Your Weekly La Mesa Chamber News |
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Lots of Art to View at the East County Art Association Mixer! |
On Wednesday, October 20th we joined the members of the East County Art Association to celebrate their membership and to get acquainted with this non-profit group of artists that promote friendship, fine art appreciation in all media and art education. Their building is located at 124 E. Main Street in El Cajon. The mixer and evening get-together was a great way to meet local artists and see what types of artworks are available to those that want to hang local artwork on their walls, at their home or office. The East County Art Association features artwork from fine artists, as well as admirers of the arts in their building. This special occasion offered beverages and fine wines by the glass and appetizers. We encourage you, when in El Cajon to stop by and see what our local artists are doing and admire their talents in person. Photos courtesy of Linda Baltodano. |
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Welcome to Our New Chamber Members! |
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JM Medicare Services
Health Insurance can be very confusing to understand. That's why we are here to answer your questions, review your existing plan or help enroll you in a plan that best suits your needs at no cost to you.
Whether you’re losing group insurance, retiring, moving, or growing your family, JM Medicare Services has you covered.
7317 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
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BooXkeeping San Diego East
BooXkeeping..bookkeeping redefined! Call me when you're ready to have timely and accurate books. Talk to someone that helps you understand what the financials mean. Remote and on-site services.
8697 La Mesa Blvd., Ste. C213, La Mesa
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La Mesa Partners With Homestart to Offer Mortgage Assistance Program |
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The City of La Mesa has partnered with Home Start to provide a Mortgage Assistance Program to help eligible households in La Mesa with past due mortgage balances that have been impacted financially due to the coronavirus pandemic. Home Start began accepting applications on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, and will continue until program funds are exhausted.
Program applications and eligibility information is available on Home Start’s website at www.home-start.org/city-of-la-mesa-mortgage-assistance/. The City has allocated $338,000 in Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding for the Mortgage Assistance Program. Eligible applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. |
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IMPORTANT Information on the Vehicle Mileage Tax
This Tax Will Tax YOU on the Miles You DriveTaking Over $27 Billion from Taxpayers - The Chamber Has Joined a Coalition Against This Tax!
In our efforts to keep you informed, we want you to become aware if this proposed tax called the VEHICLE MILEAGE TAX to charge drivers PER MILE that we drive.
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You have probably heard something about the Vehicle Mileage Tax that is being proposed for ALL California drivers. It's time to understand how this will impact you, your families, and employers.
WHAT IS THE VEHICLE MILEAGE TAX?
San Diego Elected Officials are looking to impose a new VEHICLE MILEAGE TAX to charge drivers PER MILE that we drive. This pilot program will then be implemented for all California drivers. The VMT would take over $27 Billion from taxpayers. ( See Sandags full funding proposal)
80-cent-per-gallon INCREASE
The Vehicle Mileage Tax would require tracking every driver's mileage and charging them $0.04-$0.06 per mile they drive. That is the equivalent of an $0.80 per gallon increase in the gas tax.
The typical San Diegan driver will be forced to pay $600-800 more a year to drive on roads they already paid for with the original gas and sales taxes. When added with the current car and gas tax, a two-car family is looking at over $3,000 a year in taxes.
LOSS OF PRIVACY
The Mileage Tax is an invasion of privacy with a tracking requirement that is still being decided by the government. Proposals include a device installed in every vehicle, a tracking app on cell phones, or your odometer being inspected annually.
You Don't Get a Vote - Our elected officials are voting on this with Sandag and we encourage you to understand what this tax means to you and make your voice heard if you oppose it. Join us in making your voice heard here.
The road ahead needs a better plan and it is incumbent upon us to make sure all citizens of the county understand how this new tax will impact everyone.
Respectfully asking that you share this email with anyone you know and help us educate everyone on what this new tax means for California drivers.
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Register to join us - here are the particulars:
Date: Thursday, October 28th
Location: La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Join Us at the Evening Mixer at Hooleys Public House! |
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Join us at the Evening Mixer at Hooleys Public House at Grossmont Center!
Wednesday, November 10
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Hooleys Public House
5500 Grossmont Center Dr. #277, La Mesa
Evening cost (includes 1 wine ticket):
FREE to ALL Chamber Members
Guests - $15 per person
At Door Guests - $25 per person
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Happy 5 Year Anniversary to La Mesa Wine Works! Celebrate with Them TODAY - October 23rd |
Enjoy $5 wine by the glass until 5pm!
Live Music: The Jamacha Project 6-8:30
Food Truck: Motor-Bites 3-9
$5 off any bottle purchase all weekend long! (Oct 22nd-24th)
Location: 8167 Center Street, La Mesa
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County, City Working Together to Prevent Widespread
Transmission of Shigellosis
Protecting public health is top priority for Chair Fletcher, Mayor Gloria
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San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced today that the County and the City are working together to prevent the spread of shigellosis among residents experiencing homelessness.
