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*** The average San Diegan’s earnings grew to $33,302 last year. But that 4.2 percent increase was wiped out by inflation which resulted in a “real” change of income that was down 0.6 percent. This year, the San Diego Chamber is projecting per capita income will rise 4.4 percent, about the same as the projections for local inflation. *** ••••Hot recommendation:•Check out Faz Restaurant and Bar in the lobby of the former San Diego Trust & Savings Building, now a Courtyard by Marriott, at Sixth and Broadway. Faz is fabu, a Mediterranean/Near Eastern cuisine of San Francisco restaurateur Faz Poursohi.• Valet parking is on Sixth. *** Interviews with Alan Nevin, Ken Kramer, Esther Burnham and Bill Griffith are featured this month on the “Heart of San Diego,” San Diego Metropolitan’s Fred Lewis-hosted television show that airs in prime time on ITV. The full schedule is on Page 18. *** San Diego Convention Center officials are anxiously awaiting a response this month for bids to insure the meeting hall. In Las Vegas, center operators were surprised with a near doubling of rates, in part due to Sept. 11 and the nation’s recession, reports Insurance Journal. San Diego officials expect rates to rise just because the expanded center is twice as large. How much is the big question. Insurance is simply available through fewer providers, says Dan McAllister, convention center treasurer. For that reason alone prices are increasing. McAllister says there is no doubt the center’s premium will increase from its current annual rate of $1.3 million. “We have doubled in size with the expansion, increased staff and thus increased our liability. But,” he says, “when you factor in the issues of 9/11 and the now keen awareness of catastrophic (possibilities), it will have an adverse affect on rates overall.” McAllister says he has heard from people in the industry that some premiums have increased 100 percent. “This could have a deleterious impact on our budget,” he says. “So we are watching things closely.” ***
*** Cal State San Marcos is preparing to offer what may be the most affordable and swiftest MBA program in the region. Keith Butler, program manager, says this is San Diego’s best value in advanced management education. Students can complete the program in as little as 16 months, at a cost of $6,000 including books (for California residents). Students can enroll in the new program starting with the summer 2002 session, which begins in June. Information sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 16 and from 9 to 11 a.m. May 11 in University Hall Room 100 on the Cal State San Marcos campus. For more information, contact Butler at (760) 750-4266 or kbutler@csusm.edu. *** The city of San Diego’s Land Use and Housing Committee will hold a key affordable housing workshop on April 17. The daylong event will focus on the housing needs for low- to moderate-income households and efforts to finance its creation. Some estimate that more than $50 million is needed annually to meet the housing need. The building industry is wary of inclusionary housing options — greatly increased fees or requirements to build certain amounts of affordable housing — that will be the focus of the afternoon session. *** An application has been filed with the city of San Diego to demolish the former River Valley Golf Club Clubhouse and Restaurant and a nearby auto repair shop in Mission Valley to make way for construction of a 28,000-square-foot, two-story building for the Automobile Club of Southern California. The 2.18 acre site is located at 2432 Hotel Circle Place adjacent to Motel 6 and across from Hunter’s Steakhouse. The application is under review. *** Hearing loss also is a financial loss to the Department of Defense — $300 million in compensation for noise-induced hearing problems annually. But the Naval Medical Center San Diego and State University of New York at Buffalo, under Army Col. Dr. Richard D. Kopke, M.D., have developed antioxidant compounds proven to prevent and restore hearing loss in animal models. With the promise to aid millions of people at risk for hearing loss from noise and chemical exposure, the Navy has signed an exclusive license with Rancho Bernardo’s American BioHealth Group to conduct clinical research and to develop and market products to offset hearing loss. The compounds already have been approved by the FDA. *** The 11 largest golf manufacturers in San Diego employ 3,695 people, accounting for 0.25 percent of the county’s 1.4 million jobs. The San Diego Regional Chamber’s Business Action newsletter says the average weekend greens fee among the county’s 25 largest golf courses was $56, a rather modest figure by golf standards. *** Marking its third major acquisition in four months, The Corky McMillin Cos. has purchased for $100 million the remainder of the 1,200-acre Rolling Hills Ranch Community in Chula Vista from Pacific Bay Properties. The deal includes land for about 1,300 homes, including 731 lots. Pacific Bay already has built more than 900 houses in the community; McMillin will