An Office Fit For A Captain
Film Festival To Honor Black Actresses
Street Scene Makes Room For Larger Crowds, Downtown Construction
|
 |
||
|
Developing the master plan called for identifying alternatives for future water supply and evaluating and comparing those alternatives by cost to build, availability of new supply, time to construct, reliability of permitting hurdles, availability of outside funding and improved water quality. The options were: look north to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and build structures to expand supply and increase pipeline capacity; look west to the Pacific Ocean for new water through desalination; or look east to the Colorado River to bring additional water through a new pipeline that includes a binational alignment through Tecate and Tijuana. ***
*** As Downtown San Diego undergoes its largest residential boom since the introduction of the car, the Automobile Club of Southern California is leaving the urban core. In December, the club expects to vacate its Cortez Hill offices on Date Street, where it has been operating since 1957, for a new, 28,000-square-foot building on the former River Valley Golf Clubhouse site, adjacent to Motel 6. *** Interviews with Welton Jones, Dr. Marianne McDonald, Bob Adelizzi and Julie Scardina 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. *** Barbara Warden was such an appealing candidate to lead the Downtown San Diego Partnership that a nine-member executive search committee chose her without examining 20 or so other applicants for the presidency. Hiring of the former Fifth District councilwoman was encouraged by Bob Watkins, whose R.J. Watkins & Co. executive recruiting firm was hired to screen résumés. “He suggested that to move this along we should meet Barbara first,” says Gina Champion-Cain, Downtown San Diego Partnership chair. “We were very impressed. Barbara is straightforward, no nonsense.” When asked for her three most significant Downtown-related accomplishments while on the council, Warden quickly replies, “Ballpark, ballpark, ballpark.” She also cites efforts to keep the main library Downtown — she is unhappy with the slow progress — and expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. “She is an advocate for business development,” says Champion-Cain of Warden, who replaces United Way-bound Fred Baranowski. “We need someone with her savvy to understand both business and politics.” *** Dowler-Gruman Architects, one of California’s largest commercial architectural firms, is opening its first Southern California office Downtown in the former Grossmont Bank building at 445 W. Ash St. Burnham Real Estate Services’ Bradford Perry handled the seven-and-a-half-year, $1.2 million lease for the 8,435-square-foot space. This is Dowler-Gruman’s third office in California, joining locations in San Francisco and Mountain View. A temporary office opened on Pacific Highway in March. The new digs should be ready in November. “Downtown San Diego is undergoing an exciting renaissance that we are anxious to be a part of,” says Nancy Escano, managing principal of Dowler-Gruman’s San Diego office. “We love the fact that Downtown is being transformed into an energy-filled 24/7 urban environment with ample housing, services and entertainment options. Another significant plus is that this building offers us easy access to all points of the county, as well as on-site parking for our employees and customers.” *** A newly released book reminds San Diegans that sewage treatment always has been a local challenge. “Raw Sewage to Reclaimed Water: The History of Sewerage Systems in the Metropolitan San Diego-Tijuana Region” was written by Jon Jamieson, who has a long-time interest in water. The author details the history of San Diego sewage treatment, including interaction with Tijuana. Until the early 1940s, San Diego’s raw sewage was dumped untreated into San Diego Bay. The Point Loma Treatment Plant, built in 1963, now is a regional system with more than 2,850 miles of pipes, 260,000 housing connections and four large areas treating sewage from 1.4 million people. Jamieson’s book, with more than 200 photos and illustrations, is available for $19.95 from Nimbus Press, P.O. Box 212734, Chula Vista, Calif., 91915. For more, go to www.sewagehistory.com. *** The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego invites one and all to its new Thursday Night Thing, an ongoing program of events at its Downtown galleries. Beginning at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, something will be happening — from slide jams and DJ lessons to poetry readings to live bands to artists’ talks and break dancing classes. These occasions will be an opportunity to interact with the arts and artists in the San Diego region. Thing admission is free, but a $3 donation will get a bigger smile. MCA Downtown is located at 1001 Kettner Blvd., across from the Santa Fe Depot. For information, visit www.mcasandiego.org. *** Widcomm Inc., a San Diego-based provider of wireless communication software and systems, has secured $11.5 million in series C financing. San Diego-based Mission Ventures led the round, and its general partner, Leo Spiegel, has joined Widcomm’s board. Other new investors include AsiaTech Management from Santa Clara, KDC from Korea and The Viterbi Group. Widcomm raised more than $40 million in previous investment rounds. Funds will go to accelerate development of its Bluetooth communication software products for original equipment manufacturers. *** Orgil International Green-houses Corp. of San Diego is building four advanced greenhouse-growing systems it will ship to Cuauhtemoc, Mexico. Financing of the $1.8 million project is being assisted by a five-year medium-term export credit insurance policy from the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The greenhouses will grow tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Ex-Im Bank’s export credit insurance covers the risk of nonpayment for U.S. companies selling products to Mexico or worldwide. The insurance policy also can be converted into cash immediately after goods are shipped. This guarantees that U.S. businesses are paid and allows them to offer competitive financing terms to their foreign customers. *** A House bill calling for tightened cargo container tracking through U.S. ports within a year faces problematic implementation, says Jim Pugh, the San Diego Port District’s senior director of maritime relations. “There’s so much that moves in and out,” he says. “Normally, customs has certain loads that they want to inspect. That may be expanded. They’re talking about bringing in some new technology.” The House and Senate will hammer out a final version of the bill later this summer. With the development of the port’s first refrigerated container operation under way at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, the port projects this operation alone will handle 40,000 containers annually. “We’re making security improvements all the time since 9-11,” Pugh says. *** Sea trials and training will bring the San Diego-based carriers Nimitz and Constellation in and out from North Island during August. Cruise ship season begins picking up in September; this month, only Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas makes its regular Sunday calls from the Mexican Riviera at the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal. Two tall ships visit San Diego Bay this month and will be open for dockside touring at the San Diego Maritime Museum: Amerigo Vespucci Aug. 5 to 10 and Guayas Aug. 13 to 17. The museum also has added a tall ship to its historic fleet — the fully operational, 145-foot, mid-19th century schooner replica Californian, built by the Nautical Heritage Society in 1984 at Spanish Landing. The acquisition of the $1.4 million Californian, through a donation by the Hughes and Sheila Potiker Family Foundation, is the largest gift in the museum’s history. ***
*** Starting Nov. 30, XLNC1 Radio, 90.7 FM, will carry the live broadcasts of the Saturday Chevron Texaco-Metropolitan Opera’s 2002-03 season. “This is the first time in many years that opera lovers in Tijuana and San Diego will be able to listen to the Metropolitan Opera in full FM Stereo and appreciate it in all of its true sound and beauty,” says Lisette Atala, XLNC1 executive director. Similarly pleased is Ian Campbell, general director of San Diego Opera. “Great opera is best heard in this (FM) format,” says Campbell. *** In its fiscal 2001-02 year, the San Diego Foundation made $39 million in grants to support local charitable programs and organizations. During the year, the foundation received $50 million in contributions and established 90 new funds. Next up is establishing an arts and culture program, the fifth member of its set of Community Knowledge working groups. These groups of specialists provide donors with detailed knowledge of the issues facing the San Diego region and help them direct their grants to critical areas. Foundation officers are Mary Lindenstein Walshok, chair; Colette Carson Royston, vice chair; Murray H. Hutchison, secretary; Bruce G. Blakley, treasurer; and Frank H. Ault, immediate past chair. New to the board are Nora M. Faine, chief medical officer of Sharp Health