Daily Business Report-Feb. 14, 2018
An artist’s impression of what a GA-ASI Sea Avenger-based offering for the US Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray requirement might look like. (Source: GA-ASI)
General Atomics to Partner with Boeing
on MQ-25 Stingray Ship-Launched UAV
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) is to team with Boeing on its MQ-25 Stingray offering to the US Navy, the company announced.
The San Diego-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer said it will collaborate with Boeing Autonomous Systems on the MQ-25 Stingray Unmanned Carrier Aviation Air System competition.
“Boeing Autonomous Systems is pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with General Atomics on its MQ-25 proposal,” Boeing Autonomous Systems Vice-President and General Manager Chris Raymond was quoted as saying, adding, “We look forward to supporting GA-ASI with our aviation and autonomous experience.”
Along with Boeing, GA-ASI announced the full industrial line-up for its MQ-25 offering, which will include Pratt & Whitney (providing the PW815 engine); UTC Aerospace Systems (landing gear); L3 Technologies (communication systems); BAE Systems (software, including mission planning and cybersecurity); Rockwell Collins (navigation systems, networked communications, and a simulation framework to help de-risk the program); and GKN Aerospace’s Fokker (landing gear technologies and arrestor hook).
Further to external industrial participation, GA-ASI will leverage its own General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems and General Atomics Systems Integration units for the effort.
While General Atomics did not disclose details of its MQ-25 offering beyond its industrial partners, it is believed to be based on a marinised version of its Avenger (Predator C) UAV, known as the Sea Avenger.
Billed as the successor to the aborted Unmanned Carrier-Launched Aerial Surveillance and Strike program, the MQ-25 Stingray will instead be a ship-launched aerial refuelling platform under the USN’s Carrier-Based Airborne Refueling System requirement. In addition to its tanking role, the MQ-25 will be equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in permissive airspace. Initial operating capability for the selected system is slated for the mid-2020s.
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Data From Adolescent Brain Development
Study Led by UC San Diego Are Released
The first datasets from the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States — a project headed by a team of scientists at UC San Diego — were released to researchers around the world on Tuesday by the National Institutes of Health.
To date, more than 7,500 youth and their families have been recruited for the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development or ABCD study. In addition, approximately 30 terabytes of data — about three times the size of the Library of Congress collection — have been obtained from the first 4,500 participants. These data are being made available by the NIH, one of the main sources of support for the approximately $150 million study, to researchers worldwide to enable them to conduct research on the many factors that influence brain, cognitive, social and emotional development.
A cross-disciplinary team of social and medical scientists at UC San Diego heads the coordination, data storage and analysis for the nationwide study, while the recruitment of youth and their families is being conducted by scientists in San Diego and at 20 other study sites across the country.
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San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
Completes $9 Million Renovation
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley has completed an expansive $9 million property renovation encompassing an upgraded wedding and events lawn with a new fire feature and decorative fencing, totally reimagined meeting space, an elevated lobby experience including lobby bar, and the introduction of the first signature M Club Lounge in San Diego.
“We are thrilled to offer our loyal guests an elevated hotel experience in Mission Valley,” said General Manager Justin Gammon.
One of the primary highlights of the renovation includes the introduction of M Club Lounge. An exclusive space to work or recharge, M Club Lounge is an area reserved for Elite- and Club-paying members with perks including a range of complimentary food and beverage options such as hot breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, and premium beverages including espresso and evening libations. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the M Club Lounge also offers free WiFi and printing to ensure productivity.
The renovation also includes updates to the 33,550 square feet of event space, including the addition of advanced energy efficient lighting and new modern décor which extends into the restrooms. The revitalized meeting spaces are designed to help encourage communication and productivity.
The enhanced lobby experience includes an all-new lobby bar, which is adaptable from morning until night and a reimagined restaurant, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, and a dramatic fire feature. Offering a reinvented communal space creates more opportunities for social interaction and business.
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20-Unit Multifamily Complex
in Escondido Sells for $3,960,000
Kidder Mathews announced that a 20-unit multifamily complex at 204 Clark Street in Escondido has sold for $3,960,000. Kidder Mathews represented the buyer, Gordon Reese, a private investor who owns 200 apartment units in San Diego County. The seller was Gil Lackritz.
The 20-unit multifamily complex is comprised of four one-bedroom, one-bath units and 16 two-bedroom, two-bath units. It was built in 1989.
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Top International Lawyer Philippe Sands
to Discuss Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
Renowned international lawyer Philippe Sands will be the featured speaker at the Feb. 28 Holocaust Living History Workshop, a collaboration between the UC San Diego Library and the UC San Diego Jewish Studies Program.
The lecture, sponsored by Michelle and William Lerach, will take place at 7 p.m. in Hojel Auditorium at the Institute of the Americas on the UC San Diego campus. A book signing and dessert reception will follow the talk. copies of the book, “East West Street,” will be available for purchase at the event from Warwick’s. The event is free and open to the public. However, reservations must be made in advance; to reserve tickets visit, hlhw_sands_eventbrite.com.
Sands has been dedicated to human rights issues throughout his career and has worked on high-profile human rights cases involving abuse and torture. Now, in his award-winning book “East West Street,” Sands explores the creation and development of legal concepts that came about as a result of Hitler’s Third Reich which changes our understanding of history and how civilization has tried to cope with mass murder.
