Happy birthday to Waypoint Public

The popular Waypoint Public in North Park is commemorating its first year in business with a 15-day celebration of food and beer pairings. Starting Oct. 1, Waypoint’s Brian Jensen will release a special beer at 4 p.m. each day and Executive Chef Amanda Baumgarten will create a small plate (free to patrons) to complement the flavors of that day’s selection. It’s safe to say the choices for each will be all over the map and include some rare brews. On the official anniversary, Oct. 15, three to five exclusive beers will be tapped to culminate the anniversary initiative. Visit waypointpublic.com for more information.

City Council urges mayor to advance climate action plan

The City Council passed a resolution last week urging Mayor Kevin Faulconer to release a draft of the city’s Climate Action Plan, a document outlining citywide goals and measures to combat climate change. Last year, Council President Todd Gloria released a separate draft during his tenure as interim mayor that was praised by environmentalists for its bold, enforceable measures. Gloria’s timeline for the plan slated final approval for early 2015; councilmembers have expressed concern with Mayor Faulconer’s timeframe, which is to bring an updated draft plan to a public hearing in spring 2015. City Council adopted the resolution by a vote of five to three. Council Democrats Gloria, Alvarez, Cole, Harris and Lightner voted in favor, while Council Republicans Kersey, Sherman and Zapf opposed the resolution. Councilmember Marti Emerald was absent.

Bike share station map released

On Sept. 11, Decobike, San Diego’s partner in implementing a citywide bike share program, released a map of 113 bike share station locations to be installed. The program is set to launch on Oct. 30 in Downtown and the surrounding areas and will expand from there. Their goal is to have 180 stations in all with 1,800 bikes in service. DecoBike is currently working to secure the remaining sites needed and plans to begin installations soon. The company, which has started bike-sharing programs in Miami Beach, Surfside and Bay Harbor Island, Florida, signed a 10-year contract with San Diego in 2013 to create the local bike-sharing network.

Diversionary announces new executive artistic director 

After an exhaustive, nationwide search, Diversionary Theatre has announced the hiring of a new executive artistic director. Matt Morrow, currently wrapping up commitments in New York, has been selected to take the reigns in November of the nation’s longest running LGBT theater production company. “We looked for a candidate with a keen knowledge of evolved LGBT theatrical productions, fundraising prowess, experience in developing new works, and excellent leadership and communications skills,” said Todd Nelms, Diversionary’s acting executive artistic director in a press release. “In Mr. Morrow, we believe we found all of this and more. We firmly believe he will lead our theater in a bold new direction.” The position was widely advertised and nearly 60 applications were received from around the globe. The search committee, which was headed up by Board Vice President Darrell Netherton, also consisted of Nelms, several local community arts leaders, including Larry Baza, Camille Davidson, Bill Eadie, Rob Granat, Dean Murray, Marcus Overton and Tamara Keller, a member of the theater’s board of trustees. Morrow is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where he later served as the John Wells Professor of Directing at its School of Drama. He has an extensive resume, with dozens of assistant directorships and directorships around the country. “I’m most excited about producing new plays and musicals that push theatrical boundaries, but also rarely seen classic work, and re-envisioning this work for today’s audience via the LGBT point of view,” Morrow said. “I’m attracted to work that explores what the LGBT experience means at this moment in time, both directly and indirectly. I’m interested in opening up the dialogue between the LGBT community and the community at large in an inclusive, thought provoking way that reveals our similarities and honors our differences.” Morrow added that he hopes to develop Diversionary Theatre into “a haven for writers and their work.” For more information about Diversionary Theatre, visit diversionary.org.

Amici’s helps raise money for slain officer’s family

In conjunction with the Escondido Police Officer’s Association, Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria, located at 3958 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest, held a fundraiser on Sept. 15 for the family of slain rookie Escondido Police Officer Laura Perez. Already recognized as a rising star within the Escondido Police organization, Perez was tragically gunned down in July by her husband, who also set fire to the couple’s home, according to police. In the fire, the couple’s 4-year-old daughter Suzeth lost all of her clothes, toys and blankets. Suzeth is now being raised by her grandmother, who has limited income. The Laura Perez Memorial Fund has been established to assist the family and its needs during this trying time. Amici’s donated 100 percent of their sales during the fundraiser, which lasted from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. There were also on-site raffles, which included NFL footballs autographed by players, two signed NFL helmets and other memorabilia. The 11-hour event raised over $10,000 for the family. To donate to the Laura Perez Memorial Fund, send a check (with PEREZ FUND on the memo line) to Escondido Police Officer Association (EPOA) P. O. Box 1309, Escondido, CA 92033. For more information about Amici’s, visit amicis.com.

History Center offers free admission

Visitors to Balboa Park can get free admission to the San Diego History Center’s museum and gift shop after 3 p.m. every Thursday from now until Nov. 20.

Admission is typically $8 for adults. The museum is open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays, giving everyone the chance to spend up to four hours in the museum for free.

Current exhibitions include “Presidio to Pacific Powerhouse,” which traces the story of San Diego’s growth from a small Spanish outpost to one of the most powerful military centers in the West, and “Sin Diego,” which tells the story of the former Stingaree red-light district in Downtown San Diego, where visitors were said to be stung by the area’s many vices.

