Daily Business Report-Jan. 8, 2014
The refueling pool of the now-shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
New Poll Shows Widespread Opposition
to Replace Nuclear Plant With Gas Plants
The Sierra Club released a poll today showing that a majority of customers in San Diego and Orange counties oppose Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to build new gas-fired plants to replace the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, due to concerns about air quality and impacts on climate disruption. The poll conducted by Public Policy Polling found strong majorities of Southland utility customers would prefer that the nuclear plant be replaced with clean energy like wind, solar, or energy efficiency, including strong support among Latino customers. The plan is currently being fast-tracked through the California Public Utilities Commission, and a decision is expected by the end of this month.
“These poll results are a forceful rejection of Gov. Brown and state regulators’ dirty power proposal,” said Evan Gillespie, director of the Sierra Club’s My Generation Campaign. “Rather than doubling down on fossil fuels, Californians are once again demanding clean energy solutions. With so many clean alternatives and so much public support, why are Gov. Brown and the CPUC propping up dirty energy?”
“Here in San Diego, we have already been battling against gas-fired power plants for the smog pollution, asthma attacks, and other side effects that come with them,” said Kathleen Connell, Sierra Club volunteer. “Natural gas is a dirty fossil fuel that sickens our families and hurts our planet, and people here are against the state’s proposal to lock us into more pollution.”
Mission Hills Office and Retail Building Sold for $2 Million
A 5,400-square-foot office and retail building at 1000 West Washington St. in Mission Hills has been sold for $2 million. The buyer is a limited liability company — 1000 West Washington LLC. The seller was Mission Hills Plaza LLC. The buyer plans to operate the space as a dental surgical center and occupy the space later this year after improvements are made. The free-standing, one-story building was built in 1977 and is located on a 10,000-square-foot lot with nine off-street parking spots. Colliers International represented the seller. Strom Commercial represented the buyer.
Southern California Soil & Testing Sold
Southern California Soil & Testing Inc., a San Diego-based engineering firm, has been sold to Neal Clements of G-Force for an undisclosed amount. Clements, a service disabled Navy veteran, said the the two companies will enter into a long-term partnership. SCS&T and G-Force offer a similar suite of geotechnical engineering, materials testing, and construction inspection services to a variety of clients and industries throughout California.
Since 1959, Southern California Soil & Testing has been a provider of professional engineering support services to a broad range of markets in both the public and private sector. The firm employs 74 staff members and has branch offices in Indio and Riverside.
Dianne Jacob Becomes Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
County Supervisor Dianne Jacob was named chairwoman of the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, marking the fifth time she has been selected for the post. She will deliver the State of the County address on Jan. 29, at the County Operations Center, 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego. The event is at 11 a.m. Jacob was first elected to the board in 1992. She represents District 2, which spans most of the eastern two-thirds of the county. The district includes more than 50 communities and cities, including La Mesa, Poway, El Cajon, Spring Valley, Ramona, Campo and Julian.
Novata Acquires Center for Autism Research
Novata Behavioral Health, a subsidiary of Mental Health Systems, has acquired the San Diego-based autism organization Center for Autism Research, Evaluation and Service (CARES). CARES will now operate under the umbrella of privately operated Novata Behavioral Health. The center has offices in Scripps Ranch, San Juan Capistrano, Temecula and El Centro. The addition of CARES will add 140 employees to Novata’s current staff.
CARES co-founder Kathie Sweeten will serve as vice president of Novata CARES and all autism services. The other CARES co-founder, Alan Lincoln, is now vice president of clinical services.
CARES works with individuals with autism diagnoses ages 1 to adult. Services offered include functional behavior analysis, discrete trial training, social skill builders, counseling, parent education workshops, assessments, therapy and psychiatric support.
