| Downtown San Diego E-News & Events February 2011 |
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Ticket Giveaway This publication is giving away several pairs of general admission tickets to San Diego's largest Fat Tuesday party, Mardi Gras on Tuesday 8 March and San Diego's largest Saint Patrick's Day event, Shamrock on Thursday 17 March both of which are in the Gaslamp Quarter. To enter the drawing for tickets you must be a subscriber to this publication and send an email message to the editor, stan@gaslampquarter.org , with Mardi Gras or Shamrock ticket drawing as the subject. One one contest entry in each email message. If you want to entry both contests please send two messages. Deadline to enter the Mardi Gras contest is Monday 28 February and Wednesday 9 March for the Shamrock contest. The winners must pickup their tickets in downtown San Diego. The tickets will be provided by San Diego's premier event coordinator, McFarlane Promotions, www.mcfarlanepromotions.com , 656 Fifth Avenue suite B, in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. * Indicates that this event is not covered in more detail in this publication. January
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January Details Big Bay Whale Days Full Month of January From late December to early April, San Diego sees the migration of thousands of California Gray Whales. Their annual journey takes them from the Bering Sea past the San Diego coast to the protected warm waters off Baja California, Sonora and Sinaloa in Mexico. The longest migration route of any mammal, the gray whales travel nearly 20,000 kilometers round trip each year. Some viewing of the migration can be done along the Embarcadero but for best viewing a whale-watching excursion would be best. Three of the excursion firms are:
CCDC Redevelopment Cap Explained On 11 January a panel of redevelopment experts and Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher will discuss the financial implications of the recent state legislation that lifted the redevelopment cap and extended the lifespan for redevelopment project areas within CCDC’s jurisdiction. The program, sponsored by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), San Diego/Tijuana, will run from 7:30 to 9am at The University Club, 750 B Street, Suite 3400. The discussions will be on how the lifting of the cap will impact the city budget, the implications for the future growth of downtown and the impact on other redevelopment areas. Panel moderator will be Ian Gill of Highland Partnership. Panelists are Frank Alessi, executive vice president and CFO of CCDC; Keith Curry, mayor of Newport Beach and managing director of Public Financial Management; Jeff Graham, vice president of redevelopment for CCDC; and Jerry Trimble, managing principal of Keyser Marston Associates. The cost is $45 for ULI members, $55 for nonmembers and $30 for students. To register or for further information (800)-321-5011 / ulisd.org. Marathon Preview Party Team In Training (TIT) is having a preview party for the Dodge San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. The party will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Avenue, on Thursday 13 January at 7pm. This marathon has traditionally been a popular event and sometimes sells out. By attending TIT's preview party you will be able to guarantee your entry into this marathon. For additional information or to RSVP, Debbie Sanders at debbie.sanders@lls.org. Friends Of San Diego Architecture (FSDA) Speaking of Architecture There are eight monthly free Speaking of Architecture lectures a year. The lecture for Saturday 15 January will be The Architect as Developer. The presenter will be award winning architecture Mike Burnett. They are held the third Saturday each month--except for June, July, August and December--at the New School of Architecture & Design (NSAD), 1249 F Street at 9:30am. The lecture is free but a $5 donation is suggested. For additional information www.friendsofsdarch.com. Multicultural Festival The 13th Annual Multicultural Festival will take place Saturday 15 January from 11am to 5pm on the Martin Luther King Promenade from Fourth Avenue to Market Street along Harbor Drive across from the Convention Center. Featured will be music and dance performances, storytelling and children’s activities along with a wide range of food and retail vendors. The event was renamed for Sheila R. Hardin, a long-time community relations manager for CCDC and the driving force behind the festival. Hardin died in April of last year at the age of 60. This year’s event will also incorporate a variety of cultural and learning institutions as part of the Downtown Education Fair, which allows attendees to find out more about learning opportunities throughout downtown. A free drawing will be held for prizes including Amtrak Surfliner passes, restaurant and local business gift cards. For additional information 235-2222 / www.ccdc.com. Joan Rivers At Balboa Theatre Seventy-seven year old Joan Rivers can be described as:
