San Diego Business Journal articles from March 2009

San Diego Business Journal archives from March 2009

Mighty boost for contractors; military spending $1.6b on county construction work.
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] San Diego County, boasting the world's largest concentration of military bases, is on a construction spree. The Pentagon's budget, excluding the stimulus, is crammed with projects for the region, which has 16...

Healthy infusion of funds; Medsphere to benefit from cash incentives.(Medsphere Systems Corp.)
March 2, 2009... The $787 billion economic stimulus plan could provide a major revenue boost to local businesses developing electronic health record systems and health insurers that offer government assistance programs. Carlsbad-based Medsphere Systems is...

Answered prayers: entrepreneurs to seek angel investors in '09?
March 2, 2009... Early stage startups in need of capital may be turning to angel investors in greater numbers to fill a role abandoned by venture capital firms, which have been forced to pull back on new investments. Tech Coast Angels, which count 300...

Profits on the line: finding huge savings in wireless phone bills.
March 2, 2009... Anyone who's looked at their cell phone bills knows they're hard to decipher. So, imagine what the U.S. Postal Service, which has 40,000 mobile devices, must deal with. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's not intimidating, if you're...

Bankrupt builder slams stimulus.(SDBJ INSIDER)(Jim Smith Realty)(briefs)
March 2, 2009... Embattled home builder Mick Pattinson, who says he was forced to put his Carlsbad-based Barratt American into bankruptcy last summer because of unfair treatment by his bank, checks in with the Insider to update us on his recent activities. The...

Hard rock owners put 50 condotel units on the market.
March 2, 2009... It's been about a year since Hard Rock Hotel San Diego opened as the county's first 100 percent condotel, but many who bought the rooms and suites are trying to sell their piece of the rock. As of late last week, 50 of the uber-chic hotel's...

Going green for St. Patrick's Day?(Ask the EXPERTS)
March 2, 2009... There is o big push for "greener" computing. Some of the proposals around more eco-friendly datacenters include everything from software to building design, to adjusting today's technology. One of the easiest ways to save some money is to...

End is nearing for downtown's high-rise condo boom.
March 2, 2009... More than a hundred new condo and apartment projects consisting of 11,300 units have been completed since 2001 in downtown San Diego. Now, only two are left to go. Vantage Pointe, a 679-unit high-rise just below Cortez Hill, and...

Conflict expected on second convention center expansion review; mayor's appointed task force to consider size, placement, financing.
March 2, 2009... This city hasn't added major public facilities like the downtown ballpark or the expanded convention center without considerable controversy and occasionally lawsuits. Last week, a 17-member citizen task force appointed by Mayor Jerry...

Opportune time for snooping out bargains in the market.(PUBLIC COMPANIES)
March 2, 2009... Investors are acting like deer caught in the headlights, paralyzed with fear and unable to think beyond the near term, says Brent Wilsey, a Poway investment professional who's taking a much more optimistic view of the stock market. With...

Piggy bank boom: online retailer taps into the desire to start saving.(banksbanksbanks.com)
March 2, 2009... As the world's banking system slides into the abyss, more and more folks are looking for some relief for all that pain. That's one reason Gloria LeBlanc offers for the swelling sales orders she's getting for piggy banks on...

Good news, gridlock down 8 percent countywide in '08.(TOURISM)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Locals and tourists alike might be excited to learn that traffic congestion decreased 8 percent here last year. But that may not make it any easier getting to the beaches this summer. Or, the county's convention and visitors bureaus...

Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall.(TOURISM)(Survey)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Ninety-Nine Bottles Of Beer On The Wall: And a big portion of them are craft brews. February is always a good month for year-end statistics. According to the Brewers Association of Boulder, Colo., small, independent craft brewers are...

Wienie roast anyone?(TOURISM)(Fire Pit Program)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Wienie Roast Anyone?: If you want to do that at any of the city's 186 beachfront fire pits in La Jolla, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach, a cherished pastime, you may want to contribute a little spare change. Not...

Economic tsunami hits Baja's beachfront condo projects.(Baja California, Mexico)
March 2, 2009... Two years ago, 100 projects were under construction or in the planning stages along the Pacific Ocean in Baja California. Now only 20 remain. Last month, real estate mogul Donald Trump pulled his name from the Trump Ocean Resort project in...

