Community Service

Seaport Village Shops Showcased at Local Tourism Industry Gathering

gbatuyon@portofsandiego.org (Glenn Batuyong) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:50:43 +0000

Over 150 front-line employees and volunteers working in the local tourism industry gathered at Seaport Village on June 11 for an evening that allowed the shops and restaurants an opportunity to showcase their specialties to the people who can best send more visitors to the waterfront retail center.

"The ultimate goal is to boost our visibility and our sales," said Megan Capizzi, Marketing Manager for Seaport Village.

Called "A Night Out At Seaport Village," the event familiarized people working at the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Convention & Visitors Bureau's International Visitors Center along the North Embarcadero, and Travelers Aid at San Diego International Airport with all that visitors can do and buy there.

"This event also thanks the many tourism employees and volunteers who assisted the cruise lines in April when a dozen ships were diverted to San Diego during the flu outbreak in Mexico," said Rita Vandergaw, director of marketing for the Port of San Diego. "We thank members of the tourism industry for your efforts
to make the unexpected visitors feel welcome and for graciously assisting the thousands of passengers who arrived here."

The event was supported by the Port's Marketing Department, and is part of the Port's Big Bay marketing campaign to increase business for the shops and restaurants along the San Diego Bay waterfront.

The Port of San Diego and the Port Tenants Association recently launched a $200,000 marketing campaign called "This is a Good Day" that promotes special offers from waterfront restaurants, hotels and attractions. The campaign encourages both local residents and tourists to take advantage of these offers. For more information, please visit The Big Bay website.

During "A Night Out At Seaport Village," Buster's Beach House restaurant, Greek Islands Café, Marion's Fish Market, Village Café and Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop provided a taste of their specialties. The restaurants set up serving stations around the East Plaza area of Seaport Village. A fashion show in the plaza gazebo featured resort and casual wear from Island Hoppers and The Haberdashery, hats from the Village Hat Shop, and jewelry from Silver Crossing.

Seaport Village offers over 50 diverse shops, 17 eateries and free outdoor concerts and other entertainment.

"When I meet travelers that have a few hours to spare, I'll send them here to Seaport Village," said Robert DeGuevara, a Travelers Aid volunteer at San Diego International Airport. "It's a nice slice of Southern California."

Cancer Patients, Survivors to Participate in 12th Annual Celebration of Life

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:44:30 +0000

An event designed to educate, inspire and empower cancer patients, their families and the public will be held on Sunday, June 14 at Bloch Cancer Survivors Park at Spanish Landing Park. More than 4,000 people are expected at this year's 12th Annual Celebration of Life, which is free to the public. The event provides valuable information on cancer prevention, treatment, clinical trials and support services available throughout San Diego County. There will also be free cancer screenings.

"Our intent is that cancer patients will go home with information that will be helpful in their battle with cancer, filled with hope and optimism and inspired by speakers and the successes of other cancer survivors they meet at the Celebration of Life," said Barbara "Bink" Cook of the organizers from Cancer Survivorship: San Diego!

Cook has been involved with the event since it was first held in 1997. She got involved after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. July will mark 17 years that she's been cancer free.

"The (original) idea was to bring every cancer-related organization, including medical facilities, support groups and research institutions together in one place," Bink said.

Bink said the event is gratifying for her, especially knowing that many people come year after year. But there will also be many first-timers, including ovarian cancer survivor Peg Ford. Her cancer was found following an accidental fall. She began having symptoms including swelling in her abdomen and fatigue, which at first she thought were related to the fall. But when she went to a gynecologist, a large mass was discovered.

"I had a very rare form of cancer," Ford said. "I was lucky. It was Stage 1. There is no screening test for the early detection of ovarian cancer. I am the living example of timely referrals and that's really what my passion is now, because if cancer is diagnosed early, recovery rates go up."

Ford will be one of the models in a fashion show at the event that will feature cancer survivors.

The Celebration of Life will include family activities, a health fair and complimentary therapies, yoga and acupuncture. Thirty health care professionals will be on hand, as well as a dentist who will donate her time to do free oral cancer screenings and doctors from UCSD and Kaiser Permanente will perform free skin cancer screenings. The information will also be provided in Spanish.

