[NOTE: This post applies only to employees of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.]

The Authority’s got talent – blogging talent, that is. Currently, five brave bloggers (pictured above, from left, Ryan Hall, Mary Woitkoski, Dennise Acosta, Ed Gowens and Sjohnna Knack) keep SDIA’s award-winning employee blog – The Ambassablog – going strong. But, see that shadowy figure in the middle with a question mark over its head? That’s right … we’re looking for some fresh blogging talent to join them in the blogosphere!

The Airport Authority is holding an Authority’s Got Talent open casting call to add up to three new employee bloggers to the Ambassablog’s current star-studded roster.

If you’re an avid blogger at home, have an interest in blogging, like to write, or just have ideas for interesting stories about SDIA – you may have what it takes to be an Ambassablogger! And it’s easy to try out for a spot:

1. REVIEW a few Ambassablog posts, which have covered everything from Least Terns to Laverne & Shirley, from Fitness Focus to flying the inaugural Virgin America flight, from summer interns to Seat Guru, and from valet parking to vanpooling employees.
2. WRITE a brief, sample post (approximately 100-200 words) about an SDIA- or Airport Authority-related topic. Your topic needs to be of interest to both employees and the general public.
3. INCLUDE ideas or concepts to make your post come alive. For example, mention if you’d include pictures, video, a trivia question, an interview, or some other enhancement.
4. SUBMIT your entry via email to sshultz@san.org by Friday July 30, 2010.
5. WIN a chance at taking home a brand-new Sansa MP3 player just for submitting an entry. Names of all employees who submit a sample post, per the above guidelines, will be placed in a hat. One lucky employee’s name will be drawn to win this cool MP3 player, which holds up to 240 songs, lasts 19 hours on one AAA battery and even has an FM tuner and voice recorder with built-in microphone.
6. WAIT to see if your entry made the cut. All posts will be reviewed by a panel of judges made up of current Ambassabloggers and staff from the Marketing & Communications Division. The judges will select up to three new Ambassabloggers, and the new bloggers will be announced in August.

If selected as a new Ambassablogger, you’ll be part of a proud tradition at the Airport Authority. The Ambassablog is the first internal/external employee blog of any major airport in the country. It is a recipient of an Excellence in Marketing & Communications Award from Airports Council International – North America.  And since its launch in January, 2007, it has attracted over 27,000 views.

The time commitment from Ambassabloggers is minimal, with only one post every couple of weeks expected from each blogger. Once selected, you’ll have the freedom to write about what you want (within a few guidelines) … and you can accept occasional assigned topics. You’ll have high-tech equipment at your disposal, including a digital camera, digital camcorder and voice recorder. You can be an employee blogger for as long as you like, but a minimum one-year commitment is required.

If you have questions about being a blogger or about the Authority’s Got Talent casting call, contact any of the existing Ambassabloggers or the Ambassablogmaster, Steven Shultz, at sshultz@san.org or extension 2881.

We look forward to seeing your blogging talent … good luck!

[Special thanks to Sharon in the Marketing Department for creating the magical Authority's Got Talent image at the top of this post and to Howard in the Internet Technology Department for originating the concept.]

He’s the mastermind behind the beautiful plants and garden creations around so many of our cubicles.

He’s a poet of verse and song.

He’s a musician.  (Check out Little People Revolution!)

He’s the Airport Authority’s  one and only … our very own … Jerry!

Jerry is a member of the Airport Authority’s Facilities Management Department and has worked at San Diego International Airport for more than 30 years. (Wow – that was before Terminal 2 was even open!)

Check out these photos of some of the creative plantscapes designed by Jerry that grace the office spaces of Airport Authority employees. What an artist! And this is just a small sampling of his handiwork.

Jerry the 'Plant Whisperer' and me!

Bonsai trees, ferns, flowers, shrubs, gardens, vegetables … you name it – Jerry can grow it. He has an exceptionally green thumb. Then he transforms it into portable art. It’s quite amazing!  (Let’s just say, my thumb is not any shade of green.) I’ve given Jerry the nickname – “The Plant Whisperer.”

