Navy-Trained Dolphins Find Rare Torpedo Off San Diego Coast

Navy-trained dolphins have discovered a rare 19th-century torpedo off San Diego’s coast, KPBS reports. The 130-year-old Howell Torpedo, one of the first self-propelled torpedoes developed and used by the U.S. Navy, was located off Coronado in early March during a mine-hunting exercise that the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific was conducting with bottlenose dolphins. During the training, one of the dolphins reported the presence of something in an area away from the training field, said Chris Harris, operations supervisor for Space and Navy Warfare Systems’ Marine Mammal Program. “When there’s an object of interest discovered, the dolphin comes over and touches the side of the boat in a manner that indicates a positive contact or a negative contact,” explained Harris. “In this case the dolphins came over and indicated to the handlers on the boat “we found something, this is interesting, you’re gonna want to check this out.”

Harris said a second dolphin then reported an object in the same location.

“At that point the determination was made to give the dolphins the marking apparatus to show us the location of the object,” said Harris, “and that was when the object was discovered.”

Harris said the recovery dive team brought the torpedo to the surface and everyone was very surprised. That’s because the Howell Torpedo was developed by the Navy in the late 1800s and used by battleships until 1898. Only 50 were manufactured and just one other has been recovered.

(NAVY FILE PHOTO ABOVE: K-Dog, a bottlenose dolphin belonging to Commander Task Unit 55.4.3, leaps out of the water in front of Sgt. Andrew Garrett while training hear the USS Gunston Hall in the Persian Gulf.)

U.S. Bank Provides Financing Help for Apartment Project

U.S. Bank says it is providing more than $23 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity to help Chelsea Investment Corp. develop Fairbanks Commons Apartments in the Black Mountain Ranch area of San Diego. Fairbanks Commons, a 165-unit complex, is under construction and will be completed by early 2014. It will consist of 13 buildings around a common courtyard. Its mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units will be available to families earning 50 percent to 60 percent of area median income.

San Diego Council Approves San Diego River Master Plan

The San Diego City Council on Monday unanimously approved the San Diego River Park Master Plan, a policy document to guide future development along the 17.5 miles of the San Diego River. The plan would create a river-long park stretching from the San Diego River headwaters near Julian to the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Beach. “A park system along the San Diego River will increase recreation opportunities for our residents, preserve and enhance the river’s natural resources and help improve the quality of life in Mission Valley and other District 7 communities,” said Councilman Scott Sherman, who represents the vast majority of communities along the San Diego River.

Sherman said implementation of the master plan will rely on both private and public investment in the river valley and includes tools such as maintenance, management and security strategies, and public outreach/education methods to make the river park a success.

South Bay Union School District Poised to Hire New Superintendent

Katie McNamera

South Bay Union School District trustees have selected Katie McNamara, assistant superintendent for instructional services for the Solana Beach School District, as their finalist to lead Imperial Beach elementary schools starting July 1. Trustees will vote on a contract with McNamara on Wednesday. McNamara has been an administrator with Solana Beach schools since 2004. Before that, she worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Del Mar and Riverside unified school districts. South Bay Union paid Leadership Associates, an executive search firm, $24,000 to conduct the superintendent search. If trustees approve her appointment Wednesday, she will have a three year contract with the district and a $180,000 annual salary.

Founding Dean Chosen for Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

Chell Roberts

Chell A. Roberts, executive dean of the College of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University, will become the founding dean of the new Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering at the University of San  Diego. Roberts has served in his present position since March 2011. Before that, he was chair of engineering at ASU from 2004 to 2011 and interim chair of technology management from 2009 to 2011. He has been a professor of engineering at ASU since 1989. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Utah and a PhD in industrial engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic and State University. He will assume his post at USD on July 1.

California Bank & Trust Names Downtown Assistant VP

Michelle Marcon

California Bank & Trust has named Michelle Marcon as the bank’s Downtown San Diego office assistant vice president/relationship administrator. Formerly with CB&T as a financial services representative, Marcon returns to the CB&T team to support commercial client relationship management as well as operations for the branch. Marcon has more than eight years of banking experience. She was an assistant vice president/client services officer at San Diego Private Bank. Marcon also provides independent service as a notary public and volunteers at the San Diego Center for Children.

Harvard Graduate School of Design/San Diego Alumni Program

A new program presented by The Harvard Graduate School of Design/San Diego Alumni (GSD/SD), will bring global and local perspectives to critical issues facing the world. The DISrupt! program gets under way in San Diego with an inaugural event May 31 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the SDG&E Energy Innovation Center. Tickets are $30. Featured will be Charles Waldheim, John E. Irving Professor of Landscape Architecture and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Waldheim will address “The Power of Design, Energy and the Built Environment,” an overview of global and local trends related to energy innovation. For more, visit http://energycenter.org/disrupt.

Point Loma High Principal Samilson Set to Retire

Point Loma High School Principal Bobbie Samilson has announced she will retire at the end of the school year, ending a nine-year stint as the school’s point woman, the Peninsula Beacon reports. Samilson announced her decision in an email to school staff, surprising many. Appointed to lead the 2,200-student campus in 2004, Samilson has overseen the continuance of the most effective programs at PLHS and the addition of numerous changes, improvements and new programs at the school that have resulted in markedly increased test scores in recent years. The campus has seen the completion of significant construction in recent years under Proposition S funding, including a new classroom building, weight room, music center and a recently dedicated motion pictures industries facility for students.

The post Daily Business Report-May 21, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

 Northrop Grumman Drone Ready for Aircraft Carrier Test

Northrop Grumman’s X-47B unmanned drone has made key steps in proving its use for the United States Navy by making its first carrier-style, or “arrested,” landing. The initial simulation took place at a land-based airstrip, paving the way for the true test: a demonstration onboard a U.S. aircraft carrier at sea. Such a test is currently scheduled for later in May.

County Supervisors Move Ahead With Proposed $4.97 Billion Budget

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to begin public hearings June 10 on a proposed $4.97 billion budget for the next fiscal year, City News Service reports. The plan would increase spending in the fiscal year that begins July 1 by 2.5 percent over the current year. It would also provide funding for the equivalent of 16,601 full-time jobs, an increase of 3.7 percent. Most of the new positions would be in public safety and the Health and Human Services Agency, both of which will receive spending increases. The proposal calls for public safety to get a 4.4 percent boost to pay for more detention staff, operate the expanded women’s jail for part of the year, and make higher retirement contributions. Health and Human Services would get an extra 3.6 percent to pay for changes to various programs and add staff.

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BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Sur La Table Signs La Jolla Lease

Sur La Table Inc., a culinary shop, has signed a 10-year, $2,079,974 lease for 6,720 square feet of retail space at 7643 Girard Ave., La Jolla. In addition to Sur La Table products, the La Jolla store will also offer the Sur La Table Cooking Class Program, one of the largest avocational cooking programs in the country. Cassidy Turley represented the lessor, Broadway & 9th LP. Main & Main Inc. represented the lessee.

Dentist Buys Medical Office Condo

A medical office condo at 1920 Via Centre Drive, Suite A, in the CreekView Medical Park in Vista has been sold to Dr. Stuart Chang, DDS, for an undisclosed amount. The seller was Via Centre Office Park LP, represented by Cassidy Turley. The buyer, who plans to open a dental office, was represented by Lee & Associates.

General Atomics Gets Drone System Contract

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of Poway was awarded a $110,261,703 federal contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., for Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft systems product support and fleet sustainment operations.

