Balboa Park Beat

Balboa Park launches Top Dog contest

Remember that time you paid a hefty room cleaning fee so your four-legged pal could join you on vacation? It's time for your pooch to return the favor.

Balboa Park Central has just launched its "Top Dog" photo contest. The contest is designed to give park visitors an opportunity to demonstrate how much more photogenic their pooch is when photographed in one of the most picturesque settings in San Diego.

The grand prize is a Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s Su’ruff Camp package*, which includes:

• One-night stay in deluxe accommodations at Loews Coronado Bay Resort 
• Surfing lessons for one dog
• Doggie board shorts (smaller dogs) or a surfer bandana (larger dogs)
• Surf ‘n’ Turf pet room service meal, which features a mixture of beef tenderloin and salmon
• Loews Loves Pets amenities, including dog bowls, dog treats, and Loews Hotels name tag 

*Includes tax & gratuity. Based on availability. Excludes holidays and some blackout dates apply. Value is non-transferable. Winner must provide own transportation to and from hotel.  

The Grand Prize winner will also receive a family four-pack of Balboa Park Passports, good for two adults and two children. One first runner up will receive a $50 gift certificate to Fetch! Pet Care of San Diego Metro. One second runner up will receive a $25 gift certificate to Terra Restaurant.

To enter, email your favorite photo of your dog posing or frolicking in Balboa Park to balboaparktopdog@gmail.com by August 20, 2010, at 12pm. Photos must be in JPG format and can be no larger than 1 MB in size. Be sure to read the complete Contest Rules.

Include in your email:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address

Your email must include all of this information to be eligible. All entries will be judged by a committee from Balboa Park, who will choose the winning entries. The top five photos will be posted on www.BalboaPark.org. Beginning August 24, 2010, visitors to the website will have one week to vote on their selection of the Top Dog in Balboa Park. The winner of the contest will be the person whose photo received the greatest number of valid votes from the public and who satisfies all of the Contest Rules. The Judges will tabulate the votes and announce the winner on September 1, 2010. All decisions of the Judges are final and binding.

San Diego Museum of Man appoints executive director

Thirteen years ago, Dr. Micah Parzen was living in the Navajo Nation. Today, he’s sitting at a shiny conference table on the 26th floor of a downtown high rise. On Monday, August 9, he’ll settle into a new office at the San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park.

When the Museum of Man announced on July 14 that Micah would be its new executive director, I skimmed through the press release. Corporate attorney? That’s random, I thought.

But after a more thorough reading of the release—and a discussion with Micah—it’s clear that he’s the perfect person for the job. In addition to his legal education and expertise as an attorney for a top San Diego law firm, Micah has a Ph.D. in anthropology and significant nonprofit leadership experience. He has worked on a pro bono basis for the Museum of Man and the San Diego Natural History Museum, and served for two years as the board president of ElderHelp of San Diego. These days, Micah is as likely to mention nonprofit buzzwords like “strategic planning,” “cross-cultural perspectives,” and “sustainability” as he is to say any kind of legal jargon.

In 2000, Micah earned his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and conducted extensive fieldwork with the Navajo community. He said he enjoyed graduate school and the various internships he had that focused on mental health advocacy but that he wasn’t sure if the life of a scholar was for him.

“I thought, I don’t know if I want to teach and do research for the rest of my career.”

Micah then went to law school at the University of California, Davis and, upon graduation, he moved back to his hometown of San Diego to work at Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps, LLP.

“I became an employment attorney, which is really a perfect home for an anthropologist. What I’ve done is help employers solve human behavioral problems in the workplace.”

Micah said that he’ll continue to apply his psychological anthropology knowledge to his new role at the Museum of Man.

“It’s all about people, understanding people, working with people,” he said. Emphasizing the divided nature of the post-9/11 global community, he said that an institution like the Museum of Man couldn’t be more relevant.

“There is a lot of tension between various individuals and groups in the world right now. We have the potential to help the community learn about themselves and others. I know it sounds idealistic but we can change the world.”