MLK Day of Service Congregants from eight diverse faiths will gather in Balboa Park on 17 January to take part in the National Day of Service in memory of Martin Luther King. The community service will be from 9am to noon and will take place near Morley Field at Texas and Upas Streets. Involved will be leaders and members of Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Unitarian congregations. The group will be working outdoors, clearing and hauling brush, mulching and planting. Afterwards, they will share in a bring-your-own picnic on the lawn. In its third year, all are invited to help beautify Balboa Park during a morning of hands-on community service. Register at www.fumcsd.org/kingday or show up at the event. Playwriting Class on Tenth Avenue Stephen Metcalfe, a writer who is perhaps best known for writing the screenplays for the movies Pretty Woman and Mr. Holland's Opus, and whose plays have been produced around the country (his new play, The Tragedy of the Commons, will run at Cygnet Theatre in San Diego), will teach a playwriting class at Mo`olelo, Tenth Avenue Theatre, 930 Tenth Avenue, starting 17 January. For more information classes@moolelo.net or 342-7395 to register. Horizons' Book Club On Monday 17 January the group will meet in the Horizons' South Tower Lounge, 510 First Avenue, at 7:30pm to discus the books that they will cover for 2011. All are welcome to come and help determine what books will be covered this year. For additional information Heather Forward hhumblef@aol.com / Pat Getzel pbgetzel@cox.net. Next To Normal at Balboa Theatre The Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning rock musical Next To Normal, from the director of Rent, will be at the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue, (corner E Street) from Tuesday 18 January to Sunday 23 January. For additional information or tickets www.broadwaysd.com/nexttonormal.php. Gaslamp Quarter Monthly Self-guided Tour On the third Wednesday of each month starting at 5pm and ending at 8pm the Gaslamp Locals Lifestyle & Design Tour will take place. This new tour will showcase the Gaslamp Quarter's shops, boutiques and galleries. During this event there will be:
Walk San Diego Luncheon Walk San Diego will hold their bi-monthly luncheon at the Downtown Information Center (DIC) on Friday 21 January from noon to 1pm. The luncheon is free but a donation of $7 is suggested. The title of the presentation is to be determined. Reservations to Cynthia Offenhauer coffenhauer@walksandiego.org. More information www.walksandiego.org. Whale Festival At Port Pavilion One of the highlights of the January celebration of Whale Days (see above) is the Whale Festival from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 22 January at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. Among the activities at the event will be:
Death of a Salesman at the Old Globe This Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play is considered by many as one of the greatest by a modern American playwright, Arthur Miller (1915-2005). This cynical tale of Willie Loman at the end of his career has been staged thousands of times around the world. It will be at the Old Globe in Balboa Park from Saturday 22 January to Thursday 27 January. For further information or tickets theoldglobe.org. Winter Pops Special On Sunday 23 January at 7:30pm the San Diego Pops will present a one night special presentation Tango Buenos Aires at Copley Symphony Hall. For more information 235-0804 / www.sandiegosymphony.org. Black Film Festival This will be the ninth annual Black Film Festival and it will be held at the Regal United Artists theatre in Horton Plaza from Thursday 27 - Sunday 30 January. There will be:
Bridal Bazaar at the Convention Center This annual event will feature over three hundred wedding industry pros providing information on many of the dos and do not's for the big day. It will be held at the Convention Center on Sunday 30 January from 10am to 4pm. For more information www.bridalbazaar.com. February Details Wear Red For Women Day Annual Go Red For Women Day is Friday 4 February this year. This event is designed to raise awareness among women that heart disease is the number one killer of women. This fact is often overlooked because it is often thought of as a disease mainly striking men. Everybody is asked to wear red on than day for raise the awareness of the cause. For more information www.goredforwomen.org. Vienna Boys Choir At the Symphony One of the world's most acclaimed choirs will be at the symphony Friday 4 February at 8pm. The event will be at Copley Symphony Hall, Seventh Avenue and B Street. The Vienna Boys Choir will be there for one night only and will feature works by Haydn and Mozart among others. For further information 235-0804 / www.sandiegosymphony.com. Staged Reading on Tenth Avenue On Tuesday 8 February at 6pm there will be a staged reading of Go, Tell Michelle: African-American Women Speak to