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Escondido getting fourth Latino-themed supermarket
They aren't going to pack up and leave," said Hudson. "They have every right to have things in the community that serve them."Jo Ann Case, the city's economic development manager, said Escondido officials contacted the Stein Mart clothing chain and PetSmart last fall when they found out Ralphs was closing."There were no serious talks," Case said. "We were just making them aware that the site was available."City officials also would like to see a home decor retailer, such as HomeGoods, open on East Valley Parkway, she said.Case said she did not know if there was enough demand to support another grocery store in eastern Escondido, especially with a Fresh & Easy specialty grocery slated to open nearby on Jan. 30 at Valley Parkway and Ash Street."If Vallarta thinks there is enough business, then we wish them well," said Case.Abed said the city is not in the business of propping up monopolies or preventing market oversaturation.But, he said, the East Valley corridor badly needs something other than grocers, explaining that Albertsons, Vons and Ralphs also have stores there."Six or seven supermarkets will not make that area a destination," said Abed.Abed said he has no concerns that Vallarta's arrival will jeopardize plans to put a Target store nearby on the former site of the Escondido Union School District headquarters.A deal to put a Wal-Mart store carrying groceries on that site fell through in 2003, when Ralphs complained that a "noncompete" clause in its lease prohibited adding another food store in the Escondido Village Shopping Center.Abed said the plaza since has been divided, and that the Vallarta and Target sites are now owned by different people.In a phone interview, a Vallarta official said the family-owned chain is confident the Escondido location will be as successful as its 25 others in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Kern and Fresno counties.The company recently began a rapid expansion that includes opening four to five new stores each year."We've been targeting Escondido for a while," said James Lodenquai, human resources director for Vallarta, which was founded in the San Fernando Valley in 1985.
Royals: Kauffman Stadium renovation is on time, budget
The Kansas City Royals said the $250 million renovation of Kauffman Stadium is on time and on budget. About 90 percent of the renovation project will be completed by the 2009 home opener, with the remainder completed by the 2009 All-Star break, the Royals said in a release late Friday. Bob Rice, Royals vice president of ball park operations and development, said in the release that the cost of the stadium overhaul will be very close to the $250 million budget. "We're extremely close and pleased the way things have been going," Rice said in the release. "I think the biggest thing this year is flexibility. Opening Day will possess a whole lot of challenges." Rice said five major projects are scheduled for completion before the 2008 home opener on April 8.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Raz B's Video, Roy Jones Fights Dogs?, Kim K Engaged ...
Shout out to Da Brat! She celebrated the New Year with Mariah in Vegas. Ahhhhh…Brat is cute. The Mariah New Year's Eve celebration was at TAO and drew stars like Randy "Dawg" Jackson, Kelis, Mario, Nas, and me. Just kidding. PHARCYDE'S ON TOUR? The Pharcyde is getting back together? I know some of you are too young too care or too old to care. I am right there in the middle and I care. With that stated, I heard that some of the members of the Pharcyde are working together and they are doing spot dates. I have to admit that I hate the fact that they had to break up, only to reunite many years ago just to get back to the good old music. Anyway, we'll see. RANDOM QUOTES Kelly Rowland on why she fell out (The Mirror, UK): “I was exhausted.
Explosion of Indie Games Kills 'Best of' Column
This is getting ridiculous. Two years ago, I wrote my first column celebrating the best indie games: small, offbeat titles, programmed usually by a single auteur and given away for free. I figured I'd make it an annual affair. For 12 months, I'd scour the net for independent games that had a spark -- some innovative bit of design or gameplay -- and gather a list of the top 10. But I've decided it's impossible. This is not because I can't find any games to praise. It's because I can find too many. Two years ago, the number of people making genuinely polished indie games was pretty small, numbering in the dozens or scores. A single columnist could reasonably hope to sample the year's offerings and make some picks. But in the last two years, things have blown up spectacularly.
SBA Business Matchmaker (Small Businesses)
The U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE and Business First have teamed up to present the 3rd Annual Western New York Small Business Expo and Matchmaker event. This unique opportunity will allow small businesses to meet with prime contractors and government agencies. The Matchmaking will take place in 10 minute sessions. Small businesses will have the opportunity to meet with agencies and primes and to introduce them to their products and services. Included in your registration is the opportunity to take advantage of a FREE Pre-Matchmaker Training Session (Highly recommended). This Selling to the Government/Primes training session will take place Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the SBA's offices, Niagara Center, 130 South Elmwood Avenue, Suite 463, Buffalo, NY 14202.
Caught in the Act!
As their budding soccer star had a field day, Brad Pitt took son Pax, 4, to scope out backpacks. Pitt showed his son how to affix a water bottle to the bag as Pax tried one out for size. Later, the family reunited and continued browsing in the store. •Several days later, Pitt, in a grey fisherman cap, was spotted doing some business at West Hollywood's Chateau Marmont. The actor met over glasses of Perrier with his associates for just over an hour. • Miley Cyrus, visiting young patients at Sunrise Children's Hospital in Las Vegas after performing at the MGM Grand. During her time at the hospital, the teen sensation gladly posed for photos and signed autographs. • Also in Vegas: John Mayer, partying with a large group of friends at Tryst. The singer was spotted dancing around and shaking hands with guests.
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