ABC Announces New Liquor License Authorizations

By davidrabban
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ABC ANNOUNCES NEW LIQUOR LICENSE AUTHORIZATIONS Sacramento – Steve Hardy, Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, today announced authorization for the issuance of new on-sale general and off-sale general licenses and the inter-county transfer of on-sale general and off-sale general licenses. This year, due to population increases, the following counties will be eligible for additional on-sale general and off-sale general licenses. Please click here for a list of licenses per county From September 20th, 2010, through October 1st, 2010, Department offices will accept applications for new original on-sale general licenses for bona fide eating places and new original off-sale general licenses in those counties where such licenses are available. During the same period of time, priority applications will be accepted for intercounty transfer of on-sale general licenses for bona fide public eating places and off-sale general licenses into those counties where such licenses may be transferred. Only one priority application will be accepted from any one applicant for each type license in counties where original licenses are available.  In counties where both original licenses and intercounty transfer of such licenses are available, an applicant may file one application for each drawing if specifically separate premises are designated for each license application.  Legislation which became effective January 1, 1995, established a fee of $12,000 to be paid when filing a priority application for a new original general license.  A fee of $6,000 must be paid when filing a priority application for an intercounty transfer of a general license.  Only certified checks, cashier’s checks or money orders will be accepted in payment of the application fee.  These should be made payable to Alcoholic Beverage Control. If, at the conclusion of the period for filing applications in any county, the Department finds there are more applications than there are licenses available for issuance, a public drawing will be held.  To participate in such a drawing, an applicant must have been a resident of California for at least 90 days prior to the date scheduled for the priority drawing.  When there are fewer applications than licenses, the Department will proceed with a thorough investigation of each application. By accepting only certified checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders in payment of priority application fees, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: California News, News Tagged With: , ,

Recall of Shell Eggs

By admin
Recall of Shell Eggs

Re: RECALL OF SHELL EGGS Dear Retail Food Facility Owner/Permittee: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in shell eggs from Wright County Egg, which is packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Please see the reverse side of this letter for the CDPH’s official recall notice. Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund or destroy them. This recall is of shell eggs only. Other egg products produced by Wright County Eggs are not affected. Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org. Additionally, please take the following actions to ensure recalled products are not sold for consumption: Contact your suppliers and wholesalers to determine if the products for sale at your retail market are safe or subject to being recalled by their manufacturers Remove from sale the recalled food products immediately. Recalled food products must not be offered for consumption to your customers or employees. Coordinate with your distributor on the return or disposal of recalled products. Discard products in a safe and secure manner Sign up for FDA recall updates at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html. Monitor the website for updated information. Document the disposition of products that are recalled within your facilities and maintain proper recordkeeping. Advise persons who think they may have become ill from the shell eggs to consult with their health care providers. If used, raw shell eggs should be fully cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. If shell eggs are served undercooked, a consumer advisory should be posted in accordance with the California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) Eggs should be purchased or received from a distributor refrigerated and stored refrigerated at ≤ 45 ̊ F (≤7 ̊ C) at all times. Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs. Please refer to FDA guidance at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm222501.htm for further information and updates on the shell egg recall. Thank you for your food safety efforts. "Environmental and … [Read more...]

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Hellman Recalls Avocado Pulp

By admin
Hellman Recall Avacado Pulp

Food Recall Action Alert July 9, 2010 For Immediate Release Contact:Christine Cunnick 703-516-0700 National Grocers Association J. Hellman Frozen Foods, Inc. Recalls 992 Cases Señor Mexicano Avocado Pulp Recall Reason: Because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution based on a confirmed positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the FDA. Packs/Codes: Señor Mexicano™ Avocado Pulp, 2lbs bags (UPC Code 7 503012 650001) with the following Lot number: A 21 04 10 / A 21 04 12. Photos: Product Labels The company has said they have notified all their customers who have received the product in question and have directed them to remove it from their shelves and return to them as soon as possible. Because it is possible that products bearing the Lot number A 21 04 10 / A 21 04 12 were further distributed and could be on store shelves and in consumer homes, this recall is being extended to the general public. Instructions for Retailers/Distributors: Immediately examine your inventory and quarantine product subject to recall. If you have product purchased between these dates, please with the affected Lot number contact J. Hellman Frozen Foods, Inc. immediately and return this product as soon as possible in order to credit your account accordingly. Distribution: [Multi-State]: Distributed in California and Hawaii. Contact: Retailers with questions regarding the recall should contact Greg Abadjian, Director of Food Safety at 213 - 243-9105 betweem the hours of 4 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. N.G.A. is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned. Independents are the true "entrepreneurs" of the grocery industry and dedicated to their customers, associates, and communities. N.G.A. members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about N.G.A. and the independent sector of the industry, see … [Read more...]

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California’s Budget Woes Continue

By Brian Rees Leave a Comment
The Sacramento Scene. The latest legislation that affects your business.

