MISSION HILLS PARK WINS MERIT AWARD FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

The San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) handed out their annual design awards at a ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 6. Among the 12 winners was the West Lewis Mini Park in Mission Hills, which won the Merit Award for Parks. Glenn Schmidt of Schmidt Design Group, Inc. in Bankers Hill was the landscape architect for the park, located at 792 W. Lewis St. near the edge of Dove Canyon. Schmidt utilized the canyon view to include an exhibit about local birdlife, an education aspect neighbors first envisioned in the creation of the park. “This is an excellent integration of a natural space in the city. It shows that San Diego can have mini parks that require minimal or no water and maintenance,” the ASLA awards jury said in a release. With 49 overall submissions, honors were handed out in several categories, including Residential Merit, Planning and Analysis Merit, Environmental Solutions Honor, and Commercial, Institutional and Urban Design Honor. The highest honor, the President’s Award, was given to UCSD Charles David Keeling Apartments and the Spurlock Poirier Landscape Architects. Schmidt Design Group, Inc. also won the Landmark Landscapes Merit award for their work on Swami’s Beach Access.

PROSECUTORS HONRED BY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced Tuesday, Dec 4 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors honored six prosecutors in her office with proclamations recognizing their outstanding contributions to public safety. The deputy district attorneys honored include: Victor Ou, David Bost, Claudine Ruiz, Daniel Owens, and Mark Amador and James Fontaine. Amador and Fontaine were recognized together for their joint work on the Los Palillos prosecution, a case involving 17 defendants, nine murders and 15 kidnappings. Owens also worked on the Los Palillos prosecution team, a case that resulted in one of the largest murder prosecutions in the history of the county. “I’m very proud of the outstanding work of these particular deputy district attorneys,” Dumanis said in a released statement. “It’s notable that these individuals are representative of the dedication and quality of our entire prosecutorial team throughout the office.”

HILLCREST HISTORY GUILD TO HOST HOLIDAY POTLUCK DINNER

On Tuesday, Dec. 11 the Hillcrest History Guild will host their sixth annual Holiday Potluck dinner and community feast, with a special program highlighting a historic aspect of the community. This year’s presentation will be by Welton Jones on the history of the nudist colony that was once found in Balboa Park. Guests are invited to bring a dish, including vegetables, salads or a casserole, to accompany roasted turkeys, hams, mashed potatoes, gravy and bread. Participating restaurants and businesses include Raph’s, Von’s, City Deli, Whole Foods Market, Albertson’s, Baja Betty’s and Bread & Cie, among others. There will be games, and a prize handed out to the person with the most unique Christmas sweater or funny hat. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Joyce Beers Community Center near the intersection of Vermont and Cleveland streets in the Uptown Shopping District center. For more information call 619-260-1929.

MAYOR SANDERS APPEARS AT SOLAR ELECTRONIC VEHICLE DEDICATION

The dedication of the Smart City San Diego Solar-to-EV project took place Nov. 27 near the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. Smart City San Diego and then-Mayor Jerry Sanders hosted the event in the zoo’s parking lot, where a 90-kilowatt solar photovoltaic canopy was installed to provide power to electric vehicles (EV) in San Diego County. The project, owned and managed by San Diego Gas & Electric’s Sustainable Communities Program, is the first of its kind in the region. It is expected to serve as a new energy infrastructure blueprint that can be replicated throughout the region and beyond, and is a cornerstone in the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize and install innovative sustainable solutions at Balboa Park in anticipation of the park’s centennial celebration in 2015. The Solar-to-EV project harnesses energy from the sun to charge plug-in electric vehicles, stores solar power for future use and provides renewable energy to the surrounding community. The project contracted local vendors for design and construction, which led to the creation of approximately 35 jobs during construction. Some key features of the project are:

• 10 stand?alone solar canopies, generating 90 kilowatts of solar energy at peak capacity (enough to power 59 homes and save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 21 cars from the road each year)
• Five EV chargers (including one ADA-compliant charger)
• 100 kilowatts of battery storage
• Room for 50 cars to park under the canopies for shade

ST. PAUL’S PACE SEEKS GIFT DONATIONS FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS

Administrators of St. Paul’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) health plan are seeking holiday gift items for the low-income seniors the program serves, including gift cards to Walmart, local grocery stores, pharmacies and Target. St. Paul’s PACE serves seniors age 55 years and older, and has two locations in San Diego County: 111 Elm St. in Bankers Hill and 630 L St. in Chula Vista. “This can be a very difficult time of year for the many needy seniors PACE serves,” said Amanda Gois, marketing director. “Many of these seniors do not have family and often don’t receive holiday gifts, so we want to do all we can to make their holidays bright.” Other gift items needed include bedding, note pads, stamps, envelopes, household cleaning items, calendars, planners and personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, tissue, shampoos, soaps, razors, combs and hair brushes. Gifts can be dropped off at either PACE-program location, or by contacting Gois at 619-677-3800 or [email protected].

