Prestigious recognition boosts Balboa Park volunteer programs
Just in time for National Volunteer Week (April 17–23), Forever Balboa Park announces that it has earned a three-year recertification as a Points of Light Service Enterprise, putting it among the top 11% of nonprofit volunteer programs nationwide. Since its initial certification in 2018, Forever Balboa Park has doubled the size of its volunteer corps to over 350 and expanded its volunteer-driven initiatives for the benefit of all park visitors.
Points of Light is the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The Service Enterprise initiative is a national change-management and capacity-building program that transforms the way organizations engage volunteers to better meet their missions. For every $1 invested in effective volunteer engagement, organizations can expect $3 to $6 in return through more effective program delivery.
“Recertification validates the efforts we started in 2016 to become a Service Enterprise. The organization went all in on Service Enterprise principles and that has really paid off,” says Glenn Rossman, Forever Balboa Park Trustee and Chair of the Volunteer Committee. “There is no way we could have expanded our volunteer numbers without top-to-bottom adoption of Service Enterprise and our commitment to the necessary internal capacity and infrastructure.”
Guided by Service Enterprise’s volunteer-management principles, Forever Balboa Park is able to extend its mission without overextending its budget by growing its volunteer programs. Since being certified in 2018, Forever Balboa Park has integrated the city’s Rose Garden corps, 80 volunteers strong, into its ranks; expanded its Tree Stewards initiative to 45 active volunteers caring for park trees; increased its park hospitality reach through Park Ambassadors, Tour Guides, and Visitors Center volunteers; and added Friends of Balboa Park volunteers with the recent merger. Last year, Forever Balboa Park launched the Garden Stewards initiative with 60 highly trained volunteers supporting the city’s efforts to maintain and enhance the park’s 18 public gardens and historic landscaping.
Even with a high volunteer ROI, funding is still needed to maintain and grow capacity for volunteer programs. Another benefit of Service Enterprise certification is that it gives donors and foundations confidence that their dollars will have the maximum impact.
Last year, a grant from the Dr. Seuss Foundation funded the launch of the Garden Stewards initiative, and a grant from Las Patronas allowed for the purchase of a pickup truck to support volunteers working in the field. Additional funding for volunteer programs has come from the Julia Richardson Brown Foundation, Favrot Fund, Parker Foundation, Lodestar Foundation, Zable Foundation, Sefton Foundation, The San Diego Foundation, and County of San Diego.
Forever Balboa Park has plans to add to its volunteer initiatives in the coming months, building on the foundation of its current programs.
Youth art exhibit about climate change in Hillcrest
This year, AAP-CA3’s Climate Change & Health Committee held a Youth Arts Contest calling for submission focusing on climate change from San Diego students aged 3 to 18 years old. Through the end of April, the winning artwork from the contest are going to be displayed at The Studio Door with an opening reception taking place on Saturday, April 16 from 4-7 p.m.
Home sales spring ahead despite low inventory
Home sales in San Diego County improved in March, evidence of a spring selling season, after a slow start to 2022, according to resale housing statistics compiled through the San Diego Multiple Listing Service by the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR).
Single-family (detached) home sales in March were more than 30 percent higher than February, and attached properties (condominiums and townhomes) were 25 percent higher. Year over year, however, sales of existing homes were down 6 percent for single-family and nearly 17 percent for condos and townhomes.
The median price of resale homes still shows no sign of leveling off. March single-family prices were up 7% in just one month, and attached properties rose nearly 3 percent in that same period. Year over year, prices have risen a momentous 20 percent. Today, the price of a single-family home stands at $975,000, while the median price condos and townhomes is inching toward $650,000. Notably, San Diego County homes are also closing escrow in an average of 18 days.
“Home buyers are facing a highly competitive and fast-paced market driven by critically low inventory,” said SDAR President Chris Anderson. “Heading into the summer months we do expect to see more inventory, but buyers should monitor interest rates as they are steadily expected to rise. Still, it remains a good time to purchase a home to secure your cost of shelter and begin generational wealth building as the market appreciates,” Anderson continued. “Working with a licensed REALTOR® is the best way to guide you through the process, reduce stress, and get the best deal within your budget.”
In March, the zip codes in San Diego County with the most single-family home sales were:
- 92028 (Fallbrook) with 70
- 91977 (Spring Valley) with 55
- 92065 (Ramona) with 53
- 92057 (Oceanside North) with 51
- 92071 (Santee) and 92128 (Rancho Bernardo East), both with 49
200 apartments being built in North Park
CEDARst Companies, a leading multifamily developer, today announced plans to bring a new ground-up residential development to San Diego’s historic North Park and Hillcrest neighborhoods.
