Daily Business Report — April 29, 2010

40 Under 40 Nominations

Nominations are now open for San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s 11th annual 40 Under 40 awards. The nomination period ends May 31. The honorees will be feted at our annual luncheon on Sept. 9 at the San Diego Convention Center and profiled in the September issue of the magazine. Visit http://sandiegometro.com/40under40/ for a nomination form.

Financing Sought for Casa Kids Campus

Casa de Amparo has signed an agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to help provide financing for the construction of a new Casa Kids Campus in Oceanside, pending the organization’s ability to raise $4 million in 90 days. The Casa Kids Campus is part of a $16 million capital campaign to build new facilities and enhance programs for children aged birth to 24. The Family Services and Hayward Child Development Centers, located in Ivey Ranch, were built in 2007. The Casa Kids Campus will be built on 11.4 acres of land in Twin Oaks Valley that is owned by the organization.

HomeAid San Diego, the local chapter of HomeAid America Inc., is working with Casa de Amparo in the project. The organization partners with the real estate industry and other San Diego nonprofits to build multi-unit housing that serves temporarily homeless families and individuals in the community.

“Our new campus will be happy and homelike — the kind of environment that helps children feel safe and comfortable, enhancing their healing process,” said Sharon Delphenich, executive director. “Thanks to our generous supporters, we are fortunate to have raised $8 million of the $16 million needed. With a loan from Wells Fargo, in addition to the $4 million we need to raise immediately, we will be able to begin construction. We will continue to raise additional funds in order to pay off the loan and open the Casa Kids Campus debt-free as we were able to do with the Family Services and Hayward Child Development Center.”

Child Development Center Completed for Chollas Heights

T.B. Penick & Sons has completed construction of the $7 million Child Development Center in the 75-acre Chollas Heights Naval Family Housing Community in San Diego. The 12,425-square-foot, wood-framed building is at 6205 College Grove Way. It is the first construction of a new Child Development Center for the Navy in the Southwest Region. Designed by Domusstudio Architecture, the center serves 112 children of Navy personnel.  The facility includes 10 children activity rooms for ages 6 weeks to 4 years (including three infant activity rooms, three pre-toddler activity rooms, three  toddler activity rooms and one pre-school activity room), four adjacent age specific playgrounds with colorful play surfaces, administrative offices, staff training room and break room, and a full commercial kitchen. The interiors feature ample, natural day-lighting, contemporary furnishings and soft pastel interior colors.  The project will obtain a LEED silver certification.

T.B. Penick’s team included: John Tiersma, project manager; Tom Donovan, superintendent; Eduardo Valdes, construction quality control; and, Briessa Moen, project administrator. John Pyjar of Domusstudio was the principal-in-charge.  Robert Milewski served as the project architect with Per Erickson as technical support. The Navy development team was comprised of Mary Lujan, contract specialist; Jean-Claude Chamaa, project manager; Lu Chang, design manager; Reggie Tuazon, construction manager; and John Usilton, engineering tech. 
Major subcontractors were Minshew Brothers, Alpha Mechanical, Bergelectric Corp., Cats Excavating, DA Whitacre, Grounds for Play and San Diego Restaurant Supply.

San Diego Economy Shows March Increase

The University of San Diego’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County rose 1.0 percent in March. Leading the way to the upside were strong moves in local stock prices and the outlook for the national economy. Building permits, initial claims for unemployment insurance and help wanted advertising were also positive, but to a lesser extent.  The only down component was local consumer confidence, which fell slightly. With March’s advance, the USD Index has now been up for 12 months in a row. March employment numbers show a gain of 5,000 jobs compared to February, which was the best monthly gain in local employment since February 2008. The unemployment rate still edged up for the month because more workers returned to the workforce in search of employment, which itself is a positive development, said economics professor Alan Gin, author of the report. “It is a sign that the unemployed are a little more optimistic about their prospects and no so discouraged as to give up looking for work altogether,” said Gin.

March’s increase puts the USD Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County at 109.0, up from February’s revised reading of 108.0.

CCDC Hosts Downtown Information Session

Centre City Development Corp. invites the public to a free, informal event at noon on May 4 to hear from Downtown San Diego leaders at the Downtown Information Center. Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s Chris Saunders will discuss why the school decided to relocate Downtown and its impact on the surrounding community. A question and answer session will follow.

For more information call (619) 235-2222.

SDSU Researchers to Study Ways to Reduce Diabetes in Latinos

The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases has awarded San Diego State researchers a $3 million grant to look for ways to reduce the incidence of diabetes in the Latino community. The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2025, more than 300 million adults will have diabetes, and the Latino community is expected to be among the hardest hit. The five-year study will test culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions to lower Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight gain among 390 overweight 6 to 9-year old Mexican-American children and their parents who are registered patients at San Ysidro Health Center.  Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for diabetes. The study, led by Drs. John Elder and Greg Talavera in SDSU’s Graduate School of Public Health, will collaborate with Center for Latino research and Health Promotion at San Ysidro Health Center.