Also, for the first time, American Airlines has donated two tickets, which will be raffled off to registered participants.

The group is looking for volunteers to helping to organize with setting up on Saturday and clean-up on Sunday. The event is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in going is asked to register online at www.cancersurvivorshipsd.com.

"Knowing that we are doing something free, it's a service and a way to say, ‘I'm surviving with cancer and living each day and making the day count,'" said Bink.

The Port of San Diego waives the park use fee associated with an event of this size. Cancer Survivors Park was conceived by Richard and Annette Bloch as a way to disassociate cancer from death and was inspired by Richard's successful treatment and recovery from what was thought to be terminal cancer.

San Diego is one of only sixteen cities selected by the Bloch Foundation for installation of a Cancer Survivors Park. The park is located at 4100 N. Harbor Drive, across from San Diego International Airport.

Outstanding Students Awarded Port Scholarships

dfrost@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost 619-686-6461) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:06:51 +0000

The Port of San Diego awarded three college scholarships totaling $5,000 from its Port With No Borders Scholarship Fund at the June 9, 2009, Board of Port Commissioners meeting.

College scholarships are available to Port of San Diego employees and their children and Port tenant and subtenant employees and their children. This year's recipients were Alejandro Gaona, Gabriela Aligada and Caroline Bargo.

"I'm thankful to the Port for its generosity and support for those who desire a higher education," said Cristina Aligada, mother of Gabriela and a lead accounting technician in the Port's Accounting Services Department.

Gabriela (Gabby) Aligada received a check for $2,000. She is graduating from High Tech High where she is particularly interested in biology, chemistry and physiology. Gabby plans on attending Point Loma Nazarene University and is considering a career as a nurse.

Alejandro (Alex) Gaona also received a check for $2,000. He is graduating from Ramona High School where he has excelled academically and been a member of the Bulldgogs football and track squads. His father, Artemio, is employed by Knight & Carver Yachtcenter in National City. Alex plans on attending the University of San Diego and he aspires to become an engineer.

Caroline Bargo is graduating from Ramona High School where she has been editor of the student newspaper and website. She was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Caroline's father, Brion Bargo, is a marine terminal supervisor for the Port of San Diego. Caroline plans on attending UC Santa Barbara.

The Port With No Borders Scholarship Fund is a partnership of the Port and the San Diego Port Tenants Association that supports worthy students who are pursuing studies related to careers in the tourism industry, maritime, trade, environmental policy and public administration.

The scholarship fund was established in 2001 under the leadership of Commissioner Emeritus Frank Urtasun. The San Diego Foundation administers the fund, reviews applications, selects the applicants who meet established criteria and forwards the applications to the Port Scholarship Advisory Committee for review.

Bob Hope Stamp to be Dedicated on USS Midway

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:36:29 +0000

The public is invited to attend a one-of-a-kind ceremony aboard the USS Midway Museum's flight deck on Friday, May 29. At 11 a.m., the U.S. Postal Service will officially dedicate the commemorative Bob Hope Stamp.

"It's especially fitting for the Postal Service to salute Bob Hope on the flight deck of the USS Midway since on two occasions, Hope performed for the sailors of the USS Midway more than 30 years ago," said Scott McGaugh, marketing director for the Midway.

The Hope family made a personal request that the Postal Service unveil the stamp on the aircraft carrier, McGaugh said.

"I think that he would be thrilled, absolutely honored and love the thought of it," his daughter Linda Hope said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press.

Hope did not serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, but beginning in 1941, he dedicated much of his life to entertaining America's men and women in uniform from World War II through Operation Desert Storm. He earned the nickname "G.I. Bob" and in 1997 became the first person recognized by the U.S. Congress as an "honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces."

Anyone attending Friday's ceremony can buy first-day issues of the stamps on the flight deck. Admission to the event is free. Several of Hope's children will be in attendance.

For more information visit USS Midway Museum online or call 619-544-9600.