“We are thrilled to bring our distinct brand of apartments to one of the best submarkets on the west coast,” said Will Murphy, Managing Partner and CEO, CEDARst. “We believe our high-quality and fairly priced apartments will be a fantastic new option for residents of these historic neighborhoods.”
4135 Park Blvd. is expected to break ground later this month and open its doors 24 months after construction begins. The 205,000 square foot, $74.4 million project includes a 7-story midrise building that will offer a wide range of amenities, including a café, fitness center, spacious lounge, game room, and exterior deck with a pool, hot tub, cabanas, and communal kitchen.
4135 Park Blvd. is in a Qualified Opportunity Zone and is one of several CEDARst properties under contract in the San Diego region.
“Opportunity Zones have opened up a unique chance for firms like CEDARst to develop high-quality apartments with top in class amenities at an affordable price point,” said Murphy. “We’re excited to work in such a dynamic community and look forward to expanding our footprint here in San Diego in the months and years ahead.”
Bridge Investment Group is an equity partner in the 190-unit project and BMO Harris Bank is the project lender. Construction will be managed by general contractor Suffolk Construction, and the project’s architect is Studio E.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with CEDARst in a market like San Diego,” said David Coelho, Chief Investment Officer of Bridge Investment Group’s Opportunity Zone Funds. “The project fits well within Bridge’s mandate to focus on multi-family, transit-oriented developments as an avenue to revitalize underserved communities by investing in building sustainable neighborhoods.”
CEDARst applies an innovative approach to residential developments with a focus on enhancing resident lifestyles and surrounding communities. Nationally, the firm has amassed a growing portfolio of distinguished and high-quality residential projects, spanning seven states across the country, with a unit count in excess of 5,000.
Kids eat free at Applebee’s on Easter
Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Flynn Restaurant Group will offer a Kids Eat Free special on Easter Sunday, April 17.
San Diego-based Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Flynn Restaurant Group participating in the promotion are: Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, National City, Oceanside and San Diego.Offer valid on April 17, 2022. Dine-in only and must mention offer. Free Kid’s Meal must be accompanied by an adult entrée purchase. Excludes tax and gratuity. Limit one kid, 12-years-old and under, per adult. Must order from the Kid’s Menu only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Special valid only at Flynn Restaurant Group owned and operated Applebee’s locations.
San Diego Book Crawl returns
The San Diego Book Crawl is back to in-person crawling for the first time since 2019, with more prizes and more independent bookstores to visit and support. This year’s Crawl is our fifth Annual that lasts three days and stretches from Coronado to Del Mar, starting Saturday April 30th through May 2, in conjunction with Independent Bookstore Day.Adams Avenue Unplugged is back
Adams Avenue Unplugged returns on Saturday, April 30, 12-10 pm, along a two-mile stretch of Adams Avenue, This unique music walkabout is free* and open to the public (*except for headliner John Doe’s concert).
The 2022 Adams Avenue Unplugged will feature more than 50 artists performing in select venues from Kensington through Normal Heights and ending in University Heights. This year’s headliner is the legendary front man of LA punk band X singer-songwriter John Doe. He will perform one set on Saturday evening in the intimate sanctuary of the Normal Heights Methodist Church. Tickets for John Doe are $25. Tickets and seating are on a first-come first-serve basis. (Tickets will be available for purchase online)
Also performing are Joey Harris, Grandpa Drew, C. Gibbs, Sara Petite, Tormenta Rey, Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi. (The line-up is available on the Adams Avenue Unplugged website)
This year’s Unplugged event will feature performances staged in 20 participating restaurants, bars, and coffeehouses, along Adams Avenue, including AC Lounge, Ken Club, Cantina Mayahuel, El Zarape Restaurant, Lestat’s Coffee House, Ould Sod, Rosie O’Grady’s, Rabbit Hole, and Wormwood. Music fans can catch their favorite artists while discovering the many local businesses along the Adams Avenue corridor. In addition to the superb music and a plethora of drinking and dining options, a craft beer garden will be located at the Normal Heights Methodist Church next to the Main Stage (4650 Mansfield St). A $19 pre-sale VIP beer and food ticket is available via the Unplugged website.
Organizers encourage ridesharing and mass transit (MTS #2 & 11). Adams Avenue will be open to traffic.
For the complete Unplugged line-up, schedule, John Doe concert tickets, VIP food & beer tickets, and further information, please call (619) 282-7329, or visit the web at; www.adamsavenueunplugged.com
New Earth Day event in Kensington
The premier of the KenTal* Earth Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, April 23, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Kensington Library Park. This family friendly Earth Day celebration will include food, music, children’s activities, and fantastic go green ideas for attendees. In addition, there will be drawings for free trees. Exhibitors include Tree San Diego, I Love a Clean San Diego, SanDiego350.org, Art FORM, Kensington Fire Safe, Earthwell Refill, and local Master Gardeners.
