EarthFair 2014 date announced

The 24th annual EarthFair will take place on April 27, and is now open for exhibitor and volunteer registration. Billed as the world’s largest free annual environmental fair, EarthFair attracts approximately 60,000 visitors each year, and is centered around Earth Day on April 22. The organizers, San Diego EarthWorks, have already planned for the 25^el annual EarthFair for  April 19, 2015 coinciding with the year of Balboa Park’s Centennial. San Diego EarthWorks encourages anyone interested in volunteering or becoming a vendor to email [email protected] or call 858-272-7370.

NSAD students top Balboa Park design awards

Sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute for Architects, the Balboa Centennial Gateway Competition attracted 44 submissions from students and architects from respected firms to propose new, visionary designs for San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park. NewSchool of Architecture and Design received several of the competition’s top awards, including the People’s Choice Award. A jury panel of architects and designers chose competition winners, but the People’s Choice Award was chosen by a separate public vote, which chose NSAD alumni Jeff Taitano’s design, “Reflections.” The jury chose three entries to share the competition’s top price, the Honor Award. NSAD alum Craig Howard’s design was one of the three chosen. Representing De Bartolo + Rimanic Design Studio, Howard was a member of a two-man team recognized for its proposal to build a bridge across Florida Canyon. The award-winning renderings, as well as others produced by NSAD students, are on display at the San Diego Museum of Art as part of the display, “Looking Towards 2015,” through Jan. 7.

Coronado smoking ban goes into effect

Effective Jan. 1, a new “no smoking” ordinance in Coronado now bans smoking on most public property, as well as any property within 25 feet of an enclosed building. It also bans smoking on private property open to the general public for an event, for recreational purposes, or if that property contains a service area such as an ATM, ticket line or parking stand, according to NBC San Diego. Prior to the ordinance, smoking was prohibited in public parks and beaches. The new ordinance prohibits smoking on all public streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks and parking lots. Outdoor dining areas mostly on private property and outdoor residential property won’t be affected, neither will the Coronado Golf Course. City Manager Blair King said the new signage for the ordinance cost “a couple thousand dollars” to install. A citation in the amount of up to $100 can be written for the first offense.

Bike rack request form now available on City website

City administration has updated its bicycle program page to allow bike rack requests to be submitted. Businesses can now submit a request to have a bike rack installed directly in front of their location if it meets the criteria listed on the website. Requestors can expect to be notified of the evaluation results within 60 days of their requests. Installation is expected to begin in January. Narrow sidewalks, residential addresses, bus stops, and locations with storm drains, parked vehicles and utility boxes are among the factors that will disqualify a location from receiving a bike rack. To request a bike rack in front of your business, email the following information to [email protected]: 1. Name of business; 2. Contact name; 3. Telephone number; 4. Email address; 5. Street address of proposed rack location; 6. Number of racks being requested; 7. Any additional info on the rack location details that may be useful for city staff evaluation. Contact Thomas Landre at [email protected] with questions regarding the bike rack program.

Standard & Poor’s ups San Diego’s credit rating

Last month, rating service agency Standard & Poor’s raised San Diego’s issuer credit rating from AA- to AA, and its lease-revenue-bonds rating from A+ to AA-. It confirmed San Diego’s financial outlook was “stable.” The upgrade will benefit the city by allowing it to issue bonds at a lower interest rate, which means it will save money by reducing the amount it will be required to pay to bond owners through interest payments. This comes at a particularly important time, since the City Council is expected to approve a $120 million bond in January to go toward addressing the city’s nearly $1 billion backlog of infrastructure projects. “We have a strong financial management team in place, the local economy is improving and we have a healthy general fund reserve,” Gloria said. “Our city has come a long way.” This marks the second time S&P has upgraded San Diego’s credit rating since 2008. In 2004, S&P suspended rating the city’s debt due to its fiscal problems. San Diego County’s unemployment rate falls to 6.8 percent in November. The State of California Employment Development Department released data that showed San Diego County’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent in November, which ties May for the lowest of 2013. The county’s unemployment rate shows San Diego is fairing well compared to the majority of California, which has an average rate of 8.3 percent, but still remains above the national average of 6.6 percent. While the news is positive overall, the data also showed wide swings in both directions among various industries. Trade, transportation and utilities gained 7,200 positions — primarily from seasonal retail hiring — and government added 2,200 jobs, mostly in education, according to KPBS. Professional and business services, on the other hand, lost 1,300 jobs. Leisure and hospitality was down 1,200 as well, mostly in food services positions. San Diego County’s unemployment rate hasn’t fallen below 6.8 percent since reaching 6.7 percent in October 2008.

