Environmentally-Friendly Green Port Holiday Tree Shining Bright at Seaport Village

Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216 Tuesday, 01 December 2009

The Port of San Diego's Environmental Department is adding a whole new meaning to going green this holiday season. The first ever Green Port holiday tree is brightly shining at Seaport Village.

The Port partnered with San Diego Gas and Electric, Seaport Village and Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute to spread holiday cheer and to set an example of environmental sustainability. The tree-lighting ceremony was held on Saturday, November 28, with Board of Port Commissioners Vice-Chair Robert “Dukie” Valderrama and Mitch Mitchell of SDG&E flipping the switch.

Port of San Diego Public Art Department Announces Call for Artists

Monday, 30 November 2009

The Best Western Yacht Harbor Hotel seeks an artist or artist team to create new, site-specific, original artwork(s) which may incorporate multi-sensory and eco-friendly water elements, for the newly renovated hotel. The hotel is located at 5005 N. Harbor Drive (map).

For more information, please visit the Public Art Opportunities section.

• Download the Call for Artists (pdf) brochure for this project

San Diego Harbor Police Collecting Teddy Bears for Holiday Cheer

Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216 Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Want to help make the holidays brighter for sick and injured children in San Diego? It’s as easy as donating a teddy bear.

The San Diego Harbor Police Department is the host agency for the 19th Annual Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive, going on now. The goal is to deliver more than 60,000 stuffed animals into the arms of patients at Rady Children’s Hospital on December 15.

“Our primary goal is to keep the hospital stocked all year long, so each child being treated receives a stuffed animal to help them through their healing process,” said Officer Christine Sperry of the San Diego Harbor Police. “This goal can only be accomplished with the continued support of community members and businesses and the hard work of all law enforcement agencies.”

Hornblower Hybrid Visits Port of San Diego

Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6222 Monday, 23 November 2009

The first hybrid ferry in the United States has blown into the Port of San Diego for a visit. The 64-foot-long boat, Hornblower Hybrid, which is based in San Francisco, was built and designed by Hornblower Cruises and Events.

Like swirling clouds, two 10-foot-high wind turbines turn in the wind atop the sleek hybrid to help power the vessel.

Transmission Towers Coming Down On Chula Vista Bay Front

Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222 Thursday, 19 November 2009

San Diego Gas & Electric has begun removing 23 lattice steel transmission towers that supported the South Bay Power Plant, located on the waterfront of San Diego Bay in Chula Vista. 

The removal of the towers, which began on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, signifies the beginning of the end for the South Bay Power Plant, which is operated by Houston-based Dynegy Inc.  Dynegy plans on taking two of the plant’s power units offline January 1, 2010. The plant is designated as a “must run” facility by the California Independent System Operator (Cal Iso), which manages the state's power supply. It is anticipated that the designation may be removed in 2010. 

Once the “must run” designation is removed, Dynegy will take the remaining two power units offline, which would allow the plant to be decommissioned.