| San Diego Business Journal

Stories for September 2005

Friday, September 30

Aguirre, Lam Among State's Top Lawyers

The

Cypress Stock Drops

Stock plummeted more than 56 percent Sept. 29 for Cypress Biosciences, Inc., a San Diego drug development company, closing at $5.53 per share.

Thursday, September 29

Chamber Backs Ballpark Village

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors decided Sept. 28 to endorse the controversial $1.4 billion Ballpark Village.

Callaway Golf, the Carlsbad maker of clubs and balls that's been the subject of several buyout bids in recent months, announced a restructuring plan that includes cutting about 500 jobs, including 200 at its headquarters site, over the next five months.

World Classic Bound for Petco Park

San Diego's Petco Park will be the site for the final games of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, a round-robin tournament among the 16 countries where the sport is regularly played.

Group Takes Dim View of Lindbergh Plan

The idea of adding a second, parallel runway at Lindbergh Field to accommodate a projected increase in the county's demand for air travel and cargo hauling should be taken off the table as far as an airport planning committee is concerned.

Chamber Endorses Sanders for Mayor

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 29 announced the endorsement of San Diego mayoral candidate Jerry Sanders, who is running against City Councilwoman Donna Frye in the Nov. 8 election.

Padres Clinch a Playoff Spot

In spite of a 79-79 record, the best in the Western Division this season, the San Diego Padres clinched their fourth divisional title Sept. 28 in grand style, beating the San Francisco Giants 9-1 at Petco Park.

Wednesday, September 28

Websense Increases Market Share

San Diego-based Websense, Inc.'s status as a leader in online security continues to grow, according to a recent industry report.

Foundation Names Exec Board

Sue Clemens, an attorney with the San Diego public defender's office, has been named the 2005-06 executive board president of the Coronado School of the Arts Foundation.

Governor Signs New Vocational Ed Law

Vocational education programs and partnerships between California's K-12 schools and community colleges have received a boost from Sacramento legislators.

Nanogen Offers Shares

Nanogen, Inc., a San Diego-based medical diagnostics company, has announced it will sell 6.8 million shares of its common stock at $2.94 a share.

Hotel Room Rates Rise Fast in San Diego

San Diego County was ranked as the "overall top hotel market" in the state in terms of how much revenue hoteliers raked in from the rooms they let.

Chandler To Retire; Vigil Gets Interim SBA Job

Anthony J. Vigil, currently the deputy district director for the Small Business Administration's San Diego office, will become interim district director Oct. 1. The office announced Sept. 27 that district director George Chandler will retire Sept. 30, aft

Tuesday, September 27

Aguirre To Negotiate With SEC

The San Diego City Council on Sept. 27 unanimously voted to authorize City Attorney Michael Aguirre to begin negotiations with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

New Airport Bonds Rated A-Plus

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the agency that operates Lindbergh Field, is issuing new bonds to refinance outstanding debt of about $56.2 million issued in 1995 for an extensive airport reconstruction project.

City Prevails In Eminent Domain Case

A San Diego jury on Sept. 22 agreed with the city of San Diego that vacant land in Sorrento Mesa was worth far less than the owner demanded in compensation for property taken under eminent domain.

Monday, September 26

Port Eyes Chance to Sound Off on Ballpark Village

Port eyes chance to sound off on Ballpark Village.

First National Bank Building Downtown Sold for $167 Million

The First National Bank Center at 401 W. A St. in Downtown San Diego has been sold to the Paramount Group, Inc., in what is being billed as the largest single-building sale in the central business district to date.

Public Art Pits Dollars Vs. Decorations

A merger between art and commerce in San Diego will benefit this financially beleaguered city and boost the bottom line, say supporters, yet some builders argue that increasing cultural demands are only adding to their burdens.

Library in National City Funded By Bond Act

The renaissance of National City continues with the completion of the $12.2 million National City Public Library, one of the first approved for funding under the State Library Bond Act.

