Flowers of Gratitude

In appreciation of those facing the front lines to keep us safe, Integral Communities partnered with Oceanside flower grower Mellano & Company to deliver 1,500 bouquets to more than a dozen essential service providers, local businesses and community groups including Oceanside Police and Fire departments, Scripps Encinitas, Palomar Health Hospital and the USO at Camp Pendleton. The cheerful gifts were a way to thank first responders and essential businesses, brighten the days of those keeping our communities going, and support the farming community who has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. “The flowers were a way for us to show our gratitude; gratitude for a third-generation farm and gratitude to our health professionals, public safety officers, and local businesses,” remarked Lance Waite, Principal of Integral Communities. “Our community gives us reason to have hope every day, and it was important to us to let them know we are thankful and recognize their efforts that keep us safe, fed and better positioned for the future.” Utilizing social distancing and sanitation best practices, the Integral Communities team distributed flowers to:  Waste Management who has not skipped a beat in service,  USO at Camp Pendleton which continues to provide support for active duty military and their families,  Oceanside Police and Fire Departments who put themselves in harm’s way every day for our protection,  Local restaurants who are partnering with one another and creating innovative ways to survive,  The construction crew at the Oceanside Beach

Resort who know how important it is to keep our economy going,  The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce who is helping businesses navigate the unknown and,  Scripps Encinitas Hospital, Palomar Hospital in

Escondido and Kaiser in San Marcos who put their lives on the line each day to keep us healthy.

Coomber Craft Wines Gets Creative Amid Coronavirus Chaos

Coomber Craft Wines got creative when faced with adversity and sought to help others through their own difficulty. They began selling 3 oz. containers of DIY hand sanitizer and offered them free to anyone who purchased wine. They donated 50 bottles to Oceanside Police Department, who did not have enough for their staff. Next they partnered with two downtown restaurants, Rim Talay and Rosewood Kitchen to put together a special menu to create a “Dinner for Two” for $25… giving the restaurants the entire amount to help them financially. Then they promoted “Family Game Night”, delivering a Meal for Two, a bottle of Coomber Wine and a choice of a board game or puzzle from a local board game company. While they are back open to the public and social distancing, Coomber is appreciative of the support they have received from the Oceanside Chamber and other business organizations, along with their customers and the community at large.

began to question the mandatory restrictions and recognized inconsistencies amongst orders pertaining to large commercial suppliers in comparison to those regulated to small businesses. In accordance with original messages urging citizens to stay inside as a means to “flatten the curve”, Uridel expected businesses to reopen in early May as the county had followed orders and successfully reduced the rise of COVID-19 cases. However, when shelter-in-place orders were extended, Uridel realized something needed to change, and someone needed to set a standard. Feeling alone in his idea that these restrictions were unequal for all business models, Uridel attended a rally on May 1st. After hearing from other businesses who shared his same thoughts and feelings regarding irregularities amongst mandatory shelter-in-place orders, he explained that, “For the first time I wasn’t alone. There were a lot of hair salons, nail shops, tattoo parlors, and some other gym owners. And I thought, ‘Wow, I’m actually in this with other people.’” Uridel began doing his own research, hiring virologists to scientifically determine the precautionary steps he needed to take to safely reopen his gym. He enacted multiple precautionary measures within his gym including the installation of hand sanitizer stations, the use of special EPA approved disinfectant spray, opened doors and used fans to increase airflow, limited capacity by 20 percent, and adjusted hours from all day to just 8 AM – 8 PM for staffing purposes. When asked if he lost any of his staff or members, Uridel replied, “Everyone was chomping at the bits. I couldn’t believe how many people actually came back.” More significantly, Uridel explained, “I had several people come back and tell me their stories of PTSD, and that this was the therapy they’ve been using for the past two years,” clarifying that, “it’s not just the exercise, but the comradery of our gym.” Therefore, while Uridel knew he needed to open his gym for financial purposes and to alleviate overall economic strain, the ability for his members to have an outlet and a home-away-from-home was most significant in his decision to defy county health orders. Uridel opened his gym on May 8th. While the Oceanside Police Department was sympathetic, they were ultimately forced to take legal action. Uridel was arrested and cited for his actions. Not long after his return, Uridel was flooded with media attention and received immense support from individuals and businesses nationwide. He decided to hold what he referred to as, a Freedom Rally, or a rally urging businesses to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the mandatory shutdown. He explained that the intent of his rally was to both encourage local businesses to begin taking the precautionary steps necessary to reopen and to, “take the heat off the OPD” as, “These people are still heroes.” He also took the time to thank the media stating that they gave him an opportunity to let his voice and concerns be heard. When asked how he would feel if someone from his gym contracted COVID-19, Uridel stated, “I’d feel horrible.… but if we’re going to keep businesses closed out of fear that someone might contract COVID-19, the economy will never resume. So, we have to do the responsible thing. Open up, and try to keep people safe by following the correct precautions.” Due to the nationwide media attention Uridel received, many other gym owners and businesses decided to follow in his footsteps, taking the precautionary measures necessary to allow for them to reopen. While he is not taking credit for progressing San Diego County’s reopening efforts, he believes his story encouraged other businesses to use their voice to expediate reopening plans and processes countywide. While his gym has seen an influx of new members, Uridel has bigger plans to support Oceanside’s small business community following COVID-19. He explains that, “I always want to try and do the right thing with my life in Christ. I feel I’ve been given a little bit of notoriety, and I want to try and use that to help other businesses.” As an avid social media user himself, Uridel used the power of social platforms to promote “shopping small” during the COVID-19 crisis, consistently sharing images, updates and offerings from other Oceanside restaurants and businesses. Keeping this idea of “shopping small” in mind, Uridel has teamed up with a fellow gym member and local businessman to create Unite Oceanside, a nonprofit organization which aims to unify some of Oceanside’s small businesses by creating a network that cross promotes one another. He hopes that this alliance of businesses will ban together to ultimately support one another and create a united stance within Oceanside.

Calling all fighters.

There aren’t many communities like this one. One foot in the Pacific, the other in the desert. Home to the world’s greatest fighting forces — and a community of blue-collar fighters.

People working every day for their family, their friends, their community. Working to carve out a better life for themselves in a patch of California that’s more focused on authenticity than image. More substance than show.

Our members spend their days working. And their free time playing. They plan. They grow. They fight for what’s important. And when they bank, they bank here.

We fight for our members. Because we’re Frontwave Credit Union. And we’ve got your back.

Banking Lending Saving Planning

Oceanside Chamber of Commerce 928 N. Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054

ceanside CHAMBER ofCOMMERCE

ADVANCING OCE ANSIDE

Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Journal Published by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce All Rights Reserved

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OCEANSIDE CA PERMIT NO. 316

EMERGENCIES DON’T WAIT

If you or someone you know is experiencing a pressing health crisis, your local ER is safe, ready and waiting.

Tri-City Medical Center follows protocols to protect patient safety and reduce the risk of COVID transmission. ER Check-in

For non life-threatening conditions check-in to the emergency room online at tricitymed.org and wait comfortably at home until your time to be seen.