Your Weekly La Mesa Chamber News

In case you missed last week's e-blast: July 9 Eblast See more past email blasts here.

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.

Ticket sales STOP this Friday at 12 noon!

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

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

Evening Mixer at The Hills Local Pub

On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an evening mixer with The Hills Local Pub in La Mesa. The owners of The Hills Local Pub: Ben, Marco, Joe and Jason have created this hip, casual watering hole that has become a favorite of locals and people throughout the region. These young men have the drive and determination to support the local economy while offering a great place to relax and gather with friends. Enjoy great hors d’oeuvres and special drink pricing throughout the evening. The Chamber is thrilled to spotlight this local business and invite members and friends to join in a fun-filled evening. The Chamber will host a raffle throughout the evening. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

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

Location: 8758 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa

Cost: Chamber Members: FREE | Guests with RSVP: $15 | At-Door Attendees: $25

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.

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

Welcome to Our New Chamber Members!

Warren-Walker School La Mesa

La Mesa Pre-Kindergarten & Junior Kindergarten Independent School Est. 2004, w/ Specialists in Music/Drama, P.E., Library Science/Technology, & Spanish in a holistic & nurturing academic environment.

5150 Wilson St., La Mesa | (619) 460-3663 | www.warren-walker.com

Warren-Walker Promise Foundation

A nonprofit organization supporting the greater San Diego education community. 

Our mission is to provide financial support to the people, organizations and programs dedicated to the educational development of children from preschool through twelfth grade within the greater San Diego community.

2231 Camino Del Rio South Ste. 302, San Diego, CA 92108 | (619) 223-3663 | www.wwpromise.org

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

Guest Speakers:

• Dr. Maya Kumar, Adolescent Medicine Physician/Pediatrician, UCSD Health
• Michael West, JD, Patient Advocate & HPV Cancer Survivor
• Andrew Gonzalez, MPH, Director of Community Health, Champions for Health

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. HPV vaccines can prevent some of the health effects HPV causes. This webinar is to provide more information to raise awareness around HPV. 

HPV vaccinations prevent six types of cancers. With well-child visits down, and California tweens and teens at risk for vaccine-preventable disease, now is the time to catch up on all routine vaccinations, including HPV. Join us to learn about the essential vaccines your adolescent needs, and what vaccines will be available at the Backpack Giveaway Event on Aug 13th.

Zoom link will be provided after RSVP. Please also submit questions to [email protected] in advance of the webinar that you would like to be covered by July 21. Please use "HPV Webinar" in the subject.

Questions? Call (619) 531-7913.

From Live Well San Diego Business Sector: Updates for the Business Community 07.13.2022

Grant Opportunity to Replace Diesel Trucks

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is accepting grant applications from owners and operators of heavy-duty diesel trucks interested in replacing their vehicles with low or zero-emission trucks. Applications are open through July 22nd at 5PM. Visit their website or email [email protected] to learn more and apply! 

WaterSmart Contractor Incentive Program

The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) is offering four incentivized water-efficient devices to qualified landscape contractors and self-managed sites. SDCWA's mission is to improve water-use efficiency in large landscapes by retrofitting irrigation devices. Visit their website for more information and to enroll today! 

Wildfire Safety Resources for Employers

California employers are required to take steps to protect their workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke. Cal/OSHA has created training videos on wildfire smoke protection and the use of N95 respirators to help employers be prepared before a wildfire event occurs. Visit the Cal/OSHA website for more information. 

Business Quick Start Guides 

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) offers free business quick start guides to help you navigate setting up a business based on your industry. The guides include a list of general, local, state, and federal requirements that businesses must comply with. To benefit from this resource or to find a center near you for free consulting, visit Small Business Center Network. 

WEBINAR: Bilingual Marketing Power Hour 

This workshop is designed to help business owners access expert advisors who can answer marketing related challenges or questions business owners are facing. Experts are available to offer advice in English and Spanish. 

WHEN: July 18 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM

WHERE: Virtual, Register

County Calls for Vigilance as Cases and Hospitalizations Increase

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is seeing significant recent spikes in COVID-19 hospitalizations and new cases, prompting officials to call for more vigilance. Lab-confirmed coronavirus cases remain near 10,000 per week, but it is important to note that this figure does not include antigen tests many people now take at home. For the complete article please visit County News Center.

FDA Approves Pfizer Vaccine For Ages 12-15

On July 8th, the FDA fully approved the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine (also known as COMIRNATY) for adolescents 12-15 years of age. The vaccine was previously available for this age group under emergency use authorization only. 