Northrop Grumman Awarded $89.4 Million Contract

Northrop Grumman Space & Missile Systems Corp., San Diego, was awarded an $89,425,943 federal contract by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., for the operation and logistics support for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node payloads.

Cubic Defense Applications Contract

Cubic Defense Applications Inc. of  San Diego, won a $121,365 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, Philadelphia, for the repair of air transceivers.

Enviance Gets Army Contract

Enviance Inc. of Carlsbad won a $50,485.71 federal contract from the U.S. Army, Fort Benning, Ga., for air emissions.

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Filner’s New Ally: Mitt Romney

Mayor Filner has a new ally in his unlikely bid to bring the Olympics to San Diego-Tijuana: local resident Mitt Romney. Filner seems positively flummoxed by how charming he found Romney to be, the U-T reports: “If I had seen him the way I saw this guy yesterday, incredibly down-to-earth and friendly and creative, he would have been president. He didn’t come across that way on television and stuff, but I will tell you he’s an incredibly creative and interesting guy.” (UT-San Diego via Voice of San Diego)

Chula Vista Resident appointed to State Park and Recreation Post

Myrian Solis Coronel, 32, of Chula Vista, has been appointed to the California State Park and Recreation Commission. Solis Coronel has held multiple positions at REI since 2008, including  program partnership manager and community relations administrator. She was a manager at KPBS TV/FM Public Broadcasting from 2002 to 2008. Coronel is a member of MANA de San Diego and a board member of I Love a Clean San Diego. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Solis Coronel is a Democrat.

The post Daily Business Report-May 8, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Scripps Research Institute Reports Successful Preclinical Tests of Vaccine Against Heroin

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have reported successful preclinical tests of a new vaccine against heroin. The vaccine targets heroin and its psychoactive breakdown products in the bloodstream, preventing them from reaching the brain. “Heroin-addicted rats deprived of the drug will normally resume using it compulsively if they regain access, but our vaccine stops this from happening,” said George F. Koob, who chairs TSRI’s addiction research group, the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders. If the vaccine works as well in human trials, it could become a standard part of therapy for heroin addiction, which is estimated to affect more than 10 million people worldwide. Koob, Professor Kim Janda, and their laboratories led the study, which appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The heroin vaccine is one of several vaccines against drugs of abuse that have been developed since the 1990s by scientists at Scripps Research Institute and other institutions.

Roberto’s Mexican Food Restaurant in Del Mar to Reopen for Business

Roberto’s Mexican Food restaurant

Roberto’s Mexican Food restaurant in Del Mar, a popular eatery for more than 30 years, will reopen for business on May 9. The restaurant was forced to close on March 30 after a motorist plowed into the kitchen. “We are really excited about the re-opening and we are going to celebrate,” said Cecilia Robledo, who owns the business with her husband Rolando. “Closing has been hard on everyone, especially the employees. They are eager to get back to work.” Rolando and Cecilia opened their first Roberto’s in 1981 in Solana Beach. They now own seven of over 100 family-run Roberto’s locations throughout the Southwest.

Roberto and Dolores Robledo started Roberto’s in 1964. It originally opened as a tortilla factory and went on to serve a limited menu.

Mayor’s Budget Proposal to Get City Council Scrutiny

The San Diego City Council this week will begin reviewing Mayor Bob Filner’s initial budget proposal, department by department. Today, the city’s Independent Budget Analyst Andrea Tevlin will present her report on the budget. In it, she addresses Filner’s attempt to handle a $38.4 million deficit. This gap comes from the loss of redevelopment funds and the extra costs of implementing voter-approved pension reform. To help balance things, Filner suggests using $23.7 million in one-time funds, including $21.6 million in settlement money from an SDG&E lawsuit. “The reliance on one-time solutions to balance the budget is a concern,” Tevlin’s report states. Because that money will not be available next year, the next budget could have to cut services to remain balanced.

The IBA report proposes alternative ways for the city to make more money without the use of these one-time funds, including using $1.1 million from the Street Damage Fund and increasing the Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund revenue from $3.1 million to $5.2 million. City Council President Todd Gloria said the council won’t like using one-time funds, but also could accept it as necessary.

Real Estate Sales

Reported by Cassidy Turley San Diego

Hamann Properties Inc. purchased a 103,997-square-foot industrial building in the Britannia Industrial Park at 2350 Siempre Viva Court, San Diego, for $5.41 million. Cassidy Turley represented both parties in the transaction.

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La Jolla Trust & Rose Trust purchased a 5,000-square-foot multi-family property of seven residential units over two parcels at the Wind N Sea Apartments at 6520-6526 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego, from California First Property Consultants Inc. for $1.95 million. Ray Adams of Cassidy Turley represented the buyer. Alan and Faye Tassviri represented the seller.

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Luxury Auto Body purchased an 11,894-square-foot industrial building at 9450 Camino Ruiz in San Diego from Pioneer Real Estate for $1.8 million. Bryce Aberg, and Brant Aberg of Cassidy Turley represented both parties in the transaction.

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Peter P. Tarantino Trust purchased a 30,000-square-foot industrial building at 796 Energy Way in Chula Vista from CSB Florida CRE Holdings LLC, c/o Iberia Bank for $1.55 million. Cassidy Turley represented the seller in the transaction. Arthur Bleier and Nick Price of Voit Real Estate Services represented the buyer.

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Mark D. Matthews, Nancy Matthews, Gabriel Matthews and Janelle Matthews purchased an 11,050-square-foot industrial building at 830-856 Fesler St. in El Cajon, from Arban Family Trust for $1.3 million. Cassidy Turley San Diego represented the seller in the transaction. James Renner of Inland Pacific Commercial Properties represented the buyer.

County Supervisors Greg Cox and Dianne Jacob Urge Support for Legislation to Protect Patients from Medi-Cal Cuts

County Supervisors Greg Cox and Dianne Jacob joined with local hospital leaders last week to call on the California Legislature and Gov. Brown to spare hospital-based skilled-nursing facilities and other health care providers from Medi-Cal cuts.  Both Assembly Bill 900 and Senate Bill 640 would reverse the Medi-Cal cuts that were enacted in 2011.  “Unless the Legislature and Gov. Brown take action, the health and safety of California’s most medically complex patients, frail seniors and disabled people will be at risk,” said Cox. “Here in San Diego County, these cuts would come to $6.6 million moving forward and $10.4 million in retroactive repayments.” Cox and Jacob spoke at a press conference at Edgemoor Hospital in Santee.

Dischcrawl Comes to North Park

Alexander’s on 30th, Sea Rocket Bistro, West Coast Tavern and Swoon Dessert Bar are on the “menu” for the May 7 Dishcrawl in North Park. Similar to a pubcrawl, the event will take food lovers to each of those restaurants to sample the fare and to meet the chefs behind the meals. The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 apiece and can be purchased online at dishcrawl.com/san diego.

The post Daily Business Report-May 6, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Improving Jobs Picture Fuels Increase in Economic Index

A rapidly improving jobs picture fueled a 0.3 percent increase in March of the University of San Diego Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County, Professor Alan Gin said Thursday. The professor said gains in the number of housing permits issued and local stock performance also helped. Consumer confidence and the outlook for the national economy were down slightly, he said. “With March’s increase, the outlook remains for good growth in the local economy through the end of 2013,” Gin said. “For the first quarter of 2013, nonfarm wage and salary employment was up more than 31,000 jobs compared to the same period in 2012, the strongest pace of job growth since 2000.”

