By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2019 (San Diego) – Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union have voted to authorize a potential strike against Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons grocery stores across Southern California, including San Diego County. 

East County News Service

June 16, 2019 (El Cajon) – Yariela Freeman, a graduate from Steele Canyon High School in El Cajon (class of 2008), has been named marketing director at SDX, San Diego’s oldest and one of the largest San Diego networking and professional groups for advertising and marketing executives. She will be involved in overseeing the business operations, marketing strategy and implementation, event planning and coordination, member relations, membership growth and partnerships with other local trade organizations.

By Ken Stone

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  UFCW Local 135 is one of the biggest labor unions in San Diego County. Photo by Ken Stone

June 12, 2019 (San Diego) - Members of seven Southern California food workers locals, including San Diego’s, will vote June 24 on whether to authorize a strike against three major grocery chains, it was announced Monday via social media.

East County News Service

May 16, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to savor the flavors of restaurants across East County at “Taste of San Diego East” on Monday, June 3 from 5-8 p.m. at the Town and Country Hotel’s Golden Ballroom (500 Hotel Circe North) in Mission Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC by SA

May 8, 2019 (San Diego) – If you need a ride today, you may need to call a taxi or catch a trolley. Uber and Lyft drivers across San Diego County are taking part in a nationwide strike for higher wages and more transparency from the ride-sharing companies.

Some 5,000  southern California drivers plan to turn off their apps today, according to Rideshare Drivers United. Picketing and a rally are also planned at Lindbergh Field’s Terminal 1 today.

The drivers are protesting Uber’s announced pan to slash per-mile compensation from 80 cents to 60 cents. They also want both companies to guarantee a $28 minimum wage to drivers, who use and maintain their own vehicles, paying for gas themselves. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 31, 2019 (El Cajon) – Slow-cooked, wood-smoked meats barbecuing on an old wagon base, or buckboard, filled the air with mouth-watering aromas at a ribbon-cutting held March 20^th at Buckboard’s Barbecue & Brew in El Cajon by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce.

The restaurant specializes in California smokehouse barbecue, which owner Fadi Shihadeh describes as “Santa Mara-style with a twist” that includes smoke flavor in all meats. They also do catering, if you've got a hankering for barbecue at your next outdoor gathering.

Now located at 975 Greenfield Drive, Buckboard’s moved to El Cajon from San Diego, where it was originally owned by Padres pitcher Randy Jones. The Shihadeh family bought it and ran it for many years, before moving recently to El Cajon at 975 Greenfield Drive.

“This really is a homecoming for us. It feels great to be back,” Shihadeh told ECM during the Chamber event.

By Dan Svejnar, Vice President, Head of Commercial North America, Centrica Business Solutions

March 12, 2019 (San Diego) -- Few businesses actually spend the time to consider the impact a power outage could have on their operations and revenue. When the power goes out, even for as short as two hours, the economic engine stalls for businesses of any size. Without electricity, cash registers are inoperable, and assembly lines grind to a halt.

East County News Service

February 25, 2019 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce swore in its 30-member board of directors and presented awards at its recent 107th Annual Dinner, held Feb. 23 at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in El Cajon. More than 200 people attended the “East County Honors” event.

East County News Service

February 23, 2019 (El Cajon) –  Coldwell Banker West (CBW), one of San Diego County’s largest real estate companies, has opened a new office in La Mesa to be called its Mount Helix office.

The company said it has leased and moved into a 13,000-square-foot, two-story office building at 9555 Grossmont Summit Dr., which previously was occupied by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties.

How two women are changing the face of artifact and collection care

East County News Service

February 12, 2019 (San Diego) – Starting any company is always a risk, but starting one that is so specialized that only a small handful of people in the entire country do it, well that’s on a whole new level. Yet that is exactly what local San Diego author and historian, Melanie Dellas, and museum professional and anthropologist, Karen Lacy, did – and they are changing the way museums and private collectors think about caring for their objects and fine art.   

State law requires some businesses to post notices

Source:  California Department of Justice

January 30, 2019 (Sacramento) - During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra reminds California businesses to post notices informing the public and trafficking victims of resources available to help combat slavery and human trafficking. Up-to-date digital copies of these notices are available for free on the Attorney General’s website.

By Brad Hadin

February 1, 2019 (San Diego) -- ASVAB, short for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is one of the most popular aptitude tests used in the United States. The ASVAB test is perfect for running a quick analysis of the candidate by measuring his strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately checking his potential for future success. ASVAB opens up a lot of opportunities for the student both in military and civilian career paths. You will certainly have a higher success rate after passing the ASVAB exam, whether you choose a military career, a vocational school, or a college.

Source:  East County Transitional Living Center

January 24, 2019 (El Cajon) - Are you, or someone you know, an essential employee or furloughed federal employee or contractor?

Source: Heartland Fire & Rescue

January 24, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Heartland Fire & Rescue is currently recruiting for the position of Paramedic/Firefighter. The agencies is looking for individuals who are just starting off their career or are looking for a lateral opportunity.