ACE PARKING wants you to ‘Park for Pink’

Throughout the month of October, any customer that parks in an Ace Parking lot Downtown will have a portion of their parking fee donated to organizations that fight cancer. Last year, in its inaugural year, “Park for Pink” raised thousands of dollars for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight blood cancers.

Ace Parking will change out much of their traditional signage with pink-colored signs with the Park for Pink logo. All Ace Parking team members will also be wearing bright pink buttons and wristbands, in honor of the pledge. The Park for Pink program was inspired by Ace Parking’s third generation owner, Keith B. Jones, whose own wife struggled with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma but is currently in remission after an aggressive chemotherapy regimen.

“Now, having a few years to reflect on this transformational event, and having

endured the trial together with my resilient and beautiful wife, we have tremendous compassion and empathy for those who continue to fight this battle,” Jones said. “I am thrilled to have my family business Ace Parking be a platform for supporting those who are suffering from this disease, and assist those who will one day find a cure.”

Though previously the campaign was limited to Ace Parking facilities in San Diego County, in 2015 it will be expanded to the 450 Ace Parking locations across the entire United States. For more information, visit events.lls.org/pages/sd/parkforpink o aceparking.com.

Airport Authority to host public meeting on ‘Metroplex’

San Diego residents will get the chance to learn more about the FAA’s proposed “SoCal Metroplex” project, which aims to improve the efficiency of the airspace around Southern California’s airports.

The project will be accompanied by a draft environmental assessment (EA) to discover whether the plans would have any possible impacts on the surrounding environment.

The meeting, hosted by the Airport Authority and presented by the FAA, will be held Oct. 6, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Corky McMillian Companies Event Center, located at 2875 Dewey Rd., in Liberty Station.

FAA officials will be on hand to answer questions and explain how to submit public comments on the project. The deadline for public comment is Oct. 8 and can be submitted through the FAA’s website. For links to related key FAA documents, visit san.org/metroplex. To learn more about the project, visit tinyurl.com/okelaxg.

‘KIDS FREE SAN DIEGO’ RETURNS

City and tourism leaders recently announced the launch of the fourth annual “Kids Free San Diego” which takes place the entire month of October. Over 100 local attractions, hotels, and restaurants will participate in the promotion and local residents benefit, too.

“Kids Free is yet another way that San Diegans benefit from living in one of the most desirable tourist destinations in North America,” said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “San Diego’s tourism economy not only provides thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue, it also creates opportunities for San Diegans to experience unique and special places like the San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway Museum and many other attractions. And with Kids Free, San Diegans can enjoy them for a lot less in October.”

Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, the private non-profit that markets San Diego as a visitor destination, said that October is generally an “off peak” month, so this promotion helps bring visitors to the region.

“More visitors to San Diego means more hotel tax revenue, which the city uses to help fund essential city services like police, fire, parks and street resurfacing,” he said.

In addition to visitors, local families can also take advantage of all the offers, with activities such as visiting the many area museums, going on sightseeing tours, eating out at dozens of participating restaurants, even opting for an overnight stay at many local hotels, and more.

Visita SanDiego.org/KidsFree before making any “staycation” plans or visiting any local attraction.

SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL TO RECEIVE MUSIC GRANT

The House of Blues Music Forward Foundation will be delivering a grant it awarded to San Diego High School’s Instrumental Music program on Oct. 13.

“Music Forward knows that participation in music programs helps youth develop transferable life skills such as diligence, focus and critical thinking,” said Executive Director Marjorie Gilberg in a press release. “Action for the Arts grant funding ensures thousands more young people will benefit from learning and playing music.”

Part of their Action for the Arts Grants, the Foundation will be offering the grant in the form of musical resources and percussion instruments, which will allow more students the opportunity to practice.

“For most students, the Instrumental Music Program is their first and perhaps only opportunity to gain the academic and cognitive benefits of music making, but our percussion instruments are at least 15 years old, possibly older, and replacement parts are no longer being manufactured,” said Instrumental Music Director Jose Diaz in the release. “New or refurbished instruments would be meaningful to the students who play these instruments and allow the music program to continue with its goals of expanding so that student involvement in the marching band can increase.”

House of Blues San Diego/Anaheim General Manager Brian Carp said their organization looks forward to the program every year.

“House of Blues in San Diego is honored to participate in the annual instrument donation to San Diego’s High School students,” he said in the release. “Music is ingrained in our culture and we are always excited to share music with the local community.”