San Diego Business Journal articles from November 2005

San Diego Business Journal archives from November 2005

San Diego billionaires club grows to seven.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... After weeks of research, the San Diego Business Journal has compiled its annual List of San Diego's Wealthiest people. Some of the names are well known, others are not. This year's List is comprised of 25 people--seven of whom are...

Downtown weighs in on Graham: new CCDC chief inherits agency admired for streamlined operation.(Nancy Graham joins as president and chief operating officer of the Centre City Development Corp.)
November 7, 2005... Financial turmoil, political shenanigans and a beleaguered mayor trying to hold it all together in the face of a hostile City Council. A page out of San Diego's continuing soap opera? Nope. Try West Palm Beach, Fla., in the 1990s. On...

Gaylord CEO says event center in Chula Vista would boost S.D. tourism.(San Diego)
November 7, 2005... The top executive of a major entertainment entity looking to build a massive hotel and convention center on Chula Vista's waterfront says he's confident that such a project will boost tourism in the county. Colin Reed, chairman and chief...

Officials eye Sun to clear health records cloud.
November 7, 2005... Regional medical officials say access to health care could greatly improve if the medical community commits $1.2 million to install a central electronic health record system. Such a system connecting medical facilities countywide could...

Companies warned to plan for the flu season: avian flu or otherwise, local agencies bracing for the long winter ahead.(Health Care)
November 7, 2005... Telecommuting, encouraging sick employees to go home and subsidizing flu vaccinations might be the answer to combating the flu for businesses across the country, which could lose upwards of $8 billion nationwide this year because of the virus,...

Veterans find new path to the American dream: program allows vets more access to owning businesses.(Small Business)
November 7, 2005... As a teen-ager, Joseph Lewis swept floors and cleaned bathrooms in a hometown paint and decorating shop. After high school, while in the Navy, Lewis went to work running Uncle Sam's laundry, barber and other service-type shops aboard...

Port officials insist they think outside the box--literally: overseas missions paying off as shippers attracted to San Diego.(Trade)
November 7, 2005... Operating on the notion that the crowded ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will eventually turn away all imported shipments that don't arrive in containers, San Diego Unified Port District officials are busy making tracks abroad to lure those...

From nuclear power to predator, business soars for General Atomics: local firm turns 50 as its original focus is a hot topic again.(Defense)(Company Profile)
November 7, 2005... Retired physicist Ed Creutz surveyed the center of General Atomics' campus recently--the well-manicured lawn, the flittering hummingbirds, the blossoming flowers--and recalled what he saw when he toured the area 50 years ago. "Cows," said...

Deal puts defense firms under one contract roof: Kearny Mesa is the likely location for new facility.(HIGH-TECH)(Delta Group Electronics acquires A.B. Carter Inc. Frontier Electronics)
November 7, 2005... Well-known local defense contractors such as Cubic Corp. and Science Applications International Corp., along with national firms Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, land multimillion-dollar deals for a multitude of high-tech projects. But...

Downtown hotel puts emphasis on artwork.(TOURISM)(Grant Hotel)
November 7, 2005... Kudos to the U.S. Grant Hotel for its plan to hang original modern paintings by French artist Yves Clement on its guest room walls. The 11-story hotel built in 1910 was sold to the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in December 2003 for $52...

Bravo applauds business as fund-raiser nears.(TOURISM)
November 7, 2005... Private Sector Turns Out For The Arts: Bravo San Diego, a business-sponsored event that raises money for the performing arts in San Diego is scheduled for 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 19 at the Westgate Hotel in Downtown. The gala will feature some...

Smart growth fund levels local housing costs: Phoenix Realty Group will manage fund's money.(Finance)( Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Washington Mutual Bank)
November 7, 2005... San Diego's push for smart growth and urban infill projects got a huge shot in the arm with the closing of a $90 million equity fund intended to spur construction of about a half-billion dollars in affordable housing. The Phoenix Realty...

Qualcomm ends fiscal year on a positive note.(Finance)
November 7, 2005... Qualcomm Inc. closed the its 2005 fiscal year with $2.1 billion in net income, a 25 percent increase from 2004, fueled by worldwide sales of high-speed cell phones. In a conference call Nov. 2, Chief Executive Officer Paul Jacobs credited...

