At its September meeting, the La Jolla Town Council (LJTC) learned about a regional shop local program and got an update on the community’s annual Christmas parade, as well as hearing about the Oct. 2-6 San Diego Film Festival, part of which is at the Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla and the new ArcLight Cinemas in UTC mall.
Debra Rosen, CEO/president of North County Chamber of Commerce, introduced “Think Local First,” an initiative designed to strengthen communities’ economic bases by encouraging local purchasing, contracting and services.
“We’re trying to change a culture by educating people about keeping dollars in the region,” Rosen said, adding close scrutiny revealed school districts and various other San Diego government entities spent as much or more than 50 percent of their budgets outside the region.
“That 50 percent is made up of your property taxes, which need to be invested back into the region,” Rosen said, pointing out “local commerce keeps communities vibrant.”
A wide range of businesses, elected officials, chambers of commerce and business associations in the region have united to create the initiative.
“It doesn’t cost you anything, it’s just a mindset,” said Rosen, noting the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce is “driving and promoting” the initiative because it will build local communities by encouraging creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation.
For more information visit thinklocalfirstsd.com.
Astrid Cybele of San Diego Film Festival came to talk about the 12th annual San Diego Film Festival, produced by the not-for-profit San Diego Film Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to support and promote the best and brightest independent domestic and international filmmakers.
“The San Diego Film Festival in La Jolla has been expanded out to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA),” Cybele said, adding this year’s festival at MOCA will feature an Oct. 2 tribute to filmmaker Judd Apatow, an American film producer, director and screenwriter best known for his involvement with comedy films such as “40 Year Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.”
Cybele said the film fest will feature more than 100 film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, panels, events and parties.
For more information, visit www.sdfilmfest.com.
LJTC board member Ann Kerr Bache updated the council on new developments with the 56th annual La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival to be held Sunday, Dec. 8 starting at 2 p.m. on Girard Avenue.
“I’m looking for a photographer, someone willing to donate their time to take pictures of each of our parade entrants as a keepsake and to start a photo souvenir book we’re doing,” Kerr Bache said, adding donations to stage the parade and are always needed and appreciated.
Kerr Bache said this year’s Christmas parade theme is “Christmas in the surf and sand.”
For more information, visit www.ljparade.com.
LJTC president Cindy Greatrex noted the council is taking applications for three current trustee openings. Applicants must be at least 16 years old, live or own a business in La Jolla and have attended three LJTC meetings to be eligible to apply to be a trustee. Greatrex said bios and letters of interest for trusteeships should be emailed to [email protected].
LJTC meets the second Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. at La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St.