In case you missed last week's email blast: April 12 Eblast

Take a look at this invitation to volunteer in Grossmont Center at the “Supersite” vaccination center. This is a great opportunity to be a volunteer and help Grossmont Center vaccinate up to 5,000 people a day at this site! Every volunteer gets a t-shirt and, after three shifts, will get vaccinated!

Sharp HealthCare needs your help to reach the goal of vaccinating 1 million San Diegans. The vaccination “supersite” at Grossmont Center can vaccinate up to nearly 5,000 people per day but we are dependent on volunteers to reach that level. We are seeking medical and non-medical volunteers ages 16 and older to staff the site. Clinical volunteers can administer shots and non-clinical volunteers (of which we need many) will help with registration, wayfinding, monitoring, verification and cheerleading.

Every volunteer gets a t-shirt and, after three shifts, will get vaccinated.

Learn more and sign up at sharp.com/vaccinevolunteers.

TOMORROW - Wednesday, April 20th the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at the Grand Opening of EMBR Dispensary and celebrate this new 35,000 square-foot dispensary in La Mesa, making it the largest dispensary in San Diego county. The "official" ribbon cutting will take place at 10:00 a.m. The redevelopment of the property at 8300 Center Drive is now a reality. The EMBR Dispensary prides itself on offering high quality cannabis products with competitive prices and a wide variety of edibles, topicals, concentrates and more, as well as offers curbside pick-up in addition to in-store shopping. Health and safety measures are followed to keep customers and employees safe. Social distancing is enforced, masks are required to be worn by staff and customers, hand sanitizer is provided, and temperature checks are conducted.

Join us and meet the owners Katrina and Rob McKinley and Sonny Langdon. The staff will be on hand to welcome you as well, General Manager, Isaac Romero and Assistant General Manager, Ed Medrano, along with Facility Developers, Joaquin and Sarah Morelli. They have chosen to host the grand opening of EMBR Dispensary on April 20th - a significant day for thousands of Americans who gather across the country to celebrate marijuana and a holiday to promote the industry and its products. We encourage you to join us at this grand opening and ribbon cutting at EMBR Dispensary located at 8300 Center Drive in La Mesa. RSVP to rsvp@lamesachamber.com and follow them on Instagram @EMBRDispensaries and Like them on Facebook, @EmbrDispensaries.

For information on EMBR'S expansion throughout California visit them at: https://embr.us/ethos

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 20th at 10:00 a.m.

Location: 8300 Center Dr., La Mesa 91942

RSVP to: rsvp@lamesachamber.com or online.

This package was designed to provide urgent relief for the state’s small businesses. This package provides an additional $2 billion - for grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

For more information, visit: www.sdivsbdc.org/california-relief-grant

La Mesa Council Member Dr. Akilah Weber will take the Assembly seat formerly held by her Mother, according to results certified Thursday by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Weber won a special election held on April 6 with 33,197 votes, or 51.97 percent of the 64,189 ballots cast. With a majority of votes in the primary, she avoided a runoff election tentatively scheduled for June, which would have been held if no candidate earned more than 50 percent of the vote. The position became open in January, when former Assembly Member Shirley Weber, who had held the office for a decade, was appointed as California Secretary of State.

Dr. Akilah Weber was one of four Democratic contenders for the seat. The opening also drew one Republican candidate, Marco Contreras, who finished second with 33.4 percent of the vote. He was followed by four Democrats. Although the registrar mailed ballots to more than 300,000 voters in the district, only a minority voted. The special primary drew 21.2 percent of registered voters, with the overwhelming majority of those submitting ballots by mail. Mail-in ballots accounted for 62,531 of votes cast, while just 1,658 were cast in person. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Deborah Brennan. Photo: Sandy Huffaker/SDUT

The complicated tier system of restrictions will be eliminated as the positive trends continue. Citing a rising tide of vaccinations and relatively stable coronavirus activity statewide, the state announced on April 6th the complicated tier system would be scrapped and the state would fully reopen on June 15th. Should the positive factors continue - no fresh surge of COVID related hospitalization and vaccine supply estimates for the coming months continue, the vast majority of businesses and organizations statewide may reopen at full capacity more than two weeks before the Fourth of July.

California has already administered 20 million doses and anticipates 30 million people across the state will have received at least one dose by the end of April. The current trend toward lower COVID-related hospitalization has a lot to do with the level of confidence currently on display. Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s secretary of health and human services stated that he and the Governor are not yet ready to declare an end to the state’s mask mandate as many other states have done. They stated that the rate of infections and hospitalizations will determine the remaining life of the mask mandate. If currently low hospitalization trends continue to grow more robust, then most locations, from bars to concert venues, will be able to open at 100 percent capacity on June 15. There will be special rules, Ghaly said, for certain extra-large gatherings places, such as convention centers and large multi-day events.  

