COUNCILMEMBER GLORIA PUSHES FOR METER FUNDS USAGE
District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria announced July 11 his support of using excess parking meter funds for parking improvements. Gloria serves as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, which held an oversight hearing to discuss guidelines of the use of parking meter funds. “The shortage of parking is a problem in may San Diego communities, and funds are available to solve it,” Gloria said in a press release. “City staff and parking districts must move forward with tangible parking improvements for our neighborhoods.” Currently, parking meter revenue is split between the City’s General Fund at 55 percent and Community Parking Districts (CPDs) at 45 percent. CPDs use the funds to implement parking solutions in their respective neighborhoods, and the Uptown CPD has amassed $1.1 million in unallocated balances. In the press release, Gloria said CPD advisory boards have “expressed frustration with the speed at which their proposals and projects are analyzed and implemented by City staff.” The Budget and Finance Committee discussed several areas for improvement, all to be decided in the future.
LOCAL RESIDENTS RAPPEL FOR A CAUSE
Kids Included Together (KIT) will be the benefactor of an upcoming event in which participants will rappel down the side of a bay-front, high-rise hotel while raising money for the nonprofit at the same time. Called “Over the Edge,” the event takes participants who have raised a minimum of $1,000 by August 1, and straps them to the side of the Manchester Grand Hyatt, where they will then rappel down 33 floors. The event will take place August 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. KIT is a local nonprofit that provides best practice training for local community-based organizations that provide recreational and development programs for children with or without disabilities. Over the Edge is a professional rappelling organization that specializes in fundraising events for non-profit organizations. South Park resident Barbara Perez has already reached the minimum goal and will be one of the many individuals rappelling down the building. She has set a new goal of $2,000. To donate to Perez or any other participant, visit overtheedgesandiego.com and click on “donate.” Friends, family and other supporters can watch all of the festivities for free from a special spectator lounge at the Hyatt, located at 1 Market Place, Downtown.
RED DOOR IN MISSION HILLS TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY
Trish Watlington, owner of The Red Door Restaurant and Wine Bar and The Wellington Steak and Martini Lounge in Mission Hills, will be hosting a celebratory dinner at The Red Door on Wednesday, July 25. In honor of the restaurant’s third anniversary, the party will feature a special menu from chef Miguel Valdez. Featuring fresh food from Watlington’s personal garden, the four-course dinner will include an avocado and cucumber soup, a garden vegetable plate, slow-braised beef tongue and a blackberry shortcake, among other items. The Red Door is located at 741 Washington St. For more information call 619-295-6000.
SUSPECT WANTED FOR COMMERCIAL ROBBERIES
San Diego Police Department officials announced July 13 the investigation of a series of commercial robberies that began in May. The most recent robbery occurred on July 11 at approximately 5:40 a.m. A suspect holding a black semi-automatic handgun robbed the 76 Gas station located at 3252 University Ave. in North Park. After approaching the clerk, the suspect demanded money. The clerk complied, and the suspect walked west out of the store. He was last seen driving north on Bancroft Street in a light-colored sedan. The same suspect is believed to be responsible for at least eight other commercial robberies in San Diego County: four in San Diego, four in National City and one in El Cajon. Anyone with information concerning the case is asked to contact the Police Department’s Robbery Unit at 619-531-2299 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SOUGHT FOR GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT
San Diego City officials are inviting the public to participate in a workshop to discuss the update to the General Plan Housing Element at their second public workshop. The Housing Element establishes goals, policies and objectives relative to the provision of housing across San Diego. In accordance with law, it must be updated periodically to respond to the changing housing need in the city and to establish an action plan to address these needs. The input will aid staff in identifying housing issues and opportunities important to the community. Held at the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center Community Room, at 404 Euclid Ave., the meeting runs from 5 – 7 p.m. For more information contact Housing Element Update Project Manager Brian Schoenfisch at [email protected].
