Project Successfully Reduces Overall Nitrogen Oxide Emissions by an Unprecedented 22 Tons per Year
In 2001, before the green movement was on the radar of most local businesses, San Diego Harbor Excursion voluntarily initiated a series of eco-friendly engine modifications on six of its vessels to dramatically reduce the fleet’s environmental impact. In addition, the company added two new vessels to the fleet built with the same eco-friendly specifications. Now, with the engine overhaul project complete, San Diego’s oldest and most established touring company is pleased to announce that in the past seven years it has successfully reduced overall nitrogen oxide emissions, or NOx, by an average of 22 tons per year.
San Diego Harbor Excursion has already removed 240 tons of dangerous, smog-producing NOx from the San Diego Air Basin. That is the equivalent of thousands of daily vehicle trips.
San Diego Harbor Excursion invested over $600,000 in order to install the lowest emission technology available in its six heaviest operating vessels . Such a costly undertaking was certainly not the company’s only option for greening its fleet. One less expensive option would have been to switch from fossil fuel to bio-diesel fuel, or bio-organic fuel made of plant and animal substances, as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, several reports, including a 2007 study by Nobel Laureate Paul Crutzen, found that the use of biodiesel fuel may actually emit more NOx than the fossil fuel it replaces.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nitrogen oxide forms when fuel is burned at high temperatures, such as in the use of motor vehicles, electric utilities and other industrial, commercial and residential sources that require the burning of fuels to operate. The NOx emitted by these sources has been linked to serious environmental impacts, such as increased smog levels, water quality deterioration, acid rain formation and added greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing a gradual rise in the earth’s temperature. All of these effects lead to increased health risks, a rise in the sea level and other adverse changes to plant and animal habitats.
As a leading tenant of the San Diego Unified Port District, San Diego Harbor Excursion has taken a lead role in maintaining San Diego Bay’s water quality. The eco-friendly engine renovation project has not only had a significant impact on the county’s air resources, but has also had a large impact on the bay’s aquatic life. Greener engines help decrease nitrogen levels in the ocean allowing aquatic plants and animals to get the nutrients and oxygen they need to sustain life.
San Diego Harbor Excursion has been in operation since 1915, making it San Diego’s oldest and most established touring company. The company provides numerous services including, private and corporate charters, harbor tours, ferry and water taxi transportation, nature cruises, whale watching excursions and gourmet dinner and brunch cruises. For more information, please call (800)442-7847 or visit www.sdhe.com.
Since my friends and I are crazy cats – living on the edge and always pushing the envelope – we decided to cash in on some of the deals going on in Cabo, Mexico. Thanks to the insane media coverage on the swine flu, Mexican drug crimes, and, of course the recession, the prices in Cabo have plummeted and the only thing in the hotels is wait staff and concierges. That is perfect for us, besides the fact we are a bit snobby, we enjoy lots of privacy and like to have all our needs taken care of – which can be difficult when a hotel is completely booked up and there are way more important people than us to serve.
So, we all jumped on a flight to Cabo and met up at the Marquis Los Cabos, which is a fabulous hotel between San jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas on the Sea of Cortez. It is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, so we knew that the service was going to be great – we just did not know about the rooms. Well, Wwe scored rock star casitas overlooking the ocean, and I can honestly say, this place is way more than I expected. I always thought of Cabo as the cheap man’s paradise, but so far, this trip has been five-stars all the way.
The view from my casita
My Casita!
My bedroom and bathroom
We arrived on Thursday and we are just staying until Sunday, but we have packed in an incredible trip in just a few days. On Thursday night, we had dinner at The One and Only Palmilla Resort. You will remember the resort from all the press it got when John Travolta hosted his 50th birthday party here in 2004. We ate at Agua, one of the four restaurants they have on the lush property. I was excited to learn that they just opened up Market by Jean-George Vongerichten.
Friday we started the day off with yoga on the beach and a quick 15 minute massage – what a treat! Then it was off to the town of Cabo San Lucas to race on one of the winning America’s Cup boats.
About to race on America's Cup sailing boat
For dinner, we headed over to the ultra-luxe Las Ventanas al Paraiso where we had an incredible cooking class with two of the resort’s chefs. We learned how to make a delicious red snapper wrapped in paper and roasted with fresh veggies. I got to meet the managing director Lionel Alverez and I’ll share the video with you once I load it up on YouTube.
Loving fresh-made churos for dessert
OK, the sun is still out and I am going to hit the pool.