Enter code MOM in the promo box at checkout and receive 15% OFF all floral and plant orders until Friday, April 30th at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Offer available online and in-store, mention this email when you call in your order at (619) 966-4510. Excludes delivery fees.

Join us as we welcome one of our newest members to our La Mesa business community. The team at San Diego Aesthetics & Med Spa strive to make you feel at home and provide you with the highest quality aesthetic and skin care services. The goal is to never change you, but to help reveal your most confident self. The providers want to enhance and highlight the distinctive features that make you unique. Some of the services offered are: Injectables, Facials, Tattoo Removal, Laser Hair removal, Erbium Resurfacing and more!

Date: Saturday, April 24th

Time: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

“Official” ribbon cutting at 5 p.m.

Location: 8710 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa

Appetizers and cold beverages will be served

RSVP to: rsvp@lamesachamber.com or register online.

Visit their website for all of the services they offer and for more information: www.sdamedspa.com or call 619-363-2201

Saturday, May 1st at 10:00 a.m.

5080 Memorial Drive, La Mesa CA

For more information, visit lamesaparks.org/community-garden.

On March 30th the President signed into law, the two-month extension to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and allows organizations and others more time to pursue a second PPP loan.

The maximum loan amount of a second PPP loan is two-and-a-half times the average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs, up to $2 million.

The $2 trillion+ infrastructure package was outlined on March 31st. Some highlights are below:

These measures would phase in over eight years. And, among other funding mechanisms, the white house plan would increase the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent.

Sign up today:

A federal vaccine advisory committee stated on April 14th it wanted more data before deciding whether to resume use of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine, leaving in place a pause that federal officials had recommended because of a rare and severe type of blood clot identified so far among six of the 7.5 million people who received the shot. The move means the single-shot Johnson & Johnson produced will remain on the shelf for at least a week. At a hastily arranged emergency meeting a day after federal officials recommended a pause in use of the vaccine, advisors to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agreed to reconvene within 10 days, acknowledging the urgency of making a decision about a vaccine that is a key part of the strategy to end the pandemic in the United States and globally. 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviewed details about six cases of blood clots in women who were between the age of 18 and 48. The women developed symptoms, most often headaches, six to 13 days after vaccination. One vaccine recipient, a Virginian woman, died in March , and another is in critical condition, health officials have said. Two have been discharged and three remain in the hospital. Instead of voting on a recommendation about whether and how the vaccination campaign could be restarted, panel members said they wanted more information on the risks, cause and frequency of the rare brain blood clots. When the panel reconvenes, members could vote at that time to recommend the vaccine for people 18 and older, continue an overall pause or pause use of certain age groups. Source: The Washington Post. 

San Diegans wishing to get vaccinated can make an appointment by visiting www.vaccinationsuperstationsd.com. Or use My Turn’s toll-free number (1-833-422-4255) on weekday from 8 am – 8 pm and weekends 8 am-5 pm to sign up for an appointment.

For details on groups currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination opportunities, visit www.vaccinationsuperstation.com.

A surge of demand arrived in San Diego County on April 15, the first day that anyone age 16 or older could make a coronavirus vaccination appointment after four months of the supply being restricted by age, occupation or medical status. New rules did not just affect vaccine eligibility. Indoor and outdoor entertainment venues gained additional operating capacities on that day as well. The vaccination frenzy began on the 14th at UC San Diego, who announced that it had about 3,000 appointments available the next day at RIMAC Arena and that those in the soon-to-be eligible group could schedule their shots. These slots were filled in five hours.

Local pharmacies also have increased interest. The 42 Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions locations in San Diego County have administered more than 58,000 doses. Increased demand won’t be met by a spike in supply any time soon. The state currently receives around 2.1 million doses a week, and that will remain the same over the next three weeks.

About 32 million Californians are now eligible for a coronavirus vaccine, nearly half of whom have already gotten at least one dose. That’s close to the situation in San Diego County, where 45 percent of residents 16 and up have been inoculated.

Indoor and outdoor entertainment venues that host live music and other types of entertainment have been reluctant to immediately embrace newly allowed operating capacities. They are determining the best way forward while realizing that the rules may change again. It will take those venues several weeks to create their path forward. Many are looking at the summer to reopen, as it is difficult to know if the attendance levels will remain in place and how long they will stay at that capacity level. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Paul Sisson, Jonathan Wosen & George Varga.