For the Record

Business Events Calendar: Sept. 27 - Oct. 3

Fox News Channel's Cavuto to Speak

Financial journalist Neil Cavuto, host of Fox News Channel's "Your World With Neil Cavuto," will speak about San Diego's business climate during a Sept. 28 reception at the University of San Diego.

Proxy

Glacier Water Services, Inc.

Ramona National Bank Searching for New CEO

Ramona National Bank said it is hiring a new chief executive following the recent departure of Roy Lewis, who was the 4-year-old bank's only president and CEO.

Temp Firms, Agencies Placing Hurricane Victims

Temp firms and agencies are working to place victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Firm Looks to Add High-Tech Touch for Patients

New technology to take a patient's mind off an illness and boredom might soon have those in some San Diego hospitals feeling more like they're in a hotel than a hospital.

Construction Journal

Contract Awards and Construction Milestones.

Small Business Spotlight: Mires

Scott Mires, president and creative director, Mires.

Sports Stations Look to Seize Stern's Audience

Among other new personalities, Phil Hendrie and Erich "Mancow" Muller are KLAC's best hopes of capturing the sizable audience now claimed by pioneering shock jock Howard Stern, heard in Los Angeles on KLSX-FM (97.1).

Week in Review

Top Business News: September 16 - 22, 2005

Survey: Prostate Cancer Not on Execs' Minds

Survey says prostate cancer is not on executives' minds

A Newsy Era

Many members of the print media are learning to make their print and online editions work in a complementary fashion as the news-gathering business evolves.

Skate Shoe Meets Golfers' Feet

La Costa-based Radioactive Golf Inc., which makes action sports-influenced golf footwear, plans to launch its first product line this week , a golf shoe that looks like a sneaker.

Progress Report

Sales and Leases

Lasting Tragedy Is Our Short Attention Span

Executive Profile: Joan Waltman

Joan Waltman's 15-year career at Qualcomm Inc. took a memorable detour through Las Vegas.

City's Real Estate Director Resigns

William T. Griffith, the beleaguered director of San Diego's real estate assets department, on Sept. 26 submitted his letter of resignation to City Manager Lamont Ewell, effective Oct. 28.

Chefs Cook Up Fund-Raiser to Aid Kitchen Help

In October a small army of the county's top culinary professionals will descend on several restaurants to ply their trade in the interest of improving the skills of the rank-and-file kitchen help.

Video Game Controller Is A Handy Educational Tool

At CyberLearning Technologies, Sony PlayStation racing and platform-jumping games are being transformed into brain boosters, thanks to a special controller.

UTC Area Offices Go for $56 Million

CarrAmerica Realty Corp. has acquired Chancellor Park, a Class A office property at 4510 and 4520 Executive Drive in San Diego, from Crescent Real Estate Funding VIII LP for $56 million.

Small Biz Can Help Lift America

Another View

Note to S.D. City , Fly Delta!

Hotels Fast Becoming S.D.'s Hottest Properties

If all goes as expected, the pending sale of the Shelter Pointe Hotel will bring to seven the total number of major hotel transactions that have been completed in the county since January.

To Charge or Not? Media Sites Have to Decide

San Diego County newspapers don't appear to be torn about charging for their Web site content.

A Day Trip In a Ferrari Is Pricey, But Possible

A new luxury rental car company in La Jolla said its business is built around car enthusiasts who dream of sitting behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati.

San Diego People

Key Hires and Promotions; Awards and Recognition; Hurricane Katrina Donations and Fund Raising; Executive Spotlight: Dana Irby.

Stores Hope to Buck Sluggish Holiday Forecast

Rising gasoline prices will likely drive more San Diegans with less disposable income to cut back spending during the holiday shopping season.

Shore Up The Nation's Oil Refineries

Business Students Turn to Disaster Relief

Students in a graduate business planning class at San Diego State University plan to generate $1 million to assist small-business owners affected by Hurricane Katrina from $25,000 in donated seed money.

