INCENSE BANDIT ARRESTED
San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives have arrested and identified the “Incense Bandit.” Charles Shipman committed a series of commercial robberies in North Park, Hillcrest and Old Town, and was arrested Feb. 24. He was dubbed the “Incense Bandit” because one of his victims recognized him as a customer who had previously purchased incense. Between July 2011 and February 2012, Shipman committed seven commercial robberies and one attempted robbery. Shipman robbed 5th Avenue Books in Hillcrest on two separate occasions. He also robbed the parking attendants at the Arrivedirci restaurant in Hillcrest three times. In most cases, Shipman simulated a handgun in his pocket, although he did brandish a handgun in one case. He has been officially charged with these crimes and had his initial hearing on March 9.

WATER AGENCY HOSTS WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING CONTESTS
Twelve water districts, including those for the City of San Diego and its Uptown communities, invite customers to showcase their water-wise landscaping in the Water Agency California–Friendly Landscape Contest. One winner in each district will receive a $250 gift certificate and recognition on the agency websites and in newsletters. For official contest rules and an application form, visit landscapecontest.com. The deadline to enter is April 6. Each water-wise landscape entry will be judged for overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance and efficient methods of irrigation. For more information, contact Mike Ismail with the City of San Diego at 619-533-5312.

BUTTERFLY JUNGLE COMING TO SAN DIEGO ZOO
The San Diego Zoo Butterfly Jungle is back through April 15, where guests walk among thousands of brightly colored butterflies in an aviary filled with plants and flowers. Admission to the Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Admission is $42 for adults and $32 for children ages 3-11. Children two and younger receive free admission. The 30 species hail from Africa, Asia and Central and South America and come with exotic names such as zebra longwing, orange-barred tiger Grecian shoemaker, the monarch, giant swallowtail and blue morpho.

SUSAN DAVIS VISITS NORTH PARK BUSINESSES
In a recent visit to North Park, Congressmember Susan Davis visited Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga Studio in Normal Heights. The Congresswoman, who once lived on a kibbutz in Israel, met with studio owner Sujantra McKeever and Judy Elliot, Executive Director of the Adams Avenue Business Association. “I spent part of Wednesday afternoon with [Elliot] talking with small business owners at Adams Avenue Bicycles, Blind Lady Ale House and Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga. What I heard from all three establishments is that focusing on the needs of the community is a recipe for success. The economy might not be as strong as we’d like, but these thriving local small businesses show that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well on Adams Avenue,” Congressmember Davis said.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CIRCULATES PETITION FOR UNITING UNDER UPTOWN PLANNERS
Planning for the University Heights Community Association (UHCA) is currently divided between two community-planning groups, the Uptown Planners and North Park Planning Committee. The UHCA unanimously voted to support uniting all of University Heights up to Texas Street under the Uptown Planners. As there is not currently a process for changing planning group boundaries, UHCA created a petition which residents, business and property owners can sign, requesting University Heights be united under Uptown Planners. The City Council will then vote on the possible change. The petition will be available to sign at the UHCA March meeting. For more information, call J.D. Abercrombie at 619-291-4913.

KPBS HONORS TWO UPTOWN WOMEN FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Union Bank has partnered with KPBS to honor extraordinary San Diegans for the 2012 Local Heroes program. The 2012 Women’s History Month honorees are Golden Hill resident Michelle Elise Houle and Dr. Doris A. Howell. Under Houle’s direction, the Lindsay Community School for pregnant and parenting mothers gained a positive reputation for motivating and educating young mothers. Houle has published numerous books and is credited with creating an Early Childhood Program that has significantly changed the lives of many young women and children fighting poverty. Dr. Howell has practiced medicine in Hillcrest for more than 50 years. In 1977, she helped establish San Diego Hospice, the first hospice program in the country, and the first and only academic hospice program of its kind in the region.

NORTH PARK MINI-PARK TO HOST TWO ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS
The North Park Mini-Park and Associated Streetscape Improvements project will be hosting their third and fourth community workshops. Scheduled for the evenings of March 19 and April 23, the third workshop will be at the North Park Theater, located at 2891 University Ave., in the Upstairs Conference Room. The Open House will start at 5:30 p.m. and the workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m. The fourth workshop will be at the North Park Recreation Center, located at 4044 Idaho St., at 6 p.m. The site of the Mini-Park is on North Park Way between Granada and 29th streets. For more information contact Todd Schmit at 619-533-4620, or [email protected].

BIRD PARK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The North Park Community Association (NPCA) is seeking volunteers for its Bird Park Summer Concerts. The Concerts will be June 16 and 30, July 14 and 28 and August 11. Volunteers are needed in marketing and advertising efforts, music selection, fundraising and day-of needs. Day-of duties include equipment set-up; the set-up of the NPCA booth; monitoring the grounds; greeting and assisting Concert attendees as needed; assisting with community relations; and clean up after the concert. The NPCA reminds volunteers that they can be as involved as they want. For more information about this and other concert volunteer opportunities, contact Lynn Elliott, Concert chair at [email protected].

HILLCREST HAIR SALON LOOKING TO RENAME
The hair salon that was previously Fantastic Sam’s, located at 1262 University Ave., is de-franchising and owner Deborah Calamia is looking to the community to rename the salon. Through March 31, those wanting to submit a suggestion can e-mail [email protected] or visit the salon. The winner will receive one year of free hair care.

MAMA’S KITCHEN TO HOST ‘MAN DIEGO’ FUNDRAISER
Mama’s Kitchen confirmed it would be hosting its second Man Diego fundraiser, which will be held on March 27 from 6 – 9 p.m. at True North Tavern in North Park. Man Diego is friendly competition for men and women to participate in a tournament-style “Bar Olympics” fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen. In the Man Diego Competition, teams move through four rounds of short quick bar games without alcohol, advance to head-to-head rounds and compete in a taco speed-eating contest to decide the winner. Pre-event registration for a team of two is $60 and includes registration, two t-shirts and two complimentary drink tickets. For spectators, tickets are $15 per person and include food and one complimentary drink ticket. For more information, contact [email protected].

MCGIBBONY ANNOUNCES DISTRICT THREE CANDIDACY
Dempsey McGibbony will be running against current District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria in the upcoming election. Gloria, who was previously running unopposed, was first elected to represent District Three in 2008. Prior to his election, Gloria served as district director to U.S. Congressmember Susan Davis and worked for the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency. McGibbony was born and raised in Arkansas and, as stated in his candidate statement, “left home at 18 and traveled the world, learning about various cultures, thanks to a strong work ethic taught to me by my grandparents, as well as determination.” The election will be held June 5.

BANKERS HILL CLEAN UP YIELDS OVER SEVEN TONS OF WASTE
On March 10, a Bankers Hill and Hillcrest Community Clean-Up yielded over six tons of waste to be disposed of and over one ton of recyclable material. The City notified all households within the blocks of Robinson Avenue to Quince Street and Front Street to Fourth Avenue they could place unwanted, bulky items on the curb on and the City would pick them up and recycle them if possible. Items that were recycled include appliances, electronics and lawn mowers. Non-recyclable items include carpeting, furniture and palm fronds. Areas are selected for these events based upon citizen requests, pledges of community involvement and previous citizen participation levels.