Daily Business Report: Nov. 7, 2023
The Future of AI is Now
By Sara Bock | UC San Diego
Artificial intelligence (AI), in all its varied forms, is rapidly accelerating. From ChatGPT to facial recognition, self-driving cars and virtual assistants such as Alexa and Siri, AI is already a part of our everyday lives. In addition, machine-learning algorithms trained on massive datasets provide a powerful tool for advancing scientific research. We are living through a technological revolution, and AI is quickly ushering us into tomorrow.
But what are the implications? And what does the future hold? Six UC San Diego experts weigh in.
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SDSU researcher awarded $5.2 million grant
to tackle racial iniquity in opioid treatment
By Peggy Pico | SDSU
Sabrina L. Smiley, an associate professor at San Diego State University, was awarded a five-year, $5.2 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to identify and reduce racial bias in the treatment of opioid use disorders in California.
This competitive award, Racial Equity Visionary Award for Research on Substance Use and Racial Equity, supports innovative scientists who propose new and bold research initiatives with the potential to substantially advance equity for underserved communities experiencing adverse outcomes from substance use disorders in the U.S.
Smiley explained that despite the availability of effective, lifesaving treatment, most people with opioid use disorder never receive treatment. The program’s goals are to address racial inequities in opioid use care and to break down barriers to treatment.
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County offices to close for Veterans Day
All public San Diego County offices, family resource centers, libraries and animal shelters will be closed Friday, Nov. 10 for Veterans Day. Law enforcement, emergency animal control response, and other essential services will continue through the holiday.
Animal Services shelters in Bonita and Carlsbad will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10 in observance of the holiday, but will be open for business as usual on Saturday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 12.The County’s Department of Animal Services is waiving all adoption fees through the weekend in honor of the holiday.
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Great American Smokeout to reduce tobacco waste
By Samantha Boden | Cal State San Marcos
California State University San Marcos and San Diego State University are collaborating to promote tobacco-free living and the 47th annual Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 16. The Great American Smokeout is held annually by the American Cancer Society on the third Thursday in November to encourage people to quit smoking. The Smokeout acts as a starting point for people’s journeys to give up smoking, encouraging them to make at least a single day tobacco-free.
In support of the day, both CSUSM and SDSU will share their projects about smoking waste at a community meeting from noon-1 p.m. in Markstein 101 on CSUSM’s campus.
Click here to see the schedule of meetings and register.
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Aspen Institute names MiraCosta College as
eligible to compete for 2025 Aspen Prize
the Aspen Institute named MiraCosta College as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.
County to consider suing crisis pregnancy
centers for alleged deceptive practices
County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is urging her colleagues to get tough with local crisis pregnancy centers, asking them to consider not just a public education program on their practices but also filing a lawsuit “including but not limited to shutting down such centers.”
The supervisor’s request will be considered at Tuesday’s regular board meeting and is detailed in a letter included in the board’s agenda, which is available online at sandiegocounty.gov.
Viasat supports U.S. Air Force
in major Indo-Pacific military exercise
Viasat, a global leader in satellite communications, has successfully supported the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Air Mobility Command (AMC) during a major military exercise, Mobility Guardian 2023, involving 3,000 personnel and 70 aircraft from the U.S. and Allied Forces.USAF’s MG23 exercise was completed in summer 2023 and tested a rapid “hub and spoke” operational model across challenging operational environments. One of the biggest of the year, the Air Force exercise featured complex test flights and operational scenarios across 3,000 miles of the Pacific region, including over Japan, Australia, and Hawaii. U.S allies also participating in the exercise included Canada, France, New Zealand, and the U.K.
For the exercise, Viasat provided resilient and interoperable airborne communications through its C-130 Hercules Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) hatch terminal.
La Mesa History Center Home Tour set for Nov. 11
The La Mesa History Center (formerly Historical Society) Home Tour enters its 17th year, having earned a reputation as one of the most popular home tours in the county. The in-person home tour on Saturday, Nov. 11 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), returns to the hills surrounding downtown La Mesa. The tour will feature an eclectic mixture of Folk Victorian, Craftsman, Prairie Style, Spanish Eclectic, and Italianate Revival designs emblematic of these historic neighborhoods.
