SAN DIEGO – University of California, San Diego researchers have developed a new
injectable hydrogel that could be an effective and safe treatment for
tissue damage caused by heart attacks.

The study by Karen Christman and colleagues appears in today’s (Feb. 21) issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Christman is a professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the UC
San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering and has co-founded a company,
Ventrix, Inc., to bring the gel to clinical trials within the next year.

Read the rest of Injectable gel could repair damaged cardiac tissue

M&A advisor Jim Perkins will present “Selling Up, Selling Out” in San Diego February 28

Company owners and investors in San Diego who want to take advantage of the changing tax laws need to act quickly – their first move should be getting educated.

San Diego Software Industries Council (SDSIC) and leading technology M&A educator, Corum Group, will be co-sponsoring “Selling Up Selling Out” February 28 at the DoubleTree Hotel Del Mar. The conference comes at the start of what is predicted to be a “banner year” for tech M&A for San Diego software, IT, internet and related technology companies.

Read the rest of Banner Year Ahead for San Diego Tech M&A

The Text4baby San Diego Coalition is hosting a birthday party to celebrate the second anniversary of the national Text4baby program, including a health fair and baby clothing/accessory swap meet, on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Thornton Hospital Pavilion on the UCSD Medical Campus, 9300 Campus Point Drive, La Jolla from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The public is invited to attend free of charge (UCSD parking fee of $4.00) and bring gently used baby items to exchange or donate.

Text4baby is a free mobile health (mHealth) information service that provides pregnant women and new moms with information via text message on their health and their baby’s health and connects them with health resources. Expectant and new parents can enroll in the free text service by simply texting ‘Baby’ (English) or ‘Bebe’ (Spanish) to 511411. The program is free regardless of the mobile phone provider or plan.

Read the rest of Text4baby Birthday Event Highlights Infant Health

Tecella has released the Triton Duo, a 16-channel amplifier system that can operate in voltage clamp, current clamp, and voltage follower (I=0) modes. The Triton Duo comes with an on-board digitizer and 16 head stages, and communicates to the computer via a USB 2.0 cable.

Each channel is equipped with its own current clamp circuit that can be enabled or disabled in any combination of channels. Triton Duo’s current clamp is an open-drain design that completely floats the node voltage, thereby eliminating the artifacts encountered by traditional current clamp designs.

In voltage clamp mode, the Triton Duo becomes a 16-channel full-featured, whole-cell patch clamp amplifier with per channel capacitance, series resistance, and offset compensations.

Read the rest of Tecellas Triton Duo, a 16-Channel Patch Clamp With Both Current and Voltage Clamp Modes

The San Diego Chargers have selected 27 elementary, middle and high schools to participate in a three-year study to help promote physical activity and combat the obesity epidemic that is plaguing our youth.

The Cooper Institute, a non-profit organization, and NFL Charities, the charitable foundation of the National Football League, have partnered together to add the Fitnessgram® assessment tool to the NFL PLAY 60 movement, as part of a $1.8 million grant from the NFL.

Fitnessgram measures overall health through six tests designed to track aerobic capacity, body composition, muscular endurance, strength and flexibility. Thanks to the Chargers, participating physical education teachers at the 27 schools receive a web-based Fitnessgram 9 site license, a free Fitnessgram test administration kit, and one-on-one technical support from The Cooper Institute.

The software allows physical education teachers to provide instant results, based on age and gender, in an individualized report to help educate parents and students and encourage healthy behaviors. Each site license is valued at $1,620 per school, which results in more than $43,740 in savings to the district. The ongoing technical support from The Cooper Institute is priceless.

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations. The program challenges youth to become physically active for at least 60 minutes each day. Teachers will collect data from student fitness assessments to form a youth longitudinal study tracking health-related fitness results and analyze how best to intervene. The resulting data will be provided to local, state, and national policy makers.

This is not the first time the Chargers have supported youth fitness in San Diego. They have contributed to a variety of fitness initiatives, including the NFL PLAY 60 initiative, recently popularized by television commercials.

For more information, contact Bruce Ward, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, at 619-725-7126.

Black & White by Wes Albers will be released March 20.

Wes Albers has dedicated his life to serving the San Diego community as a police officer for almost 30 years. As the director of the Southern California Writers Conference – an organization that helps aspiring writers develop their craft for publication – he has worked extensively with professional editors, bestselling novelists, and other industry professionals for many years. Though writing has always been a personal passion, “Black & White” will be his first published novel to date, a police crime novel bringing together his literary expertise with his professional experience.

