La Mesa Chamber News | March 10, 2021
Having trouble seeing images / this email? View as Webpage
Your Weekly La Mesa Chamber News
“La Mesa Live” Visits Hooleys Public House in Grossmont Center - We Urge You to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day All Month Long!
This year St. Patrick’s Day will happen on Wednesday, March 17th, but Craig McDonald and the La Mesa Chamber encourage you to begin celebrating now! The current health restrictions limit the number of people that can currently be served in the outdoor dining area. To allow everyone to celebrate this year’s St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy this Irish tradition and Irish “fayre”, go ahead and visit Hooleys (both locations) anytime you wish. So, jump in your vehicle and get to Hooleys today!
Hooleys Public House
5500 Grossmont Center Drive #277, La Mesa | (619) 713-6900 | www.hooleys.com

To view this video and all of the video interviews in our La Mesa Live series, visit lamesalive.lamesachamber.com. We are always grateful to Marvin Sears, owner of Studio M.I.F. who is our La Mesa Live creative partner, and our sponsor, SDG&E.
Divided Senate Passes Aid Plan - $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Package Passes the Senate
The President’s sweeping $1.9 trillion stimulus bill passed a deeply divided Senate on Saturday, pushed through a pandemic aid plan and is the largest anti-poverty effort in a generation. This package still must pass the House before it heads to Biden’s desk to be signed into law. It would inject vast amounts of federal resources into the economy, including one-time direct payments of up to $1,400 for hundreds of millions of Americans, jobless aid of $300 a week to last through the summer, money for distributing coronavirus vaccines and relief for states, cities, schools and small businesses struggling through the pandemic. Beyond the immediate aid, the bill, titled the American Rescue Plan, is estimated to cut poverty by one-third this year.

Highlights to the Legislation:
Aid to the Unemployed: Expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government would extend through September 6 at $300 a week. The first $10,200 of jobless benefits would be non-taxable for households with incomes under $150,000. Provides 100% subsidy of COBRA health insurance premiums through the end of September.

More Checks:
Provides a direct payment of $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple that files jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would get the full amount, as would married couples with income up to $150,000. It would shrink for those making more, with a hard cut-off of $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married couples.

Money For State and Local Governments:
The legislation would send $350 billion to states and local governments and tribal governments for costs incurred up until the end of 2024. Small states get at least the amount they received last March.

Aid to Schools:
The bill calls for about $130 billion in additional help to schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The money to be used for reducing class sizes, modify classrooms, install ventilation systems and purchase PPP equipment. Could be used to hire nurses and counselors and provide summer school. Spending for colleges and universities would be boosted by about $40 billion. Used to defray pandemic-related expenses and provide emergency aid to students to cover pandemic-related expenses.

Aid to Businesses:
A new program for restaurants and bars hurt by the pandemic would receive $25 billion. The grants provide up to $10 million per company with a limit of $5 million per physical location. Can be used to cover payroll, rent, utilities and other operational expenses. Also provides $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program.

Testing and Vaccines:
The bill provides $46 billion to expand federal, state and local testing for COVID-19. Also contains $14 billion to speed-up distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the country.

Bigger Tax Breaks:
In a significant change, this bill would increase the tax break to $3,000 for every child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under the age of 6. Proposal calls for checks to be delivered monthly instead of in a lump sum. The Treasury Department will determine if this payment method is feasible.

