Daily Business Report — March 19, 2012
MOST TRUSTED BRANDS
Nominations are being sought for San Diego’s Most Trusted Brands — companies, organizations or institutions that have earned the trust and loyalty of their constituencies by adhering to high standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability. SD METRO will publish the results in April. Send your nominations to: Rebeca Page (rebecapage@sandiegometro.com) or Manny Cruz (manny@sandiegometro.com).
USS Midway to Host College Basketball Game
Might San Diego State and Georgetown University be invited to play in the “Battle of the Midway” — a hoops contest aboard the USS Midway Museum on Nov. 9? Won’t know until after the NCAA Tournament. But San Diego-based Syndicus Entertainment in partnership with the San Diego Sports Commission have scheduled a college basketball game aboard the Midway Museum as part of a larger Veterans Day weekend series of events in San Diego. The game will take place on the flight deck and be broadcast live nationally at 4 p.m. and will kick off several events centered on Midway’s flight deck and along the Embarcadero. On Sunday evening, Nov. 11, baseball star Barry Zito’s foundation, Strikeouts For Troops will hold a concert and gala on Midway. The concert will be broadcast live nationally as well. In addition, a member of the organizing team, Jim Steeg, is developing a “Fan Experience” to be held along the Embarcadero near the Midway that will include a variety of family-friendly sports and entertainment activities throughout the weekend. Several local and national veterans organizations will benefit from the basketball game.
Imperial Avenue Apartments Sell for $1.86 Million 
A 27-unit apartment project at 5460-5468 Imperial Ave. in San Diego has been sold to a limited liability company for $1.86 million. The seller was a financial institution. The property consists of five two-story, free-standing buildings. There are 27 legal units and one non-permitted bootleg. The unit mix comprises 17 two-bedroom, one-bath units and 11 one-bedroom den, one-bath units. The property was built in 1984, has pitched roofs, seven garages, and two on-site laundry facilities .
Public Invited to Pink Cloud Cherry Trees Dedication
The Port of San Diego and the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles will dedicate 31 Pink Cloud cherry trees that Japan is offering to the citizens of San Diego on March 29. The public is invited to attend the dedication, which begins at 11:30 a.m. in Tuna Harbor Park at Tuna Lane and North Harbor Drive, just south of the USS Midway Museum. Japan is offering the cherry trees to the community and others across the country in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first gift of cherry trees from Japan to America. At 2 p.m. following the dedication, the Consulate-General will host a free two-hour public festival aboard the Midway. The Sakura Festival will include entertainment and complimentary Japanese food. The Midway Museum will be open to the public at no charge beginning at 1 p.m. The free admission is available for this day only.
PriceSmart to Open More Warehouse Clubs in Colombia
PriceSmart Inc. has purchased land in North Cali, Colombia to build and operate a new PriceSmart Warehouse Club — its third in Colombia. The company opened its first Colombia warehouse club in August 2011 in the city of Barranquilla and has started construction of another one in South Cali. The South Cali PriceSmart Club will open in October 2012, and the North Cali PriceSmart Club will open in the spring of 2013.
San Diego’s Sports Industry to be Examined
A panel of sports industry figures will discoss the importance of the sports business in San Diego at an April 12 program sponsored by the San Diego State University Business Alumni Network. It will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Jim Laslavic, sports director of NBC 7 San Diego, will moderate the panel, which will feature Al Kidd, president of the Hall of Champions; Randy Jones, former Padre pitcher; Jim Sterk, SDSU athletic director; Steve Astephen, principal of Action Sports, Wasserman Media Group; Monique Henderson, Olympic Gold Medalist and entrepreneur; and Jeanne Bonk, executive vice president/chief financial officer for the San Diego Chargers. General public tickets are $50, or $60 after March 23, and $20 for students. Visit sdsualumni.org/ban.
PERSONNEL MOVES ____________________________________
San Diego — Mitra Kanaani, a professor at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design, has been appointed to serve on the American Institute of Architects’ education committee. The committee promotes professional development in architecture. Kanaani joined NewSchool in 1992 and has served in a number of roles including architecture program chair, acting dean and undergraduate program chair. She has served as a leader of several professional organizations, including a term as national secretary of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. She has also served as an international evaluator for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
Linda Martin, executive vice president and managing director of Porter Novelli’s San Diego and Irvine offices, has been appointed a partner in the public relations firm.
Small Business Workshops
Helping startup and established small businesses throughout San Diego and Imperial counties prosper, SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Workshop fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
Upcoming Workshops:
March 20 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
March 21 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).
March 22 – Marketing & Contracting with Government Agencies & Major Primes – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
March 22 – Business Basics 101 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C. St., #550, San Diego 92101; No charge – please pre-register).
March 23 – Hiring and Managing Employees – 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).
March 26 – Leasing Strategies – 9 a.m. to noon at National University – Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Rd., Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
The Daily Business Report is produced by SD METRO. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865. manny@sandiegometro.com.
