News

Westfield Horton Plaza and the Salvation Army are helping to "Scare Away Hunger" this Halloween. Come to Horton Plaza on October 31 from 5 PM to 7 PM for a fun, safe, and family friendly trick-or-treating event.

Please bring one non-perishable food item to the Shopping Concierge Center and pick up your trick-or-treat bags, treats, and a complete list of participating retailers.

Call (619) 238-1596 for more information.

Join kids of all ages for a day of fun activities and entertainment on Sunday, October 29th, 2006 from 11am to 4pm. The main gate is at 5th and Island Ave. Tickets are available at the William Heath Davis House, 410 Island Ave, for $5. Children 2 and under are admitted free.

Activities will include: Wild West Show, Archaeological Dig, Historical Demonstrations, Live Cannon Shooting, Gold Panning with REAL GOLD!, Carriage Rides, Inflatable Jumps, Blacksmith, House of 1,000 Spiders, Pumpkin Patch and Decorating, Dance Performances, Puppet Shows, Pony Rides, Hot Dogs for Children under 12, Ice Cream for Children under 12, Ice Cream Eating Contest, Halloween Costume Contest, Pig Calling Contest, Spaghetti Eating Contest, Eric Runningpath, Sand Art, AND MUCH MORE!

The local chapter of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation is having a "Wine Party and Silent Auction Under the Stars with Live Jazz Music" on Friday, October 13th. Angelman Syndrome is the genetic disorder affecting occasional playgroup attendee Farah Sponer.

This will fund research at the Children's Hospital of San Diego. The National Institute of Health partially funds this research, but they do not pay for certain costs, including diagnostic tests and drugs. There are currently 18 folks enrolled in these studies, but only enough money for 10 of them. All of the money raised will be used for research.

For more information, visit http://www.asfwac.org.

Starting September 11, wall panels were lifted from Island Avenue (image), carried over the museum site (image), further prepared for placement (image), and positioned as part of the wall (image). The panels went up like clockwork with only a few glitches. A doorway for an emergency exit was placed a few feet farther east than previously planned (image), leaving workers positioning the panel puzzling how to get back to the site. There seems to have been an issue with the original stairs also (image). A panel was briefly placed in the wrong position (image), but that was quickly corrected. One panel brought a large piece of supporting concrete along (image). The extra concrete was broken off in small pieces (image), until the final half came down with a great noise (image). By September 22, the supports for the north wall were being disassembled (image) and forms were well under way for additional wall panels (image).

The massive, 276 foot tall crane was assembled September 8 - 10 with the help of a smaller crane which then departed. The large crane rolled into position September 8. Weights were added and the shorter side of the "V" was raised: Click for image. On September 9, the longer side of the "V" was built along Island Avenue (click for image) and raised. On September 10, additional counter-balance weight was added, completing the crane: Click for image. Meanwhile, a form for the face of the museum was prepared for the name to be imprinted in concrete: Click for image.

On July 17, concrete covered the section of Island south of the museum and the sidewalk areas to the east and west. Frames were then added in preparation for the concrete pour that will create the tilt-up walls: Click for image. The concept was proven with two small pieces in the corner: Click for image. On August 10, the elevated base of the north wall was filled with concrete: Click for image. On August 17, filling the forms for the tilt-up walls began: Click for image. That process continued through August 21: Click for image.

CCDC is requesting bids from licensed general contractors for the construction of a new public linear park in the Cortez Hill neighborhood on the north side of Date Street (from Sixth to Tenth Avenues) and the east side of Tenth Avenue (between Date and Beech Streets). Bids will be opened on Tuesday, October 10, 2006.

Tweet Street/Cortez Hill Park is a remnant of Balboa Park, which once extended into the Cortez area. The Park is linear and an average of 30’ wide and a total of 1,800 feet in length, with approximately 900 feet on Date Street and 900 feet on Tenth Avenue. The Park will provide a green landscaped buffer between the Cortez Hill neighborhood and the freeway, and will contain features such as sidewalks, curved walking paths, a play area for small children, benches for sitting, litter receptacles, and pet rest area facilities.

The most unique feature of the park is the aviary theme that will include whimsical birdhouses which combine function with artistic innovation. These birdhouses were designed to attract birds native to San Diego , particularly the Bewick’s Wren. The birdhouses were constructed by artists, designers and architects under the guidance and direction of bird experts.