Spruce Up Event Extended Through May 31

The San Diego chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers has extended its “Spruce Up” event, where professional interior designers go into homes and offices to give people help with their design dilemmas. “Spruce Up” allows the public to obtain on-site design consultations during a one- or two-hour appointment at a cost of $85 per hour. Participating designers come from throughout the county and have expertise in a wide range of design specialties.  The designers volunteer their time. Proceeds of go to the chapter to support educational programs. Appointments can be arranged through the end of May. For additional information and to register, contact the ASID office at (858) 274-3345. Information also is available at the chapter’s Website: ASIDSanDiego.org.

Water Consumption

Water use in the city of San Diego dropped 15.2 percent in March compared to the same month last year, Mayor Jerry Sanders reported. Water use by city departments dropped 25 percent.

Small Business Workshops

Helping start-up and established small businesses throughout San Diego and Imperial counties prosper and excel, SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Workshop fees range from $29 to $109.

Here is a schedule for the first week of May:

• May 1 – How to Start and Manage Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• May 4 – Intellectual Property – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• May 5 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• May 6 – Financial Statements – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• May 7 – Internet Marketing 302: Develop a Winning E-mail Marketing Success Strategy – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to noon at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• May 8 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).

Datebook

April 29

PROGRAM: The World Trade Center presents “Standards, Connections, Pathways and Problem Solving — the DNA of Lean,” featuring Samuel Obara of Honsha demonstrating why so many companies fail when trying to implement lean strategies. 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., World Trade Center conference room, Downtown. $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers. Walk-ins, $55. For information, call (619) 615-0868, Ext. 111. To register, visit wtcsd.org.

May 6

NETWORKING MIXER: Sponsored by the San Diego Better Business Bureau. 4 to 6 p.m., the Paradise Grille, 2690 Via de la Valle, in the Flower Hill Promenade retail center, San Diego. Public is invited. Admission is $10 per person. For information, visit sandiego.bbb.org or call Andrea McNelis at the BBB at (858) 637-6199.

May 10

SEMINAR: San Diego Tech Coast Angels presents a full-day seminar on angel investing to the San Diego community. Seminar was developed by the Kauffman Foundation. Presenter is John May, chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association. Topics: how angel funding fits in; angel portfolio strategy; due diligence; structuring the deal; valuation; the post-investment relationship. 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., offices of Mintz Levin, 3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300, San Diego 92130. Free to SDTCA members, $250 to members of any TCA network or CONNECT, $350 general registration. To register, visit techcoastangeles.com. For more information, call Laura Parsons at (858) 964-1302.

May 13

GREEN PROGRAM: The Green Chamber of Commerce sponsors presentations by John Stein, CEO of Kirei USA, and Remy Meraz, area sales manager of ClearEdge Power, on “Marketing Green — Lessons from the Trenches.” 7:30 to 9 a.m., Sheraton Carlsbad, 5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad. Speakers will discuss their experiences marketing green versus conventional products. Admission $10 if registered by May 12, $15 at the event. For more information, visit greenchambersd.com/events.

May 14

SEMINAR: The National Association of Women Business Owners San Diego hosts a talk by Joon Han, founder of Better San Diego, speaking on “Get Ahead by Giving Back.” Noon to 1 p.m., Brandman University, 7460 Mission Valley Road, San Diego. Han will share strategies to help entrepreneurs accelerate their businesses. NAWBO members free, $25 for nonmembers. Box lunches to be provided. Online registration and more information available at nawbo-sd.org.

May 19

WORKSHOP: San Diego Press Club sponsors “Life After Journalism,” a program presented by Joe Ames, former editor of the Orange County Register. Ames spent 30 years as a reporter and editor in radio, TV and newspapers and will discuss career options after journalism. 6 to 8 p.m., KGTV Studio, 4600 Air Way, San Diego. Free to Press Club members, $10 for nonmembers. To reserve, call Terry Williams, executive director, at (619) 231-4340 or visit sdpressclub.org.

May 20

CLEANTECH PANEL: CONNECT presents a panel talk on “Cleantech & Renewable Energy Financing: From the Public to the Private and Beyond,” 9 to 11 a.m., AMN Healthcare, 12400 High Bluff Drive, No. 100, San Diego 92130. Panelists will discuss federal and state programs and incentives for the renewable and cleantech industry as well as the private marketplace. Panelists: Nick Leibham, of counsel, Dirk Michels, partner, Sue Hodges, administrative partner and Greg Brucia, senior associate, all of K&L Gates LLP; and Andrew McAllister, program director, California Center for Sustainable Energy. Cost is $45 for CONNECT members, $65 for nonmembers. For more information, call Bethany Kraynack at (858) 964-1312. Register at connect.org.

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.