assume the warranties. “This is a great accomplishment for us,” says Corky McMillin, company founder. Earlier, McMillin bought the assets of the Central Valley residential division of The Allen Group. The purchase, which closed in late March, includes four neighborhoods now selling in Visalia and Tulare, and another to open this summer in Hanford. McMillin bought Allen’s Imperial Valley residential operation in December. Mark McMillin, McMillin’s vice chair, says Allen’s residential division manager Joe Leal will remain in his current position and will become an executive v.p. of McMillin Homes. The Central Valley operation is expected to deliver about 250 homes a year. This year, McMillin expects to close 168 homes in Central Valley, 21 percent of its projected 821 closings for the year. The new Imperial Valley division is expected to close 150 homes, 18 percent of the company’s total. ***
*** The value of state-assessed and county-assessed property in San Diego County grew 9.6 percent in fiscal 2001-02 to $215.4 billion, reports the State Board of Equalization. Statewide, assessments grew 9.1 percent. Among the five counties with rolls exceeding $100 billion, San Diego property values were in the middle. Santa Clara County led the way up 15.5 percent while Los Angeles was No. 5 at 6.7 percent, although its assessment roll of $630.4 billion is California’s largest. State-assessed property in San Diego, mainly privately owned public utilities and railroads, were valued at $6.6 billion, up 9.6 percent. County-assessed property values grew an identical 9.6 percent to $208.8 billion. (Of California’s 58 counties, San Diego was the only one to post the same percentage growth in each category.) *** Investing in the stock market as of late — like the last two years — has been kinda dicey. But apartments in San Diego, well, now you are talking good returns. To learn more on this type of investment, the UCSD Extension Business and Professional Development Program is presenting a seminar called “Investing in Small Apartment Properties.” Set to provide insight on what, when and how to buy and manage are apartment experts Terry Moore and Alan Nevin, who between them have more than 50 years of real estate investment experience. Special guest Russ Valone, president of MarketPoint Realty Advisors, will provide a detailed update on the existing and new apartment market. The 7:30-10 a.m. program on April 17 takes place at the Doubletree Hotel in Hazard Center. Cost for the info and breakfast is $49 in advance, $59 at the door. For more information, call Jill Berner at (858) 882-8011 or gberner@ucsd.edu. *** Kent Redding, a former reporter for the Chula Vista Star-News and San Diego Daily Transcript, has a new calling. Redding and his wife, Kelly, have formed a safari company called Africa Adventure Consultants Inc. It wasn’t on a whim. The couple, who now live in Denver, got engaged while living in Tanzania for three years while he led safaris and she handled the books for an outfit that arranged climbs of Kilimanjaro. Click on www.adventuresinafrica.com for more. *** Local author Bill Holloway has co-written “Water. The Foundation of Youth, Health and Beauty,” concerning the health and fitness benefits derived from drinking 100 percent pure water, and scientific understanding of how the body conducts cell hydration. Holloway, 60, is the CEO and founder of San Diego-based Bio-Hydration Research Lab Inc. and inventor of the Penta purified water process. Co-authored by Herb Joiner-Bey, the $7.95 book is available now in health food stores, on Amazon.com and via the publisher, Impakt Health. *** The phone number listed for information about the Dük Liner in February’s San Diego Scene column was the company’s fax line. The correct number is (619) 224-2500. The liner is sold through CurtisResources.com. San Diego Metropolitan regrets this error. *** Downtown-based Nuvonix Interactive has unveiled a new rendition of www.tennisfantasy.com, its online interactive tennis game. For $4.95, participants build a fantasy team by selecting from players listed in five tiers. Those with the players who do best in the selected tournament win prizes. A top prize being promoted at the end of March was a $300 tennis racket. *** The efforts of Richard Opper, a Foley and Lardner attorney, get big credit for CCDC’s earning a “Clean Footprint” award from the California Redevelopment Association. The agency was recognized for its efficient and environmentally sound excavation, removal and transportation of 25,000 tons of contaminated soils from the ballpark site last year. Opper, whose expertise in California’s brownfield laws and the highly complex Polanco Act, counseled CCDC on the job, which included consolidating eight separately owned properties into a region. *** The Foundation For The Children of The Californias board has named Michelle M. Glenn as its president and CEO. The foundation works to improve the health and nutrition for children through the Hospital Infantil de las Californias just south of the U.S./Mexico port of entry at Otay Mesa. ***
*** Cajon Classic