Business Builders meets Tuesday

SAN MARCOS -- Business Builders Network will hold a free breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Trophy Room at the San Marcos Country Club. The club is located at 1025 La Bonita Drive.

Speakers will be Alan Willingham of Cornerstone Greetings, sharing his know-how on "Building Customer Relationships" and Denise Budden-Potts, presenting "3 Skills for Communication Excellence."

For more information, go to www.bbnnorthcounty.com or call 760-727-2211.

Free retirement workshop

CARLSBAD -- A free retirement finances workshop and lunch will be held at 11 a.m. June 16 and June 24 at Tuscany Restaurant, 6981 El Camino Real.

The workshop covers the 2009 Update of IRA, 401K, 403B tax exposure, federal estate tax, Social Security and income tax. Other topics include guidelines to help protect you from nursing home expenses, and more.

The workshop is presented by Richard A. Gaines and Dan V. Dague of Crossroads Capital Management, Inc. A complimentary lunch will follow.

Call Beth to reserve your seat at 760-579-0079 between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seating is limited.

Knit shop encourages public knitting

SAN MARCOS -- Yarning For You Knit Shop is holding a local event to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day. The event takes places from 12-4 p.m. June 13.

The shop is at 1011 W. San Marcos Blvd., Suite 180. It can be contacted at 760-744-5648 or www.yarningforyou.com.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day is a way for knitters, in a group setting, to publicize their love for knitting and encourage and inspire others to knit, too.

Knitters are encouraged to bring a knit-themed decorated hat or visor to wear, a snack to share, a lawn chair and lots of enthusiasm.

Taste of Vista on Main Street offers culinary delights

VISTA -- Vista restaurants will showcase their culinary delights from 3-6 p.m. June 19 at Taste of Vista on Main Street.

For $20 presale or $25 at the door, participants can sample the creations of Vista's restaurants. Presale tickets are available from local nonprofits, from the Vista Village Business Association or the Chamber office.

After the event, the association will kick off its weekly concert series, "Summer Music," at the downtown gazebo from 6-8 p.m. The free concert features North Star, a longtime local band.

Visit www.vvba.org or www.vistachamber.org, or call the chamber at 760-414-9391.

Save water, fill tummy at Grangetto's

ESCONDIDO -- Grangetto's is offering a free seminar and barbecue on how to save water. The seminar takes place at 10 a.m. June 19 at 1105 W. Mission Ave. No registration is required.

For more information visit www.grangettos.com or contact Jennifer at 760-745-4671, ext. 215.

Rubio's cleans up the beach

CARLSBAD -- Rubio's Restaurants, Inc. adopted Carlsbad State Beach for a Beach Clean-Up on June 5 in support of World Oceans Day on June 8.

Employees from the support center at Rubio's corporate office turned out, as well as Ralph Rubio, founder of the Baja-style restaurant chain.

O'side street map coming this summer

OCEANSIDE -- The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce will be publishing its new Oceanside street map this summer. The chamber says 20,000 copies will be printed and distributed over a two-year period. Contact Scott Ashton at 760-722-1534, ext. 16, or e-mail scott@oceansidechamber.com.

Curves in Oceanside holds open house

OCEANSIDE -- The public is invited to an open house at Curves in Oceanside, where local residents can get health advice and nutritional information.

The open house will be held from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. June 20, and will feature healthy snacks.

Curves in Oceanside is at 3935 Mission Ave., Suite 3. The company is owned by Lisa Taliaferro. Deb Maglietto is the store manager.

Offerings during open house include: Free back massages by United Physicians Group; Zumba Dance demos; 10-minute weight loss classes; female-specific vendors; makeup applications demos; door prizes and more.

Curves provides an exercise and weight control program designed specifically for women. Curves' exercise program consists of 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, during which participants work all major muscle groups and receive a cardio workout.

For more information, call 760-721-9911, e-mail curvesoceanside@sbcglobal.net or visit www.curves.com or www.curvescomplete.com.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza gives to charities

To mark its 20-year anniversary, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza will recognize four charities on four consecutive Sammy's Nights. They are Father Joe's Village on Father's Day, June 21; Rady Children's Hospital on June 22; Second Chance on June 23; and Operation Home Front on June 24.

The featured charity will get 20 percent of the sales from Sammy's for lunch and dinner.

The Sammy's Woodfired Pizza Web site, www.sammyspizza.com, will post the flier for each charity. To participate, individuals will need to print out the Sammy's Night flier for their particular charity and present it at the restaurant.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza has 10 locations in San Diego County. The Carlsbad restaurant is scheduled to reopen on June 25. Visit www.sammyspizza.com, www.roppongiusa.com or call 858-456-8018.

Carlsbad ConVis revamps image

CARLSBAD -- The Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau is now Visit Carlsbad. The group unveiled the new name and a new logo last month.

