Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Route 44
Matt Ohlin, owner of Route 44, began skateboarding when he was 7 years old. Since then he has pursued what is most important to him. For years, he played in a local band and assisted special education. When both careers came to an end, skateboarding was something he continued to pursue. Opening a skateboard shop was a logical way to turn his passions for skateboarding, music and mentoring children into a business opportunity.
Route 44, located at 2002 El Cajon Boulevard, is not your ordinary skateboard shop. While most shops are located in malls, this one is the only independent option in the area. There are a core group of kids that stop by almost every day to hang out, watch videos and skate. Route 44 has an excellent collection of records, so if you are into punk rock, metal, soul, funk, jazz or surf music, you should come have a look. One of the most interesting components of the store is the skateboard museum, with a collection of 100 or so boards which date back to the late1950s.
Route 44 opened in 2000. The name Route 44 was selected when the store first opened on Linda Vista Road, because that was the number of the local bus route. Being relocated is a hassle, but Matt claims he is “addicted” to El Cajon Boulevard and will never leave. There is a good local population of skateboarders that range in age and he loves the location at the corner of Florida and El Cajon Boulevard versus being tucked away in a strip mall.
Matt wants to do all he can to improve the community with ideas such as cleaning the neighborhood, enhancing the arts and rallying behind a local skate park. Having only been located on El Cajon Boulevard for a year, Route 44 should be commended for the difference that they’ve made to enhance the local culture of skateboarding and attracting a new scene of skateboarders onto the Boulevard.
There is one on University and 30th
Route 44, located at 2002 El Cajon Boulevard, is not your ordinary skateboard shop. While most shops are located in malls, this one is the only independent option in the area. There are a core group of kids that stop by almost every day to hang out, watch videos and skate. Route 44 has an excellent collection of records, so if you are into punk rock, metal, soul, funk, jazz or surf music, you should come have a look. One of the most interesting components of the store is the skateboard museum, with a collection of 100 or so boards which date back to the late1950s.
Route 44 opened in 2000. The name Route 44 was selected when the store first opened on Linda Vista Road, because that was the number of the local bus route. Being relocated is a hassle, but Matt claims he is “addicted” to El Cajon Boulevard and will never leave. There is a good local population of skateboarders that range in age and he loves the location at the corner of Florida and El Cajon Boulevard versus being tucked away in a strip mall.
Matt wants to do all he can to improve the community with ideas such as cleaning the neighborhood, enhancing the arts and rallying behind a local skate park. Having only been located on El Cajon Boulevard for a year, Route 44 should be commended for the difference that they’ve made to enhance the local culture of skateboarding and attracting a new scene of skateboarders onto the Boulevard.
There is one on University and 30th
Monday, May 26, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Emma's House
In 1903, Emma Schnugg was born in a little Victorian house that is situated on the 3700 block of El Cajon Boulevard. The building was originally set in National City, built in the early 1880’s. The dwelling exemplifies the architectural and social development of a housing district adjacent to the railroad being developed in National City. In 1893, the house was moved by oxcart to its current location.
The development along El Cajon Boulevard between 1902 and the 1920’s represents a period of growth and affluence, and the daughter of Albert Hill, Emma Schnugg, and lived till 93, spent her entire life in this house and witnessed a century of dramatic development. Emma inherited the property after both her parents died in 1954.
In the early 1900s, El Cajon Avenue, which didn’t become a boulevard until 1937, was just a ‘wagon trail” according to Emma. While Emma was very young, her family tended to two acres of an orchard farm that produced apples, quinces, pears, peaches, apricot, and plums. To get home from downtown her parents walked two miles from Park Boulevard, the closest streetcar stop. By 1909, the streetcar company had a line running out University Avenue to their neighborhood, which made the walk home a lot shorter.
Although Emma has passed away, her memories of El Cajon Boulevard remain.
In an interview with Emma, she clearly expressed that although she has fond memories of the past, such as “no crime, no income tax, the air and water were pure, and people were friendly,” she appreciated that evolution of modern technology. Apparently kerosene lamps were no comparison to the implementation of electricity.
The development along El Cajon Boulevard between 1902 and the 1920’s represents a period of growth and affluence, and the daughter of Albert Hill, Emma Schnugg, and lived till 93, spent her entire life in this house and witnessed a century of dramatic development. Emma inherited the property after both her parents died in 1954.
In the early 1900s, El Cajon Avenue, which didn’t become a boulevard until 1937, was just a ‘wagon trail” according to Emma. While Emma was very young, her family tended to two acres of an orchard farm that produced apples, quinces, pears, peaches, apricot, and plums. To get home from downtown her parents walked two miles from Park Boulevard, the closest streetcar stop. By 1909, the streetcar company had a line running out University Avenue to their neighborhood, which made the walk home a lot shorter.
Although Emma has passed away, her memories of El Cajon Boulevard remain.
In an interview with Emma, she clearly expressed that although she has fond memories of the past, such as “no crime, no income tax, the air and water were pure, and people were friendly,” she appreciated that evolution of modern technology. Apparently kerosene lamps were no comparison to the implementation of electricity.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Recycling Opportunites for Small Businesses
In the coming year, the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association is placing greater emphasis on implementing 'green' practices. Work is being done to place bike racks and public recycling receptacles in the business district. If your business isn’t already recycling, here is a good reason to jump on board.