More than 1.76 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered throughout San Diego County as of April 6. Here are the top 10 vaccine providers:

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to ramp up, and it’s ushering in a new phase of the pandemic. Questions over vaccine-based civil liberties, privacy and discrimination are replacing masks and business restrictions as a battleground for pandemic politics. Many of those questions are likely to be answered in the courts, with a raft of lawsuits expected to be filed in the coming months seeking to define the role the vaccine plays in reopening and protecting public life. Here are some of the most common questions attorneys are getting about the vaccine.

Generally, yes. Historically, certain employers have been able to require vaccination, as long as the employer can show that such a mandate is “job-related and consistent with business necessity” or justified by a “direct threat” to the workforce, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Industries that might fall into that category are those that have direct contact with the general public (grocery stores), health care settings (hospitals) and jobs that are performed in close quarters of others (factories). Office workers who can perform their duties from home? Not so much.

The answer – probably. The question has been raised because the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines – didn’t go through the usual formal FDA approval process but are being administered under emergency-use authorization. Language in the emergency-use authorization says vaccine recipients “have the option to accept or refuse the vaccine.” Many labor-law experts are taking that to mean that the government can’t unilaterally force citizens to get vaccinated, but the private-sector employers can force workers to, given the broad discretion they have for dismissals under “at will” employment doctrine.

Most likely. Under California law, covered employers with more than 25 employees must provide paid sick leave for vaccine appointments - whether mandated or not - and to recover from related symptoms. Senate Bill 95 went into effect March 29 and is retroactive to the first of the year. Employers of any size that choose to mandate vaccines would also likely have to pay employees for the time spent getting the shots, according to labor attorneys.

Yes. ”Employers" can ask for evidence of vaccination – that’s perfectly legitimate. But employers

should stick with a yes or no question, attorneys say. Anything else can veer into information protected by the ADA. Employers must also not discriminate against workers who aren’t vaccinated by offering more opportunities or compensation to those who are. Employers could be screening out workers who have a legitimate reason not to be vaccinated.

Operation Collaboration has vaccinated over 2,000 farmworkers and plans for greater outreach over the next two months.

The operation uses the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which simplifies scheduling for those working the county’s fifth-largest industry.

We are happy to welcome Next Door Craft Beer & Wine Bar to our business community. This is a cozy little bar with a living room setting and an outdoor patio, serving a top-notch selection of craft beer and wine. This is a special place that not only has a relaxing atmosphere, but also serves delicious specialty plates - cheese plates and meat & cheese plates, sandwiches - Californian Sandwich, Ham Sandwich, Turkey sandwich, Prosciutto Caprese & Fresh Mozzarella sandwich, various salads and more!

Come meet the owners and join us as we welcome them at an evening mixer from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. with the "official" ribbon cutting happening at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26th. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and happy hour pricing will be offered throughout the night. Visit nextdoorsandiego.com or call 619-303-0988.

Date & Time: Wednesday, May 26th between 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Location: 7235 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115

Hors d’oeuvres will be served and happy hour pricing!

Due to COVID-19 restrictions RSVP's are required and limited to the first 30 people: rsvp@lamesachamber.com or register online.

Eligible landlords and renters can apply for financial assistance with unpaid rent.

For additional information on eligibility call 833-430-2122 for questions or application assistance, or visit housing.ca.gov/covid_rr.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is available for persons with mild or moderate COVID-19 whose symptoms developed within the last 10 days and are at high risk of getting very sick from COVD-19.

It is recommended to receive the potentially lifesaving treatment within 72 hours of when COVID-19 symptoms begin .

The Monoclonal Antibody Regional Center (MARC) in Escondido is open 7 days a week to treat all persons for free who are medically eligible, regardless of health insurance or immigration status. To see if you are medically eligible for this treatment call (619) 685-2500 or email COVIDtreatment@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can travel “at low risk to themselves,” both within the United States and Internationally, but they must continue to take precautions like wearing a mask in public to avoid possibly spreading the virus to others, federal health officials stated. The new recommendations mark a modest departure from previous advice. Federal health officials have been urging Americans not to travel at all unless they absolutely must. Fully vaccinated Americans who are traveling domestically do not need to be tested and do not need to follow quarantine procedures at the destination or on their return home, the CDC now advises. But the CDC says vaccinated Americans traveling internationally are required to have a negative coronavirus test before boarding a fight back to the United States, and they should get tested again three to five days after they return home. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune -Roni Caryn Rabin.

Eligible households who are impacted by COVID-19 and behind on rent and utility payments can apply for assistance:

Del Mar Fairgrounds officials provided additional details this week about Homegrown Fun, a “scaled-down” version of the annual county fair at the state-owned venue will hold to better comply with COVID-19 public health restrictions. The fair will follow all county and state public health guidelines and runs from June 11 – July 4. All tickets and parking passes will be sold online only, not on site. Admission and parking ticket sales will begin online May 1. There will be public transportation options in partnership with North County Transit District.

