CHARTER SCHOOL TO OPEN IN LINDA VISTA

Thrive Public Schools is expected to open a new charter school in Linda Vista later this year.

Thrive is a group of free charter schools with a mission to provide disadvantaged communities with quality education and college preparedness. The schools specialize in project-based learning, blended online learning and social emotional growth.

The 35,000-square-foot campus will house 500 students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. It features 30 learning spaces, a technology lab, community rooms, an outdoor classroom, learning lounges and collaborative student offices.

“Establishing a school in Linda Vista has been a top priority since our founding in 2014,” said Nicole Assisi, CEO of Thrive Public Schools.

To execute this education-based project, Thrive partnered with Civic San Diego (CivicSD), a city-owned nonprofit corporation that works to vitalize underserved communities. The area surrounding the school’s site has been identified as one of the six most distressed blocks in San Diego, according to Assisi.

“We’re really bringing families back to the community,” she said. “For a long time, families have left severely distressed neighborhoods to get their children’s education elsewhere.”

Located at 6882 Linda Vista Road, the school will replace the previous Bayside Community Center building on the corner of Comstock and Kelly streets.

Visit thriveps.org/admissions to apply for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. Informational presentations will also be held monthly at Linda Vista Library, 2160 Ulric St. A list of sessions is available at thriveps.org/tour.

MISSION CENTER OFFICE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

On Dec. 15, Omninet Capital, LLC acquired Mission Center Office Park, a three-building, 183,692-square-foot property located in Mission Valley. The property was previously owned by Kearny Real Estate Company.

Omninet Capital is an investment firm that currently owns over 10 million square feet of commercial space and over 13,000 residential units across the country.

Louay Alsadek of CBRE Capital Markets — who was one of the transaction investment advisors — shared why the real estate company selected Mission Valley.

“Mission Center Office Park’s ideal location, diversified tenant roster and established history of excellent performance attracted significant interest from investors,” Alsadek said in a press release.

GULLS TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY NIGHT

You Can Play and the San Diego LGBT Visitors Center will benefit from the celebration of Diversity Night with the San Diego Gulls hockey team on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Valley View Casino Center when the Gulls take on the San Jose Barracuda.

Tickets cost $25 and include admission to the Bud Light pre-game tailgate party. Up to $9 of every ticket sold at bit.ly/2kNXnln will be donated back to the San Diego LGBT Visitors Center and You Can Play. Make sure to use the promotion code word “Diversity” before purchasing tickets.

Tickets can also be purchased at the LGBT Visitors Center, located at 502 University Ave. at the Fifth Avenue intersection in Hillcrest.

The Anaheim Ducks Sled Hockey Team, the San Diego Chill and You Can Play will also be among the many honored during the evening.

You Can Play is an initiative that works to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans.

“You Can Play is excited to partner with the Gulls to promote inclusion and respect in hockey and beyond,” said Chris Mosier, vice president of program development and community relations at You Can Play. “This night shows LGBTQ athletes, coaches, and fans and their allies that they are not only welcomed at Valley View Casino Center with open arms, but also valued as members of the San Diego Gulls family.”

In conjunction with You Can Play San Diego, a special engagement of “LGBTs In The News” with Thom Senzee will take place two days before the game.

The panel will feature Matt Savant, Gulls president of business operations, plus celebrity athletes and experts exploring the challenges and opportunities LGBT players face in professional, amateur and school sports.

Happening on Thursday, Jan. 18 with a meet-and-greet at 6:30 p.m., the panel will get underway at 7 p.m. at Gossip Grill, located at 1220 University Ave. in Hillcrest.

More information can be found at youcanplayproject.org and lgbtsinthenews.com.

For game details, visit outontheice.com.

MVPG SEEKS BOARD APPLICANTS

Mission Valley Planning Group (MVPG), a volunteer group representing the interests of Mission Valley, is still accepting applicants for their March 2018 election. All applicants must either reside, own property or own a business in the community planning area.

Four position categories — Class I, II, III and IV — are available for a four-year term. Class I is a sole or partial Mission Valley property owner. Class II is a resident or business representative paying taxes on a property in the area. Class III is a resident — owner or renter — with a primary address in the community, while Class IV is a local business person with a business address in the region.

Applicants must have attended a minimum of two meetings prior to submitting an application. Meetings are open to the public and held at noon on the first Wednesday of the month at the Mission Valley Library, located at 2123 Fenton Parkway. For more information, visit bit.ly/2nIfGgF or contact MVPG membership chair Keith Pittsford at [email protected]

MARCH IN BALBOA PARK TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Community members will march at Balboa Park from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, to bring one of San Diego’s major human-rights issues out of the shadows at Junior League of San Diego’s fifth annual Human Trafficking Awareness Rally.

Local anti-human-trafficking leaders will teach the crowd to recognize and assist victims before the marchers start their walk through the park with homemade signs of hope.

Human trafficking involves exploitation in many forms, from forcing people into prostitution to subjecting them to slavery or involuntary servitude. Sadly, the FBI names San Diego as one of the 13 areas with the highest rates of child sex trafficking in the nation. These advocates will spend their Saturday speaking out for the sake of those most at risk, including children who are homeless.

Meet up in Balboa Park, at the intersection of Laurel Street and Sixth Avenue.

Speakers include San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan; Assembly member Brian Maienschein; Jamie Quient, Free to Thrive president and managing attorney; and Joseph Travers, Saved in America executive director and private investigation manager.

Visit jlsd.org for more information.