In case you missed last week's e-blast: December 22 Eblast See more past email blasts here.

We thank each of you for your support this past year. It has been a challenging year. Each of you have risen to the occasion and creatively modified the way you serve your customers. We are proud to have worked with you and are grateful to have the opportunity to serve you.

We look forward to the new year and our opportunity to produce events and activities that spotlight your business. We are excited to produce our "Spring Fling" Business Expo on March 23rd for the first time since 2019.

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Staff and Board of Directors

Place cut trees in green bin on regular collections day through January 7th – No ornaments, tinsel, nails, tree stands or flocked trees. Or drop off through January 17th at EDCO Station, 8184 Commercial St. or call to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up. Visit edcodisposal.com.

The La Mesa Village Association (LMVA) is thrilled to announce that the La Mesa City Council approved their proposed La Mesa Downtown Village District Sign at the meeting held on Dec. 14th!” to the beginning.

The LMVA has been working to develop a Downtown La Mesa District Sign to become a beautiful new focal point in our Village community, and will be located at the intersection of La Mesa Blvd. and Palm Ave.! The sign will feature the Downtown La Mesa Village name, plus "Jewel of the Hills" tagline. The sign will also be back lit with LED lights to make it shine at night! The supporting columns will be a work of art, literally, where the community will be able to buy & paint tiles to be placed on the columns for generations to admire! They will also have brass plaques available around the top perimeter of each column. The District Sign will truly be a community project for all to enjoy! They are currently accepting pledges to purchase a tile or plaque. Please visit their webpage for additional details and to make a pledge today at https://bit.ly/DistrictSign.

Carlsbad startup Pardes Biosciences, which has begun clinical trials for an experimental pill to treat COVID-19, went public on Monday, raising $199 million through a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC. Founded in February 2020 specifically to fight the pandemic, the company is pursuing a protease inhibitor antiviral compound called PBI-0451. It aims to offer initial treatment for people with the virus potentially sidetracking serious illness and keeping them out of the overwhelmed hospitals. Pardes Biosciences is a bit of a dark horse in the race for a COVID-19 pill. Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Merck last week received emergency use authorization from federal regulators for pills to treat the virus. Pardes likely wouldn’t apply for emergency authorization until late next year, at the earliest. Pardes Biosciences is currently in phase I clinical study for its COVID-19 pill. Top-line data is expected in the first quarter of 2022. A potential Phase 2/3 trial could start in the middle of next year. The company currently employs 28 people, all working virtually. It contracts out lab work for now but plans to set up a footprint in San Diego County. Uri Lopatin, MD., and Lee Arnold, Ph.D., founded the company.

Interested in how the County uses public funds to advance sustainability programs or services that support the region’s built environment? Join us on Jan. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for a community conversation via Zoom on the Land Use & Environment Group’s budget. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Live translation will be provided. The deadline to request translation in a specific language is Monday, January 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. We look forward to your participation. Questions about the forum can be emailed to ExecOffice.LUEG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Register in advance for this meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to join the meeting.

Would you like to learn more about the County’s Climate Action Plan Update? We are offering presentations to community groups who would like to learn about the CAP Update and provide feedback. Email us at cap@sdcounty.ca.gov to connect with us.

The County conducted a community transportation needs assessment in La Presa and Spring Valley to learn about challenges residents experience when traveling throughout the community.

Connect with the Sustainability Planning Division on social media to stay up to date on County sustainability and conservation initiatives. This month, meet the Sustainability Team.

County offices, family resource centers, libraries and animal shelters will be closed to the public Friday, December 31 for the New Year’s holiday.

County-operated COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites will also be closed Friday and Saturday and will resume normal hours Sunday. Please see the County COVID-19 vaccine and testing schedule for additional details.

On December 22, CDPH released guidance for those working in health care facilities, adult care facilities, state/local correctional facilities and detention centers. All workers currently eligible for boosters, who provide services or work in the listed facilities, must be "fully vaccinated and boosted" for COVID-19. Please click the links below for details:

On December 27, the CDC updated and shortened the isolation and quarantine period for the general public.

If You Tested Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate). Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:

To protect yourself from the Omicron variant, you can get vaccinated and get a booster if you qualify, wear a well-fitting mask, get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms, wash your hands frequently, and practice physical distancing. 

Resources: Answers to Tough Questions: Omicron Variant | CDPH Fact Sheet: Omicron Variant | CDC: Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know | CDC: How to Protect Yourself & Others

Local Data: County of San Diego Summary of Variant Cases (Updated twice a week) 

The County of San Diego Aging & Independence Services is offering virtual workshops throughout the month of January! See flyer to register for workshops covering health goals, meal plans, and how to talk to a healthcare provider about symptoms.

The County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Women in the Wild program is designed to teach outdoor skills in a fun, nurturing and non-competitive environment. Learn about the 2022 events at sdparks.org.

The University of San Diego School of Law has an approved Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic to provide legal assistance in the following areas. Please click here for additional details, or call 619-260-7470 for more information.

Article 1: Winter Energy-Saving Tips For Businesses

Did you know that as the season changes and the sun sets earlier in the day, there may be less renewable energy on the grid? This can result in your business relying more on electricity which can lead to changes in your energy bill. If you’d like to stay in control of your energy use, SDG&E has a few timely tips that can help you start saving now.

It’s always a good idea to prepare. Get ahead of your energy usage and implement energy-savings tips for your business today. Visit sdge.com/MyBusiness for more helpful information.

Small Business Stimulus Grant Funding is Available 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.

March 23, 2022 - "Spring Fling" Business Expo : 5-8pm at Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon | 141 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon | Details

July 18, 2022 - "Taste of San Diego - East" : 5-8pm at Town and Country San Diego | 500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley | Details

August 18, 2022 - "Summer Bash" Business Expo : 5-8pm at Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon | 141 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon | Details

Commercial Real Estate

5565 Grossmont Center Dr.

La Mesa, CA 91942

858-549-2874