Regional Roundup

San Diego Business Journal – CA,USA
The move from an obscure storefront on Encinitas Boulevard to a
remodeled mechanic’s shop at Second and H streets is scheduled for July
1, according to …

The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce is moving to newer and nicer digs and taking the visitors center with it.

The move from an obscure storefront on Encinitas Boulevard to a remodeled mechanic’s shop at Second and H streets is scheduled for July 1, according to officials.

The City Council, which subsidizes the chamber and Encinitas Visitors Center, is scheduled to vote in late May to spend $90,000 to furnish and equip the new 1,155-square-foot center.

Aside from the capital investment, the city allocates $91,500 a year for the chamber to operate the facility.

— Connie Lewis

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Del Mar: City Council to Discuss Moving Ahead With Wireless Internet Project

The City Council was scheduled to discuss moving forward with its citywide Wi-Fi, or wireless Internet access, project May 7.

The Surf and Turf Wireless Community Broadband Network project, in collaboration with Solana Beach and the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the Fairgrounds, would provide residents and businesses access to the Internet.

The network would provide free and paid services. In exchange for use of public facilities for antennae, the three jurisdictions would be compensated on a percentage of subscription sales and usage of the network.

Requests for proposals were received in March and two vendors will be invited to present proposals. The vendors are Michigan-based Azulstar and Mountain View-based Go Networks.

Del Mar reported the need for a contract negotiation team to be established to work out details of the contract. Contract negotiations are expected to take over several months.
Del Mar staff has reportedly spent 240 hours working on the project and another 260 will be needed to review permits, prepare reports and negotiate a contract.

— Michelle Moward

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Oceanside: California Building Safety Week Held To Raise Awareness

The city of Oceanside last week declared California Building Safety Week.

The city joined state and local building officials in promoting the event, which was designed to raise public awareness of building safety.

Oceanside’s Community Development Department said the state is moving forward this year on adopting a new series of building, fire, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes, all designed to improve public safety.

“California Building Safety Week is an excellent opportunity to educate … increase public awareness of the role of building inspection staff in building safety,” said Gene Paolini, president of CALBO, a 500-member nonprofit organization that promotes health and safety in building construction.

— Pat Broderick

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San Marcos: Local Resident To Be Installed as Head of County Farm Bureau

San Marcos resident Chuck Badger Jr. is scheduled to be named president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau later this month.

The 43-year-old owner of R.E. Badger & Sons, a lemon grove in Rancho Santa Fe, will take office May 19.
He replaces outgoing president David Van Ommering, a Lakeside dairy farmer.

Badger’s term as president will run until May 2009.

The bureau, based in Escondido, represents more than 7,000 members, who are all part of a $1.5 billion-a-year industry in the county.

— Jessica Long

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Lemon Grove: Portables to Be Set Up at Trolley Stations For Bike to Work Day

“Pit Stops” will be set up at the two trolley stations in Lemon Grove for Bike to Work Day on May 18.

The annual event, sponsored by the San Diego Association of Governments, encourages commuters to bike to work rather than drive alone.

The campaign seeks to reduce congestion and promote cycling as a viable form of transportation to the workplace.

The pit stops will be open from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and will have water, snacks and other goodies for registered riders.

In addition, registered riders can ride the trolley and buses with bikes free that day by showing their ride registration form.

The stops at the Broadway and Massachusetts trolley stops are just two of 25 to be set up in the county.

To register for Bike to Work Day, visit www.ridelink.org.
Coronado: Museum to Exhibit 21 Medal of Honor Recipients in June

An exhibit profiling 21 Medal of Honor recipients is on display at the Coronado Museum of History and Art through June 10.

Among those profiled is Adm. James Stockdale of Coronado, who endured eight years in a North Vietnamese prison during the Vietnam War. He died in 2005.

In 1992, Stockdale made a high-profile appearance on the national political stage as Ross Perot’s presidential running mate. The Medal of Honor is considered the country’s highest military decoration.

The exhibition is part of a national traveling exhibit sponsored by TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

The museum, at 1100 Orange Ave. in Coronado, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

— Brad Graves

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Solana Beach: Employer Association to Present Roundtable on Benefits

The San Diego Employers Association will hold a lunch and roundtable discussion, “Hot Issues in Benefits,” on Friday, May 18.

The two-hour event will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be held at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. The cost is $35 for members and $45 for non-members.
he SDEA is a nonprofit that provides HR advice, consulting and training.

For information, visit www.sdea.com.

— Jaimy Lee

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Escondido: Chamber to Hold Grand Avenue Vendor Event on May 20

The Escondido Chamber of Commerce will host more than 700 vendors this weekend for its biannual “All Along Grand Avenue” street fair.

Held each spring and fall, the Escondido street festival stretches from Centre City Parkway to Ivy Street. The spring version will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 20.

Admission is free.