New book about San Diego River
Join author and historian John Martin as he chronicles the lives of those who shaped modern-day San Diego’s water infrastructure. For nearly a century, the people of San Diego wrestled to control the mercurial San Diego River. Their efforts to keep the river from destroying their valuable harbor while providing water for a growing population led to decades of legal battles over river water rights. Likewise, the divisive question of where to dam the river consumed the town, pitting citizens and civic leaders against one another. The construction of El Capitan Dam temporarily solved the town’s water dilemma but resulted in the removal of a native population.
John Martin, a San Diego native, grew up near the river and spent many summer days cooling off in the water by the Old Mission Dam. He has a graduate degree in history and is a frequent contributor to the Journal of San Diego History, with articles ranging from San Diego military history to the development of the town’s water infrastructure, and a regular presenter at the San Diego Congress of History.
“The San Diego River: Dams, Dikes, Floods and Fights” by John Martin is available in paperback for $23.99 on Monday, March 6.
Museums
Museum Month underway
San Diego Museum Month is celebrating its 34th year. The highly anticipated program, which promotes San Diego as a vibrant cultural destination, will be the largest ever – with more than 60 participating museums and other popular destinations throughout San Diego County offering half-priced admissions.
Enhancing museum accessibility is a critical component of Museum Month. To this end, the San Diego Museum Council has once again partnered with the Serra Cooperative Library System, offering access to free Museum Month passes for local residents in communities across San Diego County.
The Museum Month pass is available for free at local libraries. Each Museum Month pass can be used for up to four half-priced admissions at any of the participating museums. Guests can use their Museum Month pass to visit as many museums as they would like until Feb. 28, 2023.
Artists in residence at New Children’s Museum
Some days, it may seem like the kids have taken over The New Children’s Museum as they discover, create and engage with the contemporary art installations in the 20,000 square foot Museum downtown.
In 2023, this will be intentional as local creatives SWISH PROJECTS have been appointed “Artists in Residence” and will launch the “TKRTP Museum Project.” Translated as “The kids run this place,” the year-long project will use art, video, photography, artmaking and more to document and celebrate the Museum community and enhance a sense of belonging.
The residency will begin with the launch on February 18 of the TKRTP Project gallery installation featuring a New Children’s Museum Portrait Project. The SWISH team has photographed 30 members of the Museum community ranging from staff and board to community partners, members, educators and of course, kids. The combination of still and moving images will be prominently displayed In the Marino Gallery on the Main Level.
Volunteers needed at USS Midway Museum
Several meaningful assignments are available to choose from on this aircraft carrier museum – for veterans and civilians alike. Positions include docents, safety team, knot team, guest services, exhibits support, data entry, as well as aircraft or ship restoration and maintenance. This is a great opportunity to share in the passion of having fun, while building a greater sense of community through an enriching and engaging volunteer experience. Ongoing six-month posts are available or one day group projects.
More information about becoming a volunteer at https://www.midway.org/give-join or contact us at (619) 398-8289 or [email protected].
Animals
Critically endangered Przewalski’s Horse Foal born at Safari Park
Conservationists at the nonprofit San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance have announced the birth of a Przewalski’s horse —a critically endangered species of wild horse that was categorized as Extinct in the Wild until 1996. The foal is the first Przewalski’s horse born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 2014, and is one of only four individuals born in North America over the past year.
The youngster was born as part of a breeding recommendation through AZA’s Przewalski’s horse Species Survival Plan®—a program that ensures genetic diversity is represented among Przewalski’s horse populations, overseen by conservationists nationwide. Formerly extinct in the wild, the Przewalski’s horse has survived for the past 40 years almost entirely in zoos around the world, and nearly all of the surviving horses are related to 12 Przewalski’s horses born in native habitats. Ongoing reintroductions of Przewalski’s horses into their native habitats have established several herds in grasslands in China and Mongolia to maintain genetic variation, however scientists believe more work needs to be done to ensure the species’ future survival.
Oldest living mouse in human care gets world record
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance today received a Guinness World Records title for Oldest Living Mouse in Human Care recognizing “Pat,” a Pacific pocket mouse fondly named after actor Sir Patrick Stewart. Pat was born July 14, 2013 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in the first year of the organization’s Pacific pocket mouse conservation breeding and reintroduction program. Today, he is 9 years and 209 days old. The Guinness World Records title is a win for all the tiny but mighty—and often overlooked—species around the world that play an important role in their ecosystems.