Westfield Horton Plaza proudly presents the 2nd Annual "Downtown Movies at the Park" event to be held in the Park at the Park at PETCO Park. This year the movie selections will be "E.T.-The Extra-Terrestrial" and "The Natural."

E.T. will be shown at 7pm on Saturday, September 9, 2006. The Natural will be shown at 7pm on Saturday, September 30, 2006.

Admission to both movies is free! Attendees are encouraged to bring canned food items to be donated to local charities (selected by sponsors).

Attendees are invited to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. The San Diego Padres will have open concession stands selling hotdogs, popcorn, ice cream, sodas and water. Picnic blankets are allowed, but beach chairs will not be permitted. Accomodations will be made for guests in wheelchairs.

The event was created by the Downtown Communications Council (DCC), the same collaborative group of public, private and non profit public relations and marketing professionals that created the Downtown for the Holidays Campaign. For more DCC news and events, visit www.sandiegodowntown.org.

Sponsors: 4SD High Definition, Centre City Development Corporation, San Diego Padres, Smart Corner

The summer reading program is a pleasant memory. September brings more story times, crafts, movies, and a fiesta.

For centuries, sailors have honed their shipboard skills to the cadence of songs recounting the adventure, tragedy and romance of life at sea. These sea chanteys, and the sailors' lives they describe, come to life aboard the Star of India when The Maritime Museum of San Diego, along with San Diego Folk Heritage, presents the 14th Annual Sea Chantey Fest. Visitors will enjoy sea chanteys and traditional folk music performed by a variety of local and national artists including Pint & Dale, the Westlin Weavers, Skelpin and more. The museum sail crew will demonstrate various shipboard skills traditionally accompanied by sea chanteys and visitors will have a chance to join in and raise the sails of the historic ship.

After 3 years, nearly all of the "regulars" have moved or are in daycare, preschool, or school. Meanwhile, downtown has gone from having 1 weekly playdate to 4! Starting with September, Tuesday playdates will be the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Playdates will often include a touch of homeschooling, but younger siblings will be around and all ages are still welcome.

The classes provide art instruction for a wide range of ages and prices. The Academy is located downtown. To view the class descriptions, visit http://artacademyofsandiego.com/WS%20for%20Children.htm

The downtown community forum on sexual predators in our neighborhood, sponsored by Council member Kevin Faulconer, will be in the Versailles Room of the Westgate Hotel on Wednesday Aug 16th at 6pm.

The Producer has cancelled the BARBIE LIVE TOUR. If you purchased tickets to this event over the phone, please contact the Broadway/San Diego Subscription Department at 888-937-8995.

If you are a subscriber who purchased your tickets in person at the Civic Theatre Ticket Office, please return to the Ticket Office for a refund.

http://www.broadwaysd.com/barbie.php

CCDC News 7/27/06 - On June 30, Torrey Pines Bank, the Children's Museum and CCDC (acting on behalf of the Redevelopment Agency) closed the bank's $10 million loan to the Museum to finance the completion of the new Museum on Island Avenue between Union and Front streets. The dream of a Children's Museum in this location began with the temporary move of the Museum to downtown in 1993 and the Redevelopment Agency's purchase of the site in 1994. The new Museum will have 50,000 sf of space, including a charter school, and shares the block with Pinnacle Museum Tower, a residential condominium of 179 units, with ground-floor retail. With this construction milestone met, the Redevelopment Agency will commence construction of the Children’s Museum Park located immediately across the street from the Museum on Island Avenue. The Museum has an easement for programming the park's activities and will maintain the park's improvements.

Viva-city reports "City Babes meet at 2:00p on Thursday in various Downtown spots. Connect with babies born between May 2005 and May 2006 and their parents." For more information, contact Kristin and Ariella at CityBabes@gmail.com.

That puts playdates around downtown on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and regularly at Pantoja Park on Wednesday evenings. See the sd-fun.org home page for contact info for the other days.

Viva-city reports "Julie Licari, a mother and long-time resident of the Marina neighborhood, has created a membership only website to enhance family life in the city." For more information, contact Julie at julielicari@yahoo.com or visit http://groups.msn.com/strollersinthecity.

Join the San Diego Symphony and Summer Pops Conductor Matthew Garbutt for an end-of-summer musical extravaganza!