ZOVA Books is a Los Angeles based mid-sized publishing firm specializing in fiction. A regular attendee at the Southern California Writers Conferences in Los Angeles and San Diego, the publishing house has been in talks with Albers to sign “Black & White” for publication since the conference in early 2011.

Read the rest of San Diego Police Sergeant Wes Albers Releases New Police Crime Novel Black & White

Students
should study and discuss the values, people and interests of the United
States in the world setting, Bret Stephens, editorial page deputy
editor and columnist for the Wall Street Journal said to students at the San Diego High School of International Studies.

Stephens
challenged students in teacher Chris Steussy’s International
Baccalaureate class to ponder the relationship of the United States’
interests as a nation, as well as its values as a people and country, to
its position on the world stage.

“For the course of over an hour,
with about 75 students crammed into a standard-size classroom,” said
teacher Chris Steussy, “students were simply stunned to have the
opportunity to have a meaningful discussion with such an engaging
personality who they later described as very sharp and insightful.”

Students said Stephens opened their eyes to the importance of having a world view.
“He
elegantly connected our knowledge of history and current events to his
expertise on foreign affairs,” said senior Jiem Ronald-Ronas.

“I
learned that history isn’t just about remembering,” said Brianna Morrow,
senior, “but about making connections and looking beyond ‘words’ and
getting to the ideology of humanity.”

For more information on the class and program, contact Kirk Ankeney, Principal, at kankeney@sandi.net.

February 17, 2012

One in five local residents cannot read at the third-grade level, lacking the literacy skills needed to sign a form or fill out a bank deposit slip. San Diego County Library is doing its part to build better lives for the residents of San Diego County through the LEARN (Libraries Empower All to Read Now) program. The LEARN adult literacy program is hosting a free training for potential English language literacy tutors on March 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the El Cajon Library, 201 E Douglas Ave.

Read the rest of Become a Literacy Tutor at the El Cajon Library

Whiskey Girl, located at 702 5th Ave., in the Gaslamp Quarter is open and ready to entertain guests again. Whiskey Girl is one of the longest-running venues in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, and has been listed in Nightclub & Bar’s Top 100, 2012. The Grand Opening VIP Party is scheduled for Thursday, February 23, 2012. The fun and festivities begin at 7 p.m. by invitation only. The party is open to the public at 9 p.m., with invite.

Whiskey Girl was able to transform to the new venue on the corner of 5th & G Street, within 71 days with support from the City of San Diego and contractors. “We want to let our regulars know that Whiskey Girl is still the same, she’s just new and improved and better than ever,” said David Schiffman, one of the owners of Whiskey Girl. Schiffman goes on to say, “With upgrades throughout, our guests will hear, see and taste the difference, setting an unparalleled restaurant and nightclub experience.”

The new Whiskey Girl spans 8,500 square feet, offers seating for 250 and has a capacity of approximately 450 guests. The space also includes a dance floor and a self contained photo and karaoke booth that allows users to share photos via social media sites. Whiskey Girl features a casual atmosphere, spirited staff, and a friendly vibe. Subscribing to premier sports packages, patrons can catch all the games on one of the 30 plus TV screens, a large LED screen is the focal point in the dining/bar area. Dancing and live entertainment is available every night of the week and no cover charge Sunday-Thursday, with cover bands and resident DJ Marc Thrasher mixing the hottest music videos from the classic 80s to today’s top 40.

Read the rest of New Whiskey Girl Ready for Her Close Up

Food & Drink Digital, a top digital media source for the food and drink industry, is proud to announce the launch of its February 2012 edition.

This month we present our Local Issue, with a focus on finding inspiration in your own backyard. We talk to Ricardo Encarnacion, Environmental Health Specialist at the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health, to learn what it takes to open your own food truck, and Untappd co-founder Greg Avola talks to us about bringing craft breweries and their fans together through social media. We also rate our favorite apps for eating and shopping locally. All this and more await you within the pages of Food & Drink Digital’s February 2012 issue.

Leaders in the food and drink industry can count on Food & Drink Digital for the latest news on food production and technology, franchises and chains, food retail, hotels and restaurants, and more.

Read the rest of Food Truck Heath Safety Explained and Beer Integrated With Social Media in Februarys Food & Drink Digital Issue

The February issue of Construction Digital is now available online for industry professionals. This month, the online magazine takes a look at up-and-coming trends in green building, including innovations in lighting, automated systems, and building design — as well as a survey of the future of infrastructure.

February’s issue also explores two billion-dollar stadium proposals fighting for a spot in Los Angeles’ skyline, in an attempt to bring the NFL back to the City of Angels. Join the editor’s for a closer look at each of these projects, along with some stunning renderings.