One child’s life-transforming surgery costs as little as $240 and can take only 45 minutes. Join the Tango Diva team as we help support the goal of 140 of these surgeries to children around the world through the power of Twitter!
Tango Diva has started a Smile Team – it takes just a dozen $20 donations to provide one child with a life changing surgery. After you donate (enter Tango Diva in the Team box) encourage others to give via your twitter account!
Change his/her world with just 140 characters!
Founded in 1982, Operation Smile is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile volunteers have treated more than 130,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization has a presence in 51 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.
Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era. Among many other timeframes, I wish I had been born in London in the mid-late 1940’s so I could have been a teenager during the 1960’s. Not only would I have been able to experience Beatlemania firsthand… but I could have been a Mod. Doesn’t this dress by Dear Creatures look like it was made for scooting around London on the back of a vintage Lambretta or Vespa?
Divas, allow me to ‘introduce’ you towww.GomattaGirls.com! The site features a different brand every 24 hours, so you have to buy that day or you miss out on the deal. Everything is extremely discounted (70-90%) and all brands featured are things that you’d want to buy anyway, but maybe have not due to price in the past. Some previous sales include brands such at Dolce Vita, BLVD handbags, Eco Skin, Linea Pelle and more.
What’s great about GomattaGirls, slang for mobster girlfriend or mistress, is that it is not an ‘invite-only’ site – anyone can join and it is free to become a member. They also do not announce any of the sales ahead of time. Merchandise is up for 24 hours and you have to go to the site to see what the sale of the day is. Plus there is also the extremely discounted sample sale under the Closeout section which is where I found the above dress.
This isn’t a post about a travel deal. Or a shopping sale. But this is a global issue and this is my blog. So please allow me to use this blog as my public soapbox and listen up. And maybe you or someone you know can help a boy originally from my hometown of Fremont, CA.
Nick Glasgow of Pleasanton is in a race for his life. His only hope is a bone marrow transplant. Fast.
The 28-year old thought he had strep throat, but two months ago, he was diagnosed with something much worse: Leukemia.
Finding a donor, it turns out, is next to impossible, considering Nick’s diverse ethnic background.
“When the doctor found out that he was one-fourth Asian – one-fourth Japanese – he said, ‘Quite frankly there is a zero percent chance of finding a donor,’” said Nick’s mother, Carole Wiegand.
According to the Asian-American Donor Program, based in Alameda, there are 7.4 million registered donors in the U.S. Only 532,000 are of Asian descent. That’s 7.2 percent of the total. Only 219,000 donors are of multiple races.
“All ethnic minorities are severely underrepresented in the national donor program registry,” said Carol Gillespie of the Asian-American Donor Program.
What can you do to help?
1. Attend a local donor drive to have your cheek swabbed.
2. Register for a home kit. The Asian-American Donor Program (AADP) will send you a free kit if you are of any ethnic minority.
3. Consider donating to the AADP.
4. Spread the word! Please forward this information on to anyone you know who is part asian and part caucasian or of any other mixed ethnic background. My half-Mexican, half-Portuguese ethnic background may not help Nick, but it may help someone else out there.
5. Use the power of social media. Join Nick’s Facebook Group, post a Twitter message and more!
“It only takes one person. but if you’re that person and you’re sitting at home on the couch, then you’ll never be able to save someone,” said Gillespie.
The New Mexico History Museum in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico is celebrating its grand opening on Sunday, May 24, 2009. The only museum dedicated exclusively to New Mexico historical education and research, its mission is to fundamentally change the way visitors understand the history of the state and the nation as a whole. The New Mexico History Museum has been in the planning stages for over 20 years; obtaining land and funding was a huge struggle, but ground was finally broken in 2006. Together with the historic Palace of the Governors and the Fray Angelico Chavez library, it’s part of an amazing campus that covers 500 years of New Mexico history. The new museum boasts over 30,000 feet of exhibition space, as well as an auditorium, a learning center, a conservation lab, and even a snack bar (which I very much hope will serve Frito Pie, a New Mexico classic).
And in honor of the grand opening, the museum staffers are ready to party! There will be three full days of grand opening events on Saturday, May 23, Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25. So if you’re in Santa Fe, head on down to the Plaza for the official ribbon-cutting, a lowrider car exhibition, live music, dancing, and an interfaith service at the St. Francis Cathedral. Check out the full schedule of events here.
