Woman attacked, stabbed at mall
Police arrested a man who allegedly stabbed a woman multiple times in the parking lot of University Towne Centre Sunday afternoon, said Monica Munoz of the San Diego Police Department.
Elizabeth Clevenstine, 24, walked toward shops at UTC after parking her car around 4:30 p.m., police said, when she realized she had forgotten something. Clevenstine returned to the parking lot, noticing a man nearby. According to police, when she opened her trunk, the man, later identified as Gerardo S. Pascual, sneaked around the cars, surprising and grabbing her.
Pascual allegedly dragged Clevenstine to the driver’s door, but she struggled, angering him, police said. So Pascual pulled out an instrument and stabbed her, then ran off, leaving Clevenstine in serious shape, according to police. She collapsed in front of Nordstrom, where bystanders rushed to her aid and called the police.
San Diego Police Lt. Mark Jones drove to the area, where he found Pascual at a nearby bus stop. Clevenstine identified Pascual as her attacker, and he was arrested and booked on charges of attempted murder. He is currently being held in the San Diego Central Jail.
Clevenstine was hospitalized with serious injuries. Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Northern Division, (858) 552-1700, or witnesses to the stabbing, call Crime Stoppers, (888) 580-TIPS.
Year of Rat scampers in
Celebrate the Year of the Rat at the 26th annual Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16 and 17, in the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District of downtown San Diego.
The two-day celebration, presented by the San Diego Chinese Center, will have two stages featuring Chinese acrobats, lion and dragon dancers, Chinese folk dance and music, martial arts and the Asian Story Theater.
Families can also participate in Chinese crafts, Chinese calligraphy and a children’s activity area. More than 75 food and vendor booths will be available.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the social services provided by the San Diego Chinese Center, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. The fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. It is located on Third Avenue at J Street in downtown.
For more information, call (619) 234-7844 or visit www.sandiegochinese.net/sdcc/index.htm.
Writers powwow features controversial columnist
Controversial columnist and poet Edwin Decker has become the latest addition to the 22nd annual Southern California Writer’s Conference (SCWC), slated to take place from Friday, Feb. 15 through Sunday, Feb. 18.
Decker currently authors the column “Sordid Tales” for San Diego CityBeat. His workshop is Feb. 17, 2:40 to 4:10 p.m.
The conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza San Diego, formerly the Red Lion Hanalei, located at 2270 Hotel Circle North.
Cost is $415 for the full conference, or $345 for the weekend. For information, call (619) 303-8185, or visit writersconference.com.