E N C I N I T A S 1

JANUARY 2013

E N C I N I TA SB U S I N E S S M A T T E R S

FROM THE PRESIDENTEncinitas Business Matters!

It is not just the name of our newsletter. It is a statement of why we’re here. Business matters to us and we have the power to help our members do more business and better business by working together. That’s why our chamber exists. It is our chamber – yours and ours – and it succeeds in its mission to help us ALL do better in business when we all participate in the activities that make that happen.

Encinitas is truly a special community with our own unique qualities and challenges. New leadership presents new and unique opportunities for change we want to see in the business world here. But we have to participate and act and communicate about what it is that will help our unique businesses. That is business development and, on a larger scale, economic development.

Establishment of an Economic Development Committee is one of the chamber’s goals for 2013.

California has gained a reputation for being non-business friendly. The cost of doing business in California is high and the requirements and regulations are burdensome. A combination of economic development and advocacy is key to solving state and local economic issues.

Think of YOUR chamber and our Economic Development Committee as the catalyst for growing the business community – the conduit that

funnels critical information to our city leaders so they know what decisions will help our business community thrive.

What new businesses would complement your business – would enable you to do more and better business? What kind of business would you like to see move into that vacant storefront or office space near you?

Hearing from you – knowing the answers to these questions will activate that funnel of information that will enable us to work with our leaders and attract the right new businesses to our community to help us thrive.

We are in it together. Your own communication with or participation on the Economic Development Committee is critical to achieving what you see as key moves to drive more and better business here in Encinitas.

Be part of the chamber. Be part of the voice.

Bob Gattinella, ChairmanBoard of Directors

535 Encinitas Blvd. Ste 116Encinitas, CA 92024

Admin@EncinitasChamber.com Phone 760.753.6041

Fax 760.753.6270

“...we have to

participate and act

and communicate

about what it is

that will help our

unique businesses.”

2 E N C I N I T A S

OK. So you’ve had your ribbon cutting, opened your doors and customers are trickling through your doors.

Do you have all the customers or clients you need?

No? Well, then let me ask you this:Are you taking advantage of all the tools and benefits that are offered by the Encinitas Chamber? Or not?

There is so much more you can easily do to promote your business using tools provided by the Chamber, so take advantage of these opportunities.

Promote an eventYou can post special events on the chamber calendar yourself. The events scroll on the homepage for every-one to see. You can even create a page that features photos and additional information about your event. Then call the chamber office to get it approved and

we’ll even publicize your event in our weekly eblast with a link to your specially-created event page.

If you aren’t sure how events can help build business or what kind of event can help yours, send an email to thora@encinitaschamber.com. We can help you with some great ideas and any event and market-ing support you might benefit from.

Attend or Host an “Sundowner”A “Sundowner” is a party that is designed not only to introduce you to chamber members, but also to build business. By hosting a mixer, you introduce your business to a host of chamber members and other local business people that might be looking for your services or can at least pass along information about you and what your business has to offer.

You provide the place, appetizers and one raffle item. The chamber promotes the event, provides beverages, entertainment and other raffle items. Simple attendance at these after-hours networking parties, facilitates valu-able connections with the businesses in our community. To host a “Sundowner,” contact Suzanne at Suzanne@business-blossoms.com

Website ListingsCheck your website listings to make sure you are listed in every appropriate category and that the information is correct and complete.

Post Hot Deals!Offer specials and post coupons for other chamber members or the general public. This helps create a sense of community and an added benefit for our members AND increases business for you!

Job PostingsLooking for help in your office? Posting help wanted ads on the chamber website is a great way to find a new employee or intern. Call the chamber office to let us know about your needs and we’ll even include it in our weekly eblast.

My Chamber Ap Check it out. If you are a member, you business is already on this app under the service category. A new, more extensive and customized app is in the works.

MARKETING CORNER

A Ribbon Cutting is not enough!Use the plethora of chamber tools to promote and improve business

Dr. Gilchrist cre-

ated this appealing

event announce-

ment within the

chamber’s website

for all members

to see and for the

chamber to link to,

from our weekly

e-blast.

Contribute to Encinitas Business MattersThe chamber is looking for a variety of members to con-tribute articles for the chamber’s monthly newsletter.

By contributing an article, you are able to not only share your expertise with other members, but gain recogni-tion as an expert in your field as someone to contact for business.

To contribute, contact marketing consultant and newsletter editor Thora Guthrie at thoraguthrie@cox.net.

Contribute to

Encinitas Business Matters

Want to contribute ar-

ticles for the chamber’s

monthly newsletter?

