San Diego Business Journal articles from September 2004

San Diego Business Journal archives from September 2004

Anticipation rises for Padres' postseason: ballpark businesses planning for possibility of October playoffs.
September 6, 2004... Business around Petco Park in August continued to produce everything from delight to despair, as the big question looms: Will the Padres make the playoffs? If they do, in early October, some area businesses are getting ready to handle the...

Golden rule guides Vista firm: Good & Roberts projects $30 million in revenue for current fiscal year.(Entrepreneurs Construction)(Good and Roberts Inc.)(Company Profile)
September 6, 2004... With a simple business philosophy at its foundation, Vista-based general contractor Good & Roberts Inc. has built a large pool of longtime clients during the last 25 years. Jack Good founded the company in 1979 with Stan Roberts, who...

Big push is on for small local drug company: new drug's marketing vs. big pharmaceuticals is a challenge.(Santarus, Inc. markets first FDA-approved product, Zegerid)
September 6, 2004... For a small company, launching that first product can be the biggest challenge. San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical firm Santarus, Inc. finds itself in that position. The company is gearing up to let loose 230 new sales...

Word on the Street: Scene a boon for biz.(Rob Hagey Productions Inc.'s Street Scene 2004 )
September 6, 2004... By scratching the oldies, Zydeco and blues to focus on popular bands such as AFI, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World and Social Distortion, Rob Hagey Productions Inc.'s Street Scene 2004 was not your parents' concert. That was the point. ...

Corrections & clarifications.(Correction Notice)
September 6, 2004... The Residential Homebuilders List in the Aug. 16 issue of the San Diego Business Journal's flip-flopped the Nos. 2 and 3 homebuilders in San Diego County. Centex Homes-San Diego Division should have been listed as the No. 2 residential...

Unique project partners SDG&E with builder: mixed-use plan still in approval stage.(Construction)(collaboration between San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and a private developer, Marketplace Development, LLC )
September 6, 2004... A proposed $35 million, 300,000-squarefoot mixed-use development in the Market Street area will be a model for the state if it passes muster. The reason: a first-of-its kind collaboration between San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and a private...

Backers of room-tax hike gird for uphill battle: Proposition J proponents expect to be outspent this fall.(Tourism)
September 6, 2004... If a lodging industry faction opposing a ballot measure to raise the tax people pay to stay in local hotels believes it will raise $500,000 for its fall campaign, at least one politician thinks backers of the initiative will need twice that sum...

Condo craze finding roots in historical buildings demand exists for architectural styles of the past.(Real Estate)
September 6, 2004... Instead of building all-new high-rise towers, some condominium developers are looking to the past for inspiration. Some builders are preserving historically and architecturally significant structures and selling the finished product as...

Home-based businesses turn virtual space into hub: many small companies using virtual offices to improve credibility.
September 6, 2004... Exhibiting a professional image is a key element to operating a successful business and, for small home-based companies, that challenge is even more crucial. Jennifer Hankins, owner and founder of The Total Office, a San Diego-based...

Advertising to grow at accelerated pace in 2004.(Media & Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Advertising is forecasted to grow at its fastest rate in four years, increasing to $188.5 billion in 2004, a 7.2 percent spike compared with the previous year, according to the 2004 Veronis Sublet Stevenson Communications Industry Forecast and...

Weekly Spanish newspaper to be available this fall.(Media & Marketing)(Fronteras de la Noticia)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... New Spanish Weekly: Coming this fall, local newspaper publishers will have a chance to provide a weekly Spanish-language newspaper to their readers. Provided by Universal Press Syndicate of Kansas City, Mo., and Danilo Black, a Monterrey,...

Moviemakers' Connection finishes film.(Media & Marketing)(Moviemakers' Connection, Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Moviemakers' Connection Finishes Film: The Moviemakers' Connection, Inc., a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that brings together professionals and students in the film industry, has recently completed its first film, "No Second...

Quarterly sales off for Mad Catz Interactive.(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., a San Diego company that makes accessories for video game consoles, reported a net loss of $350,000 on net sales of $16.7 million in the quarter ended June 30. One year ago the company reported a net loss of $1.3...

