Jamroc receives Best of Encinitas Award
Jamroc 101 Caribbean Grill has received the 2009 Best of Encinitas Award in the Caribbean Restaurants category by the U.S. Commerce Association. The association's Best of Local Business Award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the association identifies companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Jamroc is located at 101 N. Coast Highway, Encinitas. For more information, visit www.jamroc101.com.
AutoClaims Direct named Honoree
AutoClaims Direct was the small business honoree at the San Diego Business Journal's Family Owned & Closely-Held Business Awards. AutoClaims Direct capped an amazing year in 2009. The Carlsbad company grew more than 178 percent and made Inc. Magazine's 2009 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. “We were excited to be a finalist in the prestigious San Diego Business Journal awards and to actually be named Honoree among such an amazing group of successful businesses is truly a great compliment,” said AutoClaims Direct CEO Ernie Bray. AutoClaims Direct is a claims services and business solutions provider for the auto insurance claims industry. For more information, visit www.autoclaimsdirect.com.
Leichtag Family Foundation donates $10 million to Scripps
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas has received the largest philanthropic gift in its 45-year history with the donation of $10 million from the Leichtag Family Foundation in honor of Lee and Toni Leichtag. The foundation's $10 million gift will support building a new, two-story, 60,000-square-foot critical care building with a 27-station emergency department. It will double the capacity of the emergency department and allow for new, state-of-the-art technology and services. The project is part of the hospital's most extensive expansion effort in several decades, which also includes the addition of an acute care building, parking structure and medical office building. Construction of the parking structure will begin in the spring. “There is no greater gift than to save a life, and through the generosity of Lee and Toni Leichtag and the Leichtag Family Foundation, they will help us save more lives every day,” said Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder. For more information, visit www.leichtag.org.
A.K. offers unique recession buster program
A.K. Martial Arts & Fitness in Vista has announced a recession buster program to help local residents and businesses with their New Year's resolutions and workout plans, all free of charge. For the months of February and March, A.K. will offer two months of free uniforms, two private classes and two months of free unlimited training to new adult students and any child over the age of 12. There are no contracts or fees associated with this program. A.K. offers more than 50 classes a week in the morning, lunchtime and evenings. It was named one of the Top 5 Martial Arts Schools in San Diego County by Channel 10 A-List in 2007, 2008 and 2009. For more information, contact Margueritte Gilvey at (760) 828-7165 or visit www.akkarate.com.
NRG creates Haitian earthquake relief program
NRG Energy Inc. launched a special Haitian earthquake relief program last month to help meet short- and long-term needs for those affected by the disaster. The two-part program consists of a $100,000 pledge to the Clinton Foundation that will be used to address long-term rebuilding needs of the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation. The second part of the program is a triple-match of employee donations to select charities engaged in Haitian relief activities to address immediate needs. NRG will match employee donations 3:1, meaning a $100 donation will generate a match of $300, for a total donation of $400. NRG will also seek to contribute the company's expertise in energy projects at an appropriate time, when efforts shift from disaster relief to rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. For more information, visit www.nrgenergy.com.
BRE Commercial in San Diego changes name
Last month, BRE Commercial in San Diego, formerly a Grubb & Ellis affiliate, officially changed its name to Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial. Cassidy Turley provides high-quality, end-to-end commercial real estate services, specializing in capital markets, landlord and tenant representation, corporate services and property and project management, boasting a division that supports more than 22,000 locations for Fortune 1,000 companies. Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial is one of Southern California's leading privately held commercial real estate brokerage firms. It represents more than 40 million square feet of industrial, office and retail properties throughout the region. For more information, visit www.brecommercial.com.
Brookfield names King marketing director
Local residential builder Brookfield Homes has named Debby King as the new director of marketing for its San Diego/Riverside division. With more than 10 years of experience, King will oversee all marketing strategy, including online and traditional media, marketing budgets, model home merchandising, new-home neighborhood brochures, community signage, market research and more. King has bachelor's degrees in mathematics and liberal studies from California State University Fresno. Her educational background also includes several rigorous marketing courses she's taken toward earning a master's degree in business administration. Brookfield San Diego Builders Inc. builds homes throughout San Diego and Riverside counties. For more information, visit www.brookfieldsd.com.
LPGA announces new tournament
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) introduced its new tournament in the San Diego area during a December press conference. The LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf will take place March 22-28 at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, extending a storied tradition of professional golf at the iconic coastal resort. The $1.7 million LPGA Classic is a 144-player event that will bring the biggest names in women's golf to North County. Players on the LPGA Tour, who represent more than 25 countries, compete globally, showcasing the very best of women's professional golf. Tickets for the LPGA Classic are available at www.lpgalacosta.com or by calling 1 (888) SEE-LPGA. For volunteer opportunities and tournament information, visit www.lpgalacosta.com.
Two Carlsbad school teams take high honors at robotics challenge
Two Carlsbad school teams took high honors at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League Cup, a robotics competition held recently at LEGOLAND California. Hope Elementary's “Team 4 Wheel Drive” took the event's top spot, winning the overall championship based on the highest points earned for their robot's performance, teamwork and presentation of a research project. Coached by Kasey Cinciarelli and mentored by Anna Lozar and Mark Rotenberg, the team included students Jared John, Alex Kaplan, Harlyn Fitzgerald and Noah Knudsen. Calavera Hills Elementary's “Lazer Storm” team took second place in the research project category. The Carlsbad teams were sponsored by the Life Technologies Foundation and Carlsbad Educational Foundation. A total of 52 teams representing schools from all over Southern California participated in the competition. The international science and robotics program is designed to engage students, ages 9 to 14, in hands-on, inquiry-based scientific learning and problem-solving. For information about upcoming robotics competitions, call (760) 438-LEGO.