Public Relations pros honor industry's best locally.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Nuffer, Smith, Tucker Inc., Berkman Communications and Fleisehman-Hillard get award from Public Relations Society of America )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... It wasn't exactly the Academy Awards or even the People's Choice Awards, but for public relations professionals in San Diego County, it was an event just as important. The San Diego chapter of the Public Relations Society of America...

Moxie Interactive finds right formula for more national recognition.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Formula PR)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The Right Formula: Executives at Atlanta-based Moxie Interactive, a company that specializes in digital marketing and advertising, want a stronger national presence and they're turning to San Diego's own Formula to get it. The national...

RSM to keep staff following deal.(RSM McGladrey Inc. acquires American Express Tax and Business Services )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... RSM McGladrey, an Indiana-based financial services firm with San Diego offices, said its acquisition of American Express Tax and Business Services completed in August should not result in any layoffs at the purchased firm. "Our intention...

Amylin's drug Byetta misses mark.(BIOTECH)(Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... In its recent third-quarter financial disclosure, San Diego-based Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., reported that its diabetes drug Byetta, which analysts have projected to be a multibillion-dollar-a-year "blockbuster" status drug, fell behind...

Invitrogen obtains new contract with Chinese drug agency.(BIOTECH)
November 7, 2005... China Contract: Invitrogen Corp., one of San Diego's few profitable life science companies, recently obtained a contract with the National Center for Drug Screening in Shanghai, China. The organization approves new drugs in China. The two...

New VP: San Diego-based Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(BIOTECH)
November 7, 2005... New VP: San Diego-based Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., a company that is developing indiplon, a drug for insomnia with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc., announced a new vice president of clinical development Oct. 31. It also announced its third...

Seacoast fills president spot with banking vet.(FINANCE)
November 7, 2005... Seacoast Commerce Bank's new president has been around the block and then some. Doug Shearer, hired last week to head up the 2-year-old bank in Chula Vista, has some 34 years in banking, and has been the president and CEO at four other...

San Diego Community Banks on its profits.(FINANCE)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Growth Spurt: San Diego Community Bank (formerly First International Bank) reported net income of $248,000 for the third quarter, compared to $429,000 for the same period of 2004. For the nine months, the Chula Vista-based bank had net income...

Another nice quarter: Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co.(FINANCE)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Another Nice Quarter: Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., the San Diego-based mortgage bank specializing in sub-prime loans, reported net income for the third quarter jumped 15 percent to $41.3 million, compared to last year's third quarter...

New on the job.(FINANCE)(Roy Lewis joins Southwest Community Bank as chief credit officer)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... New On The Job: It didn't take long for Roy Lewis, the former president and CEO of Ramona National Bank, to find a new job. Lewis resigned from Ramona National in August, and by late last month he was at Southwest Community Bank. Lewis is...

New in town.(FINANCE)(Wescom Credit Union opens a new branch)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... New In Town: Wescom Credit Union, a $3 billion asset lender based in Pasadena, opened its first branch in San Diego last month in an Albertsons supermarket in City Heights. Wescom was established in 1934 as a credit union servicing workers...

Another new arrival.(FINANCE)(Efmark Premium Armored )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Another New Arrival: Efmark Premium Armored may not ring a bell to many but in the world of ATM servicing, but it's gaining ground. Last month, the Illinois-based company opened an office in San Diego, one of 11 new branches it has added this...

Economists gaze into crystal ball for '06 forecast: real estate slowdown would hurt; otherwise region will benefit from more jobs.(Economy)
November 7, 2005... Thanks to a still-expanding housing market, the economies of both San Diego and California have done well this year, though next year may be a different story. Though several economists speaking at a recent economic outlook event sponsored...

A boost in capital.(FINANCE)(California Community Bank)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... A Boost In Capital: Thanks to an oversubscribed capital offering that netted the bank more than $12.5 million in new capital, California Community Bank's equity increased to $21.2 million. The offering that closed last month sold 867,709...

Are our hands tied even at the ballots?(Business in the North County)
November 7, 2005... The political season comes to an end tomorrow with the annual apathy conference being held across the state. Statewide, approximately one third of us will go to the polls and place our votes for our favorite candidates and supported or opposed...

