Daily Business Report — July 30, 2010

Read San Diego Metropolitan Magazine

San Diego building contractors are falling over each other to feed on the abundance of civic projects coming online at the same time. Read how the scramble is affecting the job market, prices and the economy in the August issue of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, which hits the streets next week.

Also in the August issue:

• David Rottenberg’s report on the family-friendly atmosphere at Donovan’s restaurants and Donna Marganella’s take on the renovated West Coast Tavern in North Park.

• Councilman Todd Gloria’s plea for a permanent home and care center for the homeless.

• A Q&A with Charles Black, the city’s lead negotiator for the proposed Downtown Civic Center.

• How San Diego’s nonprofit organizations are surviving in the rickety economy, as reported by Janine Rojas.

• A history of the U.S. Grant Hotel as it prepares for its centennial celebration, reported by Manny Lopez.

• Plus San Diego Scene and other notable features.

Camille Sobrian Elevated to President of CONNECT

San Diego business accelerator CONNECT has promoted Camille Sobrian from chief operating officer to president of the nonprofit organization and launched a series of initiatives aimed at stimulating the region’s innovation economy. Sobrian has been CONNECT’s COO since January 2007 and is responsible for running the organization’s 26 programs and 360 events each year. She reports to Duane Roth, the CEO, who will continue to lead CONNECT’s economic development initiatives, as well as federal policy and advocacy in Washington, D.C.

Roth will be responsible for implementing CONNECT’s new strategic initiatives, which include:

• Opening the CONNECT Innovation Institute, which will provide recommendations to policymakers on the expansion of the innovation economy. The institute will be headed by Peter Cowhey, UCSD dean of international relations and Pacific studies. Cowhey has just returned to San Diego from a 12-month assignment as the senior counselor to Ambassador Kirk in the Office of the United States Trade Representative under President Barack Obama.

• Connecting local innovation start-ups with the San Francisco Bay Area, the largest source of venture capital in the United States, as well as a campaign to make the case for investment in San Diego venture capital firms to limited partners (pension funds, etc.) and corporate venture capital firms.

• Launching a short-term jobs initiative to increase the awareness of employment opportunities for scientists and engineers in the San Diego region. CONNECT will also launch a longer term initiative that includes the formation of the Entrepreneurs for Young Innovators Program, where new innovations are presented to middle and high school students to encourage them to pursue science classes and careers. The program is funded by Biogen Idec.

• Continuing the development of CONNECT’s newly opened Washington, D.C. office, where Policy Director Tim Tardibono coordinates advocacy efforts on behalf of the San Diego innovation economy. CONNECT will add a new series of small business briefings for elected officials and their staff on Capitol Hill, called Innovation 101. Bill Walton, executive chairman of San Diego Sport Innovators, will headline the first of the new series on Sept. 14.

Plant With Purpose Fundraiser Set for Oct. 9

Plant With Purpose (formerly known as Floresta), a charity working internationally to transform the lives of the rural poor, will host its largest fundraiser of the year — the annual Planting Hope Gala — on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. at the La Jolla Marriott. The evening will include silent and live auctions, dinner and the opportunity to donate to the organization’s Haiti recovery efforts. For more information and to make reservations, phone (858) 274-3718 or visit plantwithpurpose.org.

Greater Golden Hill CDC to Hold Gala Celebration

The Greater Golden Hill Community Development Corp. will hold its third annual Gala Celebration on Aug. 27 with an evening of dining, dancing, silent auction and the presentation of community awards, including the Lifetime Membership Award to Golden Hill resident Leon Williams, a former county supervisor and San Diego councilman. The celebration will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Balboa Park Golf Course Clubhouse, 2600 Golf Course Drive. Tickets are $65 for members and $75 for nonmembers. To reserve, visit goldenhillcdc.org or call the Greater Golden Hill CDC at (619) 696-9992.

Besides the award to Williams, the CDC also will present the Renewal through Preservation Award, the Building Community through Service Award and Local Business of the Year Award.

During three decades of public service, Leon Williams not only served as the first African-American county supervisor and city councilman, but was the chairman of the Metropolitan Transit System. He was an advocate for smart growth and lobbied successfully for the establishment of the county Human Relations Commission.

Cal State San Marcos Parking Structure Wins Project of the Year

The new parking structure at Cal State San Marcos designed by RJC Architects has been named the Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association. The recently completed 487,000-square-foot structure on Campus View Drive has six levels of cast-in-place, above-grade concrete decks that accommodate 1,602 parking stalls. “This award proves that even parking structures can be stylishly attractive as well as highly functional,” said James Robbins, principal and director of design for the San Diego architectural firm.  “It is a significant centerpiece to the campus skyline and presents a formidable presence on campus.” Other RJC staff on the architect and landscape design team included Brian Schmidt, Brian Scott and Tom Garcia. RJC Architects, in partnership with PCL Construction, received the design/build contract to add 2,800 student and staff parking spaces in two phases over five years on an existing 577-space lot on the northeastern side of campus. Construction was completed in May, three months ahead of schedule, and $8 million below the initial budget on the first phase of the project. Other parking structure project design team members include DCI, structural engineers; Flores Lund Consulting, civil engineers; Syska Hennessy Group, mechanical engineers; and Michael Wall Associates, electrical engineers.

Small Business Workshops

Upcoming SCORE San Diego Workshops:

• Aug. 3 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).

• Aug. 4 – 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).

• Aug. 6 – Tax Considerations for Small Companies – 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).

• Aug. 7 – How to Start and Manage Your Own Business – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Aug. 9 – California Sales & Use Tax Basics – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Aug. 10 – Marketing for Non-Profits – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Rd #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Aug. 11 – 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).

• Aug. 12 – Internet Marketing 301: Pay-Per-Click – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Aug. 13 – Legal Issues for Small Businesses: Organizational Structure – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Aug. 14 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 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).

• Aug. 16 – Customer Service: The Key to Business Success – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Aug. 17 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• Aug. 18 – Internet Marketing 302: E-mail Strategy – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Aug. 20 – Financing Your Business – Carlsbad – 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Aug. 21 – Costing, Pricing, Break-Even Analysis – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Aug. 23 – 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).

• Aug. 24 – Internet Marketing 303: Social Media – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Aug. 25 –Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• Aug. 26 – Effective Marketing – 9 a.m. to 4 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).

• Aug. 27 – Internet Marketing 304: LinkedIn – 9 a.m. to noon at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Aug. 28 – 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).

• Aug. 31 – Import/Export – 9 a.m. to 4:30 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).

For more information, call (619) 557-7272 or visit score-sandiego.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.