Rental and Homeowner Assistance:
Provides about $30 billion to help low-income households and the unemployed afford rent and utilities. States and tribes would receive an additional $10 billion for homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments due to the pandemic.
County Remains in Purple Tier
San Diego County once again found itself outside the select group of California counties promoted to the less-restrictive red tier last week. Though its case rate fell once again, the number still has not hit the lows seen in the seven counties, including Napa, San Francisco and Santa Clara. San Diego’s modified case rate per 100,000 residents came in at 10.8, still over the limit of 7 that sets the lower for the red tier. In her bi-weekly COVID-19 report to the County Board of Supervisors, Dr. Wilma Wooten hinted that changes are in the process for the state’s tier system. The tier state’s report, by comparison, was readily available and showed that San Diego County continues to languish in the purple tier not just due to the total number of new tests coming back positive, but also because the total number of tests being performed per capita across the region are not as robust as the case in other places that have made their way into the red tier. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Paul Sisson & Jonathan Wosen. 
Judge Upholds Limits on Indoor Dining, Gyms
A San Diego Superior Court judge rejected a request from two restaurants and two gyms to halt enforcement of state-mandated restrictions on their operations aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, concluding that the state’s rules are a legitimate and legal effort to protect public health during the pandemic. The ruling issued by Judge Kenneth Medel denied a request for preliminary injunction from the businesses. It largely tracked an earlier ruling in November when Medel turned aside a request for an immediate injunction that would have allowed the businesses to operate. The businesses were seeking a ruling that would allow them to reopen indoor operations. They contended that the state Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a color-coded system delineating when and to what extent business and other activities in counties can reopen, was too sweeping and an abuse of state power. The state countered that under the law, the state had broad authority to regulate activities during a public health crisis, and that the only issue was whether the regulations were rationally related to the government interest in curbing the pandemic. Dismantling a part of the state’s efforts to fight the pandemic that restricted indoor gatherings like dining and working out posed a greater potential harm to the public than if the restrictions were left in place, state lawyers said. There may be relief on the way for some businesses - the county’s COVID-19 metrics continue to decline, though the county remains in the most restrictive purple tier. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Greg Moran.
FDA Gives Quidel Emergency Authorization for Covid Test
San Diego’s Quidel Corp. got the greenlight last week for its home-use COVID-19 diagnostic test with a prescription – an incremental step toward the company’s goal of offering rapid COVID tests over the counter at pharmacies and other retailers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on March 8th granted Emergency Use Authorization for the QuickVue at Home COVID-19 Test for people with symptoms and a doctor’s approval. The antigen test delivers results in 10 minutes. With Quick-Vue, a self-collected nasal swab sample is added to a liquid solution that comes in the Quick-Vue kit. Then a test strip is inserted into the solution and yields a color coded positive or negative result, akin to a pregnancy test. No other equipment is required. QuickVue is authorized for use by people 14 years and older. The company is making a big bet on a-home testing. It is building out a new. 128,000-sqaure-foot manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, which is expected to begin making QuickVue tests this summer. Eventually, Quidel aims to make more than 50 million QuickVue tests per month at the facility. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Mike Freeman.
$100 Million Available for Rental Assistance
The County of San Diego’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program application process opened on March 2nd. The application process closes on March 16th. This emergency rental assistance program will take some of the burden off the shoulder of families trying to make it during this pandemic. The funds can be used to pay for past due rent or utilities. Types of utilities covered: electricity, gas, water, sewage, trash (when not covered with rent).

The County is the only jurisdiction currently accepting applications; and anyone living outside of the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista is eligible to apply, subject to program restrictions.
County communities eligible to apply include:
  • Unincorporated areas of San Diego County
  • Carlsbad
  • Coronado
  • Del Mar
  • El Cajon
  • Encinitas
  • Escondido
  • Imperial Beach
  • La Mesa
  • Lemon Grove
  • National City
  • Oceanside
  • Poway
  • San Marcos
  • Santee
  • Solana Beach
  • Vista
Remember – if you live in Chula Vista or the City of San Diego, you can only apply to your city’s program. Those will come online later this month.

People without Internet access who need help completing their application call 858-694-4801.
California Governor Signs $7.6 Billion Stimulus Package
The Relief Package will give at least $600 one time-payments to 5.7 million people and more than $2 billion in grants for struggling small businesses.

Businesses with annual revenue between $100 and $2.5 million are eligible.