The acknowledgement from Guinness World Records comes on the heels of a historic Pacific pocket mouse breeding season. In 2022, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance recorded the earliest breeding event and pup birth in the history of the program, and the team helped with producing a record 31 litters, for a total of 117 pups during the spring and summer months. Many of these mice will be reintroduced into native habitats this spring.
Philanthropy
Padres Pedal the Cause celebrates 10 years
Curebound will host its annual signature event in partnership with the San Diego Padres, Padres Pedal the Cause, on Saturday, March 18 at Petco Park. The community is invited to come together in the fight against cancer and celebrate 10 years of impact by raising awareness and funds for innovative cancer research in San Diego. Padres Pedal is San Diego’s most impactful fundraising experience and is gearing up to surpass $20 million in fundraising, making this year the biggest and best “Padres Pedal” yet.
SDCCU raises $20k for animal shelters
San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), one of California’s largest locally-owned financial institutions raised over $20,000 to help support the efforts of the San Diego Humane Society, Animal Friends of the Valleys in Riverside County and the Animal Assistance League of Orange County this past holiday season with its 11th annual Presents for Paws fundraiser. Funds generated from the campaign will be used in part to provide medical care for local animals in need and help educate the community about the importance of adoption and responsible pet ownership.
Donations were collected online and at all of SDCCU’s more than 40 convenient branch locations in San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties from November through December 2022. The combined efforts raised a total of $21,937 this year, far-exceeding the $10,000 goal.
High school student starts water charity
Saint Augustine High School junior David Wise created a charity at his school known as the Saints Thirst Project to raise money for the Thirst Project which builds freshwater wells in rural areas. Approximately 800 million people (1 in 10) do not have access to water that is safe for them to drink. Furthermore, the people in these rural areas have to walk on average three-and-a-half miles to even reach the closest water source that is available to drink.
To learn more, visit https://my.thirstproject.org/sahsthirstproject.
Housing and homelessness
City Council OKs state funding to house people living in encampments
Working to expand pathways to move San Diegans off the streets and into housing, the City Council on Monday authorized the expenditure of a $2.45 million grant awarded to the City of San Diego to help end people’s homelessness in East Village.
San Diego was one of eight communities across the state last October to be awarded a portion of $48 million in Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF). Nineteen other communities received ERF grant funds in the first round in early 2022.
New youth shelter beds
Urban Street Angels (USA) announced the completion and opening of 20 new emergency shelter beds for youth at its Downtown San Diego homeless center. The 20 beds are in addition to 50 beds that are already occupied at USA’s Downtown homeless center. Youth will begin to use the new beds and services starting on Feb. 15, 2023.
Grant awarded to SDHC affiliate to support homeownership program for people of color
A new grant awarded to a San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) nonprofit affiliate will provide additional financial support for expanded efforts to help more people of color become homeowners in the City of San Diego. The $184,000 grant from the National
Fair Housing Alliance will provide funds for programs that help households of color prepare for homeownership and/or purchase a home. These activities include debt reduction, credit counseling, peer mentors, homeownership navigators and community educators, as well as down payment or closing cost assistance grants and credit-building loans.
City obtains C Street Inn repayment
San Diego City Attorney Mara W. Elliott announced that the owners of the C Street Inn have been ordered to reimburse the City of San Diego more than $300,000 which the City paid for temporary housing for tenants who were relocated from the hotel for their safety.
The owners, Jack Shah Rafiq and Jax Properties LLC, were also ordered to pay a $10,000 penalty for failing to timely pay relocation benefits and $11,022 in administrative costs.
Last year, the City relocated 66 residents of the Inn after the Code Enforcement Division uncovered numerous building and fire code violations. The City issued a notice to the owners requiring correction of the code violations and ordering payment of relocation benefits to the occupants, many whom were elderly and disabled, but Rafiq refused to pay to relocate the occupants.
Living and working
Construction employment grows in California
Construction employment climbed in 30 states and the District of Columbia from November to December and 42 states added construction jobs during the past 12 months, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials said demand for many types of commercial construction projects remain strong and that firms would likely have added more people if they could find workers.
In December, 30 states and D.C. added construction employees, while industry employment declined in 20 states. California added the most construction jobs over the month (7,500 jobs, 0.8 percent).
