and older, or disabled, living on limited incomes. To be eligible, a resident must not have access to air-conditioning at their residence. To learn more about the Cool Zones Fan Program or to request a fan, please call 2-1-1.

Additionally, people in San Diego County unable to get to a Cool Zone location without transportation assistance, such as older adults, people with disabilities, or people who are homebound, can call 2-1-1 to be connected to a transportation or rideshare service at no cost.

Tips to Beat the Heat

Keep cool and beat the heat during hot summer days with these tips:

• Stay hydrated with water. Avoid sugary beverages.
• Check on friends and neighbors at high risk for heat-related illness.
• Stay cool in an air conditioned area.
• NEVER leave kids or pets in a closed, parked vehicle.
• If you go outside, remember: wear a hat; wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher); and bring water.
• Limit time outdoors. Take breaks often.

Cool Zones in La Mesa (hours vary):

• La Mesa Library: 8074 Allison Ave
• Christian Science Reading Room: 8370 La Mesa Blvd

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. 

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.  

Traffic Advisory - Gateside Road Closed

As we work to improve our roadways and enhance the commuting experience for our residents, we have an update on a temporary road closure.

Westbound Gateside Road from Spring Street to Gateside Way is now closed for two months for construction of improvements. Please plan your route accordingly and follow posted detours.

Eastbound Gateside to Spring and Palm is open to traffic although it may be reduced to one lane at time.

If you have any questions about the detour routes, please do not hesitate to email our News Desk at [email protected] or call 619.667.1191.

From Live Well San Diego Business Sector: Updates for the Business Community 06.22.2022

Updated Copy Service Schedule Regulations 

The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has approved the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) update of the Copy Service Schedule. The updates, which will become effective starting July 15, include:

• An increase to the flat rate for copy services from $180 to $230.
• An added surcharge for late payment to incentivize prompt payment.
• Modification of the rate for an additional set of records
• Instead of tiered rates for an additional set ordered after 30 days, an additional set has a flat rate of $10.

Nonprofit Donation Program

San Diego Futures Foundation offers nonprofits a range of refurbished hardware, from desktops and laptops to monitors and printers, with up to five free computers per year. For more information, view the flyer and begin the process by reviewing the program guidelines. 

County Surpasses 800,000 COVID-19 Cases

The County Health and Human Services Agency reported on June 9th that more than 800,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in San Diego County since the start of the pandemic. County public health professionals are reminding residents that masking is particularly important when traveling or moving through crowded indoor spaces, as is avoiding large gatherings as we reach this somber milestone. For more information visit the County News Center. 

Children & COVID-19 Vaccination

The CDC recommends that children 6 months and older should get a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. It is also advised that children age 5 and older who receive the Pfizer vaccine should get a booster at least 5 months after their second dose. For more information, visit the Current Vaccine Recommendations for Children One-Pager (Spanish) and the Updated Toolkit.

Novavax Vaccine

The FDA Advisory Panel unanimously approved the recommendation for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine on June 7th. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is for adults ages 18 and older, with two doses given 21 days apart, and was found to be 90.4% effective at preventing infection. ​The vaccine must be approved by the CDC and Western States Scientific Review Board before it is available in California. ​

From Senator Brian Jones: Gas Is Too Damn High!

Gas is too damn high! I’ve seen gas prices that are higher than the federal minimum wage. The state has nearly a $100 billion surplus and suspending the gas tax for a year would cost less than 10% of it. This is not a partisan issue. Many states like New York, Maryland, and Connecticut have suspended their gas tax. Even President Biden is talking about a federal gas tax holiday. Unfortunately, Sacramento Democrats are too greedy to stop taxing Californians. Even worse, the state gas tax will increase by 5.6% on July 1st. With prices already at record-high amounts, the last thing Californians need is another tax increase. If you agree, sign my petition here to stop the gas tax increase.

Last week, Senate and Assembly Republicans held a press conference at the Capitol to highlight that it’s been 100 days since Sacramento Democrats promised Californians gas price relief. There’s STILL NO ACTION. Check out my remarks below.