Work at the park: The latest job openings in Balboa Park

Science Educator at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: Teach science workshops, outreach programs, School-in-the-Park classes, spring and summer camps, Girl & Boy Scout badge workshops and other youth and adult programs.

Lifespan Learning Assistant at the Museum of Photographic Arts: Includes teaching photography courses and facilitating discussion-based outreach lectures and tours with senior citizens at the Museum and around the San Diego area.

Application Technician at the San Diego Zoo: Provide first level support for ZSSD Finance, Admissions, Marketing, Education, Reservation Sales and other Society departments

Development Coordinator at the San Diego Zoo: Implement the online and mobile efforts for multiple fundraising programs.

Executive Administrator at Spreckles Organ Society: Responsible for the daily operations and management of the Society’s administrative and creative functions. 

House Manager at The Old Globe: Must have excellent people skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to think and act under pressure.

Ms. Frizzle at the San Diego Natural History Museum: Entertaining educator sought to interpret the role of Scholastic’s Ms. Frizzle for onsite and outreach programs.

Cafe openings:

Barista/Sandwich Prep

Cafe Team Player/Barista

Artist behind the art: Ed Moores at the Spanish Village Art Center

By David Kinsey, contributing writer

In the courtyard of the Spanish Village Art Center, Ed Moores sits outside Studio 26 at his workbench. The retired high school art teacher from Vista is focused on his latest work: a mosaic of Koi fish from the Japanese Friendship Garden.

 “I took a picture at feeding time and it was just tumultuous,” says Ed, excited. “Light, color, shape and motion were all coming together.”

With a pin point, he takes tiny squares of paint chips he gets from Home Depot, dips them in glue and places them on his canvas. This method allows Ed’s mosaics to build up a distinct color and dimension, translating his photograph into this new medium.

“Art is more than just the visual,” says Ed (pictured at right). “It’s the experience; it’s your senses coming together.”

With this, he runs his hand over a mosaic he’s finished. There’s a texture given by the repurposed paint squares that have been stacked layers deep. This haptic element of the work brings one closer to the visual and blurs the line between the two.

This play of the tactile and the visual is apparent throughout Ed’s work. He prefers to mosaic outside, but inside the studio, he keeps his watercolors. Some are more traditional with their soft brushstrokes accentuating subtle colors across canvases of flora and landscapes. Others take the tradition of watercolors and meld it with the aesthetic of the mosaic.

One work literally has a mosaic worked into the watercolor composition. Ed confides that this happened serendipitously when a cat walked across the wet paint smearing it, and he brought the two mediums together to cover up the feline indiscretion. “It was a beautiful accident, and sometimes that is just what you need to look at your work in a new light and try something you hadn’t thought of.”

From there, he has experimented with weaving canvas. The patchwork effect is similar to a traditional mosaic, with distinct squares of color rhythmically breaking up the picture plane. One work features a lighthouse and the woven element creates what Ed calls “abstract fog.” This plays with the expectation of the pristine surface of traditional watercolor works and evokes a digital world of pixels in this analog medium. Ed’s work explores different techniques and various subjects.

He says, “Art is like a language. You need to practice and use it daily or you’ll lose it.”

It is no surprise then that he is constantly expanding his visual vocabulary as he explores his mixed media practice at Studio 26.

Countdown to Opening Night

It’s 3:45 p.m. and the Casa del Prado Theatre looks like a scene straight out of the TV show “Glee.” Teens in jean shorts, tank tops, and plaid shirts are hurrying to their spots on the stage while Director/Choreographer Steve Anthony shouts instructions.

“Look at your numbers. Look at your numbers! Guys, I’m not going to do props today. It’s just too crazy.”

Donny Gersonde, assistant choreographer and Junior Theatre alumnus, tries to pay attention to a side conversation while the teens start a new song.

“It’s so hard for me to not watch them right now,” he says, sneaking a peek.

 It’s less than two weeks until July 30, the opening night of San Diego Junior Theatre's “FAME: The Musical,” and it’s the first time the 33-member cast has practiced in the theatre where they’ll be performing in front of 650-person audiences of family, friends, and strangers. For the past five weeks, they have been practicing in a smaller studio space.