The index stood at 125.1 in March, the highest since a 126.1 reading in January 2008. The March uptick was the seventh in a row. Along with unemployment being at its lowest level in five years, the number of help-wanted advertisements has increased for the 26th time in 27 months, according to the professor. Gin said the number of building permits for residential housing issued by local governments in the first quarter of this year was up 45 percent over the same period in 2012. Increases for both single-family houses and multi-family construction were strong, he said. The value of local stocks jumped nearly 15 percent in the first quarter of this year, beating the overall market, according to Gin. (City News Service Report)

Soda Tax Has Some Fizz in State Senate

A measure aimed at reducing the epidemic of childhood obesity is making its way through the California state Senate, KPBS reports. The bill would impose a penny-per-ounce tax on sodas and other sugary drinks. Milk products and beverages containing more than 50 percent juice would be exempt. Supporters of the tax, authored by state Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel), say soft drinks are a major contributor to childhood obesity. Reports show nearly one-third of all 5th and 7th graders in San Diego are overweight or obese. The tax would generate more than $1.5 billion dollars each year in California, supporters say. The money would be earmarked for community and statewide obesity prevention efforts. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health say a soda tax could cut consumption by up to 10 percent. They suggest the tax might also prompt manufacturers to reduce the sugar content in their drinks. The tax won’t be approved at all if the soft drink industry has its way. The industry spent millions to defeat recent soda tax measures in the California cities of Richmond and El Monte.

Chula Vista Settles Cell Phone Tax Lawsuit for $8 Million

The city of Chula Vista has settled a class action lawsuit brought by cell phone users who said they were illegally taxed by the city for years, Voice of San Diego reports. Under the settlement, which was approved by a San Diego court, the city must pay $8 million in rebates and refunds to cell phone users who were taxed, plus legal fees. The city of Chula Vista maintains that the tax is legal. “We disagree that certain aspects of the tax are unlawful, but, because the issues are complex and continued litigation would be expensive, the city believes it is in the best interest of its citizens to settle the case,” said Anne Steinberger, a spokeswoman for the city. Residents of Chula Vista have been mailed notifications this week that will tell them how to claim a cash refund from the settlement, said Jeremy Robinson, one of the lawyers who sued the city. Recipients will have to fill out a claim form to prove they’re eligible for a repayment. If so, they have the choice of a $35 flat rebate; a $50 payment for every year they paid the tax, up to $150, (if they can prove they paid it) or an estimated full refund from the period April 2010 to April 2013. Claims must be made in the next 90 days.

Council President Gloria Announces Support for Mayor’s Plan to Remove Cars from Plaza de Panama

City Council President Todd Gloria says he can support Mayor Bob Filner’s request for $300,000 in the fiscal 2014 city budget to remove cars from the Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park. However, added Gloria,  “I would like to know more about how the likely impacts would be mitigated, and I encourage the mayor to seriously consider any suggestions that will help smooth the transition to the temporary plan.” The mayor proposed the Plaza de Panama project as part of the Park and Recreation Department budget, which will be discussed at the City Council’s Budget Review hearing at 2 p.m. on Monday on the 12th floor of the City Administration Building. Gloria said he will work with the mayor, Balboa Park stakeholders and surrounding communities to make sure the project is successful, should it be funded in the budget.

Japan Fair Trade Commission Clears ASML Acquisition of Cymer

ASML Holding NV of Amsterdam and Cymer Inc. announce that the Japan Fair Trade Commission has cleared the previously announced merger between Cymer and affiliates of ASML. Clearance of the merger has previously been granted by the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States as well as the Taiwanese, German and Israeli antitrust authorities. Cymer stockholders have approved the merger agreement. ASML is a provider of lithography systems for the semiconductor industry. Cymer is an industry leader in developing lithography light sources used by chipmakers to pattern advanced semiconductor chips. Under the deal, ASML will manage Cymer as an independent business unit in commercial hardware sales and service activities.

Federal Contract Awards

GKN Aerospace Chem-Tronics Inc. in El Cajon won a $4,098,729 federal contract from the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., for engines, turbines and components.

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Hamilton Sundstrand Corp. in San Diego won a $461,682 federal contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., for helicopter rotor blades, drive mechanisms and components.

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K.W. Pommier & Associates Inc. dba Audiometrics of Oceanside won a $75,992.66 federal contract from the U.S. Army, Tacoma, Wash., for the supply and installation of audiometric booth.

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Pacific Maritime Industries Corp. of San Diego, won a $49,590 federal contract from the Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio, for straight chairs.

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Dion International Trucks LLC of San Diego won a $30,000 federal contract from the Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio, for shoe type brakes.

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The Navy’s newest helicopter squadron features manned and unmanned aircraft.

Navy’s Newest Squadron Puts Manned and Unmanned Aircraft Side-by-Side

Story and Photos by Tarryn Mento | KPBS

Back when Vice Adm. David Buss started his military career in 1978, the idea of unmanned aircraft operating alongside conventional aircraft sounded like something out of a George Lucas film.

“I would have really called that very Star Wars like but we are there today,” Buss said.

Indeed, at the North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado, officials welcomed a first-of-its-kind helicopter squadron featuring the FireScout, a remotely piloted vehicle. The FireScout is bigger than a smart car but not as wide as a sports car and has four 15-foot blades on top. The squadron is set to deploy next year to the Western Pacific.

Vice Adm. David Buss is commander of naval air forces.

For now, pilots like Lt. Kevin Shikuma will train to operate the FireScout system, so they are fluent in both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs.

“The UAV can stay up for a lot longer than the average pilot can and in this fiscal environment, it’s a lot cheaper to operate a unmanned drone that burns a lot of gas than say this large aircraft that takes a lot more gas and maintenance man hours,” Shikuma said.

Beyond saving some gas and money, Squadron Commander Chris Hewlett said the FireScout can be crucial in assisting larger manned aircraft on missions.

“If they had made contact while they were out flying around and the crew needed to swap out, we could send the FireScout out and that FireScout would dwell on the contact of interest…,” Hewlett said.

The squadron will deploy on the USS Fort Worth, further expanding the Navy’s reach. It’s a littoral combat ship that can operate in areas where larger ships can’t.

The post Daily Business Report-May 3, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

The Old Police Headquarters to Become Trendy Destination Venue

Future visitors to the Old Police Headquarters Downtown will be treated to an array of dining, retail and entertainment venues that could not have been imagined in the building’s heyday — 1939 to 1987— when it was home to cops and crooks, er, alleged crooks. Today it’s being refashioned into a $40 million trendy destination spot by Terramar Retail Centers, the managing member of Seaport Village Operating Co., which holds a 40-year ground lease on the property from the Port District.

Terramar just recently disclosed the names of some of the top restaurants that will operate at the 100,000-square-foot property to be called “The Headquarters” —  Pizzeria Mozza, The Cheesecake Factory, Puesto, Eddie V’s, and Seasons 52.

The Headquarters rendering

Pizzeria Mozza’s 4,350-square-foot restaurant will have an open kitchen, wine bar, indoor dining room and central dining patio, plus two private dining rooms – one upstairs in the former police chief’s office (34 guests) and a more intimate room for 11 guests downstairs. The Cheesecake Factory will operate in a 10,400-square-foot space. Puesto will offer Mexican street food and gourmet Mexican dishes. Eddie V’s will offer premium aged steaks and fresh seafood. Seasons 52 is a fresh grill restaurant offering a healthy lifestyle cuisine – no dish contains over 475 calories.

The Old Police Headquarters property has four existing buildings set around an interior courtyard.  Upon completion it will offer up to 30 shops and restaurants. The main courtyard will feature fountains and colorful landscaping.

