By Mary M. McKenzie

Assemblymember Todd Gloria was the guest of honor at the second annual Hillcrest Town Council Summer Social on July 6 at Uptown Tavern in Hillcrest.

Gloria had just arrived from Sacramento and shared some of his achievements with the crowd, such as helping to pass a balanced state budget, and allotting more money for higher education and for the homeless, especially homeless youth.

The social was co-sponsored by the office of City Councilmember Chris Ward.

After seven months in office, Ward noted that June had been a particularly difficult month dealing with the city budget, the Convention Center expansion and “SoccerCity.”

(Ward supported delaying a public vote on the project until fall 2018.)

Andrew Dugger, chair of the HTC’s Neighborhood Improvement Committee, worked closely with Uptown Tavern to provide finger foods and an extended happy hour.

Gloria awarded HTC board members certificates of recognition for their leadership and spirit of volunteerism.

Ward presented an HTC LION award (Let’s Improve Our Neighborhood) to outgoing board member David Coben for his dedication to the neighborhood.

State Sen. Toni G. Atkins and U.S. Rep. Susan Davis were represented at the social, and the new executive director of Pride, Eric Heinritz, was introduced.

Hillcrest Town Council meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Joyce Beers Community Center in the HUB shopping center, across from Trader Joe’s on Vermont Avenue. Meetings are open to the public.

—Mary M. McKenzie is secretary of the Hillcrest Town Council.