From Governor Newsom: EDD Recovers $1.1 Billion in Unemployment Insurance Funds, with More Investigations and Recoveries to Come

“Fraudsters and criminal organizations ripped off California, along with every other state, during one of the worst crises in history – we’re taking aggressive action to return that money to the taxpayers,” said Governor Newsom.

Recovery follows EDD’s recent thwarting of 47,000 potentially fraudulent claims worth up to $560 million

In another major step toward continuing to investigate fraudsters and recover unemployment insurance funds, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) today announced it has recovered $1.1 billion in unemployment insurance funds.

The recovered funds were located on approximately 780,000 inactivated benefit cards. Most of the recovered funds will return to the federal government because the fraudulent claims are from the emergency federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which was the primary target of fraud nationwide.

In July 2021, California hired McGregor Scott as EDD Fraud Special Counsel. Scott aids the state’s work with law enforcement to combat fraud—including supporting state, federal, and local investigations and prosecutions. Working with EDD, he has leveraged his experience to deliver leads and evidence to aid prosecutions and strengthen ongoing investigations.

“We will continue working with law enforcement to put fraudsters behind bars and recover every stolen dollar that we can,” Scott stated.

Today’s billion-dollar recovery furthers the monumental efforts of EDD and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to investigate and prosecute criminals who defrauded federal emergency unemployment benefit programs. Within the past 15 months,​​total investigations, prosecutions, and dollars seized in the counties reporting information to the state include:

• Total investigations – 1,525
• Arrests – 467
• Money seized – $3,474,448
• Convictions – 162

Other actions California has taken to strengthen its fraud fighting include:

• Stopping over $125 billion in attempted fraud by deploying a new identity verification system, ID.me, in 2020 and partnering with Thomson Reuters to help detect and prevent UI and PUA fraud.
• Setting up the 1099-G call center to help victims of identity theft deal with any tax related questions—work that answered 24,000 calls. Fraud can be reported by selecting Form 1099G in Ask EDD or calling 1-866-401-2849.
• Working with Bank of America to issue chip-enabled debit cards that enhance security and to strengthen fraud-prevention strategies.
• Working with the California Office of Emergency Services Fraud Task Force on over a thousand active investigations, arrests, and prosecutions across California.
• Creating law enforcement investigative guides and offering technical assistance to law enforcement partners who are working fraud investigation cases.
• Setting up designated regional contacts for each division of the state and working with any agency that needs assistance with an unemployment insurance fraud case.
• Continuing to issue consumer scam alerts throughout the pandemic that warn about cell phone and email phishing schemes designed to steal personal information.

EDD runs one of the nation’s largest public benefit systems. Over 20 million people filed over 60 million unemployment, disability insurance, and paid family leave claims over the past decade. EDD prepared, printed and mailed 45 million documents to customers through the most recent fiscal quarters. EDD was mailing nearly 600,000 documents a day during the height of the pandemic.

The Chamber invites you to a fun-filled evening to meet local businesses and have the opportunity to win FREE door prizes. The evening will be filled with raffles, great samplings of delicious food from local restaurants, vendors and more!

Join us at our chamber member hotel, Courtyard by Marriot San Diego El Cajon in El Cajon. We are excited to be using the 4,500 square-foot ballroom for our vendors and raffles, the foyer for our registration activities and the beautiful courtyard to serve our food and offer beverages to our guests.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon

141 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020

Tickets: $10

All tickets need to be pre-purchased. NO tickets will be sold at the door.

From Sungarden Terrace Retirement Community: Join Our Team! Available Job Positions

We are always looking for enthusiastic and caring individuals to join our team at Sungarden Terrace. Below you will find a list of our current available job openings. To learn more about any of the positions you see, please contact the front desk directly at (619) 462-5831 or email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you soon! 