Read the rest of Top 10 Extreme Environment Projects and More in February Issue of Construction Digital

The February issue of Exec Digital is all about love — whether you’ve found it and want to celebrate, or you’re still looking for the one.

If you’ve been unlucky in love in the past, Patti Stanger and her team of matchmakers might be your fallen cupid. With years of experience under her belt, Stanger was no matchmaking spring chicken when she started her company “The Millionaire’s Club” in 2000, a matchmaking club in Los Angeles that eventually picked up a series on Bravo. This month we chatted with one of Patti’s prodigies, COO and right-hand man Destin Pfaff about finding the right person.

We also toured some of the nation’s most romantic properties — from Santa Barbara’s San Ysidro Ranch, where even during the winter months the sun warmed our faces; and New Mexico’s Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi where cozying up by the fire is a requirement.

Get together with your lover this February, whether it’s at our pick for the nation’s top romantic restaurants or travel getaways, for a spectacular winter retreat. And don’t forget to try a cocktail on us, too.

Read the rest of Millionaire Matchmaker COO Destin Pfaff Chats With Exec Digital in Februarys Valentine Edition

ServiceNow, the creators of SaaS for IT, today announced 13 customers and several ServiceNow executives will speak at the 2012 Pink Elephant Conference in Las Vegas. Their presentations will include discussions on big data, gamification, IT process improvement, mobility, service catalog, social IT and many other topics of interest to the IT service management (ITSM) community. ServiceNow customers that will present include Brigham Young University, Emory University, Fermilab, Loyola Marymount University, Ohio Health, Ohio State University, Omincare and Temple-Inland. The company is a platinum sponsor and exhibitor at the annual event.

For more information about ServiceNow speaking tracks please visit our blog. Follow the conference live on Twitter using the #pink12 hashtag.

When: February 19 – 22nd, 2012
Where: Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas
What: In its 16th year, the Pink Elephant IT Service Management Conference & Exhibition is globally recognized as one of the world’s premier IT Service Management conferences. The program includes 15 tracks, 160+ sessions and covers a vast array of subjects from across the ITSM spectrum.

Read the rest of ServiceNow Customers Discuss Next Generation ITSM at the 2012 Pink Elephant Conference

FoxFury Fire Helmet Lights

“We’re excited to head back to San Diego for Firehouse World. Some of our lights, like the Discover and Nomad, are now better and brighter than they were a year ago. We’re excited to see familiar faces, meet new people and hear what people have to say,”

FoxFury Lighting Solutions will have its wide array of LED fire lights on display at next week’s Firehouse World 2012 in San Diego. FoxFury will be exhibiting its LED firefighter helmet lights, flashlights and portable area lights at the show from February 21-23 in booth 1945. FoxFury will also be a proud sponsor for the first annual Fire Service Appreciation Event (to benefit the San Diego County Burn Institute) held aboard the USS Midway.

Read the rest of FoxFury to Display LED Fire Helmet Lights and Area Lights at Firehouse World 2012

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SAN DIEGO, Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Cricket Communications, a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services, today announced a multi-city partnership with Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam, a thrilling, live motor sports tour showcasing the best in monster truck racing and freestyle contests for families.

As an expansion of an existing partnership created in 2010, Cricket customers in select cities will have the opportunity to get exclusive, up-close access to all the Monster Jam action by visiting their local Cricket Wireless stores. Monster Jam fans will have the opportunity to win discounted coupons, Cricket Family Four-Packs, and passes to the interactive Pit Party to meet the drivers and see the vehicles up close. Participating Cricket Wireless locations in 10 cities will be giving away 10 event tickets for each local Monster Jam competition. Cities that have already experienced the fun of Monster Jam include Denver, Kansas City, Phoenix, Portland, and San Diego. Remaining cities that will soon have Monster Trucks coming to their area include the following:

Read the rest of Cricket Communications Teams Up With Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam to Electrify Fans

Hollywood Tans today announced that its fourth annual Season Premiere Day will be Saturday, March 10, 2012. To mark the start of the indoor tanning season, participating Hollywood Tans salons throughout the United States will provide free indoor tanning all day on March 10.

The theme for this year’s Season Premiere Day will be “Live and Let Tan™.” Since debuting in 2009, Season Premiere Day has become an eagerly anticipated event for indoor tanning enthusiasts, Hollywood Tans employees and consumers who want to experience indoor tanning free and without obligation.

In connection with Season Premiere Day, Hollywood Tans will enlist the public to help identify and select Hollywood Tans’ next “Bronze Girl.” Women who want to be considered to be the next Bronze Girl are invited to upload their photos at www.seasonpremiereday.com. The public will be able to view the photos uploaded by aspiring Bronze Girls and vote for their favorites. The next Bronze Girl will be featured in Hollywood Tans marketing graphics.

