Hillel project faces another lawsuit
After more than six years of contention, city council hearings and lawsuits, the Hillel project will not die.A lawsuit has been filed against the city for not preparing a full environmental impact report (EIR) for the project.
The lawsuit alleges that the city failed to support its findings for the sale with substantial evidence as necessitated under the municipal code. The sale was also an “unlawful waste of city property,” reads the lawsuit.
The sale of the area, known as Site 653, was made without an open bidding process and was sold at a price approximately $300,000 below fair market value, alleges the lawsuit.
The Coast Law Group filed the suit on behalf of the La Jolla Shores Association and Taxpayers for Responsible Land Use.
“The sweetheart deal for the sale of the property was done at taxpayers’ expense,” said Sherri Lightner, president of the Shores Association. “The initial price is substantially below fair market value and there will be no ongoing property tax revenues for taxpayers’ benefit.”
San Diego City Council voted on May 9 to sell the property to the Jewish student group Hillel for a student center, which will be located in a neighborhood across from the University of California, San Diego on a vacant parcel of land north of Cliffridge Avenue, bordered by La Jolla Village Drive and La Jolla Scenic Drive North.
Hillel will be responsible for indemnifying the city in the lawsuit, according to 25 conditions outlined for the project. Hillel attorneys were not available for comment.
San Diego Superior Court will likely not hear the case for six to nine months, according to Todd Cardiff of Coast Law Group. Local planning groups and some neighbors have rallied for more than five years against opening the single-family neighborhood to student use, or any use besides residential. Every advisory planning group in La Jolla and University City, as well as the city’s Planning Commission, recommended denial of the project.
District 1 City Councilman Scott Peters made a motion to approve the project with 25 conditions attached that he believed would alleviate community concerns about traffic, parking and the number of students on site.
Neighbors in the area have voiced both support and opposition to locating Hillel in the area.

Village Toastmasters present special program
Those interested in public speaking and professional networking can attend a special presentation hosted by the Village Toastmasters on Saturday, July 8, at the La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave.
Scheduled speakers include local real estate economist Gary London and comedian Michael Elizondo. London, president of The London Group, presents “San Diego’s Future, From Your House to Your Job ” What’s the Outlook?”, concerning local economy and real estate. Comedian Elizondo will look at the more humorous side of everyday things.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon, and there is a $10 suggested donation.
The Village Toastmasters is a chartered club of Toastmasters International located in San Diego. The group comprises local business people and community members who come together to practice their public speaking skills and presentation projects.
“It’s just to show people how good a speaker you can become by attending Toastmasters. And then, you know, we’ll be there to answer questions about it,” Village Toastmasters member Josephine Rowe said.
Refreshments will be served and guests will get a chance to win prizes. But the main goal is to give people a chance to listen to relevant topics that affect the community while enjoying the chance to speak to and meet likeminded professionals.
“A lot of people use it for networking.” Rowe said.
Future community leaders and professional orators can use this event to inquire about the Village Toastmasters Club in an effort to further their own career goals or to practice being a competent speaker.
For more information visit www.villagetoastmasters.com.

Holocaust memorial group to dedicate plaque
The Sheinbein family, in conjunction with the Chabad Headquarters, are hosting an event to honor Holocaust survivors and their families. On July 9, guests will enjoy a catered lunch as well as a dedication of a plaque for a future memorial that will be located at the Chabad of La Jolla to commemorate the special survivors.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sheinbein decided to hold this event to honor the loss of their mothers as well as the loss of the whole Jewish community ” specifically those from the Holocaust,” said Rabbi Baruch Ezagui from the Chabad of La Jolla.
Guests will be given an opportunity to share their thoughts and memories; immediately after the lunch, they will stay for a private documentary of their stories.
The event is open to the public and there is no entrance fee. It will take place at the Chabad headquarters, 10785 Pomerado Road, from noon to 2 p.m.

Operation Homefront establece una oficina local
Por primera vez desde que se creó en 2002, Operation Homefront-San Diego finalmente tiene una oficina que puede llamar propia.
Ubicada en 7128 Miramar Road, Suite 11A, su nueva oficina tiene una ubicación central para brindar mejor ayuda a las familias de alistados jóvenes de todas las ramas de las fuerzas armadas en toda el área de San Diego.
Prior to the construction of the new office, employees had virtual offices, and to keep overhead low, they often worked from home. The new office will help enhance the organization’s ability to support the general population.
“It will help us create an infra-structure; the lack of an office was similar to that of a human body without a skeletal framework,” said Teri Patterson, an Operation Homefront employee.
Operation Homefront-San Diego is an organization that supports U.S. troops and their families by providing emergency support services, including car and home repair, baby items, furniture, food, healthcare transportation for medical appointments, holiday adopt-a-family programs and other types of aid.
It is volunteer driven and relies on volunteers to implement its various programs. In addition to individual volunteers, service providers ” such as car repair services ” help in serving local military families. “Our volunteers will now have a place to come and actually work; families have a place to call and pick up items,” Patterson said.