Governor Signs Legislation to Speed Business Filing Process

Gov. Brown has signed legislation that gives $1.6 million to the Secretary of State’s Office to speed the state’s business filing process and eliminate a massive backlog of filings. “The sooner Californians can form their businesses, the sooner they can put other Californians to work,” said Brown. The backlog of business filings has grown to more than 100,000 in recent months. The business filings have taken up to three months to be processed. The aim of the new legislation is to help reduce waiting times to between five to 10 days by November.

SDSU College of Extended Studies Names Interim Associate Dean for Programming

San Diego State’s College of Extended Studies has appointed Francesca Ringland as the interim associate dean for programming. Ringland, an SDSU alumni and native San Diegan, joined Extended Studies in 1986. Since that time she has worked in a variety of roles focusing on program development and administration. She has worked with such groups as SDSU academic colleges, departments, and faculty, with San Diego school districts and the U.S. military community, and with San Diego businesses to provide customized programs for nontraditional life-long learners.

San Diegan Appointed to Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

Sid Voorakkara, 42, of San Diego, has been appointed senior business development specialist at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Voorakkara has been a partner at Ten Page Memo LLC since 2012. He was statewide program officer and San Diego regional program officer at the California Endowment from 2005 to 2011, field director of public affairs at the United Nations Foundation from 2003 to 2004 and director of production and client services at Home Front Communications from 2000 to 2002. Voorakkara was communications adviser to Minority Leader Richard Gephardt from 1999 to 2000. He is a member of the advisory council for the San Diego Community College Board of Trustees and a member of the San Diego LGBT Community Center Board of Directors. Senate confirmation is not required.  The pay is is $90,000 a year. Voorakkara is a Democrat.

SDG&E to Award $1 Million in Grants to Local Environmental Programs

San Diego Gas & Electric kicked-off its annual Environmental Champions initiative, a $1 million charitable giving campaign that funds local environmental nonprofit organizations in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations for programs that engage and educate young people in the community as stewards of the environment in the areas of natural resource conservation and protection, habitat preservation and restoration, and waste and recycling. Grant awardees will receive up to $25,000 for individual projects and up to $50,000 for collaborative projects with partner environmental nonprofit organizations. Grant winners will be announced this summer. For more, visit www.sdge.com.

Northrop Grumman Receives $14 Million Contract Option

Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded a $14.1 million contract option from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command to complete developent of a radio-controlled system to protect aircraft, land vehicles, watercraft and structures from improvised explosive devices. The majority of the development work will be performed in San Diego.

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The Guardian lowrider police cruiser of the San Diego Police Department

Lowrider Police Cruiser Hits the Streets

The San Diego Police Department unveiled its newest set of wheels in the Skyline area Wednesday – a lowrider police cruiser.  It was the brainchild of the lowrider community, said Mayra Nuñez, who approached the police department with the idea. “We’re trying to reach the community and bridge the gap between law enforcement lowriders and the community overall,” said Nuñez, Lowrider community liaison. “We’re trying to erase the negative stigma that low riders have had throughout the years.” Nuñez said the vehicle costs around $50,000 and took about seven months to complete. It was paid for through private donations from local businesses. Jonathon Mercado painted the pinstriping on the vehicle. “It`s a real honor to be part of this,” said Mercado.  “In a way, I`m kind of giving back to the community because this car is going to be shown all around the community.”

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne said the Guardian, as it’s called, will attend community events, parades and car shows. “It’s an exciting piece of equipment,” said Lansdowne. “It also is one of those items that builds trust instantly between the community and police department. They see us as part of the community as opposed to visiting people in the community and this car will bridge that gap.”  (Fox5 San Diego).

The post Daily Business Report-May 2, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

San Diego Smooths Way for Home-based Water Recycling

‘Don’t throw out the baby or the bath water’ — Councilwoman Lorie Zapf

City News Service — The San Diego City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ease municipal code requirements for home-based water recycling systems. Advocates say that so-called “graywater” systems, in which the outflow from clothes washers or showers is directed to landscape irrigation, can reduce household consumption by half. “Graywater is a simple and effective way to reduce our water use,” Councilwoman Sherri Lightner said. “Local environmentalists say that a family of four can save as much as 16,000 gallons a year just by reusing water from their washing machine to irrigate their yard.”

A task force created to study plans submitted by the councilwoman recommended that systems that receive water from only a clothes washer should not require a city permit. She said current city rules on the systems are “confusing and contradictory,” stunting local sales. City permits should also not be needed for a homeowner to install a system that discharges less than 250 gallons per day for landscape irrigation, takes water from a clothes washer and wash basin, and doesn’t use pumps or affect the rest of the house’s plumbing, the panel concluded.

“Don’t throw out the baby or the bath water,” Councilwoman Lorie Zapf said.

Staff was ordered to return in 90 days with plans, including financing options and proposed regulations.

A rendering of what the planned departure curb will look like when the renovations of Lindbergh Field’s Terminal 2 are complete. A two story road will be built in front of the terminal. Departing passengers will be dropped off on the upper level. Arriving passengers will emerge from the airport on the lower level.

New Parking Spaces Opened at Lindbergh Field’s Terminal 2

Lindbergh Field has opened 600 new parking spaces at Terminal 2, increasing the total number of short-term parking spaces in front of the terminal to more than 1,300. The Terminal 2 parking lot was temporarily closed in April 2011 in order to allow for construction on the dual-level roadway in front of the terminal and replacement of underground utilities. The rate to park in the Terminal 2 lot is $4/hour for up to five hours and $28/day. The added parking is part of the Green Build Terminal 2 expansion, which is nearing completion. The grand opening for the $1 billion project will take place in August. The Green Build will provide 10 new gates, a dual-level roadway to separate arriving and departing passengers, and more shopping and dining options.

Scripps Wins Bid to Buy San Diego Hospice Property

Kelly Paice, inewsource

The courtroom was packed to watch the auction unfold as Scripps Health went head-to-head with Sharp HealthCare to purchase San Diego Hospice’s Hillcrest property. After 50 bids back and forth, Scripps beat out Sharp by $50,000, winning the hospice’s most valuable asset. Scripps bought the eight-acre property for a final price of $16.55 million. Sharp will act as a back-up bidder. Attorneys for San Diego Hospice and its unsecured creditors — those who are owed money but have no collateral — said Tuesday they were both happy with the final sale reaching almost $6 million more than Scripps’ initial bid. The property is assessed at more than $18 million and includes a 24-bed inpatient facility, which was built from an $18 million donation from the late Joan Kroc. The new owner, Scripps CEO Chris Van Gorder, said Tuesday, “When San Diego Hospice approached us originally, I actually went up the facility and took a walk around the memorial walk and realized this is something that needed to be sustained for San Diego.”

The state Attorney General needs to approve the sale before it becomes official. The hospice is still awaiting results from a Medicare audit that began two years ago.

Federal Court Dismisses Lawsuit in Special-Event Permits Case

A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit against the city of San Diego over the process for granting special-event permits during the summer, the City Attorney’s Office reports. U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel last week granted the city’s motion to dismiss a case filed by FreePB.org that challenged the city’s summer moratorium on special events on constitutional grounds. FreePB.org had argued that the permit process violated its rights under the First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment and the court disagreed. The court concluded that FreePB.org was subject to the ordinance only because it sought to include alcohol in its event — an activity that is not protected by the Constitution.  The city’s summer moratorium prevents new special events in certain parks during the summer to allow the general public greater accessibility to these parks. The city’s case was argued by Deputy City Attorney Glenn Spitzer.

