San Diegans have been abuzz about efforts to land the Olympic Games in America’s Finest City and Tijuana in 2024. And it’s not such a far-fetched idea.
It is a chance for two cities to show they share more than just the Olympic spirit. A bi-national Olympics with Tijuana would display the cultural and economic ties of our two countries. It is, at the moment, not allowed by the Olympic committee—but we have 11 years to change that. While two nations sharing the responsibilities would be a first in Olympic history, it would not be the first time that different countries have partnered to host major athletic events.
Soccer has been coordinated across country lines for years. Last year, the European Championships were hosted jointly by Poland and Ukraine. They set up posts along the border so fans with tickets and nothing to declare could cross quickly. We could set up a similar streamlined and secure process to allow easy passage between San Diego and Tijuana.
As for the travel distance, San Diego and Tijuana are next-door neighbors. Compare that to the Games in London. Sailing events were held more than 100 miles away, in Weymouth. In Beijing, getting to equestrian events required a three-and-a-half-hour flight.
Some worry about the safety of Tijuana. But crime statistics do not match those fears. Recent data from The Citizen Council for Public Safety and Criminal Justice shows that New Orleans, St. Louis, and Oakland all have more murders per capita than Tijuana. In fact, Tijuana didn’t even make the list of the 50 most violent cities in the world.
“Picture beach volleyball in the shadow of Navy SEALs training in Coronado, or basketball games on the flight deck of the USS Midway. What about finally making surfing an Olympic sport?”
Apart from the bi-national appeal, many things about San Diego make it a natural fit for hosting the Olympics. Of course, we have ideal temperatures (and who can compare Athens’ gyros to our fish tacos?). More importantly, we know how to manage epic events. We’ve hosted the Super Bowl, the U.S. Open, the America’s Cup, and a national political convention. If we can handle Comic-Con, with visitors from other planets, visitors from other countries should be easy.
Let’s dream for a minute of what might be: Picture beach volleyball in the shadow of Navy SEALs training in Coronado, or basketball games on the flight deck of the USS Midway. What about finally making surfing an Olympic sport? Some Europeans might feel at home watching surfing at Black’s Beach. How about CrossFit? The fitness craze with a massive local following has gone global, and its competitions are now broadcast on ESPN. It’s only a matter of time before the title of “Fittest on Earth” is accompanied by a gold medal.
The Olympics are all about far-reaching dreams and achieving the impossible. They take the greatest parts of overcoming adversity, achievement, and perseverance, and then mix in some national pride that produces moments for the ages. Think about the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, which Adolf Hitler intended to be a tribute to the superiority of the Aryan race. American Jesse Owens, the son of an Alabama sharecropper and grandson of slaves, took home four gold medals. One of my favorite Olympic moments is when the U.S. hockey team, made up of amateurs and college students, overcame the heavily favored Soviet team. A true win for the good guys—we won the gold medal and the Cold War. (And it sure felt good in the movie Miracle!)
A joint San Diego-Tijuana bid to host the Olympics may seem a lofty goal to some, but that is what the Olympic spirit is all about. It is what we are all about. It is time to light the torch, San Diego. Let’s go!
By Nathan Fletcher
He may not have won the mayorship last year, but the Qualcomm innovator and UCSD professor still has ideas for our city. He shares them here every other month.
Friday nights at Memorial Field look a lot different today than they did just a few years ago.
Mighty Green Vaqueros
Friday nights at Memorial Field look a lot different today than they did just a few years ago. Back then, the rare spot of open space in Logan Heights was more brown than green, and any activity in the open space was likely gang-related. Today, hundreds gather on green grass under bright lights to cheer on the Mighty Green Vaqueros, the varsity soccer team of King-Chavez Community High School, a newer charter school. San Diego native and Saint Augustine alum Kyle Hagenburger started up the program in 2009 from nothing, and three years later the team made it all the way to CIF semifinals. As with so many sports, it’s the community that really wins big in this story, soon to be released as a documentary produced by Hagenburger and his wife, Carmen Caserta. Visit themightygreenblog.com to follow their progress.