Through a unanimous council vote on November 13, 2007, the City of San Diego became the largest jurisdiction in California to pass a mandatory recycling ordinance. The ordinance will be phased in over the next two years for commercial and multifamily facilities, which means that soon enough, all small businesses in San Diego will be required to recycle. Before being fined for not recycling, why not get started immediately? Here is how.
The Urban Corps of San Diego County Recycling Center is funded by the State of California Department of Conservation to provide discounted recycling services for San Diego County. To get a recycling program started for your business, Urban Corps will begin by offering you a free 94 gallon blue recycling container.
Cost for beverage container collection is free. Pricing for collection of paper products and scrap metals, and 50% or more beverage containers is $35.00/month. For recycling with less than 50% beverage containers, pricing is $50.00/month. Without any beverage containers, pickups are $75.00 per month. All billing is quarterly. Regular removal of large amounts of cardboard is negotiable. This is for one or two pick-ups per week.
The fact that Urban Corps provides jobs to those in need, helps conserve resources and reduce landfill use is not the only reason to implement their recycling plan. Urban Corps also helps minimize costs to their customers by reducing the amount of non-recyclable waste collected by commercial haulers.
Begin ‘greening’ your business today by contacting Eric Wolff, Program Manager for the Urban Corps of San Diego County Recycling Center about starting a recycling program.
Eric Wolff, Recycling Program Manager
Urban Corps of San Diego County
619-235-6884 Ext. 311
ewolff@urbancorps.org
Through a unanimous council vote on November 13, 2007, the City of San Diego became the largest jurisdiction in California to pass a mandatory recycling ordinance. The ordinance will be phased in over the next two years for commercial and multifamily facilities, which means that soon enough, all small businesses in San Diego will be required to recycle. Before being fined for not recycling, why not get started immediately? Here is how.
The Urban Corps of San Diego County Recycling Center is funded by the State of California Department of Conservation to provide discounted recycling services for San Diego County. To get a recycling program started for your business, Urban Corps will begin by offering you a free 94 gallon blue recycling container.
Cost for beverage container collection is free. Pricing for collection of paper products and scrap metals, and 50% or more beverage containers is $35.00/month. For recycling with less than 50% beverage containers, pricing is $50.00/month. Without any beverage containers, pickups are $75.00 per month. All billing is quarterly. Regular removal of large amounts of cardboard is negotiable. This is for one or two pick-ups per week.
The fact that Urban Corps provides jobs to those in need, helps conserve resources and reduce landfill use is not the only reason to implement their recycling plan. Urban Corps also helps minimize costs to their customers by reducing the amount of non-recyclable waste collected by commercial haulers.
Begin ‘greening’ your business today by contacting Eric Wolff, Program Manager for the Urban Corps of San Diego County Recycling Center about starting a recycling program.
Eric Wolff, Recycling Program Manager
Urban Corps of San Diego County
619-235-6884 Ext. 311
ewolff@urbancorps.org
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Why Small Businesses Blog
Will, the owner of Eclipse Chocolate, located at 2121 El Cajon Boulevard is enamored with the blog he started two months ago with the opening of his new café. The blog is a form of advertising which allows him to speak directly to visitors and offers a sense of personality to his business. Take a look at Will’s blog: http://eclipsechocolat.blogspot.com/
A blog (short for web log) is an online journal. It’s usually in chronological order and can include photos and other types of files. Creating and maintaining a blog is much easier than creating a full website. It’s also very easy to monitor the number of people who read your blog daily. There are several companies that will host your blog for free.
A blog can provide your business with a powerful way to stand out from the hundreds of other companies on the internet. The benefit is that it gives you a platform to speak about your business and your products, and allows you to connect with your customers and build brand loyalty.
For example, if you own a scooter shop a blog entry can be posted about how to replace parts or an update on upcoming scooter events. After time, someone searching scooters online will come across your blog and see what you have to say. This is a great opportunity to showcase new merchandise or current specials being offered. Readers can subscribe to your blog and links to your site can also be advertised to your current customers.
The most important thing to do is start the conversation. Feed the community with information and provide visitors with a reason to read your blog. Personalize the communication to avoid sounding like a salesman. Starting small is a good approach. Once your blogging skills are refined, and people start to read your blog, you will have created a community of readers that like your product and look forward to your frequent updates.
Listed are three Free Blog Hosting sites. Get started now!
www.blogger.com
http://blogsavy.com
http://blog.com
A blog (short for web log) is an online journal. It’s usually in chronological order and can include photos and other types of files. Creating and maintaining a blog is much easier than creating a full website. It’s also very easy to monitor the number of people who read your blog daily. There are several companies that will host your blog for free.
A blog can provide your business with a powerful way to stand out from the hundreds of other companies on the internet. The benefit is that it gives you a platform to speak about your business and your products, and allows you to connect with your customers and build brand loyalty.
For example, if you own a scooter shop a blog entry can be posted about how to replace parts or an update on upcoming scooter events. After time, someone searching scooters online will come across your blog and see what you have to say. This is a great opportunity to showcase new merchandise or current specials being offered. Readers can subscribe to your blog and links to your site can also be advertised to your current customers.
The most important thing to do is start the conversation. Feed the community with information and provide visitors with a reason to read your blog. Personalize the communication to avoid sounding like a salesman. Starting small is a good approach. Once your blogging skills are refined, and people start to read your blog, you will have created a community of readers that like your product and look forward to your frequent updates.
Listed are three Free Blog Hosting sites. Get started now!
www.blogger.com
http://blogsavy.com
http://blog.com
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