Avanir reports promising test of MS drug: if all goes well, drug may get approval for other neurological disorders.(Technology)(Neurodex)
September 6, 2004... San Diego-based biotech Avanir Pharmaceuticals recently announced promising results from a late-stage study of its experimental drug Neurodex for treating symptoms of uncontrollable laughter or crying in patients with multiple sclerosis. ...

Metaphore raises $40 million to develop pain drug.(Biotech)(Metaphore Pharmaceuticals Inc. equity financing)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... San Diego-based firm Metaphore Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently raised $40.2 million in equity financing to fund the development of an experimental pain drug. Participants in the Series D financing round include HealthCare Ventures LLC and...

Ambit Biosciences signs research deal with Roche.(Biotech)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Ambit Signs Roche Deal: San Diego-based biotech firm Ambit Biosciences announced on Aug. 26 that it signed a multi-year research deal with Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche. Roche's venture-fund arm raised more than $21 million in a third...

Halozyme signs marketing deal with Baxter.(Biotech)(Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. lands Baxter Healthcare Corp. as partner)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Halozyme Signs Marketing Deal With Baxter: Halozyme Therapeutics Inc., a San Diego-based biotech firm that develops an injectable drug to enhance the delivery of local anesthesia, contrast agents, and fluids, said on Aug. 16 that it landed...

Biocom backs stem cell research.(Biotech)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Biocom Backs Stem Cell Research: Biocom, San Diego's lobbying group for the life sciences industry, said last month that it endorses a bond initiative on the November ballot that would provide $295 million a year for 10 years for embryonic stem...

Falcon helps spot credit card fraud: S.D. an 'epicenter' of fraud-fighting activity worldwide.(High-Tech)(San Diego)(Fair Isaac Corp.'s new product is called Falcon ID)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Fair Isaac Corp. has applied the Falcon name to a new product. The Minneapolis-based company acquired Falcon, a product that helps financial institutions spot potentially fraudulent credit card transactions, in 2002. That is when Fair Isaac...

BAE explores commercial side.(High-Tech)(BAE Systems Plc announces photogrammetry application)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... BAE Systems makes software for interpreting satellite images. As a government contractor, it keeps quiet about most of its work. But the company did announce something more on the commercial side. It's a photogrammetry application for a...

Lawyers find success outside the corporate office.(Law)
September 6, 2004... Leaving the security of a big law firm, with all the perks that go with it, to go solo can be rewarding--and scary. Recently, Robert Half Legal, in its report Future Law Office 2004: New Perspectives on the Business of Law, addressed this...

Hotels caught up in InterContinental-Expedia flap: some applaud hotel chain's stand to take back the industry.(Tourism)
September 6, 2004... InterContinental Hotel Group, a $6.2 billion company based in the United Kingdom, will soon pull its worldwide inventory of 540,000 hotel rooms from three major travel Web sites--Expedia, Expedia Corporate Travel and Hotels.com, all owned by...

Broker says downtown hotel is up for sale.(S.D. Malkin Properties, Inc. looks for buyer for Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Hotel)
September 6, 2004... While many San Diego hotels displayed "no vacancy" signs during the Labor Day weekend, at least one property also posted one saying "for sale." Investor and developer S.D. Malkin Properties, Inc., which has offices in San Diego and London,...

Attorneys make financial pitch for Kerry campaign: California is Kerry's top contributing region at $23 million.(Law)
September 6, 2004... California trial attorneys, already a potent political fund-raising force, have been pouring money into Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign at a record pace. The state's trial bar has pumped nearly $3 million into the Kerry campaign...

A Web of attacks: companies increasing their security measures to prevent viruses on computer networks.(Special report: Web)
September 6, 2004... Consultants and salespeople working in the area of Internet security no longer face incredulous stares when talking about combating threats to computer networks. The evidence of computer systems under siege from viruses, worms and hackers,...

