COASTAL SAGE GARDENING TO HOST REOPENING GALA Coastal Sage Gardening is preparing to host a grand reopening bash on Sunday, April 13 to entertain and bring together neighbors for a day of fun and gardening frenzy.
The event will feature art, music and a garden exchange, where visitors can trade fruits and treasures from their individual gardens.
Artist Kyle Bowen’s work will be displayed on gallery walls. Bowen’s art is inspired by native civilizations like the Huichiol Indians and sacred geometric artists. His meticulous mandala designs are delicately painted on everything from garden rocks to canvas.
Musical entertainment will be provided by Acoustic Blue, featuring members of the world-traveled Liquid Blue, performing a wide variety of classic and modern hits acoustically, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
This will be followed by guitarist and Ocean Beach icon John Tafolla at 3 p.m., as he performs a repertoire of original music and songs reflecting his life of entertainment.
Coastal Sage will also introduce a 2nd Sunday Garden Exchange, which will take place the second Sunday of every month from 1 to 5 p.m. During these events, particiapants can trade, sell or barter items from their respective gardens.
The entire event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. on April 13 at the store, located at 3685 Voltaire St.
Coastal Sage specializes in drought-tolerant and native landscapes and is experienced in all garden environments. It does custom design, installation, maintenance, irrigation, repair, labor and consultation.
For more information, call (619) 223-5229, or email [email protected]. SHADES EARNS HONOR FOR ITS PET-FRIENDLY PENCHANT
Shades Oceanfront Bistro has captured the honor of most pet-friendly destination from the San Diego Humane Society.
The award presentation was made during The San Diego Humane Society’s annual telethon on March 22 on CBS TV. Shades owner Jeff Levitt accepted the award, which recognized Levitt and his family for their involvement in stimulating human/canine relationships and for hosting adoption events that ultimately led to the adoption of 175 pets.
“Anything we can do to help promote pet adoptions within the community, we’re more than happy to do,” Levitt said. “Its something we love to do anyway, so it’s been a win-win.”
On a related note, City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf was honored with the Humane Hero Award for her efforts to promote humane conditions for pets, including leading a campaign to crack down on pet stores with respect to the illegal sale of dogs, cats and rabbits within city limits. PHIL’S BBQ REOPENS AFTER $1 MILLION RENOVATION
The wildly popular Phil’s BBQ location in Point Loma reopened its doors Feb. 11 following a six-week shutdown for renovations to the kitchen and design upgrades. The renovations, which topped $1 million, were the largest in Phil’s BBQ history and included a complete overhaul of its kitchen. In conjunction with the temporary closure, the restaurant held a Shutdown Sweepstakes and named 34 winners, including the grand-prize winner, during the reopening.
The temporary closure was implemented to improve workflow in the kitchen while also increasing energy efficiency. “When we moved in to the Point Loma location over seven years ago, we took an existing kitchen and tried to make it work for our needs, but it just wasn’t,” said owner Phil Pace. “We’re really excited for this day to have come and are very pleased with the outcome of the renovations.
“We know it was an inconvenience to many of our customers, but we also know that the upgrades will help us to run a tighter ship and improve our service to guests,” he said. “It’s a win-win [situation] for our employees and our diners.” More than 2,500 Shutdown Sweepstakes entries were received over the course of the closure,and nearly $10,000 in cash value was awarded to 34 lucky winners. For more information, visit www.philsbbq.net. CREDIT UNION OPENS MIDWAY-AREA BRANCH
San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), San Diego’s largest locally owned financial institution, has opened its 32nd branch in the Sports Arena-Midway District. The new SDCCU branch, located at 3455 Sports Arena Blvd., is found in a retail center where tenants include Target, Ralphs, Petco and Dick’s Sporting Goods. It is across the street from the Valley View Casino Center, formerly the San Diego Sports Arena.
The new SDCCU branch offers loan and new account stations, teller windows and an exterior ATM. The branch is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We are proud of our new branch, which enhances our market-leading position,” said Teresa Halleck, SDCCU president and CEO. “Our desire to serve our expanding customer base has prompted our expansion efforts.”
For more information, visit sdccu.com, or call (877) 732-2848.