Sempra earnings dip as energy firm boosts reserves.
November 7, 2005... Sempra Energy's third-quarter 2005 earnings slipped to $221 million (86 cents per diluted share), down $10 million from 2004. the company announced Nov. 2. The San Diego-based company attributed the drop to a $189 million increase in its...

Welcome to the club: local billionaires list adds 3 new names: this year's list of wealthiest San Diegans grows from 20 to 25.
November 7, 2005... This year's annual List of San Diego's Wealthiest people contains seven people who have amassed net worths in excess of $1 billion, or three more than last year's List. That might mean the area is becoming a haven for the ultra-rich, but...

Profiles of S.D.'s Wealthiest People.(San Diego)(Ernest Rady of American Assets Real Estate Group)(Charles Brandes of Brandes Investment Partners)(Margaret Cargill of Cargill Inc.)
November 7, 2005... No. 1 Ernest Rady Principal owner, American Assets Real Estate Group Estimated worth: $2.3 billion In September, the richest man in San Diego sold one of his most lucrative holdings, Westcorp Inc., an Irvine-based bank that...

Highest-paid executives.(Special Report: San Diego's Wealthiest)(Illustration)
November 7, 2005... HIGHEST-PAID EXECUTIVES Public companies--ranked bar 2004 cash compensation Cash compensation * ...

Wealth spread across various San Diego industries: highest-paid execs represent biotech, fast-food, energy, high-tech sectors.
November 7, 2005... San Diego's economy, once dependent on tourism and defense, has diversified into several moneymaking sectors, generating lofty paychecks for the region's business leaders. The 25 highest-paid executives in San Diego came from niches far...

For the record, half of home's list price will do: Del Mar Beachfront house owner seeks $50m, twice the top price for a home sold in S.D. County.(San Diego)
November 7, 2005... A local residential real estate record may be broken soon. The most expensive home sold in San Diego County is a La Jolla Farms property that closed for $23.5 million this year, according to one Realtor. Now, a 10,700-square-foot...

Highest-paid public employees.(Special Report: San Diego's Wealthiest)(Illustration)
November 7, 2005... HIGHEST-PAID PUBLIC EMPLOYEES Ranked by salary for 2005-2006 fiscal year Rank Name (last Title Telephone 2005-2006 year) Address Fax salary 1 ...

Highest-paid elected officials.(Special Report: San Diego's Wealthiest)(Illustration)
November 7, 2005... HIGHEST-PAID ELECTED OFFICIALS Ranked by salary for 2005 Rank Elected official Position 1 Michael Aguirre City attorney, San Diego 2 William Kolender County sheriff 3 Gregory...

San Diego Foundation provides anonymous path to philanthropy: many and varied causes deemed worthy of donations.
November 7, 2005... Bob Kelly helps the rich and even the not so rich give away their money. The chief executive officer for the San Diego Foundation said very often, charitable donations come to his organization because wealthy individuals are seeking some...

Legal notices.
November 7, 2005... FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2005-032188 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: HANGERS CLEANERS 14677 Via Bettona, Suite 105 San Diego, CA 92127 THIS BUSINESS IS HEREBY REGISTERED BY THE FOLLOWING: Fairlane...

Web connect directory.(Directory)
November 7, 2005... To advertise your website, call 858-277-6359 Advertising Agencies/Marketing Communications Square One Advertising, Inc. www.squareoneadv.com erin@squareoneadv.com 858.715.4714 sulicworldwide www.sulic.com ...

Fund-raising groups receive honors for efforts: Manpower Inc. recognized as top local philanthropic company.(Nonprofit)
November 7, 2005... In the words of noted San Diego philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, "The most important gift a human being can give to another is in someway to make life a little better to live." That spirit carries over to the 20th annual National...

Office market approaches 2m square feet absorbed.(Real Estate)
November 7, 2005... San Diego's office market was surging during the third quarter, with leasing activity that included 633,000 square feet of space absorbed, according to Burnham Real Estate's new third-quarter report. This means that the market is expected...

Apartment sales hit lowest level in 10 years.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Sagging Sales: Still more third-quarter reports: Burnham Real Estate also reported that the volume of San Diego County apartment sales has hit its lowest levels in 10 years following a third-quarter decline in activity. According to its...

