Who hates the zoo? Commercial real estate waking up JULY/AUGUST 2013 BUSINESS, POLITICS, ECONOMICS & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Why the world hates Bob Our mayor had more enemies than friends even before this debacle COVER STORY The Worst of San Diego’s Best Attractions Our city’s hot spots get some tough tough via social media platforms. Is there room for improvement? 47 POLITICS & CIVIC BUSINESS & ECONOMICS ENGAGEMENT Waking Up Queen of the Pulitzers Medical and multifamily Susan White housing help has edited three commercial winning packages real estate find a pulse 18 28 2 Our City San Diego | Jan/Feb 2013 While they may debate a lot of things, they agree on at least one: TORREY PINES BANK MEETS THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS. With prompt, personal service, expert advice and flexible products and services tailored to the requirements of every business professional, it’s no wonder each of them feels Torrey Pines Bank was designed just for himself. Providing yet another subject for friendly debate. NEED TO TALK ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS? TALK WITH US. | 858.523.4600 7RUUH\3LQHV%DQNLVDQ$I¿OLDWHRI:HVWHUQ$OOLDQFH%DQFRUSRUDWLRQ Little Saigon is on the Map 12 CITY LIFE 6 City View: Why the world hates Bob 8 Get Involved: How to help the community 11 The Good and the Bad: Zoo gets millions for exhibit; the hungry struggle BUSINESS & ECONOMICS POLITICS & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 33 Vital Signs 14 Bob Filner’s Enemies: Indicators paint an uneven We list the top 10 picture of economy 24 Nonprofit Report 35 How Tijuana Can Help the Uncertain future calls for San Diego Economy creative new partnerships Its manufacturing base is drawing businesses 24 40 San Diego’s Front Porch Looking Spiffy Long-awaited park is in the works 43 Sanders’ New Beat He’s leading the San Diego business community STAFF Cover photo by Sam Hodgson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ART DIRECTOR SUBSCRIPTION Jack Crittenden Shannon Harrington COORDINATOR Samantha Weinstein MANAGING EDITOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR OFFICE MANAGER Mike Stetz Richard Steadham Trish Newberry CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CIRCULATION Cypress Magazines Michelle Weyenberg Elizabeth Callahan 7670 Opportunity Road, #105 Jennifer Posey San Diego, CA 92111 PROOFREADER Tel: 800-296-9656 Michael Liechty Fax: 877-300-2232 4 Our City San Diego | Jan/FebJuly/August 2013 2013 | Our City San Diego 4 THE PERFECT STORM IS BREWING... ARE YOU READY? IntercareSolutions.com/ThePerfectStorm A series of cost accelerators fueled by healthcare reform and employer requirements are coming together to form the Perfect Storm… Are you prepared for the approaching increases to your companies health insurance cost? Download our free eBook The Four Key Elements of Healthcare’s Perfect Storm. DOWNLOAD NOW Intercare Insurance Solutions lic # 0D80830 www.intercaresolutions.com A HUB International Company CITY VIEW Why the world hates Bob It is unnerving to see a was the Bob we elected. But politician fall so hard and was that really the mayor seemingly so fast. For more we wanted? than 30 years, Bob Filner It got so bad that we represented San Diegans at decided to run a story on all the local and then nation- of his enemies, long before wide level. His ascendency the recent allegations came to the mayor’s office seemed to light. After all, here was a fitting end to such a long the first mayor in a long BY JACK CRITTENDEN political career. time who had more ene- But his fall from grace started long mies than friends. before Donna Frye scheduled a press con- And in the end, that did not help Bob’s ference. By the way some tell the story, his situation. boorish behavior started long ago. Per- When the fire gets hot, politicians fall haps it was just ignored. Perhaps it simply back on their supporters and friends. grew worse when he assumed the power of Unless they screwed up in public, issues the mayor’s office. tend to get pushed under the rug, ignored We, of course, knew Bob was a scrappy, or dealt with quietly. take-no-crap kind of guy from his cam- But Bob had already pissed off too paign. He was everywhere, and every- many people. His support was on thin ice where he went he had no problem crit- at best. icizing his opponent. He was brusk and Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not say- difficult. ing that Donna Frye had an axe to grind Some predicted he was so acerbic that with Bob; or that she would have helped he would fall from grace and be forced to him skate out of this issue if they had a leave office early. stronger friendship. And he did not disappoint those nay- But Bob did little to build goodwill sayers. As soon