Annual HillQuest guide begins distribution

The 10th edition of the HillQuest Urban Guide, dubbed “HQ10” and covering 2012-2013, will be distributed to locations throughout Hillcrest beginning Saturday, June 22. Over 30,000 copies of the guide will be handed out in total throughout the year, beginning with drops at City Deli, Revivals, Brazen BBQ, Whole Foods Market, Lalo’s Mexican Grill and Lotus Café & Juice Bar. Guide founders and creators Ann Garwood and Nancy Moors said the books promote the neighborhood and surrounding communities with maps, stories and history. “HillQuest can always be found at our advertisers, including restaurants, retail outlets, many medical and dental offices and Hillcrest’s two medical facilities,” the Uptown residents said. Included in this year’s issue are stories about the 1960s freeway planned through Maple Canyon, the creation of Sixth Avenue, San Diego’s first female physician and suffragette Dr. Charlotte Baker, and the new Uptown Parking District, among others. For a full list of places to pick up a free copy, visit hillquest.com.

Eight-band TributeFest comes to San Diego

TributeFest is an all-day rock festival featuring eight different acts that play tribute to popular mainstream bands, along with 30 beer vendors and 10 gourmet food trucks on hand for fans to enjoy. The Santa Clarita, Calif. staple is making its way to San Diego on June 23 at Liberty Station.

Not simply cover bands, tribute bands go out of their way to recreate the real experience for fans. Many go as far as designing costumes from the period they are honoring, and generally have members that look and sing exactly like the original band members.

Each band will have an hour to entertain guests, starts at noon with Stepping Feet, a local Dave Matthews tribute band. Next is Britain’s Finest, a Beatles tribute at 1:15 p.m. Kenny Metcalf dons every inch of 1970s bling imaginable when Elton the Early Years kicks off their set at 2:30. Next, “Escape” for an hour with the Journey tribute, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Then, from 5 to 6 p.m., get prepared for synchronicity with the Police Experience. The Ultimate Stones tribute tumbling their dice at 6:15 p.m. Following Mick and crew is a tribute to fellow Brits, Freddie Mercury and his band mates: Queen Nation. Hollywood U2 closes out the festival at 8:45 p.m. with a look-alike Bono at the helm giving a scorching performance with “unrivaled precision.”

Though no pets or outside alcohol are allowed, food, coolers, non-alcoholic drinks, blankets and lawn chairs are all welcome. Admission is $40 for general admission, $65 for VIP, which includes 10 drink tickets. Re-entry is allowed. For tickets or more information, visit sdtributefest.com.

Local IT doctor recognized by White House

Dr. Ted Chan, an emergency medicine physician with University of California, San Diego Health System, is one of 82 national representatives being recognized by the White House and Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C for his work in health information technology (IT). Chan practices at the UC San Diego Hillcrest location and is also a San Diego Beacon Community program leader. “Every day, technology is improving how we do business, how we stay in touch and how we take care of our health,” Craig Brammer, director of the Beacon Community Program, said in a press release. On Tuesday, June 19 at a White House Health IT Town Hall, senior While House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials recognized the representative, including Chan, for “local efforts in moving the nation toward an electronically enabled health-care system.” At the event, Chan participated in a panel discussion about the role health IT programs play in the health care. “The San Diego Beacon Community is helping my community better use health information technology to significantly enhance our quality of patient care,” Chan said in the same release. The San Diego Beacon community is one of 17 national organizations building health IT infrastructure to “make measurable improvements in health, care and cost.”

Suspect sought in University Heights peeping case

Detectives from the San Diego Police Department’s Western Division are seeking a suspect in a peeping case in University Heights that involved a man watching a woman through her bathroom window. On June 10, a University Heights resident was taking a shower when she realized she was being watched. After yelling at the man, he fled the scene. SDPD discovered the man had gained access to the victim’s apartment complex courtyard and placed a chair under her bathroom window. Police asked anyone with information about the case to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

SD REP added to national network

The National New Play Network (NNPN) announced Monday, June 18 the addition of San Diego REP to their network of national theaters. In conjunction with the announcement, San Diego REP will present “Exit Interview,” one of five NNPN world premieres, in September of this year. The production stars Herbert Siguenza and will be directed by Sam Woodhouse. NNPN is a national alliance of non-profit theater companies that champions the development and production of new plays. San Diego REP was added as their 26th member, with the decision being made by the NNPN board at their June 8 annual conference. “The REP’s longstanding commitment to new and nontraditional voices makes them a perfect fit for the Network,” Jason Loewith, NNPN executive director, said in a press release. “Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse and his team are respected as leaders in the field, and our members look forward to long and fruitful collaborations with them.” Due to the inclusion in the network, San Diego REP is eligible for grants that include playwright and producer residencies and commissions. Other cities represented in the NNPN membership include Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Watertown, Mass., Chicago, Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C., among others.