Real estate sales.(PROGRESS REPORT)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Property: 444 W. C St., San Diego. Seller: Busby Family Trust and Shoemaker Family Trust. Selling agents: Steve Rowland and Michael Roberts of Grubb & Ellis represented the buyer and the seller. Buyer/square footage: Pacifica...

Real estate leases.(PROGRESS REPORT)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Property: 3880 Murphy Canyon Road, #200, San Diego. Lessor: Olympic Plaza LLC. Leasing agents: Jay Arnett, Deborah Hunkeler and Mort McCarthy of Burnham Real Estate represented the lessor and Bill Bacon of CB Richard Ellis represented...

Roel Construction.(CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Roel Construction has completed work on Park Laurel on the Prado on Sixth and Laurel streets in San Diego. The 14-story twin towers include 99 luxury condos, ranging from 2,600 square feet to 4,700 square feet, and two levels of secured...

Sully-Jones Roofing Co.(CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Sully-Jones Roofing Co. in El Cajon has completed re-roofing of the N Stor commercial building in Carlsbad. Cost: $58,000. Commercial project manager: Ben Scales.

RSI Roofing.(CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL)(contract with Manchester Financial )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... RSI Roofing has signed a contract to re-roof the Manchester Financial Building in La Jolla. Cost: $120,000. RSI Roofing president: David Susi. The company also signed a contract to re-roof three buildings at the Escondido...

PrimeCo Painting.(CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... PrimeCo Painting in Oceanside has been awarded the contract to paint the exterior of the Forest Park condo complex in San Diego. Cost: Unavailable. Property manager: Ellie Murphy of Pernicano Realty. Project manager: Tim Sprague.

PCL Construction Services.(CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... PCL Construction Services in Carlsbad has begun work on the new Rady School of Management on the campus of the University of California San Diego. The four-story building will include a courtyard with pedestrian walkways, landscaping, outdoor...

San Diego public stocks.(MARKETPLACE)(Illustration)
November 7, 2005... SAN DIEGO PUBLIC STOCKS TICKER PRICE PRICE EXCHANGE SYMBOL COMPANY NAME 11/1/2005 10/25/2005 NASD ACAD Acadia ...

Novatel Wireless, Inc.(Proxy)
November 7, 2005... NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC. NASDAQ--NVTL Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a provider of wireless broadband access solutions for the mobile communications market. Novatel Wireless products include third-generation wireless personal computer card...

WealthTV takes unique approach to rich, famous: network makes its broadcast home in the San Diego market.(Media)(Robert Herring Sr.)
November 7, 2005... When Robert Herring Sr. talks about money, he takes an interesting approach to the bottom line. "Wealth doesn't really mean money," said Herring, the founder and chief executive officer of the recently launched WealthTV network. "An...

Saying 'unfair' in unison.(Friday, October 28)(anti-competitive conduct by QUALCOMM Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Saying 'Unfair' In Unison: Six technology companies filed complaints with the European Commission alleging anti-competitive conduct by Qualcomm Inc. The complaints--filed by Broadcom Corp., Ericsson, NEC Corp., Nokia Corp., Panasonic...

Polling even.(Monday, October 31)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Polling Even: Too close to call. That's how the SurveyUSA pollsters of 532 "likely" San Diego voters are describing the horse race between mayoral candidates Donna Frye and Jerry Sanders as they head into the final stretch toward Nov. 8. ...

Audit flap.(Tuesday, November 1)(Kroll Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Audit Flap: With the city of San Diego's bill for auditing and legal consulting to finish an investigation into past errors and omissions in its financial reports rising above $15 million, City Attorney Michael Aguirre pressed hired auditing...

1-15 express.(Wednesday, November 2)(environmental study of railroad construction)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... 1-15 Express: A state agency approved a preliminary environmental study for a proposed, 700-mile high-speed rail line from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area. The service envisioned by the California High Speed Rail Authority could be in...

Cutting a loss.(Wednesday, November 2)(Provide Commerce Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Cutting A Loss: Provide Commerce Inc., the San Diego-based parent firm of ProFlowers.com and other e-commerce sites selling food. reported a net loss of $23,000 on revenue of $26.8 million for its first quarter that ended Sept. 30. That...