“Protecting the health and safety of our residents – especially those who are unsheltered and particularly vulnerable – is our foremost priority,” Chair Fletcher and Mayor Gloria said in a joint statement. “We do not want this to descend into a public-health crisis, so our teams are taking swift action now to help prevent widespread transmission.”
The actions the City and County are taking include:
- Temporarily deploying hand washing stations and portable restrooms to areas with high concentrations of people experiencing homelessness;
- Increasing sidewalk sanitations across the city;
- Sending notifications about shigellosis cases to service providers, outreach teams, and other entities who work closely with unsheltered residents, along with information about maintaining hygiene standards;
- Deploying County public health nurses to San Diego shelters;
- Posting signage about the threat of shigellosis in shelters;
- Increasing hygiene and sanitation measures at shelters;
- Having homeless outreach teams distribute hygiene kits, including educational materials about shigellosis;
- Hosting calls with homeless service providers to answer questions and provide guidance.
Shigellosis is a contagious infection that is usually not lethal and typically spread through contaminated surfaces, food or water or sometimes person-to-person. Find information about shigellosis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here: www.cdc.gov/shigella.
An outbreak of seven cases of shigellosis among people experiencing homelessness in San Diego was reported this week. All of the cases were hospitalized, and there have been no deaths.
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From The East County Californian:
Best of East County Readers Poll 2021
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This is your opportunity to let your voice be heard! Vote for your favorite people, places, and businesses to help us determine who is the very best in East County. All our winners will be announced in the Best of East County special section publishing on February 11, 2022. Pick up a ballot in The East County Californian or vote online at eccalifornian.com/boec2021
Deadline to vote is November 29, 5pm.
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County Updates for the Business Community for 10.18.21 |
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VIDEO: HHS COVID-19 Campaign
The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a new ad campaign to increase vaccinations! HHS research has demonstrated that testimonials from those affected by COVID-19 appeal to the unvaccinated. Personal COVID-19 Survivor Stories and COVID-19 Testimonials will appear on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Nextdoor. Visit here for videos.
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Halloween Resources
The Public Health Collaborative has developed a new resource to help you share tips and best practices for a safe Halloween. Download and share Safety Tips for Halloween 2021, along with graphics and printable activities. |
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COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Although the overall risk of severe illness is low, pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared with non-pregnant people. Severe illness includes illness that requires hospitalization, intensive care, need for a ventilator or special equipment to breathe, or illness that results in death. Additionally, pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of preterm birth and might be at increased risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes, compared with pregnant people without COVID-19. Learn more.
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Nominate an Outstanding Teacher for SDCCU Classroom Heroes®
Winners will be recognized and will receive a $250 SDCCU Visa® gift card
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San Diego County Credit Union® ( SDCCU®), San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution, is proudly honoring San Diego County teachers through SDCCU Classroom Heroes, launched in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education.
SDCCU and the San Diego County Office of Education are recognizing three local “Classroom Heroes” every quarter. Winning teachers will be featured on all SDCCU social media platforms and will receive a $250 SDCCU Visa gift card.
“SDCCU is proud to recognize local San Diego County teachers and educators for all the work they do for our students,” said SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Campbell. “Honoring ‘classroom heroes’ is one of many ways SDCCU supports education. The impact these teachers make on today’s youth helps lead them towards a successful future.”
Teachers, students, parents and the community are encouraged to nominate a deserving teacher by visiting sdccu.com/classroomheroes. |
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Recruitment for La Mesa Arts & Culture Commission Members |
The City of La Mesa is looking for 7 members for its new Arts & Culture Commission. The mission of the Arts and Culture Commission is to promote the arts, along with the historical, aesthetic, and cultural aspects of the community by using the arts as a mechanism to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Commission shall consist of seven appointed members as follows: two members to be art educators (one kindergarten through 8th grade, one 9th grade through college); one member to represent the visual arts; one member to represent the performing arts; one member to represent the musical arts; and two members to be at large. Applicants must be residents of the City of La Mesa, be employed at a place of business in the City, or serve in a volunteer capacity at a non-profit organization in the City with a direct relationship to the Commission membership categories. The Commission shall meet at least four times per year (dates and time to be determined). |
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The commission shall:
- Serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council on policies relating to public art;
- Promote, encourage and increase support for the arts;
- Make recommendations on new ways to integrate arts and culture into community life;
- Plan, participate in, and/or help sponsor events showcasing art throughout the City;
- Consult and work with community organizations to coordinate activities of the Commission.
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Join the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Assist
Homebound Seniors This Holiday Season!
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Make a difference in the lives of La Mesa homebound seniors. Each year the Chamber has assisted homebound seniors and this year we shall assist 24. The Chamber is now beginning to gather items for these seniors. It is the goal of the Chamber to collect, purchase and assemble items and place them in large gift baskets and gift bags. All these gift bags are delivered to the selected seniors by the La Mesa Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. Due to delivery schedule, the deadline to receive the gifts for our seniors is Wednesday, December 1st. This will allow time to wrap all of the items, prepare all of the gift baskets and purchase the items needed. The Chamber plans to make this holiday special for these wonderful members of our community!
