Community celebration held to thank those involved in ‘North Park attacker’ response and arrest
On Oct. 6, Wang’s North Park (3029 University Ave.) held a “thank you” event following the arrest of David Angelo Drake in connection with the recent spree of assaults on women in North Park. The restaurant hosted dinner and refreshments for City Council President Todd Gloria, local police personnel, North Park merchants and community organization representatives as a way to thank those involved in “reinstituting the safety and security of North Park residents.” Safety efforts put forth by various agencies included a Take Back the Night rally, self-defense workshops, street patrols and a survey of lighting needs in and around North Park.
City Council increases linkage fee
On Oct. 6, the City Council voted to double San Diego’s Workforce Housing Offset fee, or linkage fee, which commercial developers must pay to support the construction of affordable housing in the city. The council directed the City Attorney’s office to prepare language for an ordinance to be heard Oct. 21.
The fee was created by the City Council in 1990 to increase the supply of affordable housing in San Diego, but was cut in half in 1996 and hasn’t been raised since, despite language in the ordinance requiring it be increased incrementally. After returning to its original levels, the linkage fee will charge developers 1.5 percent of the project’s total cost.
Efforts to raise the fee earlier this year by 500 percent resulted in a bitter partisan fight triggering a referendum process. Council Democrats eventually joined Council Republicans in voting to rescind the measure. The compromise version passed Oct. 6 with a 7 – 1 vote.
The updated fee would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015.
Home Start receives $10,000 grant
Child-abuse prevention agency Home Start recently received a $10,000 grant from The Rite Aid Foundation, the non-profit arm of the discount goods store. In addition to the grant, the Mid-City-based nonprofit will also become one of Rite Aid’s “KidCents” charities, meaning that Rite Aid customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, donating that additional amount to Home Start, as well as other identified “kid-focused” charities. Furthermore, each time customers hit the $500 mark donating to Home Start through rounded-off purchases, the Rite Aid Foundation will match the funds.
The donation drive runs until Dec. 31, 2015.
Art exhibit features masterpieces from over 40 modern artists
After opening earlier this month, “Gauguin to Warhol: 20th Century Icons”brings modern art from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in New York to The San Diego Museum of Art through Jan. 27, 2015. Masterpieces on display include works by the titular artists as well as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Vincent Van Gogh and many others. Related events will take place throughout the exhibition’s run, including “Culture & Cocktails” on Oct. 16. This event is free for museum members and $20 for nonmembers. The pop-art themed party is inspired by Andy Warhol and the exhibition. Entertainment at “Culture & Cocktails” will include music by DJ Scott Roberts along with a go-go dance troupe and a take home pop-art-in-your-pocket project. For more information on Gauguin to Warhol and related events visit sdmart.org.
San Diego Chorus names co-director
San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines International has named Kathleen Hansen co-director effective Oct. 1. Hansen has been a member of the chorus chapter since 2000 and associate chorus director since 2008. She previously taught music at local schools along with varsity band. She then began conducting at San Diego State, where she also earned a master’s of music in instrumental conducting.
As co-director, Hansen will work closely with long-time Artistic Director Kim Vaughn as Vaughn prepares for retirement late next year after three decades with the chorus.
The San Diego Chorus will hold its annual holiday show, The Holiday Café, on Dec. 10. For more information on the chorus and their upcoming events visit sdchorus.org.
Hillcrest restaurant and wine bar team up for pairing dinner
The Fresh Asian Bar and Bistro (FABB), 3925 Fourth Ave., will be the setting for a pairing dinner dubbed “A Taste of Asia: A Unique Wine and Culinary Experience” on Oct. 16. The restaurant’s four-course dinner menu by owner and executive chef Patrick Lee will include recipes inspired by Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Thai cuisines. Each dish will be paired with a wine chosen by Sommelier Serge Chablé of nearby wine bar The Wine Lover (3968 Fifth Ave.) The evening starts with a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner seating at 6:30 p.m. To see the menu and purchase tickets visit thefreshasianbarandbistro.com. For more on The Wine Lover visit thewineloversd.com.
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