Did you hear the one about ... the downturn providing laughs at comedy clubs.
March 2, 2009... Mounting layoffs. Ponzi schemes. Wall Street's roller coaster ride. Foreclosures. Quick. Someone tell a joke. In at least a handful of venues around San Diego, comedians are offering up funny repertoires at a time when their audiences need...

Stimulus package includes mismanagement safeguards.(LAW)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The economic stimulus package, signed into law Feb. 17, came with new protections to employees of private companies and state and local governments who blow the whistle on mismanaged stimulus funds. The American Recovery and Reinvestment...

Hotel del attempts to recover fees.(LAW)(Hotel del Coronado)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Hotel Del Attempts To Recover Fees: The Hotel del Coronado filed a lawsuit earlier this month against a Washington, D.C.-based law firm after the firm canceled its annual partner retreat at the posh seaside resort. Court documents show...

Local employers warn of more staffing cuts.
March 2, 2009... San Diego employers in aerospace, finance, food production, electronic manufacturing, and temporary staffing laid off workers in recent weeks, which will certainly increase the area's jobless rate last measured at 7.4 percent. Goodrich...

Renewable energy player turns up revenues.(TECHNOLOGY)(Financial report)
March 2, 2009... The economic stars are still shining for green-related industries such as Maxwell Technologies, which makes devices that capture and store energy from renewable sources such as wind turbines. The business posted higher revenues and profits...

Creative outlet for digital filmmakers.(TECHNOLOGY)(The MediaTech Institute)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Creative Outlet For Digital Filmmakers: The MediaTech Institute, a recording arts and digital filmmaking school in Irving, Texas, is opening a location in Oceanside. Located in a renovated antique furniture store on Oceanside Boulevard,...

Surf's up from 9 to 5.(TECHNOLOGY)(Survey)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Surf's Up From 9 To 5: Wondering what your employees are doing in the privacy of their cubicles? Web filtering company St. Bernard Software has compiled Internet habits of employees that reveal plenty of extracurricular activities while on the...

County's foreclosure rate slows in January.
March 2, 2009... Foreclosure activity in San Diego slowed in January as fewer homes fell into notice of default or were seized by banks than in the previous month or year--even as housing prices continued their slide. According to MDA DataQuick, a real...

Power couples: Chris and Jen Martino.(Interview)(Editorial)
March 2, 2009... Chris and Jen Martino run Project X Media, a branding agency combining brand consultancy with facets of a traditional advertising agency. The Solana Beach-based firm, which has offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, has clients such as STA...

Measuring where the home market now stands.(REAL ESTATE)
March 2, 2009... Last week a key index reported that home prices in San Diego (and four other cities) have slowed in their declines. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Index for December reported price declines of 18.5 percent nationally from...

SRE jumps on earnings report: shares of Sempra Energy, traded under SRE on the New York Stock Exchange, gained 6 percent Feb. 24 to close at $41.41, after the local utility reported quarterly net profits and revenue that beat Wall Street estimates.(PUBLIC COMPANIES)(Financial report)
March 2, 2009... SRE Jumps On Earnings Report: Shares of Sempra Energy, traded under SRE on the New York Stock Exchange, gained 6 percent Feb. 24 to close at $41.41, after the local utility reported quarterly net profits and revenue that beat Wall Street...

AMN, founders Bury Hatchet: AMN Healthcare Services.(PUBLIC COMPANIES)(AMN Healthcare Services)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... AMN, Founders Bury Hatchet: AMN Healthcare Services, a local nurse staffing firm, is apparently no longer quarreling with its founders, Steve and Gayle Francis. AMN said Feb. 17 that the parties have agreed to settle a dispute regarding...

Kelly buys auto painter: Kelly Capital.(PUBLIC COMPANIES )(Kelly Capital buys Earl Scheib )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Kelly Buys Auto Painter: Kelly Capital, a local private equity firm that owns the Ivy Hotel, is buying longtime car painter and collision repair shop chain Earl Scheib for $8 million in cash. Sherman Oaks-based Earl Scheib was founded in...

Shopping centers: ranked by gross leasable square feet as of Jan. 1, 2009.(Directory)(Table)
March 2, 2009... SHOPPING CENTERS Ranked by gross leasable square feet as of Jan. 1, 2009 Leasable Center square feet: Address ...

