by Kristi Hawthorne
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The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 120th year and is the longest running business in our city.  Established in 1896, the Chamber’s influence and impact has played an important role in the promotion, tourism and business development of Oceanside. Reading through the roll call of past presidents is walking along a historic timeline and a virtual listing of the movers and shakers in the community and those who helped to build and shape the City and promote it a variety of ways. 
 
The Oceanside Chamber worked in conjunction with the City Council (or City Trustees as they were called years ago).  It was involved in everything from life-saving equipment on the beach, to tree planting, to rebuilding each new pier, beautification of the city, to cemetery upkeep, putting on parades, fireworks and beauty contests, along with catchy slogans promoting the city. 
 
Leading businessmen met at the South Pacific Hotel on May 8, 1896 to discuss the formation of a business organization to promote the city. The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce was established with Joseph Lewis Sharp, a member of the City Trustees, appointed as the Chamber’s first president.  One of the first accomplishments was submitting promotional material to be published in a popular magazine of the time "Land of Sunshine" and ordering 6,500 leaflets advertising Oceanside as a summer resort and delivered to inland areas as well as Arizona and New Mexico.

by: Isabella Janovick - Anacomp, Inc.
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Although the total elimination of paper may not be practical for every business, even a small reduction may yield cost savings, increase efficiency and improve the security of documents. A paperless environment, whether it be a startup company or a developed, well-established corporation with policies and procedures, will always be beneficial to the company. Below are some benefits of having a paperless environment with the use of document management software, which includes a central document repository, process consistency and integration with additional business solutions.

by Amber Ter-Vrugt
 
Texas Roadhouse coming to Oceanside!
Like steak? Like ribs? Like ice cold beer? Like Peanuts? If so, come June, you’re going to be a happy camper…. ! Pay attention to the old Spoons location … Texas Road house is scraping it and building a new restaurant.
 
Zero Waste in Oceanside… we’re on our way! What’s next? Single Use Bag Ban coming this year…
Want more information … January 25th the City will be hosting a business, sustainability and policy workshop at Privateer at 6pm… or, if you can’t make it, contact Colleen Foster at 760-435-5021 cfoster@ci.oceansde.ca.us
Interesting tidbits from Colleen…

• Today Oceanside is at a 77% recycling rate! That’s a direct result of businesses and schools getting involved!
• California generates about 19 million single use plastic bags!
• Single use plastic bags do not bio degrade.
• Single use bags are the 5th most commonly found littered item because of their lightweight makeup.
• Plastic bag materials are now being found in our food supply because marine life consumes plastic bags that make it into waterways. 
• What about ziplock bags? Those are not biodegradable, or recyclable… but they would not be part of an ordinance in Oceanside at this time
• Patio decking is the only area where single use bags can be reused / recycled, but that’s such a narrow market that only %5 of single use plastic bags are actually recycled and reused .
• 145 cities / counties have passed a single use plastic bag ban.