July 21, 2012 (San Diego) --  The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District announced the availability of funds from the Carl Moyer Voucher Incentive Program (VIP). The VIP provides a streamlined approach to reduce emissions by installing a Verified Diesel Emission Control Strategy (VDECS or “retrofit”) or by replacing existing, high-polluting vehicles with newer, lower-emission vehicles. Approximately $350,000 from Program Year 14 is currently available for eligible on-road heavy-duty diesel retrofit or replacement projects.

By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2012 (El Cajon) – “It’s a great way to give a local business a shot in the arm,” said Susan Barron, who organized a “cash mob” yesterday to aid her friend, Peggy Harris, owner of the Glamour Girlz Boutique at 124 East Main Street.  “July has been a really tough month for her and this was a winner.” 

The event was a "cashing" success—with more than 60 shoppers marching into the shop on Main Street to collectively spend over $2,000. 

July 8, 2012 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its Second Friday Breakfast on July 13 at Cottonwood Golf Course, 3121 Willow Glen Drive, El Cajon.  The monthly breakfasts bring together connected and influential business and community leaders.

July 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – A new phenomenon in today’s challenging economy is the rise of “cash mobs” organized by friends via social media to help local merchants. The craze has caught on across the country and today, takes root in El Cajon.  

The public is invited to meet at the corner of Main St. and Magnolia in front of Starbucks at noon, then walk en mass to Glamour Girlz Boutique one block east on Main St. 

July 5, 2012 (San Diego) -- The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010, will take full effect by 2014. In light of a recent Supreme Court decision ruling the law constitutional, you may wonder how the law will affect California's small businesses.

The new law does not require employers to provide health insurance for employees. However, there are both penalties for not meeting coverage requirements and tax incentives for small businesses that do. To help small businesses learn more about requirements and opportunities provided by the new law, some of California's leading business organizations have launched a website: healthlawguideforbusiness.org.

“What’s the Business” Begins Airing July 3 

June 28, 2012 (San Diego) -- Many people dream of creating the next hit television show, but for San Diego High grad and SDSU alum Charles Magid (2010), that dream is coming true. The series he created, directed, and produced is slated to air this week (see below). 

By Serena Scaglione 

June 20, 2012 (Ramona)—There are more than 60 wineries and vineyards (and counting!) within the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association. What better way to showcase Ramona—which was designated as an American Viticulture Area in 2006—as an up and coming wine region than through a new magazine designed to educate readers about award-winning wines and the people behind the process?  

Musician/author finds new career as author, speaker inspired by baggage mishap

By Sierra Robinson and Miriam Raftery

June 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- After United Airlines’ baggage handlers broke the neck of his Taylor guitar, Dave Carroll didn’t just get mad--he got even.

Carroll wrote and starred in a music video that has now had over 12 million hits on Youtube.  Titled United Breaks Guitars, the video uses humor to illustrate the troubles Carroll went through trying to get compensated for his loss. Its success has been hailed as a model of how one person can make a difference by using social media.

Click screen above to view our exclusive video interview

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon)--Many of the restaurants in downtown El Cajon opened their doors several years ago because of the proximity of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) on Main Street. One of those is Domenico Donato’s “Mangia Bene” Italian restaurant located directly across from the theater which opened a decade ago. 

June 9, 2012 (Santee) – Assemblyman Brian Jones is hosting a community job fair on June 15 at Santee City Hall, Bldg. 8, 10601 Magnolia Ave., Santee from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event is hosted in partnership with the City of Santee, East County Career Center, Santee Chamber of Commerce and EDD.

A column written for the East County Magazine
“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”