the First Lady. Adapted by Robert Knopf in collaboration with Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram based on their book Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady. This reading will be presented in partnership with The Women's History Museum and Education Center located in Golden Hill. The reading will take place at the 10th Avenue Theatre, 930 10th Avenue and is free but a $10 donation is suggested. For further information 342-7395 / info@moolelo.net. Naval Aviation 100 Years Old The Navy has announced a special air show -- including a massive flyover of San Diego Bay by more than 150 aircraft -- to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of naval aviation. It is expected to be the largest aerial flyover of San Diego since prior to World War II. The Navy is billing the show as a once-in-a-lifetime event that will allow the public to see the aircraft in flight from vantage points all around the bay. The flyover, slated for Saturday 12 February, kicks off a yearlong effort to mark the start of the Navy’s venture into the air. The free event will also include a timeline-like display of aircraft from vintage planes to the newest fighter jets at the Naval Air Station North Island. Other events that day will include: tours of Navy aircraft carriers ground equipment demonstration amphibious assault ship tours tactical demonstration by Marine aircraft The Navy started flying in the San Diego region in 1911. Further information www.public.navy.mil/airfor/centennial. Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year will be celebrated in the heart of the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District at Third Avenue and J Street from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 February. The event will celebrate the year of the rabbit with: Asian Music Food Lucky Lion Dancers Children's crafts Dragon Lantern Parade Martial Arts The Chinese New year Food and Cultural Fair is free. For further information 398-7025 / www.sdcny.org. Friends of San Diego Architecture (FSDA) Speaking of Architecture There are eight monthly free Speaking of Architecture lectures a year. They are held the third Saturday each month--except for June, July, August and December--at the New School of Architecture & Design (NSAD), 1249 F Street at 9:30am. The lecture for Saturday 19 February will be All Men Will Be Brothers? (Berlin Museum Origins). The lecture is free but a $5 donation is suggested. For additional information www.friendsofsdarch.com. March Details Rita Rudner At The Balboa Theatre The 57 year old comedian, who is known for her trademark style, will perform at the Balboa Theatre on Thursday 3 March. She has performed almost exclusively in Las Vegas since 2001, selling over one million tickets and is currently under contract with Harrah's until next year. Since leaving the stage, where she started as a dancer in Broadway shows, she has progressed from guest appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman to hosting her own HBO award-winning specials. Ms. Rudner and her producer-husband Martin Bergman, wrote several screenplays some of which she has also acted in. She is also an author of several best-selling books. For additional information www.sdbalboa.org. Urban Scavenger Hunt On Saturday 5 March at noon there will be a scavenger hunt starting at Dick's Last Resort, 345 Fourth Avenue. The hunt will consist of a maximum of three hundred teams of two people each. The cost is $99 per team until 19 February and $120 until 2 March and $130 thereafter. Each Scavenger Dash team will consist of two people and will travel to 12 checkpoints based on a list of clues given at the beginning of the race. Teams will be traveling by foot or public transportation only. At random checkpoints they may also encounter wacky challenges that must be completed before proceeding, though are doable by nearly anyone. Winners should finish in around 2 hours with a maximum of 4 hours to complete as much of the course as possible. Find more information at www.scavengerdash.com. Fat Tuesday In The Gaslamp Quarter Said to be the largest Fat Tuesday festival west of New Orleans this annual event in the Gaslamp Quarter will be on 8 March. This one-day festival decorates San Diego’s historic district in purple, green and gold for visitors celebrating the year’s most animated festival. More than 40,000 people will bring out their feathered boas, crazy hats and colorful beads and dress in a Mardi Gras costume to capture attention during the highlight of this event–The Masquerade Parade. For information 233-5008 / www.gaslamp.org. Attendees must be 21 years old and have proper ID to enter the event. Green Day In The Gaslamp Quarter Located in the Gaslamp Quarter the Sham Rock festival is on Thursday 17 March which just happens to be Saint Patrick's Day. It is held from 4pm to midnight and may be the biggest and greenest Saint Patrick's Day party outside of Dublin with the headliner band being The Young