Gemological Institute cutting 9% of U.S. staff.(CARLSBAD)(Gemological Institute of America)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The nonprofit Gemological Institute of America said Feb. 21 that it would pare its U.S. work force by 9 percent. That includes 71 jobs at its headquarters and 32 at its New York offices. After the layoffs take effect in April, GIA will employ a...

Millions needed to get project coasting along.(ENCINITAS)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... With the recent approval by the city's Planning Commission to dig three pedestrian crossings beneath the Coaster railroad tracks, all the project needs is approval by the City Council and, more importantly, funding. A project to dig...

Chamber communicates its desire for panelists.(SAN MARCOS)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The Chamber of Commerce is looking for members to join its newly formed Communications Committee, which will oversee its monthly and weekly e-mail newsletters, Web site and business directory. The chair of the committee is Kirk Effinger...

A hot commodity, Borrego unit sold.(EL CAJON)(groSolar purchased residential unit of Borrego Solar Systems)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Vermont-based solar power installer groSolar has entered into an agreement to purchase the residential unit of Borrego Solar Systems, the businesses said Feb. 18. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. GroSolar said the acquisition...

Lookin' for a job in the city? Event might help.(EL CAJON)(Grossmont College )(Brief article)(Conference notes)
March 2, 2009... On March 12, the Grossmont College Career Center plans to host "Systematic Job Search," a free informational session about finding unadvertised jobs and making career connections. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the...

Eastlake Pei Wei falls prey to fiscal downturn.(CHULA VISTA)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The Pei Wei Asian Diner at 884 Eastlake Parkway has closed due to declining sales. The location was open less than a year, according to a manager of another Pei Wei who declined to give his name. Pei Wei is a division of RF. Chang's China...

State of the City's biz scene appears strong.(POWAY)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' move from Rancho Bernardo this year brings 2,200 well-paying jobs to the community, Deputy Mayor Don Higginson said Feb. 19 in the State of the City address. The maker of the unmanned Predator spy...

Zodiac hopes to clean up with new cleaner.(VISTA)(Zodiac Pool Care)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Zodiac Pool Care says it has introduced a faster and more energy-efficient automatic pool cleaner. Zodiac, a unit of Paris-based Zodiac Marine & Pool, sells the cleaning system for $499 through its network of pool supply dealers...

Do not ask for whom would pay the tolls.(CORONADO)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Commuters who cross the San Diego-Coronado Bridge may one day see the return of bridge tolls. City Hall is weighing whether to put the highway through the island's main residential neighborhood underground. It would be a way to mitigate...

Old Spaghetti Factory comes back to Gaslamp.(SAN DIEGO)
March 2, 2009... The Old Spaghetti Factory, a family-style eatery, reopened Feb. 23 on Fifth Avenue in its original Gaslamp Quarter location, replacing Dussini's, a high-end eatery that operated there for the past few years. The Spaghetti Factory is part...

Urban Corps' recycling education and Community Outreach Center.(ground BREAKING)(Editorial)
March 2, 2009... PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Urban Corps of San Diego County held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Recycling Education and Community Outreach Center on Feb. 20 at 3127 Jefferson St. in downtown San Diego. Plans call for a LEED-certified facility...

Legal notices.
March 2, 2009... File No. 2009-002961 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: L. M. Professional Services 3454 Castle Glen Drive #151 San Diego, CA San Diego 92123 3454 Castle Glen Drive #151 San Diego, CA San Diego 92123 THIS BUSINESS IS...

San Diego public stocks.(MARKETplace)(Statistical table)(Company rankings)
March 2, 2009... Index Watch Index 2/24/09 2/17/09 Net Change %Change San Diego Business 1211.85 1235.42 -23.57 -1.91% Journal Index Dow Jones Industrial 7350.94 7552.60 -201.66 -2.67% Average ...

Bargain hunters send home sales up.(REAL ESTATE)
March 2, 2009... Home sales increased in Southern California for the seventh consecutive month in January, according to MDA DataQuick. The real estate information provider, which is based in the University Towne Center area, reported Feb. 19 that eager...

