Menifee 24/7 Gets Nominated for Small Business of the Year

Menifee 24/7 has been nominated as Small Business of the Year in a Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce competition.

One of about 50 websites that are a part of Clear Digital Media, Inc., Menifee 24/7 is the company's only community-focused publication. With a staff of five employees, Menifee 24/7 focuses on positive news in the community by promoting local businesses, profiling individuals and reporting on community events. The website is read by about 40,000 people per month.

Menifee 24/7 is one of seven small businesses nominated in this category. Winners in seven categories will be announced June 22 at the chamber's 35th Installation of Officers Dinner, 6 p.m. at the Orchard Banquet facility in Menifee.

Launched in 2004, Menifee 24/7 posts daily news and promotional updates. It also brings attention to local charities, including the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard and Sun City K9 Adoptions. Flyers and group announcements of charitable events are posted for free, and local businesses may also advertise on the site.

In addition, Menifee 24/7 Director of Sales and Marketing Tina Walker has been nominated as "MVP," or Individual of the Year. She recently received a certificate of recognition from the city for her community involvement.

Steve Johnson, Editor of Menifee 24/7, is excited about the recognition the website receives, not only in Menifee, but worldwide with anyone who has Menifee connections.

"We're read mostly in Menifee, but all across the Southwest Riverside County area," Johnson said. "We even have a tiny readership from Afghanistan due to soldiers deployed there. We're their only source of news about Menifee."

"We actually had a soldier who read our restaurant review of Provecho Grill, and he subsequently wrote an email to his wife to go check it out. His wife talked to Rosie Conner, the owner there, and she told her she found out about her restaurant by way of Afghanistan. That's the power of the Internet over paper; we can keep Menifee residents connected even if they're out of town."

The theme for this year's Chamber of Commerce installation will be the XXXVth Menifee Bowl Installation and Awards Tailgate Party. Guests are enouraged to wear their favorite team colors. Guests will include members of the Menifee City Council and elected officials from the state of California. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, call the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce at 951-672-1991.

Ballots for voting in the competition went out to Chamber members on May 14. Here is the complete list of nominees:

Home Based Business of the Year:
The Basket Lady
Feeling Lucky Entertainment
Middle Enterprises
Freedom Realty
Celebrity Lipstick
Menifee Buzz Newspaper
The Cruise Lady

Restaurant of the Year:
Giovanni's Pizza and Restaurant
Breakfast Club of Menifee
The Beer Hunter
New York Upper Crust Pizza
Boston Billie's
Pitstop Pub Sports Bar and Grill
Provecho Grill
Miguel's Jr.

Non-Profit Organization of the Year:
NAFE (National Assn. of Female Executives)
Ramona Humane Society
Menifee Sun City Concern, Inc.
Hospice of the Valley
Menifee Valley Community Cupboard
Central County United Way
Oasis Youth Opportunity Center
Menifee/Sun City Woman's Club
Valley Wide Parks and Recreation

Small Business of the Year:
Clear Digital/Menifee 24/7
Brian Walker Farmers Insurance
John Denver Realty
Country Review Magazine
AES (Advanced Emissions Specialist)
PJ's Toy Box
Tanglez Hair Salon

Medium Business of the Year:
Castillo Heating and Air Conditioning
Elevate Fitness Studio
Center for Spiritual Living
SoCal Fair/Perris Valley Speedway
P&R Business Solutions
Massage Envy
Amatulli Auto Parts

Big Business of the Year:
Miller-Jones Mortuary
North Golf Course
Provident Bank
Menifee Valley Medical Center
Menifee Lakes Country Club
Abbott Vascular
Southern California Edison
Mediacom Business
Best Pharmacy
Eastern Municipal Water District
Best Buy

MVP of the Year:
Robbie Motter - NAFE
Paul Davis - Elevate Fitness
Carmelita Rood - Chamber Photographer
Jaime Sanchez - North Course Golf Pro/Instructor
Carol Sullivan - Sun City Concern
Tina Walker - Clear Digital/Menifee 24/7
Linda Denver - Menifee Arts Council
John Denver - Mayor, City of Menifee
Brian Walker - Farmers Insurance
Tracey Rose -- Hospice of the Valley
Mike Castillejos - US Bank