Dubliners. The Gaslamp Quarter will be transformed into the lavish fields of Ireland and will feature everything from traditional Irish bands and dancing to Irish Punk Rock. Also featured will be some of today's biggest hits by some of San Diego's hottest live bands. For more information 233-5008 / www.sandiegoshamrock.com. Attendees must be 21 years old and have proper ID to enter the event. All profits from this event benefit the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation. Science Festival Family Days and Expo Day From Saturdays 19 to Friday 25 March there will be family days at the Science Fair at the Reuben H Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. Then on Saturday 26 March from 10am to 5pm there will be Expo Day at the festival that will be held at Petco Park. For additional information sdsciencefestival.com. Basics of Sustainability Hosted by SDGE On the last two Wednesdays in March SDGE will present four seminars at the Reuben H Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park:
Downtown News of the Day Outgoing CCDC Chair and Interim President Speaks His Mind In an article that took the entire front page of the Dialog section of the Union-Tribune (U-T) on Sunday 12 December Fred Maas, who recently resigned as CCDC Chair and interim president, was interviewed by the U-T editorial board. Mr. Maas is a business person and has been serving in the two positions as an unpaid volunteer for over two years. The CCDC chair position is a volunteer position but the job of president is normally well paid but he has filled it for over two years as a volunteer after the untimely departure of Nancy Graham under great duress. There is also an editorial on the interview in the U-T the same day. Excerpts of the interview can be found at www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/12/q-case-downtown/ and the U-T editorial on the interview can be found at web.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/12/big-dreams-and-big-leaders/. Work Furlough Program Terminated Money earned in two legal settlements plus cost-cutting measures has prompted the Port of San Diego to end its work furlough program that was implemented in July. The program called for most employees to take the third Friday off each month without pay. When the furlough program was implemented the intention was to continue it through 30 June 30 this year to help save the Port about $1.3 million. The Port’s Executive Leadership Group made a commitment to employees that the agency’s cash flows would be closely monitored and that if finances improved, the furlough program would be adjusted. The Port introduced an early retirement incentive program, instilled a hiring freeze, limited travel and reduced non-essential spending. Those practices helped save the Port additional income and the money earned in the legal settlements also helped offset a budget shortfall. Port officials said the savings from these settlements were more substantial than what the furlough program would pull in. The Port has returned to its regular hours of Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Local Sport Fisherman Helps Those In Need For years, local sport fisherman Todd Bluechel noticed there were sometimes unwanted yellow fin, yellowtail, bluefin and albacore when he returned to San Diego from his fishing trips. Today – thanks to Bluechel and the nonprofit organization Fish. Food. Feel Good. that he last year – these unwanted fish are feeding thousands of local homeless people. He created an easy way for fishermen and boat crews to convert what would otherwise be unwanted fish into nutritious meals for those in need. Virtually nothing goes to waste. Even fish carcasses are used as bait for lobster fishermen. The fish – all donated by sport fishermen – also are being used in a culinary training program at Father Joe’s Villages that aims to find jobs for homeless people in local restaurants by training them in culinary skills. Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, who represents downtown, called this the inspirational story of the 2010 holiday season. Todd Bluechel deserves major kudos. His innovative spirit is helping many of our most vulnerable residents. For more information f3g.org / (858)-605-1075. Temporary Law Library To Open 30 December was the last day the main branch of the San Diego County Public Law Library was open at its 1105 Front Street address. The staff has moved out of the that facility and into a temporary storefront at 1168 Union Street. Until 18 January reference librarians will be available to answer legal information and research questions by phone 531-3900 or www.sdcpll.org. Staff will be able to check out materials over the phone only to members with a library card. The East County, North County, and South Bay branches will be open during this period. The temporary library (Frantz Building) at 1168 Union Street opens on 18 January. Port Dedicates New Port Pavilion The Port of San Diego has dedicated its new Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. The pavilion, which will end up being the backup cruse ship terminal, will serve as the primary terminal during the renovation of the current primary terminal on the B Street Pier. The terminal on the B Street Pier will not be replaced but will be improved in the next few years. To read the story on the dedication see www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/18/port-dedicates-new-cruise-ship-terminal. Further information can also be obtained at www.portofsandiego.org. The original plans to build a temporary building on the Broadway Pier to use as a cruse ship terminal during the renovation of the B Street Pier were overruled by Mayor Sanders who said that he saw too many temporary buildings that ended up being used for many years. At very little more than the cost of a temporary building the city has a new building for general use on the waterfront. Growth Trend Continues into 2011 72 conventions will generate $1.4 billion in regional economic impact and $20 million in tax revenues for the City of San Diego this year according to a new economic forecast. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is forecasting positive growth in key economic and business measures. Attendance should be up over last year in the out-of-town visitor category with 584,000 delegates attending 72 conventions. Local hotels will also pick up 738,000 hotel room nights as a result of the influx of convention business. In sum, a total of 120 events are forecast to draw overall attendance of 813,000, the highest since 2008. The upward trends are good news, particularly the uptick in professional attendance, which convention industry experts widely agree is one of the leading signs of recovery following a recession. Recent surveys of national show producers predicted a five percent increase in attendance this year, and venue managers forecasted approximately a 3% increase. While attendance alone is not the sole factor for recovery, it is a major component which pushes the overall recovery process forward. A targeted marketing focus on medical meetings and San Diego's strong appeal as a destination has helped the San Diego Convention Center perform better during the recession than other facilities around the country. The medical sector tends to remain resilient in a tough economy and attendance is less affected. These events also attract attendees who have more disposable income and spend more during their stay in the host city. To see the entire forecast www.visitsandiego.com/resources/2011Forecast.pdf. Renovation of the Marriott Begins Reno Contracting will begin a $1.3 million renovation of the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina that will include the remodel of ballrooms, meeting rooms and space within the lobby and the foyer level of the North Tower. The initial work will involve renovation of the elevator lobbies. The second phase is planned for April through June of this year. Enhanced functionality and ambience, energy efficiency and upgrades of materials are planned as part of the renovation. Lighting is being upgraded to LED as part of the master plan to enhance energy conservation within the existing faculty. The project also includes updating audio visual components including speakers, controllers, panels and cabling to enhance the functionality of the spaces. Little Italy Wants Improvements In Exchange for Allowing Rest Rooms Little Italy is pushing for an overhaul of a neighborhood park in exchange for letting the city put public restrooms in the area. Drawings presented to the Little Italy Association board of directors call for expanding Amici Park, Date and State Streets, to incorporate the restrooms, a snack shack, areas for dogs and a stone pathway to Our Lady of the Rosary Church. The push comes after the city’s downtown redevelopment arm recommended that the San Diego Redevelopment Agency clear the way for two prefabricated restrooms – known as Portland Loos — at the intersections of 14th and L Streets and Market Street between 11th Avenue and Park Boulevard. The CCDC board also stipulated that the restrooms not exceed $367,260, and recommended that the cost of restrooms in Little Italy be limited to $185,000 each. The chairman of the Little Italy Association, said the park improvements must be part of the plan to improve the park. For additional information christopher.cadelago@uniontrib.com / 293-1334. Recurring Events Little Italy Association Meeting The Little Italy Association Board of Directors’ Meetings are open to the public. They discuss the Little Italy Association's general business, upcoming events and downtown issues. This monthly meeting is usually held on the first Tuesday at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Hall, 1654 State Street, from 8:30am-10am. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 3 August. For more information www.littleitalysd.com/events.asp. Lunch & Learn Series The Downtown Sound Bites Speaker Series is held on the first Tuesday of every month from noon-1pm at the Sheila Hardin Downtown Information Center (DIC) in Horton Plaza. The DIC is located just above the CVS drug store between Victoria's Secret and Sam Goody's. You are asked to bring your own lunch to this free event and then listen and learn from a variety of interesting speakers all of whom will approach issues that are important to downtown's future. A question and answer period will follow each presentation. The event sponsor is CCDC and further information can be found at www.ccdc.com. Coffee with CCDC The bi-monthly event that toggles between Thursday evening and Friday morning is at the Sheila Hardin Downtown Information Center in Horton Plaza. It is a good chance to learn what is happening with the redevelopment agency arm of the City of San Diego. It is held in all even numbered months. For more information www.ccdc.com. Horizons Downtown Book Club Everyone is welcome to the book club to facilitate a lively discussion. It meets in the Horizons South Tower Lounge, 510 First Avenue, at 7:30pm. It usually meets the third Monday of each month. For additional information Heather Forward, hhumblef@aol.com / Pat Getzel pbgetzel@cox.net. Critical Mass Monthly Bicycle Ride San Diego Critical Mass is a loosely affiliated group of over 700 bicycle riders that take over San Diego streets and public rights of way to conduct a group bike ride on the last Friday of every month. The group meets at the large fountain in Balboa Park in front of the Ruben H. Fleet Theatre / Science Center and the National History Museum at 7pm and participants should be prepared for up to 20 miles of riding. The ride may go in any direction from the fountain but usually goes through downtown. Additional information at www.sdcriticalmass.com. Police Captain's Community Outreach Meeting The Commander of the San Diego Police Department's (SDPD) Central Division, Captain Mark Jones, holds a bimonthly meeting with the public to address problems and provide information on what the division is doing to keep us safe. The meeting is usually well attended and lasts about one and a half hours. The meeting is always on the fourth Tuesday of each odd numbered month at 5:30pm at the SDPD's Central Division Headquarters, 2501 Imperial Avenue. For additional information www.sandiego.gov/police/neighborhood/ccm.shtml. Athenaeum Jacobs Mini-Concerts Alternating Mondays, for most of the year, noon to 1pm at the Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, admission free. Food & beverage is allowed in theatre during concerts. Fifteen free Mini-Concerts are presented at the Lyceum each year. These concerts are made possible in part, thanks to funding from the City of San Diego through a program managed by the Commission for Arts and Culture and the County of San Diego. For additional information (858)-454-5872. The 2011 dates through the summer:
Monthly Discussion Group This fairly new group usually meets on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to noon in the Horizons' North Tower Lounge at 555 Front Street. All who plan to attend will be provided a list of the topics a few days prior to the meeting via email. For information Pete pierrerod@yahoo.com. Free Downtown Tours Monthly Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Free Period & Tours On the third Thursday each month the MCA, 1100 Kettner Blvd, will open its doors from 5-7pm to the public to allow free admission. Visitors can browse anywhere in the museum on their own or join an organized tour that will begin at 5pm and 6pm. For additional information (858)454-3541 / www.mcasd.org. Sofia Hotel Downtown Walking Tours Each Saturday and Sunday the Sofia Hotel offers complimentary guided two mile walking tours of downtown that include the Gaslamp Quarter and the bay front area. The tours are open to all and not just guests of the hotel. No reservations are needed and the tours leave from the lobby of the hotel at 9am. The Sofia Hotel is at 150 West Broadway at the corner of Front Street. For additional information 234-9200. CCDC Downtown Bus Tours Free Downtown bus tours offer close-up views of downtown's unique neighborhoods and highlight recently completed and upcoming new projects. All tours begin at the Sheila Hardin Downtown Information Center, 193 Horton Plaza, just above the CVS drug store between Victoria's Secret and Sam Goody's. Reservations are required, please call 235-2222 for reservations or further information. Masthead All items in this publication are the opinion of the writer of the piece. Any item without a named author is the responsibility of the editor. Any submissions for inclusion in this publication should be submitted to the editor via email within the body of a message (not as an attachment). All telephone numbers are in the 619 area code unless otherwise noted. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this publication please email the editor, Stan Marder stan@gaslampquarter.org. |