La Jolla Merchants board seeks candidates for next election

At least eight seats will be available on the La Jolla Village Merchants Association (LJVMA) board for the 2017-2018 term (November to October). Representatives from businesses within the 30-block area of the Business Improvement District (BID) of La Jolla are encouraged to self-nominate. Eligible candidates must be the owner/manager of the business, or designated delegate, and the business must be current on its La Jolla BID fees.

Nomination forms will go out in mid-August, and candidates will have 30 days to return them.

Business representatives also have the option for a delegation change should they not be able to attend the monthly meetings that take place 3 p.m. second Wednesdays at La Jolla Library.

Such was the case during the LJVMA meeting July 12, when San Diego Fly Rides owner and LJVMA member Ike Fazzio stepped down and recommended Jerit George to represent the business on the board.

LJVMA president James Niebling said Fazzio was a “great support” in efforts such as the website upgrade underway and the LJVMA Economic Development Division sub-committee, which gathered information about needed businesses in The Village. “We will miss him and wish him well,” Niebling said.

In other LJVMA news:

La Jolla Day at Petco Park, July 30: The annual event will be 1:40 p.m. Sunday, July 30, when the San Diego Padres take on The Pittsburg Pirates. Those who purchase the $75 tickets through LJVMA members or through info@lajollabythesea.com, gain entry into the Sun Diego Beach area of Petco Park. Tickets include a pregame buffet, ballpark snacks and beverage service.

La Jolla Art & Wine Fest: The ninth annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, scheduled for Oct. 7-8 along Girard Avenue with the theme “Paint and Prestige,” was discussed and the board voted to support the event. It brings artists, music and 30 wineries and breweries to Girard Avenue to raise money for underfunded programs at La Jolla’s public schools, such as art, music, science, physical education, technology and on-site medical care.

Representing the event, Laurel McFarlane said, “We’re keeping the same footprint as previous years, and the artists are being vetted right now and slots are almost sold out.” All the affected Village merchants have been notified, she added. More information at ljawf.com

LJVMA website: Although it was announced that the board’s new website would be live earlier this year, Niebling said they are now aiming for late summer. “We love the direction it’s heading. We’d love for it to be out sooner, but we want to deliver a premium product rather than push it out too quickly,” he reported. The website would be more user-friendly for both visitors and local businesses, and launch a larger digital presence.

Burgers & Brews green light: With the support of La Jolla’s Traffic & Transportation and Parks & Beaches advisory boards, LJVMA is moving forward with the Burgers & Brews fundraiser, set for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at Scripps Park. It’s designed to kick-off the Breeders’ Cup thoroughbred horse racing event in Del Mar, and bring race-goers to La Jolla. “We’re working on getting local restaurants and San Diego breweries involved, so we can attract those who wouldn’t normally come to The Village, so they enjoy it, spend time and spend money,” said LJVMA vice-president Brett Murphy.

$750 Concours gift: LJVMA received $750 from the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance car show through its ticket promotion offer. When purchasing tickets online, buyers had the option of using an organization-specific promo code to receive $5 off and gift the organization $10. Based on the number of people that selected LJVMA, the board earned $750.

—La Jolla Village Merchants Association next meets, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave. lajollabythesea.com