Donny’s eyes divert quickly to one cast member who is coming out of sync with the others on stage. “We have kids who have never danced before and we’re making them dancers in two months.”

Based on the 1980 musical film of the same name, “FAME” offers an energetic look at life in New York’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street, telling the story of a diverse group of students who are committed to becoming professional performers.

The cast members will start wearing their 80s-era costumes during a week of dress rehearsals prior to opening night. Meanwhile, the 38-member crew will work on finishing the set and completing a run-through of the lighting. There’s a lot to do, but Steve said that the teens always pull it together.

“I don’t treat them like they’re children. I treat them like they’re professional actors in the real world,” says Steve, a Broadway veteran who spent 15 years in New York theater. “They all rise to the challenge and they’re excited about doing it.”

The show opens at the Casa del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park on Friday, July 30, and runs through Sunday, August 15. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Fridays, and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be an ASL-interpreted performance on Saturday, August 14. Tickets are $8 - $14. For ticket purchase and information, call San Diego Junior Theatre’s box office at (619) 239-8355 or go to the box office website.

Weekend preview (no costumes required)

Yeah, yeah, I know. The annual geek-meets-chic Comic-Con festival is taking over San Diego this weekend. But if you’re skipping the Con this year, or if you have no intention of ever parading through downtown in a superhero suit, check out these special events happening this weekend at the park.

Thursday, July 22 / The Museum of Photographic Arts is screening "A Hard Day’s Night" as part of its POP Thursday series (Free to members, $6 students, $8 general). Enter the theater to see it on the big screen or lounge at the bar and watch the film projected on the atrium walls. Enjoy live music by Rafter, Brit pop grooves by DJ Rob Moran, and era-inspired activities. Inside the galleries, explore Taking Aim, a rock 'n' roll photography exhibit featuring stunning images of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and others. The event begins at 7:00 p.m.; the film begins at 8:00 p.m.

Friday, July 23 / There's nothing like a movie marathon to help you relax after a rough work week. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s "Fridays at the Fleet" IMAX schedule features an excellent line-up of "Hubble" at 6 p.m., "The Ultimate Wave Tahiti" at 7 p.m., and "The Living Sea" at 8 p.m. See one film for $8.50 and catch up to two additional films for $5 each.

Saturday, July 24 / Hello, classy date night! The Selvaggi Trio will perform at The San Diego Museum of Art on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ($20 members, $25 nonmembers, $10 students). The group, comprised of professional musicians Jun Iwasaki, Grace Fong and Patrick Jee, will explore the link between the art of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and music of Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy.

Sunday, July 25 / Spend a day with the fam at Mingei International Museum's Discover Mingei! Treasure Hunt, a special community event happening from noon – 4p.m. ($5 families, $3 individuals). Children and families can explore Mingei’s exhibits of folk art, craft and design, and win prizes for completing the treasure hunt.

Balboa Park iphone application now available

The Balboa Park iPhone application ($0.99) is now available through the iTunes store. As detailed in a previous post about the project’s progress, the application features information about all of the museums, attractions, gardens, and restaurants in the park. It also has information about events currently happening across the park. Whether you’re looking for a new cafe to try, a 3D IMAX film to see, or a fun garden to explore with your kids, our app can lead the way.

Our team at Balboa Park Online Collaborative has been working on the app in collaboration with Spotlight Mobile, a software development firm that has created apps for Barnes & Noble, Style.com, and the Portland Art Museum.

If you have an iPhone, you can download the app through this link or by searching for “Balboa Park” in iTunes.

Love it? Please post a customer review.

Got a problem with it? Have ideas for features we should add? Think we should make one for Android, Blackberry, or [insert your gadget of choice]? Email us at iphone@balboaparkonline.org.

Landing a dream gig: Profile of Mike Griffin, zookeeper

By David Kinsey, contributing writer

“I take care of animals that a handful of people in the world will get to experience.”

Two weeks ago, the San Diego Zoo hired Mike Griffin to be its newest zookeeper at the Children’s Zoo, a section of the Zoo with more than 200 animals and 30 special exhibits. Previously, Mike had been with the Zoo as part of its security staff.

