July 2009 SPBG Minutes
September 30, 2009SOUTH PARK BUSINESS GROUP
MONTHLY MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 29. 2009, 8:30 AM
MOOSE LODGE, 1648 30TH STREET IN SOUTH PARK
IMPORTANT COMMUNITY DATES:
• Next South Park Business Group – Wednesday, August 26th, 8:30 am
• Harvest Walkabout – Saturday, October 3, 6-10 pm
• Greater Golden Hill 2nd Annual Gala Celebration – Saturday, August 1 at Alchemy, 6:00 pm
MINUTES
Introductions - Marsha Smelkinson chaired the meeting. Those present introduced themselves.
Report that Andrea Graef, owner of Champagne Taste, has announced that her business will be closing in South Park.
Police Report – Police were not present. We need to check officer availability for future meetings.
MAD Report – David Skillman absent
South Park Business Group committee to the GGH Community Plan Update -
Nancy Sherman reported that the committee had not met and would do so once David
Skillman returns from vacation. The GGH Community Plan Committee also has yet
to meet.
Greater Golden Hill CDC – Pedro Anaya Jr.
Pedro Anaya announced the 2nd Annual Gala Celebration this coming Saturday, August 1st at Alchemy. The purpose is to provide an event to benefit the GGHCDC by raising funds for the organization’s administrative/support services. As of today, they are ten tickets from selling out the entire event. Pedro said, that at the gala, they will be rolling out a new organization logo, providing awards to local citizens and businesses, and holding a silent auction.
Public Relations Committee – Marsha Smelkinson, Anne Mery
A. The SPBG contract with Peyton Robertson, PR media consultant, ended May 15, 2009. It was mutually decided that we would not renew the contract based on the limited funding available.
Lisa Vella asked what the plan was to replace Peyton. Marsha Smelkinson has been filling in and covering the public relations responsibilities for the group currently. Peyton will continue to be involved with the South Park Business Group on a volunteer basis. When we have more funding, we will evaluate what is the best plan. Funding from the BID could help with future PR efforts. The July-June 2010 fiscal budget is still up in the air until we learn about the BID grant.
B. BID Grant Update - An application was submitted in June to BID for the maximum amount of $8,500. The announcement for funding allocations has been unusually late this year so we still have not heard whether or not we will be funded again.
In the meantime, we had a one-time opportunity to submit an additional grant for $2000 in June for money that had not been collected/used by other grantees. Our submission was for Old House Fair website and marketing (brochure) line items. This secondary SPBG grant has been approved and has already been received.
C. Summer Walkabout (7/25/09)
Marsha Smelkinson asked for feedback on the Walkabout held last Saturday. Remarks included the trolley being a major asset with the driver’s presentation positively adding to the experience; Information Table in front of The Grove handled by Samantha Keenan and Nancy Sherman needs a sign or banner. The whereabouts of the Information Table also should be put in the Walkabout advertisements so people know where to come to learn about what is going on during the event. Several individuals observed that there were lots of people from other parts of the City/County attending the Walkabout, even though KPBS radio ads were not run. Comments suggested that we need to develop Walkabout themes and consider using local bands from the community.
Ethos event in the Gala Foods parking lot seemed to attract large groups of people for music and other activities. Concern was expressed about Ethos not informing anyone connected with the Walkabout/South Park Business Group that they planned a big event, and that Ethos did not adequately clean up the parking lot. The rest of the Walkabout business areas were cleaned up by volunteers. Another comment was about the fact that the Ethos event kept people at its event instead of allowing them to move throughout the business community. This did not promote the spirit of the Walkabout.
Discussion lead to the fact that communication and dialogue needs to be opened directly with Ethos so we can be able to work together and help each other. Lisa Vella and Pedro Anaya Jr. said that they were agreeable to talking with Jason, the Ethos leader. This conversation should occur before the next Walkabout.