SDG&E announces natural gas commodity price to decline 68% compared to January
After hitting historic highs this winter due to unprecedented market conditions in the Western United States, San Diego Gas & Electric announced Tuesday that the February natural gas commodity price has declined by 68% compared to January 2023, plunging from $3.45 per therm to $1.11 per therm. The typical residential customer’s gas bill (commodity plus delivery charges and other mandated fees and taxes) is expected to decrease to $110 in February, from $225 in January.
High natural gas demand caused by cold weather coupled with the partial closure of a major third-party pipeline that provides gas to the West and limited gas storage in California has caused extreme volatility in gas prices.
SDG&E does not set the commodity price for natural gas. Instead, natural gas commodity prices are determined by national and regional markets. SDG&E buys natural gas in those markets on behalf of residential and small business customers, and the cost of buying that gas is billed to those customers with no markup, meaning SDG&E does not profit from the movement of gas commodity prices.
SD City College offers first bachelor’s degree
San Diego City College has secured approval to offer the first bachelor’s degree in the college’s 108-year history. Students at the downtown San Diego campus will soon be able to earn a four-year degree in the burgeoning field of cyber security.
The Cyber Defense and Analysis Baccalaureate Program will launch as early as fall of 2024. City College’s next steps will include hammering out program details, purchasing program resources, preparing campus facilities, finalizing cohort information, and hosting information sessions, before accepting applications next fall through next winter. City College currently offers an associate degree in cyber security.
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors gave its approval for the program at its Jan. 23 meeting in Sacramento.
City College thus will become the second campus in the San Diego Community College District to offer a baccalaureate program; San Diego Mesa College was among the first community colleges in California to offer a baccalaureate program after the Board of Governors greenlighted Mesa’s bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management in 2015.
Arts and events
Balboa Theatre welcomes international talent
The Emmy Award-winning Netflix Original documentary series “Our Planet” has been transformed into “Our Planet Live in Concert,” a 60-city U.S. tour that will travel to Balboa Theatre. On March 5, new orchestrations by Oscar-winning composer Steven Price (for the film “Gravity”) will be performed by a live 18-piece orchestra accompanied by nature cinematography and narration from Sir David Attenborough.
In addition, the gospel group The Kingdom Choir, which became famous for its performance at Harry and Meghan’s wedding, will perform at Balboa Theatre on March 25.
Contact the box office for more information.
“Collage” returns to Casa del Prado
This month, the City of San Diego’s Civic Dance Arts has brought back its critically acclaimed dance show to the historic Casa del Prado Theater in Balboa Park. “Collage 2023: Dance Matters” made its victorious comeback on Friday night and will continue on Feb. 10-11 and Feb. 17-19.
The elite performance encompasses skilled and professionally trained dancers and showcases beautiful theatrical lights, eye-catching set pieces and exquisite costumes. The concert incorporates diverse dance styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, modern and musical theater.
For more information, showtimes and to purchase tickets to participate in person or virtually, visit civicdancearts.org.
Japanese Brush Annual Art Show
A free art exhibit from a local group of Japanese Brush artists will be available for viewing at Casa del Prado Room 101 on March 25 and 26 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The show also features a tea ceremony and live musicians. This is their first show since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walk-in weddings at the Waterfront
“Walk-in” services without an appointment on Feb. 14 will be offered for lovebirds living in the moment only at the County’s historic Waterfront Park Downtown office. Ceremonies will be offered at one of the waterfront marriage arbors or indoors in the newly renovated ceremony rooms. Appointments are required for all other times and locations.
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Jordan Marks said, “We are excited to offer walk-in services for Valentine’s Day at our beautiful waterfront downtown location and make love more memorable with a magical marriage service for hundreds of San Diegans across the County this Valentine’s Day!”
Appointments for love can be made using our award-winning online booking system at www.sdarcc.gov or by calling (619) 237-0502. The cost of a non-confidential marriage license is $70.00. If the couple would like their ceremony to be performed by one of our wonderful County staff, the cost is an additional $88.00. Ceremonies are offered in English and Spanish.
Free yoga for Valentine’s Day
Fit Athletic, San Diego’s top luxury fitness club, is hosting a free yoga class at the Rady Shell on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Led by Viktoria Talbot, the class will be approximately one hour long and is open to the public. Parking is limited, so it’s recommended to arrive early or walk, if possible. Space is limited and event entry is first come, first served.