Office closing.(REAL ESTATE)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Office Closing: Coldwell Banker was scheduled to close its Escondido office by the end of February due to decreased demand for brick-and-mortar offices. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rick Hoffman, Coldwell Banker's top executive in San Diego...

Managing to grow.(REAL ESTATE)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Managing To Grow: Professional Community Management of California picked up 17 new clients consisting of 4,700 units in Southern California. The Lake Forest-based business provides management services to common interest developments, including...

Westfield cutting back on store hours.(REAL ESTATE)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Retail real estate giant Westfield will cut operating hours at nearly all of its 55 U.S. shopping centers, including six in San Diego County, as a result of weakened consumer demand and foot traffic. The reduction in hours is effective March 1....

Dr. Ramiz Naim Elias has purchased a 2,147-square-foot medical office condominium at Cabrillo Medical Center located at 7695 Cardinal Court in San Diego for $891,005.(SALES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Dr. Ramiz Naim Elias has purchased a 2,147-square-foot medical office condominium at Cabrillo Medical Center located at 7695 Cardinal Court in San Diego for $891,005. Matthew Carlson of Cushman & Wakefield represented the buyer as well as the...

Hrnjak Trust has purchased a six-unit multifamily residential property totaling approximately 14,000 square feet of rentable space.(SALES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Hrnjak Trust has purchased a six-unit multifamily residential property totaling approximately 14,000 square feet of rentable space. Total consideration of the property located at 241-255 W. Eighth Ave. in Escondido was $600,000. Ray Adams of...

Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA has signed a five-year, $2.4 million lease for 27,263 square feet of research and development space.(LEASES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA has signed a five-year, $2.4 million lease for 27,263 square feet of research and development space at Cornerstone Heights Corporate Center located at 5959 Cornerstone Court W. in Sorrento Mesa. Eric...

CB Richard Ellis announced that JMI Management leased 4,300 square feet of office space at 7590 Fay Ave. in La Jolla.(LEASES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... CB Richard Ellis announced that JMI Management leased 4,300 square feet of office space at 7590 Fay Ave. in La Jolla. The five-year lease is valued at $716,448. Jill Morton of CB Richard Ellis represented the lessor, Modern Castles I1. Brunson...

Cliff Lee and Emmanuel Bayang, doing business as Yogurt Rave, leased 2,920 square feet of office space at 8333 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in San Diego.(LEASES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Cliff Lee and Emmanuel Bayang, doing business as Yogurt Rave, leased 2,920 square feet of office space at 8333 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in San Diego. The five-year lease is valued at $227,745. Nick Bonner of CB Richard Ellis represented both...

Dress For The Nines has leased 1,371 square feet of retail space in Uptown District Shopping Center located at 1220 University Ave. in San Diego from West Coast Uptown Partners.(LEASES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Dress For The Nines has leased 1,371 square feet of retail space in Uptown District Shopping Center located at 1220 University Ave. in San Diego from West Coast Uptown Partners. The property, leased for 63 months at $201,174, will be used for a...

Salco Espresso has leased 3,600 square feet of retail space at 4805 Pacific Highway in San Diego from Servpac.(LEASES)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Salco Espresso has leased 3,600 square feet of retail space at 4805 Pacific Highway in San Diego from Servpac. The property is leased for 60 months at $154,506 and will be used for sales of espresso machines and coffee. Tim Mills and Travis...

Work begins on 2nd hangar at El Centre Naval Air station.(PROGRESS REPORT)(T.B. Penick & Sons)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... San Diego-based T.B. Penick & Sons general contractors has completed the pre-engineered metal building and masonry phase on one of two double-bay modular hangars at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro and started work on the second hangar. ...

Designs approved for mixed-use project in Rancho Santa Fe Village.(PROGRESS REPORT)(Allard Jansen Architects)(Rancho Santa Fe Association)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Designs for The Lilian at Rancho Santa Fe, a new mixed-use development proposed for construction in the heart of the Rancho Santa Fe Village, have been approved by the board of directors of the Rancho Santa Fe Association. The project is...

J.H. Cohn.(BANKING AND FINANCE)(appointments)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... J.H. Cohn has appointed Melody Thornton to the firm's partnership. Thornton has been with the firm since 1991 and has 20 years' experience in accounting, with experience in tax and management consulting for public and private businesses in the...