Crown jewel capital.(Thursday, November 3)(Hotel del Coronado and Deutsche Bank AG )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Crown Jewel Capital: The posh Hotel del Coronado is likely to get refinanced--again. According to an online newsletter by Commercial Real Estate Direct, Orlando, Fla.-based CNL Hotels & Resorts Inc. sold its interest in a joint venture...

Calendar.(For the Record: BUSINESS EVENTS)(Calendar)
November 7, 2005... If you would like your business event that costs less than $75 to attend included in the calendar section, make sure your press release arrives at our offices at least 15 working days before the event. Send requests to: Andy Killion...

Awards & recognition.(KEY HIRES AND PROMOTIONS)(Karen Jennings gest award from SBC Communications Inc.)(Case Group Co. gets award from Building Industry Association)(Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. gets award from National Black MBA Association )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Human Resource Executive has named Karen Jennings, SBC Communications Inc.'s senior executive vice president of human resources and communications, its 2005 HR Executive of the Year for her outstanding contributions to their organizations....

Hurricane Katrina donations and fund raising.(KEY HIRES AND PROMOTIONS)(California Coast Credit Union )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... California Coast Credit Union members contributed $11,469 while California Coast matched dollar-for-dollar totaling $22,938 to assist hurricane survivors. Financial Profiles Inc. in partnership with the Financial Planning Association will...

Rancho Financial Mortgage Center has hired Beth Harris to develop and run their in-house mortgage banking underwriting office.(BANKING AND FINANCE)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Rancho Financial Mortgage Center has hired Beth Harris to develop and run their in-house mortgage banking underwriting office. Harris is an 18-year financial industry veteran and most recently managed the underwriting and sale of all loans...

Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker have hired Harlan Tande as architect, Greg McClure as architect and David Salud as project manager.(CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker have hired Harlan Tande as architect, Greg McClure as architect and David Salud as project manager. Tande has 35 years' experience in the architectural design industry and most recently served as...

Dudek & Associates.(HIGH-TECH AND MANUFACTURING)(Fred Clark joins as senior right-of-way)(Bill Whittenberg joins as a principal engineer)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Dudek & Associates has hired Fred Clark as senior right-of-way and Bill Whittenberg as a principal engineer. Clark will be responsible for managing and maintaining the right-of-way corridors of public utilities and government agencies. He has...

10News.(MEDIA AND MARKETING)(Ben Higgins joins as morning sports anchor on Newsradio 600 KOGO-AM)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Ben Higgins, anchor for 10News, has been named morning sports anchor on Newsradio 600 KOGO-AM.

Magda Hanna has been appointed director of regional sales for Summit Performance Group.(Miscellaneous)(Robert Haney joins as ensales manager for Pacific Trans Environmental Services, Inc)(Sandra Wagenaar appointed as president of the American Society of Interior Designers )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Magda Hanna has been appointed director of regional sales for Summit Performance Group. Hanna will be responsible for marketing the company's meeting planning, sports and hospitality services. Most recently, Hanna was national sales manager for...

Guadalupe De La Cruz, who has more than 20 years' experience in sales, has joined RE/MAX Professionals' San Marcos office as a real estate sales agent.(REAL ESTATE)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Guadalupe De La Cruz, who has more than 20 years' experience in sales, has joined RE/MAX Professionals' San Marcos office as a real estate sales agent. Caitlin Leeger has joined RE/MAX Associates' La Costa office as a real estate sales agent....

Scott Cook.(EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT)(Promus Management promotes Scott Cook as vice president of operations )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Scott Cook has been promoted to vice president of operations and a principal of Promus Management. He will oversee the operations of the company's portfolio of commercial assets, as well as property operations, client and tenant relations and...

Philanthropy.(KEY HIRES AND PROMOTIONS)(San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, San Diego National Bank, the California Endowment donate for social service programs)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, San Diego National Bank, the California Endowment, Alliance Healthcare Foundation, Price Galinson Collaborative Fund and Archstone Foundation awarded $1 million over four years to ElderHelp to launch Aging As...

Back to school.(REAL ESTATE)(ublic high school to be constructed by Corky McMillin Cos.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Back To School: Plans for a new $55 million state-of-the-art public high school in the McMillin Lomas Verdes community of Chula Vista are under way, says Lisa Johnson, community relations director for the Corky McMillin Cos. Slated for a...

