by Scott Ashton

​April 21st was an amazing day for the Oceanside business community. Several hundred local business professionals and community members gathered at the QLN Conference Center for the Annual Oceanside Business Expo. Exhibitors explained their products and services to potential customers. Restaurants and caterers had a captive (and hungry) audience that was excited to try some of Oceanside's best cuisine. Oceanside's growing brewery scene was on display as several local brewers, along with Beach House Winery offered tastings.

by Kristi Hawthorne,
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“That Boy Good” is both the name of a popular downtown restaurant and the statement many will make after tasting one of their delicious entrees.  The eatery is located in a rather inconspicuous building at 207 North Coast Highway. You might not find it by name but its popularity has spread by word of mouth, and that’s exactly what owners Kim and Mark were going for. 
 
That Boy Good’s storefront is simply painted with the words “BBQ” and “Cold Beer”.  The interior is reminiscent of a southern juke joint, rustic and eclectic.  Kim Millwood, co-owner, made most of the furnishing including the tables and a variety of fixtures, in fact, ninety percent of the interior is made of recycled or repurposed materials.

by Jyotika Chand,
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If you just joined a chamber or going to networking events you know that sometimes they can be a bit overwhelming. You walk in and there are so many people in the room. You meet a few people, introduce yourself, and maybe even throw out your pitch. You don’t remember everyone and you didn’t have time to get a good feel for those you did meet. Don’t worry you’re not alone.

The Oceanside Chamber has found a way to make networking less stressful and more intimate for its members. They call it Plates for 8. A member of the chamber hosts the networking luncheon for 8-10 members from 11:30am-1:00pm at a restaurant. This allows the experience to be beneficial to everyone. You get to speak about yourself and your business so others can get to know you at a more personal level and know how to help you grow successfully.

by Jyotika Chand, RN,

Are you a small business owner? Did you just start a new business? Did you just move to Oceanside and looking to meet new people?
 
Whatever the reason for coming to Oceanside, being a part of Oceanside Chamber of Commerce is the place to start. They provide 1st and 3rd Tuesday coffee meetings that are fabulous for meeting new people and entrepreneurs like you. These meetings allow everyone to make a brief introduction of themselves and their businesses, as well as create new relationships in a non-stressful environment. There is always coffee and yummy breakfast treats-How can anyone be stressed? 

​California Proposal for State-run Retirement Plan for Private-sector Workers Moves Forward

The proposed California Secure Choice Retirement Plan essentially would be a 401(k) plan operated by the state and open to private-sector workers whose employers don’t offer a retirement savings plan.

California has taken a step closer to becoming the first state to make retirement savings accounts a near-universal benefit for workers with a plan that lawmakers hope will help ease an expected massive shortfall in retirement savings.
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A state board Monday sent a set of recommendations to the Legislature calling for the creation of the California Secure Choice Retirement Plan — essentially a 401(k) plan operated by the state and open to private-sector workers whose employers don't offer a retirement savings plan.

by Kierstin Hill

In 1974, several local women, including Janet Bledsoe and Colleen O’Harra, opened a rape crisis center, known as the Women’s Resource Center.  The Women’s Resource Center was designed to serve the North County population because at that time, the closest center was in Hillcrest in downtown San Diego.  Soon after opening the crisis center, the Oceanside Police Department came to WRC and asked them to help with child abuse as well.  WRC accepted the request and started another organization, Casa de Amparo.  A short while later, law enforcement came to WRC with another request: help with domestic violence.   The Women’s Resource Center was growing too large so the Board of Directors decided to split into two organizations.  Casa de Amparo would focus on child abuse and the Women’s Resource Center would focus on sexual assault and domestic violence. 

​Thanks to the hard work of our Oceanside City Maintenance workers, our beloved Oceanside sign is back and looking great!
 
The sign was put back up by Dayne Mueller and Jon Perkins, City maintenance workers.  They were assisted by Nathan Erb, Michael Boitnott and Timothy Zigler. 
 
We appreciate your work, gentlemen!

​by Amber Ter-Vrugt

Hot Topics! There’s a bunch…
Brian Rupp, Shopoff Realty. Shopoff is developing a handful of projects in North County. In Oceanside they are working on;

• 38-unit town home project on PCH at Moore street in South O
• Park Villas at El Corazon is a proposal for 70 for sale town homes (down from 80), on 5 acres, and is an important piece of the city’s smart growth initiative being so close to the sprinter.  Part of the 465 acre specific plan includes an interest in retail / mixed use development.  After working with the city and the community, Shopoff revised their project, set back the town homes, added a proposal for signage and landscaping to screen the town homes ($2M in additional costs) and added commercial retail space. To accommodate the changes and still make the project pencil, Shopoff is asking for an additional 38 units. The emerging issues committee made a recommendation to the board of directors for the Oceanside Chamber to support the project and the addition of the 38 units.

The iconic "Oceanside" sign in the Harbor is getting a much needed face lift. Originally installed in 1965, the sign was taken down this week and should be back in its entirety by early next week.

Life in our North Coast Highway Oceanside neighborhood is about to get a lot busier! The day has arrived for our newest neighbor, In-N-Out Burger to open their doors. Before the clock even hit 10am today, many of our staff members had already enjoyed their delicious burgers and fries. 

In-N-Out is located at 936 North Coast Highway, right next to the Chamber and California Welcome Center. Feel free to stop by the Chamber and pick up one of our "Best of Oceanside" Community Guides when you're in the neighborhood!