On the Lawn at the Embarcadero Marina Park South (directly behind the Convention Center)

Gates open at 2pm, concert starts at 4pm.

Kick off the School year with a free afternoon of family fun, brought to you by Target!! Bring your beach blankets, chairs, and picnic baskets and get ready for some bayside fun with the San Diego Symphony.

COME EARLY FOR THE FREE MINI ARTS-FEST!!

• Face painting
• drum circle
• musical petting zoo
• puppet shows
• hands-on arts 'n crafts
• youth dancers
• fun activities!

CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Strauss - Opening of Also Sprach Zarathustra
• Dukas - Sorcerer's Apprentice
• Tchaikovsky - Waltz from Sleeping Beauty
• Williams - "Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone"
• Elfman - Music from "Batman"
• Elfman - Music from "Spiderman"
• Williams - Superman March
• arr. Lowden - Armed Forces Salute
• Williams - "Raiders" March

The folks at Horton Plaza have been building on the feedback we put together at playgroup. They are planning a summer outdoor music series on Level 5. The current plan is to have music on Friday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. from mid July through September. It will be "ambient music" - i.e., not a formal concert with chairs, but they're hoping it will provide a casual evening out listening to music and perhaps having dinner at a restaurant or in the food court.

We suggested free balloons, and they already had them! They are available at the concierge booth. This is right next door to a new children's clothing store - Lil Bogies. For an idea of the styles, visit their website, http://www.lilbogies.com. They "offer a unique selection of contemporary casual outerwear and formal apparel for your infant or toddler." Most of the clothing is made in the USA.

They are working on more ideas for local families. More is to come...

Pantoja Park and the Promenade will be better connected. CCDC and the City plan to install a pedestrian crossing at the corner of Columbia and Market. The crossing will have LEDs embedded in the roadway with "Pedestrian Crossing" warning signs and a crosswalk. There will be activators on both sides of the street and in the median. The median will be lowered for wheel chair/stroller access.

The Board recommended Agency approval of park development plans and a First Implementation Agreement with Pinnacle Bayside Development US L.P. for the development of a 56,030 square foot rectangular public park to be located on the block bounded by Island Avenue and 14th, 15th and J streets in East Village. The park is part of the Pinnacle 15th and Island condominium project. While the new park will be privately constructed and maintained, it will be a public park. Designed by Spurlock Poirier Landscape Architects the park will contain features such as sidewalks, walking paths, play areas including a tot lot, open lawn space, bench seats, lighting, litter receptacles, drinking fountains, and gardens and trellises for shade. Public restrooms will be provided as part of the corner commercial development to be constructed with the park. Pending Agency approval, construction could begin in the fall of 2006.

The latest CCDC budget includes a $100,000 line item for a "Pantoja Park Tot Lot". Further details are not yet available. (The lead for the project, Garry Papers, is currently on vacation.)

The downtown library children's room has an impressive collection of books, CDs, and videos available for borrowing and numerous free activities, but very low attendance. Recently a special presentation of Swazzle Puppets was canceled due to lack of interest. Though the building is showing age and the surrounding blocks have not been gentrified, the second floor children's room is a place to get lost in one of the thousands of books, play an educational game on one of the computers, or participate in a free craft. The children's librarians are dedicated, creative, and cheerful, but cheer is difficult when the room is empty.

Wild Wonders will be presenting a live animal program on July 13 - if there is interest. Let the librarians know you plan to attend!

GMS and Diane Powers were seen together at many workshops describing the vision for a new Bazaar del Mundo in a restored Old Police Headquarters building, but a lease agreement has not yet been reached. The Port approved the EIR and the project is now awaiting review by the Coastal Commission. The Port is currently working with fishermen on issues and hopes the project will reach the Coastal Commission in August. GMS explains that waiting for lease agreements until final approvals is common. While waiting, the parties have "agreed to disagree". If all goes well, construction is anticipated in the spring of 2007.

Mayor Sanders, Council President Peters, members of the Arts Commission and various downtown associations gathered on the site for the new Children’s Museum/Museo de los Niños San Diego on June 8 to celebrate the start of vertical construction on The Muse, a $25 million, 50,000-square-foot facility downtown with a school, performing arts spaces, art galleries and more.

The crowd cheered when executives of Leap Wireless announced a surprise gift. The $1 million sponsorship by Leap of the Children’s Museum puts the capital campaign for The Muse that much closer to its goal. Leap’s sponsorship will be funding the construction of the new museum as well as 45,000 free admissions to deserving children.