Microsoft adviser looks to create secure computer network.(Special report: Web)
September 6, 2004... His employer has changed, but Mitch Dembin still provokes laughs when he announces whom he works for. "I used to say, 'I'm from the federal government and I'm here to help you, and that would generate a lot of laughs,' he said. "Now I...

Animated spoof on Web provides laughs, not bucks: campaign cartoon getting exposure, but little money for brothers' Internet site.(Evan and Gregg Spiridellis created "This Land")
September 6, 2004... By most measures, the animated spoof "This Land" is a colossal success. The two-minute online feature in which President Bush and Sen. John Kerry hurl insults at each other to the tune of "This Land Is Your Land" has become an almost ubiquitous...

Internet phone maker aims to link U.S., Vietnam callers.(Twister Networks Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Twister Networks Inc. is looking to hook up callers from Vietnam and the United States via phones that use the Internet. Recently, Twister signed a pact with VASC, a state-owned software and media unit of Vietnam Post and...

Group seeks opinions from small business.(National Defense Industrial Association's small business committee wants to know top three concerns in doing business with Uncle Sam )(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Beefs, concerns, frustrations, gripes, worries An advocacy organization is looking to small businesses that serve the Department of Defense, hoping to collect the top three concerns they have about doing business with Uncle Sam. ...

Web development & design firms.(Illustration)
September 6, 2004... WEB DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN FIRMS Firms with 50 percent or more of their business from Web development and design. Ranked by number of local employees as of June 30, 2004. Number...

Builders push preserving, not destroying, structures: residents get behind developers who resurrect landmarks.
September 6, 2004... Preserving historic structures can help developers build good will among community members apt to oppose a project that gets rid of longtime neighborhood icons. Richard Garcia, acquisitions manager for Walnut Creek-based Levin Menzies &...

Footwear firm's quarterly figures climb.(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Carlsbad-based Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc. reported earnings of $643,000 on net sales of $13.9 million in the quarter ended June 26. One year ago, Phoenix registered a loss of $688,000 on sales of $7.6 million. Expenses for the year-ago...

San Diego public stocks.(Marketplace)(Illustration)
September 6, 2004... Index Watch Index 8/31/04 8/24/04 Net % Change Change San Diego Business Journal Index 1166.01 1159.82 6.19 0.53% Dow Jones...

Biosite Inc.(Proxy)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 6, 2004... NASD--BSTE Biosite Inc. is a provider of medical diagnostics that aid physicians to diagnose diseases and health conditions. Biosite offers tests for drug screening, heart attack, congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndromes and...

Sales.(Progress Report)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Property: 12220 Parkway Center Drive, Poway Seller: Pacific Starr Group Selling agents: Mickey Morera of Burnham Real Estate represented the buyer and Matt Kelly and James Duncan of Burnham Real Estate, along with Morera, represented...

Leases.(Progress Report)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Property: 5780 Fleet St., No. 300, Carlsbad Lessor: POI Pacific Ridge, Inc. c/o Prentiss Properties Leasing agents: Mark Avilla and Joe Anderson of Grubb & Ellis/BRE Commercial represented the lessor and Gary Williams and Bill Driscoll...

Carrier Johnson.(Construction Journal)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Carrier Johnson is designing plans for DiamondView Tower, a 14-story, 325,000-squarefoot tower at 10th Avenue and J Street behind Petco Park's right field in Downtown San Diego. The building will have 232,000 square feet of office space above...

El Cajon Grading & Engineering Co.(Construction Journal)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... El Cajon Grading & Engineering Co. is the general contractor for the replacement of a 4-mile stretch of water main pipeline in La Jolla for the San Diego Water Department. The first phase along La Jolla Boulevard between Westbourne Street and...

Environmental Business Solutions.(Construction Journal)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Environmental Business Solutions completed an environmental site assessment for Tailgate Park, a four-block public parking lot next to Petco Park in Downtown San Diego. The lot is between K and 14th streets and 12th and Imperial avenues. The...

Fuscoe Engineering.(Construction Journal)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Fuscoe Engineering is wrapping up its civil engineering work for the 150,000-square-feet Costco Wholesale Corp. store in Poway at the Intersection of Scripps Poway Parkway and Tech Center Drive in the South Poway Business Park. Engineers...