The old name didn't reflect the group's focus, to bring visitors to Carlsbad, board chairman Randy Nakagawa said. In addition, Visit Carlsbad will launch a "rebranding" campaign to highlight its focus, along with a new interactive Web site, later this year.

Sempra launches military food program

Sempra Energy Foundation and Sempra Energy have launched a $1.5 million program to help economically pressed military families. The program includes matching grants for Sempra employees who donate to charitable causes.

As part of the initiative, the Sempra Energy Foundation presented a $20,000 grant to the Armed Services YMCA and a $50,000 grant to the San Diego Food Bank.

From June 15 through July 3, Sempra Energy employees can donate to a select list of nonprofits in Southern California. Sempra Energy Foundation will match employee contributions, up to $500 each.

Also, as part of this charitable effort, earlier this year, Sempra Energy's utilities -- San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Gas Co. -- donated $500,000 to United Way to provide bill-payment assistance to qualified customers.

The foundation is a philanthropy established by Sempra Energy, a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2008 revenues of nearly $11 billion. Visit www.sempraenergyfoundation.org.

West Consultants gets $10M in contracts

RANCHO BERNARDO -- West Consultants, Inc. has been awarded two five-year, $5 million contracts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. One contract is for the Northwest Division with the Omaha District, and the other for the South Pacific Division with the Sacramento District.

The company will provide hydraulic designs and analyses, hydrologic analyses, river engineering and floodplain analyses, sedimentation engineering and analyses and fluvial geomorphology studies.

Spa Gregorie's leases at Flower Hill

CARMEL VALLEY -- Spa Gregorie's LLC has leased 6,500 square feet of retail space at Flower Hill Promenade, 2710 Via de la Valle. The 67-month lease is valued at $1,210,950.

Newport Beach-based Spa Gregorie's is a day spa providing massage, facials, hair and makeup services, microdermabrasion, hydrotherapy, electrolysis, waxing and other services (www.spagregories.com).

Reg Kobzi and Carrie Bobb of CB Richard Ellis represented the lessor, Protea Flower Hill Mall LLC. Keith Kropfl of Travers Realty Corp. represented Spa Gregorie's LLC.

The lease brings Flower Hill Promenade to 92 percent occupancy with other tenants including Miltons, Chevy's, Diamond Boutique, Pick Up Stix, Venissimo Cheese, Paradise Grill, Bliss Bride, Siena Julia, Tatiana, Patrick James, Madison Leather, Optical Illusion, The Wine Connection and DIG Garden & Home.

Elizabeth Hospice gets $1,500 grant

ESCONDIDO -- The Elizabeth Hospice has been awarded a $1,500 grant from the Sundt Foundation in support of charity care for elderly patients who may be either uninsured or indigent.

Sundt Construction is one of the oldest and largest national employee-owned contractors. The Sundt Foundation was created in 1999 to meet the needs of disadvantaged children and adults. The foundation receives most of its funding through employee contributions, which are matched by the company.

The Elizabeth Hospice has provided services to more than 70,000 patients and families in northern San Diego County neighborhoods regardless of their ability to pay.

M Bar C companies open new headquarters

SAN MARCOS -- M Bar C Construction Inc. and M Bar C Carports Inc. have opened a new corporate headquarters at 1449 Alpine Place.

Founded in 1978 as a contractor for carports, garages and canopies, M Bar C now provides solar power units over parking structures, along with ground-mounted arrays and elevated solar tracking units.

The company built more than 11 megawatts of energy-saving projects last year for the western United States, including government buildings, universities and school districts.

Vallecitos Water District wins engineering award

SAN MARCOS -- Vallecitos Water District, owner and operator of the Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility that recently underwent a $23.5 million upgrade, was honored with the 2009 "Award of Excellence" by the American Society of Civil Engineers San Diego Chapter at its awards banquet on May 16.

The upgrade improved operations efficiency and increased recycled water output capacity. The complete overhaul included changes to processing, odor control, reliability, cost effectiveness and visual impacts.

Rotary donates to microcredit program

RANCHO BERNARDO -- The Noon Rotary Club has donated $1,000 for the Rotary International Microcredit loan program to help the poor of Ecuador.

Microcredits are very small loans that typically go to individual entrepreneurs with low capital needs. They typically range between $100 to $150.

Donations made through Rotary are also run through a foundation that matches the club's funds from several sources. When the process is complete, RB Rotary's $1,000 contribution will merge with contributions from other clubs in San Diego and Imperial counties, eventually growing to more than $18,000.

Learn more at www.rotarianmicrocredit.org.

Contact President Dan Malloy at 858-245-2412 or danmalloy.rbrotary@cox.net.

Pardee Homes noted in green building awards

CARMEL VALLEY -- Pardee Homes has won an award for green and sustainable development for Portico at Pacific Highlands Ranch. It was given by the national Green Building Awards program.