Clock Ticks on Sex-Harassment Training

Clearly Worded Documents Benefit Both Sides

Question: I seem to have a lot of writing projects on my plate. How do I get organized so I can write clearly and quickly?

HP Deal Puts Peregrine's Problems In the Past

Peregrine Systems Inc. may finally put its scandal-plagued past behind it with the news last week that it's selling itself to Hewlett-Packard Co.

AmNet Exec Sees Plenty of Positives in Firm's Sale

John Robbins, the chairman and chief executive of San Diego-based AmNet Mortgage Inc., touts the pending sale of the company to mega-bank Wachovia Corp. as a positive, but said the deal would cause a "modest amount" of job cuts.

Doctors Could Leave S.D. Due To Low Pay

A recent national study on doctors' salaries shows dollars are on the rise for most physicians, but the San Diego County medical community says that's not the case here.

Friday, September 23

Airport Workers en Route to Hurricane Country

A convoy of San Diego County Regional Airport Authority trucks and employees that was headed to New Orleans to help repair the city's airport is waiting at a midway point until it can proceed.

San Diego Business Journal Honors Fastest-Growing Private Firms

Client Shop, Inc., an online service that lets consumers compare quotes from service professionals, tops The List of 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies issued this week by the

Thursday, September 22

Cubic Chooses Liberty Station

Cubic Corp. will be relocating a division of its defense unit to a new Class A office building at Liberty Station, a mixed-use development now being built on the grounds of the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma.

Barona Cash Helps Holiday Bash

The Barona Band of Mission Indians has contributed $75,000 for Balboa Park December Nights, an event that was previously called Christmas on the Prado.

Sony Job Cut Plan Not Yet Clear

Sony Corp. is out with plans to cut 10,000 members of its worldwide work force, and close 11 of 65 factories, but the implications for San Diego are not yet clear.

Builder Corky McMillin Dies

Corky McMillin, the founder and chief executive officer of Corky McMillin Cos., died Sept. 22 of heart failure at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla. He was 76.

Move-In Begins at High-Rise

Broadway 655, billed as the first new Class A office building in Downtown San Diego since 1991, has opened.

La Jolla: Deep in the Heart of Pricey

Killeen, Texas, has little in common with La Jolla, Calif. As a matter of fact, they are poles apart on the annual Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index.

BIA Sets Sights on Urban Areas

The Building Industry Association of San Diego has formed the Urban Council, which will focus on urban development and redevelopment in San Diego County.

Wednesday, September 21

SEC Settlement Plan Draws Fire

Heads continue to butt at San Diego City Hall over City Attorney Michael Aguirre's decision on Sept. 20 to make public a proposed settlement he submitted Sept. 9 to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cavuto to Speak

Financial journalist Neil Cavuto, host of Fox News Channel's "Your World With Neil Cavuto," will speak about San Diego's business climate during a Sept. 28 reception at the University of San Diego.

Aguirre Chastises Pension Bookkeeping

San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre reported that the outside auditor for the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System had identified 29 deficiencies in the pension system's internal controls.

Market Likes Phone Chips, But Not Burgers

An optimistic earnings forecast from San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc. sent that company's stock slightly higher Sept. 21. Stock in another San Diego company, Jack in the Box Inc., fell on a pessimistic forecast.

Tuesday, September 20

UTC Area Offices Go for $56M

CarrAmerica Realty Corp. has acquired Chancellor Park, a Class A office property at 4510 and 4520 Executive Drive in San Diego, from Crescent Real Estate Funding VIII LP for $56 million.

REIT Sees Future in Midwest Movie Houses

Realty Income Corp. of Escondido has agreed to buy 17 Kerasotes Showplace-branded theaters across the Midwest for $200 million under long-term, net-lease agreements with Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, LLC.