Water Authority to Hold Public Hearing Thursday
The San Diego County Water Authority on Thursday will hold a public hearing on three related draft documents that together will provide strategic direction through 2035 for building capital projects and responding to climate change as it relates to agency activities. The hearing is at 6 p.m. at the Water Authority’s headquarters, 4677 Overland Ave. in Kearny Mesa. It will cover the 2013 Regional Water Facilities Optimization and Master Plan Update, the Climate Action Plan and the associated environmental document.
The documents were released for public review on Nov. 22, 2013. To account for the holidays, the Water Authority extended the required 45-day period for public comment until Jan. 16. The board of directors is expected to consider adoption of the documents no later than March.
Free Craft Beer Exporters Workshop Set for Jan. 31
Cal State San Marcos will host a free Craft Beer Exporters Workshop on Jan. 31. The U.S. Commercial Service has been corresponding with 26 craft beer importers overseas who are looking for suppliers in the San Diego area. Two of them are on a buying mission and will speak at this event, one from Brazil and one from Mexico. They are looking for variety and choice for their beer enthusiasts. They pay in advance and handle all the logistics.
American craft beers are popular in overseas markets today. In 2013 so far, more than $486 million worth of beer has been exported from the United States. The smaller percentage of craft beers is gaining ground rapidly. Top markets include Canada, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay, Panama, Australia, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Four small brewers in North County have already exported successfully to Asia.
For more information, contact Carrie Brooks, international trade specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service at Carrie.Brooks@trade.gov or phone 858) 467-7034.
T. Denny Sanford Gift Will Create Sanford Education Center in San Diego
Philanthropist and businessman T. Denny Sanford has donated funds to National University for the creation of the Sanford Education Center scheduled to open in San Diego in the fall of 2014. The center will be the home of the Cause Leadership Institute for nonprofit leaders and Sanford Education programs. The Cause Leadership Institute will offer its Presentation Program to existing and future nonprofit leaders through summits, certificates, master’s, and Ph.D. programs in nonprofit leadership. The programs are estimated to serve more than 4,300 members of the nonprofit community over the next five years.
Grossmont Community College District to Receive Clean Energy Funds
The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has received more than $600,000 in state funding that will be used to add more energy-efficient lighting at its two East County campuses. Last month, the district was one of 14 school districts in the state to receive funding from Proposition 39, the state measure passed in November 2012 that raised taxes on out-of-state corporations to pay for clean energy projects at schools and campuses in California. The initiative also helps to create jobs.
Of the more than $8 million that was handed out in the state’s third round of appropriations, the college district received $614,585. The district is also receiving a $84,799 rebate from San Diego Gas & Electric Co. for the lighting improvements.
Grossmont-Cuyamaca is the only community college district in San Diego County to have received funding. The state is expecting to allocate an estimated $2.5 billion over five years to eligible projects that will increase energy efficiency and broaden clean energy.
The district will be using the money to partially fund a $2.1 million project that will provide for the replacement of existing lights to LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures for pedestrian walks, parking lot lighting and some street lighting.
2014 Economic Trends Forecast
Two executives with U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management will present an update on the global economy at the Jan. 16 meeting of Commercial Real Estate Women, San Diego. They are Joseph P. Quinlan, managing director and chief market strategist, and DeAnne Steele, managing director and west investment executive. The meeting will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Estancia Hotel La Jolla, 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. Price is $45 for members, $35 for students and $70 for nonmember. Click here to register…
Andrew Ewald Joins CBRE
Andrew Ewald has joined CBRE’s San Diego occupier services group. Ewald has more than 13 years of experience in industrial and office leasing, construction management and consulting. Prior to joining CBRE, Ewald led the tenant advisory service group at Cassidy Turley in San Diego. He received a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego. Ewald is a member of Connect, LEAD San Diego and UCSD Alumni Athletic Association.
