{"id":236494,"date":"2013-10-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-10-04T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/downtown-briefs-oct-2013\/"},"modified":"2013-10-04T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-10-04T07:00:00","slug":"downtown-briefs-oct-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/downtown-briefs-oct-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Downtown Briefs: Oct 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(l to r) Chef Scotty Wagner, Chef Laurie Sauer, and Sommelier and Mixologist Jeff Josenhans, not pictured Chef Amy Diabase (Photo by Katie Wooley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chefs showdown for Center for Community Solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best of the best were crowned at the 2013 Chef Showdown, fundraiser for Center for Community Solutions (CCS) at Liberty Station in Point Loma Sept. 26. Chefs and sommeliers from around the county \u201cthrew down\u201d to compete for this year\u2019s coveted \u201ciron chef-style\u201d award while raising approximately $150,000 for CCS.\u00a0This year\u2019s winning team consisted of Chef Scotty Wagner (Chi Cuisine), Chef Laurie Sauer (Georges), Chef Amy Diabase (Paradise Point) and Sommelier and Mixologist Jeff Josenhans (Grant Grill).<\/p>\n

Jimbo\u2019s \u2026Naturally to open at Horton Plaza<\/strong><\/p>\n

A new Jimbo\u2019s \u2026Naturally food store will hold its grand opening in Westfield\u2019s Horton Plaza at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 16. The store will be the fifth location for the full service natural food chain, and the first of its kind Downtown. It will also be the first LEED certified grocery store in San Diego. The 28,000 square-foot store will be located on Horton Plaza\u2019s second floor at the Nordstrom side of the mall, with 85 preferred parking spots specifically reserved for shoppers on Level 4 of the G Street garage. The store\u2019s theme honors the neighborhood it is becoming a part of. \u201cI opened my original store in North Park in 1984 and sold it in 1997,\u201d said Jim \u201cJimbo\u201d Someck, founder and owner of Jimbo\u2019s \u2026 Naturally in a press release. “Since then, I have always wanted to return to that area or Downtown,” he said. “So it is with great excitement and anticipation that we will open our doors to Downtown San Diego on Oct. 16th. Our entire Jimbo\u2019s team is raring to go and service Downtown\u2019s residents and businesses with the highest quality organic foods.” Someck said the location is partnering with Connections Housing, a homeless service and residential community located at 1250 Sixth Ave., Downtown. Jimbo\u2019s \u2026Naturally will be donating 5 percent of all sales received from all locations on its Oct. 19 anniversary, as well as all sales from Oct 16-18, to Connections Housing. The grand opening will include a ribbon cutting and several speakers, including Someck, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember Lori Zapf, among other dignitaries. For more information, visit\u00a0jimbos.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Downtown\u201d Vision to be unveiled Oct. 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"dt-vision\"<\/a>After six months and the input of nearly 6,000 residents of San Diego, the Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP) is about to unveil \u201cOur Downtown\u201d Vision on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Alonzo Awards, presented at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis & Marina, Harbor Dr. Since early spring and with the vision submitted by the San Diego Foundation in 2012 as a guide, the DSDP engaged each Downtown neighborhood as well as the greater San Diego community at large, seeking input and ideas for what Downtown needs to become over the next 20 years. They have since compiled that information, presented it again to the neighborhoods for feedback, and are now ready to finalize it. \u201cOur Downtown\u201d Vision will be available on the DSDP\u2019s website at the same time it is presented at the awards ceremony. For more information, visit www.downtownsandiego.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018SNOOPY PLATE\u2019 BILL WILL HELP MUSEUMS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Snoopy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

A bill that Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins authored to help fund state museums has been sent to the governor for signature. AB 482 \u201cThe Snoopy Plate Bill\u201d would not only improve the cost effectiveness of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) by moving it under the Natural Resources Agency, it would also allow creation of a California automobile license plate bearing an image of the \u201cSnoopy\u201d character from the Peanuts strip created by local icon Charles Schulz. Schulz\u2019s widow recently offered the rights to Snoopy\u2019s likeness to raise money for museums, and funds raised would be allocated through a grant process available to all museums. The Snoopy plate would cost $50 with an additional $48 fee for personalization through the DMV. The governor has until Oct. 13 to sign or veto the bill and if passed, the DMV will require 7,500 prepaid requests before starting production. More than 9,200 Californians have already pledged to buy the plate, according to the California Association of Museums.<\/p>\n

City Council pursues plastic-bag ban<\/strong><\/p>\n

The City Council\u2019s Rules and Economic Development Committee discussed a citywide ban on plastic bags at the committee\u2019s regular meeting, held Wednesday, Sept. 11. Chaired by Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner, the committee helped craft a \u201cplastic bag reduction ordinance\u201d to reduce plastic carryout bags at supermarkets and large retail outlets, a press release from Interim Mayor Todd Gloria said. In 2013, Senate Bill 405, proposing a similar ban for the entire state, failed by three votes. Currently, Solana Beach, Calif. is the only San Diego County city that enforces a plastic-bag ban. \u201cIn [Fiscal Year 2013], the Environmental Services Department spent approximately $160,000 on the abatement of plastic bag litter, including controlling wind-blown plastic bags at the Miramar Landfill and abating plastic bags in rights of way and on city property throughout the city,\u201d the committee report states. Gloria will seek further input from the city\u2019s Environmental Services Department and the City Attorney\u2019s office before the ordinance is presented to the full council. \u201cA plastic bag reduction ordinance simply makes sense,\u201d Gloria said in the release. \u201cOur neighborhoods, our beaches, our waterways, our landfills and our overall environment will benefit from fewer plastic bags.\u201d Lightner\u2019s committee will see a progress report at its Oct. 23 meeting.<\/p>\n