Bloomingdale's to Open at Fashion Valley

Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores, Inc. plans to bring a Bloomingdale's department store to San Diego, housing it in the current Robinsons-May store in the Fashion Valley shopping center.

Monday, September 19

How to Beat the High Cost of Business

Nearly nine out of 10 small firms are paying more for basic employee health insurance this year than they did last year. "We're almost there where I can't afford it anymore," says one businessman.

Hurricane Could Lead To Insurance Rate Hikes

Hurricane Katrina's effects on the San Diego insurance market are largely unknown, say local industry members and regulators.

SoCal Hotel Construction Pipeline Starts to Fill

San Diego ranks first in California in the number of hotel rooms planned: 10,365.

Local Firm Plays Role in Care of Katrina Victims

Software designed by a San Diego-based company is being used to manage the medical care of Hurricane Katrina victims in Tennessee.

Defense Industry Is Not the Battlefield It Once Was for Women

As more women assume leadership roles in the military and in the defense contracting industry, it's apparent a shift is occurring in the boardroom as well as the battlefield.

Design Company Is Venturing Out on Its Own

Digital Ink Creative Services Inc. has helped many Orange County surfwear companies take off with edgy graphics and art. Now the company is making a push with its own line of clothing.

Progress Report

Sales and leases

Volvo Adds Some Oomph To Its Top-Selling SUV

Volvo adds some oomph to its top-selling SUV.

Koizumi Backs Tough Talk With Win

Executive Profile: Yehudi Gaffen

Yehudi "Gaf" Gaffen loves his work as a construction manager. Just don't ask him to break any laws.

Gaslamp Quarter Reaches Out to Help The French Quarter

A group of restaurants and clubs in Downtown are coordinating a fund-raising event , "From the Gaslamp Quarter to the French Quarter" , to provide relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

High Gas Prices Turning Into Budget Busters

High gas prices and overall economic uncertainty are prompting many small and midsized business leaders to dread crafting next year's budgets just a little more than usual.

BOMA Hands Out Its Annual Honors

The San Diego Building Owners and Managers Association on Sept. 13 honored excellence in the commercial real estate industry at the 21st annual Office Building of the Year Awards.

Personal Trainer Turns His Pain Into Gain

David Weck's experience with a stability ball led him to create the BOSU , a very versatile piece of exercise equipment , and a business.

Rip Curl Leaves North County, Eyes Growth

It's official. Rip Curl USA has made the move to Orange County. The maker of surf clothes and wetsuits, formerly based in Carlsbad, had eyed the area for some time.

Family Business Grows From Motels to Hotels

Newport Beach-based Tarsadia Hotels Inc. is one of a handful of Patel-run lodging companies that have grown into the big leagues of hotel owners and operators. The company is building a Hard Rock hotel in Downtown's Gaslamp Quarter.

Still-Strong Housing Market Benefits S.D. Apartment Owners

San Diego's apartment market will continue to benefit from a strong economy and an "overheated" single-family housing market, according to a new report.

For the Record

Business Events Calendar: Sept. 20 - 26.

Unemployment Rate Drops in August

San Diego's unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percent as July passed into August, going from 4.4 percent to 4.3 percent.

San Diego People

Key Hires and Promotions; Awards and Recognition; Philanthropy; Hurricane Katrina Donations and Fund Raising; Executive Spotlight: Marcela Escobar-Eck.

Company Trying to Expand Its Youth Appeal

Forever 21 Inc., the Los Angeles-based retailer catering to teenage girls wanting the latest fashions at bargain basement prices, has scooped up faltering rival Gadzooks Inc. and nearly doubled its store base.

Small Business Spotlight: Backyard X-Scapes inc.

Jamie Kocher, president and chief executive officer, Backyard X-Scapes Inc.

Company Fuses Talents For Web Development

TalentFuse has partnered with the Jacob Tyler Creative Group to launch a new information technology service division offering outsourcing options for Web management.

