December 20, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting earlier this month to celebrate AT&T’s aesthetic enhancements  to its building at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and Spring Street. Those enhancements included addition to the building's exterior of tiled mosaics depicting scenes from the company’s history.

December 7, 2009 (Alpine) – San Diego East  Visitors Bureau celebrated the grand opening last week of its new office in the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. The site is an official California Welcome Center, providing information for tourists on attractions in East County and the San Diego region.
 

“This is the first California Welcome Center ever opened on tribal lands,” said Charlie Brown, director of Viejas Community Relations.

November 28, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Rusty Nails, a.k. “The Executive Imposter” will entertain guests at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce annual holiday breakfast. Festivities take place on Friday, December 11 at Peter Piper Pizza, 2983 Jamacha Road in El Cajon from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

November 19, 2009 (San Diego) – Looking for some good news about the local economy?

Many of our economic indicators have improved significantly, according to Manpower Workforce Report: A San Diego Labor Market Snapshop (Business edition), published Nov.9 and reprinted with permission below. Among the findings: Economic indicators compiled by the University of San Diego are up for the sixth straight month in San Diego County, local unemployment has dipped slightly, venture capital investment in our region is positive, and the outlook of local business leaders surveyed revealed cautious optimism. See how our region's economic recovery compares to the national overall:

By Miriam Raftery
 

November 15, 2009 (Santee) – Nutrition Zone, a retailer of discount sports nutrition and weight loss products, didn’t just talk about fitness at its grand opening last weekend. Guests climbed a rock wall, jumped and bounced on giant inflatable recreation devices. On hand were fitness and nutrition experts to advise on everything from diet to exercise to shedding unwanted pounds. Not a couch potato in sight!

By Miriam Raftery

November 10, 2009 (San Diego) - One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the nation’s largest solar buying collective, today announced launch of its second solar community buying campaign to help San Diego County homeowners and small business owners purchase solar energy at group discount rates of $5.29 per watt from now through February 12, 2010.

By Miriam Raftery
 

November 3, 2009 – “All of you had a piece of making this happen,” Santee Chamber of Commerce executive director Warren Savage said to more than 200 guests in attendance at an awards presentation held October 16th at Barona Resort.

In addition to naming businesses of the year, the Chamber also honored citizens ranging from a Santee teacher to a U.S. Marine unit adopted by the City of Santee.

Famed Local Restaurant Serves Up Fare for a Crowd at Santee Chamber Mixer

By Miriam Raftery
 

October 28, 2009 (Santee) – Pinnacle Peak, East County’s Western-themed steakhouse best-known for adorning its walls with ties cut from the necks of guests who violate the casual dress code, hosted a recent mixer for the Santee Chamber of Commerce that attracted a hungry crowd. If you haven’t been here in a while, you might be surprised at some of the changes.
 

“We’ve expanded our menu and we now serve seafood as well as steaks,” manager Dan Elsken (photo, right) “We’re also open for lunch.” In addition, Pinnacle Peak has launched a chuckwagon-style catering service to barbecue hearty fare for local events. A cowboy singer serenades visitors on Wednesday evenings.

By Miriam Raftery

October 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – “The biggest thing we’re seeing now is mortgage loan fraud and real estate fraud,” San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said at Cuyamaca College during a breakfast hosted by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce. “One scam had 400 victims.”  The D.A. discussed loan scams and other crime trends in San Diego County during the October 23rd event.

October 18, 2009 (San Diego) -- On Monday, October 19, members of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, including Chairperson V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), Marty Block (D-San Diego) and Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) will hold a hearing and press conference in San Diego. Both focus on small business development during the recession and state efforts to support small businesses during the  economic recovery.

Public invited to participate – or sponsor a  military member or veteran

October 11, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – “It’s in the Hole” golf tournament tees off this Friday at the newly-renovates Lakes course at Cottonwood Golf Club in Rancho San Diego. “We expect a perfect autumn day, “ said chamber president Valerie Harrison, who seeks additional sponsors to honor military heroes and enable more to participate, including wounded Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. “It is heartwarming to see the players really kick-back and just enjoy a fun day,” she added.

 Lunch will be provided by The Press Box Lounge and Sports Bar. The event also includes a dinner reception catered by Outback Steakhouse of El Cajon. Guests can also enjoy contests, dancing after dinner to the music of D.J. Eric Lund, special speakers, raffle drawings for prizes, and a silent auction.

October 6, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Are you maximizing your business growth and profitability potential? Michelle S. Butler, president and CEO of the Women’s Business Center of California, will teach you how to utilize the same tools Fortune 500 companies use to help your business profits soar.

Butler will speak at a business roundtable presentation hosted by the Rancho San Diego Chamber of Commerceon Wednesday, October 7th at 11:30 a.m. at Press Box Sports Lounge, 2990 Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego.

October 1, 2009 (Santee)--The Santee Chamber of Commerce announces finalists for the 2009 Santee Chamber Awards Night, which will be held on October 16 at Barona Resort & Casino.

Small Business of the Year Finalists: Ronn Hall Insurance Services, Cookies By Design & Eccentric International Chefs
 

4 San Diego Congressional representatives vote “aye”; Hunter votes “no”

September 24, 2009 (Washington D.C.)—San Diego Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis joined with Republicans Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa in voting  to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families by extending unemployment insurance benefits to those hit hardest by the recession. Rep. Duncan Hunter, who represents most of East County, voted against the bill.

The Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009 (HR 3548) will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to the estimated 314,000 workers who would otherwise exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of September, and one million more whose benefits would run out by the end of the year.

VIEJAS BOWL continues Viejas Outlet Center’s transformation into “lifestyle center”

August 27, 2009 (Alpine) – Viejas announced plans today for a new, boutique bowling center, to be called Viejas Bowl, at the Viejas Outlet Center, across from the award winning Viejas Casino.