California is also waiving millions of dollars in state business fees for licenses like cosmetology and alcoholic beverages.
FDA Oks Use of One-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine
The U.S. is getting a third vaccine to prevent COVID-19, as the Food and Drug Administration on February 27th cleared a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose instead of two. Health experts are anxiously awaiting a one-and-done option to help speed vaccinations, as they race against a virus that already has killed more than 510,000 people in the U.S. and is mutating in increasingly worrisome ways. The FDA said Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine offers strong protection against what matters most: serious illness, hospitalizations and death. One dose was 85 percent protective against the most severe COVID-19 illness, in a massive study that spanned three continents – protection that remained strong even in countries such as South Africa, where the variants of most concern are spreading. Johnson & Johnson initially is providing a few million doses and shipments to states last week. By the end of March, the company has said it expects to deliver 20 million doses to the U.S., and 100 million by summer. There are clear advantages aside from the convenience of one shot. Local heath officials are looking to use the Johnson & Johnson option in mobile vaccination clinic, homeless shelters, even with sailors who spend months on fishing vessels – communities where it is hard to be sure someone will come back in three to four weeks for a second vaccine. The J&J vaccine also is easier to handle, lasting three months in the refrigerator compared to the Pfizer and Moderna options, which must be frozen. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune - Lauren Neergaard & Matthew Perrone. 
Padres, Theme Parks Get State Reopening Guidance
On Friday, March 5th the state modified COVID-19 reopening restrictions clearing the way for fans in stands on opening day. Tweaks to the state’s reopening blueprint now allow outdoor live events with assigned seating, whether stadiums or concert venues, and amusement parks can reopen at limited capacities as early as April 1. Sports and entertainment can fill up to 20 percent of their seats, and theme parks, including Legoland and Disneyland, can admit 15 percent of their usual crowds provided their home county has made it to the second-most restrictive red tier of the reopening plan. One of the restrictions announced Friday has to do with who can buy tickets to socially distanced and masked games, concerts and theme parks visits. In the red tier, those privileges are reserved for California residents. Officials said that venue operators can sell only to those with California addresses. At the moment, San Diego County remains in the most-restrictive purple tier, held back by a score of 10.8 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents. The limit for the red tier is seven cases per 100,000 but that limit will increase to 10 once the state has delivered at least 2 million vaccine doses in 400 ZIP codes deemed to be the most socioeconomically disadvantaged in California. San Diego would need to post a red tier-qualifying score for two consecutive weeks to exit its current purple tier. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Paul Sisson.
From the Business Sector-County of San Diego COVID-19 Response: County Updates for the Business Community
As of 2/27/21, the Food and Agriculture Sectors are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine!

Phase 1B - Tier 1 Sectors include:
  • Food & Agriculture 
  • Childcare and Education
  • Emergency Services

Proof of Vaccine Eligibility: 
Second Doses Are Priority at Local Vaccination Sites

  • Due to a shortage in supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses, people with second appointments are being prioritized at local vaccination sites
  • While some first-dose appointments have been released for use by the County and its partners, they are reserved under state guidelines for groups such as law enforcement, teachers and other school personnel
  • Currently over 1 million COVID-doses have been delivered with close to 290,00 San Diegans being fully vaccinated
  • For more information click here

San Diegans who work in emergency services, child care and education, food handling and agriculture can sign up for COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

  • Those making appointments will be required to show a photo ID and proof of eligibility.
  • Please keep in mind that vaccine supplies are still limited, so patience is required over the next several weeks.
  • Eligibility documents vary for the respective sectors but include a pay stub or timesheet issued within the last 90 days, an employee ID card, or a letter from the employer.
California to give 40% of vaccine doses to vulnerable areas

  • According to Governor Newsom, California will begin sending 40% of all vaccine doses to the most vulnerable neighborhoods in the state to try to inoculate people most at risk from the coronavirus and get the state’s economy open more quickly
  • The doses will be spread among 400 ZIP codes where there are about 8 million people eligible for shots
  • The doses will be spread among 400 ZIP codes where there are about 8 million people eligible for shots
  • For more information click here
COVID-19 Vaccine Videos

LOCAL UPDATES

San Diego County residents financially impacted by COVID-19 who need help paying their rent and utilities may qualify for assistance

  • For more information or how to apply visit www.sdhcd.org or call (858) 694-4801 to speak to a housing representative
  • The program is funded by over $100 million in state and federal monies
  • Residents of San Diego and Chula Vista can visit www.erapsandiego.org for more information on rental assistance programs in those cities.
San Diego schools are providing free grab-and-go meals for enrolled children

  • San Diego Hunger Coalition leads coordinated action to end hunger in SD county
  • To find your local meal distribution school district site click here
STATE UPDATES
4 NEW rounds for CARelief Grant are coming!

  1. 3/5-3/11 (Waitlisted apps from round 1 & 2)
  2. 3/16-3/23 (non-profit cultural institutions only)
  3. 3/25-3/31
  4. Dates coming soon

Learn more at CAReliefGrant.com for eligibility, criteria & updates
Introducing Up & Running California

  • New eBay Program Offers Free Ecommerce Training for Small Businesses
  • eBay and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate invite California small businesses to apply by March 11
  • Click here for more information
California Governor Signs $7.6 Billion Stimulus Package

  • Relief package will give at least $600 one time-payments to 5.7 million people and more than $2 billion in grants for struggling small businesses 
  • Businesses with annual revenues between $1000 and $2.5 million are eligible
  • California is also waiving millions of dollars in state business fees for licenses like cosmetology and alcoholic beverages 
  • For more info click here
FEDERAL UPDATES
Treasury department announces Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP)

To further aid small businesses and communities traditionally underserved, the program will invest $9 billion in Community Development Financial and Minority Depository Institutions

For more information click here
Businesses with fewer than 20 employees will have exclusive access to the Payment Protection Program
Need help applying for pandemic relief programs? Get free business counseling through SBA resource partners.
  • Find business assistance here
  • Find the federal government's #COVID19 resources for small businesses here
SBA's microloan program

Provides up to $50,000 in funding to help small businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers start up and expand! Learn what the requirements are and how to apply here
Tax filing season kicks off!

