By Janelle Eckardt

By Dennis Volz

June 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--For most of us, our home is our single largest and most important investment. Many of us have poured thousands of dollars and countless hours into maintaining, improving and (hopefully) paying off our homes. Many people own their homes free of any mortgage. These assets are pure equity. Certainly its worthwhile to invest 15 minutes a year to be sure it's properly insured.

Nothing but the Truth!

June 21, 2009--As California lurches towards insolvency, the supply-siders who wrecked the system now propose to turn over the state’s assets to private parties. The most valuable and scenic properties, the California State Parks, are now going to be rented out for private “management”. It’s the first step towards selling them outright to developers.

By Charlavan Hart

I made a bold attempt today to find out some answers for a great many people right now about unemployment checks. It always seems to be a mystery that is unsolvable. Even though you are given a number to call for answers, it is ALWAYS busy. You are sometimes given an estimate on wait time but most often now, the recording tells you to call on another day.

Internal Customers’ Interaction with External Customers: The Ultimate Marketing Tool By Rama Beerfas June 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) --In our previous installment, we looked at how important your internal customers (employees) are to the success of your business. (If you missed it, check it out at http://eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/986).

Our Guide to the Best Disability-Based Websites on the Net

By Janelle Eckardt

May 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--The concept of having a “social life” doesn’t exactly mean the same thing it did twenty, ten, or even five years ago. Interfacing with family and friends seldom actually involves meeting face-to-face, and meeting someone new is only one click away. Chat room chat-ups and instant messaging marathons have, whether or not many of us would like to admit it, become integral elements to our link to the world around us.

THE INTERNAL CUSTOMER--MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK> By Rama Beerfas May 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) --In our previous installment, we looked at customer service as your #1 marketing tool. (If you missed it, check it out at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=taxonomy/term/310.) This month, we focus on what exactly an internal customer is--nd why internal customers are just as important as your external customers to the success of your business.

Your #1 Marketing Tool

By Rama Beerfas

April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - Clients often ask me, “What is the number one most effective marketing tool?” My answer is, “Delivering consistent customer service at or above the level that is consistent with your image.”

The truth is that no matter how good your product or service is, your customer service will play a huge part in whether your business will generate repeat sales and word-of-mouth referrals (unless you’ve got a monopoly and you are the only one selling a must-have item.). Without repeat sales and customer referrals, you will be spending all your time, money, and effort replenishing your customer base rather than growing it.

By Miriam Raftery

“If we don't find a way to save investigative journalism, our democracy will not only suffer, it will die." - Jeanne Brown, vice president, San Diego League of Women Voters

“The good news is the rise of online, nonprofit journalism organizations like East County Magazine.” – J.W. August, managing editor, Channel 10 News

“We believe the Internet has broad ability to improve democracy.” –Jon Bartholomew, associate director of media reform, Common Cause

April 1, 2009 (San Diego)—The demise of major newspapers and consolidation of broadcast media threatens the future of a free press and puts the public’s right to know at risk, speakers warned at a League of Women Voters luncheon held in San Diego on March 19th.

By Miriam Raftery

March
28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—In testimony before the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission in Florida, CIA cyber security expert Steven
Stigall said that voting equipment connected to the Internet could be hacked
and that even machines not connected could be hacked with wireless devices. Stigall
warned that foreign governments could potentially alter outcomes of U.S. elections,
noting that “wherever the vote becomes an electron and touches a computer,
that’s an opportunity for a malicious actor to…make bad things
happen.”

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2009 (El Cajon)—The indomitable spirit of Charlavan Baker Hart shines like a beacon of hope in her new book, Tit Tatts: Life After Breast Cancer.  The El Cajon artist has owned four galleries, authored the newspaper column “Pearls”,   produced Internet radio programs, worked as an image consultant and reaped rewards as a professional poker player.  But she faced life’s biggest gamble when she was diagnosed with cancer. 

April 7, 2009 (Alpine)—East County Magazine invites our readers to join us in a festive culinary experience—and the unmasking of our very own East County Eater restaurant reviewer. For the occasion, we’ve chosen one of our favorite spots: the Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Alpine. The place is a cozy mountain retreat complete with lodge-like stone fireplace and a tree growing straight through the roof! Blues guitarist Paul Nichols has generously donated his services to entertain us—so we can offer you live music, wine tasting, a delicious array of food and a chance to win some great prizes—all for just $25! Help us make our first fundraiser a success-and support independent community journalism. Please reserve early—the more early-bird RSVPs, the more fun and surprises we can plan!

Read the “Eater” review of Vine Wine Bar & Bistro: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/819 Listen to Paul Nichols’ music, visit: http://www.myspace.com/paulnicholsmusic. Download the flyer here. Then make your reservation to join in the fun—all for a good cause!

2502 Alpine Blvd., Alpine CA 91901
(619)722-7046
www.visitthevine.net

April 1, 2009 (Alpine) — Let me recommend a sure-fire place to unwind. The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Alpine is situated in a cozy wooden building with hand-hewn beams and split-rail trim, reminiscent of places sure to be found in the back-closets of our memories. Places surrounded by trees and cool running creek water. How could you not feel comfortable in a restaurant that has a tree growing up through the middle of the bar and a huge river-rock fireplace warming the place?

By Janelle Eckardt

March 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Hello friends! Are you tired, run-down, listless? Do you poop out at parties? The answer to all your problems is in this little needle. Really! Acupuncture just might be your ticket to feeling better and living better. I've discovered a respectable acupuncture facility right here in the East County that actually serves the community without milking it dry. Just for reading this article you get a brief history of acupuncture, my personal account of a session, and a one-on-one interview with the owner of Healthy Community Acupuncture, in El Cajon.

Get the point?