Mama’s Kitchen asks for public support in hosting food drives

Mama’s Pantry, a service of Mama’s Kitchen that provides groceries at no cost for San Diego community members affected by HIV/AIDS or cancer, is asking the public for support in participating in the fourth annual “Independence From Hunger” food drive. Throughout the month of July, individuals, businesses, schools and community groups are encouraged to host food drives to ensure the pantry shelves at Mama’s Pantry are full with non-perishable food items.

Mama’s Pantry hopes to collect 100 50-gallon barrels full of food items like canned goods, boxes of cereal, jars of peanut butter and jelly, instant oatmeal packets, cans of tuna or salmon and boxes of pasta among a number of much needed perishable food sources.

Founded in 1990, Mama’s Kitchen works to feed over 800 low-income men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS or cancer each day at no cost. Statistics from the organization show that one trip alone to the Pantry can provide 19 meals to a family in need. In addition, the Pantry provided 112,366 meals to their clients in 2013 Mama’s Kitchen says the need for this service is projected to increase in the coming years.

Those interested can contact Bill Patten at [email protected] or call 619-233-6262 to schedule a barrel delivery and pick up once the food drive has ended. For more information about the “Independence from Hunger” food drive and to download a toolkit with ideas on how to host a successful food drive, visit mamaskitchen.org/events/events.php.

Smart Parking Meters approved for San Diego

Council President Todd Gloria announced Monday, June 16 the approval of a contract that would replace 97 percent of San Diego’s parking meters in exchange for new meters that would allow customers to pay with credit cards, as well as provide the City with more efficient ways to collect data on parking trends in San Diego.

“Smart meters will finally bring San Diego’s parking management infrastructure into the 21st century,” Gloria stated in a press release. “With more user-friendly parking meters, customers will be able to more easily patronize the small businesses throughout Downtown, Uptown and Mid-City, contributing to the economic development of our city.”

The five-year agreement between the City of San Diego and parking meter company IPS, Inc. will cost more than $8 million, of which more than $3 million will be funded by the Community Parking District and the rest will be covered by meter revenue throughout the five-year period, which ends in November 2018.

Of the 5,700 metered parking spaces managed by the City, the majority are more than 10 years old and only accept coin or the outdated pre-loaded parking cards. The smart meters are expected to be installed this fall.

Local art show benefits environmental cause

South Park’s Next Door Gallery will feature art advocating for environmental activism from now until July 6. Environmentalist and artist Amelia Simpson will showcase the world’s environmental issues through a series of collages in her show called “Wilderness Trips.”

“The show plays with themes of contamination, rising waters, and our fossil-fueled trips to oblivion,” Simpson stated in a press release. “I wanted to explore our fixations, our folly, and the wonders of nature.”

Ten percent of proceeds made during Saturday, June 21’s opening reception from 12 – 3 p.m. will benefit the Environmental Health Coalition, an organization dedicated to educating San Diego and Tijuana families on the importance of fighting toxic pollution.

The Next Door Gallery is located at 2963 Beech St. more information on the event can be found at studiomaureen.com/web/wilderness-trips-collages-by-amelia-simpson.

Faulconer commemorates 100th day in office with renewed focus on restoring neighborhoods

Mayor Kevin Faulconer honored his first 100 days in office as San Diego’s Mayor with the “One San Diego” budget, an initiative he says will strengthen the City’s neighborhood services and increase safety.

“We hit the ground running to put that promise into action by aggressively funding infrastructure and neighborhood repairs throughout the City, especially in neighborhoods that needed them the most,” Faulconer stated in a press release.

The $2.97 billion budget will direct more money to infrastructure repair and construction; funding police, fire and lifeguard needs; improving libraries and parks; supporting services for the homeless and increasing transparency on data initiatives.

Faulconer said “One San Diego” will also establish an after-school program for children in academically low-performing regions, double the amount of pothole repairs annually and recruit more police officers and firefighters than in any other year in recent history. Shelley Zimmerman was also appointed as the first female police chief in San Diego history, and renewed focus will be set on strengthening economic ties with Mexico.

“I said on day one that we were writing a new chapter in San Diego, a chapter written by and for the people of San Diego,” Faulconer stated in a press release. “That chapter officially begins today with a budget that ensures all residents have equal access to economic prosperity, quality City services and safe neighborhoods. There is something for every San Diegan and every neighborhood in this budget.”

La Jolla Festival of the Arts returns

Back for its 28th year, the annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts (LIFA) will once again take over UC San Diego’s Warren Field to present over 200 established artists to raise money for adaptive sports, recreation and education programs for people with disabilities. Along with visual art ranging from paintings to sculpture to glass blowing, LIFA will feature several live musicians, including American Idol finalist Casey Abrams.

For the last 27 years, Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation has produced the event and donated 100 percent of proceeds to services for the disabled. Attendees may also enjoy LIFA’s “Restaurant Row,” comprised of several San Diego’s popular eateries such as Stone World Bistro, Homeplate Fries, and Bottaro Pizza. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22. Active-duty military and children 16 and under are free. Advanced single-day ($11) and weekend passes ($13) are available at ljfa.org.

Bernal announces candidacy

Anthony Bernal, long time staffer for Council President Todd Gloria, has announced that he will be running for City Council in 2016.

In a message sent to an undisclosed email list, Bernal explained that he had filed his “candidate intention statement” with the Office of the City Clerk and asked that those in receipt of the email support his candidacy and share his website. District Three, which is currently in the hands of Council President Todd Gloria, includes North Park, Hillcrest, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, Old Town, Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, Middletown, Little Italy, Golden Hill and Downtown San Diego.

As director of business and community projects for the last five years, Bernal served as Gloria’s representative to Downtown, focusing on issues related to public utilities, public works, healthcare, and parks and recreation. Gloria, who will term out in 2016, was first elected to District Three in 2008. For more information about Bernal’s candidacy, visit Bernal4All.com.u