News

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 24NOV21

Hello Santee! Well it's been a whirlwind past two weeks and we are jumping right into the holidays. I have to start by saying thank you to every single person, business and organization who contributed towards the construction of the Santee Veterans Memorial we dedicated on Veterans Day to the City on Veterans Day. The event was a success with an estimated crowd of over 500 and the only photo I think I grabbed was with Senator Jones as he made sure the Chamber received a certificate of recognition. We

‘Tis the Season to Help Our Furry Friends Have a Happy Holidays - Donate Online to SDCCU ‘Presents for Paws’

SDCCU is proud to once again partner with local animal shelters and rescues in San Diego, Riverside and Orange Counties to help provide supplies and resources for our four-legged friends. Last holiday season, SDCCU’s “Presents for Paws” combined donation efforts collected a total of $10,000 for shelter animals in need, and our goal this year is $10,000 again! This will be SDCCU’s tenth consecutive holiday season supporting the “Presents for Paws” campaign.   Please help us raise funds for much needed

Santee Honors Our Veterans on 11-11-21 with a One-of-a-Kind Memorial Monument and Bridge Dedication

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 04NOV21

Hello Santee!This week I was able to sit down with member John Olsen, Realtor, and hop back into the co-host podcast seat and he recorded another weekly episode of his show, The Santee Update. His guest this week was no stranger to the Santee Chamber, it was Operator of the local Chick-fil-A, Kyle Steck. His restaurant just won a Santee's Favorites award from us last month and it's not just their Spicy Chicken Sandwich getting attention from those who voted for his location.  Kyle has done an amazing job

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 28OCT21

Hello Santee!Last week I was a guest of Cox Communications at the East County Chamber's 19th annual Women In Leadership Luncheon at Viejas Casino & Resort. It was a perfect afternoon of networking and getting to know one of Cox's newer team members, Allen Young, their Manager of Government Affairs. He was a gracious host and wonderful company as we were privileged to sit among friends as we heard the tale of Rose Schindler's life. Rose is an author, educator, and Holocaust Survivor who exemplified the theme

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 21OCT21

Hello Santee! Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Pedego Electric Bike Store here in Santee. Pandemic impacts had delayed the ceremony for several months so the anticipation was substantial. When it comes to Pedego, the owners Greg and Stephanie Carter are as enthusiastic as they are knowledgeable. Their genuine passion as experienced users is evident and compliments their deep understanding of the product they believe in.    The ceremony was my first

Interactive Cyber Security

SAN DIEGO, Calif., (October 12, 2021) –  San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU®), one of California’s largest locally-owned financial institutions, is going one on one with cyber security expert Jim Stickley with an interactive interview on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. (PT). This free webinar is open to the public, but virtual seating is limited and reservations are required. To register and for details, please visit sdccu.com/fww.   Stickley will offer an inside look into various

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 14OCT21

Hello Santee! Some of my favorite events with the Chamber have been on hiatus the past year and a half and honestly, it’s been saddening to not gather the way we had pre-pandemic. It never feels good to postpone, suspend or even cancel an event and it’s always followed by disappointment. I’m happy to report we finally held an event for our members that was both “large” (about 100 guests) and intimate at the same time! Sycuan Casino Resort came in to save the day when we told them we still hadn’t hosted our

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 08OCT21

Hello Santee! Wednesday night was one for the books. Lantern Crest Senior Living officially premiered their newest building for senior independent living, The Plaza, and the party showcasing their newest space was incredible. I've never been more excited for my 55th birthday to be able to consider living at a property like this! This luxury facility boasts a 50s Diner with bowling lanes, a dinner theater, a credit union, pharmacy, dog park, chapel, gym, indoor pool and spa, tea room, bocce ball court,

“Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers” television special to air Sunday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m.

“Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers” television special to air  Sunday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. on YurView Network     Pre-recorded one-hour program to highlight new San Diego County Teachers of the Year, share inspirational stories from local educators amid COVID-19 pandemic    San Diego, Calif. – Oct. 7, 2021 – As part of the 31st annual “Cox Presents: Salute to Teachers,” Cox Communications will televise a one-hour special that shares the stories of five teachers from across the region named a 2021-22 San

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 30SEP21

Hello Santee! Yesterday I was invited into Momentum Tutoring for a deeper-dive into what they've been offering our community and primarily, what I've been missing out on! Founder and Executive Director, Terri Bozhor, was an incredible host... She not only spared her time for my visit but also arranged for me to meet one of her mentors, a collaborative partner, an employee, several students and a parent, giving me a well-rounded look at how incredible her business has become and the diversity which helps her

