Fiesta de Mayo
Mark your calendars for the Spreckels Elementary annual Fiesta De Mayo to be held on Wednesday, May 17, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Come out to watch the students perform traditional dances from various countries and feel the spirit of the school. It’s an evening you won’t want to miss with singing, dancing, game booths, food and the famous bake sale. Spreckels Elementary is located at 6033 Stadium St. (corner of Governor Drive and Stadium St.). For more information, visit www.spreckelscommunityuc.com/fiesta-de-mayo.
UC cluster meeting
All are welcome to the next and last UC Cluster committee meeting for this school year on Monday, May 15 at Spreckels Elementary, starting at 4:30 p.m. Childcare will be made available until 6:15 p.m. The purpose of the UC Cluster committee is to improve educational endeavors and student achievement in the University City community of public schools, which includes Curie, Doyle, and Spreckels elementary schools, Standley Middle School, and University City High School. For more information about the UC Cluster committee, visit www.uccluster.com. Imagine UC 2020
John Lee Evans, a San Diego Unified trustee, recently announced that the Imagine UC 2020 projects are moving along with the approval process for projects that include an aquatics center, a stage/pavilion, a jogging path and added grass field space. The project is a joint use project between San Diego Unified School District and the City of San Diego and the UC community. The projects have already been approved by the Standley Park recreation council. The next step is approval by the City Park and Recreation Board. It will then require approval by the San Diego Unified School Board and city council. All supporters of the Imagine UC 2020 projects are encouraged to attend the next Park and Recreation Board meeting to urge their approval. The San Diego Park and Recreation Board Meeting will be on Thursday, May 18 at 2 p.m., at the Balboa Park Club Ballroom, located at 2150 Pan American Road West. Please call ahead to make sure it is on the agenda: 619-236-6643. For information about the projects, visit www.universitycitynews.org/improve-uc/.
UC library closes for upgrades
The University City Branch Library will temporarily close for system technology upgrades from May 15 through May 26. The purpose of the closure is that the San Diego Public Library is taking steps to enhance customer service and improve efficiency. Through July, libraries across the city will undergo a system-wide technology upgrade. Patrons can call the library before May 13 to arrange to pick up items at a nearby branch library such as the North University Branch Library, etc. During the closure, items placed on hold will be kept at the library and holds will be extended until after the library re-opens. Visit the “library locations” page for contact information. www.sandiego.gov/public-library/locations.
What will happen during the upgrade? The library will receive equipment upgrades and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. Materials will be tagged with RFID microchips, replacing the use of barcodes to catalog and track materials. The RFID chips do not contain patron information, so there are no privacy risks. The new equipment will allow for quicker check-out times and inventory of the collection. The University Community Branch Library will re-open on Saturday, May 27 (closed Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day). Staff will be available to help patrons use the new self-check machines.
UC Del Sol closes season
UC Del Sol girls fastpitch softball held their closing day ceremonies on April 22. Ceremonies included announcing the 2017 Amanda Rozsa recipients, which are given to a player from each division. They are nominated by the coaches for representing the following qualities – friendship, citizenship, leadership, and sportsmanship. Winners are: 8u Madelyn Binnie, 10u Hannah Patterson, 12u Leah Ridenour, and 14u Alexa Gonzalez. Softball resumes in the fall, go to www.ucdelsol.com for updated information.
Good deeds—Yandel tourney
The Bangers team won the sixth annual Larry Yandel Jr. Memorial Youth Sports Fund Softball Tournament held at Standley Park last month. The co-ed teams help raise funds for the Yandel Memorial Fund, which in turn donates to local groups: UCLL, UC Del Sol, La Jolla Pop Warner, Centurion Foundation and EdUCate! Larry Yandel Jr. was a prominent coach and volunteer in University City, whose widow Dawn and children Ryan, Matt, and Kaitlin all continue to live in UC. Donations can be made to the fund through www.charitysmith.org/memorial-funds/larry-yandel-jr/.