Get a head start by finding out which tax credits may be available for small businesses impacted by the pandemic - click here.
Useful Links:
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
We want to SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS by highlighting it in our weekly email newsletter reaching more than 1,500 readers countywide.

Interested in being featured?

Simply send an email to COVID-Business@sdcounty.ca.gov with:
  • Name of business
  • Business location
  • In 150 words or less: Brief description about your business and how it has adapted to COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of the community
  • Business logo
  • Business photo(s)
  • Business contact information/website/social media
After email is received, a member of our support team will be in touch.
Settlement Clears Path for Sports to Resume
All youth and high school sports in California, including those played indoors, will be able to resume when a county reaches an adjusted COVID-19 case rate of 14 or lower per 100,000 under terms of a lawsuit settlement announced on March 4th.

High-contact outdoor sports such as football and water polo and all indoor sports will be subject to testing, with schools held to the same testing standards as college teams.

Counties that reach fewer than 7 coronavirus cases per 100,000 will not have to test. San Diego County’s current case rate is 10.8 per 100,000. Just 20 of the state’s 58 counties had case rates under 7 this week.

The lawsuit was filed last month by Nicholas Gardinera, a senior football player at Scripps Ranch High, and Cameron Woolsey, football players from Scripps Ranch High and Mission Hills High, against Governor Newsom, the Department of Public Health, and the county. This ruling has opened things up for youth sports – football and indoor sports as well. Football practice has resumed in San Diego and many other counties around the state. First games/scrimmage in San Diego are scheduled for March 12th. Other sports such as cross country and tennis have begun their seasons, awaiting new guidelines for youth sports from the California Department of Public Health. Testing will need to be done and Newsom said the state would bear the cost of testing for football, water polo and rugby. That left some high contact outdoor sports as well as indoor sports such as basketball, volleyball and wrestling facing uncertain futures. There will be more information as the settlement becomes official. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – John Maffei.
Make Plans to Join Other Chambers at the All Chamber St. Patrick’s Day Virtual Mixer – March 11th
Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and meet other business owners at this virtual celebration on March 11th between 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. A great way to celebrate with your favorite beverage in hand in the comfort of your home or office!
Art Butler Memorial Scholarship through the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County Foundation
The Boys and Girls Clubs of East County Foundation is proud to announce the application process for the 2021 Arthur F. Butler, Jr. Memorial Scholarship has opened. Please find the Application Criteria and Applicant Information sheet here. All completed applications must be emailed to me by Wednesday, March 31, 2021 by 4:00pm to be considered for an interview. Please review the guidelines below and attached and share with your constituents.

2021 Arthur F. Butler, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Application Criteria

About 
Arthur F. Butler, Jr. “Art”, was a member of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County and a respected banker in San Diego. He believed hard-working young people deserved access to higher education.
In his memory, two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors from Christian High School or Grossmont High School pursuing an education in the sciences or finance. Scholarship funds are paid directly to students and may be used for college expenses only (tuition, books, or housing).

Requirements
The following components make up a complete application and must be submitted by all applicants. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Applicant Information Sheet
  • A personal statement (see guidelines below)
  • One or more letters of recommendation from a high school staff member (counselors, teachers, advisors or coaches)
  • Acceptance letter from a college or university
  • Copy of most recent report card or progress report

Personal statements should be no longer than one page double-spaced, and describe:
  • Student’s financial need
  • Current GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Acceptance and plans to attend a 2 or 4-year college or university in 2021-2022, indicate the Major you will study and why you selected that Major
  • Service as a mentor or positive role model to peers and others in school
  • Active involvement in extracurricular activities

Completed applications MUST be submitted to sam@bgcec.org by 4:00pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2021; applications received after the deadline will not be considered. No exceptions!
 
Selection Process
Students will be selected to interview based on their completed applications. Awardees will be selected by the Butler family based on their interview.

