Port of San Diego offering shuttles to help viewers see fireworks
Shuttles and other public transit will be available as alternative transportation to the Big Bay Boom fireworks on July 4. The popular annual fireworks spectacular, which drew international attention last year after a malfunction caused all 7,000 of the fireworks to launch in less than 30 seconds, is expected to draw crowds of 300,000 to 500,000 viewers, according to a Port of San Diego press release. The 17-minute show, will have four simultaneous launch locations around San Diego Bay, is set to begin at 9 p.m., though many areas could reach parking capacity several hours before the start time, according to the release. Recommended viewing areas include Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing. As a result of limited parking in these areas, the Port’s Harbor Police will close off vehicle access to both Shelter and Harbor Islands once full. However, free shuttles will run from 6 – 11 p.m. The Shelter Island shuttle will leave from the corner of Carleton and Rosecrans streets in Point Loma, where only street parking is available. For the Harbor Island Shuttle, viewers are instructed to park at either the Port of San Diego Administration building at 3165 Pacific Highway, or the Port’s employee lot on the southwest corner of Pacific Highway and Sassafras Street. The shuttle will pick up passengers from the entrance of the employee lot. For more information about public transportation to the viewing areas, visit bigbayboom.com/locations/parkingbuses.
Pixar professionals to teach master class
A two-day workshop taught by instructors from Pixar Animation studios will finish its tour in Downtown San Diego on July 26 and 27 at the Horton Grand Theatre. The Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) runs the Story Development & Animation Master class, which previously stopped in New York City, Australia and New Zealand. Matthew Luhn, story supervisor and Andrew Gordon, directing animator, will share their knowledge, experience and passion gained from working at Pixar for a collective 33 years. The class is geared toward industry professionals such as animators or cartoonists, screenwriters, game designers, story-boarders, film editors and producers, and other creative professionals. Students, educators and enthusiasts are encouraged to attend as well. The $499 fee includes the full class, a free t-shirt, a workbook for notes, and prizes, according to a press release from VanArts. For more information, visit vanarts.com/events.
Cabrillo Bridge to receive a facelift
Plans to retrofit the Laurel Street overcrossing in time for the Balboa Park 2015 Centennial Celebration are underway. The project plans to adapt the bridge for seismic strength, improve structural integrity and replace aged steel and concrete. Also known as the Cabrillo Bridge, the life of the overcrossing that carries vehicles and pedestrians over the State Route 163 and into Balboa Park will be extended for 50 years. Cal Trans announced on June 19 that Disney Construction, a Burlingame, Calif. company, is the apparent low bidder for the project, according to a press release. After the bid is awarded, construction is expected to begin this fall and continue until summer of 2014. Interruption to traffic on the State Route 163 will be minimal, according to the release. Vehicle access to the bridge will close for four months, beginning on January 2014, though pedestrian access will not be interrupted.
Del Mar “hats parade” kicks of 2014 racing season
For the 76th year in a row, the Del Mar Race Track, located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. in Del Mar, will host their 37 days of annual horse racing season, staring July 17 and running through Sept. 4. This year’s annual hat contest, sponsored by Village Hat Shop and presented by Studio Savvy Salon, is an opening day tradition. Signups are from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., with a hat parade immediately following in the Plaza de Mexico, just inside the Stretch Run admission gates. Five different hat categories will be available to competitors, with prizes for first, second and third place in each category and a grand prize, which will include a roundtrip vacation and a $500 Studio Savvy gift basket. Also on opening day this year is the Coors Light Opening Day Party, which offers wagering, a giant video board, live music, food, a craft beer garden, and more in a private trackside area, all for $30. Gates open two hours before the first post, which is at 2 p.m. daily, except on Fridays due to their summer concert series, when the first post is at 4 p.m., and on Aug. 25 for the Pacific Classic, which is 1 p.m. The track is dark on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the season with the exception of Labor Day. For more information visit dmrc.com.
FILM CON appears on the scene
A new film festival is set to emerge on July 19 in San Diego’s East Village. Presented by Film Consortium San Diego, Space 4 Art, and So Say We All, FILM CON will host celebrity guests, short films from local festivals, cosplay costumes, an art exhibition, networking opportunities and more, according to a press release. The event will be held at Space 4 Art, at 325 15th Street, from 6 – 10 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door; student discounts are also available. For more information or to register, visit filmconsortiumsd.com.
Charger holds first charity golf tournament
The first annual Ryan Mathews Charity Golf Tournament will take place on July 22 at Maderas Golf Club in Poway. The Chargers running back will host the event to benefit the Trish and Ryan Matthews Door of Hope Chest, to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital and Strikes 4 Kids, according to a press release. Twenty of Mathew’s fellow Chargers will also attend the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and includes a gift bag from sponsors, a photo opportunity, golf polo shirt, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to 18 holes of golf and a golf cart. Participants can also win prizes at a raffle during the event. Registration is $225 per golfer, or $800 for four. Spectator tickets are also sold for $20. For more information or to register, visit ryanmathewsgolftournament.org.
Wi-Fi returns to the COASTER
As of June 19, free Wi-Fi in all 28 COASTER cars has been re-enabled after months of testing. The internet connection, provided by T-Mobile, is now 100 percent, according to a North County Transit District press release. However, the connection is not meant for heavy usage. “This free Wi-Fi service is only intended for light internet usage such as checking email and browsing the internet. In order to provide a good experience for all of our passengers, we request users to refrain from streaming music or video or downloading large files,” NCTD Chief Technical Officer Ryan Cashin said in the release. For more information, visit gonctd.com/wifi_policy.
