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Lusti Motors
Rudy Lusti, founder of Lusti Motors moved to San Diego in 1962. He grew up in Nesslau, a small village in Switzerland and gained experience as a car mechanic working at a Volkswagen factory in Germany before moving to the United States.
In the 1960's a service station for foreign cars was a specialized market, so Rudy was lucky to find a job with Fritz Ofner, who owned a Porsche and Volkswagen service station at the corner of Adams Ave and Park Boulevard. In 1964, only
two years after Rudy Lusti moved to the San Diego, he bought the business from Fritz Ofner. Rudy named it Lusti Motors, and bought a house in University Heights to raise his family.
Like many family businesses, sons John and Andre were pulled into work at a young age. Mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms were some of their early memories of working with their dad and every now and then, they'd learn something new
like how to change oil or service a car. Once both sons received their business degrees from SDSU, Rudy was ready to sell Lusti Motors. Initially, both John and Andre weren't all that interested in the opportunity to take over the family
business, but their father convinced them that if they worked hard for their success, Lusti Motors could provide the means.
John and Andre took over the family business, and followed their father's advice, working hard in the office six days a week from 7 am to 6 pm. In 1996, Lusti Motors moved to the corner of Park and El Cajon Boulevard. This location has
always been an automotive property; in fact, it was once the home of the first Chrysler and Imperial dealership in San Diego. John and Andre bought the property from Lance Dickson Motors, an independent Volvo Dealership, so they could
begin selling cars and greatly expand their business.
Today Lusti Motors specializes in servicing European and Japanese Cars. With the economy as it is, less people are buying new cars and are altering their spending habits by investing in repairing the cars they already own. As an
independent car dealership, Lusti Motors has realized this opportunity which and with a greater investment in marketing, the service side of the business is reaching an all time high.
According to John Lusti there is great benefit to running a family business on the Boulevard. Because Lusti Motors remained in the neighborhood where the family was raised, John enjoys the familiarity of his surroundings, running into
friends and neighbors and the closeness of working alongside his brother. As revitalization picked up, the iconic Boulevard Sign which is located right in front of their showroom has become a great landmark to direct his customers and he
certainly appreciates the enhanced landscaping and maintenance along El Cajon Boulevard. Lastly, the benefit of being in business for almost five decades is that they have gained dedicated employees, which is how they are able to offer
the personalized service that their customers have come to love about Lusti Motors.
Stories of Colina Park Public Art Display on the Boulevard
Some refer to Colina Park as Little Mogadishu because of the large Somali community living here. But this is just one piece of what makes Colina Park unique. The Latino, Vietnamese and African businesses along El Cajon Boulevard and
University Avenue reveal our truly multicultural colors.
The Stories of Colina Park project profiles the people of Colina Park. The people in these stories are immigrants, refugees, and American-born. They are Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and unchurched. They are renters and homeowners. They
speak Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Cambodian and English.
Using individual interviews of diverse community leaders, MVAS art students identified a symbolic image that captured the essence of each individual story. The students worked with a professional artist to design the symbolic images, and
to transform them into public art displays.
In partnership with the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, the student-designed images are on display in businesses along the Colina Park stretch of El Cajon Boulevard. Displayed and designed as an Art Walk, the
compilation of these images tells the real Story of Colina Park.
Soda Bar's Featured Artist of the Month
Opening: Thursday, July 2nd from 7-11pm
Hailing from Virginia, Brain Clinebell came out to San Diego almost 10 years ago and has been skating and steadily churning out amazing art ever since. He's secured his place doing graphic design for Fallen Footwear, Pacific Drive and has
been doing art shows at places like SDSU, Overload Skateshop, Pride Skateshop, 504 Gallery, SB Showroom, Disconnected, Kate Ross Boutique, Paper Rock Scissors, Bluefoot Bar, Tower Bar and Lounge, The Whistle Stop and ASR.
brianclinebell.com
myspace.com/theclinebellexpress
Cupcake Exravaganza for July 4th Weekend
In case you missed it previously, the Eclipse Chocolat Cupcake Extravaganza Weekend is July 3rd, 4th, and 5th and they will be featuring 28 exotic flavors of cupcakes. All cupcakes are Buy 2 Get 1 Free, and a Box of Nine is discounted
to just $20 (normally $27). Nine cupcakes, eh?