Timeline
  • Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 4:00pm - completed applications due to sam@bgcec.org
  • Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 3:30pm- interviews held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County Administrative Offices (for selected applicants only. You will be notified prior to April 13th if you were selected for an interview).
  • If awarded, students will provide a 30 second video outlining their accomplishments and describing how the scholarship will be used and sign a Use of Funds agreement. Scholarship checks will be disbursed from the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County via US mail.

For questions, please contact Samantha Gonzalez at 619-440-1600x313 or sam@bgcec.org
FREE Virtual Home Fire Education Sessions to Keep You Safe Presented by the American Red Cross
The Chamber encourages you to sign up NOW for your personalized session!
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!
Nancy Fazio Memorial Scholarship through the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County Foundation
The Boys and Girls Clubs of East County Foundation is proud to announce the application process for the 2021 Nancy Fazio Memorial Scholarship has opened. Please find the Application Criteria and Applicant Information sheet here. All completed applications must be emailed to me by Tuesday, March 30, 2021 by 4:00pm to be considered for an interview.

2021 Nancy Fazio Memorial Scholarship Application Criteria

About 
In its 12th year, the Nancy Fazio Scholarship memorializes and honors a loving wife, mother, daughter and educator who believed that hard working young people deserve access to higher education.
In her memory, four scholarships at $2,500 each will be awarded to seniors from the Grossmont Union High School District, Christian High School, or members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County. Scholarship funds are to be used for college expenses only (housing, books, tuition).

Requirements
The following components make up a complete application and must be submitted by all applicants. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Applicant Information Sheet
  • A personal statement (see guidelines below)
  • One or more letters of recommendation from a high school staff member (counselors, teachers, advisors or coaches)
  • Acceptance letter from a college or university
  • Copy of most recent report card or progress report

Personal statements should be no longer than one page double-spaced, and describe:
  • Student’s financial need
  • Current GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Acceptance and plans to attend a 2 or 4-year college or university in 2021-2022
  • Service as a mentor or positive role model to peers and others in school
  • Active involvement in extracurricular activities

Completed applications MUST be submitted to sam@bgcec.org by 4:00pm on Tuesday, March 30, 2021; applications received after the deadline will not be considered. No exceptions!
 
Selection Process
Students will be selected to interview based on their completed applications. Awardees will be selected by the Fazio family based on their interview.

Timeline
  • Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 4:00pm - completed applications due to sam@bgcec.org
  • Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 6:00pm- interviews held via Zoom (for selected applicants only. You will be notified prior to April 15th if you were selected for an interview).  
  • If awarded, students will provide a 30 second video outlining their accomplishments and describing how the scholarship will be used and sign a Use of Funds agreement. Scholarship checks will be disbursed from the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County via US mail.

For questions, please contact Samantha Gonzalez at 619-440-1600x313 or sam@bgcec.org
Take Advantage of This One-Time Opportunity to Be a Part of “Up & Running California” - A New eBay Program Offers FREE Ecommerce Training for Small Businesses
This program is in partnership between eBay and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. This is an excellent offer the opportunity for small businesses to apply for a grant package including cash, credits and dedicated training through eBay Seller School. Ecommerce offers tremendous opportunity for small businesses, allowing them to stay rooted in their local communities while vastly expanding their reach to potential buyers on a global scale. This new program will equip up to300 in-state businesses to take full advantage of this new opportunity with interactive coaching and instruction that will help them effectively compete and grow online.

This new, 100% FREE program will offer participating businesses with the educational resources, interactive instruction and seller-to-seller coaching they need to compete on eBay’s marketplace. Participants will enjoy full access to eBay Seller School, their interactive online learning platform. Seller School offers both beginner-level and more advanced courses to help all sellers accelerate and scale their eBay business, regardless of their time and experience on the platform.
Other program benefits will include:
  • Exclusive access to six weekly webinars, led by a dedicated growth adviser
  • Seller-to-seller coaching
  • 200 free insertion fees per month
  • A 90-day, eBay basic store subscription upon “graduation”
  • A seller “starter kit” that includes various supplies to immediately begin selling online

Selected businesses will learn how to supercharge their listing and marketing strategies, create a dynamic digital storefront, leverage powerful data analysis tools to fuel their performance, and more. Applications are now open at ebay.com/California until 11:59 p.m. PT on Thursday, March 11. 
Directive Authorizes Aid for More Unemployed
Unemployed Americans who have turned down job offers because they feared their prospective employers weren’t providing sufficient protection from the coronavirus would qualify for jobless aid under a directive the Labor Department issued on February 25th. The measure would also expand a federal unemployment-benefits program, established in last spring’s economic relief package, to cover workers who have lost hours or who were laid off because of the pandemic. The federal program, known as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, made the self-employed and gig workers eligible for jobless aid for the first time.