Construction has resumed through loans. Additional contributions are very much needed and appreciated!

The final workshop leading into the formal process for the Pacific Gateway site plan was filled with frustration, but still had highlights. CCDC representatives expressed muted frustration at having their hands tied by an agreement written in 1992. The public frustration was not muted and repeatedly called for more public uses on the 12 acre site. The current plan does call for a nearly 2 acre park. Some activity areas are being marked on the plan. The details of those activity areas won't be specified until the park moves forward, which can't happen until the current Navy building comes down. The records of the workshops will show requests for children's activities in those areas and the designer spoke positively of including that in the park.

Activities include archery, arts, crafts, hiking, exploring the world around, drama, outdoor living skills, great camp songs and much much more! Making new friends, fun and adventure abound at Camp Cahito! Session 1 begins June 19 and the last session, session 8, ends August 11. Generally camp is open to girls and boys going into grades 1-6 in the fall, but two of the sessions include outdoor programs for ages 3-5. For more information, visit http://www.campfiresdi.org/cahito.htm.

Highlights include addtional parks, improved connectivity, and conveniently located goods and services. Funding for parks was a significant issue. DIFs were a known source (see DevelopmentFeesForParksAndFire), but the shortfall was still projected to be near $100 million. A last minute change to cover the gap adds a $15 per square foot fee to obtain FAR beyond that allowed in the 1992 community plan. The meeting was very well attended with hours of public input. The question of whether the plan is good enough to move forward without additional changes and hearings was divisive. The Council voted to move forward, but with additional hearings and the potential for later changes.

The plan calls for a quantity of parkland per resident that does not meet city standards. It avoids addressing some socio-economic issues. There are concerns about transitional areas between uses and between communities. The last minute $15 per square foot deal has had little time for review. Several City Councilmembers expressed concerns, but in the end the plan was approved on faith - faith in CCDC. The motion for approval included the provision of an implementation committee that would meet frequently and report back. If the plan were not approved at that meeting, projects that depend on the new plan would be placed in jeopardy. There were several references to confidence in a changing culture at CCDC. The plan changes desired by those speaking in opposition to the plan were not included in the motion, but councilmembers voting for the motion expressed confidence that the plan would be implemented with the spirit of many of those changes.

Meeting suburban friends at Pantoja Park is easier now that green top meters are in place. 4 hour parking is available adjacent to the park and reduced rate 9 hour parking is available around the corner.

The parking rate for green-top meters ranges from $0.50 to $1.25 per hour. Parking times range from 4 to 9 hours. Rates and time allowed are posted on blue signs near the meters and on the meters themselves. Green-top meters can be found in portions of the Cortez, East Village, Little Italy and Marina neighborhoods. Maps showing green-top meter locations can be found at: http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/projects.downtown_parking .

Rechargeable parking meter debit cards are available for purchase in $10 and $45 increments. The cards can be used at any parking meter in the city. (Coins are still accepted at all meters.) If you return before your time is up, you can just re-insert your card and the meter will refund your payment down to 6 minutes.

Children's Museum construction will resume shortly and at the February 15, 2006 CCAC meeting, Pam Hamilton confirmed the intention of having the adjacent park open with or shortly after the museum. She also announced that the park faces a funding shortfall. $750,000 was originally budgeted for the park. That amount was later increased to $1.5 million, but costs have continued to increase and that figure is now about 25% short of what is needed to build the park as designed. The park will definitely be built, but CCDC must decide between reducing park features and increasing the budget. After the meeting, she spoke positively of increasing the budget. Thank you!

The Ruth family is going without a personal car for the month of February as part of the "Low Car Diet," sponsored by Flexcar, MTS, Amtrak, and others. The month is sweetened by 25 hours of Flexcar usage, transit passes, and Amtrak tickets. The Ruths recently lost their vehicle in an accident and need to decide whether to purchase a replacement. The month is young, but foot, trolley, and bus met their needs during the week (without the wailing associated with carseats) and a Flexcar got them to Poway to visit with friends and family on the weekend - sometimes a car is needed. The extra parking space resulting from not having a personal car has been great for having guests from the suburbs. Next weekend Amtrak will carry them from Sante Fe Depot to Disneyland without the stress of driving. Could travel time be "family time" in the suburbs? Downtown is truly a wonderful place to raise a family.