Friday nights at Memorial Field look a lot different today than they did just a few years ago.
Mighty Green Vaqueros
Friday nights at Memorial Field look a lot different today than they did just a few years ago. Back then, the rare spot of open space in Logan Heights was more brown than green, and any activity in the open space was likely gang-related. Today, hundreds gather on green grass under bright lights to cheer on the Mighty Green Vaqueros, the varsity soccer team of King-Chavez Community High School, a newer charter school. San Diego native and Saint Augustine alum Kyle Hagenburger started up the program in 2009 from nothing, and three years later the team made it all the way to CIF semifinals. As with so many sports, it’s the community that really wins big in this story, soon to be released as a documentary produced by Hagenburger and his wife, Carmen Caserta. Visit themightygreenblog.com to follow their progress.
An Ohio native turned TJ tour guide explains the reality of domestic life below the border
By Derrik Chinn
Tijuana
Looking to live on the bleeding edge of hip art, food, and nightlife? Head for the border. Here are a few things to know before you pack up:
1. Make a list of reasons why you’re moving. Rank them according to priority. If “cheaper rent” trumps stuff like “learning a new language,” “assimilating into a new culture,” or “the rare opportunity to hop back and forth between two extremely distinct realities,” reconsider the move.
2. Six magic letters: S-E-N-T-R-I. Chances are you’ll be going back and forth daily for work or school. Before you start thinking about Mexican visas, worry more about minimizing your border wait. Apply for a U.S. passport card, which allows you to use the quicker-moving Ready Lane, or Secured Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), the Amex Black Card of border crossing that almost always guarantees zippy entry to the States. â¨â¨
3. Shop on the street. Craigslist Tijuana exists (tijuana.craigslist.org), but it’s mostly in English and obviously geared toward Americans, and the prices often reflect that. Locals stick to vivanuncio.com.mx for finding rentals. The best way to find a place is still combing the streets on foot or by car. Cacho and Playas are ideal starter ’hoods for most gabachos, the former for its urban, residential setting. The latter is beach living, removed from the city.â¨â¨
4. Prepare to invest in appliances. Rental properties in Mexico usually come without a washer/dryer, stove, or refrigerator. You might even need to purchase your own shower head and toilet seat.
5. Avoid fees. Open a P.O. Box in San Diego and an account with a U.S. bank that waives ATM fees in Mexico. Find car insurance that extends coverage south of the border and a cell phone plan that’s free of international roaming.
6. Expect the rent to be in U.S. dollars. And not just because you’re American. The dollar is the preferred currency for most large transactions because it tends to be more stable. Depending on the exchange rate, rent can fluctuate $30 to $50 from month to month.
7. Propane isn’t just for grilling. Down here, it makes the world go ’round, as in hot water for showering and cooking. Propane delivery trucks roam the streets, blasting jingles with phone numbers for delivery service. Write down those numbers. They will come in handy whenever the gas runs out.
8. Perfect the art of the cowboy bath. See No. 8.
9. Bills, bills, bills. You have to pay gas, water, cable, electricity in person. Online payments are not available. Some offices have automated machines, and you can pay at any Oxxo—Mexico’s 7-Eleven—for a small fee. Just know the border isn’t the only line you’ll loathe.
Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.
Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.
Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.
“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”
The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.
Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time
Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.
CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.
Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”
She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”
While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.
“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”
Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business
Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.
Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.
“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.
“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”
Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.
An Ohio native turned TJ tour guide explains the reality of domestic life below the border
By Derrik Chinn
Tijuana
Looking to live on the bleeding edge of hip art, food, and nightlife? Head for the border. Here are a few things to know before you pack up:
1. Make a list of reasons why you’re moving. Rank them according to priority. If “cheaper rent” trumps stuff like “learning a new language,” “assimilating into a new culture,” or “the rare opportunity to hop back and forth between two extremely distinct realities,” reconsider the move.
