Monarch school for homeless youth receives $5 million donation
Monarch School, the San Diego public K-12 school for children impacted by homelessness, received a $5 million donation from Nat and Flora Bosa, to go toward the building of the school’s new campus. The school will be located at 1625 Newton Ave. Monarch’s current campus is 10,000 square feet and over capacity with 150 students and 45 staff members daily. Each classroom operates two grade levels and offers services like eye exams and tutoring. Monarch School’s new Nat & Flora Bosa Campus will allow the school to serve more than 350 students daily and will be home to separate classrooms for each grade level, computer and s
cience labs, a library, literacy and tutoring centers, a health center, a gymnasium and more. The new site also provides ample space for playgrounds, outdoor recreation areas and a student garden.
East village association elects new board of directors
At their annual meeting, the East Village Association elected a new board of directors. On May 15, eligible participants voted for up to 11 candidates, who will serve a two-year term. The East Village Association is the nonprofit corporation that manages the East Village Business Improvement District. The new board consists of regular members, who represent East Village businesses and associate members, who residents or residential property owners, and both types will serve a two-year term. The board members elected are Sin Bosier, East Village Event Management; David Hazan, Hazan Management; Jack Monger, The Monger Company; Glenna Schmidt, Mitchell Investments; Chris Sohaey, MMC Real Estate Holdings; Todd Brown, Bub’s at the Ballpark; Tod Firotto, San Diego Restaurant Supply; Brendan Foote, Hughes Marino; Mark Guglielmo, San Diego Padres; Carin Martens, Hotel Indigo; and Claudine Scott, Keller Williams Realty LLC.
Westin Gaslamp debuts ‘Flame Flower’ sculpture
The Westin Gaslamp Quarter debuted the installation of the new “Flame Flower” sculpture on May 15. The 40-foot sculpture will be displayed in front of the newly remodeled hotel in public view. The sculpture’s asymmetrical design emulates a towering “bouquet” of oversized leaves made from woven stainless steel pieces. With the installation of “Flame Flower,” the Westin Gaslamp Quarter’s property-wide $25 million renovation is almost complete. The May 15 dedication included remarks by San Diego arts leader Larry Baza and artist Michael Stutz.
Civic Center trolley station closed for three months
The Civic Center trolley stop will be closed until approximately mid-August while San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) continue work on the $720 million Trolley Renewal project. Work includes station closures and temporary station relocations. With the Civic Center Trolley Station closure, passengers are advised to use the Fifth Avenue station, located two blocks east. Additionally, the 25th & Commercial Trolley Station will be closed for approximately three months, and a temporary station at 24th and Commercial streets will open. The Trolley Renewal project will upgrade the Blue and Orange lines and the stations along those lines.
‘Our Greater San Diego Vision’ survey shows attainable housing as high priority
Preliminary results from The San Diego Foundation’s “Our Greater San Diego Vision” survey indicate that 72 percent of San Diegans place attainable housing as their most important personal concern for the future. The ShowYourLoveSD.org survey generated more than 30,000 responses from San Diegans, representing diverse demographics including age, ethnicity, religion and geography. The survey generated more than 71,000 individual modules regarding issues ranging from education, community and cultural amenities, jobs and economic growth, to future land use and planning scenarios for San Diego. The survey showed that support for more attainable housing is as high as 84 percent among Hispanic voters and those with an average income of less than $50,000.
Neighborhood to launch cocktails on tap
Neighborhood, a restaurant and craft beer bar in the East Village, is launching the first cocktails on tap system in San Diego. The 18-tap system will pour signature cocktails, as well as wine and soda. “The new tap system offers a cleaner, better tasting beverage, whether it be wine, cocktails, or soda. In reducing the waste associated with bottles & cans, it’s a more environmentally friendly way to serve any beverage,” Neighborhood owner Arsalun Tafazoli said in a press release. “It also allows us to streamline service and serve a superior product in a faster, more consistent manner so that our staff can focus on the customer.”
Two San Diego High School principals not to return
After being placed on administrative leave earlier this year, it was announced May 15 that San Diego High School principal Kirk Ankeney would not be returning. A letter issued to parents from Superintendent Bill Kowba stated that Ankeney “will no longer be principal of the International Students and Arts Schools.” San Diego High School has six sub-schools, Ankeney was the principal of the International Students and Arts schools. An interim principal has assumed the role since Ankeney’s departure. The letter also stated that Consuelo Manriquez, the principal of the School of Business and LEADS will be replaced in the 2012 – 2013 school year. Manriquez will complete this school year and a new principal will start in September. A search is currently underway for both positions.
Museum of the Living Artist to host Art Gym series
The Museum of the Living Artist at the San Diego Art Institute announced it will host the summer series “Art Gym.” Running Mondays through Thursdays until August 30, the Art Gym program is for art instruction and practice and is designed for artists 18 and older due to possible nude modeling and adult themes. Modeling times and closures will be listed on the Art Gym Facebook page. The museum is located at 1439 El Prado in Balboa Park. For drop-ins, the cost is $10 per class, or $50 for a monthly pass. For more information, visit sandiego-art.org.
