Publication Date: October 31, 2003
Author: General Manager: FSA Schools Channel
Summary: San Diego Electronic Access Conference Status
Posted on 10-31-2003
DATE: Friday, October 31, 2003
TO: Financial Aid Community
FROM: G. Kay Jacks, General Manager
Application, School Eligibility & Delivery Services, FSA,
U.S. Department of Education
SUBJECT: San Diego Electronic Access Conference Status
The conference team arrived in San Diego yesterday. We are pleased to report that the winds blowing ash and smoke have shifted inland, with rain clearing the air in the downtown San Diego area. We are busily preparing for your arrival and look forward to a terrific conference in San Diego. Let's all show San Diego our support.
For your convenience, we have included the following information taken directly from the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau website (the word "website" will be a hyperlink) (http://www.sandiego.org/press_rel_detail.asp?id=119&SearchText=&RelType):
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. (October 28, 2003) - Despite the wildfires that have ravaged Southern California over the past several days, the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau reports that visitor and convention services in San Diego County are intact and operational.
The following resources may be helpful to national and international media outlets seeking a better understanding of the current impact of the wildfires as they relate to visitors to the San Diego County region.
- San Diego County is a region of 4,269 square miles that encompasses metropolitan San Diego and 17 incorporated cities. The wildfires have impacted specific communities, both rural and urban, primarily located to the south and northeast of downtown and apart from most major visitor attractions and activities. For maps detailing specific locations of San Diego County's wildfires, visit www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/map/20031028firemap.html
- San Diego's air quality is of concern to both visitors and residents alike and air quality varies from community to community. For specific information on the region's air quality, visit www.sdapcd.co.san-diego.ca.us/air/otoday.html or www.californialung.org/spotlight/fires.html
- Although there are number of road closures surrounding the impacted areas, all major San Diego freeways are open and public transportation services are fully operational. For specific road closures in San Diego County, visit www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/roadsclosed.html.
- San Diego's Lindbergh Field International Airport is fully functional and visibility is safe for both arrivals and departures. All airlines servicing Lindbergh Field have reinstated normal flight schedules, but travelers are cautioned to contact the airlines directly for any delays or last minute cancellations. For more information on current operations at Lindbergh Field, visit www.san.org.
- The San Diego Convention Center remains open for business as do many of San Diego's attractions and activities. However, visitors are urged to contact the attractions individually to confirm potential changes in hours of operation. The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site, www.sandiego.org, is currently providing the latest information on openings and closures at many of the region's attractions and activities.
- Parties can receive all of the above information by visiting the Bureau's Web site, www.sandiego.org.
- The International Visitors Information Center (IVIC), operated by the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm PST and can be reached by calling (619) 236-1212. Guests can contact IVIC for specific visitor inquiries.