2. Six magic letters: S-E-N-T-R-I. Chances are you’ll be going back and forth daily for work or school. Before you start thinking about Mexican visas, worry more about minimizing your border wait. Apply for a U.S. passport card, which allows you to use the quicker-moving Ready Lane, or Secured Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), the Amex Black Card of border crossing that almost always guarantees zippy entry to the States. â¨â¨
3. Shop on the street. Craigslist Tijuana exists (tijuana.craigslist.org), but it’s mostly in English and obviously geared toward Americans, and the prices often reflect that. Locals stick to vivanuncio.com.mx for finding rentals. The best way to find a place is still combing the streets on foot or by car. Cacho and Playas are ideal starter ’hoods for most gabachos, the former for its urban, residential setting. The latter is beach living, removed from the city.â¨â¨
4. Prepare to invest in appliances. Rental properties in Mexico usually come without a washer/dryer, stove, or refrigerator. You might even need to purchase your own shower head and toilet seat.
5. Avoid fees. Open a P.O. Box in San Diego and an account with a U.S. bank that waives ATM fees in Mexico. Find car insurance that extends coverage south of the border and a cell phone plan that’s free of international roaming.
6. Expect the rent to be in U.S. dollars. And not just because you’re American. The dollar is the preferred currency for most large transactions because it tends to be more stable. Depending on the exchange rate, rent can fluctuate $30 to $50 from month to month.
7. Propane isn’t just for grilling. Down here, it makes the world go ’round, as in hot water for showering and cooking. Propane delivery trucks roam the streets, blasting jingles with phone numbers for delivery service. Write down those numbers. They will come in handy whenever the gas runs out.
8. Perfect the art of the cowboy bath. See No. 8.
9. Bills, bills, bills. You have to pay gas, water, cable, electricity in person. Online payments are not available. Some offices have automated machines, and you can pay at any Oxxo—Mexico’s 7-Eleven—for a small fee. Just know the border isn’t the only line you’ll loathe.
By Erin Chambers Smith | Photo by Robert Benson | Hair and Makeup by Kristi Colby
Julie Moss
When I hear the USA triathlon bigwigs call me a multisport pioneer, I think… of when I started training for my first triathlon in 1981, when the sport was so new I would have to give a full explanation every time I mentioned it. However, being a pioneer had its perks. You didn’t have to qualify to get into the Ironman, the race entry was only $85, and there was only one training group in town. It was the best-looking boys’ club I had ever seen, so I was highly motivated to hang with the pack.
The fact that San Diego is the birthplace of triathlons makes me feel… lucky to have been in the right place at the right time. It’s rare you get in on the ground floor of a sport and watch it grow up.
My favorite time of day to run is… in the morning, after coffee. Otherwise you’re chasing that run all day long.
My favorite place to run is… the San Elijo Lagoon Trail, starting at Cardiff Seaside Beach heading east toward Rancho Santa Fe. Then up and over the “Rim of the World” trail, then loop back. It’s about 10 miles. When the water is warm, I jump in the ocean and kick my legs out for instant recovery, then hit Pipes Cafe on the way home.
Training is a part of my… sanity. I feel happier and healthier when I break a sweat every day.
Of all the places I’ve traveled for this sport, the one I most want to return to is… Reunion Island, just off of South Africa. I was there for an Ironman race in the early 1990s; by far, it was the most exotic destination I’d ever imagined. Crazy to fly all that way, race, and go home.
To say I’m competitive is… true, I’ll paint a target on anyone’s back if it helps me get to the line faster. But outside of racing, I’m a cheerleader and mentor and want everyone to be their best.
Pain… can be a great coach. Listen to your body and it will teach you the difference between when to stop and when to stop whining.