Tally Reveals Hotels Did Well at Summer's End

For the 28 days ending on Sept. 10, Smith Travel Research placed San Diego in the No. 4 spot among the top 25 destinations it studies, with occupancy of 77.6 percent.

Consider Several Issues When Selling a Business

Question: When should I consider selling my business?

Marketers Walk a Fine Line in Disaster Relief

Professor: Home Prices Won't Plummet Soon

University of Southern California professor Stuart Gabriel reflects on the legacy of Proposition 13, the housing construction climate and the future for home prices.

Homeowners Wager Rentals Will Pay Off

Coastal North County homeowners have a surefire way of paying for a pricey summer cruise or European trek , rent out their high-toned houses to horse-racing aficionados during the fabled seven-week meet at Del Mar.

Proxy

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Letter

A Different Shuffle

Construction Journal

Contract awards and construction milestones.

U-T Takes on Craigslist With Free Classifieds

The

Port Extends Accord to Its Nearby Neighbors

Long adversaries, environmentalists as well as port cargo and industrial businesses are now working together on a plan that could help both interests.

Supply Chain Only as Good as Weakest Link

Planning for contingencies is no easy task, but it's vital.

Hewlett-Packard Acquires Peregrine for $425M

Peregrine Systems has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Hewlett-Packard Co. for $26.08 per share for a total cash price of $425 million.

New Breed Races Against Del Mar

Some Thoroughbred owners and trainers fear California's horse-racing industry will lose out to other states joining the trend of "racinos," or racetracks that also offer casino-style electronic slot machines.

Entrepreneur Has Extreme Taste in Franchising

Brett Weiss said he has the answer for people chasing the American dream , it's hot, it's tasty, it's served in a pita and takes about $225,000 to $250,000 in funding to get started.

Casino in Jamul Is No Joke

Friday, September 16

Aguirre Finds Fault With Wastewater Rates

San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre charged that city officials set wastewater rates that resulted in more than $120 million in overcharges to residents during a period from 1998 to 2004 and lower rates for large commercial users of the system.

First National Bank High-Rise Is Sold

25 Years Ago in the Business Journal

From the

Two Join Retirement System Board

The beleaguered San Diego City Employees' Retirement System board of administration announced the installation of two new members.

Thursday, September 15

First Community Buys L.A. Bank

First Community Bancorp, the Rancho Santa Fe-based bank holding company of First National Bank, has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Cedars Bank.

AMS Exec Settles With Federal Agency

Marcy Wilson Roke, one of three former employees of Advanced Marketing Services Inc. charged with felonies in connection with a revenue enhancement fraud at the firm, agreed to a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on civil charges.

CCDC Narrows List for New Chief

The search for a new president and chief executive for the Centre City Development Corp. has narrowed to "seven to nine finalists," according to board member Gil Johnson, who's chairing the agency's search committee.

Wednesday, September 14

Job Cuts Ahead at Sequenom

Local biotech Sequenom Inc., a genetics analysis company, announced Sept. 14 that it will cut 44 jobs, most coming from its San Diego headquarters.

General Atomics Seeks Lift From South Korean Partnership

San Diego-based General Atomics is teaming with the South Korean government and South Korean industrialists to develop a way to generate large amounts of hydrogen using a gas-cooled nuclear reactor.

Tuesday, September 13

SAIC Shows Gains for Quarter

High-tech government contractor Science Applications International Corp. reported net income of $97 million on revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter ended July 31.

AmNet Going Under Wachovia's Wing

Wachovia Corp., the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank and brokerage house, will acquire all shares of San Diego-based AmNet Mortgage, Inc. for $83 million in an all-cash deal.

EPA Puts Ballpark on a Pedestal

The Petco Park and East Village revitalization project recently received a Phoenix Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for its positive effect on a formerly neglected area of San Diego.

Council Mulls Menu of Pension Fixes

The San Diego City Council, in a 5-1 vote Sept. 12, approved a package of possible solutions proposed by the city manager to fix the city's ailing pension system.

