Community Service

Port of San Diego Seeking Applicants for 2010-11 Financial Assistance Program

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:31:27 +0000

Do you have a program or event that needs a little boost getting off the ground? If so, the Port of San Diego is looking for you.

Events or programs that contribute to the community by promoting commerce, navigation, fisheries and recreation in one or more of the tideland cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City may qualify for cash funding and/or Port services. Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009.

The Port’s Financial Assistance Program is an equal opportunity program available to organizations with interests in the San Diego Bay and Port tidelands region. Applications are reviewed without regard to race, gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation of applicants.

The Port’s Financial Assistance Program was created to propel economic growth in the San Diego Bay region, while at the same time, making the tidelands around San Diego Bay and the Imperial Beach waterfront a dynamic place to live, work and play.

Examples of events or programs that have received funding in the past include events or programs relating to the Port’s goals, start-up events or programs that have the potential to become self-funded projects, programs that promote environmental awareness, educational programs, or programs that promote cultural and artistic enrichment.

Applications and information are available on the financial assistance section. Hard copies of applications are also available by calling the Port’s Communications and Community Services Department at (619) 686-6551 or by e-mail at c-kburress@portofsandiego.org.

The Port of San Diego is a public benefit corporation and special government entity. Created in 1962 by an act of the 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, a Harbor Police department and the leases of over 600 tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Reserve Your Seat on Free Port of San Diego Bus Tours

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:05:33 +0000

The Port of San Diego is excited to offer a new series of free bus tours that will take members of the public along the tidelands and behind the scenes of the Working Waterfront.

New this fall, participants can choose to start their tour in one of the Port’s two member cities; Chula Vista or Coronado. On the narrated, two-hour tour, the public will learn about San Diego Bay and what is the Port and tenants are doing to protect the tidelands, become familiar with Port operations, see shipbuilding and repair facilities, and get an up-close look at both the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal as well as the National City Marine Terminal.

“San Diego’s waterfront is a thriving hub of industry and commerce that contributes to our region’s economy, job base and national security,” said CJ Lucke, Community Services Coordinator. “These tours are a way for San Diegans to go behind the scenes and see the parts of our Working Waterfront that are normally off-limits due to security concerns. You’ll see where you get your bananas from as well as where we import more than 200,000 cars each year.”

The bus tours run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and are available on the following dates:

Chula Vista:

Wednesday, January 20
Wednesday, February 17

Coronado:

Tuesday, January 12
Tuesday, February 9

Space is limited. Make your reservations online or by calling 619-686-8008. Due to shipyard security restrictions, participants must be 18 years or older and must also show proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

The Port of San Diego is a public benefit corporation and special government entity. Created in 1962 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, 17 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.

Working Waterfront Videos:

Applications Being Accepted for Port of San Diego’s 2010-11 Financial Assistance Program

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Katy Burress (619) 686-6551) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:39:17 +0000

The Port of San Diego is accepting applications for 2010-2011 financial assistance program. Through financial assistance, the Port supports many activities and organizations that make San Diego Bay a vibrant and thriving place for everyone.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, November 6, 2009 by 5 p.m.

The financial assistance program provides funding and services to organizations whose activities support the Port’s Tidelands Trust purposes of promoting commerce, navigation, recreation and fisheries on the Port tidelands, or that further the Port’s goals of serving as an economic engine, environmental steward and provider of community services.

This program supports many different events and programs in the fields of education, the environment, maritime, commercial, entertainment and recreation/athletics.

Please visit the financial assistance section for an application and references to help determine if your event or program qualifies. If you wish to receive the application materials in hard copy, please call (619) 686-6551 or email kburress@portofsandiego.org with your name, organization, phone, fax and e-mail address.

In 2009-2010, the Port provided $212,297 in financial assistance.

Historic San Diego Sign Leaves Bayfront for New Home

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:54:25 +0000

An iconic sign along San Diego Bay's waterfront, is gone, but not forgotten. The Port of San Diego dismantled what was once a bright, neon sign, located on the corner of Broadway and Pacific Highway, on September 30. For decades, the sign pointed the way to three of the Big Bay's popular venues: Anthony's Fish Grotto, which opened its doors 61 years ago as one of the first places to eat along the waterfront; the sailing ship Star of India; and the Star of the Sea room.

Now in disrepair, the sign could possibly have been overlooked when the Port of San Diego breaks ground on the planned Lane Field development project, scheduled for the corner property where it stood. But Port staff, interested in preserving San Diego history, arranged to have it donated to the San Diego Historical Society.