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 23SEP21

Hello Santee! It's been no secret that the Chamber moved to remote working after the pandemic showed itself as a plunge into the abyss rather than a swim in shallow waters. After working for months and people easing back to in-person meetings, I have had the privilege of business members offering their workspace as a place of my own when needed. Often times it's Mission Realty Group or selfishly, the Coffee Corner or Carlton Oaks Golf, but recently I've been able to pop into Sportsplex USA and combine some

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 03SEP21

Hello Santee! Wednesday was a very special day in town. We held a small groundbreaking ceremony for what will soon be home to the Santee Veterans Memorial. This project is something that has been a longtime dream of resident and business owner, Dustin Trotter (TDT Construction) but he has been able to move it forward in his short time so far as he is serving his first term on City Council. For those who haven't heard about this project, it will be fast and furious. Being 100% self-funded, the Santee Chamber

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 19AUG21

Hello Santee!I have to admit... there are a lot of days when my job is really fun. Tuesday started out that way and here we are on Thursday, continuing the trend through the week. A few days ago I sat down as John Olsen, Realtor's sidekick on his podcast: The Santee Update. This time he let me sneak in my good pal, Santee resident and longtime radio host, Clint August. At one point, I thought to myself: How cool is it that I get paid to hang out and talk with my friends?  But as the saying goes, "Work hard,

Cox helps people connect to the internet through FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund

A reliable internet connection can make all the difference by breaking down barriers and giving people the chance to participate in life more fully, even beyond their neighborhoods. That’s why Cox Communications is working with local schools and libraries to help provide internet service through the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program to help people get connected to what matters most.    The ECF program is open to students, educational staff and library patrons who would otherwise lack a

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 12AUG21

Hello Santee!Have you all noticed the construction that has taken place under Sky Ranch? Or maybe for those who have lived here a while, you may still call that area Rattlesnake Mountain (guilty). Over the years we've seen a lot going on there... in addition to the Sky Ranch development, Lantern Crest Senior Living now boasts three large buildings in addition to the villas onsite. This facility continues to impress as each addition becomes a bigger, bolder statement and a redesign of how I've ever viewed

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 05AUG21

Hello Santee!Tuesday night you may have seen a large crowd over in Trolley Square, full of emergency vehicles, personnel and more! That's because it was "National Night Out".  National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 30JUL21

Hello Santee!After months of anticipation, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is now open in town! With a special friends and family night on Wednesday, they rolled right into the first full day of business with long lines and excited customers. A special thanks to local resident, Jennifer Johnson, as she allowed me to "borrow" this picture of her adorable kids from yesterday. Her eldest child (Dominic) was a student of mine at Guardian Angels and I still enjoy seeing him around town or just enjoying family

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 22JUL21

Hello Santee!Yesterday I was invited to celebrate the success of some regional chamber leaders who have been making an impact on a national level. The CEOs of Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber (Patrick Ellis) and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber (Nancy Hoffman-Vanyek) were honored at an Economic Forecast event with the Small Business Advocate of the Year award for their establishment and hard work on the Save Small Business Coalition (SSBC). The SSBC was their response to the economic hardships of the

Ingo Hentschel named Senior Vice President and Region Manager for Cox Communications' California Reg

Ingo Hentschel has been named Senior Vice President and Region Manager for Cox Communications‘ California region, overseeing day-to-day operations and employees in San Diego, Orange County, Palos Verdes and Santa Barbara.    A former crew chief with the U.S. Marine Corps, Hentschel has held various leadership roles during his nearly 30-year career at Cox and most recently served as Vice President of Field Operations for California. He succeeds Sam Attisha, who was promoted to lead a new national team

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 08JUL21

Hello Santee!There are many advantages to living in this big-little town of ours. For me, I've always loved our small-town vibes with big-city access, giving us the best of both worlds. In town we have low crime rates and great schools, but just outside of town we have all of San Diego from beaches, to zoos and museums, to exciting night life and beyond. We really have it all, or can drive for about 20 minutes to get it!  Something I've always enjoyed in our outskirts is the casinos and accompanying

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 25JUN21

Hello Santee! It's been a while since I've had to help someone cut through red tape, at least real, tangible red tape in front of a business storefront. Yesterday afternoon broke the long streak of zero in-person grand openings for over 15 months! It was a small but mighty group that gathered to welcome the newest eatery in town, Board & Brew. It already felt great to get our "band" back together to celebrate a new business opening but it was even better to walk in to this newly converted space to try a