CONRAD PREBYS AND DEBBIE TURNER PRESENT 2013 SAN DIEGO OPERA SEASON

San Diego Opera announced Wednesday, Dec. 5 Conrad Prebys and Debbie Turner are Season Sponsor for the 2013 season, after a $500,000 donation. The gift follows a $1 million donation made by Prebys and Turner to the arts organization to underwrite a concert featuring Renée Fleming. “San Diego Opera is grateful to Conrad and Debbie for this magnificent contribution, which comes at a critical time for the company as we approach our 50th anniversary,” said Ian D. Campbell, the Opera’s artistic and general director, in the announcement. “Their leadership and support at the highest level is a true testament to their commitment to San Diego Opera and to the survival of arts and culture for all San Diegans.” Both Prebys and Turner are active philanthropists in the San Diego arts and culture community, and Turner is a member of the opera’s board of directors and the Dow Divas, a women’s investment group that supports the opera in addition to serving as a community and cultural advocacy group. The 2013 International season opens Jan. 26, 2013 and includes “The Daughter of the Regiment,” “Samson and Delilah,” “Murder in the Cathedral,” “Aida,” and “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna.”

RECIPIENTS OF SAN DIEGO HIV FUNDING COLLABORATIVE GRANTS ANNOUNCED

The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative announced Tuesday, Dec. 4 their selection of 10 San Diego HIV/AIDS service organizations to receive more that $360,000 in grants. Through a partnership with AIDS Walk & Run San Diego, as well as donations made from other philanthropists and foundations, representatives from the Collaborate said they are able to maximize its grants. “We are incredibly fortunate here in San Diego to have such a truly collaborative process designed to ensure consistency of funding to these vitally important HIV/AIDS service agencies,” Dr. David Miles, interim executive director of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, said in a press release. The 2012 Recipients are Christie’s Place, Family Health Centers, Fraternity House, Mama’s Kitchen, North County Health Services, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, San Diego Youth Services, San Ysidro Community Health Center, Vista Community Clinic and University of California, San Diego. In addition to the 10 grants that will be presented to these local HIV/AIDS service organizations, AIDS Walk & Run funds will be allocated to The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s HIV/AIDS programs and services. “We are thrilled to recognize The San Diego LGBT Community Center and its board, staff and volunteers for their tireless work to continue to provide and produce this event,” Miles said in the release. “We are grateful for their efforts over the past 10 years to stabilize and revitalize this signature event and to contribute funds that mean so much to so many San Diegans impacted by HIV/AIDS.”

OLD GLOBE TO STAGE ‘THE HONEYMOONERS,’ BASED ON TV SERIES

Opening the 2013-14 season, The Old Globe announced it will produce the world premiere of “The Honeymooners,” a musical based on the classic CBS TV series from the 1960s. Tony Award-winner Michael McGrath will star as Ralf Kramden, with the complete cast announced at a later date. The show will run Sept. 8 – Oct. 27, 2013. “It’s a real delight to bring this fun and rollicking new musical comedy to San Diego,” said Artistic Direct Barry Edelstein in a release. “I’m happy to see the brilliant Michael McGrath make his Globe debut, and I’m especially pleased to welcome the hugely talented Jerry Mitchell back to this theatre, where he choreographed ‘The Full Monty,’ ‘Imaginary Friends’ and ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.’” Mitchell is a Tony-Award winner for his choreography in the first revival of “La Cage aux Folles,” and will direct and choreograph The Old Globe season opener. Book is by Dusty Kay and Bill Nuss, with music by Stephen Weiner and lyrics by Peter Mills. “As a kid, I was a full-blown ‘Honeymooners’ addict, and I ‘bang-zoomed’ away many more hours with the Kramdens and Nortons than I should probably admit,” Edelstein said. “That’s why it’s a special joy to see Ralph, Ed, Alice and Trixie come to vivid life on our stage and to introduce these iconic American characters to a new generation.” Tickets are currently available by subscription only. There are seven productions remaining in The Old Globe 2012-12 season, including “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” playing now through Dec. 29.

SAN DIEGO HOSPICE PROVIDES GRIEF SUPPORT DURING HOLIDAYS

The Center for Grief Care and Education at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine will offer grief support programs and services to those who have recently lost a loved one. Though the holiday season is a time of cheer for many, there are those grieving over the death of a loved one, which can be an overwhelming experience this time of year. “The extra demands associated with preparing and celebrating the holidays, as well as memories of past holidays with their deceased loved ones, can make the holiday season a very challenging one for those who are grieving,” Noreen Carrington, executive director of the Grief Care center said in a press release. “We want everyone to know that they are not alone because we are here to help.” The center offers support throughout the year to families after the death of its patients. One free workshop, designed specifically for adults who have recently been impacted by death, is called Understanding Grief: A Workshop for the Newly Bereaved and is open to the public. This workshop is held the first Tuesday of each month in the Hillcrest San Diego Hospice boardroom. Other services include professionally led counseling and support groups twice a week. There are also support groups that focus on specific types of loss. “We all know grief doesn’t take a season off,” Carrington said. “That is why we encourage all community members who are grieving this holiday season to practice self-care: decide what holiday activities are priorities, be open about your feelings, consider meeting with one of our skilled therapists, and even attend one of our grief groups for extra support.” For more information visit sdhospice.org or call 866-688-1600.