Paul Cooper Promoted to Assistant City Attorney in San Diego

San Diego Deputy City Attorney Paul Cooper has been promoted to the position of assistant city attorney and will be in charge of special projects for the Civil Advisory Division. Cooper fills the position left vacant by former Assistant City Attorney Tricia Pummill, who retired last month. Cooper began his career in the City Attorney’s office in 1993 as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division. In 1996, he was asked to head the office’s nationally recognized Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Unit. In 2003, he became the special adviser and assistant to Police Chief William Lansdowne, but returned to the City Attorney’s Office last year.

McCarthy Building Cos. Moves Forward on J. Craig Venter Institute Building

McCarthy Building Companies Inc. this week topped off the last concrete pour for the three-story, 45,000-square-foot J. Craig Venter Institute laboratory facility located on the UC San Diego campus.  Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects is the architect. The new $39 million facility will support 125 scientists and other staff. The facility will include a12,605-square-foot laboratory wing; a three-story, 28,600-square-foot office wing; a 3,560-square-foot loading dock area; and a partially below-grade parking garage.  The laboratory and office wings will sit atop the roof/podium deck of the parking garage.

James Eischen Jr. Joins Higgs Fletcher & Mack as Partner

James Eischen

James “Jim” Eischen Jr., a national expert in medical physician reimbursement compliance, has joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack as partner. Eischen has more than 25 years of experience. He represents a variety of medical practices and health care IT companies across the U.S. and internationally. Regularly utilized by the American Association of Private Physicians to lecture on medical compliance issues for the last four year, Eischen is expanding his physician compliance outreach to integrative/holistic education conferences both locally and nationally. Prior to joining Higgs, Eischen maintained a practice, the Eischen Law Group. He earned his undergraduate degree from Creighton University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Davis.

Junior Achievement to Present Entrepreneurs Showcase 

On May 16, 14 high school companies will present their innovative products and services at Junior Achievement of San Diego County’s The Next Big Thing: Entrepreneurs Showcase presented by Cymer Inc at Scottish Rite Center from 4 to 8 p.m. All part of JA Company Program, the competitors will come together from Barrio Logan, City Heights, Chula Vista, Poway, San Marcos and Mira Mesa schools to compete for the first, second or third place and The Most Original Product, Best Showcase and Best Profit-Margin Awards.

Gubernatorial Appointments

• Linda Broyles, 57, of Coronado, has been appointed to the California Commission on Emergency Medical Services by Gov. Brown. Broyles has been continuous quality improvement coordinator at the Regional Cooperative Care Program since 2006 and clinical coordinator at American Medical Response since 2007. She was base hospital nurse coordinator at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla from 2005 to 2007, and served in various positions at Scripps Mercy Hospital from 1989 to 2005, including base hospital nurse coordinator. Broyles has been a registered nurse since 1977 and a certified emergency nurse since 1990. The position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Broyles is a Republican.

• David Watson, 56, of Chula Vista, has been appointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association, San Diego County Fair Board. Watson has been a partner and attorney at Duane Morris since 2010. He was a partner and attorney at Hecht Solberg Robinson Goldberg and Bagley from 2008 to 2010 and from 2002 to 2006.  He was vice president at Yokohl Ranch Company LLC from 2006 to 2008 and a partner and attorney at Gray Cary Ware and Freidenrich from 1988 to 2002. Senate confirmation is not required. Watson is a Democrat.

UC San Diego Surgeon Named to Global Trauma Alliance

UC San Diego surgeon Raul Coimbra is the only trauma surgeon in the western United States  invited to be part of the Global Alliance for the Care of the Injured — a World Health Organization initiative to improve trauma care in low and middle income countries. “One of the goals of the GACI is to teach standards in trauma care, data collection, injury surveillance and quality improvement,” said Coimbra. “It is crucial that we share our experiences in the United States around the world.  Trauma is a major public health problem, and extending high quality of care to patients worldwide will also improve the way Americans traveling receive health care.”

Chief Medical Officer Named for North County Health Services

Patrick A. Tellez has been named the new chief medical officer for North County Health Services. Tellez has more than 30 yeasrs of health care industry experience. He was previously medical director in the Denver area for the Metro Community Provider Network. Tellez also served in various medical leadership roles at MedPlus, Cincinnati Group Health Associates and Mid-Valley CareNet. Tellez graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and is boarded in Pediatrics and Immunology & Allergy with over 12 years of medical practice experience.

Allen Matkins Elects New Partner

Brian Kintz

Attorney Brian Kintz has been elected a partner in the Allen Matkins law firm and will practice in the real estate and retail practice groups in the San Diego office, effective July 1.Kintz has represented a variety of landlords in the leasing, financing and disposition of office, industrial, retail, and mixed-use developments. He is a member of Allen Matkins’ pro bono committee. He received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Katelyn O’Riordan Promoted at Gable PR

Katelyn O’Riordan has been promoted to account executive at Gable PR. O’Riordan joined the public relations firm in November 2011 as account coordinator and was promoted to assistant account executive in June 2012. She takes on additional account management responsibilities for Gable PR clients in her new role. Before joining the agency, O’Riordan was a freelance writer for local publications, SD METRO Magazine and the North Park News, where she covered several beats from restaurant reviews to human interest topics. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

USD Student Wins All-America Student Analyst Competition

University of San Diego MBA student Daniel McAllister has won the first All-America Student Analyst Competition sponsored by the Institutional Investor magazine grou and Mark My Media. He topped nearly 700 students from 34 colleges and universities around the country. Concentrating on a mix of financial and health care stocks for the competition, McAllister finished highest overall. McAllister worked as a financial analyst at Jack in the Box and is now a solution consultant at AXmentor, a privately held technology company. He will be graduating in May from USD’s MBA program.

Motorists Advised to Avoid North Harbor Drive Next Tuesday

Cruise ship activity and ongoing contruction will impact North Harbor Drive on Tuesday, with traffic at its peak between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Motorists are advised to avoid the stretch of North Harbor Drive between Grape Street and the Navy Pier during those hours. Three cruise ships will be in port that day, two docked at the Port of San Diego’s B Street terminal and the other at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. North Harbor Drive will have only one eastbound lane open due to construction of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I project. Buses and trucks will not be allowed to travel on West Broadway and will be directed south on North Harbor Drive.

The post Daily Business Report-May 1, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Local Planned Parenthood celebrates 50 years of service

Moving ‘from a provider of last resort to a health care facility of first choice’

What health care organization in Southern California employs more than 400 people, has a string of 19 health centers across the region, an annual budget of $56 million and a legion of supporters and detractors? That would be Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, an organization that has grown from a one-room office in Balboa Park in 1963 into the second largest Planned Parenthood affiliate in the nation.
By its own count, the local Planned Parenthood provided more than 300,000 patient visits to nearly 150,000 people through its 19 health centers in San Diego and Riverside counties last year. Under the leadership of President and CEO Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, the organization also provides educational programs in these two counties, as well as Imperial County.
Though most people think of Planned Parenthood as a provider of contraception, DiGiorgio Johnson says the organization offers much more. “We provide life-saving cervical, breast and testicular cancer screenings,” she says, noting that as a cancer survivor herself, she knows firsthand the importance of early detection. “Planned Parenthood also offers STD testing and treatment, Rapid HIV testing, permanent birth control like vasectomy, tubal ligation and Essure. We also offer abortion care.”
According to the agency’s annual report, abortions represent 6 percent of the regional Planned Parenthood services. The vast majority of its services — 95 percent — are made up of cervical cancer screenings, contraception, gynecological visits and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. In 2011, patient visits to Planned Parenthood facilities amounted to 318,707.
Do people who oppose a woman’s right to choose ever discourage DiGiorgio Johnson? “Not in the least,” she replies. “The vast majority of Americans believe that these highly personal and often complex decisions should be made by a woman.” She says that while the primary goal of Planned Parenthood is to reduce the rate of abortion by preventing unintended pregnancy, “women know that we will be here for them no matter what.”

Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

Planned Parenthood reports that last year, its contraception programs prevented 486,000 unintended pregnancies, thereby averting 204,000 abortions nationwide. It states that, “Education and prevention are our primary goals.”
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest was founded in San Diego in 1963, 47 years after Margaret Sanger, her sister and a friend opened America’s first birth control clinic in Brooklyn, the genesis of the modern Planned Parenthood organization.
The local Planned Parenthood is celebrating its half-century of work this year, an organization that most supporters believe is a comprehensive health care provider for both women and men. A May 9 gala is planned (See sidebar).
DiGiorgio Johnson has spent the last 18 years in the Planned Parenthood family.
“As a recent college graduate in the mid-90s, I taught elementary school for a short time but quickly realized that I wanted a career in the social services field because of my passion to help others in need,” she says. “I was thrilled to come across a position as a community educator at a Planned Parenthood affiliate in New Jersey and it clicked. I was very passionate about the mission of providing reproductive education and health services to women, men and youth.”
DiGiorgio Johnson, who holds a master’s degree in counseling, ultimately moved into administrative roles and became CEO in New Jersey five years after joining that affiliate. She was in her fifth year in that role when Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest recruited her for the San Diego post.
The local organization traces its roots to a visit that an Episcopalian minister made to a female parishioner in a hospital in 1963. The woman had recently delivered her fourth child and asked the minister for family planning guidance. The minister, the Rev. Arthur Elcombe, discussed birth control with the woman, but she informed him that nurses at the county hospital were barred from dispensing contraceptives. This was the case at most medical facilities.
The lack of access to birth control alarmed Elcombe, who knew that several women were injured or killed in illegal abortions each year. Determined to help women prevent unintended pregnancy, Elcombe began researching family planning resources in San Diego and found that, while there was a great demand for services, there were few places for women to turn for birth control. the one-room office in Balboa Park was the result of that discovery.
Planned Parenthood is one of the nation’s leading advocates for reproductive and sexual health, says DiGiorgio Johnson. “We are tireless defenders of access to contraceptive care and a woman’s right to choose, and we do this through a multifaceted, highly sophisticated public affairs program that works with elected officials, and engages and develops young leaders.”
As an example, she cites programs like Teen Capitol Day, the Youth Leadership Academy and Healthy Neighborhoods Outreach. “The Healthy Neighborhoods Outreach program is a program where we send highly trained volunteers door-to-door to discuss reproductive and sexual health with residents in areas that traditionally have had limited access to services,” she says. “This is modeled after our Promotoras Program, which is something we learned about through our sister organization MEXFAM, in Mexico.”
DiGiorgio Johnson says Planned Parenthood has a strong tradition of innovative programs aimed at reaching people who typically have the least access to care. “We reach out to farm workers at their work sites,” DiGiorgio says, explaining that the voluntary program is extremely popular. “Planned Parenthood also has programs that provide life skills and support for teen mothers who wish to delay a second pregnancy until their education is complete. And we recently began offering anatomy and physiology classes to residents at Juvenile Hall.”
What might surprise some is the number of male patients who visit Planned Parenthood. In 2011, men represented 11 percentof the agency’s patient base. Between 2008 and 2011, the number of male patients increased by 35 percent. “Many of our male patients discover Planned Parenthood through their girlfriends and wives, and a significant number find out about us through the LGBT community,” says the CEO. “Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients come to Planned Parenthood because we offer sexual health services that are caring, non-judgmental and culturally appropriate.”
Asked to explain why the local Planned Parenthood affiliate has been successful over the past 50 years, DiGiorgio Johnson offers a couple of reasons: “First, our communities are extremely supportive in terms of volunteerism and financial support. They know we care — no matter what. In fact, one in every three San Diego households has a current or former Planned Parenthood patient. Second, the state of California has the most successful family planning program in the nation, offering residents low and no-cost services. This program, the Family Planning Access to Care and Treatment (FPACT) and the state understand that for every dollar invested in family planning, more than nine dollars are saved in future medical and social service costs.”
DiGiorgio Johnson says the impact of this program has been that the teen birth rate dropped to a record low in 2010, according to the California Department of Public Health. Health experts credit this record decline to the state’s comprehensive sex education, evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention efforts, and to increased access to contraception through the Family PACT program.
The CEO says that many Planned Parenthood patients do not have health insurance, but more and more, there are those who do. “Women and men may have discovered Planned Parenthood in their 20s before they had a job with health benefits, but they continue to come to our centers because of the high level of expertise and care we provide,” she says. “In our 50 years in the community, our reputation has transformed Planned Parenthood from a provider of last resort to a health care facility of first choice. We are very proud of the trust the community places in us.”

Planned Parenthood Gala

May 9, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, One Park Blvd., Downtown San Diego.
Time: 5:30 reception; dinner and program at 6:30 p.m.
Theme: Celebrating 50 Years Strong
Special Guests: Cecile Richards, president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Sarah Weddington, attorney, professor and women’s rights advocate who successfully argued the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973; Jessica Valenti, feminist and author, founder of Feministing.com.
Event Chairs: Nora Taylor Jaffe and Kathleen L. Strauss.
Tickets: 150. Visit www.plannedparenthood.org/pacific-southwest.

The post April Cover Story appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Sempra Energy

Sempra on Verge of Signing Lease for New Downtown Headquarters Next to Petco Park

Sempra Energy, parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric, has formally advised the ownership of its current headquarters building at 101 Ash St. that it will be relocating out of the Downtown building upon its lease expiration in July 2015, according to Jason Hughes, president and CEO of Hughes Marino. Sempra is on the verge of signing a letter of intent with Cisterra Development to build a new 300,000-square-foot corporate headquarters located adjacent to Petco Park bounded by Seventh and Eighth avenues,  Island and J Street. Sandor Shapery’s Shapery Enterprises is owner of the building occupied by Sempra.

According to City Consulting Group, Sempra Energy is considering a move to the East Village that would convert a surface parking lot into a 15-story glass and metal office building complete with public plazas. The site proposted for the office tower is a 55,000-square-foot parcel near Petco Park. If approved, the project could begin as early as fall 2013. The proposed project will be Silver LEED certified and will incorporate two historical buildings on site, the Unicorn building and the Pack Loft building, both of which will be rehabilitated as part of the project, according to City Consulting Group. It said the proposal also provides for 499 parking spaces.

San Diego’s International Trade Rebounds

Economists see the rebound in San Diego’s international trade as another sign of an improving local economy, KPBS reports. San Diego trade that crossed international borders was valued at $56.5 billion in 2012. A new National University System Institute for Policy Research report found that’s up 7.2 percent from the year before. The amount of cross border trade is now higher than it was before the Great Recession. Most of that trade involves San Diego’s closest neighbor. “The big news for San Diego is always that Mexico is such a big part of our international trade, both in imports and exports,” said Kelly Cunningham, institute economist. 86 percent of international trade is with Mexico. Much of it involves products designed here, said Cunningham. Those products are sent to Mexico for assembly, and then returned to the U.S. to be sold. Companies do that to be cost competitive with Asian manufacturers. Cunningham said he expects San Diego’s international trade to continue growing.