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Heroin Vaccine Blocks Lethal Overdose
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have achieved a major milestone toward designing a safe and effective vaccine to both treat heroin addiction and block lethal overdose of the drug. Their research, published today in the journal Molecular Pharmaceuticals, shows how a new anti-heroin formulation that is safe in animal models remains stable at room temperature for at least 30 days. As a result, the vaccine is close to being ready for human testing.
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Rafael Payare to Become Next
Musical Director of San Diego Symphony
Internationally acclaimed conductor Rafael Payare will become the next music director of the San Diego Symphony. Payare will begin a four-year contract immediately, serving as music director designate for the first year, and begin the role of music director on July 1, 2019. Payare will debut at the San Diego podium in his new role January 2019, when he kicks off the fourth annual San Diego Symphony January festival.
As the San Diego Symphony’s music director, Payare — currently music director of the Ulster Orchestra, principal conductor of the Castleton Festival and honorary conductor of SinfoniettaCracovia — will succeed Maestro Jahja Ling, whose tenure began in 2004-05 and culminated in the 2016-17 season. Beginning in the 2019-20 season, Payare will conduct the San Diego Symphony for 10 weeks each season including performances in the Bayside Summer Nights season at the orchestra’s summer home.
Since being awarded first prize at the Malko Conducting Competition in 2012, Payare is celebrated as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation.
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Realtors to Get Update on E-Recordings
The North San Diego County Association of Realtors will host “How E-Recordings Can Benefit Realtors,” from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Feb. 15 at the NSDCAR Service Center, 906 Sycamore Ave., Vista. Topics will include the county’s new document e-recordings system as well as details about exclusion from reappraisals, property tax relief, appeals and filing deadlines. Speakers from the county office of Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk will include: Ernie Dronenburg Jr., Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk; William Jimenez, chief deputy assessor; Val Wood, chief deputy recorder. Cost to attend is $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers. For information, visit www.NSDCAR.com/education.
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Two County Properties to be
Developed into Affordable Housing
In an effort to address the housing crisis in San Diego, the county Board of Supervisors voted to solicit proposals for the development of affordable housing units on two county-owned properties.
The Family Court on Sixth Ave. Downtown and the Sheriff’s Regional Crime Lab on Mount Etna Drive in Clairemont will be turned into affordable housing units for local residents. The Crime Lab will move to a new, 156,000-square-foot facility at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa this summer and the San Diego Family Court recently moved to the new Central Courthouse on Union Street, making both properties available for other uses. After conducting site assessments, the two properties were determined to be suitable for immediate development, including an affordable housing component.
The board’s action allows the county director of General Services to request statements of qualifications and, subsequently, requests for proposals, to ground lease and develop both properties with at least 50 percent affordable, multi-family residential units.
Proposals from qualified entities will be received by the board at its June 26, 2018 meeting. After that, the County will review the proposals and return to the Board with recommendations for approval of agreements needed to allow development of the properties.
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LEAD San Diego to Present
2018 Visionary Awards
LEAD San Diego, an affiliate of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, will stage its 16th annual Visionary Awards on June 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the San Diego Marquis & Marina, 333 W. Harbor Drive, in Downtown San Diego.
For backgrounds on the honorees, click here.
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Fairgrounds Staff to Oversee Talent
Buying for New Concert Venue
Talent buying for the new year-round concert venue planned for the Del Mar Fairgrounds will be managed by Fairgrounds staff, the board of directors decided at Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
The Fairgrounds issued a Request for Proposals in October 2017 seeking a talent buyer to schedule up to 60 performances per year for the new concert venue. The 1,869-seat venue is part of a $13 million renovation of the Fairgrounds’ Surfside Race Place off-track betting facility and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2019. The board voted to cancel the RFP, and instead bring the talent buying in-house.
The Fairgrounds initially received bids from The Belly Up, KAABOO and Music Box of San Diego, but ultimately the board decided that Fairgrounds staff – with extensive experience in booking entertainment for the San Diego County Fair – are best suited for the job.
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Commentary
Capitol Harassment Cases
Handled Inconsistently
By Dan Walters |CALmatters Columnist
Four years ago, the state Senate was thrown into turmoil by the simultaneous prosecution of three senators on unrelated felony charges. The Senate compelled all three to step aside from their Senate duties, but could not legally strip them of their salaries and fringe benefits while they awaited disposition of their cases, which eventually resulted in convictions.
In effect, therefore, they received long paid vacations, which didn’t sit well with the voting public, so legislative leaders decided, quite understandably, that they needed some formal procedures for future scandals.
The result was Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment that voters approved in the June 2016, primary election. It empowered legislative houses, by two-thirds votes, to suspend, without pay, members who either face criminal charges or are deemed to have breached the public trust.
The Legislature has once again been thrown into turmoil, this time by multiple allegations of sexual harassment. Two Assembly members have resigned, a state senator has been suspended — with pay — and, most recently, an assemblywoman voluntarily suspended herself without pay when she was also accused of sexual harassment.
The latter case is a true bombshell because it involves Cristina Garcia, a Bell Gardens Democrat who has been one of the leaders of the #MeToo movement seeking an end to pervasive harassment in and around the Capitol.
Additionally, there are more than a dozen other pending investigations of harassment allegations. Once again, however, the Legislature is handling each case on an ad hoc basis, rather than via the formal procedures in Proposition 50.
The Tony Mendoza case is particularly troubling. Mendoza, a Democratic senator from Artesia, is accused not only of sexually harassing staffers but firing those who complained. In early January, a formal measure to oust him was in the air, but after a four-hour, closed-door meeting of Democratic senators, it was announced that he would take a one-month leave with pay.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
