Faulconer, Alvarez advance to runoff election
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, San Diegans headed to the polls to vote for the replacement of disgraced Mayor Bob Filner. Since no candidate captured more than 50 percent of the vote, the first and second place finishers, Councilmembers Kevin Faulconer and David Alvarez, will go head to head in a runoff election in early February. With 99 percent of precincts counted, Faulconer secured 43 percent of the vote. Alvarez barely squeezed into the second place spot over early favorite and former Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher. The two captured 25.6 and 24.3 percent of the vote, respectively. While Faulconer’s strong first place finish gave the campaign a reason to celebrate Tuesday evening, the sizable victory over Alvarez is no guarantee of similar success in the runoff. Faulconer was the sole republican in the race, meaning the majority of the votes that went to democrats Fletcher and former City Attorney Mike Agguire (a combined total of 28.8 percent) is expected to default to Alvarez. Additionally, the winner of the primary election hasn’t historically faired well in the runoff; Congressional candidate Carl DeMaio fell victim to this in his mayoral race against Filner last year.
The Center launches #GivingTogether campaign
In conjunction with its recent milestone anniversary, The San Diego LGBT Center has launched a new fundraising campaign. Called #GivingTogether, the campaign will use social media to garner support and encourage participation through tax-deductable donations.
“For four decades, The Center has stood as a beacon of hope for LGBT San Diegans, and for others across the nation,” said CEO Dr. Delores A. Jacobs in a press release. “Today, we continue to fulfill our dual mission to serve those most vulnerable in our community and to fight for full equality. We remain grateful for the generous investments that have been made in The Center over the past 40 years that have made this work possible, and for those gifts that are being made now in honor of our 40th anniversary.”
In order to participate, make a one-time or recurring monetary donation at events.thecentersd.org/GivingTogether, then make a sign that states your personal reason for making the donation, including the hashtag #GivingTogether on the sign. Then upload a photo of you holding the sign to social media. On Facebook, tag The San Diego LGBT Community Center and use #GivingTogether in your post. On Twitter use #GivingTogether and tag @LGBTCenter in your tweet. The Center’s development staff will then share your post on The Center’s Facebook page. For assistance regarding the #GivingTogether campaign, contact Rick Cervantes at [email protected].
Golden Hill has a new pet hospital
The new B Street Veterinary Hospital will hold an open house on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon, where residents will be able to tour the hospital as well as meet the staff. Located in the heart of Golden Hill, this hospital will provide the community with medical care for a wide variety of pets. The facility welcomes appointments, but will also handle unscheduled (and often unfortunate) pet emergencies. Hospital features include dentistry, training, x-ray, and a complete diagnostic laboratory. Other services offered are physical exams complete with a health and wellness consultation. The hospital is located at 2675 B Street, for more info go to: bstreetvet.com
Strategic alliance memorandum signed
In a partnership which aims to improve access to technology, education, financing and training, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) district office in San Diego has renewed their pledge to work with the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) and the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in representing more than 800 area businesses.This alliance will enable the organizations to work together in improving access to technological information through educational opportunities and Small Business Administration resources. The document was signed in September by SBA District Director Ruben Garcia and GSDBA General Manager Michelle Burkart. It allows for maximum accessibility to financial and training options for entrepreneurs who are starting and growing their businesses. “The GSDBA members look forward to utilizing the resources available through SBA, said Burkart. “We plan to work closely with SBA and Mr. Garcia to ensure that our members are able to maximize financial and training opportunities. We will give as much feedback and statistics necessary to ensure that GSDBA’s small business owners have a voice and collectively make a difference.” For more information about the GSDBA and the memberships available, call 619-296-4543 or visit gsdba.org.
Transfer of Old Town Caltrans building finalized
The former Caltrans headquarters in Old Town in has been officially transferred to the state parks system. The transfer will ensure the preservation of historic structures and artifacts known to be below the building’s foundation. This marks the culmination of a process that began nearly seven years ago when Caltrans moved to a new headquarters across the street, and the state parks system expressed interest in acquiring the property. The transaction was impeded by the high value of the property and state restrictions on making a gift of taxpayer-owned property, even to another state agency. Earlier this year, Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins persuaded the Legislative Joint Budget Committee to approve the transfer. “Today’s transaction begins the process of integrating the Caltrans site into Old Town San Diego and will create a fuller experience of our San Diego heritage,” said Atkins. “It is a win for San Diego, for state government and, most important, for future generations of residents and visitors who will have the opportunity to see how San Diego began.”?The old Caltrans building sits on the location of the first permanent European settlement in California, as well as an ancient Kumeyaay Native American village dating back to the year 500. Planning can now begin on a new display that ties together San Diego’s early history, the river, and the state park. The new exhibit will spotlight the history of the San Diego River, which originally ran past the site, and will include a representation of Kumeyaay life along the river.