The benefits will made retroactive, officials said. People who applied for unemployment aid after December 27 can receive retroactive payments back to December 6. Those who applied before then and were turned down can receive retroactive payments dating back to when they first applied. With unemployed Americans now receiving a $300 weekly federal payment on top of state benefits that average about $320 a week, the retroactive aid could result in significant lump-sum payments. The department estimates that states won’t be able to update their jobless-benefit systems with the new criteria until late March, which could mean that the first payments would amount to about four months of benefits. Workers whose places of employment has closed due to the pandemic are already eligible for jobless aid. But workers who were laid-off even as their company remained open, as waiters at a restaurant that stayed open for delivery, weren’t eligible. This directive will NOW COVER those workers, the Labor Department said.

For the unemployed who have turned down jobs out of concern over the coronavirus, applicants will have to state under penalty of perjury that their prospective employer wasn’t meeting state or local guidelines on mask-wearing or personal protective equipment. Source: The San Diego Union Tribune – Christopher Rugaber.
Sycuan Achieves Sharecare, Forbes Health Security Verification
Sycuan Casino Resort and Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan are among the first hotels in the world to become “Sharecare VERIFIED™ with Forbes Travel Guide” for health security. This comprehensive facility verification helps ensure that guests and travel planners can book with confidence at properties that have appropriate health safety procedure in place. This verification comes with an easily identifiable seal of approval – the “Sharecare VERIFIED with Forbes Travel Guide” badge – based on a hotel’s compliance with expert-validated best practices that help minimize the risk and impact of COVID-19. Developed by Forbes Travel Guide, this online guide and global rating service, and digital health industry leader Sharecare, the comprehensive validation covers more than 360 standards, from health and hygiene protocols, cleaning products and procedures, ventilation and physical distancing to the guest experience and health safety communication with guests and employees. Hotels are required to verify their health protocols on an ongoing basis to ensure continued compliance. This achievement by both Sycuan Casino Resort and Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan have demonstrated their commitment to creating a culture of accountability and to follow global best practice to heighten health security, certified by a third party.
COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Second Doses Are a Priority at Local Vaccination Sites

Due to a shortage in supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses, people with second appointments are being prioritized at local vaccination sites.

While some first-dose appointments have been released for use by the County and its partners, they are reserved under state guidelines for groups such as law enforcement, teachers and other school personnel.
California to Give 40% of Vaccine Doses to Vulnerable Areas

According to Governor Newsom, California will begin sending 40% of all vaccine doses to the most vulnerable neighborhoods in the state, to try to inoculate people most at risk from the coronavirus and get the state’s economy open more quickly.

The doses will be spread among 400 zip codes where there are about 8 million people eligible for shots.

San Diegans who work in emergency services, childcare and education, food handling and agriculture can sign up for COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

Those making appointments will be required to show a photo ID and proof of eligibility.

Please keep in mind that vaccine supplies are still limited, so patience is required over the next several weeks.

Eligibility documents vary for the respective sectors but include a pay stub or timesheet issued within the last 90 days, an employee ID card, or a letter from the employer.
FREE MTS and NCTD Ride to Vaccination Appointment

MTS & NCTD are offering free rides for everyone in the region who needs a lift to their vaccine appointment. Ride any bus, trolley, SPRINTER or COASTER for FREE with proof of vaccine appointment.

MTS has created a transit trip planner with vaccine sites to help residents get to their appointments.

From DA Stephan: Know Your Worker's Rights!
New DA Unit Formed to
Protect Workers' Rights

The District Attorney's Office has a new Workplace Justice Unit dedicated to protecting workers' rights, prosecuting criminal wage theft cases and stopping labor trafficking.

What is wage heft?
Wage theft is when employers do not pay workers according to the law. This could include not paying wages earned, paying less than minimum wage, not paying overtime, not allowing workers to take meal and rest breaks, requiring off-the-clock work, taking tips from workers, or misclassifying employees as self-employed independent contractors.

What is labor trafficking?
Labor trafficking is when a person is forced to provide labor or services through coercion, such as violence, threats, lies, fraud, confiscating legal documents, or to pay a debt.

To more effectively protect workers and seek equitable workplace justice, the DA’s Office is educating the public on worker rights through a palm card in English and Spanish and has created a public web page where anyone can obtain information about workplace justice and where victims of workplace crimes can report directly to the District Attorney’s Office.
Read more about the new unit, here.

