Daily Business Report — July 22, 2010
News From North Park
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DeMaio Proposed Action Plan to Help Small Business
San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio unveiled an eight-point action plan Wednesday aimed at improving the city’s relationship with small businesses and includes a proposal to move at least 95 percent of all business transactions online within five years. The “Open for Business” plan also recommends streamlining regulations, consolidating small business grants and refocusing the city Office of Small Business. “Too often our city government has been a hindrance rather than a help to our small businesses,” said DeMaio in a prepared statement. “With these reforms we seek to fundamentally change the processes and culture at City Hall to help our local small businesses succeed in this tough economy.”
Small business advocacy groups who support the plan joined DeMaio at a press conference called to announce the plan. Among them were Ruben Garcia, San Diego district director for the Small Business Administration; Patrick Edwards of the Business Improvement District Council; and Vince Vasquez, senior policy analyst for the National University System Institute for Policy Research.
DeMaio’s Eight Priority Small Business Reforms:
• Achieve 95 percent of permitting transactions online within five years.
• Strengthen and expand business improvement districts.
• Redefine the role of the city Office of Small Business.
• Consolidate small business enhancement grants.
• Streamline special event permits.
• Explore countywide licenses.
• Expand access to city contracts opportunities.
• Resist tax and fee increases.
San Diego County Foreclosure Process Slows
The number of San Diego County homes pushed into the formal foreclosure process during the second quarter dropped by 44.7 percent from the same period of 2009, according to a report by San Diego-based MDA DataQuick. A total of 5,458 Notices of Default were recorded during the April to June period of this year, down from 9,866 last year at the same time. Statewide, the number of default notices declined for the fifth consecutive quarter to the lowest level in three years. The California total of 70,051 Notices of Default filed at county recorder offices during the April-to-June period was down 13.6 percent from 81,054 for the prior quarter, and down 43.8 percent from 124,562 in second-quarter 2009, according to MDA DataQuick. “Obviously, motivated sellers and accommodating lenders have played a part in bringing the default filings down, especially when it comes to short sales,” said DataQuick President John Walsh. “Public policy has also been a factor. We also need to remember that prices have come up off bottom over the past year. If they continue to rise, fewer homeowners will find themselves under water, which is a significant factor in letting a home go.”
Padres Games Return to the Air in Mexico
Beginning this weekend, a select number of Padres games will be broadcast to television viewers in Mexico under an arrangement worked out between the club and Uniradio. The games will be seen on Uniradio’s Channel 47 on the Cablemas Cable Network in Tijuana. The first Padres game to return to television in Mexico will be Saturday’s July contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Telecasts will feature video from COX/Channel 4 San Diego and audio provided by Uniradio team broadcasters Eduardo Ortega and Juan Angel Avila. To comply with Major League Baseball’s existing partnerships, certain games will not be aired on Uniradio. “We are excited to partner with Uniradio’s new television channel to bring games back to the Tijuana market,” said Tom Garfinkel, Padres president and COO. “Our fans in Mexico are extremely important to us and finding a broadcasting partner for 2010 has been a top priority.” The full schedule of televised games can be found at padresbeisbol.com and uniradio.com.
Bridgepoint Education Appoints V.P. of Public Relations
Shari Rodriguez, a communications professional with more than 20 years of industry experience, has been promoted to associate vice president of public relations for Bridgepoint Education. Rodriguez is responsible for the daily operations and management of Bridgepoint Education’s corporate public relations department. She is also responsible for public relations on behalf of Bridgepoint’s two academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies Rodriguez has been with Bridgepoint Education since May 2008 when she was hired to develop and lead the company’s newly created public relations department as its director of public relations. Rodriguez previously owned and operated Lemon Drop Productions, a San Diego-based communications and event planning public relations firm. During her career, she has served in such roles as director of public relations for Mazzarella Caldarelli, a law firm; as interim director of community and public relations for the San Diego State University Research Foundation; and as assistant director of public relations for the San Diego Opera. Rodriguez received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Diego State University.
UCSD Offers Career Showcase Aug. 26
UCSD will hold a Continuing Education and Career Showcase on Aug. 26 to help job seekers. It will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Price Center Ballroom East on campus. Two workshops will be offered every 45 minutes Workshops and will be led by UCSD Extension faculty. Topics include: Healthcare Fundamentals: For Those Getting Started or Looking for Greater Understanding of the Industry; Exploring Your Creative Side; Career Management for Professionals; The Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Industries: Where are the Jobs?; Careers in Writing; and Improve Your Marketability with Lean & Six Sigma. Panelists include industry experts from the fields of green/sustainability, information technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, project management, adult education, and video games, as well as experts in career development. To register for the free event and for more information, visit: extension.ucsd.edu/showcase.
Apartment Sales
• Canyon Crest Apartments: Canyon Crest, a 15-unit apartment building at 4178 Fifth Ave. in San Diego, has been sold to a private investor for $1,959,500. The seller also was a private investor. Neither were identified. Aaron Bove and Chris Zorbas of Marcus & Millichap’s San Diego office, marketed the property on behalf of the seller. They also represented the buyer.
• 30th Street Apartment: A seven-unit apartment property at 4511 30th St. in San Diego has been sold for $850,000 from one private investor to another.
Mueller College Leases Space in Fashion Valley
Mueller College has leased 11,660 square feet of office space in The Campus at Fashion Valley, located at 123 Camino de la Reina, Suite 100-200 North, San Diego, from Mission Grove Offices LLC. The space is leased for 65 months at $1,268,000. Mueller College is a licensed, accredited college in operation in San Diego since 1976. The lessor was represented by Doug Ceresia, Josh Buchholz and Matt Midura of NAI San Diego. Mueller College represented itself.
Air & Space Museum Education Director Honored
Francis French, education director at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, will be inducted into the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Hall of Fame in Huntsville, Ala., on Aug 20. The hall of fame honors graduates, former employees and supporters who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers. Prior to joining the museum staff in 2007, French was education programs coordinator at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and director of events for Sally Ride Science, a company founded by America’s first woman in space. More information about the induction events can be found at spacecamp.com/hof.
Small Business Workshops
Upcoming SCORE San Diego workshops for small business owners and those who want to launch small businesses:
• July 23 – Insurance: What You Need to Know – 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).
• July 24 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now – 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).
• July 27 – 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).
• July 29 – Intellectual Property: Promise and Practicalities – 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).
• July 30 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – Carlsbad – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 31 – 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).
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.