Portico, a high-density neighborhood of detached homes, earned an honorable mention as Project of the Year, Production Single-Family Home. Sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders, the Green Building Awards annually honors home builders, remodelers, home builders' associations and other organizations for advancing green building. Winners were celebrated May 8 in Dallas as a featured event of the 11th annual National Green Building Conference.

Portico's homes are certified as California Green Builder designs and have been honored for their architectural excellence in several regional and national design/planning competitions. Visit www.pardeehomes.com.

General Atomics sponsors robotics team

POWAY --- General Atomics sponsored the Poway High School Robotics Team, named Team Spyder, in the Vex Robotics World Championship held in Dallas from April 30 through May 2.

Team Spyder's robot, "For Sale," won three out of six matches, finishing 60th out of 130 teams in its technology division. It also finished 28th out of 69 teams in the autonomous skills challenge and 68th out of 181 teams in the driver skills challenge.

The second annual VEX Robotics World Championship drew more than 2,000 students and 260 teams from 13 different countries competing. Each team entered a robot that it designed and built using the VEX Robotics Design System in the quest for the world championship title.

GA supported this effort to continue encouraging students at all grade levels from middle school through college to take an interest in engineering, math and science to support the increasing demand for engineers in the future.

Children's music academy opening

ENCINITAS -- Happy Children's Music Academy is about to open its doors at 535 Encinitas Blvd, Suite 100. The academy is owned by Julie Rose, Ed.D.

The academy will offer music classes for children through age 14, as well as specialty classes and classes in pre-piano and pre-guitar. Private lessons in voice, keyboard and guitar will also be available.

Classes begin July 7 and will cost $45 a month. The academy is offering the grand opening special of two months for the price of one for students registered before June 21. Need-based scholarships are available.

Rose has degrees in educational leadership and guitar. She has taught preschool and elementary music all of her life.

For more information, visit the Happy Children's Music Academy Web site at www.happychildrensmusic.com or call Rose at 760-815-4890.

Meals-on-Wheels honors volunteers

Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego honored the North County Times; Redwood Senior Homes & Services and Jim and Gail Monaghan at its 2009 Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation.

They received the George A. Scott award, given to those who provide exemplary volunteer service. George A. Scott was a leading corporate citizen of San Diego and founder of the former Walker Scott department store chain known for its customer service. The event was held May 19 at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park.

North County Times, headquartered in Escondido, received an award for 2008 Outstanding Corporation. Complimentary newspapers are delivered to many local seniors who receive meals from delivery programs such as Meals-on-Wheels.The estimated total donation since 2000 is more than $210,000.

Redwood Senior Homes & Services, also in Escondido received the award for Outstanding Organization. The Redwood Senior Homes & Services has supported Meals-on-Wheels since 1978. It sponsors the annual Holiday Concert and the Adopt-a-Route program. Over the years, its estimated support is more than $200,000.

Jim and Gail Monaghan of Chula Vista received the 2008 award for Outstanding Individuals. Gail has been a volunteer with Meals-on-Wheels since 1994. She delivers meals weekly and is an Advisory Committee Member. Jim came aboard as a volunteer five years ago. He delivers meals weekly and on-call when needed.

Meals-on-Wheels, Greater San Diego contributes to the overall well-being of seniors by providing regular nutrition and daily contact with a caring volunteer. Additional information can be found at www.meals-on-wheels.org or by calling 800-573-6467.

Alchemy of the Hearth moves, to hold open house

ESCONDIDO -- Alchemy of the Hearth has opened its new location at 1291 Simpson Way, Suite H. The company offers culinary education to both the home cook and professional chef in North San Diego County.

Executive Chef Arleen Lloyd manages a team of chefs, bakers, pastry artists, culinarians and business experts dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge of food.

Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The public is invited to participate in an open house on June 27. For a complete listing of events, times and reservation requirements, log on to www.alchemyofthehearth.com.

Bressi Ranch industrial property sold

A 2,908-square-foot industrial property located at 6122 Innovation Way within the Bressi Ranch Corporate Center in Carlsbad has been sold. Bob Willingham, vice president and partner of Coldwell Banker Commercial, represented the seller, Palomar Airport Road LLC.

The buyer of the LEED-certified property, assessors parcel number 213-262-13-11, was 959 Holdings LLC, represented by Justin Beattie of Grubb & Ellis.

The purchase price of the all-cash deal was not disclosed.

Scogin joins California Community Bank

ESCONDIDO -- Michael Scogin has joined California Community Bank as manager of its Miramar branch.

Scogin, a Rancho Bernardo resident, served from 1995 to 2000 as chief financial officer of Douglas E. Barnhart Inc., a Rancho Bernardo-based construction firm. He was most recently a vice president with North Island Credit Union.

California Community Bank is headquartered in Escondido and maintains branches in Encinitas, Miramar and Vista.