RQ Construction wins Marine Corps contract

CARLSBAD -- RQ Construction Inc. said it and Archer Western were awarded a $151 million contract to build enlisted men's quarters at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., the U.S. Marine Corps' largest base east of the Mississippi River.

An option in the contract could increase its value to $163 million.

RQ said the work must be completed by August 2011.

RQ is headquartered on Lionshead Avenue. Archer Western is based in Chicago and is part of the Walsh Group, one of the 10 largest builders in the nation, according to an RQ press release.

Lunch at the lake

LAKE SAN MARCOS -- North County Women in Networking will hold its monthly luncheon meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Lake San Marcos Country Club's Terrace Room at 1750 Lake San Pablo Drive. Cost is $22 for members and $24 for guests. Reserve to Cynthia Bullock at 760-215-3342.

Water-thrifty gardens

DEL MAR -- Vista resident Steve Jacobs, president of Nature Designs Landscaping, will discuss water conservation in gardens at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Paul Ecke Jr. Flower & Garden Show at the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The theme of the 2009 Flower & Garden Show is "Rhapsody in Bloom." Visit www.sdfair.com or call Jacobs at 760-945-4321.

A-1 hosts drought-tolerant plant workshop

VALLEY CENTER -- A July 15 session at A-1 Irrigation will provide local residents and business owners with information on water conservation, drought-tolerant landscaping and fire prevention. The session is A-1's response to water shortages and reduced water deliveries.

The business' owners are trying to arrange representatives from the San Diego County's water authority, Valley Center Municipal Water District, San Diego County Farm Bureau, irrigation suppliers, and local nurseries.

The session will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 28511 Cole Grade Road.

Transferring assets

CARLSBAD -- Estate planner Zarcaro & Associates is moving to 2710 Loker Ave. from its office in Rancho Bernardo. The firm signed a five-year lease on a 900-square-foot office, according to brokers CB Richard Ellis.

Building business networks

SAN MARCOS -- Business Builders Network will hold its weekly breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday in the trophy room of San Marcos Country Club.

Sheree Keller, vice president of First Business Bank, will speak on recent changes in banking. Mike Mashayekhi of Roadstar Auto Repair will discuss air-conditioning repairs.

Contact Richard Skay at 760-727-2211.

Lake Wohlford Cafe wins service honors

VALLEY CENTER -- Lake Wohlford Cafe has won a statewide award from the California Restaurant Association for community service. The cafe is now up for a similar award at the national level.

The cafe is by the lake at 25484 Lake Wohlford Road. Call 760-749-6585.

Workshops on productive relationships

CARLSBAD -- Personal Strengths USA will host workshops on building productive relationships on July 9, Aug. 25 and Sept. 23.

The free workshops are from 1:30-4:30 p.m. each day at 1946 Kellogg Ave. The company asks that participants complete 30 minutes of electronic preparation before each class, and that all participants be prompt.

Contact Gina Paez at 760-602-0086.

Fundraiser against child abuse

ENCINITAS -- Miram Jewels and Art N Soul on 101 will host a fundraiser Sunday for a group that works to prevent child abuse. The event, for Promises2Kids, is from 2 to 6 p.m. today at 622 S. Coast Highway.

Call Miriam Chor Freitas at 858-842-1114 or Cindy Blumkin at 858-442-8666.

Business etiquette lunch

CARLSBAD -- North County Young Professionals will meet for an "iLunch" from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14 at Buca di Beppo, 1921 Calle Barcelona.

Phyllis Davis, founder of the American Business Etiquette Trainers Association, will discuss desirable personal traits for your industry, community and social circle.

Attendees must reserve by July 10. Cost is $25 for members of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and $40 for nonmembers. The professionals group is aimed at chamber members between ages 21 and 39.

Call 760-795-0240 or e-mail info@ncyp.org.

Fundraising for the disabled

CARLSBAD -- The Vons store at 2560 El Camino Real raised more than $15,000 during April for those with disabilities, the highest total in the district. Stores at 6951 El Camino Real and at 1000 W. El Norte Parkway in Escondido each raised more than $12,000.

The fundraising is affiliated with Easter Seals Southern California.

L7 Creative launches new Web site

POWAY -- Advertising agency L7 Creative Communications has relaunched its Web site at www.L7Creative.com. The site showcases the agency's in-house Web design, programming, and motion-graphics capabilities.

Founded in 2001, L7 Creative has experience in consumer electronics, health care, IT, sporting goods, recruitment, real estate, biotech and other fields. The company recently formed a strategic partnership with Luis.it, a interactive-focused agency in Bologna, Italy; it's on the Web at www.luis.it.

Grangetto's to expand hours

Beginning July 12, Grangetto's Farm & Garden Supply will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays to serve customers daily. The 58-year-old business has locations in Escondido, Encinitas, Valley Center and Fallbrook. Visit grangettos.com or call 800-536-4671.

Also, the supply store is offering a free seminar July 18 on water conservation at its Fallbrook location, 530 E. Alvarado St. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon and includes a free barbecue lunch.

Visit www.grangettos.com or call 760-728-6127.

Business climate to be topic

SAN DIEGO -- Congressman Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, will discuss conditions for small businesses in Southern California and across the nation in an event Tuesday organized by the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce. Bilbray will discuss the new "e-verify" program for checking workers' immigration status, and cap-and-trade, a proposed policy for limiting emissions believed to contribute to global warming.

The event begins at 8 a.m. at the University of Phoenix campus at 3890 Murphy Canyon Road.

On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Registration is also available online at SDNCC.com.

New veterinary hospital arrives

SAN MARCOS -- Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego has opened its second specialty and emergency facility, Veterinary Specialty Hospital of North County.

The veterinary hospital is at 2055 Montiel Road. Call 760-466-0600; visit www.vshsd.com.

The new hospital is an expansion of the San Diego one, which opened in 1990. It offers 24-hour emergency and critical care, surgery and internal medicine. Other specialties will follow.

Renovation contract won

Barnhart Inc. of San Diego won a $7.3 million contract for the repair and renovation of existing four-story bachelor enlisted quarters at Camp Pendleton.

An unexercised option would increase cumulative contract value to $9.1 million. Work is expected to be completed by March 2010.Â

Real estate, lending company opens

RANCHO BERNARDO -- Meridian Realty & Lending opened at 16776 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 102.

Brian Pado, Meridian's president and CEO, said the company separates real estate from lending in its operations so its Realtors can focus on real estate.

Pado has an MBA in finance and marketing.

Call 858-485-0100.