Youth Challenge Contest

Our Health Deserves a Boost(er)! Join the youth and young adult challenge (ages 5-25) to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines, boosters, and positive impact through video and visual art. The deadline has been extended to July 23rd. View the website and flyer (Spanish) for rules and requirements.

Teens Workout For Free

All summer long until August 31st, teens workout for FREE. Planet Fitness is offering free summer passes for all high school students ages 14-19. Sign up for your High School Summer Pass today! 

Youth Ambassador Program Deadline Extended

The Live Well San Diego Equity Ambassador Program (LEAP) has extended its deadline until July 31st, 11:59PM. LEAP is seeking to employ Youth Ambassadors to develop and share educational materials that address social and health disparities. View the website and flyer for more information! 

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Beginning July 16, 988 will become the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline will provide compassionate, accessible care and support via phone, text, or online chat to anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. You can dial 988 if you or a loved one have thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress.

Summer Movies in the Park

The 2022 Summer Movies in the Park are the perfect chance to relax and enjoy a safe and special night under the stars in a local County park. Enjoy a free movie on the big screen and participate in local community activities now through July 30. 

Friday, July 29 | 6:00 pm | Luca @La Mesa Municipal Pool

From Teague Insurance: WEBINAR: Cyber Liability Explained - Protect You and Your Business

Cyber Liability Explained: Protect You and Your Business

Join us for a webinar on July 27 at 8:30 AM PDT.

Teague Insurance is partnering with the cyber specialists at Evolve MGA to conduct a one hour cyber webinar training course to explain in non-technical terms, how to understand cyber exposures and coverages.

Over the course of the pandemic, cyber claims have risen at an unprecedented rate as hackers have taken full advantage of COVID-19 and the population working remotely.

This course will highlight:

• The ever-changing cyber landscape, COVID related cyber exposures, new hacking trends, and cyber security best practices that businesses can implement to reduce their cyber risk during this critical time.
• We will break down the top two cyber claims and review real claims examples, all while demonstrating key coverages and coverage gaps to avoid when purchasing a cyber policy.

Join us for a presentation and live Q&A with Beau Bechelli from Evolve.

Click on the Register Now link below to sign up for this free webinar on July 27 at 8:30 AM PST. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

From La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation: La Mesa Rocks!

The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation is excited to announce that our 6th annual “La Mesa Rocks” fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, August 13 at the beautiful Allen Airways Museum at Gillespie Field from 6:00-10:00 PM. We invite you to join us for an evening of fun with dinner, drinks and entertainment to raise funds for La Mesa’s parks.

Tickets available now for 25% off through July 13!

• Buy tickets to the La Mesa Rocks fundraiser at www.lamesaparks.org
• Use discount code BUYBYJULY13 for 25% off tickets

The Foundation’s mission is to fundraise and facilitate diverse projects and programs to strengthen community and family bonds to improve the quality of life in La Mesa and its parks. Over the past few years and with the help of proceeds from the La Mesa Rocks fundraisers, the Foundation has:

• Funded multiple new playgrounds in La Mesa’s parks
• Funded, built and opened a Community Garden at MacArthur Park
• Hosted free events in the parks including:
• Earth Day Fairs at MacArthur Park
• Sundays at Six Concerts at Harry Griffen Park
• Movies in the Parks in various La Mesa parks
• Park Appreciation Clean-up days in all La Mesa parks
• Art in the Park at the Community Garden
• And more

We know for many, meeting everyday needs isn’t easy. If you have past-due bills and are a CARE or FERA customer, you may be eligible for debt forgiveness through our Arrearage Management Payment (AMP) plan. This plan offers eligible customers help with reducing their past due account balances. To see if you qualify, visit sdge.com/AMP. Visit sdge.com/assistance for other bill assistance programs.

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

August 10 - Evening Mixer at The Hills Local Pub : 5:30-7pm at The Hills Local Pub | 8758 La Mesa Boulevard in La Mesa | Details/RSVP

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 5 - 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.

American Medical Response

Angelo's Towing & Recovery

Barnes & Noble -

Grossmont Center

Benchmark Financial

Cabrillo Credit Union

Charcoal House

Restaurant & Bar

Community Spectrum

EDCO Waste & Recycling Corp.

Focuscom Inc.

Frazier Farms

Kostedt Design & Marketing

Major Security Services

Mattia Law, APLC

McGee Mechanical

Park Station

PenChecks, Inc.

Productivity Plus Office Support

Sanctuary Cruises

Sensi Media

Studio M.I.F.

The East County Californian

Ultimate Catering Concepts

Warren-Walker School La Mesa

Whissel Realty Group

Workout With Kirk