City leaders unveil Balboa Park Centennial plans

Plans for the highly anticipated Balboa Park Centennial Celebration appear to be back on track.

After months of controversy and confusion following the disbandment of the Balboa Park Centennial, Inc., a nonprofit previously responsible for planning the yearlong celebration, city leaders gathered in mid-October to outline a plan for the upcoming series of park events and improvements.

Festivities now center around three key words, with all plans are now aimed to “elevate,” “celebrate” or “promote” Balboa Park. The 2015 celebration marks the 100-year anniversary of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, a momentous tribute to the opening of the Panama Canal and San Diego’s emergence as an international port city.

According to plans outlined by the city, the centennial celebration will elevate the park by making several improvements, such as expanding the Japanese Friendship Garden and providing free public Wi-Fi throughout the park; celebrate the park with events such as December Nights and  museum exhibit debuts; and promoting the park with a new website, high-definition cameras to broadcast events and a new long-term strategic marketing plan.

The Centennial Celebration officially kicks off with December Nights on Dec. 5.

Rapid transit bus now running on Park

The MTS Mid-City Rapid Transit Bus debuted on Park Boulevard in early October, offering a speedier bus route with its own dedicated traffic lane. The “Rapid 215” will run from San Diego State to Downtown San Diego.

Earlier this year, Voice of San Diego reported that while a rapid transit bus system is considerably less expensive than other “high-end transit,” the mid-city line only reduces travel time by 10 to 22 percent during peak hours, which equates to shaving four to 11 minutes off a rider’s daily commute.

SANDAG eventually plans to turn the route into a light-rail transit line by 2035, according to its Long-Term Transportation Plan, but the agency is currently fighting a lawsuit that claims the plan does not meet state-mandated greenhouse gas-reduction targets.

The “Rapid 215” runs seven days a week from 5 to 1 a.m., picking up every 10 minutes during rush hour.

CicloSDias returns for third year

Modeled after the Ciclovia events of Bogota, Colombia, this free open-street event will take place in San Diego on Sunday, Nov. 9. CicloSDias is “all about connecting communities and giving people a break from the stress of car traffic,” according to the event’s press release.

The route for this year’s event includes areas of Hillcrest and Bankers Hill with the “bookends” at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street and at the intersection of Normal at Harvey Milk streets.

Participants are invited to walk, bike and skate along the two-mile route in a counter-clockwise direction and stop into businesses as they travel. The free-flowing slow-paced traffic allows for entry at any intersection during the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There are three “hubs” along the route, which include information booths, bike repair stations, portable restrooms, vendors and more. Participants can check-in at each hub to receive entry into a bike raffle.

Visita ciclosdias.com for a detailed route map and more information.

Nan McGraw Day proclaimed

Native San Diegan and 40-year resident of University Heights, Nan McGraw, was honored with a day proclaimed in her name by the San Diego City Council. The proclamation, presented by Council President Todd Gloria on Oct. 21, cited McGraw’s many contributions to the community. She was one of the founding members of the University Heights Community Association (UHCA) and has held various leadership roles with the organization, including president.

Notable accomplishments during her tenure in the community association include the opening of Trolley Barn Park, advocating for the Vermont Street Bridge reconstruction and helping to improve infrastructure along Park Boulevard.

Still an active member of the University Heights neighborhood, McGraw currently coordinates the distribution of UHCA newsletters each month and participates in community events including Caroling in the Heights. Currently, McGraw is working to find new ways to improve the University Heights Library.

California Tower in Balboa Park to re-open in 2015

The city of San Diego has granted the San Diego Museum of Man (1350 El Prado, Balboa Park) permission to reopen the historic California Tower to the public. The museum and tower are part of the California Building, constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The tower has been closed for almost 80 years, but will reopen for public tours on Jan. 1, 2015.

A website (CaliforniaTower.org) has been established to raise funds for the renovation project with a total of $3 million needed. The Legler Benbough Foundation has already committed $1 million, leaving $2 million to be raised through donations through the website. Large sponsorship opportunities will include permanent messages on plaques, benches or steps. The money is needed for remodeling, safety improvements and a long-term fund for ongoing care of the tower.

For more information on the history of the California Building visit museumofman.org/california-building.

Malashock returns with fifth season of ‘RAW’

Malashock Dance Company, a local dance troupe founded in 1988 by Artistic Director John Malashock, will return Nov. 7 and 8 for three new installments of its “cutting edge” dance production, RAW.

“This program allows our dance company to investigate provocative themes in a ‘safe place to do unsafe work,’” Malashock stated in a press release.

Producers also said RAW’s innovative performances feature “brazen athleticism and dramatic emotionalism.” The troupe encourages active community participation through attendance at open rehearsals, preview performances, and facilitated and interactive panels with the performers throughout the period.

“We enthusiastically want our audience to provide feedback because this direct interaction with the artists only deepens their connection to the work,” Malashock said.

This year’s performances take place at the Lyceum Theatre, located at 79 Broadway Circle, Downtown. Tickets are now available through Lyceum’s box office at 619-544-1000 or lyceumevents.org.

Para más información visite malashockdance.com.

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