Not only full of talent and creativity, Jerry is also a very generous individual. He’s donated his expertise, time and resources to numerous Airport Authority United Way fundraisers over the years.

Here at the Airport Authority, it’s a treat to work with a diverse array of skilled individuals – both professionally and personally. On behalf of anyone who’s received a Jerry creation, listened to his music or eaten one of his homegrown vegetables, I’d like to say “thank you” for sharing your talents with us.

Signing off, I’ll leave you with one of Jerry’s favorite sayings:

“You be cool.”

In honor of the 4th of July, yesterday passengers and other users of San Diego International Airport were treated to a special free performance in the Terminal 2 baggage claim area from the talented youngsters of the J*Company Youth Theatre, performing American musical classics. Songs included memorable numbers from such shows as South Pacific, The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof and more. The J*Company Youth Theatre is a leading youth theatre program in San Diego, garnering local and national attention with its award-winning productions. Yesterday’s review was part of the airport’s free performing arts series called à Breve. And, as the slideshow above demonstrates, it was quite a show!

Hint: On some systems, you can click the speaker icon at the top of the slideshow to turn off and on Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” playing during the slideshow.

Young entrepreneurs learn the business of running an airport at BizTown. From left, Alyssa, Sydell and Angel.

Junior Achievement’s BizTown allows kids to put to use the business skills they learn in school in a live environment. Thanks to San Diego International Airport, the San Diego location of BizTown in Mission Valley has the only simulated airport environment of any BizTown in the country.

More than 100 students come through daily to run tiny storefronts sponsored by community businesses. The kids work, receive paychecks, open bank accounts and stimulate the BizTown economy. As they act out their jobs and roles in the BizTown community, they learn financial and business knowledge based on real-life situations.

SDIA recently hosted attendees of the 2010 Marketing & Communications Conference of Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) at a tour of the mini airport at BizTown. ACI-NA posted some pictures from the tour on its Facebook Page, which are viewable here.

For another look at life inside BizTown, visit this special post from Ambassablogger Mary that appeared back in March on the Ambassablog: An airport run by 5th graders.

by special guest Ambassablogger, Suzanne, of the Airport Authority’s Real Estate Management Department

An historic event took place at San Diego International Airport, starting on Friday, May 21, 2010! The Terminal 2 East pedestrian bridge was demolished as part of The Green Build airport expansion project (the bridge removal allows for construction of a convenient dual-level roadway in front of Terminal 2 West). Check out the cool time-lapse video above of the event, which actually spanned nearly 24 hours. (Thanks to Wayne from Major Video Productions for making the cool video!)

Rich Kaslik, a project manager for The Green Build, said the key to the operation was getting traffic off the internal roadway by designing a detour, shown in the planning schematic below:

The roadway directly in front of Terminal 2 East was closed to traffic at 10:15 p.m. Friday, and the detour was opened. But before any demo work could begin, two feet of dirt was laid atop the roadway to help break the fall of the pedestrian bridge.

The actual demolition lasted approximately seven hours, beginning at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22. Airport Authority contractor Kiewit & Sundt and its subcontractor, Miller Environmental, Inc., worked in concert to orchestrate the delicate removal of the bridge. The contractors had to work like synchronized swimmers in order to perfectly time the removal.

Special devices called hoe ram excavators strategically dissected the bridge to undermine the structure and columns, allowing for a controlled fall to the street. When it finally came down, Kaslik said with a smile in his voice, “It was a rush! You could feel the adrenaline pumping.”

Twelve laborious hours of cleanup followed, and shortly thereafter the roadway was reopened to traffic. Congratulations to The Green Build team on completing another huge milestone toward The Green Build opening in 2013!

Home Treat Alert: The mulitmedia feature above may not be accessible at work. But you can view the Ambassablog at home & check it out there.

Check out this cool new video showing the San Diego International Airport of tomorrow. With sleek computer animations and renderings, it gives a good, quick overview of The Green Build Terminal 2 expansion project, which will be open to the public in 2013.

Home Treat Alert: The mulitmedia feature above may not be accessible at work. But you can view the Ambassablog at home & check it out there.