Plan; Gerald E. Hoffmeister, a retired executive and community leader; Conny Jamison, recently retired city treasurer; and Paul Meyer, a partner at Latham & Watkins. Departing members are Bob Caplan, Ardyth M. Shaw, Don Odom and Judge Amalia Meza. *** The Downtown San Diego Partnership has announced a “new and improved Web site.” Click on www.downtownsandiego.org to see more. *** Celebrating its 25th anniversary is Luth Research, a top player in San Diego’s data collection industry and one of the region’s largest woman-owned businesses. The company’s latest efforts have taken it online. “I am proud that Luth Research is a forerunner in the development of online research,” says President Roseanne Luth. “We made a commitment to develop the most advanced software and database management tools, and designed SurveySavvy.com to reach the largest number of Internet users.” *** An item in the June San Diego Scene column incorrectly referred to Bridget Cantu Wear’s title when she worked for the Globe Theatres. She was director of public affairs. San Diego Metropolitan regrets the error. *** Crown Realty & Development in Irvine has bought and will renovate an 88,000-square-foot Oceanside shopping center as part of a move to increase its investment presence in San Diego County. In a $6.2 million deal, Crown acquired the Oceanside Town and Country Shopping Center, a Vons grocery store/Longs drug store anchored center, which it will rename Oceanside Crossing. Robert Flaxman, president and CEO of Crown Realty & Development, says his company plans to acquire an additional $100 million in property in Southern California over the next 12 months. “The acquisition is part of our plan to expand our portfolio of holdings,” says Flaxman. Roger Niez, Jack Carroll and Burton Young of Sperry Van Ness represented the seller in the transaction. Crown represented itself. *** The next session of San Diego State University’s Community Economic Development program will begin Sept. 7. The curriculum includes eight months of courses that are relevant to understanding business and economics of community development. Hal Brown, associate dean and the program’s founder, reports the registration deadline is Aug. 23. Total cost for classes, printed materials, evening seminars and parking for the full eight months is $1,500. Discounts and partial scholarships are available. Since the program’s inception in 1995, it has received three awards for excellence in innovation and community service. *** Sylvia’s Place, HomeAid San Diego’s first homeless shelter, a project in conjunction with Pardee Homes, will open Aug. 12 at 3566 L St., San Diego. A 10 a.m. reception will be followed by a light luncheon. Sylvia’s Place is a newly renovated apartment complex for women between 18 and 21 who are leaving foster care and will be attending college or vocational training. *** The top three winners at Chula Vista’s 30th annual Beautification Awards Ceremony in June were Heritage Park Community Center, recipient of the Richard Welsh award; Gateway Chula Vista, which received the mayor’s award of excellence; and Cottonwood Park, recognized with the Ken Lee award. The awards are sponsored by the city. Heritage Park, 12 acres in Otay Ranch, features an amphitheater and water area and is given in memory of Welsh, a popular, award-winning Chula Vista architecture teacher. The mayor’s award recognizes a significant building in the city that is under construction or partially completed and this year was given in Shirley Horton’s name. The Ken Lee award is in memory of the late Chula Vista planner. Other beautification awards went to Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Office Building in Otay Ranch; Alder Run, also in Otay Ranch, a group of small residences; an industrial building at 891 Kuhn Drive; the Corky McMillin Elementary School for its unusual shapes and colors; Creekside Park Clubhouse in EastLake Trails; the Alexan Sevilla apartment complex in Sunbow; La Quinta Villas, duplex units; a remodeled home at 387 Montclair St.; two new residential infill projects at 407 Tremont St. and 398 Mankato St.; and the Centre Medical Plaza II. *** More than 300 participants from San Diego’s commercial real estate, construction and design industries will unite for the third annual Baja Challenge — Project Mercy. Using their respective talents, those involved will build 25 homes in Vista del Valle, a community in southeast Tijuana. Founded in 1995, Project Mercy is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization. For more information visit www.bajachallenge.org or call Matt Brady at (858) 638-7277. *** Full Focus, an