This new Earth Day event is sponsored by Trees KenTal, and the following partners; the Adams Avenue Business Association, Tree San Diego, Art FORM, Business for Good, I Love a Clean San Diego, Kensington Normal Heights Library, and the Kensington Talmadge Community Association.
For more information, visit the website www.treeskental.org.
Youth-led mural in City Heights
The Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC) and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan came together to celebrate the unveiling of a much-anticipated piece of art in the City Heights community. Marginalized youth from UPAC’s Alliance for Community Empowerment group worked together for over a month to develop and paint a mural on an external wall of UPAC’s Neighborhood Enterprise Center (NEC). The work of public art highlights the youth’s resiliency and celebrates the diversity of their community.
Designed from ideas and input of the youth involved and sponsored by Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, the final colorful mural includes cultural bridge-building aspects such as the word “peace” in various languages representative of the community and NEC’s tagline of “Diversity Heights”. During after-school hours, over 15 youth helped paint the mural, located near University Ave. and 54th Street.
“Creating this mural gave kids the opportunity to engage in a positive art outlet, while helping to beautify their own neighborhood. They have taken great pride in this piece, and it showcases the resiliency of City Heights, a place that sometimes comes with negative connotations,” said Jose Venegas, who works with UPAC’s Writerz Blok and was the lead artist on this project.
Venegas’ experience working with at-risk youth and redirecting graffiti taggers to positive art-based graffiti elevated the overall experience for participants. In late 2021, UPAC acquired Writerz Blok, making its permanent home at UPAC’s Neighborhood Enterprise Center.
“This new City Heights public art piece will help beautify UPAC’s Neighborhood Enterprise Center and provides the community with another place to come together,” said Sandra Rose, senior director of community & provider engagement at Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “As a non-profit health plan, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan believes it is vital for youth to have a healthy, safe space to gather and thrive for their overall well-being.”UPAC and Blue Shield Promise Health Plan have been working together for nearly two years as part of Blue Shield’s Community Resiliency Workgroup. This collaborative group is comprised of over 30 local community-based organizations in the San Diego area that focus on building resiliency by addressing equity and promoting health and wellness. The UPAC Mural Project was sponsored by Blue Shield Promise as part of the health plan’s focus on creating community-led youth art projects to provide education, highlight resiliency, reduce mental health stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviors.
Youth ride transit for free starting May 1
Beginning May 1, anyone 18 and under will be able to ride the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER for free through the new SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. Eligible riders will need a Youth PRONTO app account or card to participate in the program. The Youth Opportunity Pass program is the first of its kind in the San Diego region.
SANDAG is partnering with Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), North County Transit District (NCTD), and the County of San Diego to launch the Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. This effort is part of the SANDAG Transit Equity Pilot, which will help achieve a key goal of the 2021 Regional Plan to create a more equitable region by ensuring that safe, healthy, and accessible opportunities are available to everyone. The pilot includes:
- Free transit rides for anyone 18 and under from May 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023 (Youth Opportunity Pass Pilot Program)
- Increased transit service on weeknight and weekend routes in traditionally under-served areas of the region, estimated to begin in late 2022
- Collaboration with Community Based Organizations throughout the San Diego region to distribute Youth Opportunity Passes to youth and to educate residents on the existing and added services in their areas
- A research study to evaluate the benefits of the pilot program
Accessing the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass:
Riders who already have a youth PRONTO account don’t need to do anything to access the program. All rides will automatically be free starting May 1.
New PRONTO users have two options:
- Download the PRONTO app, register an account, then convert the account to Youth at sdmts.com/youth-opportunity-pass
- Pick up a free Youth PRONTO card from MTS, NCTD, or participating community organizations and schools in April and May
Youth will need to tap their PRONTO card or scan the app before boarding and carry proof of eligibility to ride for free. Proof of eligibility may include a current year school picture ID card, a valid government-issued photo ID, or birth certificate. Children 5 and under ride MTS and NCTD free when accompanied by a fare paying adult, and do not need a card or proof of eligibility. Youth cards will be available at the MTS Transit Store, NCTD Customer Service Centers, or at MTS and NCTD transit center events.
The Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program is funded by $6.13 million from SANDAG in partnership with the County of San Diego.
More information about the Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program and where to pick up a free youth PRONTO card, visit YouthOpportunityPass.sandag.org.