While at the Midway, take a free walking tour of the 'Greatest Generation Collection' (map) in Tuna Harbor Park. The works of art are the product of generous donations and partnerships with the Port of San Diego Public Art program.

The collection includes a National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military, made up of 16 bronze sculptures designed to represent one of the famous actor's typical road shows. The inspiration and planning for these works were a Navy veteran's group known as Task Unit 77.4.3/Taffy 3.

USS Midway Museum to Honor Military During 3rd Annual Legacy Week

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:04:28 +0000

An inspirational ceremony aboard the USS Midway will kick off a weeklong tribute to America's armed forces, past and present. The 3rd Annual Legacy Week, which runs from May 23 to May 29, is the USS Midway Museum's annual salute to the United States military. Among the highlights of the week will be a wreath ceremony, the dedication of the U.S. Post Office's new Bob Hope stamp, as well as a special screening of the movie, "Top Gun."

The Memorial Day Weekend starts with the special Veterans Remembrance Ceremony. The event, which is open to the public, runs from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 23.

"Five veterans, one each from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism, accompanied by an active duty and a youngster, will present a biodegradable wreath over the side of the USS Midway to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for America," said Scott McGaugh, marketing director of the Midway. "I think the more we can engage and educate and inspire today's generation about those who have served our country past and present, the better."

Everyone who attends the event will be admitted to the museum for the day, free of charge.

This year's theme of Legacy Week is a salute to Top Gun, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the fighter weapons school at Miramar in 1969.

"The Midway will have a variety of family-oriented activities with a Top Gun theme to them," said McGaugh. "For example, kids get to 'repair' an aircraft, learning to rivet and stencil on names and numbers."

On Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m., the U.S. Postal Service will unveil the commemorative Bob Hope stamp on the flight deck of the USS Midway. That event is open to the public and does not require an admission fee.

"It's especially fitting for the postal service to salute Bob Hope on the flight deck of the USS Midway since on two occasions, Hope performed for the sailors of the USS Midway more than 30 years ago," said McGaugh.

The Hope family made a personal request that the Postal Service unveil the stamp on the aircraft carrier, McGaugh said. Anyone in attendance can buy first-day issues of the stamps on the flight deck, following the ceremony. Several of Hope's children will be in attendance.

Legacy Week wraps up at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29, with a screening of "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise, onboard the Midway. For $10, you can watch the show, enjoy flight simulators, eat food provided by Kansas City Barbeque and meet the real Top Gun instructor Viper, who was the inspiration for the film's character of the same name.

Throughout Legacy Week, anyone who visits the museum can write a complimentary postcard to our troops overseas, which will be sent to several ships deployed around the world. The Navy will also have a dive tank near the entrance, conducting underwater rescue demonstrations. Also on display at the museum's entrance are the winners of the "What America Means to Me" contest. Twenty to 40 elementary student artworks will be displayed on the hangar deck near the museum entrance.

Midway officials anticipate more than 20,000 people will attend Legacy Week. Also throughout the summer, until Labor Day, kids between 6 and 17 years of age get in free with every paid adult ticket (coupon).

For more information on Legacy Week, visit USS Midway Museum online or call 619-544-9600.

Free Tours Offer Behind-the-Scenes Look at Port of San Diego

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:02:05 +0000

Seats are filling up fast on one of San Diego Bay's best kept secrets. The Port of San Diego's free Charter bus and Harbor cruise tours of the bay and the Working Waterfront are underway. The first bus tours began on April 21 and the first bay cruise launches on Saturday, April 25. Some 1,200 people have signed up so far to take part in the tours, which span from April through June.

On both tours, the public gets the opportunity learn about San Diego Bay and its environment, become familiar with Port operations, and get an up-close look at maritime and industrial businesses, the Working Waterfront. The Working Waterfront is a coalition of water-dependent businesses along San Diego Bay, the San Diego Port Tenants Association, the Port of San Diego and labor and environmental organizations.

On the bus tour, riders get the chance to drive onto the highly secured Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, to see how the steady tide of imports continues to drive in revenue through the Port's Maritime operations. Riders can see how the Port brings in and processes everything from sand, gravel and cement, to wind turbine blades and more than 185 million Dole bananas every month.