Mutual of Omaha Bank.(BANKING AND FINANCE)(appointment of Butch Dorian )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Upon opening a San Diego loan production office, Mutual of Omaha Bank has named Butch Dorian market manager. He will lead the bank's expansion in Butch Dorian local markets, offering commercial banking services for...

Moss Adams' Wealth Services Group.(BANKING AND FINANCE)(appointment of William Super )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Moss Adams' Wealth Services Group has named William Super a tax senior manager. He has 25 years' experience in finance. In his new role, Super will focus on estate planning and assisting high-net-worth clients with real estate and investment...

Kennedy/Jenks Consultants.(CONSULTING)(appointment of Jeffrey Borum)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Kennedy/Jenks Consultants has named Jeffrey Borum office manager for its San Diego and Irvine offices. He has 30 years of experience in public and private sector business, including the engineering and environmental industries. Additionally,...

San Diego State University College.(EDUCATION)(San Diego State University College of Extended Studies appoints Rebecca Lawrence)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... San Diego State University College of Extended Studies has named Rebecca Lawrence program director. She will manage the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and oversee continuing education courses for teachers. She attended New York University...

California Receivers Forum.(GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT)(appointment of Kelley McLaren )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Kelley McLaren has joined the board of directors of the San Diego chapter of the California Receivers Forum. She serves as manager of receivership services for Trigild. McLaren has been with Trigild for three years and is an SDSU graduate with...

Scripps Research Institute.(GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT)(appointment of Mark Pearson )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The Scripps Research Institute board of trustees has elected Mark Pearson a member. Pearson is a managing partner of CresaPartners and co-founder and managing partner of Drawbridge Partners. He donated $3 million to the institute in 2003 to...

Petco.(RETAIL)(Petco Animal Supplies Inc. appoints Elisabeth Charles)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Petco has hired Elisabeth Charles as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. She will lead the marketing, advertising and e-commerce initiatives for the 950 stores across the nation. Charles most recently served as executive vice...

Hifn.(TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING)(appointment of John Matze )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Hifn has named John Matze vice president and chief technology officer. He has 15 years' experience in the technology sector, including data storage and networking functions. He joined Hifn in 2007 as vice president of business development.

Parsons Brinckerhoff.(TRANSPORTATION)(appointment of Marc Mizuta)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Parsons Brinckerhoff has named Marc Mizuta lead transportation engineer. He will be responsible for managing transportation and traffic engineering projects in Southern California. He has experience in traffic operations studies, transportation...

Leana Wood.(EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT)(MedAccess)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... MedAccess has promoted Leana Wood to executive vice president from senior vice president. She joined the health care marketing firm in early 2006 and has 15 years of industry experience. Her responsibilities include strategic planning for...

Rick Mickels.(EXECUTIVE profile)(American Relocation Services)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Rick Mickels is president of American Relocation Services, which helps businesses move their facilities. BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY Essential business philosophy: Do more than the customer expects. Best way to keep a competitive edge: ...

Wal-Mart donates $100k to SDSU Student Veterans Center.(KUDOS/GIVING)
March 2, 2009... San Diego State University President Stephen Weber and students who are veterans have recognized Wal-Mart Stores for a $100,000 donation to the campus Student Veterans Center. The center supports 800 such students, the largest such population...

Meals-on-Wheels received a $100,000 grant from the California Wellness Foundation.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Meals-on-Wheels received a $100,000 grant from the California Wellness Foundation. The funds will be used for the formulation, preparation and packaging of meals, as well as transportation of prepared meals, primarily by volunteers and also for...

Roel Construction is partnering with the local division of the American Heart Association to promote the agency's wellness program.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Roel Construction is partnering with the local division of the American Heart Association to promote the agency's wellness program. The sponsorship supports cardiovascular disease research, and establishes Roel Construction as a leader in the...

UC San Diego recognized Bob and Pat Whalen at a Feb. 12 dinner.(KUDOS/GIVING)(University of San Diego)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... UC San Diego recognized Bob and Pat Whalen at a Feb. 12 dinner. Kenyon Ralph, a UCSD student who served in the Marine Corps Reserve, received the Pat and Bob Whalen Endowed Military Transfer Scholarship, which helped with tuition expenses along...