Monday, September 12

Executive Profile: Cami Mattson

Cami Mattson, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Transportation Is Ready for a New Way to Move

Online Giving Is a Growing Option for Charities

Online giving is a growing option for charities.

Construction Journal

Contract Awards and Construction Milestones

Construction of New Office Space Lags Behind Demand

Demand for office and industrial space continues to rise, outpacing construction, and increasing rental rates, according to a new corporate real estate report.

Scripps Health Among Employers Cited By AARP

Scripps Health among employers cited by AARP

Builders Make Urgent Plea for Housing Reform

San Diego homebuilders , feeling hamstrung by policies they say are stalling more affordable housing , have joined a statewide campaign promoting homeownership.

Storms, War, High Gas Prices? Santa Doesn't Care

If retailers were to draw up a nightmare scenario for the holiday shopping season, it might include a hurricane, flooding, war and soaring gas prices. But some remain cautiously optimistic about the coming holidays.

Noted Japanese Consultant Makes Impression

When Japan's "lean guru" and "father of continuous improvement," Masaaki Imai, and his wife came to town recently, they were jolted by what they discovered at Fashion Valley mall in Mission Valley.

S.D. Biotechs Playing the Name Change Game

Structural Genomix might sound like an '80s punk rock band, but as one of the last proteomics companies in the country to switch to drug development, renamed SGX has realized that changing tunes means changing names.

Time-Share Firm Breaks Ground in Oceanside

Fairfield Resorts Inc. broke ground on a 168-unit time-share and hotel project near the Oceanside Pier.

Progress Report

Sales and Leases

Small Business Spotlight: The Kitchen Elves

Charles R. Terhune, chief executive officer, Charvin Endeavors, dba the Kitchen Elves.

Kintera's New Client: Micronesia

Kintera, Inc., a San Diego-based financial software provider, now counts a South Pacific island country as a customer.

Proxy , Realty Income Corp.

Realty Income Corp.

Harley Rental Shops Rev Up Engines for Varied Customers

Harley rental shops rev up engines for varied customers.

Many Small-Business Tips Available for Free

Question: Where can a small-business owner obtain free business advice?

Ice Cream Shop Starts Relief Effort

Treatery owner Allan Haber said it's at times like this that retailers can step up and help people in need.

New Magazine Looks to Give Biz Travelers an Edge

Destination San Diego, a magazine that will be launched in December, seeks to give business travelers an edge on the best golf courses, meeting places and family adventures before their arrival.

Amylin's Latest Offering Comes at a Good Time

San Diego's Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s public offering of common stock last week came at an opportune time for the drug development company.

Exec's Ties to New Orleans Run Deep

San Diego's hospitality industry offers relief after the New Orleans disaster , which has affected local hotel executive Ed Netzhammer more than most.

New Orleans Convention Business Landing Here

As New Orleans begins its long cleanup process, some of the meeting business scheduled for its convention center has been relocated to other facilities, including the San Diego Convention Center.

SDG & E; Beefs Up Its Use of Solar Energy

Renewable energy efforts in San Diego County may get an enormous boost with a new San Diego Gas & Electric Co. contract.

Morning Drive Shuffle

When the veteran morning radio team Jeff and Jer debuts later this month on My 94.1, it's likely to lead to a shake-up in both listenership and ad revenues.

A Custom Fit

Some customers spend in the six-figure range to fix up their vehicles.

Sempra Pledges $600K in Relief Effort

Sempra Energy's employees have pledged up to $600,000 toward disaster relief assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Week in Review

Top Business News: September 2 - 8, 2005

Mentors Come in All Shapes, Sizes

Teletopia: A New Agenda For America

Sony Unveils Facility for Professional Players to Soar

Gaming consoles are only as good as the video games they play. Enter Sony's new motion capturing facility in Sorrento Valley.