Crews with the Port's General Services Department cut the sign down, and lifted it via crane, onto a truck, where it was delivered to the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. There, it will be cleaned and cut into three parts. Next week, it will be delivered to the historical society museum in Balboa Park.

According to the Star of the Sea Room website, "...the Star of the Sea was the premier destination for Presidents and prom dates alike. If you had something special to celebrate you did it at the Star."

Rick Ghio, President/CEO of Anthony's said the signs predate him, but he's pleased that they will be treasured and cared for by historians.

“I’m very pleased that it’s finding a suitable place in history. I can’t think of a better place for the sign to reside than in the San Diego Historical Society," said Ghio. "The cause is also making way for progress and development there."

The sign also directed visitors to the Star of India, the world’s oldest active ship. The tall ship has been on the waterfront since 1927, when it was bought for $9,000 by a small band of concerned San Diegans. It then sat is disrepair until 1957. Finally refurbished in 1976, the Star set sail and continues to do so every year to maintain its title as oldest active sailing ship. It just recently underwent dry-dock maintenance at BAE Systems Ship Repair.

"The sign is a part of San Diego’s history," said Ray Ashley, President/CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. "It’s more of a city artifact than it is a maritime artifact per se. I think when people see the sign, it triggers memories - takes them back to various times in their lives. I think it’s a good thing to preserve it."

The San Diego Historical Museum is in need of electricians and sign repair people interested in working to restore this sign. Volunteers should contact Victoria Cranner at sdhscollections@sandiegohistory.org or call 619-232-6203 x164. The historical society plans to restore the sign and eventually display it at the museum in a yet-to-be determined exhibit.

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Emergency Drill at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Thursday

dfrost@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost (619) 686-6200) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:16:31 +0000

Don’t be alarmed if you hear a burst of seven small explosions and see purple and green smoke rising from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 24. It is part of an Emergency Response & Crisis Management Exercise.

The day-long exercise is conducted annually at MCRD to test emergency response capabilities and enhance the ability to safeguard depot personnel and visitors.

The exercise will not impact operations at San Diego International Airport. Radio transmissions between emergency responders are also part of the exercise that runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The military and government agencies routinely test emergency response capabilities to ensure readiness during an actual emergency.

Port of San Diego Gives Viewers Historical Glimpse of the Tuna Industry

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (John Gilmore (619) 341-5684) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:19:20 +0000

The Port of San Diego has produced a 9-minute video that will take viewers back to the boom years of the tuna fishing industry when San Diego was known as the tuna Capitol of the world.

Writer Barbara Moreno and videographer Glenn Batuyong, of the Port’s Communications & Community Services Department, produced the segment based on interviews with people familiar with the industry that at one time employed 17,000 workers and generated $65 million in annual economic impact in the region.

Interviews were conducted with cannery workers, family members whose relatives worked on the tuna vessels and with those whose family members were employed in the tuna canneries. Included in the production are several historical photos of the canneries, the mostly female workers inside the canneries at their work stations and the tuna fishermen.

The video was produced to coincide with the dedication on Saturday, Sept. 26, of an artwork that pays tribute to the thousands of people employed in the local tuna canning industry. The dedication will begin at 10:30 a.m. The artwork, “The Cannery Workers Tribute – Parque del Sol,” is located at the southwest corner of Cesar Chavez Parkway and Crosby Road.

Port Tenants, Public Invited to Green Business Forum

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:28:39 +0000

Port of San Diego tenants are taking the opportunity to spread the word about environmentally friendly procedures for businesses. The Working Waterfront Group, along with the support of the San Diego Port Tenants Association, will host an environmental forum on Thursday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Embarcadero Planning Center, formerly the Pacific Coral Reef at 585 Harbor Lane (map) in San Diego.

Representatives from the Port of San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric and the San Diego County Water Authority will also participate.

Environmental Forum Invitation (PDF)

"The Working Waterfront Group and Port Tenants are committed to environmental sustainability and are looking to our regional resource providers for a better understanding of the challenges that face us here in San Diego," said Sharon Cloward, President of the San Diego Port Tenants Association. "Ideally we would like to be leaders in this movement but need to do so in a financially sound and practical manner. This forum is just one way we are helping to educate Port tenants."

Attendees of the event, which is free and open to the public, will learn about environmental regulations as well as money-saving programs that are available. There will also be discussions on waste management and air quality measures.

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with networking and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All participants will receive a complimentary low-flow showerhead.

If you want to attend, email Kristin Peterson with the SDPTA at Kristin@sdpta.com by Friday, September 18.

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.