Free shaves at Mister Brown’s
Mister Brown’s says goodbye to no-shave November by offering free shaves at their grand opening celebration Sunday, Dec. 1. Located at 3064 University Ave., Mister Brown’s offers parlor-style barber services combined with a unique sophisticated and social experience. The shoppe features an elegant lounge complete with a pool table and televisions. Founder Lee Brown and his staff are committed to offering the luxury and superior service of a traditional gentlemen’s parlor in a sophisticated and comfortable setting. The grand opening will take place from 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. To reserve your spot at the grand opening shave-off, email to: [email protected].
Local gaming company expands.
South Park residents Jean and Matthew Rivaldi are the husband-and-wife team behind Wiggity Bang Games, a local game development and manufacturing company based out of their home. Wiggity Bang Games has expanded its product line with Open Up, a game of awkward questions, embarrassing moments and inappropriate stories, designed for adults. Players draw a question, read it out loud, answer and then allow the rest of the group to answer as well. “It’s based on a game I spent a lot of time playing in college with my close friends; we all wrote ten questions on long stir sticks, placed them in a glass, drew a question and spent hours finding out a lot about our friends and classmates. There may have been wine involved,” said Rivaldi. Open Up is available at Barnes & Noble, Uncommongoods.com y wiggitybang.com.
Jewish teens vie for awards
The Helen Diller Family Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, an awards program that recognizes neighborhood volunteer work by Jewish teens. Up to 10 teens will each be awarded $36,000 for their volunteer service. Bay Area Philanthropist Helen Diller began the foundation in 2007 to support California Jewish teens that exemplify the spirit of tikkun olam, — a central Jewish precept meaning to “repair the world”. The awards program has since expanded nationally, recognizing 40 Jewish teens across the country with nearly $1.5 million dollars to support and further their volunteer service projects and education. Past recipients have been recognized by some of the world’s foremost institutions and leaders, including the United Nations Foundation, The White House and former president Bill Clinton. “Today’s teens are tomorrow’s leaders. It is our hope that this award will recognize some outstanding young people who are already helping to repair the world,” said Diller, president of the foundation. Teens may be nominated by any community member, (excluding family) or the teens may nominate themselves. Each candidate must be a U.S. resident aged 13—19 years old at the time of nomination, and must self-identify as Jewish. Teens compensated for their services are not eligible. To nominate a teen, complete the online form at www.dillerteenawards.org
South Park holiday lighting contest
The South Park Business Group recently announced that their winter walkabout, this year scheduled for Dec. 7, would now be called Luminaria. In conjunction with this new theme they are launching a new holiday lighting contest for residents of the South Park neighborhood who live along the business corridor, between Kalmia and Beech streets and 30th / Fir and 31st streets. Prizes will include gift certificates and merchandise from local businesses, in the amounts of $500 for best overall design, $200 for best door or porch, and $200 for most original design. Yard signs announcing award winners will also be provided. To be eligible, residential homes within the business district must have their lights installed and on by the evening of Nov. 29. Prizes will be awarded on Dec. 1, at the 6 p.m., tree lighting in the center of Grape Street Square. For more information, visit southparkscene.com.
KPBS Local Heroes honored
On Nov. 13, KPBS in association with Union Bank, celebrated 18 residents of San Diego County who were selected for their annual 2013 Local Heroes, a program that has been honoring diversity since 1998. The event started off with the San Diego Children’s Choir Neighborhood Choir. Elsa Sevilla, host of KPBS’ San Diego’s Historic Places show, emceed the event and catered a reception immediately followed. The 18 inspirational individuals recognized for 2013 included: Professor Chuck Ambers and Dr. Carrol Waymon (Black History Month); Candace Bahr, Ginita Wall and Amina Sheik Mohamed (Women’s History Month); Elmer Bisarra and Sophak Yem (Asian Pacific American Heritage Month); Sy Brenner and Yale Strom (Jewish American Heritage Month); Carolyn Bolton, Max Disposti and Vincent “Vinnie” Pompei (LGBT Pride Month); Fabiola A. Navarro and Andrea Skorepa (Hispanic Heritage Month); Linda Bounds and Al Kovach, Jr. (Disability Awareness Month); and Jane Dumas and Rose Margaret Orrantia (American Indian Heritage Month). KPBS produced a video profile summarizing the contributions of each honoree, which aired during the month they were selected and again at the Nov. 13 celebration. The videos can also be viewed online. To nominate a hero for 2014, visit kpbs.org/heroes.
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