On Feb. 25, Jewish Family Services recognized Phillip Linssen with the Charles Zibbell Board Leadership Award; Linda Barrack with the Henrietta Rubenstein Staff Development Award and Ruth Benjamin and Ana Rothman with the Jack Stern Volunteer Recognition Award.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... On Feb. 25, Jewish Family Services recognized Phillip Linssen with the Charles Zibbell Board Leadership Award; Linda Barrack with the Henrietta Rubenstein Staff Development Award and Ruth Benjamin and Ana Rothman with the Jack Stern Volunteer...

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad recognized Becky Smith as Board Member of the Year at its annual Super Star Recognition Dinner.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The Boys & Girls Clubs of Carisbad recognized Becky Smith as Board Member of the Year at its annual Super Star Recognition Dinner. Smith, general manager of Westfield Plaza Camino Real Shopping Center, was recognized for her devotion to local...

Canyon Acres Children and Family Services received a $135,000 grant from the Weingart Foundation.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Canyon Acres Children and Family Services received a $135,000 grant from the Weingart Foundation. The funds will support the adoption services program, which searches out permanent, safe homes for 60 children. Please send Kudos and Giving...

Aaron Chang planned to hold a gallery opening event Feb. 28 in Solana Beach in the Cedros Design District.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Aaron Chang planned to hold a gallery opening event Feb. 28 in Solana Beach in the Cedros Design District. Proceeds from the event benefit Surfrider Foundation Please send Kudos and Giving items to contributing writer Joyce Glazer at...

The local chapter of the California Restaurant Association donated $10,000 to four high school culinary arts programs.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Morse High School)(Garfield high schools )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The local chapter of the California Restaurant Association donated $10,000 to four high school culinary arts programs. Morse High School, Mira Mesa, San Diego and Garfield high schools will receive the funds to support education in culinary...

Rady Children's Hospital honored McCarthy Building for raising $13,700 at the second annual Sea World Shamu and You Family Walk benefiting the hospital.(KUDOS/GIVING)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Rady Children's Hospital honored McCarthy Building for raising $13,700 at the second annual Sea World Shamu and You Family Walk benefiting the hospital. Rady's construction team raised the largest amount by one team. The one-mile walk generated...

The JCC Patron Party Let's Make A Deal with Monty Hall is scheduled for March 7 at the Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall.(KUDOS/GIVING)
March 2, 2009... The JCC Patron Party Let's Make A Deal with Monty Hall is scheduled for March 7 at the Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall. Sponsors include Qualcomm, City National Bank, Hyatt Regency La Jolla and Northern Trust. Proceeds will benefit the Lawrence...

'Cease and desist' order signed: Imperial Capital Bank.(Friday Feb. 20)
March 2, 2009... 'Cease And Desist' Order Signed: Imperial Capital Bank, which is based in San Diego and has $4 billion in assets, said it entered into a "cease and desist" order with state and federal regulators to take a number of actions aimed at improving...

Clinical trial called success: Optimer Pharmaceuticals.(Tuesday, Feb. 24)
March 2, 2009... Clinical Trial Called Success: Optimer Pharmaceuticals said that its experimental drug aimed at treating traveler's diarrhea outperformed a placebo in a second !ate-stage pivotal trial. Patients took the oral drug once a day for three days. The...

Merger calls for making adjustments: DJO.(Wednesday, Feb. 25)(Reable Therapeutics Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Merger Calls For Making Adjustments: DJO, a Vista-based maker of orthopedics and other medical devices, reported nearly doubling its sales last year to $980 million, mainly from its merger with Reable Therapeutics. Because of significant...

Scientists seek out flu's vulnerabilities.(Thursday, Feb. 26)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Scientists Seek Out Flu's Vulnerabilities: Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla said they have discovered an antibody that appears to target the Achilles' heel of a wide range of influenza viruses, including bird flu and...

Local economy slows.(Thursday, Feb. 26)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Local Economy Slows: An index measuring San Diego's economic health shows the patient getting worse, and little sign of a quick recovery. The University of San Diego's Index of Leading Economic Indicators for the county fell 2 percent in...

Cookies and ice cream.(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A number of local Girl Scouts and their morns poured milk and served cookies and Dreyer's ice cream to Business Journal staffers Feb. 24 to help promote their 2009 cookie sales program, which also serves as one of...