By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2008 (Sacaramento) – With the state’s unemployment rate at 10.5%, jobless Californians will be eligible to receive unemployment benefits for an additional 20 week.  Legislation signed by Governor Schwarzenegger  will bring help to more than 400,000 California families, the California Labor Federation reports. California workers generated nearly 3,000 letters to legislators and the governor to gain their support for two measures, which will extend unemployment benefits for an additional 20 weeks and modernize the state’s outdated eligibility rules, making the state eligible for an additional $839 million in federal funds.

By Tracy Emblem (Democratic candidate, 50th Congressional District)

March 27, 2009 (San Diego)--The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is vital to rebuild America’s economy. But the right-wing media is disseminating false information and scare tactics aimed at duping the public regarding EFCA.

We are losing the middle class. Wages are spiraling downward, workers are losing healthcare, yet CEOs are earning hundreds of times more than the average employee and pocketing billions in bonuses for failing companies. This is wrong.

By Miriam Raftery

Bob Lyon and his wife, Deedee

March 8, 2009 (La Mesa) — Luau foods, seashell leis, and other touches of the tropics greeted guests at the grand opening of Coconuts Salon & Day Spa in La Mesa this weekend. Located behind the Brigantine Restaurant at 9340 Fuerte Drive, the salon formerly known as Transformations has been transformed into a tropical-themed motif by new owners Bob Lyon and Joey Atkins. "My wife, Deedee, and I came up with the name," said Lyon, sporting a Hawaiian shirt. "In the spirit of Hawaii, we created a waterfall and a whole Hawaiian motif."

By Pari Sanati

Before & After

March 1, 2009 (San Diego)— For many of us, recycling and watching energy and water consumption are now regular practices, far from the days when all these were new and perhaps daunting concepts. As the world makes the inevitable "greening" shift, environmentally conscious home and business owners are looking for new and interesting ways to continue contributing to a sustainable world.

Good Earth GreenScaped Buildings is helping quench the thirst for sustainability with its commitment to promoting green roofs and restorative buildings. Owner Jim Mumford says the current economic climate is actually a good one for going green. "One positive aspect we're seeing from our economic downturn and global warming fears is the need for bigger strides in low-impact development," Mumford said. "It's the retrofitting of older buildings, and also the building of new ones when the market picks up. Not only do green roofs have an aesthetic benefit, but their environmental and financial benefits can be significant."

By Miriam Raftery

Just
a few months after starting a home-based business in fall 2008, Karie Schmidt
of El Cajon has a team of entrepreneurs working for her. She is earning a comfortable
income, has flexible hours to spend with her family, and enjoys perks such
as free phone service and free travel--including a trip to a pre-Kentucky Derby
race in Lexington. Her success in an era when many large companies are struggling
amid a difficult economy makes her  accomplishments even more remarkable. 

February 13, 2009 -- The House of Representatives passed the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by a vote of 246-183. Local Democratic
representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure, while Republicans
Duncan D. Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa voted no. According
to the White House, the measure will create or save 396,000 jobs in California
by the end of next year.

By Miriam Raftery

February
1, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) — We have seen many types of restaurant promotions
to grab our attention. However, Brenda Nason, owner of Bistro D'Vine in Rancho
San Diego, simply takes the cake. Her goal is to give one free meal to
every household in the Rancho San Diego area that has not already been to her
restaurant.

January 19, 2009 (Santee) — Sport Clips, providers of "championship haircuts"
for men and boys in a sports-themed environment, announced today a Cut-A-Thon
at their new Santee-area store to benefit the local Boys & Girls Club.

Customers that donate $5 to the organization on either Saturday, January 24
from 9 to 6 p.m. or Sunday, January 25 from 10 to 5 p.m. will receive a free
"MVP" haircut.

Top 5 IT Mistakes Small Businesses Make

By Michael Natter

It
is deceptively easy to see what the five top small business mistakes in IT
are. They are pervasive, recurring and everywhere!

Typical small businesses mistakes include:

Our holiday guide to gifts unique to East County

By Miriam Raftery

Buckskin baby booties are available at Mountain Oaks Trading Post, Julian

December 1, 2008 (San Diego's East
County) — This holiday season, why not choose gifts that benefit our community and provide
recipients with gifts that are unique to East County and San Diego's eastern
region?

In today's tough economic times, local merchants need support from community
members--especially during the holiday shopping season.   Buying products
made overseas or from companies that outsource jobs to foreign markets does
not help the U.S. economy or American workers.   Too many people
don't realize that ordering from big box discount stores or from Internet vendors
in distant places takes business away from our local economy.

State workers in East County struggle to cope with prospect of huge pay cuts, lay-offs; Judge orders Sept. 12 hearing on Governor’s wage-slashing orders

By Miriam Raftery
Photos by Aida Canonizado

November 4, 2008 (El Cajon)--Mildred Scarber, a state employee who works at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in El Cajon, was shocked to learn that Governor Schwarzenegger has ordered all state employees’ pay rates slashed to the federal minimum wage: just $6.55 an hour.

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2008 (LA MESA) - If your budget is tight amid today’s rising prices, take heart! A fun way to shrink your clothing budget without sacrificing style is to treat yourself to a shopping spree in a delightful East County resale shop.

My personal favorite resale outlet is Act II, which has two stores in downtown La Mesa, both on La Mesa Blvd.