The bus tours also include information on Knight & Carver Yacht Center, which works on some of the yachts of the rich and famous, as well as Knight & Carver Wind Group, which is testing an innovative new STAR wind blade through a Department of Energy grant. You can also see Lamborghinis, Bentleys and other high-end cars, along with Hondas, Acuras, Audis and Volkswagens that are imported into National City at the National City Marine Terminal, when the tour drives onto Pasha Automotive, where the cars are processed.

The remaining bus tours run on the following schedule:

Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, May 13
Monday, June 8
Tuesday, June 9
Monday, June 15
Tuesday June 16

Port tenants Hornblower Cruises and Events and San Diego Harbor Excursions will also be taking guests on the two-hour tours on the water. The boat tours feature a narration of the Tidelands by Port of San Diego tour guides and a look at the same businesses featured in the boat tours, but from the water. Those on the boat tours will be able to get a closer look at the fleet belonging to Naval Base San Diego as well as NASSCO/General Dynamics which designs and builds Navy ships as well as commercial ships. And you won't want to miss the amazing view of the Coronado-San Diego Bridge. The boat tour dates are as follows:

Thursday, April 30, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
Friday, May 1, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Hornblower)
Saturday, May 16, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Harbor Excursions)
Thursday, May 21, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
Thursday, May 28, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
Thursday, June 18, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
Saturday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Harbor Excursions)
Friday, June 26, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Hornblower)

Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Make your reservation online at http://www.portofsandiego.org/tours or call 619- 686-8008. Participants must be 18 years or older. This is the second year in a row these tours have been offered to the public.

In case you want to read even more about what to expect on the tour, read a recent review from a San Diegan who took the bus tour on the blog, "The Best Places in San Diego."

Public Invited to Take Free Bay, Bus Tours

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:14:47 +0000

How well do you know the Port of San Diego? It's time to get answers to your questions, up close and personal. For the second year in a row, the public is invited to book a seat on either a bay cruise or bus tour. On the tour, participants will learn about San Diego Bay and its environment, become familiar with Port operations, and get an up-close look at where San Diegans work and play along the waterfront.

The informational tours will feature views of North Embarcadero, Shelter Island, Navy Base San Diego, the Port's two marine cargo terminals, and ship building and repair facilities.

Online reservation

The bus tours run two hours from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and participants will get a close up look at the working waterfront of maritime and industrial businesses. The tours run on the following schedule:

• Tuesday, April 21
• Wednesday, April 22
• Tuesday, May 12
• Wednesday, May 13
• Monday, June 8
• Tuesday, June 9
• Monday, June 15
• Tuesday, June 16

Port tenants Hornblower Cruises and Events and San Diego Harbor Excursions will take guests on the two-hour tours on the water. The boat tours feature a narration of the Tidelands and a look at the different types of businesses and land uses of the bay from Port of San Diego guides. Those dates are as follows:

• Saturday, April 25, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Harbor Excursions)
• Thursday, April 30, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
• Friday, May 1, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Hornblower)
• Saturday, May 16, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Harbor Excursions)
• Thursday, May 21, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
• Thursday, May 28, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
• Thursday, June 18, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Hornblower)
• Saturday, June 20, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Harbor Excursions)
• Friday, June 26, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Hornblower)

Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Make your reservation online or call 619- 686-8008. Participants must be 18 years or older.

The Port of San Diego is a public benefit corporation and special government entity. Created in 1963 by an act of California legislature, the Port manages San Diego harbor and administers the public lands along San Diego Bay. The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has been responsible for $1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities - Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. With a $10.6 billion economic impact on the San Diego region, the Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 16 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, the Harbor Police department and the leases of more than 600 tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Science Expo to Feature Student Study on San Diego Bay

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:43:25 +0000

A research study and book series about San Diego Bay, written by high school students, will be featured at the San Diego Science Expo in Balboa Park over the weekend. Students from High Tech High's San Diego Bay Study will be sharing their latest research on generating solutions for environmental problems in and around San Diego Bay using biomimicry.

