Peninsula News Briefs

Ocean Beach Bizmap launches

OB Bizmap is a new interactive way of exploring Ocean Beach, targeted to travelers and tourists. A paper map of OB pairs with a treasure hunt web app users can download on their smartphones for free. The Find It 123 Treasure Hunts allow users to choose a category that interests them, then follow the arrows on their screens to the related location markers. Once the app informs users, “you found it,” users enter the store or restaurant to take a photo of the code on the OB Bizmap Circle Sticker.

Once verified, users can continue to the next location. After finding the third location, users will receive a “freebie” or “reward” to redeem at that location. The paper maps have been distributed to hotels in the beach towns, Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Mission Valley and downtown. For more information, visit obbizmap.com

Weed Warriors seek help removing non-native plants

The Weed Warriors, a volunteer group dedicated to removing invasive plants around the Cabrillo National Monument so the native plants can flourish, need some assistance. Volunteers meet 8:45-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays, and alternating Fridays and Saturdays at 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive. The work involves bending and stooping.

Participants should wear sturdy shoes/boots, long-sleeve shirts, long pants, a hat and sunscreen, and bring a water bottle. Gloves, weeding tools and trash bags are provided. Training on plant identification and proper removal techniques is included. For more details, contact lonie_brown@partner.nps.gov or visit volunteer.gov

Ahoy mateys: Boarded! returns to San Diego

The Maritime Museum of San Diego will present a 90-minute comedic, live pirate act Saturday, March 31. Check-in times are 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., on the Californian, the official tall ship of the State of California. Participants will be sworn-in to the ship crew, learn how to navigate, sword fight, bail water from a sinking ship, escape from the King’s Jail, swab the deck and other pirate duties. Tickets: $30 for adults; $20 for ages 3-12; at sdmaritime.org or the Museum ticket booth, 1492 N. Harbor Drive. (619) 234-9153. sdmaritime.org

Kiwanis Club to host Easter morning service at Cabrillo Monument

The Kiwanis Club of Point Loma will present the 70th ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service at the Cabrillo National Monument, 6:30 a.m. Sunday, April 21. The service will be held in the lower parking lot, giving those who attend a great early morning panoramic view of San Diego Harbor and the City behind it. There is seating for 700 attendees.

This year’s speakers are Captain Brein Dickson, Commanding Officer Naval Base Point Loma; Tim Cunning, governor-elect Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha District; and Joanna DaCosta, president Point Loma Kiwanis Club.

Michael Williams, Third Fleet Chaplain will conduct the service. The soloist will be Jojo Cadwell, accompanied by Danny Green . Mark Fisher will provide the musical prelude. The Marine Color Guard from MCRD will open the ceremony. The park will waive visitor and parking fees for the service, but participants will be asked to leave by the 9 a.m. park opening. A fellowship reception with refreshments will be held after the service. Questions? Call Barry Kistler at (619) 519-3812.

Artists wanted for childcare mural project

Artists with experience painting murals of a large size are invited to submit proposals to create an original mural for a new workplace early childhood center at SAY San Diego in Kearny Mesa. The childcare center will open in August or September. The indoor working space dimensions are 9 feet by 19 feet. All material costs will be covered by SAY San Diego. There is a prize of $500 for the winning proposal and its execution. Teams of two artists are allowed. Proposals not chosen for the childcare center will be considered for other spaces in the building. There are two additional $350 cash prizes. Winners will be informed by Friday, May 31. E-mail resume or CV, a narrative explanation of your project, proposed artwork and five examples of previous work by Wednesday, May 15 to mural@saysandiego.org For more information, visit saysandiego.org

Short story contest deadline April 5

The Friends of San Diego Central Library is hosting its second annual short story contest. Three winners will receive monetary prizes, publication of their story on the library website and a public performance of their work by Write Out Loud 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 24 at the Neil Morgan Auditorium, Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. Registration ends Friday, April 5, or until 150 entries have been received. For more guidelines, visit bit.ly/2HjKRYk or e-mail localauthor@sandiego.gov

Funds needed for Voltaire Bridge project

Community volunteers and the City of San Diego have agreed to make visual improvements to the Voltaire Street Bridge that passes over Nimitz Boulevard. This is a volunteer project and Point Loma Association (PLA) is handling the finances, but is not contributing any money. Architect Joe Holasek of Nogle Onufer Associates Architects (NOAA) has come up with a design that creates the illusion of a suspension bridge and includes six ornamental lamp posts. (See photo.)

The volunteers needs to raise $95,000 for the project and is $35,000 short. To donate to the project, visit pointloma.org or e-mail Cecilia Carrick at ceciliacarrick1@gmail.com

Foam and plastics ordinance in effect

The first provisions of San Diego’s Polystyrene Foam and Single-Use Plastics Ordinance went into effect Feb. 23. As part of the initial phase, food vendors within City limits may no longer distribute plastic or bioplastic utensils or straws unless requested by the customer. Additionally, all food service ware, coolers, ice chests and pool or beach toys made from polystyrene foam will be prohibited at City facilities (including special events).

The second phase goes into effect Friday, May 24 with a ban on the sale and distribution of egg cartons, food service ware and food trays made in whole or in part from polystyrene foam. Acceptable alternatives allowed under the ordinance include recyclable plastics, aluminum and both recyclable and non-recyclable paper products.

Business entities with a gross annual income of less than $500,000 on recent federal income tax filing are exempt from the ordinance requirements until Feb. 23, 2020. Questions? Contact Paul Brencick at (619) 533-4508 or pbrencick@sandiego.gov or visit sandiego.gov/pf-ban

Spring into STEAM workshops at library

For the third year, San Diego Public Library will host a series of science-focused classes and workshops as part of a City-side effort to prepare young people for careers in STEAM subjects — science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The Spring into STEAM programs are offered free to ages nine through 12. The theme is Dive in! and workshops will be held at all 36 libraries across the City during March, April and May.

There are six programs to choose from, or participants may experience all. These include “Making Waves” (the science behind sea life and building a watershed), “Go Beneath the Waves with Minecraft” (code aquatic environment using Microsoft technology), “Hurricanes vs. Houses” (learn how tropical storms come about and their impact on land and sea), “Create-a-Creature” (how marine life has adapted over time) and “Underwater Coding” (learn Scratch, a visual computer programming language). Program dates, times and locations can be found at sandiego.gov/public-library

— Compiled by Savanah Duffy