Cruise, the largest weekly classic car show in Southern California, opens its 31-week season from 6-9 p.m April 3 on East Main Street in Downtown El Cajon. Presented by the El Cajon Community Development Corp., the weekly car show features more than 500 classic, custom and hot rod cars valued at more than $10 million. Admission is free. *** The life and achievements of César E. Chávez will be observed at UCSD this month with a number of activities that include lectures, a film presentation, a panel discussion, a cultural celebration, a youth essay contest, a student field trip, and a bookstore display. Starting things off on April 5 will be Carlos R. Moreno, associate justice of the California Supreme Court. Moreno will speak on “Advocates and Access to Justice” at 12:30 p.m. in the Cross-Cultural Center at UCSD. “Moreno’s personal campaign is to encourage members of the bar to be more accessible to the Chicano/Latino community and to issues that impact their community both negatively and positively,” says Nick Aguilar, director of UCSD Student Policy & Judicial Affairs and a member of the UCSD César E. Chávez Recognition Planning Commit-tee. Click on http://blink.ucsd.edu/ for more. *** What is billed as the only paragliding and hang gliding speed race in the United States will be held May 3-5 at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. The organizer is Air California Adventure Inc. The 10th annual races start at 11 a.m. Half of the proceeds from the pilots’ entrance fee will go to Becky’s House, a San Diego nonprofit that works to support victims of domestic violence. The history of free flight at the gliderport goes back to the 1930s as well as sail plane flights by Charles Lindbergh. Visit www.flytorrey.com. *** San Diego’s CNA Wireless is putting on a wireless symposium covering the latest developments in the WLAN and Bluetooth technologies and featuring some of the top gurus in the wireless industry. The two-day symposium will be April 29 and 30 Downtown at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Panelists and speakers will represent leading wireless companies, among them Texas Instruments, National Semiconductor, SofBlue, Silicon Wave, Wireless Systems Design and Korea-based Kosan Information & Technologies. Panels will discuss topics ranging from applications of Bluetooth and WLAN technologies to differing standards. The registration fee is $500 for one day and $950 for two days. Cost of registering only for an evening networking event featuring a 90-minute panel discussion is $65. Those who register before April 15 get a 15 percent discount. For more information on registration, contact CNA Wireless, a consulting firm specializing in networking, marketing and sales, at cnawireless.com or call (858) 272-7479. *** Richard A. Lerner, president of the Scripps Research Institute, will be honored as Scientist of the Year at a dinner sponsored by the local chapter of the ARCS Foundation. Lerner’s 35-year medical research career includes such major breakthroughs as converting antibodies into enzymes and allowing chemical reactions thought impossible to achieve through traditional chemical procedures. The foundation, which provides scholarships for degrees in science, medicine and engineering, will hold its dinner April 24 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. The reception is at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 7. For reservations, call (619) 223-1359. *** Ever wondered what you could do to spruce up the neighborhood? The Adopt-a-Block community cleanup, sponsored by the nonprofit group Second Chance/STRIVE, is looking for volunteers to help beautify 200 city blocks. The eighth annual event will send volunteer teams to paint homes, create a city block mural, remove graffiti and weeds and collect tons of trash. The event will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18. For information, call (619) 234-8888. *** The San Diego region has been recognized for its success in energy planning. It has been tapped as a finalist in the Gas Technology Institute’s Energizing America’s Cities competition, which will be judged at a national conference next month in Chicago. If San Diego wins the competition, it will represent the United States at an international competition at the World Gas Conference in Tokyo this June. The San Diego Regional Energy Office submitted a proposal in partnership with the city and county of San Diego, San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition, the U.S. Navy Region Southwest and Sandag. It outlined the region’s accomplishments in planning, efficiency, renewable energy and use of alternative transportation fuels. *** Bank of America Foundation donated $729,550 last year to 36 nonprofit educational and community groups in San Diego County. “Our long-term success depends on the health and vitality of the communities we serve,” says Robert Tjosvold, market president for Bank of America in the San Diego-Imperial Valley region. ***
*** Community National Bank has opened its corporate headquarters and permanent branch at 900 Canterbury Place