Sunday, March 29, 2015

PORT OF SAN DIEGO EXPANSION

The day we moved into our new home, as I was hastily trying to get organized, I looked out my window at the San Diego Bay and noticed, for the first time, an ocean-going vessel pass by. Since then I have seen hundreds them. They come intermittently at a slow speed, so there is always plenty of time to view them. Besides the large cargo ships, there are kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, yachts, fishing boats, ferries, party and sightseeing boats—the parade never ends.

NAVY TUGBOAT  CELEBRATION
The naval ships pass by on their way to and from Naval Base San Diego, also called the 32nd Street Naval Station, which is the largest US Navy base on the West Coast. It is most impressive, on those infrequent occasions, when the ship is returning from many months of being on assignment. The naval personnel are lined up on the deck, the front is adorned with a large wreath, and they are lead by a tugboat with a fountain of water flowing from it. Band music can be heard from the dock, and I can only imagine the happy families that are waiting for them there.
US NAVY SHIP- SAN DIEGO BAY
Since I am fond of watching the ships float in and out of the bay, I read with interest the news that the Port of San Diego may become even busier. It is currently proposing to modernize the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, located off Harbor Drive and Cesar Chavez Parkway. If this gets approved, it will lead to San Diego becoming a leading West Coast specialty port—comprised of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT) and the National City Marine Terminal (NCMT). San Diego is desirable because it offers a natural, protected harbor that is uncongested as well as a year-round mild climate.
The Economic Impact of the San Diego Unified Port District 2/25/15” was recently prepared by the Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. This annual study indicates that the Port of San Diego contributes more than $7.6 billion a year into the region from employment, sales and purchase of goods and services. This makes it the second-largest employer in San Diego County, after the state of California. It is the primary port of entry for Honda, Acura, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Nissan, Mitsubishi Fuso, and Hino Motors into America. It also holds a twenty-year lease with Dole Food Company, bringing in much of the country's bananas.
The Port of San Diego controls more than 60 percent of the Bay shoreline, or 33 of the 54 total miles—the Navy controls 17 miles. It oversees two marine cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, the Harbor Police Department, and leases of almost 600 tenants and subtenants along San Diego Bay. In addition, it oversees 20 public parks, including the newest waterfront park, Lane Field, that opened on March 16. Located on the corner of West Broadway and North Harbor Drive, it was once the site of Lane Field where the original Pacific Coast League Padres played from 1936-1957. It is named after Bill Lane, who was the owner of the Pacific Coast League Padres in 1936.
A helpful tool that makes observing the vessels more interesting is marinetraffic.com It provides the location of all the ships in the area along with the name, type of ship, a photo, current location, itinerary, home port and other details.
The San Diego Bay appears reasonably clean and odorless, however, it is far from perfect. A federal list that identifies unhealthy waters, called the 303(d) list, includes San Diego Bay for 20 separate pollutants—including copper, mercury, PAHs, PCBs, zinc, and chlordane—along with general toxicity in the bottom of the the bay. Sources of the pollutants are urban runoff and copper-based paints on boats. There are signs posted at all piers along the bay warning anglers that fish may contain chemicals believed to cause cancer and birth defects.
The proposal to expand the terminal and increase the traffic is now waiting the results of a Notice of Preparation for a Draft Environmental Impact Report issued by the Port of San Diego. The public and other interested parties now have an opportunity to comment on possible environmental impacts of the project. Comments will be accepted until 5pm on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.
US NAVY  SHIP ADORNED WITH WREATH
DOLE CARGO SHIP




Wednesday, March 11, 2015

"OUR SILENCES"---MEXICAN ARTIST RIVELINO

OUR SILENCES
As I was rushing to the Fifth Avenue Pier to catch a ferry to Coronado, I noticed, for the first time, massive bronze sculptures along the walkway. They were especially striking with light shimmering on them. I decided to return soon to see what they were all about.
I then discovered that this display of giant men has been traveling around the world and was unveiled on January 29, 2015. San Diego is the first U.S. City to exhibit Our Silences, by the Mexican artist Rivelino, and it will only be here until March 15. Previously, the sculptures toured Mexico City and other major cities in Europe, including London, Paris, and Madrid.
TUNA HARBOR
I returned a few day later, on a perfect 65 degree San Diego day, to enjoy the art at my leisure. From the Broadway Pier, I walked south toward Seaport Village, enjoying a view of the USS Midway and Tuna Harbor along the way. The abstract human figures are situated in Ruocco Park, just before Seaport Village, with the city on one side and San Diego Bay on the other. Park benches offer a perfect resting point to appreciate the art in this beautiful setting.
The display consists of ten bronze sculptures 11½ feet tall, weighing about one ton each. All with the same cream color and brown trim. They have slits for eyes, bald heads, big pointed noses, and long thin ears. Each mouth is covered with a metal plate, representing the artist's belief in the importance of freedom of expression. They are placed in a long line with each one at a 45 degree angle to the bay, one group of five is looking toward the Midway and the other five is looking south. (The configuration of where they are placed varies with the location, for example, in London they were placed in a circle.) There is also a separate large, black, touch-box for use by people with visual disability.
Rivelino, whose full name is Jose Rivelino Moreno Valle, was born in Jalisco, Mexico in 1973. He is one of Mexicos' most famous sculptors and works out of his studio in Mexico City.
He explained in Spanish at the unveiling, “From here, that silence moves from one city to another, one country to another, and one continent to another. It's important to share what we think and feel.”

In every city where it is presented, the work of art acquires a different meaning by establishing relationships with the local architecture, culture, society and history.  
OUR SILENCES 
SAN DIEGO



OUR SILENCES  IN SAN DIEGO
OUR SILENCES IN SAN DIEGO


OUR SILENCES IN LONDON
OUR SILENCES IN LISBON
OUR SILENCES IN MOSCOW
OUR SILENCES IN SAN DIEGO