in-depth news program, has been added to the KPBS-TV format at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. KPBS reporter-producer Karen Rostodha hosts the newsmagazine. Featured are KPBS political reporter Gloria Penner, KPBS producers Mary Garbesi and Leng Loh, and KPBS news director Michael Marcotte. *** Carlsbad-based Almar Real Estate Group, a franchise office of the nationwide Coldwell Banker Commercial system, has expanded into Long Beach with the appointment of John McKeown as executive v.p. and principal of a new full-service commercial real estate office. Almar’s new office will cover the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. McKeown will focus initially on tenant activity in Long Beach and Torrance, then plans to move east into the Inland Empire. ***
*** Family screenings, receptions, guest filmmakers, student outreach presentations and more will be found when the Media Arts Center San Diego presents the fourth annual Cine Mexicano: Mexican Film Series, opening Aug. 9 and continuing through Nov. 14. The series takes place at the MadStone Movie Theaters, the new name for the remodeled Mann Hazard Center 7 plex in Mission Valley. “Perfume de Violetas,” a Mexican drama written and directed by Maryse Sistach playing through Aug. 15, opens the 2002 series. Sistach will take part in an opening night celebration, 9:30 p.m. to midnight Aug. 9 at the Doubletree Hotel San Diego’s Club Max, that will feature entertainment, beer, tequila and hors d’oeuvres. Media Arts Center executive director Ethan van Thillo expects about 7,000 people to attend Cine Mexicano over the course of its four-month run. Tickets are $8 per film, with special passes and discounts available. For a complete schedule and information on passes and tickets, call (619) 230-1938 or view www.sdlatinofilm.com. *** San Diego-based building and engineering contractor C.E. Wylie Construction Co. was named General Engineering Contractor of the Year 2002 at an awards ceremony by the local chapter of the American Subcontractors Association. The award praises companies that conduct fair business practices, professional project management, safe construction of projects, payment on contract terms, and have high business standards. C.E. Wylie has been in business nearly 40 years. *** Selected from more than 600 entries, seven home building and architecture firms that have worked on projects located in San Diego are the winners of the California Building Industry Association’s Gold Nugget awards. The awards, recognizing excellence in building and design, were given at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Architecture firm Austin Veum Robbins Parshalle was recognized for its design of Congregation Beth Israel in the Best Public/Private Special Use Facility category. Builder Taylor Woodrow Homes and Robert Hidey Architects Inc.’s Casitas Santaluz — The Lumina took honors in the Best Single Family Detached Home — Under 2,200 Square Feet category. Builder Baywood Development and Scheurer Architects won both Best Single Family Detached Home — 2,200 to 2,600 Square Feet with their Sentinels — Plan 1 home and Best Single Family Detached Home — 2,601 to 3,000 Square Feet for their Sentinels — Plan 3. Lastly, in the Best Single Family Detached Home — 3,001 to 3,300 Square Feet category, builder/developer Lennar Communities and Bassenian/ Lagoni Architects received honors for the Villas at The Bridges — Plan 1 home in Rancho Santa Fe. *** Home builders and designers aren’t the only San Diegans picking up awards. Restaurateur and philanthropist Ingrid Croce will be named the 2002 Spirit of Life honoree at a gala benefit at the Hotel del Coronado. The award, presented annually by the San Diego Executive Council for the City of Hope, recognizes outstanding business and philanthropic leadership. Tickets for the Sept. 21 dinner and program are $225, with proceeds benefiting research and treatment programs at the City of Hope Cancer Center outside Los Angeles. Call (888) 805-8911 for more. *** On Aug. 1, San Diego Mooring Co. took over from the San Diego Unified Port District the leasing of recreational vessel moorings, which include America’s Cup Harbor (170 moorings), Laurel Street (154), Shelter Island (44) and the Bay Bridge (69). The company also operates Harbor Island West Marina. “We hope to make the transition as seamless as possible and hope to operate them as the port did,” says Eric Leslie, g.m. of San Diego Mooring. Monthly rent per buoy ranges from $107 to $132. San Diego Mooring’s annual rent on its 20-year lease with the port will be $44,500, Leslie says. *** The Port of San