April 16, 2015 (La Mesa)--Thirty years ago, a group of surfers from Malibu, California, were concerned about the health risks associated with environmental threats posed by escalating coastal development at their favorite surf spot. They took action. Not even they could have envisioned the history they were making when they succeeded in protecting their beloved surf spot.

April 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - April 14^th was Equal Pay Day.  The date was chosen to show how many extra days each year women must work to earn the same as men.  This year, we didn’t catch up with men’s earnings last year until April 14^th.

East County News Service

April 2, 2015 (La Mesa)—Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. has announced plans to open a store in La Mesa on Grossmont Boulevard, off Jackson Drive, in the same center as Toys R Us and the new Ross for Less store.  The national chain of craft and home décor stores based in Oklahoma operates over 650 stores and is listed by Forbes and Fortune magazine among the nation’s largest retail companies.

April 1, 2015 (La Mesa)—All the Perks Espresso Café has announced a 15-day fundraiser to benefit young, disadvantaged families of U.S. soldiers. From April 1 through April 15, the coffee shop at 8046 La Mesa Blvd. (in the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center) will donate 10% of sales to Support the Enlisted Project (STEP). The shop will also be a collection point where customers can drop off donated diapers, wipes, clothing, toys, household items, infant car seats, strollers, cribs, high chairs, items for new families, retail and grocery gift cards.

March 26, 2015 (Ramona) --Envision Color, creative artworks studio and supplies is now open for business at 733 Main Street.  Proud owners Carli Walsh and Donna Parsons have teamed up to provide Old Town Ramona with a much needed multimedia art studio offering artistic opportunities to all ages and abilities. No experience is required, just the passion for creating.

East County News Service

March 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --Here’s a tip:  If you’re a waiter or waitress who earns a lot from tips, you might be left out of the upcoming minimum wage increase – if a bill backed by the California Restaurant Association wins approval in the state Legislature.

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2015 (Lakeside)—If you’re looking for a romantic special setting, East County has beautiful venues where you don’t have to worry about coastal fog or crowds.  One of our favorites is Hazy Meadow Ranch, nestled at the base of El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside’s scenic El Monte Valley. 

This idyllic wedding venue comes complete with a white horse-drawn carriage ride, gazebo, lawn with expansive shade trees and flowering gardens, outdoor dance floor, plus options for Western or Spanish themed weddings including an entire Western town settingg – to name just a few of the unique amenities here.

March 3, 2015 (San Diego)-- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced another strong year of purchasing goods and services with diverse suppliers, exceeding the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) diverse spending goal for the ninth year in a row. In 2014, SDG&E reported that 44.4 percent or nearly $492 million of products and services were purchased from women, minority, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

Tips for finding a reputable jeweler, quality stones, settings and designs

By Terry Whyte, master goldsmith at www.GoldenArtistry.com in La Mesa

March 4, 2015 (La Mesa)—When it comes time to choose your engagement and wedding rings, start by checking Yelp to find a reputable jeweler.

Call and ask if they have a goldsmith on staff.  Ask if they make their own original jewelry.  (Do you really want one of 10,000 made in Bangkok?)  Clerks at a store that only sell jewelry, not design the products,  may have limited knowledge of how they are made.  If possible, purchase American-made jewelry.

East County News Service

February 27, 2015 (San Diego) – Caregivers from San Diego are heading to Sacramento this week to join a vigil outside Governor Jerry Brown’s home in Sacramento. The caregivers, who provide in-home support for elderly Californians and people with disabilities, are calling on Gov. Brown to treat their work equally under the law and provide the overtime pay that was promised as part of last year’s budget deal. A similar vigil is also planned at the Governor’s residence in Oakland.

East County News Service

February 18, 2015 (San Diego) – Target Corp. has agreed to pay $4 million to settle a complaint of overcharging consumers filed by the San Diego City Attorney, the Marin County District Attorney and other law enforcement agencies in additional counties.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2015 (San Diego)--A labor dispute is causing slow-downs in ports along the West Coast.

Now President Barack Obama has announced he is sending his labor Secretary Tom Perez to California to meet with both sides and try to negotiate a settlement.

February 1, 2015 (Poway)--The Poway Chamber of Commerce is launching a new networking opportunity, Morning Buzz.  Morning Buzz events will take place on the second Wednesday of every month. The first event will be held at The Hamburger Factory on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 a.m. There is no fee to attend, but attendees are encouraged to purchase breakfast.

By Miriam Raftery

January 30th 2014 (El Cajon)—The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 22^nd to welcome Milholland Solar and Electric to East County and celebrate the premier solar installation and electrical contractor’s 25^th anniversary.  

Representatives for officials including Supervisor Dianne Jacob, State Senator Joel Anderson and Assemblyman Brian Jones were on hand to present awards, along with Chamber leaders, at Milholland’s spacious new headquarters at 1475 North Cuyamaca Street in El Cajon.

January 23, 2015 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber, with the help of Nick and Norma from Carl Burger Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM World, delivered 22 gift baskets and the 22 bags of canned goods for the Chamber’s adopted seniors to Maxine Lynch, President of the La Mesa Employees Association on Wednesday, December 17^th. These beautiful baskets were loaded with 30 items each which included  cash, gift cards, toiletries, food items, socks, booties, candy and more.  In addition to these baskets, seniors in need also received a bag of miscellaneous canned foods December 19^th to brighten their holiday season.  In addition to these gifts, the Chamber purchased 22 turkey dinners from Marie Callender's, complete with all of the trimmings, that were also delivered with the gifts.