Daily Business Report — Oct. 27, 2011
Coastkeeper Names 2011 Volunteer of the Year
Oceanside resident Taya Lazootin, the lead volunteer in Coastkeeper’s water quality monitoring program, has been named the organization’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year. Lazootin oversees all aspects of the two-day water quality sampling and laboratory analysis. “We provide essential water quality data for our county,” said Travis Pritchard, Coastkeeper’s water monitoring lab manager. “Taya is the glue that holds us together.” Lazootin also helps Coastkeeper’s marine debris staff run special cleanup events, and she regularly supports all north county beach cleanups.
By day, Lazootin trains educators to teach science at the Perris School District. Because of her teacher training background, she also volunteers with Coastkeeper’s Project SWELL. She provides counsel on creative ways to work within school systems and to keep the curriculum updated to meet the needs of today’s technologically advanced classrooms. Lazootin has also helped transform materials for Coastkeeper’s events from environmental activities into formalized educational lessons.
This year, Coastkeeper has coordinated with around 16,000 volunteers who dedicated more than 27,000 hours of service.
USS Spruance Comes Home
The USS Spruance, the newest destroyer to join the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, has arrived in its homeport of San Diego for the first time. “The majority of Spruance’s crew has been preparing for this day for over two years,” said Cmdr. Tate Westbrook, commanding officer. “Bringing a new Navy Destroyer to life with a new crew is the most challenging start-up project imaginable in any profession.” Spruance is a multi-mission ship with a crew of 285 sailors that carries Tomahawk cruise missiles, a five-inch gun, sonar systems and two helicopters. Spruance is powered by four gas-turbine engines and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. It was commissioned at Naval Air Station Key West on Oct. 1. It is the 61st ship in the Arleigh Burke-class of Navy destroyers, and the second Navy ship to bear the name. Spruance is named in honor of Adm. Raymond Spruance who commanded Carrier Task Force 16 during the pivotal Battle of Midway in World War II.
America’s Cup World Series Set for Nov. 12-20
Thousands of America’s Cup fans are expected in Downtown San Diego in the next couple of weeks for the America’s Cup World Series, which takes place Nov. 12-20 in San Diego Bay. Nine vessels will compete in the sailing regatta that can be viewed from the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, located at 1000 North Harbor Drive, the USS Midway Museum and along the North Embarcadero of San Diego Bay. Viewing is also possible from Harbor Island. An America’s Cup Village will be set up on North Harbor Drive between Navy Pier and Broadway Pier and will feature food, a beer and wine garden, merchandise shops, bands, opportunities to view the races live, and other activities for all ages. The America’s Cup Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 12-15 and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 16-20. North Harbor Drive between the Navy and Broadway Piers will be closed to vehicular traffic Nov. 9-22. This includes the dates that the America’s Cup Village is operating and dates to set it up with supplies and other necessities. It also includes days to dismantle it.
Better Business Bureau Mixer
The San Diego Better Business Bureau will host a business-to-business networking mixer from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 3, at Dave & Buster’s restaurant, 2931 Camino Del Rio North, in Mission Valley. The public is invited to attend. Admission is $25 per person. For mixer event information, visit sandiego.bbb.org.
Housing Commission Selects Mathew Packard as VP
Mathew Packard, who has 15 years of experience in administering programs to address homelessness, will be joining the San Diego Housing Commission as vice president of the Housing Innovations Department on Dec. 5. Packard joins the commission after serving for the past 10 years with Father Joe’s Villages. “Mathew will help us develop effective strategies to reduce homelessness in our city,” said Richard C. Gentry, president and CEO of the commission. Earlier, Packard was the director of residential services for St. Vincent de Paul Village and the director of the San Diego Food Bank for the Neighborhood House Association.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of small business workshops. For more information, call (619) 557-7272 or visit score-sandiego.org.
• Oct. 28 Insurance: What You Need to Know 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Oct. 29 Business Basics 101 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; no charge please pre-register).
• Oct. 31 Financial Statements 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