Jamroc 101 Caribbean Grill has received the 2009 Best of Encinitas Award in the Caribbean Restaurants category by the U.S. Commerce Association. The association's Best of Local Business Award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the association identifies companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Jamroc is located at 101 N. Coast Highway, Encinitas. For more information, visit www.jamroc101.com.
AutoClaims Direct named Honoree
AutoClaims Direct was the small business honoree at the San Diego Business Journal's Family Owned & Closely-Held Business Awards. AutoClaims Direct capped an amazing year in 2009. The Carlsbad company grew more than 178 percent and made Inc. Magazine's 2009 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. “We were excited to be a finalist in the prestigious San Diego Business Journal awards and to actually be named Honoree among such an amazing group of successful businesses is truly a great compliment,” said AutoClaims Direct CEO Ernie Bray. AutoClaims Direct is a claims services and business solutions provider for the auto insurance claims industry. For more information, visit www.autoclaimsdirect.com.
Leichtag Family Foundation donates $10 million to Scripps
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas has received the largest philanthropic gift in its 45-year history with the donation of $10 million from the Leichtag Family Foundation in honor of Lee and Toni Leichtag. The foundation's $10 million gift will support building a new, two-story, 60,000-square-foot critical care building with a 27-station emergency department. It will double the capacity of the emergency department and allow for new, state-of-the-art technology and services. The project is part of the hospital's most extensive expansion effort in several decades, which also includes the addition of an acute care building, parking structure and medical office building. Construction of the parking structure will begin in the spring. “There is no greater gift than to save a life, and through the generosity of Lee and Toni Leichtag and the Leichtag Family Foundation, they will help us save more lives every day,” said Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder. For more information, visit www.leichtag.org.
A.K. offers unique recession buster program
A.K. Martial Arts & Fitness in Vista has announced a recession buster program to help local residents and businesses with their New Year's resolutions and workout plans, all free of charge. For the months of February and March, A.K. will offer two months of free uniforms, two private classes and two months of free unlimited training to new adult students and any child over the age of 12. There are no contracts or fees associated with this program. A.K. offers more than 50 classes a week in the morning, lunchtime and evenings. It was named one of the Top 5 Martial Arts Schools in San Diego County by Channel 10 A-List in 2007, 2008 and 2009. For more information, contact Margueritte Gilvey at (760) 828-7165 or visit www.akkarate.com.
NRG creates Haitian earthquake relief program
NRG Energy Inc. launched a special Haitian earthquake relief program last month to help meet short- and long-term needs for those affected by the disaster. The two-part program consists of a $100,000 pledge to the Clinton Foundation that will be used to address long-term rebuilding needs of the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation. The second part of the program is a triple-match of employee donations to select charities engaged in Haitian relief activities to address immediate needs. NRG will match employee donations 3:1, meaning a $100 donation will generate a match of $300, for a total donation of $400. NRG will also seek to contribute the company's expertise in energy projects at an appropriate time, when efforts shift from disaster relief to rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. For more information, visit www.nrgenergy.com.
BRE Commercial in San Diego changes name
Last month, BRE Commercial in San Diego, formerly a Grubb & Ellis affiliate, officially changed its name to Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial. Cassidy Turley provides high-quality, end-to-end commercial real estate services, specializing in capital markets, landlord and tenant representation, corporate services and property and project management, boasting a division that supports more than 22,000 locations for Fortune 1,000 companies. Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial is one of Southern California's leading privately held commercial real estate brokerage firms. It represents more than 40 million square feet of industrial, office and retail properties throughout the region. For more information, visit www.brecommercial.com.
Brookfield names King marketing director
Local residential builder Brookfield Homes has named Debby King as the new director of marketing for its San Diego/Riverside division. With more than 10 years of experience, King will oversee all marketing strategy, including online and traditional media, marketing budgets, model home merchandising, new-home neighborhood brochures, community signage, market research and more. King has bachelor's degrees in mathematics and liberal studies from California State University Fresno. Her educational background also includes several rigorous marketing courses she's taken toward earning a master's degree in business administration. Brookfield San Diego Builders Inc. builds homes throughout San Diego and Riverside counties. For more information, visit www.brookfieldsd.com.
LPGA announces new tournament
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) introduced its new tournament in the San Diego area during a December press conference. The LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf will take place March 22-28 at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, extending a storied tradition of professional golf at the iconic coastal resort. The $1.7 million LPGA Classic is a 144-player event that will bring the biggest names in women's golf to North County. Players on the LPGA Tour, who represent more than 25 countries, compete globally, showcasing the very best of women's professional golf. Tickets for the LPGA Classic are available at www.lpgalacosta.com or by calling 1 (888) SEE-LPGA. For volunteer opportunities and tournament information, visit www.lpgalacosta.com.
Two Carlsbad school teams take high honors at robotics challenge
Two Carlsbad school teams took high honors at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League Cup, a robotics competition held recently at LEGOLAND California. Hope Elementary's “Team 4 Wheel Drive” took the event's top spot, winning the overall championship based on the highest points earned for their robot's performance, teamwork and presentation of a research project. Coached by Kasey Cinciarelli and mentored by Anna Lozar and Mark Rotenberg, the team included students Jared John, Alex Kaplan, Harlyn Fitzgerald and Noah Knudsen. Calavera Hills Elementary's “Lazer Storm” team took second place in the research project category. The Carlsbad teams were sponsored by the Life Technologies Foundation and Carlsbad Educational Foundation. A total of 52 teams representing schools from all over Southern California participated in the competition. The international science and robotics program is designed to engage students, ages 9 to 14, in hands-on, inquiry-based scientific learning and problem-solving. For information about upcoming robotics competitions, call (760) 438-LEGO.