Diego has named Daniel Strum director of real estate and Karen Porteous as director of human resources. Strum joined the port in 1989; Porteous, in 1995. *** David Watson, a former partner at Gray, Cary has joined Hecht, Solberg, Robinson, Goldberg & Bagley. The 14-year attorney’s career earlier included jobs as a journalist for the Tulare Advance Register, Arab News, Thousand Oaks News Chronicle and Los Angeles Times. His legal specialties are tourist destinations and resorts. Mayor Murphy recently nominated Watson as chair of the Chargers Task Force. He also served on the Planning Commission for three years and the Ballpark Task Force, and is now serving on the San Diego Chamber’s housing committee and the Economic Development Corp.’s housing action network. *** One of San Diego’s largest marketing communications agencies has changed its name from matthews/mark to Matthews|Evans| Albertazzi. (We had to have the graphics folks show us how to do those little vertical lines.) The Downtown agency’s new name reflects changes that include the recent arrival of creative director and partner Craig Evans, an award-winning ad veteran formerly with Big Bang Idea Engineering; and the long-standing contributions of creative director and partner Mark Albertazzi, who has been with the firm for 17 years. Since 1998, the shop had been known as matthews/mark, which was led by Jim Matthews and former creative director Michael Mark, who departed in January to pursue a new opportunity. This year marks the agency’s 25th year in business, and its 10th year under Matthews’ ownership. *** Frank Nelson, a regular contributing writer to the San Diego Metropolitan last year, has published a humorous travel book called “All You Need is Luck” (Writers Club Press, $13.95). He and his wife Maria, who worked as a nurse at UCSD Medical Center and at Scripps Memorial, La Jolla, have been traveling the world ever since leaving their home in New Zealand six years ago. During that time they have mostly lived and worked in Australia, England and the United States, while also visiting such countries as Thailand, South Africa, Spain, Mexico, France, Indonesia and Ireland. Jobs have included working at summer camps in Vermont and Cape Cod, at hospitals and universities as far apart as Boulder and Brisbane, and looking after scores of pampered pets in the poshest of homes all over England. The first two years are captured in the book. Nelson, who won consecutive annual media awards from the San Diego County Bar Association, now is based in Seattle, although we hear the suitcases are about to be packed again. *** Barona Casino has partnered with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in a $1.5 million, three-year sponsorship of the Del Mar racing season. The sponsorship includes the 2002 season, open now through Sept. 11, and continues through 2004. Barona’s backing is the largest in the thoroughbred club’s history, and one of the largest sponsorships ever of a single racetrack in the United States. *** Aurora Biosciences Corp. has changed its name to Certex Pharmaceuticals. Corporate headquarters remain at 11010 Torreyana Road in San Diego. *** The San Diego League of Women Voters hosts an open house at 5 p.m. on Aug. 21 to introduce the league’s nonpartisan voter education efforts, local issue discussions and public policy advocacy in which the league actively participates. The event will be held at 1094 Cudahy Place and is free to the public with complimentary food and beverages. For information, call (858) 292-8214, e-mail plhlvrsn@cs.com or click on www.lwvsandiego.org. *** Michael Grisdale, president of Operculum Management Consultants and board member of the San Diego Performing Arts League, received the 37th annual Encore Award for Business Voluntarism at a national meeting of the Arts & Business Council Inc. in San Francisco. Grisdale has volunteered with almost a dozen San Diego arts organizations including museums, theaters, orchestras, brass ensembles, film schools, and puppetry groups on projects involving strategic planning, marketing and board development.
|
On the Downtown waterfront where the NFL Experience will set up, Mayor Murphy unveiled the logo for Super Bowl XXXVII set for Jan. 26 at Qualcomm Stadium. Ron Fowler, Host Committee chairman, says nearly 700 companies have attended Emerging Business Program seminars to learn how to get involved with the big game. Fowler also says local groups have until Aug. 31 to apply to have their events sanctioned. More information on those programs, and an online volunteer form, is at 
Home | Info | Cover Story | About Us | Back Issues | Search