We ask that if you wish to donate items from your pantry, please double check the expiration date on those items and make sure they have not expired. Here are items that we suggest you can purchase to donate to this year’s gift baskets: Canned soups, canned vegetables, canned fruits, packets of crackers, packets of pasta or macaroni & cheese, bars of soap, tubes of toothpaste, packs of tissues, bottles of hand soaps, bottles of hand sanitizer, pens and pads of paper. Gift cards in any denomination from the following locations: Walmart, Target, or any grocery store. If you have another items you believe will put a smile on their faces, by all means drop them off! We want to make this a memorable holiday for our home bound seniors again this year.
Remember, all donated items must be received by Wednesday, December 1st to be included in the senior gift baskets and bags. They may be delivered to the La Mesa Chamber office: 8080 La Mesa Blvd., Suite 214, La Mesa to Fran Smith, Monday - Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mary England is also available 7 days a week to meet donors and pick up those items directly from you. Contact Mary England on her cell at 619-251-7730.
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From DA Summer Stephan: DUI Fatalities on the Rise |
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that the county has already set a grisly record of 35 people killed in DUI crashes so far this year, representing the most fatal DUIs recorded in 20 years of record keeping. |
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From SDG&E: No-Cost and Low-Cost Energy Tips for the Office |
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When you run a business, controlling your costs is a priority. Here are some easy tips to help reduce your energy use and bills.
- Power down your office equipment (monitors, printers, lights) when not in use to reduce unnecessary power drain.
- Close curtains, shades and blinds, particularly during unoccupied times. Too much sun exposure inside can put a strain on your HVAC equipment – making it work harder than necessary.
- Keep your HVAC equipment running efficiently. Clean condenser coils, replace air filters and check ducts and pipe insulation for damage.
- Clean diffusers and lamps once or twice a year. Did you know dust can add to your energy bills? It can build up on lighting diffusers and lamps which reduces the lumen output of your business’s lighting. Don’t forget to replace incandescent lighting with CFLs or, better yet, LED bulbs.
- Add weatherstripping around doors and windows to reduce drafts. Use caulking to seal ducts, plumbing openings, recessed lighting or any other openings that allow air leaks in walls, floors and ceilings.
- Keep your vents clear of furniture and equipment. Blocked vents require up to 25% more energy to distribute air.
- Check your central heating and cooling duct systems for leaks. They can be big energy wasters if they aren’t sealed properly or insulated well.
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Commissioner Lara Announces Comprehensive Solution to Growing Agricultural and Commercial Insurance Needs
Working with California Farm Bureau Federation and other business groups to make insurance more available across state
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Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara [on October 12] proposed a comprehensive solution for commercial insurance coverage after several destructive wildfire seasons. Working with the California Farm Bureau Federation, he is addressing growing needs for a competitive insurance market for farm owners, wineries, and other outdoor businesses. Commissioner Lara’s solution involves strengthening the FAIR Plan, California’s insurance safety net, while aggressively reducing wildfire risk through a combination of insurance incentives and mitigation. |
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Don't Forget to Apply for the Small Business Stimulus Grant |
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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:
All Businesses in La Mesa - Whether a La Mesa Chamber Member Or Not - Can Contact Mary England for Assistance in Applying for This Grant
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.
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.
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November 10 - Evening Mixer at Hooleys Public House : 5:30-7pm at Hooleys Public House | 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa | Details/RSVP
December 3 - Deadline to donate to the La Mesa Homebound Seniors Holiday Project 2021 | Details
December 7 - Toy Drive for La Mesa Military Families & Party at BJ's : 5:30-7pm at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse | 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., 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.
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Show Off Your Membership With Pride! |
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"Most consumers (59%) think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a
Not only do we provide members a physical plaque to display at their place of business, we also provide a way to further brand your business by providing a Virtual Plaque to display right on your website. Membership in a chamber of commerce has come to signify corporate citizenship and excellence, and your website is your storefront to the consumer and the world. Just place it on your website with a link back to www.lamesachamber.com or to your personal business page in our directory. |
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Special Thank You to Our Premium Members |
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Grossmont Center
At Grossmont Center, you’ll be reminded why our center has thrived since 1961 because it’s where friendships are made, family bonds are strengthened and memories are created.
5500 Grossmont Center Dr. #213 in La Mesa
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AAA Imaging
A.L. Sound
American Medical Response
Barnes & Noble -
Grossmont Center
Benchmark Financial
Community Spectrum
EDCO Waste & Recycling Corp.
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Frazier Farms
Kostedt Design & Marketing
Magnaglobe Enterprises
Major Security Services
Park Station
PenChecks, Inc.
Productivity Plus Office Support
San Pasqual Winery
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Sanctuary Cruises
Sears Mechanical
Sensi Media
Studio M.I.F.
The East County Californian
Ultimate Catering Concepts
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Thank you for being a member and for your support!
Mary England
President & CEO
Cell: 619-251-7730
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La Mesa Chamber of Commerce ∙ P.O. Box 94 ∙ La Mesa, California 91944
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Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved. |
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