Well it gets better, because every Box of Nine purchased is a raffle entry to win the Eclipse VIP Pass, which two lucky people will win. Even better, two lucky cupcakes will contain a Golden Medallion tucked under the cupcake lining that
will be instant winners for two more passes! That's four passes altogether and if you're doing the math, $800 dollars in fabulous cupcake prizes!
So what are the upcoming flavors for these cakes in a cup? Some are are old standards, some are returning by popular demand from last year, and some are brand new!
Yelp About The Boulevard
 A-Chau
4644 El Cajon Boulevard
Yelper: 3 egg rolls for $1.20!
THREE EGG ROLLS FOR $1.20!!!
and they are SO good! Add rice and make it a meal for under $3.00 or add one of their delicious sandwiches.
Did I mention the 3 egg rolls for a dollar and twenty cents?
Oh and get the dipping sauce too... I just made myself hungry =(
Click
here for more yelp reviews.
North Park Music Thing Returns for Year Two, Promoting San Diego's Music and Culture to the Region
North Park Music Thing (NPMT), previously known as North By North Park (NXNP), is back in North Park for a second year of educational workshops and music showcases. The event will culminate on August 9 with an all day Music Fest along
El Cajon Blvd. Performers for the closing Music Fest include Scott Russo & The Big Big Bang, The Night Marchers, Black Heart Procession, Uncle Joe's Big ‘Ol Driver, and The Presidents of the United States of America.
The annual three-day music and media conference will be held at the Lafayette Hotel, located at 2223 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego, August 7-9, 2009. All-day workshops on Saturday August 8 will be followed by a 150-musical act Club
Festival, highlighting performances from bands and musicians from across the Southern California region.
A few highlights selected out of more than 400 music submissions include: El Ten Eleven, Scarlet Symphony, Apes of Wrath, Get Back Loretta, Marie Haddad, Shawn Rohlf, Vision of a Dying World, The Silent Comedy, Lights On, Crash Encore,
Long Live Logos, bill, and Josh Damigo. A complete schedules of performers and venues is available on the official event website, at http://www.northparkmusicthing.com.
"We're excited to feature several established artists as well as many up-and-coming performers at this year's NPMT," said Kevin Hellman, founder of the San Diego Music Foundation. "Between our opening night event on Friday, the workshops
all weekend, the Saturday night Club Music Fest and new Sunday Music Fest along El Cajon Boulevard, NPMT will give attendees the opportunity to enjoy some great new music, and provide key resources and networking opportunities for
musicians throughout the region."
All proceeds from North Park Music Thing will be donated to the San Diego Music Foundation, which seeks to enrich the San Diego music community by providing professional development opportunities and assistance to local musicians. The
Foundation organizes the annual San Diego Music Awards show, recognizing the achievements of the local music community, and also encourages the next generation of musicians through its Taylor Guitars for Schools program, which has provided
over 1000 guitars to 59 elementary schools in San Diego County, who include guitar in their music curriculum.
All El Cajon Blvd BIA members are encouraged to participate in the closing day Street Fest, with a reduced rate vendor space. All BIA members will receive a 25% discount on vendor spaces, if purchased by July 15. For more information on
North Park Music Thing, including vendor spaces, conference registration and tickets, visit www.northparkmusicthing.com or email kevin@sandiegomusicfoundation.org.
On Bill Financing Case Studies - Business Participants Needed
What is On-Bill Financing?
The On-Bill Financing (OBF) Program helps qualified commercial and taxpayer-funded customers pay for energy-efficient business improvements through their SDG&E bill. OBF works in conjunction with the SDG&E rebate and incentive programs
listed to provide an interest-free financing option for customers eligible to participate in such rebate and incentive programs.
Who is eligible?
Customers that are eligible for On-Bill Financing must meet the following criteria:
1. The customer must receive a rebate or incentive through an SDG&E energy-efficiency program.
2. The customer's SDG&E account must be in good standing, with no deposit on record and no disconnect notices in the last 12 months.
How do I apply?
To find out more about this program, including details, terms and conditions, and a list of all of the energy-efficiency applications with which OBF can be used, please visit www.sdge.com/obf or call or email:
Ph: 1-800-644-6133
Email: sdgeobf@semprautilities.com
Featured Art along the Boulevard
Exciting new mural at Motorsport Scooters painted by artists Crol and Werc.
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