S.D. firm doubles value of land development portfolio.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... In 18 months, San Diego-based Capstone Advisors has doubled the value of its residential and land development portfolio. The real estate investment company provides equity and mezzanine financing for residential and commercial development...

Research group focuses on young professionals: investor demand for apartments staying strong in San Diego.(Real Estate)
September 6, 2004... With the next generation of industry leaders in mind, the Urban Land Institute has initiated a program to get young real estate professionals involved in the organization. ULI is a nonprofit research and education organization concerned...

Apartment investment.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Apartment Investment: With relatively little multi-family housing construction on the horizon, investor demand for apartments continues to be strong. According to a second quarter apartment market report from San Diego-based Burnham Real...

Land sale.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Land Sale: Sorrento Hills Marketplace LP spent $9 million to buy 14 acres of land from the Vons Grocery Co. in Torrey Hills. The San Diego developer plans to build a 45,000-square-foot medical office building and an 85,000-square-foot...

High class in Escondido.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... High Class in Escondido: Construction has wrapped up at the Slatestone, a three-story 21,900-square-foot class A office building in downtown Escondido. More than two-thirds of the space has been leased. Joe Andranian and Tucker Hohenstein...

Safety record.(Real Estate)( T.B. Penick & Sons Inc)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Safety Record: San Diego-based general contractor T.B. Penick & Sons Inc. has reported a safety record. For 365 days, T.B. Penick employees did not report a single on-the-job injury that kept someone from work. It was the first time in the...

Web connect directory.(Directory)
September 6, 2004... Advertising Agencies/Marketing Communications Whitelaw Marketing www.whitelawmarketing.com info@whitelawmarketing.com (619) 546-4348 WordsOut! Communications www.wordsout.net info@wordsout.net 858.342.3348...

Jury rules for Callaway in ad campaign spat.(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... A Delaware jury sided with Carlsbad-based Callaway Golf Co. in a 3-year-old dispute over a rival's advertising campaign. The jury in Wilmington returned a verdict of $2.2 million against Dunlop Slazenger Group Americas Inc. based on a...

Wow! Check out this approach to coaching.(Trends)(WOW! Performance Coaching, Inc.)(corporate training program)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... A certified speaking professional, Mark Rosenberger, founder and president of WOW! Performance Coaching, Inc., has been helping companies enhance their performance and reach their business goals for the last 15 years. Based in San Diego,...

Kidsville Playland 'edutainment' center opens doors in Poway.(Trends)(Kidsville Playland)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Where Kids Have Fun: Kidsville Playland, an indoor "edutainment" play center, has opened in Poway, offering children ages 7 and younger their own child-size city with a pizzeria, salon and spa, hospital, and gas station. Education is also...

Women and their money.(Trends)
September 6, 2004... Women And Their Money: San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies, beginning Sept. 9, is set to host "Women as Independent Investors," from 6:30-8:45 p.m. at SDSU's Gateway Center, 5250 Campanile Drive. The course introduces...

Spotlight: Delta Utility Solutions.(Small Business)(Company Profile)
September 6, 2004... Delta Utility Solutions, Inc. specializes in the design, installation and service of utility submetering systems that enable property owners, managers and developers to reduce overhead and increase property value while promoting the...

Firing relatives offers tough challenges.(Small Business Help Line)(Column)
September 6, 2004... Question: How do I tactfully fire a relative? Answer: As a manager or business owner, it's not uncommon that you confront situations where an employee needs to be let go. That decision can be even more difficult when it involves a relative....

San Diego occupancy rate leads nation again.(Top business news: August 27-September 2, 2004)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... San Diego Occupancy Rate Leads Nation Again: San Diego County hotels led the nation's tourism destinations again in August by posting an average occupancy rate of 87.1 percent, up 4.7 percent compared with the like week a year ago. ...