Local Concept Opens Office In Madrid

Local Concept, an international marketing and translation services firm based in San Diego, has opened an office in Madrid, Spain, the company’s third office after opening an office in Taipei, Taiwan in 2011. The Madrid office will focus on European-based clients, said Michael Cardenas, company president. The office opening follows the company’s recent announcement that it was selected by Harvard Business Publishing of Watertown, Mass., to translate 42 web-based courses for business executives who speak Chinese, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. Services provided to Harvard Business Publish will include translation from English to the other languages as well as testing, which refers to verifying the technical proficiency of each course as a hands-on user. Completion of the contract with Harvard Business Publishing is scheduled for September. Financial terms of the initial contract were not disclosed.

Budget Analyst Says Filner’s Budget Proposal Generally Accurate

The $2.75 billion budget proposed by Mayor Bob Filner two weeks ago is generally accurate in anticipated revenues and expenses, San Diego’s Independent Budget Analyst reported Monday. However, IBA Andrea Tevlin warned that the use of one-time income to close a $38.4 million shortfall in the fiscal year starting July 1 and reductions in infrastructure spending are causes for concern. The overall budget proposal is 0.1 percent smaller than the current fiscal year, but  general fund spending, which includes basic city services such as public safety and libraries, would be increased by 3.1 percent to $1.2 billion. The mayor expects general fund revenue to increase by 3.9 percent, which is “appropriate” given trends on sales, property and hotel room tax income, the IBA report said. (City News Service)

San Diego, Tijuana Hope for First Binational Olympics

San Diego and Tijuana are submitting a joint bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. News of a joint bid emerged late last week, when the head of the U.S. Olympic Committee confirmed to the Associated Press that San Diego and Tijuana want to co-host the summer games. Scott Blackmun said the Olympic Committee had just learned of the bid. And he said it would have its challenges. The Olympics have never been hosted by two countries at the same time, and it’s unclear whether such a bid would be seriously considered. But the effort is in keeping with Mayor Bob Filner’s recent interest in promoting the cities of San Diego and Tijuana as a single region, despite being separated by a fence and long border waits. The host of the 2024 Summer Games won’t be chosen until 2017. Over the weekend, Filner told U-T San Diego he’d like Mitt Romney to lead the binational effort. Romney led Salt Lake City’s successful 2002 Winter Olympics, and he owns a house in San Diego.

Balfour Beatty Construction Names Director of Business Development

Cecilia Kucharski

Balfour Beatty Construction has named Cecilia Kucharski director of business development for the Southwest Division. Kucharski will lead the division’s effort in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities within all San Diego market sectors. Kucharski has more than 17 years of experience in the industry. Previously she was preconstruction director for Webcor Builders. Before that she oversaw projects for Webcor and DPR Construction. Kucharski holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

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Prepped, Primed and Painted

La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary  members give a fresh coat of paint to 28 classrooms at the Preuss School

La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary members

La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary joined thousands of Rotarians around the world participating in an annual “Rotarians at Work Day” on April 27 — choosing to focus the club’s people power and resources to benefit The Preuss School at UC San Diego. In just over seven hours, volunteers prepped, primed and painted 28 classrooms and exterior doors spanning six buildings on the Preuss campus. Managed by Rotarians Stanley Faer, Jim Davies and Tony Grillo, the project included 100 volunteers (club members, family, friends, Preuss faculty, and student Rotaract Club members from UCSD and USD), and donations of 54 gallons of paint, 14 gallons of primer, painting equipment, over 350 bottles of water and a barbeque lunch party.

“The day had a feel of military precision,” said Faer. “Volunteers were divided into teams, led by captains, and assigned to specific project areas.  Everyone involved was energized by the collaboration, the group’s enthusiasm and the positive impact of the work.”

The Preuss School UCSD is a nationally recognized charter middle and high school for low income, highly motivated students who strive to become the first in their families to graduate from college.

The post Daily Business Report-April 30, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Will the Mayor’s Temporary Solution for Clearing Cars Out of Balboa Park’s Central Plaza Fly?

Voice of San Diego Report  

It’s only temporary.

The crowd was largely relieved last week as Mayor Bob Filner shared his non-permanent plan to clear cars from Balboa Park’s central mesa. The mayor wants to strip the signs and parking lines from the Plaza de Panama and return it to pedestrians. That will require relocating handicap parking spots to the lot behind the Alcazar Garden and valet behind The Prado restaurant. Filner also proposes closing the Cabrillo Bridge on weekends and holidays, though he’d allow two-way traffic on weekdays.

The latter has been controversial but Filner at least initially quelled most concerns with an emphasis on its impermanence. He also noted that an already slated construction project that will close the beloved bridge for four months early next year is conveniently timed.

If a certain element doesn’t work, the mayor said, the city can try something else.

“We’re serious about this but we want your input,” he said.

He’s likely to get it from nearby residents concerned about increased traffic on Park Boulevard and other streets, as well as those in Bankers Hill who suspect park visitors will crowd their neighborhoods with cars. Filner didn’t detail specific plans for gathering public feedback but said the City Council will need to weigh in on his proposal. He’s hoping for a quick turnaround.

Filner provided a timeline to Voice of San Diego:

Phase 1: Close Cabrillo Bridge to weekend traffic and add 25 parking spots for disabled park visitors in the lot behind the Spreckels Organ Pavilion by May 31.

Phase 2: Erect barriers — which could be bollards or another temporary blockade — to keep motorists out of the Plaza de Panama and move the valet drop-off area to the parking lot south of Casa de Balboa. Filner hopes this will happen in June.

Phase 3: Add disabled parking spots in the lot behind Alcazar Garden in July, the beginning of the new fiscal year. Presumably, this is when Filner would have access to the $300,000 he included for the temporary traffic plan in his proposed budget. He can use the cash to smooth the sloped parking lot and add signs, planters and café seating to the Plaza de Panama.

Filner’s proposal represents a much cheaper approach than philanthropist Irwin Jacobs’ blueprint. Jacobs, co-founder of Qualcomm, offered significant cash for a $45 million plan to build a bypass to keep cars out of the historic archway of the Cabrillo Bridge and a three-story parking garage behind the Organ Pavilion. A judge effectively nixed that idea in a February ruling that found the city violated its own rules in approving Jacobs’ plan. Jacobs told KPBS he was done with the project, though Filner said Wednesday night that he plans to contact the philanthropist to see whether he’d like to assist with his temporary solution.

San Diego To Consider Ban On Retail Sale Of Animals

Dog awaits adoption in an animal shelter.

The City Council’s Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee is scheduled this week to consider banning the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores and other commercial establishments in San Diego, City News Service reports. A proposal has been made to amend the municipal code to make it “unlawful for any person to display, offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer or sell any live dog, cat or rabbit in any pet shop, retail business or other commercial establishment located in the city of San Diego, unless the dog, cat or rabbit was obtained from a city or county animal shelter or animal control agency, a humane society or a nonprofit rescue organization.” Pet stores would need to keep certificates that state the sources of their animals and make them available to animal control officers, law enforcement, code compliance officials or other city employees.

A report to the committee said dogs, cats and rabbits bred for pet stores are kept in inhumane conditions, and too many of them end up being abandoned by owners — and end up in shelters. Pets born in such conditions are more likely to carry genetic disorders and are poorly socialized.  The proposed ordinance is supported by the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, Animal Protection and Rescue League, San Diego Animal Defense Team, and Companion Animal Protection Society. The Animal Defense Team regularly protests outside of pet shops.