D. Harvest Walkabout (10/3/09)
A new postcard advertising the next Walkabout needs to be developed and
printed. Suggestion was to include more of a description of what goes on at Walkabout events on the postcard. This may be a time to develop more of a theme around this Walkabout date in early fall. PR Committee will review what can be done to build on the summer event.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Old House Fair (Maureen Ceccarelli on vacation) Marsha Smelkinson reviewed the Old House Fair 2009 Financial Report (7/29/09 handout). The Old House Fair expenses totaled $20,623; income totaled $27,187. Recommendation is to add $3000 to event reserve (bringing the total reserve to $5000) and give the South Park Business Group the remaining $3,364.
Pedro Anaya of GGHCDC (financial agent for OHF) said he will help develop fiscal report with year-to-year comparisons for future review.
The Old House Fair cannot handle more people on home tours -- we had 600 people touring 5 homes this year.
To continue to bring more people into the Old House Fair vendor area venue on Beech Street, the suggestion was made to increase seminars and free talks. Kris Grant suggested inviting Jim Mills (of Mills Act Historical Properties) who has stated that South Park has the best collection of Craftsman houses of any neighborhood in San Diego. He is one possibility, and Ann Jarmusch, past architecture writer/editor of Union-Tribune, who now also lives in South Park, might be another.
B. South Park Community Yard Sale (6/27/09) – Nancy Sherman
Yard sale was a great success with 125 addresses participating (and up to 50 more families who held sales without being on the map distributed that day.) The eastern part of South Park is enthusiastic but does not bring in the outside buyers. We need to rethink how to present the yard sale to those residents beginning with Westland Ave. These residents think of themselves as South Park residents but are separated by the 32nd Street canyon.
Nancy Sherman personally thanked the South Park businesses for their tremendous support of this event.
Luci Dumas suggested that we consider scheduling next year’s event a week before the Old House Fair on 6/12/09 in order to publicize the Fair more fully rather than a holding the event the week after the Old House Fair. This will be considered.
NEW BUSINESS
A. S.L.O.B. campaign – Joe Grant
Joe Grant has now had his business, Grant’s Marketplace for 7 years. He has now created S.L.O.B. ("supporter of local businesses"), a campaign to encourage residents to buy locally and to encourage using local businesses. He has developed a preliminary website, as well as promotional materials such as T shirts with logos developed by a local artist, Dave Ross, as well as Sal Gonzalez. He has begun to approach celebrities to be on a poster. Joe thinks this campaign has the potential to go national with each region and/or neighborhood using their own local artists and businesses.
If you are interested in participating (having your business on the S.L.O.B. website, distributing materials, etc.), please contact Joe Grant (grantsmarketplace@sbcglobal.net or (619) 933-6318). He needs your logo and any photos you might have. Material you may have submitted on the South Park Scene web page is fine.
B. Presentation about Commercial Lighting rebate programs from SDG&E with Travis Nixon and Jeff Lapp, Absolute Electric/So Cal Smartpower, introduced by South Bark Dog Wash.
Lisa Vella endorsed Absolute Electric/So Cal Smartpower for the job they did for the South Bark Dog Wash lighting renovation and greening of their business through Federal tax credits rebates. They will receive $3,000 in rebates. Rebates are available through the California Public Utilities Commission mandate via S.D.G.&E. to incentivize light fixture retrofits, installation of higher efficacy bulbs, and lighting efficiency controls (you should see a return of your money within 8 months).
IMPORTANT COMMUNITY DATES:
• Next South Park Business Group – Wednesday, August 26th, 8:30 am
• Harvest Walkabout – Saturday, October 3, 6-10 pm
• Greater Golden Hill 2nd Annual Gala Celebration – Saturday, August 1 at Alchemy, 6:00 pm
MINUTES
Introductions - Marsha Smelkinson chaired the meeting. Those present introduced themselves.
Report that Andrea Graef, owner of Champagne Taste, has announced that her business will be closing in South Park.
Police Report – Police were not present. We need to check officer availability for future meetings.
MAD Report – David Skillman absent
South Park Business Group committee to the GGH Community Plan Update -
Nancy Sherman reported that the committee had not met and would do so once David
Skillman returns from vacation. The GGH Community Plan Committee also has yet
to meet.
Greater Golden Hill CDC – Pedro Anaya Jr.