Current budget projections are based on an estimated 13,000 admission tickets (65 percent capacity) and 5,200 parking tickets (with two to three people per car) will be sold per day. Capacity is currently 20,000 daily, based on accommodating 6-foot social-distancing requirements. As the state is targeting to a full reopening on June 15th public health guidelines will change within the coming months. For more information about this summer’s Homegrown Fun event, visit sd-fair.com. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Luke Harold.

We are proud to announce the 119th Anniversary of the La Mesa Woman’s Club. This dedicated group of ladies have been providing exemplary community service for all of those years! Let’s join them at their celebration, "May Flowers" and help them collect donations of diapers for active military duty junior enlisted families. Bring any size diapers to donate to these families, as you celebrate this anniversary!

Who: La Mesa Woman’s Club

When: Monday, May 17th between 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Light Refreshments Served

Where: La Mesa Woman’s Club - 5220 Wilson Street, La Mesa

RSVP to: Kathy Tinsley at Finally@cox.net or 619- 770-0257

Please donate a package of diapers - any size that will be given to: The San Diego Military Outreach Ministries, who will distribute to active duty junior enlisted families. Can’t stay for the celebration? We encourage you to just stop by and say "hello" and drop off a package of diapers! Help these military families!

The County of San Diego invites you to participate in our online webinar workshop on the Climate Action Plan Update (CAP Update) project. At this informative workshop, the County will present an overview of the project, describe the process for the preparation of the CAP Update, and the County will solicit important feedback from attendees.

The overall objective of the CAP Update is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from activities within the unincorporated county (community) and GHG emissions generated by County facilities and operational activities (County operations). Preparation of the CAP Update will include updated GHG inventory and projections, GHG reduction targets, and GHG reduction measures to meet or exceed GHG emissions reduction goals under State laws.

The virtual workshop will take place on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 6:00 PM. Please use this link to register for the workshop and add the event to your calendar. You will receive a confirmation e-mail and a numeric passcode to participate in the meeting.

Help us spread the word and share this message with your friends and colleagues!

Follow important news, notices, reports, presentations, workshop recordings, and upcoming outreach and meeting dates at the CAP Update project website.

Make sure to subscribe for emails at the link on the webpage, to receive important project notices and other information tailored for the CAP Update project.

For additional information, or to submit comments, please email: CAP@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (619) 323-6462.

The American Red Cross is offering to educate our community virtually on safety and how to reduce home fire deaths and injuries. Did you know that home fires are the most common emergency across the country? Each year the Red Cross responds to an average of more than 60,000 disasters, the vast majority are home fires. Home fires claim SEVEN lives every day!

The Red Cross is now scheduling virtual home fire safety education sessions in our community. You will learn how to create a safety plan, and how to stop home fires before they start. The campaign to reduce home fire-related deaths and injuries looks different this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When it’s safe, they will be partnering with fire departments to install smoke alarms in homes.

These personalized sessions can be requested by calling 619-354-9609 or by signing up on their website at SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal. The flyer below provides all the information you need.

The Chamber encourages you to sign up and schedule your personalized Free Home Fire Education session NOW. Together, we can stop home fire deaths and injuries!

Have you filled out the simple form online to advertise your business for FREE? The San Diego Union Tribune has created an opportunity for businesses to let the public know - “Yes, We’re Open.” This business marketing campaign lists your business name, address, phone number and website in ads they print in the newspaper and their online directory.

Sign up NOW - visit SanDiegoUnionTribune.com/OpenForBusiness to fill out the form to list your business in print and online – FREE!

If you need help or questions - call Mary England 619-251-7730 and we will be glad to assist you!

April 20 - EMBR Dispensary Ribbon Cutting : 10am at 8300 Center Dr., La Mesa | Register

April 24 - San Diego Aesthetics & Med Spa Ribbon Cutting : Open House 3pm - 8pm, “Official” ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. at 8710 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa | Register

April 28 - Community Conversation Communication Forum : 6pm via Zoom | More Info

May 1 - Grand Opening of the La Mesa Community Garden : 10am at 5080 Memorial Drive, La Mesa | More Info

May 17 - La Mesa Woman’s Club Celebrates 119 Years of Community Service : 2-4pm at 5220 Wilson Street, La Mesa | More Info

May 26 - Next Door Craft Beer & Wine Bar Ribbon Cutting : 5:30-7pm at 7235 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115 | Register

You are able to order food for “take out” and you may “pick up” meals at these restaurants. You may check the websites of these restaurants to see what food delivery services they use to make your dining experience easy and convenient.