My daily workout routine includes… yoga at Core Power. Without the strength and flexibility I get from my daily yoga practice, I wouldn’t be able to go out and do all the other sports.
The foods I couldn’t live without are… coffee, Greek yogurt, Lärabars, something salty/crispy paired with something cold/bubbly, and spicy chicken soup from Jorge’s Mexicatessen.
When Kathleen McCartney passed me as I was crawling across the finish line in the 1982 Ironman, it taught me… to find a way to keep moving forward. In a race, just like in life, you will fall, so get up. And if that’s not possible, then ask, “What is?” When standing became impossible, crawling was. There’s always something you can do.
Endurance sport is different today than it was 30 years ago because… the races are no longer considered freak shows. The Ironman is now mainstream. Becoming an Olympic sport was a huge jump. And now, training for this year’s Ironman you have Hines Ward, the Steelers MVP and Dancing with the Stars champion. You don’t get more mainstream than that.
As a motivational speaker, the most important tip I can offer people is… dream big AND never give up on your dreams. I recently collaborated with Kathleen McCartney, the woman who passed me all those years ago, to create “Iron Icons.” Our message is simple and timeless: Be a warrior for your dreams, be relentless in the pursuit of those dreams; you and you alone are the champion of your life.
Moss will be honored April 18 at the Bahia Resort Hotel, kicking off the ITU World Triathlon San Diego race weekend.
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs San Diego Padres
By Joyce A. Glazer
Sarah Farnsworth
Barney & Barney G.R.O.W. logo
geneenm
How did you make the leap from Washington, D.C., to the Padres in San Diego? Tom Garfinkel, CEO of the Padres, asked me if I would consider working for a baseball team. I thought it was a joke. I didn’t know anything about baseball. After 19 years in D.C. I wanted the opportunity to become a part of a community, and that is what I saw in San Diego. It’s an opportunity for me to give back.
You are engaged to marry a retired Marine, and you have a young daughter. What role did they play in your decision to join the Padres? It was a family decision. We decided together. I was working in a job that really wasn’t a career. With the Padres I have a career where I can be challenged, and I am part of a civic asset. Since my fiancé is retired, he plays a big role in my daughter’s care when I have work demands.
How did you get involved in politics? I was living in New York when the Democratic National Convention was held there; 22 years old and just out of college, I volunteered at the convention. From there I was assigned to do advance for Hillary Clinton during Bill’s first run for president. That was 1992. When Bill won the presidency, I was asked to work on the inauguration in 1993. From there I went to work on the First Lady’s staff in the East Wing. I was responsible for planning all events in the Rose Garden, the South Lawn, and basically anything in the White House. And the Clintons were very active, with many events going on!
Tell me about your time in the White House. I worked seven and a half years and left to marry, but returned for the last six months at the end of the Clinton term. I celebrated my 30th birthday at the second Clinton inauguration.
Where did you work when you left the White House? I was chief of staff at the USO and traveled frequently to Afghanistan and Iraq. I was working in the world headquarters for then-General Jim Jones, who later became President Obama’s national security advisor. President Obama asked me to become senior advisor to the national security advisor, so that put me working in the West Wing of the White House. When General Jones resigned in 2010, I was asked to work in the Pentagon.
You spent so much time working for presidents in both wings of the White House. How did you keep your feet on the ground? I never thought of it as politics, but as being part of an historical institution. There was a plaque on the wall in the White House that I passed by every day. The bottom line was “one day you will be on the other side of the iron gate.” That puts it in perspective.
What challenges have you faced? After being to Iraq and Afghanistan, challenges take on a different meaning. As long as my family is healthy, I don’t have any bad days.
What adjustments did you have to make when you joined the Padres? I have had to earn trust and credibility in a whole new profession, I had to learn baseball, and I have had to earn trust in the community.
What is in your future? I’m here with the San Diego Padres as long as they will keep me.
