In case you missed last week's email blast: August 9 Eblast

The Chamber’s 12th annual popular “foodie” event is happening on Monday, August 30, 2021. This special evening where guests can “eat their hearts out” will be 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.

Time: 5-8pm

VIP Tasting: 5-8p

General Admission Tasting: 6-8pm

Where: Town and Country San Diego

500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley

Tickets: VIP: $60, 5-8pm |

General Admission: $40, 6-8pm

For details and to buy tickets, visit Taste.LaMesaChamber.com

Photos courtesy of: Sandra Small/ Photographer and www.CeCePhoto.com.

This project is proposed to be developed on the area that was formally the old police department. The Chamber wants you to have all of the facts on this project. We asked the team to prepare a Fact Sheet that provides everything you want to know about this development. This much-needed project will provide 147 apartment homes with both one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Take a look at this in-depth information here.

The City of Design Review Review Board unanimously approved the 8181 Allison project. This milestone marks the beginning of the city’s approval process and will be followed by informational meetings where citizens can provide comments and feedback.

The next community meeting will be visual and is scheduled for Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. You MUST register for the event to receive the meeting link.

If you have questions for the team, please reach out to them via email at admin@theclayco.com or visit their booth at the Farmer’s Market on any Friday afternoon in August.

For more information visit their website at: www.8181allison.com

With the current threat of the Delta variant and the ramifications it could have for business, many organizations are choosing to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine among employees. Here’s what you need to know about how your business can communicate and enforce your vaccination policy with compassion and fairness.

CDPH issued two new Public Health Orders. The first order requires workers in health care setting to be fully vaccinated or receive their 2nd dose by September 30, 2021.

The second public health order directs hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities to verify that visitors are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 in the prior 72 hours before indoor visits.

The COC vaccination site is available for drop-in or by appointment. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule an appointment.

The County has created a one-pager all about what you need to know about the COVID-19 Delta Variant. It answers questions like: Why experts are concerned? Who is at greatest risk, How you can protect yourself and loved ones, and where you can get vaccinated.

AT&T National Disaster Recovery page has specific information about our responses and commitments around California Power Shutdowns and California Wildfires. Visit: about.att.com/pages/disaster_recovery

Visit the California Wireless Carriers Prepare website specifically created to help prepare consumers for an emergency. This website has helpful tips and useful links: cawirelessemergencyprep.com

On August 12, 2021, Supervisor Joel Anderson was joined by San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and others to talk about his board letter that will be introduced next week at the County Board of Supervisors Board Meeting. This ordinance would expedite the receivership process for County Counsel to take control of properties that have repeatedly violated the law by selling cannabis in the unincorporated communities. The board letter would also allocate an additional $1.2 million in funding for the District Attorney to help them prosecute criminals running the illegal cannabis operations.

Supervision Anderson stated, “These illegal pot shops are too often popping back up after being shut down, like a game of whack-a-mole. With this ordinance update, the receivership tool can be better utilized to keep these pot shops from opening back up.”

Anderson continued, “We want the DA’s office to be equipped with the tools, resources, and staff power needed to put these criminals away so they can’t reopen another illegal operation.”

San Diego Sheriff’s Department Captain of Narcotics & Gangs Division Matthew Glisson, who spoke at the press conference, shared, “The additional funding for the DA's Office proposed by Supervisor Anderson to support prosecution of those involved with unlicensed commercial cannabis will enhance our effectiveness against this public safety hazard. Without aggressive prosecution and the real threat of significant penalties, there is little deterrence for these criminal organizations. This funding will go a long way toward helping the District Attorney in her effort to assist law enforcement with keeping our communities safe.”

Former La Mesa Councilmember, Kristine Alessio, co-hosted the press conference with Supervisor Joel Anderson. She shared her experience with an illegal pot shop that operated across the street from her father’s business on Quarry Road in Spring Valley, where the press conference was held.

“The illegal dispensaries operate without any oversight, the dispensary adjacent to our business had multiple negative effects. Trash was littered onto our property, the customers of the facility parked in our lot or illegally on the street so that our customers had difficulty getting into our business, there was a constant threat of a possible fire as the dispensary did not have power, just extension cords and a generator, our manager was nearly assaulted by a patron of the dispensary when he tried to get him to move a car that was blocking access to our business,” she shared.

Alessio went on to say, “The illegal dispensaries have no code compliance, no oversight of any sort and unlike legal ones, minimal security. They often target communities of concern, like Spring Valley and when they are finally shut down, the blight is left behind, rundown buildings, trash, etc.”

View full newsletter here: https://conta.cc/3fYme3a

Small Business Stimulus Grant Funding is Available NOW From the County of San Diego – We Are District 2

The County of San Diego has received funds from the federal government’s American Recovery Plan Act. This grant is to provide economic assistance to help businesses and non-profit entities impacted by COVID-19. This financial assistance will be allocated to eligible, qualified small businesses and nonprofit entities based on the availability of funds, program guideline, and the submission of all required information and supporting documentation.

Supervisor Joel Anderson District 2 Supervisor has asked chambers to assist with the paperwork for small businesses to complete the submission application. The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is happy to help. The La Mesa Chamber has decided to take an extra step in this grant funding process and the recovery of our businesses in La Mesa and announce immediately:

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce believes that assisting ALL businesses in their recovery from the pandemic and ability to obtain funds from the American Recovery Plan Act should be a priority. We are ALL in this together! Chamber Members and Non-Chamber members, effective immediately, may receive help from Mary England, President & CEO of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce in filling out all paperwork and answering any questions you may have. Mary may be reached 7 days a week –Maryengland@lamesachamber.com or 619-251-7730 to assist you.

Here is the Small Business Stimulus Grant package and the link: tinyurl.com/smallbizstimulusgrant

If you are NOT sure of how to answer questions on the application or need assistance on clarifying what documents you need to submit – contact Mary England at Maryengland@lamesachamber.com or (619) 251-7730, we are happy to help!

NOTE: If you applied for and received county funds under the other Small Business Stimulus Grant, allocated from the CARES Act funding – YES you may apply for these funds, you just need to list the amount you received from the county on the application.

As we begin the road to recovery together, it is important to reflect on the last year. We all had our own individual challenges and learned that this community is strong and our business community is resilient. It is important to capture some data that identifies the direct impacts of COVID. As the City of La Mesa looks to spending portions of the $10.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds, it is our hope that some of those funds may be directed to small businesses and nonprofits throughout the City of La Mesa. However, we need to collect information from all of you to see if there is a need, and identify that need. Be sure and pass this survey on to other business within the City of La Mesa to share their opinion, as well.

Answer questions on the survey NOW! Tell us how COVID-19 has impacted your life and business, and if you need any type of assistance. Until we know what your needs are, it is difficult to ask for any portion of these funds. Tell us how funding would help with your economic recovery. We are all in this together!

Survey: tinyurl.com/lamesabizsurvey2021

Did you know that SDG&E provides webinars for business owners and trade professionals, 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. Some of August’s topics include pathogenic mitigation, energy management systems, advanced lighting control systems, HVAC adjustable speed drive and the phenomenon of LED lighting.

Certifications and continuing education units are available for many of the classes. Check out the class listing at seminars.sdge.com.

August 30 - "Taste of San Diego - East" : 5-8pm at Town and Country San Diego in Mission Valley | Details/Buy Tickets

October 13 - Salute to Local Heroes & Installation Dinner : 5:30-8:45pm at Sycuan Casino Resort | 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon, CA 92019 | Details/RSVP

November 10 - Evening Mixer at Hooleys Public House : 5:30-7pm at Hooleys Public House | 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa | Details