Helen Griffith to Head Downtown Charter High School as its First Executive Director
Downtown Charter High, scheduled to open in August 2013 on the sixth and seventh floors of the new San Diego Central Library, will get its first executive director next year. She is Helen V. Griffith, the founding principal of Millennial Tech Middle School, which recorded a 40-point growth in student achievement gains in the 2010-2011 academic year. Downtown Charter High is an educational partnership between the San Diego Public Library Foundation, city of San Diego and the San Diego Unified School District. “Dr. Griffith is an excellent educator and administrator who brings great experience, academic insight and energy to Downtown Charter High,” said Bill Kowba, superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. “This new school is an innovative educational partnership and under her leadership, will be a rewarding endeavor for everyone involved — particularly the students.” Griffith’s career in education spans nearly 14 years. During her career she has specialized in the coaching and mentoring experiences of transformational principals in urban schools.
Tech Coast Angels Reports $10 Million In Investments During First Half of Year
Tech Coast Angels raised more than $10 million of total investment in 17 innovative companies, including $4,571,000 of direct TCA investment, during the first half of 2012 through the group’s five networks (San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Central Coast, and Inland Empire). The investment portfolio for the period spans a wide spectrum of young, innovative companies — from mobile advertising platforms and social loyalty marketing, to biopharmaceuticals and organic plant food.
Massive San Diego Bay Cleanup To Rid Shore of Trash and Debris
Thousands of volunteers are expected to take part in Saturday’s Operation Cleen Sweep to remove trash and debris along the shores of San Diego Bay. The cleanup will last from 8 to 11 a.m. in five locations and from 7 to 11 a.m. in two other areas. An after-party will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Park. The event is sponsored by the San Diego Port Tenants Association, the Port of San Diego, the Navy, San Diego Gas & Electric and the U.S. Coast Guard. As trash is picked up along the shore, divers will clean debris from beneath the surface of the water near the Harbor Island West Marina. Military divers will clean the former A-8 anchorage area, located off the shore of Pepper Park in National City.
NASSCO Receives $104 Million Navy Contract Modification
NASSCO has been awarded a $104 million contract modification from the Navy to renovate and modernize the dock landing ship USS Comstock. NASSCO received funding to begin the modernization in April. Work under the new award, which covers inspection and testing of ship systems and components, will occur in San Diego through May 2013.
Chamber Report: Small Business Owners Want Potholes Fixed
San Diego’s small business owners want the city’s roads fixed and they want a larger voice in local government, according to a report issued by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Ruben Barrales told KPBS that he’s not surprised that good roads are a priority for business owners. “San Diego’s small business people are just like other San Diegans,” said Barrales. “They see what’s happening with our basic infrastructure in our communities and they feel that’s an important thing to address.”
Chef Showdown Sept. 13 Will Raise Funds to Help Victims of Violence
Chef Matt Gordon of Urban Solace will participate
The eighth annual Chef Showdown, a signature fundraising event of the Center for Community Solutions, will be held Sept. 13 at Liberty Station in the NTC Promenade in Point Loma. Proceeds will benefit the center’s programs and services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. Chef Showdown is co-chaired by Isabel Cruz, executive chef and owner of Isabel’s Cantina, and Dee Dee Castro, community relations manager from Viejas.
The event will have San Diego top chefs participating in an “Iron Chef”-style competition. They include Amy Dibiase from The Shores, Dawn Parks from Wild Thyme Co., Joe Magnanelli from Cucina Urbana, Paul McCabe from Delicias, Bobby Mariner from Viejas, Hanis Cavin from the Carnitas Snack Shack, Chef Matt Gordon of Urban Solace, Rachel King of Searsucker, Anthony Sinsay from Burlap, Augie Saucedo from Donovan’s, Scotty Wagner from Chi Cuisine, and Chris O’Donell from La Villa. The competing chefs will be divided into two teams and they will be given a secret ingredient to use to create eight dishes during the evening. Chef Showdown will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at NTC Promenade. Tickets are $125 each or $200 for a VIP reservation, and can be purchased by calling (858) 272-5777, Ext. 120.
The Daily Business Report is produced by SD METRO. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865. manny@sandiegometro.com.
