Holiday Toy Drive

The Little Italy Association (LIA) of San Diego has launched their third annual holiday toy drive, benefitting New Alternatives, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group home for foster children with several locations around the county. The LIA requests you bring an unwrapped toy for children between the ages of 1 and 18 to any participating Little Italy business through Dec. 13th. For more information visit littleitalysd.com.

Holiday Joy Ride

San Diego Bicycle Coalition presents their third annual holiday ride, a colorful parade of bikes begins and ends at SILO, 753 15th St., Makers Quarter. Festive costumes and bicycles strung with Christmas lights are encouraged. A hosted reception, with beer for New Belgium Brewing. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members, $25 to become a member. For more info, visit sdcbc.org.

Holiday drive for Monarch School

Nine businesses throughout San Diego have begun collecting winter wear to donate to Downtown’s Monarch School. San Diego’s Kool Tool in Carlsbad, along with North Park’s Bollotta Entertainment and Hillcrest’s Martinis Above Fourth, are just a few that will be collecting new scarves, hats, beanies, gloves, mittens, underwear and socks to donate to keep students warm during the winter season. These locations will also be accepting $25 Target gift cards to provide students the opportunity to shop for holiday gifts for their friends and family. Opened in 1986, Monarch School is an accredited K – 12 school dedicated to serving children impacted by homelessness, and provides children with after-school programs, counseling, healthcare and other assistance. Drop-off locations closest to Downtown are: Martinis Above Fourth at 3940 Fourth Ave., second floor in Hillcrest, Bollotta Entertainment at 4443 30th St., Suite 110 in North Park; Pret-a-Porter Salon & Spa at 8043 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. For more information contact Kool Tool partner Sher Krieger, at [email protected].

Occupy SD gift drive for homeless

The Occupy San Diego are participating in a national #OpSafeWinter program by hosting a “compassion for the houseless gift drive” with distribution to take place on Dec. 20, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the San Diego Civic Center, 1100 Third Ave., Downtown. Items requested are jackets, coats, sweatshirts, socks, shoes, blankets, flashlights with batteries, toiletries, hats and trolley passes.

Local DUI Task Force launched

A joint effort between RADD, a voice for safety for the entertainment industry, and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recently launched the “RADD-OTS SD Hospitality Task Force” at Dick’s Last Resort, Downtown. This new task force has partnered with area colleges, local government, law enforcement, the military, and are committed to enhancing public safety and reducing DUIs. Choosing to launch just before Thanksgiving, the task force wanted to remind revelers that designating a driver or scheduling a cab should always be done prior to celebrating during the holidays. Officials pointed to the 4.6 percent national increase in alcohol-related deaths in 2011, with California’s increase at 4.6 percent. Heads of San Diego Police Department, CHP Border Division and San Diego County Sheriff were on hand and in full support of the task force. The law enforcement agencies stated that checkpoints and saturation patrols will be conducted throughout San Diego County by all 15 law enforcement agencies from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. SDMTS CEO Paul Jablonski reminded those at the gathering of new transportation options available for those out celebrating, as well. These options included an expanded taxicab stand on G Street from Fourth to Sixth avenues and extended trolley and bus service for New Year’s Day. “A $2.50 trolley ticket is a lot cheaper than the $15,469 cost of a DUI,” Jablonski said. Representatives from three local business districts that have larger populations of bars and restaurants—North Park Main Street, Gaslamp Quarter Association, and Discover Pacific Beach—were also in attendance. “Shop Local, Celebrate Local, and Designate a Driver!” said Jimmy Parker, executive director of Gaslamp Quarter Association.

Three deputy chief operating officers appointed

In an effort to streamline city operations, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria created three new positions to serve as intermediaries between San Diego’s Chief Operating Officer Scott Chadwick and the directors of city departments. Director of the Public Works Department Tony Heinrichs was named DCOO of Public Works, Director of the Financial Management Department Jeff Sturak was named DCOO of Internal Operations, and the DCOO of Neighborhood Services will be Ron Villa, who previously served in an administrative role in the San Diego Police Department. “These individuals are all well suited for their new roles, and I trust them to work with our dedicated city employees to serve San Diegans proudly and effectively,” Gloria stated in a press release. “I appreciate their willingness to step up to these leadership positions and assist me, our chief operating officer, and our assistant chief operating officer in accomplishing our shared goals.” The COO reports directly to the mayor and is responsible for managing the city’s daily operations.

City Clerk narrows down mayoral election date

KPBS reported San Diego City Clerk Elizabeth Maland tentatively narrowed down the date of the election to replace Bob Filner to early February, most likely on the 4th or 11th, although she noted that it will ultimately be up to the City Council to set the date. The election date will be set once San Diego County Registrar of Voters Michael Vu certifies the results of the primary election, in which City Councilmember David Alvarez and Kevin Faulconer finished in the top two spots. According to KPVS, Vu hopes to have this done “sometime after Tuesday, Dec. 10,” although he has until Dec. 17.