Heard that one before?

On July 4^th, San Diego International Airport (SAN) introduced a new set of videos at the security checkpoints. Starring roles are played by the San Diego Zoo’s Bamboo Bear, Legoland’s Johnny Thunder, the San Diego Padres’ Friar, and Shamu from SeaWorld.

Want to see a whale going through the metal detector? I did – but I didn’t have a trip to SAN planned anytime soon.

So I’m pleased to see that the airport has posted the video on YouTube.

Starting on July 4^th, waiting on line at a security checkpoint at San Diego International Airport (SAN) will be a bit more entertaining.

The airport is rolling out a series of “info-tainment” videos featuring popular San Diego mascots offering tips to travelers about what can and cannot be taken through the checkpoints.

Look for the San Diego Zoo’s Bamboo Bear, Legoland’s Johnny Thunder, the San Diego Padres’ Friar, and Shamu from SeaWorld.

SAN isn’t the only airport to feature celebrity videos at the security checkpoints. In Las Vegas, McCarran International Airport partnered with the local Convention and Visitors Authority to create almost a dozen short videos featuring Las Vegas “luminaries” such as Wayne Newton, Rita Rudner, Carrot Top, magicians, aliens, and acrobats demonstrating the proper way to go through the security checkpoints. You don’t even need to be on line at the airport to see the videos: they’re on the airport’s website under Traveler Tips.

More than 4,000 people work in the life science industries in and around San Diego, conducting research and figuring out ways to cure diseases and help save the environment.

We may not be able to understand exactly what they do or how they do it, but an exhibition at San Diego International Airport (SAN) offers a colorful, artsy, and highly magnified peek inside.

Here are a few samples:

(Above photo courtesy of Linda Nye)

(Above photo courtesy of SDSU)

(Above photo courtesy of Vertex)

The artwork will be on display through January 5, 2009 post-security in Terminal 2.

Just so you know: there are intriguing and unusual art and cultural exhibits at San Diego International Airport pretty much all the time. For a descriptive list, click here.

Some intriguing and colorful work by Mark Richmond is on view through July in the Commuter Terminal at San Diego International Airport.

In addition, Richmond’s first public art commission, “Winds of Change,” a 25’ X 9’ 6” digital painting, was installed in Terminal 1.

Photo courtesy: San Diego International Airport

Guitar aficionados passing through San Diego International Airport will want to be sure to see the classic Taylor Guitars on display in the Commuter Terminal through April 2008.

If you happen to be in or near the airport this Friday, Feb. 29 from 5:30 – 7pm, though, head over to the west end of the commuter terminal for a reception with Taylor Guitars founder Bob Taylor. He’ll be showing off the company’s first-ever solid-body electric guitar. Taylor staff will be on hand to perform demos. Rock on!