UC SAN DIEGO ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH CENTER TO OFFER NEW HIV PROGRAM

A couple HIV testing and counseling program based at Emory University is now being offered by the University of California, San Diego AntiViral Research Center (AVRC). Called Testing Together and funded by the MAC AIDS Fund, the program provides gay couples with free, confidential HIV testing and counseling, as a couple. “We know from our recent research that by testing together and getting results together, couples can start an ongoing healthy conversation about HIV and talk openly about building a plan to address sexual health issues in their relationship,” said Patrick Sullivan, project director at Emory University, in a statement. Due to confidentiality issues, couples are currently prevented from testing and discussing results together. With the new program, clients sign consent forms agreeing to working together during each phase of HIV testing. Representatives from AVRC said testing and hearing results together are the first part of the program. “The other is the specialized counseling couples receive. Unlike most HIV testing counseling that focuses on past risk behaviors, Testing Together encourages couple to openly discuss their sexual relationship and establish agreements about sex and health,” AVRC said in a press release. Testing Together will be offered at two locations: AVRC at 220 Dickinson St. and Lead the Way at 3830 Park Blvd., both in Hillcrest.

SAN DIEGO OPERA RECEIVES NEA GRANT FOR NEW PRODUCTION

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced Nov. 27 that San Diego Opera was recommended for a $50,000 grant to support the creation of a new staging of “Murder in the Cathedral,” scheduled for March and April 2013. The Opera is one of 832 non-profit organizations nationwide to receive NEA grants. “I’m proud to announce these 832 grants to the American public, including San Diego Opera” said NEA Chair Rocco Landesman in a press release. “These projects offer extraordinary examples of creativity in our country, including the creation of new work. …” San Diego Opera said the classic Ildebrando Pizzetti opera has never been professionally produced in the United States, to the best of their knowledge, and the company will be constructing new sets, designed by Ralph Funicello. The set is currently under construction at the Opera’s Scenic Studio. The Opera’s NEA grant was selected from a group of 1,509 eligible applications, requesting more than $74 million in funding. The final 832 grants total $22.3 million and span 13 artistic disciplines and fields. “Murder in the Cathedral” is the fourth production in the 2013 season, following “The Daughter of the Regiment,” “Samson and Delilah” and “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna” and preceding “Aida.”

DA BONNIE DUMANS PREPARED FOR REVISED 3-STRIKES LAW

Announced Nov. 21, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis’ office participate in the first resentencing of a defendant under the revised three-strikes law passed Nov. 6 by California voters. Dumanis said her office had been preparing for the potential of Proposition 36 passing for several months. “We stand ready to review the hundreds of petitions that are expected to be filed by inmates, remaining mindful of our primary obligation to protect public safety,” Dumanis said in a press release. “Prior to passage of the three-strikes initiative, our office had already been working with the Innocence Project and the San Diego Public Defenders Office to identify defendants sentenced to 25 years to life who don’t pose an unreasonable risk to public safety and might be appropriate for resentencing.” In the first resentencing, the defendant had been convicted of non-violent drug possession for sales and already had two felony strikes. As a result, the defendant was sentenced to mandatory 25 years to life under the 1994 voter-approved three-strikes law. In the resentencing, the defendant’s sentence was reduced to 15 years, 4 months. With no record of discipline in state prison and high ratings from instructors, Superior Court Judge David Danielsen released the defendant after being given credit for time already served. “This first case demonstrates the importance of why providing reentry services, like drug rehabilitation, is necessary for inmates whose crimes are driven by drug addiction. Such reentry services are a critical component of stopping the revolving door to prison,” Dumanis said. In the resentencing process, a Superior Court Judge will have the final determination on whether to reduce the sentence.

REP. SUSAN DAVIS HELD LOTTERY FOR PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Constituents in Rep. Susan Davis’ 53rd District had the opportunity to enter a lottery to received tickets to the Jan. 21, 2013 inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. Davis announced the contest via an enewsletter, saying “Some lucky constituents will have a chance to be a part of history. During inaugurations, Americans come together to celebrate our enduring democracy. Holding a lottery gives everyone who wants a ticket a fair chance.” Those living in the new 53rd District needed to enter by midnight, Sunday, Dec. 2 and randomly chosen winners were notified by email by Friday, Dec. 7 in order to make travel arrangements.