Report: States Lack Sound, Consistent Policies to Enforce Job-Creation and Other Performance Requirements in Economic Development Subsidy Programs

January 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego East County Chamber of commerce celebrates 100 years of service to the business community with an elegant gala on February 4. The soiree of the century for East County business leaders will be held at the opulent U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego.

January 5, 2011 (La Mesa) – If the holidays have left you with old computers, TVs or other electronic items you no longer need, you can recycle them at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s electronic waste and recycling event January 14-15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at Grossmont Center between B2B Fit and Fuddruckers. 

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Starting January 1, new California laws take effect. Some give new protections to the public. Buying a used car? You now have a right to know its history. The government can’t snoop into your online reading habits. Your employer can't peek at your credit report, in most cases. New laws also benefit pregnant employees, organ donors, renters, domestic partners, and bullied gay students. 

Other laws impose restrictions. Want to buy popular cough syrups? You’ll need a prescription. If you order items online, you’ll be charged state sales tax. Shark fin soup and beer spiked with caffeine are banned. Employers have new requirements for notifying employees about pay and more. Kids must ride in a booster seat until age 8. Openly carrying a handgun is illegal, even if it isn’t loaded. 

These are just a few of the new laws in 2012. Scroll down for details on these and more. 

December 12, 2011 (El Cajon) --  Senator Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) will present the Senate District 36 “Business of the Year” award tomorrow to Bob Taylor (photo, left), founder of Taylor Guitars.  The award will be made on the bustling factory floor  in El Cajon where the company’s world famous musical instruments are made.  

           
“Taylor Guitars is an example of the American dream come true,” Senator Anderson says.

Need last minute gifts? Find some cool and creative items at the Waterproof Case Company

By Miriam Raftery

December 9, 2011 (El Cajon) –Need a solar phone charger for those whose cell phone batteries runs out often? How about a mini-video cam for those active kids to strap onto a skateboard, bike or surfboard? Or a waterproof case for a camera, cell phone or computer?  Want to listen to music underwater, or get a crush-proof case for airline travel? How about a rolling cart to load valuables for easy evacuation during wildfires – or a case to bury on site?  Or a dust-proof case for the desert enthusiast, hunter or hiker on your list?

The Waterproof Case Company, a locally-owned store in Parkway Plaza, has all these items and more. The company has custom-designed products for the U.S. military and Fortune 500 corporations. They've sold to government agencies including police and fire departments, wildlife researchers, universities, NASA, and underwater robotics companies.  But it all started locally--in the garage of the Davies family. 

No holiday events slated to help downtown merchants this year, as redevelopment agency forced to close doors due to state funding cuts and lack of support from city

City to vote December on management of a new PBID

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2011 (El Cajon) –  Community leaders are reacting with shock, dismay, and questions after learning that the Board of Directors of the El Cajon Community Development Corporation has voted to dissolve the redevelopment organization due to lack of funding from both the city and state.  President and CEO Cindi Fargo has been laid off, along with the remaining staff.

 By Bobbi Zane

Story and photos by Nadin Abbott

November 17, 2011 (San Diego)—Several hundred San Diegans, including East County residents, turned out today in answer to a call to occupy the Clairemont Bridge.

By Miriam Raftery

Update November 10, 2011--County Supervisors voted 4-0 yesterday to ask the Farm Bureau to craft a proposed solution within 90 days. Supervisor Bill Horn, an organic farmer, abstained.

November 1, 2011 (San Diego) - Sempra Generation has received the 2011 Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Champion Award (SEIA) in the Project Developer category.