ON POINT - June 2008

 

New Americans Museum Opens at NTC Promenade

New Americans Museum, a new museum and learning center celebrating the lives and contributions of the nation’s diverse immigrant population, will open its doors the weekend of June 21 with a series of multicultural, multi-media activities at NTC Promenade in Liberty Station, beside San Diego Bay. California-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the Honorary Chairman for the preview and opening weekend activities.

“Who else would you invite to honor the opening of a museum that celebrates today’s immigration experience?” said Deborah Szekely, museum Founder. “Our mission is to be a catalyst to celebrate America’s past and promise. It was only 25 years ago that the Governor came to America…and his achievements speak for themselves. We aim to foster public awareness of the values and strengths that immigrants bring to our commonwealth—their new energy, their values, their hard work.”

On Saturday, June 21, from 11am - 4pm, the museum will welcome the community with an open house featuring local ethnic entertainment, tours of the museum, the opening exhibitions and a free presentation by photographer Barbara Beirne.

Opening exhibitions include the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s “Becoming American: Teenagers & Immigration,” featuring the photographs of Barbara Beirne. Support for this exhibition is provided by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at the recommendation of Supervisors Greg Cox, Pam Slater-Price and Ron Roberts. Major funding was provided by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.

The New Americans Museum Exhibition Gallery will also feature “A Contemporary Story: Perspectives by Immigrant and Refugee Artists,” a collaboration between the New Americans Museum and The AJA Project, a San Diego non-profit founded to empower refugee youth to use photography and other media arts to share their stories. Major funding for this companion exhibit is also provided by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.

New Americans Museum is located at 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 102, San Diego 92106; 619-255-8908, Hours 11am-5 pm, Wednesday-Sunday. No charge for admission.

NTC Foundation Adds New Board Leadership and Members

At its annual meeting, Mitchell Woodbury was elected Chairman of the NTC Foundation Board of Directors. Also, Michelle Brega, Roger Brenes and Richard Opper have been elected to serve on the Board.

“Mitch has brought great leadership to the organization for the past four years, and in his chairman role, he will lead the Foundation in implementing its Phase 2 plans. The addition of three new board members broadens the depth of strategic acumen necessary to meet the goals set by the Board,” said Gordon Swanson, past chairman of the NTC Foundation Board of Directors. “Mitch, Michelle, Roger and Richard will add valuable leadership and fundraising talent to our board as we move towards the next phase of the project.”

The NTC Foundation recently completed a $26 million renovation of 6 of its 26 historic buildings and is rapidly becoming a 28-acre cultural district of innovation, collaboration and celebration in a historic setting – the new mixed-use community of Liberty Station.

Woodbury has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1971, now on inactive status, had a corporate legal career concentrated on general business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory works. He has held a wide variety of senior management responsibilities, including oversight of Human Resources functions associated with growth and maturation of the enterprise. He serves on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association, San Diego Blood Bank and KPBS Radio Reading Service.

Brega, Vice President of Market Development with Bank of America, has an extensive career in community and public relations, advancing outreach, partnership and business development objective of several financial institutions. She was a public affairs and public relations consultant working for private corporations and governmental entities. She is a graduate of the University of California San Diego and serves on the Board of the San Diego Economic Development Foundation.

Brenes, a resident of Point Loma, brings to the Foundation an extensive background in banking and mortgage services, commercial real estate and underwriting with several California companies. Brenes has served on the NTC Foundation’s Operations and Venue Sales board committee for the past 3 years.

Opper has a distinguished career in government services, and his academic and professional achievements are notable. After serving as Attorney General for the Territory of Guam, he reentered private practice in San Diego working on a variety of complex natural resources maters. He focuses his practice on redevelopment of contaminated properties and environmental law. An avid cyclist and photographer, he serves on the Board of the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.

The three new members will join the NTC Foundation’s other directors: Mitchell Woodbury, Chair, Community Leader; Judy McDonald, Vice Chair, Community Leader; Hank Killmar, Treasurer, Community Leader; RAdm Fran Holian, USN (ret.)Secretary, Community Leader; Steven Jay Mueller, Community Leader, Richard Ledford, President, Ledford Enterprises, Kurt Chilcott, President & CEO of CDC Small Business Finance; Gordon Swanson, Past Chair, CEO, Cran Chile, Eliot Alport, Ex-Officio, The Corky McMillin Companies; Victoria Hamilton, Ex-Officio, Executive Director, City of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture; and Janice Weinrick, Ex-Officio Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Diego & City Planing and Community.

