MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE IN BALBOA PARK
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., a community day of service is planned for Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morley Field in Balboa Park. A part of the National Day of Service, participants can clear and haul brush, mulch and plants at Texas and Upas Streets. Participants are encouraged to register by Jan. 13, but registration is also available at the event. Participants are also encouraged to bring a lunch, work gloves, gardening tools, long pants, work shoes and a signed registration form. Forms are available at fumcsd.org.

FRIENDS OF FLORIDA CANYON HOST NATIVE PLANT WORK PARTY
The Friends of Florida Canyon invite the public to a work party at the California Native Plant Demonstration Garden (CNPDG) in Balboa Park on Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Friends of Florida Canyon remind attendees there is no need to stay for the entire event and to bring water, work gloves, a gardening tool, a hat and sun block. CNPDG is located immediately west of the Balboa Park Tennis Club courts. The address for a GPS device is 2201 Morley Field Drive, San Diego 92104.
RSVP to Alan Bennett at (619) 955-3275 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SD PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOST ‘SEARCHING FOR DEMOCRACY’
The California Council for the Humanities (CCH), an independent, nonprofit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has awarded the San Diego Public Library a California Reads competitive grant in the amount of $15,000. The Library’s project, called Searching for Democracy: A Public Conversation about the Constitution, will bring segments of the community together to discuss the meaning of democracy in the United States, both historically and for the future. Throughout the nine-month project, the Library and various community and university partners will come together to discuss and to attend such public educational programs as lectures and presentations, book discussions, film screenings and performance activities.

CITY HEIGHTS STUDENTS RECEIVE AWARD FROM OBAMA
City Heights residents 22-year-old Anai Novoa and 20-year-old Ulisses Barraza travelled to Washington, DC, where they accepted an award from President Obama on Dec. 12 on behalf of Ocean Discovery Institute (ODI). The White House awarded ODI with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. It is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for efforts that advance those fields of education. They are one of three organizations in the U.S. to receive the 2010 award and the only organization on the West Coast.

DEMAIO SPENDS CHRISTMAS WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS
Councilmember Carl DeMaio spent Christmas Day serving meals at two separate events to struggling families in need and Wounded Warriors recovering from their injuries in Afghanistan and Iraq. The first event took place at the Salvation Army Christmas Dinner. The second event, “Operation Christmas Dinner,” served America’s Wounded Warriors at the Fig Tree Café located at 416 University Ave. DeMaio said of the events, “It was an honor to be a part of the Christmas day event for these brave soldiers who sacrificed so much to protect our nation. I encourage all San Diegans to continue their support for our veterans beyond the holiday season.”

SD POLICE SEARCHING FOR COMMERCIAL BURGLARY CREW
San Diego Police Department Mid-City Division is investigating a series of commercial burglaries that began in January. Since then, the suspects are believed to have committed at least ten burglaries throughout the county, including two in North Park that both occurred on Dec. 9, 2011.
The crew is comprised of two male suspects and two female suspects and uses distraction to commit the crimes. The females enter a business, generally a liquor store or small market, and engage the clerk in conversation. While the clerk is distracted, the male enters the business and goes into the office area where he searches for cash. Once he has obtained money, he leaves the store. The females quickly conclude their conversations and follow him out. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the San Diego Police Department Mid-City Division at (619) 516-3000 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

SAN DIEGO ZOO WELCOMES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS
In January, two new board members and a new president will begin their service on the Board of Trustees of the Zoological Society of San Diego. Rick Gulley, the Zoological Society’s new president has served on the board for nine years. New board members Cliff Hague and Steve Tappan also contribute years of experience to the group, which set the strategic direction for San Diego Zoo Global, a nonprofit corporation that operates the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. Gulley takes over the board position recently vacated by Fred Frye, M.D., who has taken on the role of a trustee emeritus.

MISSION HILLS PIONEER PARK COMPLETED
The last stage of a three-year community effort to upgrade the playground area at Mission Hill’s Pioneer Park was completed with the addition of a new accessible patio area with two large picnic tables suitable for children’s birthday parties, family picnics and casual gatherings. Lori Orr, a mother with small children who saw the need for a playground that was safe and would also serve younger children, started the project. She was joined by a team of other residents and the Mission Hills Town Council, which coordinated the efforts of residents, community groups, local businesses and the Mission Hills Foundation, to raise the money needed to add new playground equipment and picnic tables. The last stage of the project included less obvious improvements, such as the refurbishment of existing metal benches and concrete picnic tables and new trashcans and walkways.

CITY HOSTS CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING PROGRAM
The City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department will host the 38th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program which runs through Jan. 23. This year’s program will offer 16 drop-off locations, available to City residents only, as well as curbside pickup for those customers with curbside yard waste collection. Before depositing trees, residents must remove all tree stands, lights, ornaments, tinsel and non-recyclable materials. In Uptown, the location is the Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive. Additional information about the residential drop-off locations is available by calling Environmental Services Department Customer Service at 858-694-7000 or visiting recyclingworks.com.

HERNHOLM GROUP NAMED 2011 TOP PRODUCER
Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty announced the company’s top producer for 2011 as the Hernholm Group. Ranked number one in real estate sales for the company, the Hernholm Group also completed the year as number one in Mission Hills for the 15th consecutive year. The Hernholm Group reached over $20 million in sales volume within Mission Hills alone. In 2011, the Hernholm Group also ranked in the Top 25 among San Diego real estate agents and Top 300 in the United States. The Hernholm Group can be contacted at (619) 299 – 4272, or online at hernholmgroup.com. Their office is located at 810 W. Washington St.

SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK IS BACK
San Diego Restaurant Week 2012 will be Sunday, Jan. 15 to Friday, Jan. 20 and brings the city’s food scene to life for one week of dining showcasing the freshest ingredients, most flavorful dishes and tastiest culinary gems that San Diego has to offer. During San Diego Restaurant Week participants can choose from over 180 San Diego eateries for a three-course dinner prix-fixe menus for just $20, $30 or $40 per person, depending on the restaurant. Or, particpants can partake in a two-course lunch prix-fixe menus for just $10, $15 or $20 per person depending on the restaurant. For more information, to view a complete list of participating locations in San Diego Restaurant Week or to sign up to win 52 Weeks of Dining, visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com or call (619) 233-5008.

NEW LAW CHANGES CHILDREN’S CAR SEAT REQUIREMENTS
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and Safe Kids San Diego are reminding parents, caregivers and drivers of a new law that went into effect Jan. 1. The law states children under eight years old must be properly buckled into a car seat or booster seat and ride in the back seat. In addition, children age eight or older who are not tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly must ride in a booster or car seat. Previously, the law required that children remain in a booster seat until the age of six or they weighed sixty pounds. For more information about car seats, the new law or help in determining if your child still needs a booster seat, visit rchsd.org.

ION THEATER PRESENTING LIMITED ‘REQUEST PROGRAMME’
ion theatre, located at 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest, will be presenting presents a limited engagement revival of Request Programme by Franz Xaver Kroetz, translated by Katharina Hehn and directed by producing artistic director, Glenn Paris. Running from Jan. 19 – Jan. 28, ?‘A fascinating, anarchic play that should have its audiences rethinking their definitions of what theatre is and can be,’ is one of many statements made about a playwright who constantly pushes the boundaries and explores the untouched in drama. In a minutely-detailed, 70-minute wordless solo-play featuring award-winning actor, and ion company member Linda Libby. This limited return engagement plays only two weekends and is for mature audiences only. For more information, visit iontheater.com.