They will demonstrate how they are improving design through nature and respecting nature through design. The students and project director, Dr. Jay Vavra, will also be selling their San Diego Bay books and tide calendar.

The project, "Influence of the Bountiful Bay on Science in San Diego by High Tech High," will be featured in the "Your Planet" section of the expo on Saturday, April 4. Attendees will learn how San Diego's abundant natural resources and biodiversity led to the scientific growth and prosperity of the region, as told in the students' book series.

Over the course of six years, 300 high school students have embarked on original research and resulted in four original books: Two Sides of the Boat Channel: A Field Guide (2005), Perspectives of San Diego Bay: A Field Guide (Next Generation Press, 2006), San Diego Bay: A Story of Exploitation and Restoration (California Sea Grant Press, 2007), and San Diego Bay: A Call for Conservation (California Sea Grant Press, 2008). In February, the book series received the National Education Association Award.

As an environmental steward of San Diego Bay, the Port has contributed $21,000 to support the book series.

High Tech High School opened in 2000 as a single charter high school launched by San Diego business leaders and educators. The school focuses on a personalized, project-based learning environment. High Tech High is located near San Diego Bay in Liberty Station, the former Naval Training Center.

More information about High Tech High's Integrated Urban Ecology Study of San Diego Bay can be found at the San Diego Bay Study website. This site also includes information on locations in San Diego where you can purchase a copy of the book. The book is also available on Amazon.com.

Green Port Program Initiatives Earn Diamond Award From SANDAG

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:36:01 +0000

The Port of San Diego is the recipient of the Diamond Award in marketing from the San Diego Association of Governments. SANDAG honors businesses throughout San Diego County that go the extra mile to help reduce traffic congestion through commute alternatives.

The Port currently has two initiatives which SANDAG recognizes as being beneficial in raising awareness and reducing congestion and air pollution: the commuter assistance program and the alternate work week schedule.

In the commuter assistance program, Port employees are provided resources for carpooling and vanpooling in partnership with RideLink . They also receive 100 percent reimbursements of monthly passes for the bus, train, or trolley. In the alternate work week, Port employees also have the opportunity to work four 10-hour days per week (working only four days per week) or nine nine-hour days every two weeks (resulting in a day off every other week), thereby reducing commuters on the road.

Since 2007, there was a 103 percent increase in employee commuter participation, along with 74 percent of employees alternating their work week. This reduces more than 18,000 daily commutes per year, SANDAG said.

"This honor just underscores the hard work of our Environmental staff and others at the Port who care about the environment," Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Steve Cushman said. "And our Green Port program is a testament to the Port's commitment to reduce the impact of Port operations on the environment."

The Diamond Award will be presented to the Port by SANDAG's Board of Directors Chair, Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler at the 7th Annual Diamond Awards, set for Friday, March 27.

These programs support the goals of the Green Port Program by reducing the Port's carbon footprint. For more information on the program and other environmental initiatives at the Port, please visit the Green Port.

Port of San Diego and Holland America Kick Off Ship to Shelter Program

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:01:02 +0000

A new program to help those in need kicked off along the Embarcadero on March 6, 2009. The Port of San Diego is participating with Holland America Line's Ship to Shelter program, a philanthropic endeavor which donates items from cruise ships to homeless shelters. Items include pots, pans, plates, books, televisions, individual-sized lotion and shampoo.

The donations will go to downtown San Diego's Alpha Project, a nonprofit human services organization that provides assistance to over 2,000 local men, women and children each day.

"This is a great opportunity for the Port to work with Holland America and the Alpha Project, which the Port has supported for more thank 10 years to help people in need," said Stephen P. Cushman, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

Items will be offloaded weekly from Holland America Line cruise ships that sail from the Port of San Diego. Currently there are four vessels, the Statendam, Ryndam, Zaandam and the Oosterdam that offer cruises from the Port of San Diego during the yearly cruise season, which runs from October to April.

"I hope that hotels and other cruise lines will be inspired to join in the Ship to Shelter program in these days of need," Cushman said.

Holland America Line introduced the Ship to Shelter program in Port Everglades in Broward County, Florida, in January, 2008. The program was also recently launched in Seattle, Washington.