When I saw the ad that SDG&E is giving away energy-saving kits for free…I thought to myself…what’s the catch? It turns out that there isn’t one. If you want to save money on your energy and water bill come on down to Balboa Park in Downtown San Diego with proof of residence in San Diego County such as your driver license or utility bill to receive your free Home Energy and Water Savings Kit.

The kit includes a low flow shower head and three faucet aerators, which will save families more than 6,000 gallons of water per year. They are easy to install and maintain a strong pressure flow, while reducing water usage by up to 11%. This also includes the amount of energy used to heat the water, resulting in a lower water and energy bill.

The Balboa Park Visitors Center is located in the House of Hospitality Building at 1549 El Prado near the Plaza de Panama and is open seven days a week, 9:30am–4:30pm.

To read more about how to reduce your energy bill and other ways to save visit www.sdge.com.

Looking for the place to be for your Halloween celebration this year? Come on down to Downtown San Diego and join the biggest halloween party in San Diego, the 10th Abbual Dos Equis XX Monster Bash. Taking place on Saturday October 30th, 2010 from 6pm to midnight at 7th Avenue between Market & J Street and on Island Avenue between 6th and 8th Avenue. Feel the base pumping through this urban neighborhood, dance under the moonlight, check out the go-go girls dance on the bars and take the chance to win a grand price of $3,000 cash for best costume.

To read more about the event or to buy tickets click on Monster Bash.

Calling all urban families…go trick or treating in downtown San Diego’s  Little Italy! The Little Italy Association is proud to be hosting, for a 3rd year, Trick or Treat on India Street. This is a safe environment for our urban kiddos to go door to door at local Little Italy businesses. Trick or treating maps are available, beginning at 5:30pm, at Piazza Basilone located on India and Fir St. Also at the Piazza, a cotume march will take place for our urban babes to showcase their Halloween best.

 Happy Haunting!

Looking for something cool to do - check out the video above. The Body Art Expo is taking place on November 12-14, 2010 at 202 C Street in the Gaslamp District in Downtown San Diego. The show schedule is a follows, Friday 2pm to 11pm, Sat 11am to 11pm and Sun 11am to 8pm. Sponsor is ”Vintage Tattoo“. Come on down and join the Tattoo Contest, see and listen to live entertainment and snack on some food and drink a lot of beer.

For more information call 626-961-6522 or visit www.bodyartexpo.com.

“Taste of Little Italy” is back! Come on down and join the festivities in the Little Italy District in Downtown San Diego on Wednesday, November 3rd from 5pm to 9pm to be able to once again being able to try the different tastes and choices of what the Little Italy District has to offer!               

Below is a list of the the different restaurants:

• Anthology
• Bencotto
• Buon Appetito
• Burger Lounge
• Caffe Italia
• Craft and Commerce
• Enoteca Style
• Fabrison’s
• Filippi’s Pizza Grotto
• The Glass Door Indigo Grill
• It’s a Grind
• Karl Strauss Brewing Company
• Landini’s Pizzeria
• Puerto La Boca Argentinian Steakhouse
• Starbucks
• Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano
• The Restaurant at the W Hotel 
• The Waterfront Bar & Grille 
• Yogurtland

While you eat…why not stop and listen to David Sanborn live at Anthology. Click here to buy a discounted price of $10 off of regular priced tickets. To get more information contact info@tasteoflittleitalysd.com and to read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs about the last Taste of Italy click on Taste of Little Italy in Downtown San Diego and “Taste of Little Italy” Returns to Downtown San Diego on November 4th, 2009!.

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As you walk into this luxury condo at The Mark, you will notice the amazing panoramic views over Downtown San Diego, the Pacific Ocean, the San Diego Bay and the planes coming in for landing in the distance. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops and opens up towards the living room. There are hardwood floors throughout except carpet in the bedroom and tile in the bathroom. A stackable washer and dryer are located in the bathroom and there is a large walk in closet in the bedroom. Step out on the good size balcony that is perfect for entertaining or sit down and just soak in the amazing views and relax. Just around the corner is Petco Park and a short stroll away is the vibrant Gaslamp District, Seaport Village, the water front and everything Downtown has to offer.

Rent is $2,700/month. Security Deposit is $2,700. 1 parking spot is included in the rent. If desired, a second parking space and a storage unit is negotiable. No Pets! 12 month lease. Available Nov 1st, 2010.

The Mark: one of the newest of the East Village high rise luxury towers. This building was developed by Douglas Wilson, delivered in 2007. Brick town homes frame an urban central park, and rising above, a soaring 32-story glass tower. The Mark in the East Village is architecturally engaging and sophisticated, with European cabinetry, granite counter tops, ceramic entries and top-floor penthouses. Most residences at The Mark feature incredible views across Downtown, the San Diego Bay and the new ballpark. Not surprisingly, you’ll also find floor to ceiling windows to create a vast field of view. The pool amenity area features a lap style pool with contemporary cabanas and community areas. The views to the South, Southwest, West, and Northwest are some of the most valuable in the East Village.