Walk Through Time

Did you know that Point Loma has provided an outpost for military activity, a place for spiritual awareness, a habitat for marine life, inspiration for artists, visions for entrepreneurs, international maritime and fishing industries, and sports events?

You can learn more about the history of Point Loma, and the critical role Point Loma played in the history of Southern California, by visiting the Point Loma Legacy Exhibit at the NTC Command Center—the Welcome and Information Center. The Exhibit is open to the public 7 days a week at no cost. Don’t miss the opportunity to “walk through time”.

Left to Right: Gordon Swanson, Malin Burnham, Richard Ledford, & Kevin Faulconer

The Point Loma Legacy Campaign is a $3 million community initiative led by long-time Point Lomans Malin Burnham, Barbara Brown and Richard Ledford to transform the historic Commanding Officer’s Headquarters into a Welcome and Information Center for NTC Promenade and Point Loma. Now called the NTC Command Center, a key feature inside is the Point Loma Exhibit, which uses historic objects and oral histories to honor the rich heritage of Point Loma families and businesses.

“We have a unique opportunity with the Point Loma Legacy Campaign to honor and showcase our community’s rich legacy so future generations have a place to learn about their ancestors’ many contributions. We have helped build San Diego. This community has much to be proud of and has an important legacy to share with others. Those of us who have lived in the Point Loma/Loma Portal community in the past, currently or both, have always embraced NTC as part of our community. For some of us – I was born and raised exactly one block from this site – it is and always will be part of our heritage.”—Malin Burnham

Thanks to several of Point Loma’s leading families and businesses, especially the Burnham Family, the Hervey Family, the Peckham Family and Conrad Prebys, we’re pleased to announce we are half way to our $3 million goal.

Please consider joining the Peninsula’s leading businesses and families, and help us expand the story of Point Loma and preserve this landmark building for the community to enjoy for generations to come. To make a donation to the Point Loma Legacy Campaign please click here.

To The Point ...

Summer 2008
Event & Class Schedule Highlights

The schedule below is a sampling of classes, events and workshops available. For a comprehensive listing, please check out the online calendar.

Dance Place

Summer Dance in San Diego: Workshop with Modern Masters
July 7-26, 2008 - Featuring Jean Isaacs, John Malashock, Michael Mizerany,
Ron Estes, Ahita Ardalan and Christopher Pilafian. For more information:
Anjanette Maraya at 619-804-1103

New Summer Programs at Malashock Dance - For more information: 619-260-1622
or by visiting www.malashockdance.org

• Kids Summer Dance Camps
  • Ages 6-9; M-F, June 23-27; 9 am-12 pm and/or 1-4 pm
  • Ages 4-6; M-F, July 28-August 1; 9 am-12 pm and/or 1-4 pm
• Tween & Teen Summer Classes
  • Ages 10-15; June 23-July 28 (6 weeks)
  • Level I/II (ages 10-14) meets Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm
  • Level III (ages 11-15) meets Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Teen Summer Intensive
  • Ages 12-16; Monday, August 4; 1-5 pm
• Adult Summer Classes
  • Ages 15 and up; June 23-August 16
  • Beginning/Intermediate Modern Technique meets Mondays, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Intermediate/Advanced Modern Technique meets Saturdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

San Diego Ballet - For more information: 619.294.7378 or www.sandiegoballet.org

• Aug. 11-15 ages 6-8   Beginners
• Aug. 18-22  ages 9-12 Intermediate
• Aug. 11-24 ages 12-18 Intermediate Advance

San Diego Watercolor Society For information: 619) 876-4550 or visit www.sdws.org

• Joan McKasson Workshop: June 11-14, 9:00 am – 3:00 PM
• Sandi D'Alessandro Workshop" July 9-12. 9:00 am – 3:00 PM
• Linda Doll Workshop: August 12-15, 9:00 am – 3:00 PM

Visions Art Quilt Gallery - For information: 619-546-4872 or visit www.quiltvisions.org

• Material Guys: Art Quilts by Bob Adams, John Garrett and Tim Harding - June 6 - July 27