Our Greater San Diego Vision releases new results

Additional results from the San Diego Foundation’s Our Greater San Diego Vision survey were released June 14. In the findings, the foundation determined San Diegans want to “support our local economy and its relationship to the region’s major industries,” as stated in a press release. The survey finds 74 percent of participants were in favor of keeping the three primary sectors – innovation, military and tourism – thriving. “The economy continues to be top-of-mind for all San Diegans as we transition through the economic turmoil of the past several years,” said Bill Geppert, chair of Our Greater San Diego Vision, in the same release. “The survey results reflect our community’s desire for high-paying jobs in industries for which San Diego has earned international recognition.” The survey, taken by more than 30,000 residents in an online forum fall 2012, 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. The full results will be presented in mid-July.

Cartwright named first executive director for Gay Men’s Chorus

The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (SDGMC) was formed in January 2010 by the merger of the San Diego Men’s Chorus and the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego. The mission of the newly merged chorus is to create a positive musical experience through exciting performances that engage audiences, build community support and provide a dynamic force for social change. After an extensive search for an executive director, the chorus chose Ben Cartwright, who took over May 15.

“Hiring an executive director is a big step for this chorus,” said Cheri Curtis, president of the board of directors in a released statement. “We are thrilled that Ben Cartwright has agreed to join us in this role. He has a solid network, excellent relationship-building skills and a strong development background. We’re confident that he will be instrumental in taking us to a whole new level in our efforts to expand our audience and influence in the greater San Diego community and beyond.”

Cartwright, who has lived in San Diego his entire life, is active in San Diego’s LGBT community and received his master’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management from the University of San Diego in 2011. He has volunteered for, served on boards and worked for numerous non-profit organizations. Prior to coming to SDGMC, Cartwright also worked for Hale Media among other local LGBT-based media outlets.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus in this capacity,” Cartwright said in the same statement. “I very much am looking forward to learning as much as I can about the group, which is one of the finest LGBT musical groups in the nation.”

ion theatre company announces seventh season

Hillcrest-based theater company, ion theatre, announced their complete schedule for their seventh season on Saturday, June 16. The 2012-2013 season includes seven premiere plays, beginning August 18 with “The Mystery Play,” written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Now three years at their location in Hillcrest, located at 3704 Sixth Ave., Producing Artistic Director Glenn Paris said in a press release, “We feel inspired to continue our work at BLKBOX in Hillcrest. Since establishing ourselves here in 2012, ion has significantly increased its visibility and deepened its ties to the community.” Last season, ion produced “Angels in America,” “Gypsy,” “Blasted,” and Topdog/Underdog,” an extended production directed by Suzan-Lori Parks.

In addition to “The Mystery Play,” the remaining season seven productions include: “Julia,” “The Little Flower of East Orange,” “Punk Rock,” “Grey Gardens,” “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” and “John Ball’s in the Heat of the Night.” Claudio Raygoza, executive artistic director, said in the same release, “We’re thrilled to announce a roster of seven ne plays, at least four new playwrights making their debuts in San Diego and two new member artists to the company, bringing the tally to 20 artist collaborators. A new season brings fresh opportunities to expand our offerings and outreach, with the community thanks to a nearly doubling of our operating space via the recent acquisition of the building adjacent to BLKBOX.” The theater company will use the new space as a lobby, rehearsal hall, dressing rooms and meeting space to help expand their programming to include drop-in readings of new plays, acting classes and cabaret performances, among others. Adding that the five highest-grossing and most-attended productions for the company occurred in the past year and a half, Raygoza said, “We’re proud and ever-grateful to have a place in the San Diego community where we can meet a specific and important cultural need.” The season runs from Aug. 18 to July 13, 2013.