Horton Plaza reverses end to validated parking<\/strong><\/p>\n

Westfield\u2019s Horton Plaza Downtown recently unveiled a new parking policy, which rolled back the change announced in February that eliminated three hours of free parking with self-validation for visitors to the Downtown area. The new rules required a $10 purchase at any of the mall\u2019s stores to get a three-hour validation. Effective September 16, the rule was reversed and drivers wishing to park in the multi-level garage at Fourth Avenue and F Street or from the G Street side will again get three free hours of parking, with no purchase required. Self-validation is still required through the use of one of six machines located throughout the property. \u201cReverting to the previous process for validation is only one of the recent changes Westfield has made in an effort to continuously improve customer service,\u201d Westfield representatives said in a recent press release. Other improvements listed in the press release were upgraded escalators and improved signage inside the center and parking structure. The current validation rules are in place seven days per week, from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The United Artists movie theater will continue their four hour validation. For more info, visit Westfield.com\/hortonplaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Continuing Education to get a new campus near Downtown<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Sept. 25, San Diego Continuing Education broke ground for the future home of the Cesar E. Chavez Campus, located at 1901 Main St. in Barrio Logan. The site was once home to the iconic Chuey\u2019s Restaurant and the student lounge of the new campus will pay homage to the former longstanding business. The 67,924 square foot facility will house the Campus of Excellence of Allied Health Career Training, with 22 classrooms for English as a Second Language (ESL), vocational training, Adult Basic Education, General Education Diploma (GED) preparation classes, Business Information Technology, parent education and emeritus programs for students over the age of 55. It will also have a multi-purpose room and administrative offices, as well as a Small Business Incubator space. Underground parking will also be provided. The design of the $50 million project is expected to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and United States Green Building Council (USGBC) certifications and sustainable features include an energy-efficient design exceeding state standards, low-flow and waterless plumbing features, storm water capture and filter devices, and runoffs for storm drain systems. Propositions S and N, which provided construction bonds in the amount of $1.55 billion, allowed for construction of more state of the art teaching facilities, the press release stated. Lead architect is native San Diegan Joe Martinez of Martinez + Cutri. The new building will also house pictures, artifacts and other historical information about Cezar Chavez and the labor movement.<\/p>\n

Prevailing wage takes affect January 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Sept. 10, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria announced a new ordinance that requires all City public workers to be paid a prevailing wage. \u201cThe City of San Diego supports a strong middle class, and I am proud of the City Council\u2019s action to approve the prevailing wage ordinance,\u201d said Interim Mayor Gloria in a press release. Passed by a city council vote of 5-4, the ordinance requires the City and all of its boards, departments and agencies to advertise the new ordinance and include specifications regarding compliance with the State law. Contracts affected are all projects above $25,000 and maintenance work above $15,000 and generally all contracts for public works, including those for construction, reconstruction, building and street repairs, and utilities. Contracts or other work started prior to Jan. 1, 2014 will not be affected. \u201cRequiring prevailing wage be paid is a sound decision that will result in better improvements to our streets, sidewalks, and public facilities,\u201d said Interim Mayor Gloria. \u201cI am confident in the positive impact prevailing wage will have on our City and our local economy.\u201d The better compensation is known to result in safer and better-monitored work environments, as well as less change orders which often lead to cost overruns. More than 40 other charter cities in California also have prevailing wage.<\/p>\n

Museum Docent Council fall lectures, tours begin<\/strong><\/p>\n

The San Diego Museum of Art Executive Director Roxana Vel\u00e1squez will lead the opening lecture in the Museum Docent Council\u2019s 2013-14 lecture and tour series on Friday, Sept. 20. Museum lectures will take place every third Friday of the month at 10 a.m., followed by a docent-led tour at 11:30 a.m. Vel\u00e1squez will discuss \u201cThe Lure of the Orient: Orientalism in the 19th Century.\u201d In October, Ive Covaci, adjunct professor of art history at Fairfield University, will lead the discussion \u201cImages for Personal Devotion in Japanese Buddhist Art.\u201d Art historian John Marciari will discuss European paintings in the museum\u2019s permanent collection Nov. 15; UC San Diego faculty director Matthew T. Herbst will discuss Ottoman Istanbul. The series continues through May 16, 2014, ending with University of San Diego art professor and former museum Director Derrick Cartwright discussing \u201cRobert Henri\u2019s California Realism.\u201d Individual tickets are $13 for members ($16 guests) and series tickets are $99 for members ($126 guests). Discounts are available for seniors, students and military, and all lectures take place in the museum\u2019s James S. Copley Auditorium, located at 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park. Additionally, the Docent Council has organized a series of daylong Docent Bus Tours to venues outside San Diego. Vel\u00e1squez will attend the Oct. 10 tour to museums in Tijuana and Rosarito Beach, Mexico. Two tours are scheduled for 2014 \u2013 Los Angeles and Pasadena, Calif. \u2013 and the bus leaves the Old Naval Hospital in Balboa Park at 8 a.m., with various return times. Cost is $120 for members ($135 guests). For more information visit thesandiegomuseumofart.org<\/a> or call 619-232-7931.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chefs showdown for Center for Community Solutions The best of the best were crowned at the 2013 Chef Showdown, fundraiser for Center for Community Solutions (CCS) at Liberty Station in Point Loma Sept. 26. Chefs and sommeliers from around the county \u201cthrew down\u201d to compete for this year\u2019s coveted \u201ciron chef-style\u201d award while raising approximately […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":726,"featured_media":236495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Downtown Briefs: Oct 2013","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[11551,11552,11600],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-236494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-opinion","category-sdnews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/726"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=236494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236494\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/236495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=236494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=236494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=236494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}