Call 760-715-3230

E N C I N I T A S 3

S T A T E O F T H E C I T Y A D D R E S S

SAVE THE DATE

The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce

is proud to host the

2013 Encinitas State of the City Address

Friday, April 5th • 6 pm

Please join us as a sponsor or by attending

Information 760-753-6041

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Properties still affordable, but where are the sellers?The themes for Real Estate in 2013 will revolve around lack of inventory and historically high affordability produced by record-low mortgage rates and favorable home prices.

There is less than a 6 week supply of homes for sale and a 5 to 6 month supply is considered a balanced buyer/seller market. We are in a strong sellers market.

Short sale inventory is down to 325 homes from 2037 a year ago. Bank Owned/REO’s inventory is down to 198 from 716. Distressed inventory makes up only 21% of the total sales vs 34% Dec. 2011.

Interest Rates are still at record lows. However predic-tions are upward. Forbes says to 5.6% and Kiplinger says to 4.35% by the end of 2013. Mortgage debt relief extended for homeowners A law that gives financially strained home-sellers tax relief on forgiven mortgage debt has been extended through 2013 as part of “fiscal cliff ” talks. Now we need the State of CA to extend their law too.

Good news about real estate: Home equity is growing again

After hitting a low of $6.45 trillion in the final quarter of 2011, Americans’ combined home equity jumped 20 per-cent during the next nine months to $7.71 trillion.

Homeowners who haven’t refinanced recently are prob-ably paying a higher interest rate on their mortgage than is necessary. Borrowers should take advantage of today’s record-low mortgage rates while they last.

With mortgage rates near the bottom and home prices on the rise, it’s still a perfect time to buy a house. Buy-ers should get a mortgage preapproval before beginning the house hunt.

Credit standards remain tight, and as new mortgage rules are unveiled this year, the standards are not ex-pected to loosen. Borrowers planning to get a mort-gage anytime soon are advised to treat their credit score as one of their most valuable assets. Most borrowers need a credit score of at least 720 to get the best rate. Borrowers with a credit score of 680 or more can still get a good deal.

Dennis Smith, ABR, SRES, e-PRO, CDPERE/MAX By-the-Sea

Year over YearResults from

December 2012 sales in San Diego:Prices are up 15%:

$473,730 from $411,587 Sales are up 9.15%

Inventory is down 50%: 8281 last year,

down to 4121 now.

This is the 9th month in a row

that prices are higher than a year ago.

Month over MonthPrices are up 2.75%

Sales are up 6.6%, Unusual for the season.

Inventory is down another 1%

4 E N C I N I T A S

ENCINITAS ARTS COMMUNITY

New opportunities and spirited discussion frame meeting of local arts organizations

There was standing room only in the Community Room of the Encinitas Library on Monday evening, January 14. City of Encinitas Arts Coordinator Jim Gilliam had called a meeting to discuss blossoming opportunities for visual and performing arts groups. So representa-tives from many of the 60-plus arts organizations that call Encinitas home were there.

First came a warm welcome from Mayor Teresa Barth, during which she lauded the proliferation of the arts in Encinitas, calling the arts an “economic driver” for

the community. In San Diego County, the City of Encini-tas is second in concentration of the arts in relation to the population.

Gillian announced that the Community Room in which they were all gathered is so highly utilized and filled to capacity for programs like Wednesday@Noon, Sunday Jazz and Music By The Sea Concert Series, that the room availability was now being extended. He encouraged use of the room for any type of events that will help the organizations, adding that food and even alcohol could be served there. The fee for the use of the room is only $30 per hour plus a small additional charge after library hours to cover the cost of the newly hired city employ-ee that would be on site after library hours. Gillian said, “Use this room for performances, exhibitions, parties, fundraisers, whatever will help your organization thrive.”

Gillian proceeded to bring the group one bit of good news and exciting opportunity after another.

He announced that the City of Encinitas and Mizel Family Foundation Community Grant Program was of-fering grants totalling $150,000 for 2013. He elaborated on the generosity of the Mizel Family and their goal to

reach a match of an annual contribution of $75,000 by the city, saying that they had been working together to reach that goal. A number of attendees raised their hands as having already received one of the Community Grants in previous years and Gillian highly encouraged attendees to apply for a grant for their programs. Grant applications are due in March and individual grants aver-age $1,500.

Next presented information about the 2nd Annual Encinitas Arts Festival, to take place on Saturday, March 9th at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. The goal for the festival is to showcase the works and performances of as many local arts groups as possible, including youth groups and arts education. Numerous attendees showed interest in participating in this year’s event.

Gillian then introduced Don Cardenas, president of the San Dieguito Academy Foundation who shared ideas for and wishes to activate the new $9 million Liggett Per-forming Arts Center, completed just last year. Cardenas invited proposals for performances to be combined into a “Summerfest” at the center in the months when the center is not being utilized by students and faculty.

