UH arts open and taste of University Heights here for a 6th year
The 6th annual University Heights Arts Open and Taste of University Heights are back and will fill the streets with visual, performing and culinary arts on Sept. 18. Featuring ARTwalk, open artist studios and performances, the free University Heights Arts Open will showcase over 100 artists, playwrights, performers and musicians.
The self-guided tour and events begin at the Historic Teachers Building Annex at 4100 Normal Street. The festivities begin at noon and continue until 5 p.m.
Over 15 restaurants will participate in the Taste of University Heights, which runs from noon to 3 pm. Tickets for the Taste are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. To purchase tickets, call the UHCDC office at (619) 297—3166.
For more information, to see a map, or view a list of participating artists and restaurants, visit www.uharts.org.
Air meets earth at Glimpse: San Diego
Go See at Glimpse: San Diego will host San Diego artists Kate Ashton and B.F. Gillen in the visual
art exhibition Air Meets Earth. Opening Sept. 17 and running through Oct. 12, this exhibit is designed
to blend the lightness of air with the depth of earth.
An opening reception will take place on Sept. 17 at 4:30 p.m. at 3813 Ray Street, offering the opportunity
to meet the artists and discuss their work, followed by the official reception.
Changes made to car registration fees
The Vehicle License Fee has decreased effective July 1. The fee was originally 1.15 percent of a car’s value and it is now .65 percent of the value. However, the registration fee has increased from $34 to $46 in order to provide funding for DMV operations, as a result of California’s new state budget.
Billing notices are being mailed out for registrations due in August and September, with a 30-day grace period for these payments. Law enforcement covering the U.S., Canada and Mexico have been informed of these changes and have been asked not to cite vehicles until the first day of the second month after the vehicle registration expires.
For example, if your registration expired on Sept. 15, you wouldn’t be subject to a ticket until Nov. 1.
For more information or to renew online, go to www.dmv.ca.gov.
Gas leak in Hillcrest alleyway
On Sept. 7, a gas leak emerged on Brookes Street between Fourth and Fifth Ave., closing traffic on the street.
At about 10 a.m., San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) received reports of a gas leak caused by a dig-in at 3594 5th Ave. A contractor was doing work and hit a 1.5-inch line causing the leak. SDG&E crews reported to the scene and controlled the gas by 11:10 a.m. There were no reported outages and no evacuations.
Senior Community Center appoints new director
The Senior Community Center announced the promotion of Hillcrest resident Sheona Richardson to Director, Annual Giving and External Relations. Richardson has been on the development team of Senior Community Centers since July 2006, dedicating her career to helping culturally diverse, low-income seniors in San Diego.
In her new role, Richardson will provide organizational and strategic leadership in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors. She will also plan and oversee the successful execution of their annual campaigns as well as the agency’s marketing and public relations efforts.
“Sheona’s passion and commitment to improving the lives of San Diego’s at-risk seniors has played an integral role to the success of our organization,” says Paul Downey, CEO and president, Senior Community Centers. “We are very lucky to have her on our team and look forward to seeing her flourish in her new position.”
Pet adoption fees educed through October
The San Diego Humane Society, the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility, County of San Diego Department
of Animal Services and the Escondido Humane Society have reduced animal adoption fees to $25 this fall.
The reduced adoption fee will be offered from Sept. 6th through Oct. 31st and includes microchipping,
spay or neuter, vaccinations and veterinary exam. During this time, adoption fees on a second animal will also be waived, but each animal organization has different individual policies; check with the location for more details.
The San Diego Humane Society is located at 5500 Gaines Street and the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services is located at 5480 Gaines Road. There are also locations in Escondido, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Bonita and Carlsbad.
Food and Wine Celebration at the San Diego Zoo
The 31st San Diego Zoo Food and Wine Celebration will be Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
The event will feature food and dessert samples from more than 150 restaurants, along with beer, wine and spirit vendors and complimentary water and soft drinks. There will be a silent auction closing at 10 p.m., a critter casino area with black jack, roulette and craps tables.
Guests can view the Flamingo and Reptile Plazas from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. and ride the Skyfari for $4. General admission tickets are $90, early admission tickets are $150 and VIP tickets are $300.
The event will be limited to the front of the park, is 21 and up and requires cocktail casual attire. All proceeds from the event will go towards the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research.
For more information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org.
Walk along the streetcar line with Mission Hills Heritage
Mission Hills Heritage is getting ready to put on their annual fall walking tour on Sept. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. This year’s event, called “A Walk Along the Streetcar Line,” will do just that.
The docent-led tour will follow the historic streetcar lines throughout Mission Hills visiting the historic homes and neighborhoods along the way. A Vintage streetcar will also be on display along the tour route.
The tours last approximately 90 minutes and groups will leave every 15 minutes. There will also be refreshments served at the end of the tour.
Tickets can be purchased the day of the event starting at noon at the corner of West Lewis Street and Palmetto Way. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members.
For more information, visit www.missionhillsheritage.org.
Adams Avenue Street Fair
Southern California’s largest free music festival is back for its 30th year. On Adams Avenue between 33rd and 35th Streets in Normal Heights, the Adams Avenue Street Fair will host over 60 musical acts on six stages throughout the day, along with beer gardens, a micro brew tasting zone, carnival rides and over 200 vendors.
The Fair will be Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For a complete list of musicians, a map of the Fair and general information, visit www.adamsavenuebusiness.com or call (619) 282-7329.
Mission Hills meeting discusses stolen plaques
A special meeting was held Sept. 14 to discuss the plaques stolen from Mission Hills homes and buildings. Since it was first reported in late July, 24 historical, community and individual designation plaques have been stolen.
Councilmembers Kevin Faulconer and Todd Gloria were present at the meeting to introduce the San Diego police officers handling the investigation.
San Diego Police Captain Walt Vasquez explained that one suspect was in custody and admitted to the thefts, leading to the identification of a second suspect, who police are currently trying to locate. They believe there is a third suspect, but remain intentionally vague on the details.
Acting Detective Mark Brenner explained if too much information is released early, the investigation might be compromised.
What they’ve learned from the suspect in custody is that the plaques were stolen to be melted down and sold for the metal. At approximately $2 per pound, the plaques were worth just over $20 each.
The penalties for these thefts range from misdemeanor petty theft to grand theft charges depending on the total value of the stolen items. The recycling center used to melt these plaques down is in an undisclosed city, not in San Diego. Vasquez said their police department is handling that part of the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing and updates will be released as they become available.