Report Workplace Justice Violations to 1-866-402-6044 or here.
Veterans Treatment Court Celebrates 10 Years

Sometimes people need a second chance instead of jail. That's what Veteran's Treatment Court continues to provide as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of this innovative program.
Watch more in this video.

Read more about this Veterans program.
Questions?

Have a question for the District Attorney?

Quick Links:

Search for case information or general information about our office: www.SanDiegoDA.com 

Watch more videos and read more news about the DA's Office: www.DAnewsCenter.com

Law Enforcement Quarterly Magazine:
Discover Your Health Career This Year - Free Webinar from Grossmont Healthcare District
Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is hosting a free virtual webinar in partnership with local colleges, educators, and job training centers: “Discover your health career this year”!

We’ll be joined by Career Education – San Diego & Imperial Counties, Health Occupations Center, San Diego Workforce Partnership, and Point Loma Nazarene University – featuring East County experts that will share their knowledge of obtaining a health-related degree, advancing a nursing career, and accelerated training that leads directly to employment in a variety of healthcare fields. More information about the specific panels is available in this flyer.

The free webinar will take place on March 16th at 4PM. Registration can be found here.
From SDCCU: Free Educational Resources Throughout March for National Credit Education Month
SDCCU presents a series of webinars focused on credit education as part of SDCCU’s Financial Wellness Wednesdays
San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU®), one of Southern California’s largest locally-owned financial institutions, is committed to helping educate the community by offering free educational resources for National Credit Education Month. Throughout March, SDCCU will present free weekly webinars aimed at educating the community on the ins and outs of credit and how money management can impact credit scores. Webinar topics include: Understanding Credit Reports, Preventing Identity Theft & Scams, Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis, Scams and How to Protect Your Finances and Teens and Money. The convenient webinar format allows the community to join the presentation online from wherever they are.

“SDCCU is pleased to provide free educational resources to the community in support of National Credit Education Month,” said Teresa Campbell, SDCCU president and CEO. “Credit plays a significant role in your ability to reach financial goals. SDCCU is happy to provide these resources to help set our community members up for a successful financial future.”

National Credit Education Month encourages the community to learn more about credit, how it works, why it’s important and how to build or maintain your score. The National Credit Education Month webinars are part of Financial Wellness Wednesdays, an ongoing program hosted by SDCCU to help provide the community access to free financial wellness information. Upcoming topics, dates and times can be found at sdccu.com/fww.
From Lamplighters Community Theatre:
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey
An Encore Performance for Those Who Missed it in December! 
From SDG&E: Innovative New Electric Vehicle-High
Power Plan Offers Bill Stability
Businesses, transit agencies and school districts in the region that are considering making a switch to commercial electric vehicles are now able to take advantage of an innovative pricing plan that makes it possible to reap both financial and environmental benefits by powering their fleet with electricity. The optional subscription pricing plan, called the Electric Vehicle-High Power (EV-HP) rate, was recently approved unanimously by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Those who sign up for the plan can choose the level of power to subscribe to for their charging needs and pay for it with a fixed monthly subscription fee.
The EV-HP pricing plan also enables customers to save by charging during times of the day when demand for electricity is low or renewable energy generation is high. Encouraging customers to charge during grid-friendly hours with the proper price signals ensures that the growing adoption of electricity-powered equipment doesn’t strain the grid during peak periods and require costly grid enhancements that must be borne by all customers.

The adoption of the EV-HP rate complements SDG&E’s Power Your Drive for Fleets Program, approved in 2019 by the CPUC to build charging infrastructure for a minimum of 3,000 plug-in medium-duty and heavy-duty electric vehicles and equipment, including transit buses, school buses, delivery trucks and forklifts. This initiative also supports the electrification of refrigerated semi-truck trailers, which are vital for transporting perishable goods. For more information, visit sdge.com/EVfleets.
Another Reminder - Be Sure and Advertise Your Business for FREE in the San Diego Union Tribune Newspaper & Online Directory
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!
Member Restaurants Offering Take Out / Delivery
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.
Anthony's Fish Grotto
Takeout: 11:30am - 8pm
Retail market: 11:30am -7pm
9530 Murray Drive in La Mesa

BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse
7 days a week from 11am-10pm - Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Curbside Service, & Delivery.
5500 Grossmont Drive
(619) 589-7222 | www.bjsrestaurants.com