Specialty Pharmas' Role Grows in Drug Market

An increased number of smaller, more specialized companies that buy rights to drugs but don't invent them could increase drug costs for consumers, some analysts believe. But these specialty pharmaceutical companies have an essential place in the market.

Fledgling Solar Firm Seeks $22.5M in Cash , But Not From VCs

At La Jolla-based Pyron Solar, Inc., only investors truly passionate about saving the environment need apply.

County Investment Pool Rated Highly

San Diego County's investment pool has earned Standard & Poor's highest ratings for the ninth year in a row, according to Dan McAllister, treasurer and tax collector.

San Diego People

Key Hires and Promotions; Hurricane Katrina Donations and Fund Raising; Philanthropy; Executive Spotlight: J. Bradley Forrester

For the Record

Business Events Calendar: Sept. 13 - 19

Friday, September 9

Los Coyotes Casino Deal Has a Twist

The Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians, which has a reservation near Warner Springs, has permission to run a casino outside San Diego County under an unusual type of gaming compact with the state.

Thursday, September 8

IT, Finance Execs See Hiring Ahead

Twelve percent of chief information officers in the San Diego area expect to hire information technology professionals in the fourth quarter of 2005, according to a recent Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report.

Biogen Idec Cuts 140 Local Jobs

Biogen Idec, Inc. announced Sept. 8 it is laying off 140 employees in its San Diego offices, which consist of mostly lab and general administration jobs.

Legislature Plans Hearings on Eminent Domain

State Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, the chairwoman of the local government committee, plans to hold a series of hearings this fall on the controversial issue of eminent domain.

Mervyns to Depart Horton Plaza

Citing poor performance, Hayward-based Mervyns LLC plans to close its store at the Westfield Horton Plaza shopping center by year's end.

Wednesday, September 7

Council Passes Price-Gouging Law

The San Diego City Council on Sept. 6 unanimously approved an emergency ordinance designed to discourage price gouging resulting from natural or man-made disasters.

Tuesday, September 6

Fish Gets Eatery's Business

The San Diego law firm of Fish & Richardson P.C. has been tapped as the outside intellectual property counsel for Jack in the Box, which is headquartered in San Diego.

Monday, September 5

Hotel La Jolla Is Latest Buy for Growing Firm

Hotel La Jolla is the latest buy for American Property Management Corp.

House-Rebate.com CEO Puts Knowledge Into Book

Brian Yui, the San Diego-based chief executive officer of House-Rebate.com and an author, wants you to buy a home. And, yes, he thinks you can do it , if you know what you're doing.

Cyberspace Designs

The easy-come, easy-go atmosphere of the Web development industry is a difficult environment to establish a true high-performance Web business. But several firms in San Diego are doing just that.

Silicon Space Uses a Blended Approach to Achieve Objectives

Silicon Space uses a blended approach to achieve its objectives.

Magazine Again Recognizes SDSU Program

San Diego State University's international business program ranked ninth in its category in

Auto Electronics Firm Heads Toward IPO

Directed Electronics, Inc. of Vista has revealed a plan for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

Transparency Counts in Water District Budget

The Otay Water District announced on Aug. 25 that it has received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2004 budget.

Developers Finding Pay Dirt in Soiled Ground

Developers, frustrated by a dwindling supply of land in San Diego County, are increasingly setting their sights on so-called brownfields , contaminated land that, once cleaned up, can revitalize a community and bolster the bottom line.

Construction Defect Suits Threaten State's Prosperity

San Diego People

Key Hires and Promotions

Online Office Gossip Gets a Bit of Policing

Although it can be beneficial to maintain constant contact among employees, keeping idle chitchat and inappropriate online behavior to a minimum can be a challenge for some companies. Enter Akonix Systems, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Firm Finds Green Is Good as Gold

Now that three companies in the county are bona fide leaders in environment-friendly operations and 25 more are actively seeking to do the same, the word "green" isn't just about dollars anymore to some area business leaders.