as he got into office, he with his own base, let alone his opponents. started pissing people off. Perhaps that And in the end, if we are not building up, 6 Our City San Diego | July/August 2013 CITY VIEW ON S ODG H PHOTO BY SAM then we are tearing down. The fact that we exactly how many of his supporters — could create an enemies list for Bob, meant and enemies — began to treat him. that our mayor was on the wrong path. Donna Frye who once supported the Without knowing what is going on man, who recently worked for him, was inside his head, I would guess that Bob screaming into the camera, telling the was showing classic selfish behavior — in world he needed to step down. the way he treated women and in the way Now the whole world hates Bob. And he was running this city. It was all about for good reason. People simply don’t like Bob, and everyone else could be damned. people who treat other people like crap. In the end, what goes around comes And Bob has been treating people like around. If we are mean, abrupt and rude, crap for too long. then we can expect to be treated the same I, for one, am thankful that Donna had way in the future. the courage to stand up and tell him — And when Bob ran into trouble, that’s enough is enough. 7 Our City San Diego | July/August 2013 CITY LIFE Get involved 5 ways to improve our community in August Meetings Miscellaneous Volunteer Fundraising Debates Programs Opportunities Events Presentations & Events 1 Volunteer at the Helen Woodward Animal Center Love pets? Here’s a chance to help them. Become a volunteer at the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Attending an orientation is necessary. Once interviewed When: Saturday, Aug. 10, and trained, if selected, volun- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. teers can work with animals at Where: Helen Woodward events such as pet adoptions, Animal Center, 6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe pet-food-on-wheels programs How much: Free and pet food drives. In order For more information: to become a volunteer, one www.animalcenter.org/volunteer must fill out an application and bring it to orientation. Openings are limited, so make sure to arrive prepared with an application ready for review. Previous experience with animals is not necessary but preferred. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. 2 Hillcrest CityFest More than 150,000 people are When: Aug. 11, from 12 expected to attend this year’s annual p.m. to 10 p.m. CityFest street festival in Hillcrest. Where: Hillcrest, along 5th There will be more than 250 vendors and University avenues including arts and crafts booths, food, How much: Free live music and a beer garden for those For more information: 21 and over. It will surely be a hot San www.fabuloushillcrest.com/ category/events/upcoming Diego summer day, so grab some sun screen and come with an appetite to enjoy what is sure to be a great day in the neighborhood that describes itself as “fabulous.” 8 Our City San Diego | July/August 2013 CITY LIFE 3 TwainFest in Old Town Write Out Loud is holding its fourth annual festi- val celebrating the life and work of Mark Twain, who wrote “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” in 1885. This event is great for families and read- When: Aug. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ers alike. There will Where: Old Town San Diego State be live musicians, Historic Park, at the corner of Twiggs actors, puppeteers St. and San Diego Ave. How much: and more all focused Free For more information: on presenting the www.writeoutloudsd.com/schedule/ work of Twain in an twainfest/ educational and fun or call (619) 297-8953 manner. 4 Putting for Peckham Take your Sunday afternoon golf plans and use them for a good cause. Putting for Peckham is the inaugural one-day, four-person scramble tournament open to golfers of all skill levels. Proceeds benefit the Peckham Center for When: Registration deadline Cancer and Blood ends Aug. 12. The event will take Disorders at Rady place on Aug. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Children’s Hospital Where: Riverwalk Golf Club — San Diego. There 1150 Fashion Valley Road. will be a day care How much: $125 per player or center for children $450 for a team of four and activities such For more information: www.puttingforpeckham.com/ as a rock wall and event-details/ bounce house for or call (619) 966-9899 those who don’t want to participate in the tournament. Other activities include youth golf les- sons and a blood drive. 9 Our City San Diego | July/August 2013 CITY LIFE 5 Dare to Reuse student art exhibition The New Children’s Museum is hosting an eco-friendly art exhibition featuring pieces of art made with recycled materials by local students in the fourth through 12th grade.