Everyone who registers at www.seasonpremiereday.com will be entered into a random drawing for a VIP Trip to Hollywood. The lucky winner will be offered an all-expenses paid trip to Los Angeles for a day of fitness, spa services, dining and night-clubbing with Hollywood Tans’ three “Tan-bassadors” (or spokespersons): national champion gymnast Brandon Wynn, former “Playmate of the Year” Dalene Kurtis, and internationally known go go dancer and music video performer Maya Michelle Rew.

“Our Season Premiere Day is a perfect way to celebrate the end of winter, prepare for sunny vacation destinations and get ready to look great in spring fashions,” said Lewis Shender, president and chief executive officer of Hollywood Tans Group. “Our salon owners, staff and customers have embraced this annual free tan day as a rite of spring. We offer a wide range of indoor tanning memberships, packages and products, so there’s something for everyone. Everyone — whether they already tan or just want try the experience — is invited to tan for free at Hollywood Tans salon on March 10.”

Read the rest of Hollywood Tans Sets March 10 as Its Fourth Annual Season Premiere Day

San Diego Unified School District schools and offices are closed Friday,
Feb. 17, to honor Abraham Lincoln, and Monday, Feb. 20, for the
Presidents Day national holiday. All schools will reopen Tuesday, Feb.
21.

To celebrate the end of January, undoubtedly one of the longest and dullest months of the year, Healthcare Global, the top digital media source for Healthcare news, has decided to treat its loyal readers.

With 2012 well underway, the HCG team are sure people all over the world are already wishing for a nice, relaxing break. So, to make dreams become a reality, this month’s Top 10 counts down the world’s best health spas. Luxurious settings, tranquil atmospheres and innovative therapies set these wellness resorts miles ahead of their peers.

Healthcare Global has also looked at how nanotechnology and nanomedicine are being used as a treatment for the hospital superbug MRSA, as well as investigating a revolutionary new non-invasive laser treatment for gum disease.

This issue’s Money Matters feature presents expert advice on how companies can inject their pharma launch with some life and creativity to almost guarantee success, while the Global Health article explores the varying smoking bans across the world.

Read the rest of Retreat With Healthcare Global for the Worlds Top 10 Best Health Spas

ImageWare Systems, Inc. ( PINKSHEETS : IWSY), a leader in multimodal biometric security solutions, announced that John Cronin has been elected to the ImageWare Systems Board of Directors effective February 14, 2012.

Cronin comes to ImageWare as a Managing Director and Chairman of ipCG, the largest intellectual property strategy consulting team in the world, serving over 500 companies since 1998. As the primary architect for ipCG’s transaction methods, John has also structured transactions for ipCG clients, including out-licensing agreements, asset sales, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his work at ipCG, John spent 17 years serving as the top inventor at IBM, with over 100 patents and 150 patent publications. Additionally, Mr. Cronin serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), Armor Designs, Inc., and as a member of the advisory board for innoPad, Inc. and Primal Fusion, Inc.

“John’s track record of assisting companies with unique IP as they convert their technology into actionable financial results is very compelling to our company,” said Jim Miller, ImageWare Chairman and CEO. “We look forward to leveraging his invaluable experience and believe he will help shape and advance our strategic direction to become the standard for biometric identity management.”

Cronin commented: “ImageWare is an early pioneer and IP leader in U.S. patents and external cites for multimodal biometric analysis. I believe this IP foundation provides a substantial competitive advantage that will allow the company to aggressively pursue new applications. I look forward to working closely with Jim and the board during the next phase of ImageWare’s growth.”

For additional information about ImageWare Systems, contact Liolios Group at 949-574-3860 or email IWSY@liolios.com.

About ImageWare Systems, Inc.
ImageWare Systems ( PINKSHEETS : IWSY) is a leading developer of identity management solutions, providing biometric, secure credential and law enforcement technologies. Scalable for worldwide deployment, the company’s biometric product line includes a multi-biometric engine that is hardware and algorithm independent, enabling the enrollment and management of unlimited population sizes. ImageWare’s identification products are used to manage and issue secure credentials including national IDs, passports, driver’s licenses, smart cards and access control credentials. ImageWare’s digital booking products provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, fingerprint livescan and investigative capabilities. ImageWare is headquartered in San Diego, CA, with offices in Portland, OR, Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, ON. For more information on ImageWare Systems, visit www.iwsinc.com.

Read the rest of ImageWare Systems Elects John Cronin to Its Board of Directors