Nick Zech Promoted at CDC Commercial
Nick Zech, son of Don Zech, the founder and president of CDC Commercial Inc., has been promoted to senior associate, a title earned through sales production and earnings. Zech has been with the company for four years. He is a graduate of the University of San Diego. CDC Commercial is a boutique firm specializing in the sale and leasing of retail, office and industrial properties, primarily in North San Diego County.
T. Brooke Miller Named Partner at Best Best & Krieger
T. Brooke Miller has been elevated to partner in the Best Best & Krieger law firm’s San Diego office. Miller is a member of the firm’s municipal law and special districts practice groups who serves as an assistant city attorney of Santee and as general counsel of the Ramona Municipal Water District. She joined the law firm in 2005 and received her law degree the same year from the University of Notre Dame.
Fisher & Phillips Law Firm Elects Partners
James C. Fessenden and Megan C. Winter have been elected to partner in the San Diego office of Fisher & Phillips LLP. Fessenden represents public and private employers in employment law in both state and federal courts, and before administrative and governmental agencies. While in law school, he served as the managing editor of the San Diego International Law Journal. Fessenden earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.
Winter handles administrative and civil employment matters before state and federal courts and government agencies. Her practice involves representation of employers in a variety of matters including harassment and discrimination litigation, wage and hour class actions, and family and medical leave law.
Winter also teaches an employment law class at San Diego State’s College of Extended Studies She received her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.
Richard Earnest Elected Chair of The Chairmen’s Roundtable
The Chairmen’s RoundTable, a San Diego nonprofit organization that provides pro-bono mentoring to the region’s businesses, has elected Richard Earnest as its chairman. Earnest, a founding member of the organization, succeeds Steven Mendell, who will remain on the board as chairman emeritus. Earnest is a former mayor and councilman. He has served as the CEO of two publicly traded software companies and founded two high-tech companies of his own. Also on the board: Mac Clarke, Paul Thiel, Steve McCracken, Kevin O’Neill, Cory Grant, and David Kramer.
Tribute Party to Honor Tim Mays and The Casbah
Tim Mays, co-founder of the Casbah, which helped shaped the landscape of San Diego music over the past quarter-century, will be feted at a tribute party and entertainment spectacle on Jan. 23 at the Birch North Park Theatre. “25 Years of the Casbah: An Evening With Tim Mays and Friends” will feature an interview with Mays, special guests and musical performances to be announced later.
“We are elated to recognize Tim Mays not only as a respected music tastemaker and promoter but as an extraordinary supporter of the arts,” said event host and producer Leslee Schaffer. “He has launched the careers of countless local performers, and brought thousands of nationally known acts to San Diego audiences over the past 25 years. It’s an honor to share his commitment, contributions and generosity through conversation and music.”
Mays opened the original Casbah, with a capacity of 75, in 1989, along with partners and co-founders Peter Verbrugge and Bob Bennett. Since then, the space has changed, moving a few blocks north to its current 200-capacity Kettner Boulevard location in 1994. The partners have changed, with Verbrugge moving to Seattle and Harlan Schiffman stepping in (also in ’94).
Mays has remained the consistent, driving force behind the club’s eclectic programming and robust following throughout.
A treasured and pioneering platform for both up-and-coming and established artists, the Casbah, with Mays at the helm, has shaped the landscape of San Diego music, hosting the likes of White Stripes, Vampire Weekend, The Arcade Fire, The Black Keys, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins, Modest Mouse, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Sharon Jones, and countless others in recent years alone. Some of the locally based bands and performers who’s widespread success may be attributed, in part, to the unparalleled support of Mays and the Casbah, include Rocket From the Crypt, Pinback, The Silent Comedy, Transfer, No Knife, Little Hurricane, The Rugburns, The Burning of Rome and Family Wagon.
A limited number of tickets are available that include a cocktail reception preceding the program. Ticket prices range from $15 to $30, and are available at www.casbah25.com. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the School of Rock San Diego. Event sponsors include Wormwood Films, Starlite San Diego, Belly Up Tavern and Jack Daniels.