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 17JUN21

Hello Santee!Late this afternoon, I was among a select crowd invited to watch the ceremony for the official dining deck opening at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Although some have already been out and shared photos of the beautifully enhanced area, I was so glad to finally see the completed project. I really can't put into words what I saw... (1) I'm not that great of a writer and (2) I feel like you need to go see for yourself. So with that, I'm sharing a picture on the deck, not showing too much of it

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 08APR21

Hello Santee,And hello Orange Tier! We have moved into a less restrictive order under the state and the County has finally been able to give an estimated timeframe of when we will be out of these tiers altogether as the Governor announced "Beyond the Blueprint" and the idea of retiring the entire tier system as early as June 15th. This is great news! As we ease back into some in-person gatherings, the Santee Chamber will resume some light networking opportunities. We started this past week with a low

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 25MAR21

Hello Santee, This past week we celebrated St. Patrick's Day as San Diego County re-entered the red tier in the state's recovery plan. We saw restaurants able to reopen some of their indoor dining, gyms and fitness centers move back indoors, retail operations up their capacity to half of what it was a year ago and finally, some youth sports resume. I listened in on a weekly tele-briefing from the County on Wednesday where health officials predicted us moving into the next phase (yellow tier) around the

Weekly Update 19 MAR21

Hello Santee,It's been a long time since I've enjoyed some live entertainment on purpose! Going out for dinner and a show seems a thing of the past for many, but we are blessed with a winter that often requires only the addition of closed-toe shoes and a sweater. I was especially thankful for these bearable winter nights on this past Sunday as I was invited back to the darling Off Broadway Live. I caught the Fleetwood Mac edition of their Encore Supper Club with my mom in their outdoor theater (full with

Cox Enables Customers with Physical Disabilities to Control Contour Video Guide with Eyes

Cox Enables Customers with Physical Disabilities to Control Contour Video Guide with Eyes   SAN DIEGO, Calif. – (March 11, 2021) – Cox today unveiled a new feature that empowers people with disabilities to control their TV with their eyes. The Accessible Web Remote for Contour gives those who have lost fine motor skills – whether from degenerative conditions or paralysis – the ability to browse the video guide with a glance.   Specifically, a free web-based remote control is navigable using various

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 11MAR21

Hello Santee,I'm curious to know how many of you out there used to commute from Santee into other parts of the county, and are now able to telecommute. As we reach the one year mark of this pandemic, I know several people who have transitioned into a new full-time routine from the comfort of their own home, myself included. As the Chamber did our part to slow the spread and not have staff in a place considered "non-essential" (as much as I beg to differ), we realized quickly that our commercial space wasn't

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 18FEB21

Hello Santee!I am always aware of how wonderful it is to live and work in a community where business relationships turn into friendships. There is a wave of young professionals around town and within our region who are my colleagues, my teachers, my motivation and my friends. These people are the catalyst, conveners and champions for a stronger Santee and they live out the mission of their work through their everyday being. We are pretty lucky... in fact, we are lottery winners if you think about it. We

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 05FEB21

This time of year is usually a really exciting time for me professionally. Over the past few years I have been lucky enough to be plugged into a chamber networking group that I have come to love and adore: the Western Association of Chamber Executives. Wednesday through Friday of this week is their annual conference where hundreds of chamber professionals gather to connect, share and grow together and as we strengthen ourselves for our communities.  Last year the conference was held in Portland and this

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 28JAN21

Hello Santee!As of Monday, the state has lifted the regional stay-at-home order and we are back into the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, placing San Diego County back into the Purple Tier of the plan. This is good news as we move towards reopening safely for certain impacted businesses. Outdoor dining may resume, salons can open with limited capacity indoors, and some youth sports may resume! This is music to my ears, although we still have a long way to go.  On Wednesday I stopped by the office of our

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 14JAN21

Hello Santee! Yesterday I was invited to join a video call with several other East County chamber executives. Although we too have "Zoom fatigue" and are eager to meet in person, I always feel recharged being in the presence of those who share my line of work. With some hope on the horizon for the pandemic to be nearing its end, we know economic recovery is still years beyond us. As a region, it is more important than ever to band together and build our business community back up and I am so thankful for

Santee Chamber Weekly Update 17DEC20

Hello Santee!If you are a member of our Chamber, this week you received a copy of the letter which was sent to our Governor, State Senator, Assemblyman, County Supervisor, Mayor and City Council from our Chamber along with over 80 other Chambers and Business Organizations in California. This letter was drafted out of frustration on our end after seeing, yet again, the mistreatment of our small business community under state regulations dropped down during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I urge you to read

80-plus business groups blast COVID restrictions as discriminatory

Read full article from The San Diego Union Tribune here: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2020-12-14/80-plus-chambers-blast-covid-restrictions-are-discriminatory