California outlaws ticketing at broken meters until 2017

After a heated debate centered in Los Angeles, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law that will prohibit meter readers from ticketing cars parked at broken meters, reported KPBS. This change nullifies any city ordinances allowing the practice. While San Diego’s parking meters FAQ page does not explicitly state that cars are prohibited from parking at broken meters, it recommends cars look for another meter, and to alert the Parking Meter shop of the needed repair by calling 800-808-5998.

Jimmy Love’s to close down, reopen as new venue in spring

Gaslamp Quarter’s famous Jimmy Love’s will close its doors on January 13 to undergo extensive renovation before reopening in the spring as a new venue. Longtime owners Jimmy and Kathy DiMatteo will continue to oversee the evolving venue, promising to continue the successful legacy in the Old City Hall building its occupied since 1995. As the American-cuisine restaurant and bar closes, the DiMatteos look back upon the high-profile figures — including President and Mrs. H. W. Bush and Bill Gates — and the 20-year-long legacy it leaves behind. We would like to say thank you to all who have been such incredible patrons of ours over the past two decades. “We feel extremely fortunate to have had such a fantastic 20 year run as Jimmy Love’s but it is now time to change, to enhance, to bring an exciting new culinary, bar and club scene to this great corner,” Jimmy DiMatteo said in a press release.

San Diego’s culinary crafters rock to fight domestic violence

At 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, the musically talented members of San Diego’s dining industry will travel up to Solana Beach to host the annual “Battle of the Chef Bands” at Belly Up Tavern. Hosted by DiningOutSD’s Josh Kopelman and MC’d by Sam the Cooking Guy, the event will serve as a fundraiser for Center for Community Solutions, a nonprofit organization fighting sexual assault and domestic violence. The event will also promote the 10^el Annual Chef Showdown in September. Chef bands include Urban Solace Restaurant, Jaynes Gastropub, barleymash, Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro, Hodad’s Ocean Beach, Richard Walker’s Pancake House, BO-beau kitchen + bar and Gang Kitchen. The judges come from restaurants, breweries and food publications in San Diego. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit bellyup.com.

Local health officials urge San Diegans to get flu vaccination

As of Dec. 28, 357 flu cases have been reported this flu season, which is 50 percent more than the number of cases reported this time last season, reported KPBS. Additionally, more than 80 percent of those cases were identified to be the H1N1 strain, or “swine flu,” which caused a worldwide pandemic in 2009. While there have been no deaths in San Diego County, 10 people over the age of 65 have been hospitalized and taken to intensive care. County health officials urge that everyone get vaccinated if they haven’t already, especially young adults, who are most susceptible to H1N1. Last year, 5,300 influenza cases were reported in San Diego County, as well as 65 fatalities, although H3N2 was the strain circulating then, which health officials say causes more servere infection than H1N1.

San Diego Convention Center books $1.4 billion worth of events for 2014

Expecting to draw approxiamately 858,000 attendees, the most since 2008, San Diego Convention Center has booked 111 events thus far for 2014, which is expected to generate an economic impact of $1.4 billion dollars and $20.6 million in tax revenue. The 111 events include 70 conventions, the largest being Comic-Con International in July, which recently renewed their contract to stay in San Diego through 2016. The first major event will be the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Convention set to begin on Jan. 15.