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

On Wednesday, March 9th we will celebrate Deano’s Pub opening their new business in La Mesa and meet owners Dean and Erika Velasco at their mixer. They had a vision of taking the existing location, remodeling it, and turning it into a warm and friendly gathering place where everyone can feel welcome and have fun! Deano’s Pub is already the “talk of the town.” In addition to watching your favorite team on the big screen TV’s, listen to live music and enjoy Karaoke on Wednesday nights, Deano’s Pub is the perfect place to join friends and unwind after a busy day.

Just so you are aware, Karaoke begins at 7:00 p.m. so some of you “rising stars” may want to stay and show us your singing talent during that evening. To make the night extra special, Deano’s Pub is offering Happy Hour drink pricing, in addition to specialty drinks for your sipping pleasure. To add to this special night, they will be featuring delicious food from their neighbor, Nonno’s Ristorante Italiano. What could be better, than sampling delicious food AND sipping on refreshing beverages, while mixing and mingling with friends and businesses? The answer is – nothing! Join us and personally welcome them to our business community.

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

Location: 5286 Baltimore Drive in La Mesa

Don’t be left out – RSVP now so we know you will be joining us and prepare enough refreshments:

The popular Spring Fling Business Expo is finally scheduled for this year and offers members an opportunity to participate and share their goods and services with members, businesses and the public. We would love to see you there! We are making plans to celebrate all of you and the strength of our business community! Take a look at the information below and the link to download a registration form and make pans to join us!

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon

141 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020

To reserve a display table, please contact Mary England at (619) 251-7730 or email maryengland@lamesachamber.com.

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has awarded $4,175,000 in funding to the County of San Diego for the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. This program will provide grants of $2,500 to County of San Diego microbusiness owners who were in operation in 2019, still in operation, and were impacted by the COVID-19 public health restrictions.

Some of the highlights are below:

We suggest that you go to the website sdivsbdc.org/county-of-san-diego-micro-business-grant-program-application/ to review ALL of the particulars of this funding.

Oakwood Escrow is a completely neutral third party to the real estate transaction. We are truly an independent escrow company and have no affiliation or shared ownership with any brokerage or Lender.

8697 La Mesa Blvd., Ste. D, La Mesa | (619) 820-1015 | www.oakwoodescrow.com

San Diego Community Power is a local provider of electricity serving La Mesa by bringing cleaner energy at competitive rates. We put our communities first, helping you take a giant step toward a more sustainable energy future.

(888) 382-0169 | sdcommunitypower.org

Thoughtful Creations, an innovation retail location at 8270 La Mesa Boulevard wanted to host a “Taco Tuesday” mixer on Tuesday, February 22nd. People came from all over to be a part of this delicious mixer! This retail location incorporates various local artisans that have goods to sell – all under one roof! Guests were able to shop for items, bid on silent auction items, as well as participate in an evening raffle. Guests were also able to purchase handmade jewelry, personalized shirts and clothing, resin art, while enjoying tacos with all the trimmings, cold beverages and more! The owner, Shawndie Smith, was an excellent host who was joined by evening sponsors Dragonfly Market and Pacific Coast Market.

Photos courtesy of Sandra Small/ Photographer.

On Wednesday, February 23rd friends of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and San Diego Living Real Estate arrived to celebrate with Jan Farley and her team at their charming location, 8504 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. Guests were greeted by Jan and her team and were amazed by the unique selection of fine cheeses, delectable meats, crackers, olives, and other delicious items that were offered to the happy guests. The chatter in the room was the true measure of the networking and guests enjoying each other’s company. Jan was presented a certificate of appreciation by Council Member, Laura Lothian on behalf of the Mayor, the La Mesa Chamber presented Jan with her membership plaque and a certificate of appreciation from Supervisor Joel Anderson for opening her business in La Mesa. Guests joined Jan for her ribbon cutting ceremony and did not want to leave, so the party continued!

Photos courtesy of Sandra Small/ Photographer.

Join us and mix and mingle, while enjoying great food prepared by the BJ's staff and see why this restaurant is so popular! Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and a “no host” bar will be offered where you may purchase a great variety of BJ’s award-winning brews on tap every day.

Bring your business cards and join us for great food, hand crafted beer, raffles and more!

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

Location: 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa

Don’t be left out – RSVP now so we know you will be joining us and prepare enough refreshments.

The San Diego Humane Society received a $100,000 grant from the Franklin, Tenn. based PEDIGREE Foundation, earmarked for its Welcome Committee program, which helps dogs make a smooth transition into the shelter and their adoptive homes. The nonprofit humane society was picked out of nearly 500 entries for the grant, which will be used over two years for the program and focuses on dogs coming to the shelter showing fear or stress during their first 24-48 hours in care. The program helps reduce the adjustment time for dogs arriving at the shelter, build relationships with people and decrease anxiety, which helps dogs find a new home faster.

The Welcome Committee program includes rewarding dogs for quiet and calm behavior, teaching dogs to feel comfortable when people approach their kennels, help build confidence and no pressure interactions along with fear-free leashing. San Diego Humane Society’s Behavior Training Program plays a key role in the nonprofit’s goal to stay at zero euthanasia of healthy and treatable shelter animals throughout the area. In 2013, the organization opened its Behavioral Center, which treated more than 4,000 animals with “complex challenges” and gave them a second chance at finding a home. Along with training shelter pets and behavioral challenges, the nonprofit runs more than 40 training classes, manages a Behavioral Helpline, and offers an online resource center with articles and videos for pet lovers. For more information visit: sdhumane.org/training.

During the La Mesa City Council meeting on February 22, 2022, the Council had a discussion on returning to in-person meetings for Council, boards and commissions. For the first City Council meeting in April, Council Chambers will be open to the public. This will be a hybrid meeting allowing the for participation, both in-person and virtually via Zoom. To watch the discussion, please click here.

SEECLICKFIX: Report a problem, concern, or unsafe condition

We want to take a moment to thank all of our residents who use SeeClickFix to report neighborhood issues. Keeping our city clean is a collective effort. Thank you to our City crews for tackling this illegal dumping. If you have a SeeClickFix report that has not been completed, email your report number to news@cityoflamesa.us.

The City of La Mesa has scheduled a virtual workshop on Wednesday, March 16th at 6 p.m. to kickoff the master planning process for a new park at the corner of Waite Drive and Murray Hill Road. To learn more about the project and how to participate and provide your input, visit the Waite Drive Property Park Master Plan page. For questions contact Sue Richardson, Director of Community Services ,619-667-1300 or srichardson@cityoflamesa.us.

In February, our partner at Home Start, Inc. started processing rental assistance applications to help La Mesa residents pay their rent. If you have demonstrated financial impacts caused by the pandemic, you may qualify for up to $5,000 to help with past due and/or future rent payments.

Mortgage assistance is also available. Additionally, the mortgage assistance program has been expanded to also include future mortgage payments. Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted. To learn more about program requirements, please visit the program's website. If you have any questions, please email lamesa.assistance@home-start.org or call 619-643-6202.

Small Business Stimulus Grant Funding is Available from the County of San Diego – We Are District 4

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.

Chambers have been asked 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 9 - Deano's Pub Mixer : 5:30-7pm at 5286 Baltimore Dr., La Mesa | Details/RSVP

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

April 6 - Evening Mixer Hosted by Grossmont Center and BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse : 5:30-7pm at 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa | Details/RSVP

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

October 19 - Salute to Local Heroes & Installation Dinner : 5:30-8:45pm at Sycuan Casino Resort | 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon | Details

Commercial Real Estate

5565 Grossmont Center Dr.

La Mesa, CA 91942

858-549-2874