in Escondido. It occupies a new $6.5 million polished glass and stone building that took eight months to complete. *** Construction of the Grossmont Healthcare Center at Briercrest Park will be celebrated with a public grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1. The event also celebrates the 50th anniversary of Grossmont Healthcare District, founded in 1952. Featured speakers will be Dr. Kurt Benirschke, who was chief of pathology at Grossmont Hospital for 35 years, and his son, Rolf Benirschke, a motivational speaker and former place kicker for the San Diego Chargers. *** Sunniva Sorby, a San Diegan who was part of the first all-woman Antarctic expedition to reach the South Pole in 1993, will be the keynote speaker when the local chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America hosts its annual Coping Seminar on April 13 at the Town & Country Resort. For 67 days, Sorby trekked 660 miles on skis, dragging heavy sleds loaded with camping gear in sub-zero temperatures and gale-force winds while battling a painful physical injury. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are painful digestive illnesses that affect up to 1 million people, usually those under 35. In some cases major surgery is the only treatment; in others no cure is available. To register for the seminar, call (858) 274-8898. *** Facility Forum, one of the nation’s top building and facility management trade shows, is expected to bring 3,000 participants to the San Diego Convention Center this month. The national four-day event will be April 21-24 and feature educational sessions, panel discussions and exhibits. “The show not only brings thousands of facility professionals together to share successful trade secrets but also allows attendees to obtain a better understanding of the newest tools and technologies impacting the facility industry,” says Ted Coene, president of Facility Forum. For more information, call (800) 524-0337 or (732) 842-7433, Ext. 235. *** The San Diego Performing Arts League has launched E-TIX Today, a new online service providing half-price tickets to San Diego music, theater and dance events. To use the service, log on to www.sandiegoperforms.com. *** The first church to be built in the Otay Ranch area will be Calvary Chapel at the McMillin Lomas Verdes master-planned community. The church is tentatively scheduled to open in mid-2003 and preschool through high school education will be offered. The general contractor, Harper Construction, reports the 50,000-square-foot Irving Gill-inspired building will include an 1,100-seat sanctuary, 18 classrooms, bookstore and offices. Construction is expected to begin in fall on the 4.6-acre site on the northeast corner of East Palomar Street and Santa Cora Avenue. *** Last month’s grand opening of Hilltop at Encinitas Ranch drew more than 1,200 people to the new home community where prices start in the high $900,000s. These houses have floor plans of 3,200 to 5,200 square feet, huge wardrobe closets and private courtyards. The project is a development of K. Hovnanian, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a corporate affiliate of Hovnanian Enterprises, which trades on the NYSE. For details about the Encinitas project, click on www.khov.com. *** U.S. Bank has signed on to create a fan club for the Spirit, San Diego’s professional women’s soccer team. *** Before discs were compact, floppy or played by laser, they were Pleistocene plastic and scratched by a needle. A select few of these old platters were even made of aluminum, as the transcript pressings the FCC once required of radio shows. Discs that lasted through the decades form the basis of the Yiddish Radio Project, recordings from the ’30s to the ’50s of radio news, dramas, variety shows, game shows and commercials from Yiddish radio stations. The project is now airing Tuesday afternoons on NPR’s “All Things Considered” on KPBS-FM. “The reason old radio has survived is the recording that was done for network radio and Armed Forces Radio,” explains Lou Curtiss of Folk Arts Rare Records in Normal Heights. He says even earlier in time, transcription records were glass. Few glass records survived the rock era. Although Folk Arts carries some aluminum records among the variety of vinyl, Curtiss has none in glass.
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San Diego County’s gross regional product grew by an inflation-adjusted 2.2 percent in 2001, hitting $120.5 billion, the San Diego Regional Chamber reports. That increase was the slowest of the last four years, trailing growth of 7.7 percent in 2000, 9.2 percent in 1999 and 7.6 percent in 1998. This year the chamber is projecting a 1.8 percent increase to $127 billion. While less vigorous than in the past seven years the inflation-adjusted GRP growth, percentage-wise, will outpace the 0.1 percent decline expected for the state overall and the 0.5 percent increase expected for the nation. In terms of straight dollars, this year’s GRP will nearly double the $64.7 billion the county recorded in 1990.
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