John Lee Evans, San Diego Unified School District trustee, recently reported that the Imagine UC 2020 project in University City is moving ahead. On Oct. 15, city and school district negotiators worked out final details of the joint use agreement for Standley Park. It has already been approved by the school board and now needs official approval by City Council. The hope is that it will be placed on the council agenda soon. In the joint use agreement, the school district contributes the capital funds for construction and the city provides the operational funds. Once it is approved by City Council, the project can be put up for bid and construction can begin in 2020.
The full project includes an aquatic center with a new competition-size pool alongside the current pool. It will be available for swim team and water polo, as well as for instruction in physical education classes. Both pools will be available to the public when not being used by the schools. Additionally, there will be a jogging path around the perimeter of the park, a stage/pavilion for community events and an added grass field next to Spreckels. Eventually there will be an additional parking and drop-off area at the front of Spreckels that will also be used on weekends for parking at the park. Besides Evans, committee members include: Barry Bernstein, Sandy Lippe and Greg Zinser, who have all been tirelessly working to make this community project a reality. And it looks like the original 2020 target date will be met.
‘MY SON PINOCCHIO, JR.’
JCompany will present Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio, Jr.” at the Jewish Community Center in November. The cast includes University City youths: Hillel Angel, Zohara Angel, Laine Burfitt, Hannah Goold, Michael Kosma, Nathan Lemoine, Maital Meltzer, Miles Renstein, and Rosie Shaughnessy. Family members of all ages will enjoy this new take on a timeless story as well as classic songs like “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings.”
Thanks goes out to show sponsor Geppetto’s Toys and donors who support the Random Acts of Culture Show on Nov. 10, at 2:30 p.m., where JCompany Youth Theatre is proud to provide underserved San Diego communities with the joy of live youth theater free of charge. Also, students from Doyle Elementary will see the show as a field trip, as will students from all over San Diego County. Shows are scheduled from Nov. 2-17, with showtimes at 8 p.m. Saturdays, and noon and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 3 and 17, and Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon. The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, in the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, is located at 4126 Executive Drive. Go to sdcjc.org/JCompany for more information or to purchase tickets. Group rates available, and tickets may be purchased at the box office.
UCCA ELECTIONS
UCCA will be electing its officers for the 2020-21calendar years at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the University Community Branch Library, 4155 Governor Drive. Current nominees and positions that will be voted upon are the following:
- President — Barry Bernstein
- Vice-President — Mack Langston
- Secretary — Open
- Treasurer — Don Hotz
Additional nominations will be accepted at the election meeting.In order to be considered for office, you must be a member in good standing and have attended at least two UCCA meetings during this calendar year. If you are interested in an elected position, or if you have any questions concerning the election process, please contact:
Mack Langston, chair of the UCCA nominating committee, at 619-818-4205.
BLOOD DRIVE
University City United Church is organizing its regular San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile Blood Drive from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Sprouts Marketplace near Round Table Pizza, 3250 Governor Drive. Blood donors may sign up in advance at mysdbb.org. Walk-ins are accepted, with the best times being between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donors are reminded to eat your beans and greens prior to giving blood, and if you’re sick or on antibiotics, please wait until next time. Drink lots of water before and after giving blood. For future planning, the 2020 Blood Drive dates are: Jan. 11, March 7, May 2, July 11, Sept.12, and Nov. 14.
UCHS RANKS
The U.S. News and World Report rankings of high schools place University City High School in the top 10 among schools in San Diego and in the top five among all schools in the San Diego Unified School District. For more info, visit usnews.com/education/best-high-schools.