“I went into that job knowing that I wanted to get back to my passion and I had to do whatever it took,” Mike said.

Mike is a certified veterinary assistant who started his career with animals at the San Diego Humane Society as an animal care specialist. He then went through the police academy and become a humane society officer. In this role, he led a distinguished career, that included the creation of the Puppy Task Force that investigated the smuggling of sick puppies from Mexico.

“We had a serious problem with dogs with parvo being brought across border, sold, possibly infecting other puppies and then dying. It was heartbreaking. It needed to be stopped,” he said. Mike’s investigation eventually led State Senator Christine Kehoe to introduce a bill in 2005 to make the sale of puppies under the age of 8 weeks a misdemeanor offense.

After nine years of working as a Humane Society officer, Mike realized he needed a change so he started the security job with the Zoo. Four and a half years later, he is a zookeeper. Now, he spends his days feeding Agra, the indian crested porcupine, hanging out with Victor the short-nosed echidna who is also the oldest mammal in the Zoo, and keeping watch over the delicate sensitivities of the two pangolins Baba and Baka.

5 to Try: Cheap Eats

Balboa Park is one of the best free destinations in San Diego. But while you can discover plenty of free trails, gardens, and buildings to explore, you’re probably not going to find a free lunch. Here are my top 5 favorite spots for grabbing a bite to eat for $10 or less per person:

Tea Pavilion
At the Japanese Friendship Garden, find sushi, rice bowls, noodles and sandwiches. A standout is the Asian pesto veggie sandwich served with Japanese potato salad.

Sculpture Court Café
While The San Diego Museum of Art’s café serves some pricier entrees, inexpensive bites include caesar salad, chilled gazpacho, and the daily special that includes ½ sandwich or quiche with a side of soup or salad. Museum admission is not required.

The Prado
During the restaurant's 4-6pm and 8-10pm happy hours (Tues-Fri) in the lounge, find appetizers like chicken taquitos with roasted tomato salsa and crispy calamari for less than $5.

Flight Path Grill
The San Diego Air & Space Museum's outdoor patio features picnic tables, covered cabanas, and a food truck offering a lunch special that includes a hot dog, chips, and a soda for $5. Museum admission is required.

Home Plate Café
The restaurant inside the Hall of Champions offers grab ‘n’ go salads and basic sandwiches. It's also one of few places in the park where you can snag an ice-cold bottle of beer. Museum admission is not required.

Got a fun food tip? Please share in the comments section below or post it on our Facebook wall.

Curator at The San Diego Museum of Art rediscovers Spanish masterpiece by Velázquez

By David Kinsey, contributing writer

John Marciari, curator of European art and head of provenance research at The San Diego Museum of Art, has reattributed a depiction of The Education of the Virgin to the acclaimed Baroque painter Diego Velázquez.

Donated to the Yale University Art Gallery in 1925, this work sat in storage having been in poor condition and attributed to an unknown 17th century Spanish painter. In 2004, the painting came to Marciari’s attention while he was an associate curator at the Yale Gallery during an expansion and renovation project. Upon first seeing the work, Marciari found it to be one of the most interesting works in the storerooms and felt that it was the work of a recognizable artist. It wasn’t until a few months later though that he realized just what he had been looking at: “It’s early Velázquez. It’s just like the paintings in Edinburgh, London, and Madrid. It’s just like everything in the Velázquez in Seville exhibition catalogue.”

Through an intersection of research drawing upon conceptual, stylistic and technical evidence, Marciari has built the case in the latest issue of ARS Magazine that this work is Velázquez’s first altarpiece and first public work from Seville. This discovery helps to provide insight into the artist’s early career and prowess as a painter when compared to the previous generation of Sevillian artists.

“The Yale painting is also a valuable piece of evidence as we try to clarify the attribution of a few other disputed works that seem also likely to be by Velázquez,” Marciari said. With his initial research, even more works could be recognized as Velázquez’s, which would lead to a greater understanding of this period in art history.