Farm-to-table nonprofit restaurant finds new home in North Park
North Park’s farm-fueled MAKE Café will put down new roots in a spacce that’s launching with weekend brunch on Saturday, Nov. 11, with operating hours expanding to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekends and the addition of Thursday and Friday dinner service after the year.
Its umbrella organization, MAKE Projects, is a nonprofit that includes a catering company and employment training program for new immigrants.
Karl Strauss acquires it original Downtown location
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, the pioneering force behind San Diego’s craft beer movement, marks its enduring legacy with the completion of the acquisition of its original brewery/brewpub location at 1157 Columbia St. (at the corner of B Street) in Downtown San Diego. The sale went through on Oct. 1, marking a significant milestone for San Diego’s original independent brewing company. Founded in February 1989, Karl Strauss was the first craft brewery in the City of San Diego since prohibition.
Ice skating returns to the Hotel del Coronado
Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado is returning for the 2023 holiday season from Nov. 17 – Jan. 7, 2024, as part of Hotel Del’s Frosted by the Sea celebrations. The beachfront ice rink features stunning views of the Pacific and benefits Make-A-Wish San Diego. Guests can also reserve the rink-side Frostbite Lounge with plush seating, roaring fire pits, holiday-themed libations, and food. Frosted by the Sea also features sparkling lights draping the hotel’s iconic red turrets.
15th annual San Diego Beer Week
The 15th annual San Diego Beer Week opened last week and continues through Sunday, Nov. 12. Presented by the San Diego Brewers Guild, Beer Week is celebrated at breweries, bars, and restaurants throughout the county. This year’s Beer Week will not feature Guild Fest, traditionally the marquee event on opening weekend. Instead, Guild Fest will be pushed back to Sunday, Feb. 4. The event at Crafted Culture in Sabre Springs will include more than 30 breweries. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Shadowbox launches automation platform for imaging centers
Shadowbox, a leading innovator in health care automation solutions, announced the launch of its groundbreaking health care workflow automation platform tailored for imaging centers. This innovative platform revolutionizes order entry and results from outpatient clinics reducing cost while enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and patient care. Shadowbox’s patented technology enables complete, accurate, and cost-effective transfer of patient data.
Bucks County Wealth Management joins Cetera Advisor Networks
Cetera Financial Group, a network of independent retail firms located in San Diego, announced that Bucks County Wealth Management has joined Cetera Advisor Networks. Bucks County provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advice to clients and had about $85 million in assets under administration as of Aug. 31, 2023. It is led by Grant Raskin and partner Rob McLarnon.
Prospect Medical Group awarded 11th consecutive ‘Elite’ Status Award
Prospect Medical Group, comprised of thousands of primary care and specialty physicians, and is affiliated with hospitals in San Diego, Los Angeles and other counties, has been awarded its 11th consecutive Amerca’s Physician Group’s 2023 Standards of Excellence Survey “Elite” Status Award. This annual, comprehensive survey administered by APG evaluates the coordinated care infrastructure and value-based care performance of the organization’s physician group members.
Halozyme and Acumen collaborate on Alzheimer’s treatment
Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. announced a global collaboration and non-exclusive license agreement with Acumen Pharmaceuticals that provides Acumen access to Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug delivery technology, a proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 enzyme for rapid subcutaneous drug delivery, for a single target. Acumen intends to explore the potential use of ENHANZE for the treatment of early Alzheimers disease.
Planet Based Foods announces partnership with Nugget Markets
Planet Based Foods Global Inc., a company that offers a wide range of hemp-based food alternatives, announced its partnership with Nugget Markets, a family-owned grocery chain boasting 16 locations throughout Northern California. The partnership provides Planet Based Foods with the opportunity to bring its hemp-based products to a broader and more diverse audience.
