Dr. Theodore Mazer, a San Diego ear, nose and throat doctor, along with the California Medical Association, is among those involved in a big ado before the U.S. Supreme Court this session. In the case of “Douglas v. Independent Living Center of Southern California,” providers such as Dr. Mazer, and his patients are fighting with the state over declining reimbursement rates and other restrictions, a dispute that has now reached the nation’s highest court. The justices’ final decision could have huge implications for 10 million-plus patients enrolled in California’s Medicaid program for the poor, as well as for the physicians who treat them. The oral arguments were heard Oct. 3, with a ruling expected next spring … The outreach of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau can be seen on the drive in to the Oakland International Airport. In big blue and white letters painted on a huge hangar built to service 747s, a sign reads “YoooHooo, Big Smiles Are Calling.” It lists the bureau’s Web address sandiego.org … New San Diego food startup SoNo Trading Co. launches a couple of tasty condiments branded as “The Mustard,” including spicy Hong Kong Habanero and Champagne Garlic, which has gotten a lot of media coverage in the food “press.” The products come from the minds of the two young founders: James Magnatta, who serves as chief mustard operator, and Zach Negin, who serves as chief mustard grinder. They say they’re now in the hunt for their next product that might be some kind of barbecue sauce that needs replenishment more often than a jar of mustard. Check ’em out at sonotrading.com … Carlsbad entrepreneur Francesco Dorigo launches Advanced Greywater Recycling Systems, which has come up with a device that lets homeowners recycle up to 60 percent of their wastewater from showers and sinks. You can get more information at agwrs.com … San Diego State University business students Kevin Gelfand and Martin Reiman launch Shake Smart, retailing protein shakes and smoothies to fitness buffs after their workouts. The business, which officially launched in January, is the first student-run permanent business on campus, according to a spokeswoman for the business school. She said the two are scouting 15 other campuses for expansion … MTS has received the first six of a $620 million, 57-vehicle order of those new low-floor trolleys, two of which began service on the Green Line on Oct. 3. MTS says that the new trains will be fully deployed on the Blue and Orange lines by 2014. Uncle Sam is picking up most of the tab for the new cars … It’s the season. The 39th annual Harvest Festival gets under way Oct. 21 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, complete with arts and crafts, not to mention lots of food and entertainment. It runs through Oct. 23. For details and ducats, head on over to harvestfestival.com. Seeya!
Tom York is contributing editor of the San Diego Business Journal. If you have interesting items, send them along to tyork@sdbj.com or tom.york@gmail.com.