He suggested that, while the only cost for use of the space would be compensation for the sound and lighting technician, a profit sharing arrangement would be desire-able as the SDA Foundation is a nonprofit charged with enhancing educational opportunities at the school. There seemed to be widespread interest among attendees in exploring the use of both the theater and the outdoor amphitheater for such a festival under the proposed arrangement.

Discussion about the possibility of a theater for the city followed, with numerous possible locations suggested, in-cluding a city-owned parcel near Aaron Brothers in Town Center and the former Pacific View School campus, among other potential locations. Gillian asked attendees to advocate for what they believe would be a good plan for their city.

Gillian finally talked about the opportunities his depart-ment offers to market events and projects via the weekly Arts and Events e-blast. Introductions followed during which numerous comments raised awareness of just how badly needed a community theater really is. The spirited group posed for a photo before adjourning for some socializing and networking.

San Dieguito’s new Liggett Performing Arts Center

“Cardenas invited

proposals for

performances to be

combined into a

“Summerfest”

at the center...”

E N C I N I T A S 5

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM SDG&E

Saving money on your energy bill is easier than ever.

You can view and manage your energy use with this new feature as part of SDG&E’s My Account tool. This customized, weekly energy use email provides you with:

• Highlights about your bill period• A summary of your past week of energy consumption• A graph showing your previous week of electric usage• Tips to help you save energy and money

This email contains valuable information that can help you reach your energy saving goals and better monitor your overall energy consumption. Using this tool, you can even create a customized savings plan.

To sign up for this email simply log on to SDG&E’s My Account at www.sdge.com/myaccount and go to the “My Energy” tab. Then click on the link for “Sign up for Energy Use Email” located on the navigation bar on the right.

To create your customized energy savings plan visit the “My Energy Survey” tab and complete the profile.

Another way SDG&E is connecting customers to smart energy solutions. Happy savings in 2013.

Just one more way that SDG&E is connecting its customers to smart energy solutions

S U N D O W N E R S U N D O W N E R S U N D O W N E R S U N D O W N E R

Don’t Miss The Special Sundowner at Belmont Village

Hosted by:Belmont Village Senior Living3535 Manchester Ave.Tuesday, Feb. 19, 5:30-7:30

Hors d’oeuvresWine & BeerOpportunity Drawings

Mini Presentationby SDG&E

6 E N C I N I T A S

Ribbon cuttings help introduce your business to the community. They are publicized with a photo in an eblast and in Encinitas Business Matters, giv-ing the community a heads up about your business.

The Encinitas Chamber welcomes these new members:• Native Foods• Subzero Ice Cream & Yogurt• Regents Bank• Thora & Associates

The Encinitas Chamber thanks the following companies for renewing their investment in the community:• Servpro of Fairbanks Ranch/ East Rancho Santa Fe• Encinitas Surfboards• Encinitas Elks Lodge• Shell Quick Shine Car Wash• Encinitas Ford• Casa de Bandini• D Street Bar and Grill• Cardiff by the Sea Apartments• AT&T• Coastal Animal Hospital

We encourage our community members to support Chamber member businesses, including of-fering intra-chamber discounts on services.

Networking After Hours

RIBBON CUTTING

Welcoming New Owners of Minuteman Press

New & ContinuingChamber Members

Welcome to new Chamber members, Gabriel and Marcia Rebelo who recently purchased the Minuteman Press here in Encinitas.They have imigrated here from South Africa to be closer to their children (one a physical therapist and the other a prima ballerina)

Gabriel has over 38 years of experience in the printing industry and knows what you need to grow your busi-ness in the print arena.

Give them a call.

Minuteman Press1538 Encinitas Blvd. (760) 634-5349

E N C I N I T A S 7

Promote Your Business

Advertising in the

growing newsletter,

Business Matters

is affordable

and effective.

For Information

and rates, call the

chamber office

760-753-6041

Participating Chamber Member

Restaurants:

Casa de BandiniTrattoria i Trulli

Vigilucci’s

Networking After Hours CALENDAR

UPCOMING ENCINITAS EVENTSContact the Chamber office and let us know about your upcoming event.

We love to promote great stuff happening in our community.

Laurie Rubin, mezzo-soprano Music By The Sea ConcertFriday, January 18, 2013, 7:30 p.m. Critically acclaimed Laurie Rubin’s rich, toffee-thick tones conveyed not just the sense of touch of puffy rosy lips but also their exceptional redness. $12. http://ci.encinitas.ca.us/index.aspx?recordid=178&page=30

Kids@Lux Saturday, January 19, 2013, 10:00am - 12:00pm Drop off your kids at Lux for a Q&A with the resident artist, a guided tour through the studio and a hands-on art project in the Lux classroom. Space is limited. For ages 6-12. Lux Kids Free; $20 non-members. Email kleen@luxartinstitute.org for reservations.