To help travelers and airport visitors plan their travel to and from San Diego International Airport this weekend, the Airport Authority is informing the public and media about the following construction activity anticipated at and near the airport May 21-23, 2010.

City of San Diego work on Harbor Drive:

The City of San Diego’s Public Utilities Department will be making connections to a new
water main installed as part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program to replace old
water and sewer mains throughout the City. To accommodate the above work, for periods of time between the hours of 9 p.m. Saturday, May 22 and 9 a.m. Sunday, May 23:

• The airport’s Cell Phone Parking Lot will be temporarily closed.
• One of three lanes on eastbound Harbor Drive near Spanish Landing will be closed.
• One of three lanes on westbound Harbor Drive near the Coast Guard Station will be closed.

Airport Roadway Detour in Front of Terminal 2:

Beginning Friday evening, May 21, a portion of the airport roadway directly in front of Terminal 2 East will be closed to prepare for demolition of the Terminal 2 East pedestrian bridge. Removal of the bridge is necessary for construction of the dual-level roadway in front of Terminal 2 West as part of The Green Build expansion project. To accommodate the above work, from Friday night (starting no later than 11 p.m., but possibly as early as 8 p.m., depending on traffic flow) through Sunday:

• A minor detour will direct traffic around the demolition area.
• The curb front around the demolition area will also be closed.
• The detour will temporarily close the curb front in front of Terminal 2 East for passenger drop-offs and pick-ups, but the curb front at Terminal 2 West will be available to accommodate passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, the above schedules may change. Travelers should plan ahead and allow extra time as it may take longer than usual to arrive, park, get to the terminal, check in and/or pick up passengers at the airport as a result of these activities.

Law enforcement officials gathered at San Diego International Airport on May 5, 2010 to honor San Diego County Deputy Sheriff Ken Collier and Border Patrol Agent Robert W. Rosas Jr., local officers who have fallen in the line of duty, with the arrival of the U.S. Honor Flag aboard an American Airlines flight from Dallas. This special ceremony was held in Terminal 2 East as the flag passed through the airport on its way to the County Administration Building.

For more information about the U.S. Honor Flag, please see this link.

Special thanks to Randy Grimm, video specialist with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, for producing this video.

Home Treat Alert! The mulitmedia feature above may not be accessible at work. But you can view the Ambassablog at home & check it out there.

From left, Jon and Rich from the Airport Authority's Marketing Department and Steve from its Noise Mitigation Department break a sweat in the new employee gym at San Diego International Airport.

A year ago, I wrote about the Airport Authority’s employee Fitness Focus Program and how those of us who work for the Airport Authority can rack up redeemable points-for-prizes through physical activity.  A year later, we’re not only going strong, but we’ve really kicked into high gear!

What better way to get into shape than doing so at work?  Never fear, excuse-makers:  if you can’t get to a gym, it has come to you!  As part of staff relocations that facilitate our ongoing Green Build improvements, the second floor of the Commuter Terminal was recently finished out as employee workspace, and these new digs feature a workout room complete with machines and free weights.

If you’d prefer the great outdoors, there are employees who make the rounds through the airport and Harbor Island along mapped walking routes, particularly during their lunch breaks.

Stationary bikes ... with a view of the airfield.

And speaking of eating, isn’t that the complement to fitness activity?  Fear not, that’s covered, too!  The Airport Authority offers employees the option of participating in a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program that provides locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables to participating subscribers.  This semimonthly service delivers right to the Airport Authority and comes courtesy of J. R. Organics, a fourth-generation farm in Valley Center.

And should you fear about indulging a little too much when you eat, the Airport Authority even has on-site meetings of Weight Watchers to help staff maintain a healthy balance in personal nutrition.

Recently, the San Diego Business Journal gave the Airport Authority fourth place in a competition of 50 finalists for the region’s healthiest employer, in the medium-size organization category.  Regardless of any awards, the Airport Authority is aiming to be number one in the health of its employees!

With all that we offer, what more could you ask for?  Massages?  Well, word is that Human Resources is looking into that option too!  Stay tuned … and stay healthy!

Special thanks to Sharon in the Marketing Department for taking the gym pictures.