For more information call Sofia at 619-992-5144 or e-mail sofia@92101urbanliving.com.

If you have not made it up to Banker’s Hill Bar and Restaraunt, let me ask you, “Why the heck not?!” Maybe you didn’t know about it (this is considered downtown San Diego, folks), maybe it’s on your list of newer restaraunts to visit (go!), or maybe you’re watching your cash flow (nothing on the menu is over $20). Whatever the reason, you need to let that go and head up the street to Banker’s Hill and experience this place.

The reclaimed wood feel, warehouse windows, outdoor patio with gorgeous succulent art, easy-on-the-ear tunes, twinkling candle light, Crispy BBQ Pork Braised Tacos (delish), Deviled Farmer’s Market Eggs (holy moley), and relaxed, chill vibe creates an environment that is addictive. You will want more.

Located on the corner of 4th and Ivy, the owners of downtown San Diego’s  Cafe 222 (in the Marina district) brilliantly designed and devised a restaurant downtown San Diegans (and others, of course) so desperately crave-a cool spot to hang out with friends, drink good wine, eat great food and not pay Gaslamp prices.Well done, Banker’s Hill Bar & Restaurant. So glad you are here.

The C Street improvements began work this week and the $284,000 project that can take two months to complete is designed to enhance safety and aesthetics in Downtown San Diego.

The C Street Master Plan is a project to improve the corridor, trolley, transit, infrastructure investments, streetscape enhancements, vehicular and pedestrian circulation and public art from India Street in the Columbia District to Park Boulevard in the East Village/Ballpark District in Downtown San Diego.

CCDC (Centre City Development Corporation), SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) and MTS (Metropolitan Transit System) all working together to make this happen and the purpose of the plan is to create an overall vision for the recreation of this area.

Please click on the following links to read more about this project:

• Background
• Consultant Team
• Scope of Work
• Project Phasing
• Project Status/Timeline
• Public Participation
• Public Meetings
• Documents and Maps

To visit CCDC’s website with more information about the project please visit www.ccdc.com.

The Gaslamp District is calling all downtown San Diego loft and condo residers to the Gaslamp Quarter  Locals, Lifestyle and Design Tour. Every third Wednesday of the month, a livening up of this district will take place through special offers and activities hosted by local businesses. The purpose is to get us locals more interested in hitting up these businesses in this here neighborhood of ours. Great concept. Here’s what you can expect:

• Wii Tournament by Murray Digital
• Alexander Salazar Fine Arts and CJ Gallery art exhibition
• Free pilates workshop by Hot Body Pilates
• Free wine education at Andaz Hotel and Wine Smarties
• Trunk show at Bubbles…A Unique Boutique

Locals, Lifestyles and Design Tour dates and times are 10/20, 11/17 and 12/15 from 5-8pm.

Support local business, downtowners!

“Jean Anne” is a 10 story high cargo ship that can carry 3,000 cars, buses, trucks and other oversized items and Jean Anne is calling National City Marine Terminal its home port. Every two weeks Jean Anne leaves its home port where it sails through the San Diego Bay and past Downtown San Diego for the main destination Hawaii where it carries anything from;

• School buses
• Piping
• Roller coasters from the Hawaii State Fair
• Mobile homes
• Yachts
• Military equipment
• Rental cars
• Trailers
• Much more

Pasha Hawaii is operating Jean Anne and is one of the great success stories at the Port of San Diego. Pacha Hawaii has exceeded the ports expectations in terms of volumes, types of cargo that it has been bringing in and out and also in terms of revenue. The ship also means more jobs for everyone such as longshoremen and marine clerks including about 200 people helping with loading and unloading of the ship. Some fun facts about the ship are:

• The Jean Anne is named after the wife of the company’s founder, George Pasha Sr.
• The Pasha Group is a transportation and logistics company that has been family-owned and operated for three generations.
• Pasha just recently celebrated its 20th anniversary as a Port of San Diego tenant and partner.
• The Jean Anne underwent retrofitting in response to environmental regulations in California. The ship is burning marine diesel oil, a lighter and cleaner fuel.
• The Jean Anne participates in the Port of San Diego’s voluntary vessel speed reduction program in an effort to reduce air emissions in the vicinity of San Diego Bay.
• Pasha officials say they are proud to have been granted permission by the Hawaiian Public Utilities Commission in September 2010, to begin operation as an intrastate carrier between Hawaiian ports. The company requested the new routes to serve existing customers.

For more information visit www.portofsandiego.com and to contact Pacha Hawaii direct click on www.pachahawaii.com.