Wellness WeekJanuary 19 – January 26, 2013DEMA’s 3rd Annual Wellness Week begins with the Well-ness Week Festival, at the Encinitas Library on Saturday, January 19 from 10am to 4pm. Exhibitors will host booths and activities, both inside the Encinitas Library and on the outside parking lot. Wellness Week is a week-long program of events and special offers designed to engage the public in learn-ing about and experiencing ways to improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Information: http://www.encinitas101.com/events/wellness-week/

Wednesdays@NoonWednesday, Jan. 23, 12:00-12:45pm.Encinitas LibraryThe concert features three top pianists whose recordings are featured on the free, internet music channel, Whisper-ings Solo Piano Radio. Christine Brown, Louis Landon, Joe Bongiorno, piano. www.SoloPianoRadio.com. San Dieguito Academy Foundation

Saturday, January 26th - 7:00 pmA Staged Benefit Reading of The End Of It - The World Premiere of a new play by Paul Coates, Directed by Nick DeGruccio; All-Alumni Cast/All former students of Clay-ton E. Liggett. Includes a pre and post reception. At the Clayton E. Liggett Theater, San Dieguito Academy.Tickets $30. Tickets www.seatyourself.biz/sandieguito.

Wednesdays@Noon - Daniel JacksonWednesday, Jan. 30, 12:00-12:45pm. Encinitas LibraryLegendary La Jolla jazz musician Daniel Jackson has had a huge impact on the local jazz scene as both a performer, and teacher, mentoring many of the area’s best jazz artists. He will perform a solo piano concert of jazz standards.

Sunday, Feb 3The scenic loop begins at Moonlight Beach, pass under the famous Cardiff Kook along the 101, rise above some of the most popular surf breaks in San Diego and then make its way down to Cardiff State Beach. Then all the way back. Info: http://www.cardiffkookrun.com/

Singchronicity - First Sunday Music SeriesSunday, Feb 3, 2 to 3 pm, Encinitas LibrarySingchronicity’s repertoire ranges from jazz to pop to gospel. Come see what happens when you strip away the instruments and let the human voice find the rhythm and harmony. FREE. Seating limited. www.singchronicity.com; encinitaslibfriends.org

Sculpture in the GardenThrough April 1, 2013

San Diego Botanic Garden features a unique display of sculptural creations carefully placed throughout the lush and natural 37-acre setting. Regional artists present their sculptures set against a beautiful backdrop of dragon trees, rare fruit gardens, bamboo groves, and other tranquil garden areas. Inluded in garden admission.

8 E N C I N I T A S

A major project to restore the San Diego region’s eroded shoreline with 1.5 million cubic yards of high-quality sand—enough to fill Qualcomm Stadium—was completed by the end of 2012. A total of eight beaches in five cities received massive sand infusions, and the beaches are now visibly wider and sandier.

“Without intervention, our shoreline would be greatly diminished,” SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos said. “By rebuilding severely eroded beaches, we are not just supporting our economy and protecting our qual-ity of life, we also are providing a better buffer against high tides and storm surges that can damage coastal property.”

The project kicked off in Imperial Beach on Sept. 7, moved on to Oceanside and Encinitas in October, and wrapped up in Solana Beach and Carlsbad in November and December. Active dredging finished in north Carls-bad on Dec. 7, and all equipment removal was com-pleted on Dec. 31. In all, the project replenished sand on approximately 19,000 feet of beach, or about 3.6 miles of coastline.

The $28.5-million sand replenishment project was the result of a multi-agency effort coordinated by SANDAG.

Funding came from the California Department of Boat-ing and Waterways, as well as from the cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, and Solana Beach.

The region’s beaches have been steadily eroding over the past 20 years. Due to development, water supply projects, and flood control projects, sand is no longer flowing down rivers to our beaches. Modifications made to our coastline, such as harbors and jetties, also have stifled sand movement.

To widen the beaches, sand was dredged from desig-nated offshore areas that met stringent criteria for clean-liness. A key goal was to find coarse-grained sand that will remain on the beaches for a longer period of time. The latest sand replenishment builds on the success of a similar effort in 2001. Gains in beach widths from that prior effort lasted for about five years on average.

To see the dramatic difference the sand replenishment project has made, check out time-lapse videos and before-and-after photographs of some of the beaches posted to sandag.org/beachsand.

SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SANDAG)

Beach sand replenishment complete

THANK YOU TO OUR PREMIER SPONSORS Recycle Your Polystyrene

(Styrofoam) at EDCO

We all receive foam packaging throughout the year and the question is what should we do with it? Well EDCO now offers the right solution, Recycle It. Recycled foam can be made into many different products which includes but is not limited to: picture frames, crown molding, base board, garden pots, and auto accessories. By working together we can make a difference!

EDCO recently introduced a new foam recycling program. Customers can now drop off their foam packaging for free at any of our buyback centers.

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760-753-6041

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