Boyd Contreras Law Firm Moves to Larger Quarters

The San Diego law office of Boyd Contreras APC has relocated from the 12th floor to the 15th floor of the Emerald Plaza office building at 402 W. Broadway in Downtown. The new office, Suite 1500, has 8,000 square feet, more than twice the size of its previous office, and includes state-of-the-art technology, three conference rooms and a trial preparation room for the nine attorneys and eight support staff. The firm’s principals are Karie Boyd and Dolores Contreras. The law firm also has offices in Irvine, and expects to open another one in Los Angeles later this year.

Affordable Housing Project to Open in Santee

Forester Square

Wakeland Housing and Development Corp. on Wednesday will celebrate the grand opening of Forester Square, a new affordable housing community in Santee with 44 units. Beyond affordable rents, Wakeland will offer a range of services in Forester Square’s community center, including after-school programs, community gatherings and workforce development activities. Funding for Forester Square was provided by a number of sources, including the city of Santee Community Development Commission, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corp., the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee.

Afraxis Appoints President and CEO

San Diego-based Afraxis Inc. announced the appointment of Carmine Stengone as president and chief executive officer and the appointment of Christopher Rex as chief scientific officer. Stengone previously was vice president of corporate development for Afraxix Holdings, from which Afraxis Inc. was spun out. The company focuses on its Enhanced Spine Platform technology. Rex previously was a principal investigator and director of R&D strategy for Afraxis Holdings.

Laura Bush to Keynote Travel Association Convention

Former First Lady Laura Bush will be the keynote speaker at the Aug. 4-7 national convention of the Global Business Travel Association at the San Diego Convention Center. She will speak during the Aug. 8 general session luncheon. “Mrs. Laura W. Bush has traveled to 50 states and to more than 76 countries advocating for improvements in education, health care and human rights,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. “Mrs. Bush has been a steadfast champion for people in need everywhere.”

The post Daily Business Report-April 29, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

San Diego Tourism Dispute Over; Mayor Filner Signs Contracts

Mayor Bob Filner signed a much-debated operating agreement Thursday with San Diego’s Tourism Marketing District, City News Service reports. A dispute over details of the contract blew up in recent months as the mayor sought numerous changes, but the two sides reached a deal about 10 days ago. The district uses a 2 percent charge on hotel room rates — whixh is separate from the hotel room tax — to promote San Diego as a vacation destination. It also supports organizations that put on event that attract visitors. The mayor’s actions will release administrative funds to the agency, once hotels issue waivers needed to protect the city from current lawsuits challenging the funding mechanism. “That was at the heart of all the negotiations — protection for the city and its general fund should either of these suits be determined to be successful,” Filner said. “I think that’s what we got out of it.” If the 2 percent levy was ruled to be an illegal tax, the money raised would have to be replaced — and if the funds already were spent on advertising, city officials worried that the reimbursements would have to come from the general fund.  (Above photo credit: Nicholas McVicker/KPBS)

GroundMetrics Attracts Interest in Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology

GroundMetrics Inc. announced that it has successfully raised its second round of financing, following a successful proof-of-concept test conducted on an operating oilfield undergoing enhanced oil recovery in the United States. GMI raised the ceiling by 50 percent near the end of the round due to greater than expected participation, and the round was still oversubscribed at final closing, the company said.  The second round of financing was led by the Tech Coast Angels, as was the first. Other Southern California syndicates consisted of the Rady Venture Fund, La Costa Investment Group, Crescent Ridge Partners Ventures, and Rancho Santa Fe Partners.  GroundMetrics management reported that a number of energy firms are asking the company to bid jobs even though GroundMetrics’ technology is still at the prototype stage and additional engineering is necessary before it can provide commercial surveys.

North County Politicians to Speak on Major Economic Issues

North County’s political leaders will weigh in on the region’s major economic issues during San Diego North Economic Development Council’s fifth annual Meet the Elected Officials Luncheon on May 10 at the Sheraton Carlsbad. Moderated by Gene Cubbison, host of NBC 7’s weekly public affairs program, “Politically Speaking,” the panel includes state Sens. Mark Wyland and Joel Anderson, county Supervisors Bill Horn and Dave Roberts and Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall. Congressmen Darrel Issa and Duncan Hunter have also been invited to the panel. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Carlsbad located at 5480 Grand Pacific Drive. Tickets cost $60 for investors and $80 for potential investors. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, contact Chris Clark at (760) 510-3179.

Water Authority Gets Updates on Camp Pendleton Desalination Project and Water Conveyance System

San Diego County Water Authority directors on Thursday received updates on two potential capital projects to meet water needs through 2035 –  a seawater desalination plant at Camp Pendleton and a large-scale conveyance system to deliver water from the Colorado River. The conceptual desalination plant could range in size from 50 million to 150 million gallons per day (compared to 50 mgd for the Carlsbad Desalination Project). The plant would cost between $1.4 billion and $3.3 billion in 2012 dollars, depending on size. The other project a conveyance facility for delivering the Water Authority’s own Colorado River water supplies from Imperial Valley to San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside. Both projects and others will be considered during 2013.

Tourism Officials: Convention Sales Slow On Convention Center Expansion Uncertainty

San Diego is losing out on bookings of major conferences because of uncertainty over when the expansion of the convention center will be completed, area tourism officials said this week. In a Wednesday presentation to the City Council’s Rules Committee, San Diego Tourism Authority CEO Joe Terzi, Convention Center Chairman Phil Blair and center CEO Carol Wallace said the California Coastal Commission, the final regulatory hurdle for the expansion, probably won’t consider the project until October — seven months later than expected. Two organizations that bring large amounts of people to their conventions, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and the Society of Human Resources Management, have backed out of plans to come to San Diego, Terzi said. He said the large groups that regularly come to San Diego are the “life blood” of the tourism industry, but they are “challenged” from “a size and capacity standpoint”when trying to convince large groups to come here. For more, visit www.sandiegonewsroom.com.

Eco Minded Solutions Acquires Poulson Builders

Eco Minded Solutions, a San Diego landscape design/build company, has acquired Poulson Builders, a residential home building and remodeling company. The acquisition allows Eco Minded Solutions to offer complete home remodeling services to clients through its new Eco Minded Solutions home building and remodeling division, said Josh Rosenthal, company principal. “Michael Poulson, who we’ve worked with for a number of years, is now part of our company and brings years of experience and a superior work ethic to remodeling projects.”

Monarch School Adds Health Care Center and Boutique for Homeless Students

Blair Cannon and Anne Cleveland stand in front of Tara Barrows’ second and third graders at the Monarch School. Photo: Amalia Bersin

KPBS Report – Fourteen months ago, the Monarch School’s new building didn’t look like much. Now, after a $14 million remodel, the cramped Downtown space on Cedar Street is changing the educational lives of 350 homeless K-12 students. In addition to a major renovation, the school is also now equipped with a science lab, an outdoor playground and equipment it didn’t have before. The upgrades may well help push the school’s 70 percent graduation rate even higher. But Principal Joel Garcia said there’s another key element the school is focused on, as well. “We really believe that if they want to come to our school ready to learn, a big piece of it is health,” he said. “It might be a toothache or an issue of glasses … how can we expect them to do their schoolwork if they can’t see the board in the classroom?”

To combat those health issues, the school has also opened a new health care center for its students. It has also stocked its Butterfly Boutique — an on-campus trove of clothes, shoes and other necessities — that students can visit any time. “They come to school sometimes and their shoes are worn or torn and they don’t have the appropriate clothing or something that fits,” Garcia said. Donations made the entire upgrade and all of the additions to the school possible.

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