Pedro Anaya announced the 2nd Annual Gala Celebration this coming Saturday, August 1st at Alchemy. The purpose is to provide an event to benefit the GGHCDC by raising funds for the organization’s administrative/support services. As of today, they are ten tickets from selling out the entire event. Pedro said, that at the gala, they will be rolling out a new organization logo, providing awards to local citizens and businesses, and holding a silent auction.
Public Relations Committee – Marsha Smelkinson, Anne Mery
A. The SPBG contract with Peyton Robertson, PR media consultant, ended May 15, 2009. It was mutually decided that we would not renew the contract based on the limited funding available.
Lisa Vella asked what the plan was to replace Peyton. Marsha Smelkinson has been filling in and covering the public relations responsibilities for the group currently. Peyton will continue to be involved with the South Park Business Group on a volunteer basis. When we have more funding, we will evaluate what is the best plan. Funding from the BID could help with future PR efforts. The July-June 2010 fiscal budget is still up in the air until we learn about the BID grant.
B. BID Grant Update - An application was submitted in June to BID for the maximum amount of $8,500. The announcement for funding allocations has been unusually late this year so we still have not heard whether or not we will be funded again.
In the meantime, we had a one-time opportunity to submit an additional grant for $2000 in June for money that had not been collected/used by other grantees. Our submission was for Old House Fair website and marketing (brochure) line items. This secondary SPBG grant has been approved and has already been received.
C. Summer Walkabout (7/25/09)
Marsha Smelkinson asked for feedback on the Walkabout held last Saturday. Remarks included the trolley being a major asset with the driver’s presentation positively adding to the experience; Information Table in front of The Grove handled by Samantha Keenan and Nancy Sherman needs a sign or banner. The whereabouts of the Information Table also should be put in the Walkabout advertisements so people know where to come to learn about what is going on during the event. Several individuals observed that there were lots of people from other parts of the City/County attending the Walkabout, even though KPBS radio ads were not run. Comments suggested that we need to develop Walkabout themes and consider using local bands from the community.
Ethos event in the Gala Foods parking lot seemed to attract large groups of people for music and other activities. Concern was expressed about Ethos not informing anyone connected with the Walkabout/South Park Business Group that they planned a big event, and that Ethos did not adequately clean up the parking lot. The rest of the Walkabout business areas were cleaned up by volunteers. Another comment was about the fact that the Ethos event kept people at its event instead of allowing them to move throughout the business community. This did not promote the spirit of the Walkabout.
Discussion lead to the fact that communication and dialogue needs to be opened directly with Ethos so we can be able to work together and help each other. Lisa Vella and Pedro Anaya Jr. said that they were agreeable to talking with Jason, the Ethos leader. This conversation should occur before the next Walkabout.
D. Harvest Walkabout (10/3/09)
A new postcard advertising the next Walkabout needs to be developed and
printed. Suggestion was to include more of a description of what goes on at Walkabout events on the postcard. This may be a time to develop more of a theme around this Walkabout date in early fall. PR Committee will review what can be done to build on the summer event.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Old House Fair (Maureen Ceccarelli on vacation) Marsha Smelkinson reviewed the Old House Fair 2009 Financial Report (7/29/09 handout). The Old House Fair expenses totaled $20,623; income totaled $27,187. Recommendation is to add $3000 to event reserve (bringing the total reserve to $5000) and give the South Park Business Group the remaining $3,364.
Pedro Anaya of GGHCDC (financial agent for OHF) said he will help develop fiscal report with year-to-year comparisons for future review.
The Old House Fair cannot handle more people on home tours -- we had 600 people touring 5 homes this year.
To continue to bring more people into the Old House Fair vendor area venue on Beech Street, the suggestion was made to increase seminars and free talks. Kris Grant suggested inviting Jim Mills (of Mills Act Historical Properties) who has stated that South Park has the best collection of Craftsman houses of any neighborhood in San Diego. He is one possibility, and Ann Jarmusch, past architecture writer/editor of Union-Tribune, who now also lives in South Park, might be another.