Airport
Alaska Airlines expands San Diego network with new coast-to-coast nonstops
Alaska Airlines is adding new, daily nonstop flights between San Diego and both Washington, D.C. and Tampa. Service to Washington, D.C. starts June 15, and service to Tampa begins on Oct. 5. The airline also is adding new daily nonstop service between San Diego and Eugene, Oregon on June 15.
All flights from San Diego offer a three-class cabin. Guests in First Class and Premium Class enjoy early boarding and the most generous legroom of all domestic carriers. First Class offers complimentary hot meals based on a seasonal menu with a range of fresh, bright West Coast-inspired flavors along with a variety of beverages. Flyers in Premium Class can also take advantage of complimentary cocktails, hand-selected wines and local beers.
Wi-Fi is available for only $8 on most flights and offers streaming-fast speeds on most mainline flights. And all guests can stay connected with family and friends while in the air with free texting.
San Diego International Airport is best airport for working remotely
San Diego International Airport is the best airport for working remotely, according to a report by Upgraded Points. Among other perks for remote workers, the airport has the most shops per square mile and the most Starbucks per square mile. Factors considered were Wi-Fi download speeds, number of airport lounges per square mile, number of restrooms/charging stations, along with detailed percentages on on-time departures, delayed departures, canceled departures.
Airport Authority recaptures 800k gallons of stormwater
In 2022, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority) captured, treated, and reused 812,500 gallons of stormwater. This water, which would otherwise have run off into San Diego Bay, was used to heat and cool buildings at San Diego International Airport, thereby reducing the amount of potable water used for this purpose.
The Airport Authority is expanding its capture and reuse system up to 4.5 million gallons with the addition of two cisterns located on the north and south side of the airport campus. A 3-million-gallon cistern was built in 2021. The cistern will eventually be connected to the Rental Car Center with the recycled water being used to wash cars. The water captured is currently used for vegetation and landscaping around the north side of the airport.
Business
Dr. Bronner’s celebrates 75 years
Dr. Bronner’s, the family-owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soaps and body care products in North America, marks 75 years in business this year. 2023 also marks 165 years since the Bronner family began making soap in Laupheim, Germany in 1858. Dr. Bronner’s, as a company, was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner (February 1, 1908-March 7, 1997). Since the beginning it has modeled mission-driven business practices to help make a better world. Striving to produce the highest quality products—including its world-renowned soaps and ethical chocolate, the brand’s business practices are rooted in a vision of social equity. The company caps executive compensation at five times the lowest paid fully vested position, and all profit not needed for operations or development is dedicated to organizations, campaigns, and people working for progressive social and environmental change.
New head of Ware Malcomb Downtown office
Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, announced Joshua Thompson has been promoted to Director, Interior Architecture & Design in the firm’s Downtown San Diego office. In this role, Thompson is responsible for the leadership of the office and continued growth of the Interior Architecture & Design Studio.
Thompson brings more than 21 years of experience in the industry. He brings a strong understanding of interior architectural services for corporate and commercial spaces, working with end users, building owners, property managers, and project managers to achieve exceptionally functional and aesthetic environments. He has been with Ware Malcomb for nine years, starting his career in the firms’ Phoenix office and transitioning to Downtown San Diego in 2019.
Fairmont Hotels signs deal with Manchester Financial Group to develop 36-story glass tower hotel Downtown
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of world leading hospitality group Accor, and Manchester Financial Group announced the signing of definitive agreements for the development and management of a Fairmont hotel in Downtown San Diego.
Scheduled to open in 2027, Fairmont Manchester San Diego will occupy a prime location on the North Embarcadero of the San Diego Bay, directly across from the USS Midway Aircraft Museum, adjacent to the Cruise Ship Terminal, and within walking distance of the San Diego Convention Center and the famed Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel is part of a landmark development transforming San Diego’s downtown waterfront with over five acres of green space and more than 1.7 million square feet of best-in-class offices, retail, restaurants, public art and entertainment.
The elegant 36-story glass tower will feature 1,160 rooms, including 69 suites and Fairmont Gold, the brand’s distinctive hotel-within-a-hotel experience boasting VIP service, exclusive lounge and private reception desk. High-end amenities will include luxury spa and fitness facilities, rooftop pool, and more than 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including two 20,000 square-foot ballrooms.