Last year, while facing a staggering budget deficit, the Governor and the Legislature increased taxes by nearly $12 billion, cut state spending by a similar amount, and were forced to furlough state workers, freeze spending on infrastructure projects, and issue IOUs to state contractors. Unfortunately, little has changed in Sacramento this year. Lawmakers have already begun budget meetings in an attempt to rein in the latest structural deficit. However, even if significant mid-year progress is made during the emergency budget session, it will not tackle the entire $20 billion deficit that is projected over the next year and a half. These actions will simply deal with the short term cash flow issues associated with last year’s budget. The longer-term funding for core services such as public safety, education and health services will remain in a state of uncertainty, and will inevitably be dealt with later in the budget cycle. Over the past two years, Governor Schwarzenegger and legislators have cut more than $18 billion (nearly 18 percent) from the state’s general fund spending. These cuts have had significant effects on public schools, higher education, and health care, and support services for the state’s disabled population. Complicating the state’s long term ability to deal with the ongoing deficits is the fact that the temporary tax increases enacted by last year’s budget will begin to expire at the end of the year. Additionally, avenues for Sacramento to extract money from local government entities have largely been exhausted. Both of these factors are threatening to widen the state’s budget deficits in the coming years. The Democratic leadership of both houses of the Legislature, have already criticized Governor Schwarzenegger's January budget proposal, and have promised to fight what they consider to be draconian cuts to education and state social services. Conversely, Republicans have pledged to hold the line against any and all new tax proposals, stating that the $12 billion in tax increases implemented by last year’s budget have had a detrimental effect on taxpayers and the state’s struggling economy. In reaction to the Republicans’ stance on tax increases, Democrats – as they have during the last two budget cycles – are searching for ways to sidestep the rule that requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for tax increases and to pass state budgets. The dynamics that have led to the … [Read more...]

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Chairman’s Report

By Ramzi Murad Leave a Comment
NMA Chairman's Letter by Ramzi Murad

Strong community ties – driving growth for the NMA and it’s member businesses “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”– Mahatma Gandhi The Neighborhood Market Association was created to represent the independent businesses and to look after their interest in these tough times. The NMA has been gradually becoming more recognized and trusted by many people. Today we are a well known association which represents over 21,000 employees, and grown to 2,000 businesses in three different states; California, Nevada and Arizona. Our businesses interact with our communities and they are fully committed to the economical needs of our neighborhoods. The NMA is constantly working to be a vital participant in most of our community activities. Our retailers and suppliers are aware and sensitive to our customers’ needs, and will do what ever it takes to build a good and healthy relationship. We have a great working relationship with law enforcement and the Alcoholic Beverage Control, which has benefited our neighborhoods and has improved the safety of our businesses. I’d like to commend every one for their hard work and great efforts. We are sharing our knowledge and expertise with our suppliers to increase sales and become more efficient. Our goal is to succeed in our businesses , and to make sure that we will stay in business . The world depends on us, we must continue to excel and to work wisely. Let us all be one unit and one family to better mankind and to avoid failures. We must keep an open mind and be more active in our communities in order to build up the trust that is required to insure the success of our businesses. Finally I am very optimistic about our future, and I feel that we will continue to grow and thrive and become more recognizable within our communities. God bless you all. Ramzi Murad … [Read more...]

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Editors Note

By Mark Paul Arabo 2 Comments
NMA Editors Note by Mark Arabo

15 years old. My, how we’ve grown. As we embark on our 15th year of service, the Neighborhood Market Association is the strongest it has ever been. Who would have thought that in 15 short years, the NMA would become the Largest Independent Grocers Association in California, Nevada, and Arizona? Who would have thought, that we would represent 2,000 members, employ over 21,000 employees, and be responsible for over $3.6 Billion dollars to the State of California? Who would have thought, the Neighborhood Market Association would become the unified voice of small business? Who would have thought, the NMA would go beyond advocacy and begin negotiating vendor programs by pooling our retailer members’ buying power to get them the best absolute price? Who would have thought, the NMA would expand its geographic footprint into Nevada to protect the small business community? With the grace of God and with the help of our wonderful board of directors and staff, with the support of our retailers and suppliers, and with the unwavering support of the community; the Neighborhood Market Association has blossomed into a powerful organization that represents the spirit of the small business community. With our perseverance, our strength, our accolades; we know in our hearts, we are nothing, if we lose our spirit of giving back and serving the community. Serving the community is at the core of the Neighborhood Market Association. Service takes many forms, but regardless of the form, everything makes a difference. Start your calling of service, tutor an underprivileged youth, mentor an at-risk child, coach a local sports team, join the PTA, and help your fellow churches, seminary and diocese. Earlier this year, the Neighborhood Market Association celebrated our Annual Black Tie Statewide Awards banquet. This magnificent event attracted over 700 attendees to honor individuals, organizations, public officials, and community leaders who serve the community on an everyday basis. Congratulations to all the award winners that were recognized. They are perfect examples of how individuals could serve the community. Congratulations to the Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control, Stephen M Hardy, Assemblyman Isadore Hall III, Chief of Police of the San Diego, William Lansdowne, Assistant Executive Chief Police Department, David Ramirez, the Alvarez family, Ramzi Murad, MillerCoors, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the San Diego Police … [Read more...]

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