B. South Park Community Yard Sale (6/27/09) – Nancy Sherman
Yard sale was a great success with 125 addresses participating (and up to 50 more families who held sales without being on the map distributed that day.) The eastern part of South Park is enthusiastic but does not bring in the outside buyers. We need to rethink how to present the yard sale to those residents beginning with Westland Ave. These residents think of themselves as South Park residents but are separated by the 32nd Street canyon.
Nancy Sherman personally thanked the South Park businesses for their tremendous support of this event.
Luci Dumas suggested that we consider scheduling next year’s event a week before the Old House Fair on 6/12/09 in order to publicize the Fair more fully rather than a holding the event the week after the Old House Fair. This will be considered.
NEW BUSINESS
A. S.L.O.B. campaign – Joe Grant
Joe Grant has now had his business, Grant’s Marketplace for 7 years. He has now created S.L.O.B. ("supporter of local businesses"), a campaign to encourage residents to buy locally and to encourage using local businesses. He has developed a preliminary website, as well as promotional materials such as T shirts with logos developed by a local artist, Dave Ross, as well as Sal Gonzalez. He has begun to approach celebrities to be on a poster. Joe thinks this campaign has the potential to go national with each region and/or neighborhood using their own local artists and businesses.
If you are interested in participating (having your business on the S.L.O.B. website, distributing materials, etc.), please contact Joe Grant (grantsmarketplace@sbcglobal.net or (619) 933-6318). He needs your logo and any photos you might have. Material you may have submitted on the South Park Scene web page is fine.
B. Presentation about Commercial Lighting rebate programs from SDG&E with Travis Nixon and Jeff Lapp, Absolute Electric/So Cal Smartpower, introduced by South Bark Dog Wash.
Lisa Vella endorsed Absolute Electric/So Cal Smartpower for the job they did for the South Bark Dog Wash lighting renovation and greening of their business through Federal tax credits rebates. They will receive $3,000 in rebates. Rebates are available through the California Public Utilities Commission mandate via S.D.G.&E. to incentivize light fixture retrofits, installation of higher efficacy bulbs, and lighting efficiency controls (you should see a return of your money within 8 months).
To contact Absolute Electric/So Cal Smartpower, call Jeffrey Lapp at (619) 378-3792.
C. Marsha Smelkinson announced that she will be moving out of town for a period as yet undetermined. She plans to continue to manage the South Park Business Group emails, handle the webpage updates, and promote PR efforts on behalf of the group.
It is not clear how well this plan will work in the future. Marsha hopes to visit South Park and the meeting as often as possible. Ideally, she will be able to come most months. We will continue to evaluate this plan, and we will see how it goes with the PR/Promotional work. We wish Marsha the best.
Marsha now needs minutes as soon as possible following each meeting. Cyndi Meeves of the North Park News agreed to take the secretarial position. (SPBG thanks Nancy Sherman for her excellent work on the Minutes over the past year-plus.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Neolith Graphics, South Park local printer, announced a new product which ties into "buy local" promotions, for distributing 40,000 door hanger booklets direct to door in 92103 and 92104 every other month. Contact (619) 794-8001.
• Lisa Vella made the observation that many spots in South Park are very dark at night. She suggests that businesses leave on their lights at night as a security measure.
. Beware of a short woman with long dark black hair who is not very cognizant and appears to be stealing from stores.
• REI is sponsoring free nature walks in the community. There is a 32nd Street Canyon walk on Tuesday, August 4th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Directions: Off the I-94 take 30th St. exit heading north. Make a right (East) on C St. after 32nd St. The canyon will be on your left hand side. The Canyon entrance is near the start of school property. Contact Alex GGHCDC (619) 696-9992 for more information
• Waste Management Services will provide cardboard boxes for waste overflow at events. This may be a solution to some street areas, e.g., Juniper Street, during the
Walkabouts. Contact Pedro GGHCDC (619) 696-9992
• Concern was expressed about a hand written sign posted for an event with racist and discriminatory messages. It has been reported to the police. Sign was circulated.
• Meeting adjourned. Next meeting will be Wednesday, August 26th, 8:30 am at the Moose Lodge.
Minutes Submitted by Nancy Sherman 7/30/09
Posted by SPBG South Park Business Group. Posted In : Meetings