This is a really exciting time for Santa Fe, my hometown, and for me personally – that’s because the museum director, Dr. Frances Levine, is also my mom. She’s worked incredibly hard to make this happen, and I’m so proud of her. So yes, this is a shameless plug for my mom’s work- but it’s also going to be a fun event at an awesome museum, so come on out! And if you won’t be in town for the opening, but plan on visiting Santa Fe this summer, pay them a visit. It’s at 113 Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of downtown. And if you see my mom, make sure to say hi!
Don’t be surprised if you see The Green Fairy on board your next Virgin America flight. Authentic French absinthe Le Tourment Vert announced its partnership with Virgin America, becoming the first airline to serve absinthe cocktails in the sky. Virgin America will serve complimentary Le Tourment Vert cocktails in the airline’s First Class and Main Cabin Select – and the cocktails will be available for purchase in the Main Cabin.
Here at Tango Diva HQ we may not be on board a Virgin America flight at the mo’, but that hasn’t stopped us from tapping into our inner Hemingway and imbibing in la fée verte ourselves. Yum! Although we all agreed it would be made all the better if we were in some swank bar in 1920’s Paris.
How to make the Mile Hile Cocktail:
1 part Le Tourment Vert absinthe
2 parts Sprite
Garnish with lemon. We like it extra cold and with plenty of ice!
The sun is shining and our toes are showing! In honor of my style article on this season’s hottest sandals, Birkenstock has teamed up with Tango Diva to bring you our latest giveaway: a pair of FREE Birkenstock Madrid sandals.
Named after my very favorite city, the Madrid is as comfortable as it is stylish. Madrid, Spain is a city known to be both walker-friendly and highly fashionable, so these sandals will carry me from sightseeing in El Centro to tapas-hopping in trendy La Latina with ease.
Now it’s your turn! Respond to this blog post:tell me in 100 words or less, how your favorite destination city would be represented by a Birkenstock sandal. We’ll choose the most creative submission and the winner will receive a complimentary pair of Madrid sandals from Birkenstock .
Vanilla is my favorite scent to wear. Lavender is my favorite scent to relax. Lavanila is my new favorite to hit the beach!
With summer right around the corner, the Summer Essentials Kit byLisa CurranforLavanilais exactly what every female beachgoer needs.
Swimwear designerLisa Curran andLavanilaLaboratories have joined forces this summer to create the Summer Essential Kit by Lisa Curran for Lavanila. This year, Lisa Curran created a lavender-themed swimwear collection that was inspired by the delicate scent of Lavanila’s new lavender line. The Summer Essential Kit combines select swimsuits from Lisa Curran’s lavender themed collection and skincare products from Lavanila’s Vanilla Lavender line.
Created to outfit the beachgoer from head to toe, the Summer Essential Kit includes:
One of three lavender-hued Lisa Curran swimsuits
A Lavanila Vanilla Lavender Healthy Lip Shine
A travel-sized Lavanila Vanilla Lavender Healthy Body Butter
A waterproof, reusable pouch (great to tote beachside essentials while keeping them safe from sand and water damage)
The Summer Essential Kit is also for a good cause…with each purchase, Lisa Curran and Lavanila aregiving back toThe Ocean Project, anonprofit organization that works in partnership with aquariums, zoos, and museums around the world to protect the ocean.
The Summer Essential Kit by Lisa Curran for Lavanila is available at www.lisacurran.com for $175.
Recent reports clear any fears of travel holds to Santa Barbara. The air is clear – the entire is city open for business and the sun is shining on our sparkling jewel.
Santa Barbara Harbor
I am heading down to spend time on the waterfront – see you there!
Santa Barbara—the American Riviera®—offers a captivating blend of history, distinctive architecture and Southern California lifestyle in a breathtaking setting of glorious palm-lined beaches, majestic mountain ranges and bucolic wine country. A city of white-washed buildings with red tile roofs tucked between the mountains and the sea, Santa Barbara resonates with an irresistibly sensuous and laid-back allure. Set on the Pacific with 100 miles of sweeping coastline, Santa Barbara and its environs lie just 92 miles north of Los Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco. Visitors may arrive via scenic Highway 101, daily stops on Amtrak or via air service to Santa Barbara Airport or Los Angeles International Airport. Santa Barbara County offers 168 diverse lodging options, ranging from deluxe resorts and stylish boutique hotels to romantic inns and rustic guest ranches. Visit www.santabarbaraCA.com for visitor information.