The museum can be found at 1649 El Prado #3 in Balboa Park. For more information, visit sandiegohistory.org.

Gloria requests transparent count of referendum signatures

Ever since the City Council overrode Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s veto of the local ordinance guaranteeing a minimum wage increase and earned sick days to workers, opponents have been collecting signatures in full-force around the city to challenge the measure through a referendum. Many who signed the petitions wrongly believed it supported the minimum wage ordinance and later stated they felt misled or were wrongly informed by signature gatherers. Despite a “don’t sign it” campaign encouraged by Democrats, opponents have now turned in petitions with more than the required number of signatures. Council President Todd Gloria, who drafted the original measure, released a statement about the petitions, calling into question the deceit behind the petition campaign and the validity of the signatures collected. “With the knowledge that hundreds of people rescinded their signatures after learning the true purpose of the petition, and with the understanding that 63 percent of San Diegans support the reasonable minimum wage increase, certification of the necessary signatures is not assured,” he said. “I request that the referendum organizers allow supporters of the minimum wage and earned sick leave ordinance to observe the official counting of the signatures. While excessive evidence demonstrated the organizers’ willingness to deceive the public to reach their desired result of denying raises and benefits for 279,000 San Diegans, it is imperative that an honest count occur and that the signatures gathered are scrutinized for validity.” Gloria also stated that the recent methods of the signature gatherers brings the referendum process into question, and requires a more legitimate “check and balance.” The ordinance calls for workers to earn five sick days and a gradual minimum wage increase to $11.50 by 2017.

Local Toastmasters group offers crash course in public speaking

The Old Town-based San Diego Voyagers Toastmasters group has announced its 2014 Speechcraft Session, a five-week program designed to offer participants the chance to improve their public speaking, business communication and leadership skills.

The series began on Thursday, Sept. 24 and continues for the next four Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at Café Coyote’s meeting room, 2461 San Diego Ave., in Old Town. The cost is $36.

Organizers say the program is focused, fun and hands-on and gives people the chance to learn and practice the six key elements of public speaking from experienced speakers and evaluators.

For more information and to reserve a spot in the series, contact Felicia Douglis at [email protected] or call 619-992-9369.

San Diego promotes Waste No Water Wednesdays

The Water Conservation Team at the city of San Diego hopes to reduce local water use by capitalizing on the viral nature of social media.

The team encourages all San Diegans to use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other online platforms to spread awareness of the need for water conservation by sharing water-saving tips and using the hashtag #WNWwednesday, every Wednesday.

The water-saving tip changes every week. Past tips have included “It’s #WNWwednesday! Waste no water and take 5-minute showers,” and “Join me and @SanDiegansWasteNoWater to fix leaks this #WNWwednesday. Each leak fixed can save up to 150 gallons.”

The team has also created an image that people can use as their profile photo on #WNWwednesday. To download it visit WasteNoWater.org.

Animal welfare organizations merge

The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA this month announced a merger with PAWS San Diego, an organization that provides pet services and support to low-income senior citizens and other pet owners who are chronically ill or disabled.

The goal of the merger is to better address one of the top reasons pets are relinquished to animal shelters: the high cost of pet maintenance and situations in which owners encounter personal problems, according to research by national pet organizations.

“Imagine if you suddenly lost your job, your home, or if you or a family member became ill,” said Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, in a press release. “Imagine having to choose between feeding yourself or your pet. Our pets are family, so we want to keep families together by assisting individuals facing tough times.”

The Humane Society already has a safety net pet food pantry program called Project KEPPT (Keeping Every Person and Pet Together).

“Now, by merging with PAWS San Diego, we can expand those services to more people, including the homeless and victims of domestic violence,” Weitzman said.

This is the second merger this year for the Humane Society, which has its headquarters on Gaines Street in the Morena district just northwest of Mission Valley. The organization merged with the Escondido Humane Society earlier this summer, forming what managers believe is the largest animal sheltering organization in the country.

Vigil to remember those lost on eve of AIDS walk

The 25th annual AIDS Walk and Run San Diego has changed its start and finish location, changed its day, and added numerous events to create a weekend of celebration surrounding The Center’s largest annual fundraiser for HIV and AIDS programs in San Diego County. One such new event will take on a more somber tone but end on a positive note. “Reasons We Remember” will take place at the Hillcrest Pride Flag and Monument, located at the intersection of Normal Street and University Avenue beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. “Before The Walk, we want to give ourselves a chance to gather and remember the friends, family and loved ones we’ve lost to AIDS over the last three decades,” said Ian Johnson, coordinator of AIDS Walk & Run San Diego, in a press release. “Remembering them not only honors them, but inspires us to continue to fight HIV and #BeTheGeneration that helps end this epidemic.” A candlelight walk will also be included, and attendees may pre-register for the AIDS Walk. #BeTheGeneration, based on a national campaign started in 2007 by a subset of the National Institute for Health, was launched by The Center earlier this year as an innovative, community-wide campaign “designed to strengthen prevention and education efforts, and increase access to and utilization of HIV testing and treatment options,” as well as lessen the stigma associated with being HIV positive. For more information about the “Reasons We Remember” event or to register for AIDS Walk, email [email protected].