Escondido
Toyota Dealership Races To Add Sports Network
Toyota Escondido is looking to steer more business its way by adding a Sports Network program.
“The Sports Network will offer employee-type discounts on new and pre-owned vehicles, as well as parts and service at Toyota Escondido,” said Sales/Sports Marketing Director David DeLaTorre. “Although our Sports Network was being developed primarily for sports industry personnel, we plan on offering it to the general public via membership in the near future.”
The dealership said recently that it is sponsoring supercross rider Jake Weimer.
, Ned Randolph
Carlsbad
Businesses to Paint Town Red at Chamber Dinner
Celebrated marine life artist Robert Wyland is scheduled to be the featured guest and paint on-site at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara, 7100 Four Seasons Point.
The chamber recognizes business accomplishments and community leaders at the event, presented by Poseidon Resources.
For more information, call 760-931-8400.
, Connie Lewis
Chula Vista
Health Center Opens With Sense of Urgency
The South Bay Family Health and Urgent Care Center has opened at 340 Fourth Ave. The latest clinic under the management of San Ysidro Health Center has 12 staffers, including two full-time doctors.
It is the first urgent care facility for SYHC. The clinic is capable of treating non-life-threatening emergencies, says Ana Melgoza, director of community relations.
Kenard Construction of El Cajon completed the tenant improvements at a cost of $85,000.
Celebrating its 40th year, the nonprofit SYHC has 600 employees and an annual payroll of $20 million.
, Mike Allen
El Cajon
Two Minutes Might Be Enough to Improve Sales
Commercial insurance agency and brokerage Colony West is set to host a speed networking event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Hoffer’s Cigar Bar, 8282 La Mesa Blvd.
Business owners and other professionals are encouraged to attend. The event allows participants two minutes to get acquainted with each other, followed by open social time.
For reservations, contact meldoman@colony-west.com.
, Heather Chambers
La Mesa
It Takes a Village To Raise a Street Fair
The La Mesa Village Merchants Association is seeking sponsors for the Antique Street Faire.
The daylong event, fashioned after traditional Midwest flea markets, takes place March 29 along La Mesa Boulevard. It features more than 100 vendors and entertainment. For more information, call Lyn at 619-644-6003.
, Heather Chambers
San Marcos
Resident Hopes Plan for Club Goes Swimmingly
A resident of the San Elijo Hills community has pitched an idea to build a resort-style swim club there in place of a dropped proposal for a sports club.
The city last year approved a conditional-use permit by developer John Fleming for a 10,000-square-foot club featuring seven tennis courts, two pools and a spa.
Russell Geyser of Geyser Holdings, who lives in the community, says that proposal is dead in the water because of credit problems in the global financial market. He recently proposed building a $5 million swim club financed through homeowner association fees.
A $29 monthly fee, he says, would finance a 4,000-square-foot pool, surrounded by cabanas, a children’s pool area, as well as barbecues, a basketball court, outdoor spa, and open space for events.
About 2,400 of the planned 4,400 homes have been built in the eight-year-old community, according to city records. Carlsbad-based HomeFed is the developer of San Elijo Hills.
, Ned Randolph
San Dego
Hotel Looks to Ascend List of Choice Boutiques
The Porto Vista Hotel & Suites, a 209-room boutique in Little Italy, is now part of the Ascend Collection, which markets independent hotels under the banner of Choice Hotels International.
Launched late last year, the Ascend Collection counts 24 member properties that may tap into Choice’s marketing, reservations, online presence and rewards program.
Choice Hotels International is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CHH.
, Connie Lewis
Chula Vista
AARP Works to Make Season Less Taxing
Two of the city’s libraries are hosting free personal income tax assistance sessions on selected days from Feb. 2 to April 15.
Volunteers from AARP are offering the service at the Civic Center branch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and at the South Chula Vista branch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Services are offered on first-come, first-served basis, and there are no advance appointments.
, Mike Allen
Coronado
1906 Lodge to Spring Onto Scene in Spring
A development project has just increased public parking on the island , a particularly scarce commodity in its neighborhood near the post office.
As part of the process of converting a 103-year-old boardinghouse to a hotel, the developers of the 1906 Lodge at Coronado Beach realigned the intersection at A Avenue and Ynez Place. The work, which cost about $150,000, created four more parking spaces on the street, developers said at the road work’s completion in mid-January.
Renovation and new construction at the site also created an underground parking garage. The hotel is scheduled to open in mid-April. Trant Manor is the developer of the project and Bushman Dreyfus Architects the architect.
, Brad Graves
Del Mar
Fairgrounds Puts Naming Rights Up for Sale
The Del Mar Fairgrounds is seeking a business partner to pay for naming rights of the 346-acre facility, which attracts 3 million visitors to 300 events annually, including the San Diego County Fair and Thoroughbred horse racing.
The sponsor’s name and logo would be used on exterior and interior signage at the fairgrounds, and on marketing materials and staff uniforms.
Sponsorship revenues bring in $2.6 million annually, and have allowed for a number of advancements at the fairgrounds, including new stables and upgrades to exhibit buildings, according to a news release. The fairgrounds, which is owned and operated by the 22nd District Agricultural Association, a state agency, has chosen Front Row Marketing Services to select a corporate partner.
, Michelle Mowad
National City
Athletic Center Earns Win in Legal Battle
A community athletic center and boxing gym is still fighting its blighted image. The California Court of Appeals on Jan. 22 reversed a lower court’s ruling to throw out the challenge by the nonprofit Community Youth Athletic Center to fight eminent domain.
The facility was one of 700 properties labeled as blighted by the city. The athletic center fears the city will use eminent domain to close the complex and allow a private developer to build on the site.
, Michelle Mowad
Imperial Beach
Spa Opening Its House to Celebrate 1st Anniversary
D’ames Day Spa is marking its first anniversary with an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 12.
Christine LaPausky owns the business at 704 Seacoast Drive. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to 619-575-7047.
, Brad Graves
