Daily Business Report-May 2, 2017
Tanner J Perry has been working behind the camera writing and directing films for two years. (Photo courtesy of Tanner Perry)
Aspiring La Jolla Film Maker Heading
to Cannes for Premiere of his ‘Aftermath’
Less than two years after graduating from La Jolla High School, Tanner J Perry is heading to the Festival de Cannes in France for the world premiere of his short film, “Aftermath.” The festival accepted the film to play as part of its Short Film Corner running May 22-28.
“Aftermath” tells the story of six young bank robbers in the heated hours following a bank heist gone wrong. Someone went against the plan, and they’re going to get to the bottom of it. Perry’s production company SpiderBite Entertainment teamed up with LPAN, a local charity-driven production company, to produce the 9-minute short film.
“For as long as I can remember, I have spent all of my free time watching movies — sometimes two or three times in a row. It only made sense for me to start making films,” says Perry, who currently attends San Diego Mesa Community College and does not have any formal film training. “It’s a huge honor to be invited to Cannes film festival to showcase my work on the world’s stage of motion pictures and to meet and learn from the industry’s best.”
Perry has been working behind the camera writing and directing films for two years now. His first short film “Robbed,” won the La Jolla Film Festival’s best technical award in 2015. He says he’s working with his sister Olivia Perry, a writer at Chicago’s renowned Second City comedy training center, to add spice to this quick-witted script, as he looks to turn it into a feature-length film.
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New Chiller Plant at Grossmont College
to Reduce Energy Costs by Nearly 70 Percent
A just-completed air-conditioning plant built to serve new structures in Grossmont College’s near future is being hailed not only for its good looks, but its nearly 70 percent reduction in energy costs.
The $8 million, 2,700-square-foot chiller plant that serves the cooling needs of the entire campus marks a milestone for Proposition V, the $398 million bond measure approved by East County voters in 2012. The chiller is the first structure to be built using Prop. V funds, although numerous other projects have been completed at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, including renovations at the Cuyamaca College Exercise Science Building and track, and upgrades to the electrical system at Grossmont College.
Those who pass by the chiller plant may never know its true function, but college officials are OK with that.
The new plant, which houses a 21,000-ton high-efficiency chiller, massive pipes and three stainless steel cooling towers, could be mistaken at first glance for a classroom building.
Contractors faced the challenge of transforming an aging, water-wasting central plant into a modern, more efficient facility to meet the demands of more buildings, but at substantially less cost, while making the structure in the center of campus aesthetically pleasing. The cooling towers provide chilled water for air-conditioning while reducing demand on the power grid, but their visual impact was an issue.
“From the start it was made clear that the college didn’t want something that looked like a mechanical building in the middle of the campus,” said Ken Emmons, senior director of districtwide facilities.
To shield the cooling towers from full view, the chiller plant’s exterior walls are 27 feet tall, about 2.5 stories in height. Large windows with obscure glass hide the towers even further. To break up the mass of the building’s exterior, plant screens were installed that will allow greenery to partially cover the block walls.
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San Diego Convention Center Events This Month
Upcoming major events at the San Diego Convention Center:
- California Solar Power Expo, May 1-2
- ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, May 6-9
- University Of Phoenix Graduation Spring 2017, May 13
- 2017 APA Annual Meeting — Prevention Through Partnerships, May 20-24
- 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting / Society For Vascular Surgery, May 31-June 3.
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Cerca Trova Acquires 45 Corporate-Owned
Outback Steakhouse Restaurants
San Diego-based Cerca Trova Restaurant Concepts Group has acquired 45 corporate-owned Outback Steakhouse restaurants from its franchisor, Bloomin’ Brands. The acquisition includes all stores in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.
Cerca Trova is the largest domestic franchisee of Outback Steakhouse, an Australian-themed steakhouse restaurant. In addition to beef and steak items, the concept offers a variety of chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta dishes. The company’s strategy is to differentiate its restaurants by emphasizing consistent high-quality food, service and great value in a casual atmosphere inspired by the Australian Outback.
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Lisa Hunter of Booz Allen Hamilton
Named Communicator of the Year
The San Diego chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) has named Lisa Hunter, lead associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, its 2017 Communicator of the Year. The award recognizes a San Diego area-based leader who demonstrates strategic excellence in communication.
Hunter has provided strategic communications and project management services to various government organizations for more than 11 years at Booz Allen Hamilton. She also leads Booz Allen’s communications community in San Diego, helping practitioners incorporate best practices and identify opportunities to address clients’ communication challenges.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award, especially among so many talented communications professionals in San Diego,” said Hunter.
Hunter serves as president of the San Diego chapter of Women in Defense, which supports the advancement of women in national security, and she is on the board of the San Diego Diplomacy Council, which connects global leaders with San Diegans to address common challenges.
Hunter will be recognized in a special celebration, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, on May 24, at Karl Strauss Brewery Company in Sorrento Valley.
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College District’s Highest Achieving
Students to be Recognized at Reception
Up to 200 of the San Diego Community College District’s highest achieving students will be recognized during the 30th annual Honors Program Reception May 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Prado in Balboa Park.
Collectively, the district’s top students have been awarded $670,000 in scholarships this spring. These students have been accepted into some of the top schools in the country. Past honorees have gone on to earn bachelor’s degrees at Stanford, doctorates at Princeton, and law degrees at Yale.
The SDCCD’s Honors Program provides more challenging and engaging learning for students motivated to transition seamlessly to a four-year college or university by emphasizing the critical thinking and research skills needed to thrive in a university setting.
Approximately 2,600 SDCCD students take part in the Honors Program each year at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges. California Coast Credit Union is sponsoring the May 3 reception.
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Port District Launches New Brand
The Port of San Diego is launching a new brand as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy designed to unify and clarify its diverse functions, and attract more people and businesses to the waterfront. The brand – comprising a new logo and five sub-brands – is being launched May 1, 2017 in conjunction with Maritime Month.
The brand identity comprises five elements representing the five Port cities and the Port’s five sub-brands – Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment. The brand identity combined with key messages and a comprehensive engagement strategy are designed to signal that Port tidelands comprise a uniquely desirable place to visit and do business.
The Port hired Mth Degree, a brand strategy and marketing agency based in San Diego, to assist with the comprehensive marketing strategy.