Big Deals.(REAL ESTATE)(investment group acquires property from Valle de la Reina LTD, with Sunbelt Real Estate )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Big Deals: The four-building, 69,000-square-foot Golden Valley Office Park, which sits on 4.92 acres at 123 Camino de la Reina in Mission Valley, has been sold for $13.6 million. The buyers, an investment group managed by NAI San Diego, are...

Kudos.(REAL ESTATE)(Edward J. Cass & Associates gets 2005 Unique Special Project Award from Associated General Contractors of America )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Kudos: Edward J. Cass & Associates of San Diego was recently honored by the San Diego chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America with the 2005 Unique Special Project Award. The architectural and engineering firm was the...

Spotlight: Health Dimension, LLC.(Small Business)(Rodell Jackson)
November 7, 2005... In 1992, Rodell Jackson paid a woman $15,000 for the rights to bring health and fitness-minded expos onto the campuses of companies. To date, that concept behind her now 15-year-old firm, Health Dimensions, has translated into some 1,600...

Set, follow, enforce sex harassment policy.(Small Business Help Line)
November 7, 2005... Question: How can I handle low-level sexual harassment situations before they become full-fledged policy violations? Answer: Mark Twain said, "Everybody talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it." As a workplace issue,...

Sue Major.(Executive Profile)(DavenportMajor Executive Search)(Interview)
November 7, 2005... Sue Major is obviously not afraid of big projects. With partner Stacey Davenport, Major is in the middle of establishing her own business, Davenport Major Executive Search. The firm caters to high-technology and life sciences companies, and...

Buying now, paying later skews the holiday picture.(Opinion)
November 7, 2005... It's holiday season prognostication time--that stretch in the fall when news organizations start fixating on whether this will be a good or a bad year. A quick Google search will turn up whatever you want to hear. From the Detroit News:...

Going back into the heart of darkness.(Pacific Perspectives)
November 7, 2005... "A belief in the supernatural source of evil is not necessary," wrote the great Western author Joseph Conrad. "Men alone are quite capable of every wickedness." There were two central aspects of evil in the unembarrassed and very public...

Fuel supply challenges await as government idles.(Opinion)
November 7, 2005... Gasoline prices are already volatile. But the California Energy Commission warns that consumers may be in for a continuing roller coaster ride because the state's existing petroleum infrastructure could be inadequate to meet growing demand....

Venture capitalists find biotechs worth the risk: investors pour millions into San Diego drug development firms.
November 14, 2005... From halting gastrointestinal diseases to fighting drug-resistant bacteria and stopping cancer dead in its tracks, startup drug development companies in San Diego that attracted the most money from investors in the third quarter are pursuing a...

Trying to build a head of steam: Carrizo Gorge railway on track, though few know that it is up and running.
November 14, 2005... Early in the 20th century it was dubbed "the impossible railroad." In 2005, the railroad's on-again, off-again existence has been on--though the wheels have been slow to turn. Closed for decades by faulty track, collapsed bridges and...

Business sends first memo to new mayor: make S.D. an International Gateway, get out and meet people and, oh yeah, fix the city's financial mess.
November 14, 2005... San Diego's newly elected mayor will not only be expected to clean up the financial mess at City Hall, but be able to think and act globally as well, according to the wish list of some of San Diego's business and industry leaders. On Nov....

Sempra's business on the line as trial over energy crisis begins.
November 14, 2005... The economic future of Sempra Energy, the region's largest energy provider and a major San Diego employer, could hinge on a jury's choice of adjectives. Nefarious? Or judicious? Which word will jurors think more aptly describes the...

Convention Center mum on event planner firm: 7 companies sign letter of protest, question selection process.
November 14, 2005... Several destination management companies asked by the San Diego Convention Center Corp. to submit initial proposals--basically a show of interest--to be a "preferred" vendor in exchange for a commission protested the plan by banding together to...

Unions plan to make push at large hotel projects: Gaylord, Hilton targeted; port commissioner accused of supporting unionization.
November 14, 2005... The possibility of organizing workers at a massive hotel and convention center complex proposed for Chula Vista's bay front as well as another large hotel expected to soon begin construction on Downtown's waterfront has prompted one labor...