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THE COAST NEWS
DEC. 18, 2009
City offers matching grants to businesses CARLSBAD — On Dec. 8 , City Council approved a matching grant program designed to encourage businesses in the downtown village area to beautify their storefronts with new lighting, signage and other improvements. Under the program approved by the council, business owners who apply for the grants can receive a maximum of $15,000 to pay for materials, equipment and supplies needed to spruce up their facades. The grants cannot be used for labor costs, and the businesses will have to match the city
grants dollar for dollar with their own investments, either in cash or through “sweat equity.” City staff estimate that, depending on the amounts of the individual grants, the initial allocation of $300,000 will pay for 16 or 17 façade improvements in the downtown village area, which encompasses some 200 acres in central Carlsbad. Based on the success of the initial allocation, the program could be expanded in the TURN TO GRANTS ON B21
Scholarship offered to Vista students VISTA — To honor Rocco Valluzzi, a longtime member of the Amigos de Vista Lions club and Guiding Lion for the Pride of Vista Lions club, the two clubs will sponsor the Rocco Valluzzi Memorial Scholarship for Environmental Studies. This scholarship will award $2,500 to a student who demonstrates their commitment to using their education to preserving, protecting, and improving the environment. High school seniors attending any Vista high school, charter school, private or home school, as well as students living in
San Diego County who are recommended by an active member in good standing with either the Amigos de Vista or Pride of Vista Lions club, are invited to complete an application. The application and supplemental materials must be postmarked on or before March 14, 2010. Winners will be notified by mail on or before April 26, 2010. Applications can be obtained at www.missprideofvista.com or by e-mailing jeanjohnmckinley@yahoo.com. For more details, call (760) 945-6950.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS Above left, at the annual holiday party for the Encinitas branch of California Community Bank on Dec. 8, from left, Branch Manager Don Taylor and attorney Suzanne Dimeff joined Alicia Grey and attorney Carl Dimeff for some holiday cheer. Above right, from left, Eileen Burke, of Queen Eileen’s, shows Peter Neville and Annette Hall the holiday basket donated by Burke. Courtesy photo
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