Bumble Bee acquisition near completion.(Top business news: August 27-September 2, 2004)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Bumble Bee Acquisition Near Completion: Pending approval by a federal judge, the acquisition of San Diego-based Bumble Bee Seafoods by Connors Bros. Income Fund, a New Brunswick, Canada, based sardine canner, should become a reality. The...

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger meets with New York City firefighters at Engine 54/Ladder 4, Battalion 9 last week before his speech at the Republican National Convention on Aug. 31.(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger meets with New York City firefighters at Engine 54/Ladder 4, Battalion 9 last week before his speech at the Republican National Convention on Aug. 31. Schwarzenegger, who gave a rousing speech to the...

New homeland security director.(Top business news: August 27-September 2, 2004)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... New Homeland Security Director: Augie Ghio, the assistant chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, has been named director of the Office of Homeland Security for the city of San Diego. Effective Sept. 25, Ghio will be responsible for...

Redline files for bankruptcy.(Top business news: August 27-September 2, 2004)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Redline Files For Bankruptcy: Redline Performance Products Inc., a maker of snowmobiles based in Vista, skidded into oblivion when it filed for bankruptcy protection Aug. 27. The company that went public last year announced it did not have...

Calendar.(Business Events)(Calendar)
September 6, 2004... 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: Calendar Attn:...

Susan Humason.(Executive Profile)(Premier Publishing)
September 6, 2004... Susan Humason, owner of Premier Publishing, a San Diego-based publishing company, said her path to the publishing industry began all on a whim. In 1994, while living near Palomar Mountain, Humason was approached by local writer Matt...

Fish & Richardson names two to intellectual properties practice.(Law)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Joined At The IP: John Giust and Matthew C. Bernstein have joined Fish & Richardson P.C.'s intellectual properties practice. Giust has represented tech companies in disputes arising from patent validity, enforceability and infringement...

Associates Three.(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Associates Three: Schraner, whose practice focuses on land use and environmental law, was an associate with Daley & Heft in Solaria Beach. He earned his bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara and his law degree from the University of San...

Development firm acquires 2nd La Jolla retail building.(BDC Development Ltd.)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... BDC Development Ltd. has bought a second downtown La Jolla retail building, the Lion Clothing building at 7650 Girard Ave., and plans to renovate the property. BDC Development, a subsidiary of Boulder, Colo.-based All Star Investments,...

Awards & recognition.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Betty Kelepecz, chief of the San Diego Harbor Police, has been named the "Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year" by the National Association of Law Enforcement. Kelepecz oversees operations of a police department that includes 144 sworn...

Banking and finance.(Key Hires And Promotions)(David B. Wescoe has joined Northwestern Mutual Financial Network)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... David B. Wescoe has joined Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, San Diego Group as an investment specialist. Wescoe will be part of a network of specialists offering investment planning and wealth management services. Before moving to San...

Construction and design.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Greg Roberson and Glenn Miller have been named associates for Robbins Jorgensen Christopher. Roberta Jorgensen of Robbins Jorgensen Christopher was named a juror for the American Institute of Architects National Honor Awards, presented in June....

Government and nonprofit.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce has promoted Denise Wigley to director of membership development. Wigley will be responsible for organizing programs and services for membership development and retention by managing sales and retention staff...

Health care and biotech.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Dr. Michael Heller has joined the advisory board of the NanoBioNexus organization in San Diego. Heller is a professor of bioengineering and electrical and computer engineering at UC San Diego. Heller also co-founded Nanogen, Nanotronics and...

High-tech and manufacturing.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... DriveCam Video Systems has appointed Bruce Moeller as president and CEO. Moeller succeeds Ed Andrew, who remains a member of the board of directors. Steven G. Hauser has been hired as director of Power Grid Solutions for Science Applications...

Law.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Trovillion Inveiss Ponticello & DeMakis)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Renee St. Clair has been named a partner with Trovillion Inveiss Ponticello & DeMakis. St. Clair is a certified specialist in workers' compensation. Trovillion Inveiss Ponticello & DeMakis has also added Elden Floyd, Steven Jester and Lisa...