Brew Coffee Spot
Patio open 8-3 daily | online ordering | take out
(619) 246-1244
6101 Lake Murray Blvd. in La Mesa

Cali Comfort BBQ
Take out: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 7 days a week.
619-337-0670
8910 Troy Street in Spring Valley

Cucina Basilico
Takeout: 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
(619) 825-3171
7200 Parkway Dr. in La Mesa

Dream Dinners
Easy, Homemade Meals
5208 Jackson Dr #116 - La Mesa
(619) 460-6800 | dreamdinners.com

Edible Arrangements
Free delivery! 8237 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
(619) 464-1111 | www.ediblearrangements.com

El Pollo Loco
10 a.m. - 10 p.m. for drive through meals.
4990 Baltimore Drive in La Mesa
(619) 797-1956 | elpolloloco.com

Himalayan Cuisine
Take out: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday - Thursday
Friday & Saturday: 11am - 10pm
(619) 461-2503
7918 El Cajon Blvd #P in La Mesa

Hooleys Public House
Takeout & delivery
Tue - Thur 4 - 9 pm | Fri 4 - 10 pm | Sat 11 am - 10 pm | Sun 11 am - 7 pm
5500 Grossmont Center Dr. #277
(619) 713-6900 | www.hooleys.com
Little Roma
Delivery available.
Mon - Sat: 11am - 9pm | Sun: 4pm - 8:30pm
Delivery hours: M-Sat 11am- 9pm | Sun 4-8:30pm
5575 Baltimore Drive, Suite 104 in La Mesa
(619) 461-7000 | www.littleromalamesa.com

Los Pinos Taco Shop
Takeout: Mon - Sat 10:30am - 9pm.
Sunday 4 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(619) 462-5031
5646 Lake Murray Blvd in La Mesa

Marie Callender's
Take out and delivery available!
Mon-Thur & Sun: 11am-8pm | Fri & Sat 11am-9pm
6950 Alvarado Rd. in San Diego
(619) 465-1910 | mariecallenders.com

Nonno's Ristorante Italiano
Carry out.
5314 Baltimore Drive in La Mesa
(619) 337-9559 | www.mynonnos.com

Red Lobster
Takeout: Sun - Thurs: 11am - 10pm, Fri & Sat: 11am - 11pm
(619) 463-4449 | 8703 Murray Drive in La Mesa
Free delivery when ordering at: www.redlobster.com

San Pasqual Winery
Mon - Thur: 12 - 6 PM | Fri - Sat: 12 - 8 PM | Sunday: 12 - 5 PM
Order pick ups and bottles to go.
8364 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
(619) 462-1797 | www.sanpasqualwinery.com

Surf Rider Pizza Co.
Takeout: Tuesday - Sunday 11:30am - 7:30pm
8381 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
(619) 340-1270 | surfrider.pizza

The Lunch Box Cafe and Deli
Takeout or delivery!
Tuesday to Friday: 7:30am - 2:00pm
Saturday: 7:30am - 1:00pm
8751 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa
(619) 463-4013 | thelunchboxcafe.com

Valley Farm Market
Fresh meat, chicken and fish, as well as milk, eggs, bread and fresh produce. Products are available on a “first come, first served” basis.
9040 Campo Rd. in Spring Valley
(619) 463-9595 | www.valleyfarmmarkets.com
For local La Mesa News, please visit lamesacourier.com
Show Off Your Membership With Pride!
"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
company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable."
Quoted from "The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce"

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.
Special Thank You to Our Premium Members
Diamond Member
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
(619) 465-2900 | www.grossmontcenter.com
Platinum Members
Boston Beer Company
Edible Arrangements
Power Plaques.com
Sandra Small/ Photographer
SMIB Management, Inc.
The Little Warehouse
Self Storage
Gold Members
AAA Imaging
American Medical Response
Barnes & Noble -
Grossmont Center
Benchmark Financial
Community Spectrum
Discovering My City Magazine
DMZ Visual Marketing
EDCO Waste & Recycling Corp.
Frazier Farms
Hallman Jewelers
Kostedt Design & Marketing
Magnaglobe Enterprises
Mobility Works
Park Station
PenChecks, Inc.
Productivity Plus Office Support
San Pasqual Winery
Sanctuary Cruises
Studio M.I.F.
The East County Californian
Vision Studio Concepts
William H. Sauls
Thank you for being a member and for your support!

Mary England
President & CEO
Cell: 619-251-7730
La Mesa Chamber of Commerce ∙ P.O. Box 94 ∙ La Mesa, California 91944