• Caregiver; Various Shifts Available (NOC, PM, AM)
• Food Server / Dishwasher
• Driver/Activities 

From the La Mesa Woman's Club: La Mesa Police and Fire Honored

The La Mesa Woman’s Club (LMWC) will honor and thank the La Mesa Police and the La Mesa Heartland Fire and Rescue on July 6th 2022. LMWC members will show their appreciation to these dedicated first responders with an ice cream social at the La Mesa clubhouse at 2:00 pm. 

LMWC members will be bringing donations to the meeting in support of the “Bancroft School Clothing Project”. T-shirts, socks, underwear and sweats in size 6 – 12 or 14 are needed and will be delivered to the school. On-going projects include donations to Pennies for Pines, Ronald McDonald House, and the Got Sneakers project. In July LMWC will support the “Stand Down” event to aid homeless veterans by donating gently used clothing for men and women. 

Community service is the heart of our organization. Volunteering is the spirit that feeds our service. The friendships that develop among our members is the bond that builds as we volunteer our service and support in our community. 

[email protected] | www.lamesawomansclub.org

From the County of San Diego, Planning & Development Services: Inclusionary Housing Virtual Public Meeting

We want to hear from you! The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a public meeting to share your thoughts and explore options for an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance that would apply in the unincorporated County. PDS is hosting this virtual public meeting to receive your input on June 29, 2022, at 6 PM (registration link provided below). 

Inclusionary housing is a tool used to help increase production of affordable housing, and it works by requiring that new development provide affordable housing as part of their project. In exchange, incentives are provided to help offset the costs of developing affordable housing units.  

This webinar will cover the project’s background and objectives and provides an interactive forum to collect your thoughts on options to provide affordable housing. 

If you would like interpretation services available at the meeting, please contact Camila Easland in your preferred language at [email protected] by June 22, 2022. 

Please register in advance using the link provided below. 

• When: Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 6:00 PM Pacific Time  

• Where: Virtual Meeting Can be Accessed at this link below:  

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pazrAUdyRiSZrJupAEMVnA 

From San Pasqual Winery: Join Us for the Big Bay Boom Fireworks and The Winners Are In!

4th of July Celebration at Seaport Village!!

Did you know that SDG&E provides webinars for business owners and trade professionals, so you can learn new skills at your own pace? And most are at no cost. You or your employees can learn about the latest in green building practices, technology and energy-saving solutions from industry experts. Certifications and continuing education units are available for many classes. Check out the class listing at sdge.com/EnergyClasses.

Some of June’s topics include:

• • Various dates: IHACI Air Distribution Module
• • June 28: Advanced CBEEC-Res energy modeling software for residential buildings
• • June 30: Best Practices for Industrial and Warehouse Lighting

June 29 - Duke's Old Fashioned Onion Burgers Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting : 5:30-7pm at 5020 Baltimore Drive, La Mesa | Details/RSVP

FEATURED! July 18 - "Taste of San Diego - East" : 5-8pm at Town and Country San Diego | 500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley | Details/Buy Tickets

FEATURED! August 18 - "Summer Bash" Business Expo : 5-7:30pm at Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon | 141 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon | Details/Buy Tickets

September 15 - Joint Mixer with La Mesa and Santee Chambers : 5-7pm at Lantern Crest Senior Living | 300 Lantern Crest Way, Santee, CA 92071 | Details/RSVP

September 21 - Annual Evening Mixer at Hooleys Public House : 5:30-7pm at Hooleys Public House | 5500 Grossmont Center Drive #277 in La Mesa | Details/RSVP

FEATURED! September 24 - Shop & Dine La Mesa : 11am-4pm at The Marketplace at Lake Murray Village | Details

FEATURED! October 19 - Salute to Local Heroes & Installation Dinner : 5:30-8:45pm at Sycuan Casino Resort | 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon | Details

December 7 - Toy Drive for La Mesa Military Families & Party at BJ's : 5:30-7pm at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse | 5500 Grossmont Center Dr. in La Mesa | Details/RSVP

NOTE: We recommend those that are feeling ill, or who have been exposed to someone who is ill – please stay home.