Miscellaneous.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Genius Products Inc. has added Peter Schlessel, Charles Rivkin, Michael Koss and Alexander L. Cappello to its board of directors to help guide the company through its planned aggressive expansion strategy. Schlessel, Rivkin and Koss will also...

Real estate.(Key Hires And Promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Gabriel Penaloza and David and Maria McQuillen have joined the RE/MAX Associates' La Mesa office. The McQuillens have joined RE/MAX as a husband-and-wife real estate team. Shad Colbert joins the RE/MAX at the Beach office, specializing in...

Judy Walsh.(Executive Spotlight)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Time Warner Cable has appointed Judy Walsh as San Diego Division president after Jeffrey A. Schwall announced he will retire from the company at the end of November. Schwall served as president and chief executive officer of the company for the...

Street Scene needs some roadwork: organizers seem to have forgotten what made annual downtown festival so successful.(Our Views)(Street Scene music festival)
September 6, 2004... San Diego's annual music festival Street Scene has become a victim of its own success. With Street Scene's 20th year in the books, it's time for organizers and city officials to consider filling several potholes in the weekend-long event....

Pull back the welcome mat, Arnold.(Another View)(immigration to California)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Arnold was a hit last Tuesday night. I'm wincing though, because I'm hearing a call to come to America. Our door is open, you can do this too, come on in we're all waiting to welcome you, our arms are open and the mat is out. Hummm!! ...

Why are we still clueless about energy?(Opinion)
September 6, 2004... The Cassandras of the oil world are back to warn us energy-consumptive mortals that the days of cheap crude are over--and that with production perhaps peaking out, it's only a matter of time before supply is exhausted entirely. With...

Civil behavior: it's good for business: incivility in the workplace isn't just rude, it impacts business where it hurts most--on the bottom line.(Opinion)
September 6, 2004... It's widely agreed there's an increase in the lack of civility in our country--loud cell phone conversations in restaurants, foul language, impoliteness, road rage, name-calling among public officials, "gotcha" journalism, advertisements whose...

Boston vs. N.Y.--how conventions were different.(Other Viewpoints)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... This is how the Republican and Democratic national conventions differed: Boston: Democrats were better dancers than the rhythm-challenged GOP delegates. No question about it. New York: The Repubs, overall, dress better than the rumpled...

Attractions push tourism season to new heights: local lodging industry tops the nation's leading destinations.
September 13, 2004... The beaches were nearly empty the day after Labor Day. No more long lines to get on the new splashdown ride at SeaWorld San Diego. Ample parking at the San Diego Zoo. The last of the summer tourists have gone home. And by most...

Playing the percentages: discount brokers offering lower commissions, but that means limited service, some agents say.(iPayOne Inc.)
September 13, 2004... The commission real estate agents earn when they buy or sell a house is negotiable, but the longstanding industry standard of 6 percent--split between the buyer's broker and seller's broker--is taking a beating as more discount agencies enter...

Small biz toughens its screens: potential workers' driving, financial, criminal records being thoroughly checked.
September 13, 2004... In the past, reference checks were merely a formality. Companies often would review an applicant's resume and ask for the name and telephone number of three references. Now, reference checks have evolved into a screening process where...

Pension issue draws attention both locally and nationally.
September 13, 2004... San Diego is finding itself in the harsh glare of the national media spotlight these days with much speculation over the city's financial fortunes. Malfeasance? Politics as usual? The debate goes on. In recent weeks, the New York Times and...

Investor pays record price for retail space: commercial condos fetch $548 per square foot.
September 13, 2004... Some of the county's most expensive condominiums are in Downtown San Diego, where many residential units sell for prices in excess of $400 per square foot. When it comes to commercial condos, investors are also willing to pay...

Tourism in '05 likely to be strong, but could be better: more funding of ConVis called for to boost next year's numbers.
September 13, 2004... Occupancy rates at hotels in San Diego County during 2005 are likely to outpace 2004, which in turn is expected to show improvement over 2003, according to a local tourism expert. Bob Rauch, the general manager of the Homewood Suites by...