Downtown Camp Fire Kids USA for ages 3-5yrs old meets twice a month. The mission is to build caring confident youth and future leaders through leadership, self-reliance, camping, and environmental education. Members have the privilege to use Camp Cahito located in 7 acres of Balboa Park for summer and day camps.

Camp Fire is looking for new clubs to open throughout San Diego for all ages 3 and up.

Contact Camp Fire at #619-291-8985 for all San Diego and Julie Licari at #619-778-4236 for Downtown

This is not a simple book with yellow pages. "The goal of City Book is to connect people to their city to the extent that they understand it intimately, care for it passionately. It is intended to be a match that ignites the unique experience of living in Downtown." -- http://www.city-book.info/

The signs have been up for over a month, and pedicab traffic on the promenade is waning. Thanks go to local dad Evan Malter for his editorials and Deputy Mayor Zucchet for getting the issue through City Council.

The CCDC Board heard an update of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, including proposed site design elements, construction material quality levels, development phasing and total project costs. CCDC Board members expressed concern over issues raised at a Board of Port Commissioners workshop the previous day, including critical design elements of the plan and the commitment by the Port to the project. San Diego Unified Port Chairman Bill Hall spoke in support of the $228 million project, notwithstanding numerous new issues and concerns expressed by the Board of Port Commissioners. CCDC Board Chairman Hal Sadler suggested that the leadership of CCDC and the Port meet as soon as possible to resolve any impediments to full implementation of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.

For more on this topic, visit the North Embarcadero wiki page.

The current draft plan does not provide the elementary school permission to expand. The idea of providing the school with such permissions has been described as a "non-starter". Expansion of the elementary school would require a 2/3 majority vote of City Council. The school district has responded to the draft.

CCDC reports, "It is currently expected that the revised Draft Plan for Lindbergh Field will not be presented for adoption for six - eight months, and it is not known when a revised draft will be available for public review. CCDC staff, along with City of San Diego staff, will continue working with the Airport Authority staff to discuss proposed policies and regulations affecting Centre City."

For more on this issue, visit AirportPlan.

The Toddler Group (born April 2004 - April 2005) was formed by Nanci Winfield as a baby group, but time flies! For the time and locations, concact Nanci at 2004@sd-fun.org.

Pack 15 is the downtown cub scout pack. They've been around for several years, but are currently making a renewed effort to spread the word, "We're always looking for new scouts to come and join the fun. Meetings are held on different days of the week depending on the grade of the boy, from grade 1 through 5. (Older boys join the Boy Scouts.)" For more information, send an email to pack15@hotmail.com or check the Events page for the monthly pack meeting and field trip information.

Last Fall, an initial batch of shirts was produced and more shirts were intended to be available soon thereafter. The second batch is finally available. (4 XS and 4 YS.) Notes of who was interested were lost long ago, so please email mail@sd-fun.org. For more information, visit ShirtsAvailable.

Amy Pasko reports that Little Rascalz has come to San Diego. Soccer lessons are available for 3 and 4 year olds at the Golden Hill Community Park.

The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation's Children's Historical Walking Tour is now taking reservations! The tour focuses on what life was like for children of the late 1800's. The tour includes a visit to the museum where kids learn what was expected of a child in the 1800's, like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and manners. Then it's off for a quick tour of the Gaslamp including a stop at Ghiradelli Ice Cream Shop to learn about the history of Ghiradelli Chocolate, a tour of the sub-zero freezer (if available) and an ice cream sundae!

The tour is recommended for groups of about 20. Cost is $5 per person, which includes the tour and the sundae. The tour is designed for ages 7 to 14.

The Board approved the disbursement of $6.5 million of the $20 million programmed for fiscal year 2005 for the proposed San Diego Central Library. The Board also directed staff to review the State grant of $20 million towards the project to clarify covenants or restrictions. The vote included a stipulation that future disbursements would be contingent upon the success of private fund raising efforts for the remaining $30 million. The proposed 10-story, 400,000 square foot Main Library is designed to serve the City's library needs for 50 years or more. (Vote: 5-0, Chair Sadler recusal, Vice Chair Vilaplana absent).

Viva-city is well known to many, but for those who haven't heard... Take a look here. Contact Sandra Simmons to be added to the email list for the monthly newsletter.