Gaslamp launches major parking changes

In an effort to increase public safety and reduce traffic on weekend nights, the Gaslamp Quarter Association and the Downtown Community Parking District launched the Fifth Avenue Active Passenger Loading Zone, a yearlong pilot program coordinated by both organizations.

The key element of the program is the removal of metered parking along Fifth Avenue between Broadway and Harbor Drive in exchange for the creation of a three-minute active passenger loading zone like the kind found at airport terminals for departures and arrivals. The Active Passenger Loading Zone starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The program will run every weekend until Aug. 31 of 2016.

Benefits of the new pilot program include increased visibility for public safety and law enforcement; the removal of circulating vehicles from the street; the promotion of alternate forms of transportation such as taxis, rideshares and public transit; and an increase of visitors to Gaslamp Quarter businesses.

Signs notifying visitors of the new passenger loading zones will be installed throughout the Gaslamp Quarter. Existing taxi stands along Fifth Avenue will not be affected. For more information visit gaslampparking.com.

VOD coming to trolley system

Riding the trolley just became a bit more entertaining. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is now offering a fee, multichannel, video-on-demand service for its passengers that will be accessible on all mobile devices.

The video service, which offers movies, television shows, cartoons and other entertainment, is already working on all trolleys operating on the Green Line and will be offered to trolleys on the Orange and Blues lines by the end of the month.

“This first-of-its-kind offering is meant to enhance the experience of our trolley passengers who rely on us daily to get to their destinations,” said Paul Jablonski, CEO at MTS in a press release. “Public transportation plays a vital role in the San Diego region and our goal is to offer new services as we grow.”

Passengers can access this new service by connecting to the MTS-TV Wi-Fi on their mobile devices and opening the MTS-TV homepage on their Internet browser. MTS-TV was created by the San Diego-based FlashPoints Media Group. Revenue generated through limited advertising will be shared between MTS and FlashPoints. In addition, Cox Communications will be donating much of its locally produced video content.

“We’re pleased to help enable an easy and convenient way for public transportation users to enjoy video entertainment,” said Dave Bialis, senior vice president and regional manager for Cox California in the release.

Some of the programs available include: “Sam the Cooking Guy,” “TEDx Talks,” classic cartoons, movies, movie trailers, “About San Diego: Destinations and Sights,” “At the San Diego Zoo,” “On the Spot (History, Geography and Animals)” and “Action/Extreme Sports GoPro.”

County Bar Foundation calling for grants

The San Diego Country Bar Foundation (SDCBF) is now accepting grant applications for the 2015 grant cycle. Submissions for grants are due Oct. 1.

SDCBF grants are awarded to organizations that offer legal services to victims of poverty, abuse and discrimination. The grants also support programs that educate children and adults about the legal system and individuals’ rights and responsibilities.

“We have supported more than 40 legal aid and public interest organizations over the years,” stated Brian Funk, president of the SDBCF board of directors, in a press release. “Today, our grants benefit abused women and children, immigrants seeking political asylum, the working poor who can’t afford legal representation and many others who are in desperate need of legal assistance and have nowhere to turn.”

Organizations that wish to receive grants can expect to be vetted by the board and foundation staff. The SDCBF is an affiliate and charitable arm of the San Diego County Bar Association and legal community and is the only organization in the region that funds private groups to train lawyers and laypeople to advocate for the underserved.

The foundation’s funds come from contributions from the legal and business community and from fundraising events. The group’s annual fundraiser in La Jolla will be held on Sept. 19.

For more information on how to apply for a grant, visit the SDCBF website at sdbfc.com.

History Center to host urban landscape discussion

For the final lecture of the its “Centennial Lecture Series,” The San Diego History Center and the UC San Diego Extension have partnered to bring landscape authority Charles Birnbaum to discuss Balboa Park and other urban cultural parks.

Birnbaum, president and CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) in Washington, D.C., will discuss the importance of urban landscapes as layered cultural resources rich in natural, ecological, historic and scenic values that can be leveraged though strategic interpretation and outreach to the public. The lecture will look at other urban parks and public gardens throughout the county to inspire and inform future planning and management practices that foster public/private collaborations for Balboa Park and other historical parks.

“Balboa Park, a National Historic Landmark and a masterwork of landscape architecture by several influential practitioners including Samuel Parsons, Jr. and John Nolen, will face many pressures and stewardship decisions in the years ahead. This lecture will illuminate opportunities and constraints that aspire to make informed management decisions that ensure continuity and change in equal measure,” Birnbaum said in the release.

The lecture will be held on Sept. 17, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Registration and reception for the event will be at the San Diego History Center and the lecture will be held in the Museum of Photographic Arts, both in Balboa Park. Tickets for the lecture are $25 for general public, $20 for SDHC and FSDA members and $15 for students.

For tickets and more information, visit sandiegohistory.org/birnbaum.

“Un-Gala” comes to East Village

What do you do if you are a rapidly growing association in an urban chic neighborhood and you want to celebrate your unique vibe?

Why you throw an “Un-Gala,” of course.

The East Village Association (EVA) will be hosting its first ever “Un-Gala Awards” show on Oct. 8, at Quartyard, located at 1102 Market St. starting at 6 p.m.

The event will feature neighborhood comedian Mal Hall, live entertainment, refreshments and a silent auction. The Un-Gala will also feature quirky awards for neighborhood businesses. Such as the “Most Pet-Friendly Business” award and the “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere.”

Adding to the very Un-Gala feel of the event, attendees are encouraged to not wear formal attire and instead come dressed casually in a distinctive East Village feel.

Check-in for the event starts at 5 p.m. and the program starts at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public and costs $15 for EVA members and $20 for non-members.

For more information, visit eastvillagesandiego.com.

Library graduates first class from its online program

The San Diego Public Library’s Career Online High School (COHS) program held its a graduation ceremony for its first graduating class on Aug. 26.

The innovative program was launched in January following Mayor Kevin Faulkner’s State of the City address where he announced COHS. Mayor Faulkner was on hand at the graduation ceremony to recognize the graduates, including city employee Dana Sneberger who gave the commencement address.

Through the support of the Library Foundation, scholarships are awarded for COHS to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. Once enrolled, COHS will pair students with academic coaches who offer ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluate performance and connect the student with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material. Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have continual access to the online learning platform. Coursework begins in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields ranging from childcare and education to certified transportation before progressing to the core academic subjects.

Although there were only three students graduating at the first ceremony, it is expected that many more will graduate in the near future, and most after only being in the program for four to six months, after transferring in previous high school credits. There are currently 48 students in the program and 10 more being evaluated for their readiness for the program.

Cassandra Denneson, another graduate from the program, first enrolled in COHS while pregnant with her second child. “I felt now was the perfect time to finish my high school education because I had the support of my husband and family,” she said. “I was able to do all my school work from home while taking care of my family.”

For more information about COHS, visit the library’s website at sandiegolibrary.org.

San Diego Gulls return, announce dates for season

The American Hockey League has announced the complete 2015/2016 season schedule. The San Diego Gulls will play their inaugural game at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Oct. 10 at Valley View Casino Center, located at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., in the Midway area, starting at 7:05 p.m.

The Gulls’ 68-game schedule will feature 34 home dates with visits by each team in the Pacific Division (Bakersfield, Ontario, San Antonio, San Jose, Stockton and Texas) as well as three inter-conference opponents.

Season highlights include a home game on Halloween night against Stockton, a home game against Bakersfield on Veterans Day and home games the Wednesday before and Friday after Thanksgiving.

Individual game tickets will go on sale in late September and be priced starting as low as $12 ($10 for students and military). For more info and tickets, visit sandiegogulls.com.