LIBRARY LAUNCHES 2011 LOCAL AUTHOR ONLINE EXHIBIT

The San Diego Public Library has launched their online exhibit for local authors who published books in 2011. The Local Authors website now contains both 2010 and 2011 local authors’ information as permanent online archives. Visitors to the library’s website can look for the Local Authors icon on the home page and link to the online exhibit. On Feb. 3, a reception was held for 2011 local authors. The event launched the physical exhibit at Central Library, which displayed the author submitted book to the public throughout the month of February. For more information, visit sandiegolibrary.org.

BIG SISTER LEAGUE OF SAN DIEGO CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

The Big Sister League of San Diego is having their 70th anniversary and to celebrate, restaurants across San Diego will be donating 20 percent of purchases to the League. By visiting bigsisterleague.org, participants can see which restaurants apply on which dates. For example, Panda Express will be honoring the flier and donating 20 percent of applicable purchases on April 24 only. By clicking on “Happy Anniversary,” participants can download the necessary flier. For more information, call 619-297-1172.

TIME WARNER CABLE SIGNS NEW HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMMING DEAL

Time Warner Cable and the San Diego section of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced that they have entered into a five-year agreement for Time Warner Cable to become the official content distributor of all San Diego high school sporting events, beginning with the 2012 – 2013 season. This deal, supplemental to the 15-year agreement for distribution rights to all CIF regional and state championship games established in 2011, gives Time Warner Cable rights to distribute all San Diego high schools’ sports programming for games and matches through cable television, internet and mobile platforms.

ZOCDOC WEBSITE LAUNCHES IN SAN DIEGO

A new online business has come to San Diego that cuts the average wait time to see a doctor while allowing consumers to research potential physicians. ZocDoc.com, a website similar to OpenTable.com, has recently launched the service in San Diego. The consumer puts in their insurance, if any, their zip code and the type of doctor they need. The service then brings up a doctor’s appointment schedule, reviews and allows participants to book an appointment online. The service cuts the average wait time to see a doctor to three days or less and includes approximately 67,000 available appointments at any given time in San Diego.

SD PUBLIC LIBRARY SCREENS VAN SANT FILMS IN APRIL

The San Diego Public Library will screen films from filmmaker Gus Van Sant every Friday in April at 2:30 p.m. in the 3rd floor auditorium of the Central Library, located at 820 E St., as a part of the “Friday Talking Pictures” series. Audience discussions will oftentimes follow the screenings. These events are free and open to the public. The four scheduled films are “Drugstore Cowboy” on April 6, “My Own Private Idaho” on April 13, “Elephant” on April 20 and “Milk” on April 27.

SMART CORNER APARTMENTS RELEASE TWO BEDROOM UNITS

Smart Corner, a 19-story condominium tower in the East Village, is now releasing its second phase of two bedroom and two bathroom lofts. Having released and sold its first phase of new studio apartments earlier this year, Smart Corner will officially release the units on March 31 at 11 a.m. The complex, located at 1080 Park Blvd., will be open for potential buyers to explore the model homes on two different floors and ask questions of the sales team. Smart Corner offers competitive pricing with the intention of encouraging buyers to reconsider living in Downtown. For more information, visit smartcorner.net.

SDPD SEEKING INFORMATION IN ANDAZ THEFT

San Diego County Crime Stoppers and San Diego Police Department investigators are asking for assistance from the public to help identify and locate an unknown suspect wanted for grand theft. Detectives said that on February 29, at approximately 2:25 a.m., an unknown suspect stole a laptop computer from the front desk of the Ivy/Andaz Hotel located at 630 F St. The suspect walked into the hotel while the front desk was unattended and left the scene on foot with the computer. Anyone with information on the identity or location of the suspect should call SDPD Central Division at 619-744-9500 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anonymous e-mail and text messages can be sent in via sdcrimestoppers.com.

HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE SOCIETY TO HOST TEAM HOPE WALK

The San Diego chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) presents their first Team Hope Walk in Balboa Park on April 1. Participants can form a team, pledge a sponsorship or volunteer for the HDSA San Diego Team Walk. Sponsored by Lundbeck and Vertex, the 3.1-mile walk raises awareness about Huntington’s Disease, a devastating and deadly brain disorder. Money raised will help fund research towards treatment and a cure. Registration for the walk starts at 8 a.m. at Sixth Avenue at Laurel Street, with the Walk happening at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 and includes a T-shirt and refreshments after the walk. HDSA will be there as well, and will provide face painting for kids. For more information and to register visit hsdasandiego.org or call 949-542-3907.

COUNCILMEMBER GLORIA UNOPPOSED IN DISTRICT THREE RACE

Current District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria will run unopposed in the June 5 election for the District’s Council seat. Due to a lack of valid signatures, District Three potential candidate Dempsey McGibbony’s campaign to run against Gloria was halted on March 19. McGibbony met the March 8 filing deadline, however, McGibbony said, of the 173 signatures submitted, 62 were considered valid. As stated in his candidate statement, McGibbony, who was born and raised in Arkansas, said his “drive, determination and relentless efforts to bring about change for the better” would help him serve the citizens of District Three. McGibbony has not ruled out a write-in ballot effort.