Executive Profile: Kathleen Anne Cunningham

Meet the woman behind the advertising agency that brought Sandy Mossy to television, making her a household name in San Diego.

Progress Report

Sales and Leases

Jaguar Adds a New Page With Its 2006 Portfolio

Jaguar adds a new page with its 2006 Portfolio.

Investigators Get Documents From Pension Board

San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre isn't very impressed with the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System board's decision Aug. 30 to hand over subpoenaed documents to investigative agencies.

Executives Need to Stay Realistic in Workplace

Question: What are some self-destructive workplace habits that aspiring professionals need to look out for if they want to maintain their good standing in the workplace and excel on the job?

SDG & E; Proposes New Transmission Line

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. unveiled a proposal for a new electric transmission line between San Diego and Imperial counties, dubbed the Sunrise Powerlink.

Construction Journal

Contract Awards and Construction Milestones

Small Business Spotlight: Simply Italian

Gayle Stone, owner, chief executive officer and operator of Simply Italian.

Chargers' 2005 Game Plan: Pave Way for New Stadium

As the Chargers begin their quest for a repeat divisional championship and playoff appearance this season, the guys in the front office are stepping up their campaign to obtain voter approval for a new stadium in November 2006.

Sarbanes-Oxley Unjust And Destructive

New Community Bank Draws Plenty of Interest

Organizers for the region's newest community bank in Coronado didn't have to work hard to find their capital. "After two meetings, we were fully subscribed," said Chief Executive Officer Bruce Ives.

Business Attempts to Cope With Soaring Gas Costs

Businesses in San Diego are grappling with analysts' predictions of an unheard-of $4 a gallon for gasoline as the grumblings of frustrated employees regarding the high cost of fuel grow louder by the day.

S.D. Dips to Sixth in Key Summer Travel Survey

In a key summer travel survey, San Diego dipped to the sixth-favorite destination in the country. San Diego finished 2004 in the No. 4 spot.

For the Record

Business Events Calendar: Sept. 6 - 12

Letter

Auditors Should Take a Drive Down Pacific Highway

Molina Enters S.D. Health Care Market

Molina Healthcare of California has quickly gained a big presence in San Diego.

Kids Video Series Gets A Lesson In Music

The newest DVD in the "Tot-a-Doodle-Do!" series produced by Heidi Heller Niehart is just a "peekaboo" away.

Business Park Is Battleground for New Hospital

Palomar Pomerado Health could lose $2 million of public money if the city of Escondido doesn't fulfill an offer to allow the health network to build a $531 million hospital in the Escondido Research and Technology Center.

Corrections

For Aug. 8, 2005 and Aug. 22, 2005.

Prepare to Greet San Diego's New Set of Millionaires

Science Applications International Corp.'s announced transition from employee-owned to a public company will likely create a lot of millionaires.

Week in Review

Top Business News: August 26 - September 1, 2005

Contract Extension Granted for Partnership's Fitch

Getting a three-year extension on a government contract may seem generous, but Larry Fitch of the San Diego Workforce Partnership said the action was something that's routine.

Despite Verdict, Acadia Stock Doesn't Take Hit

Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s stock has been untainted despite a recent verdict that found the San Diego biotech, including one of its top executives, guilty of sexually harassing a former employee.

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Community Bancorp Inc.

Friday, September 2

Ashworth Posts Loss

Ashworth, Inc., the Carlsbad apparel-maker, hit a new 52-week low in trading Sept. 2 following the release of quarterly earnings and an updated earnings forecast.

Remec Shareholders OK Unit's Sale

Shareholders of Remec Inc., a Del Mar defense contractor that has been liquidating itself for much of this year, have approved the sale of its Wireless Systems business to Powerwave, an Irvine telecom manufacturer, for nearly $145 million.

Gas Prices on City Council Docket

San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre and City Councilwoman Donna Frye have drafted an emergency ordinance making it a misdemeanor to increase gas prices "excessively and without justification" in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.