HBA forms sustainability committee

The Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) held their first sustainability committee meeting Tuesday, June 18 at Snooze – An A.M. Eatery. The committee is headed by current board member Nicholas Papantonakis of Snooze and HBA staff member Cassandra Ramhap, and Ramhap said the first meeting was in part to discuss three focus areas: zero waste events, business and community education, and a potential community garden. The committee was formed out of increased “interest and passion for a more sustainable Hillcrest,” Ramhap said, emphasizing the importance to reach both businesses and residents. “This committee really believes in a strong relationship between business owners and residents in Hillcrest. There is no way we can do this divided.” As an initial step, the committee will be auditing the HBA’s Sunday Farmers Market on June 30, where they will walk the market and observe ways to help make it more sustainable. Ten people attended the first meeting, and Ramhap said they welcome more participation, including at the June 30 Farmers Market walkthrough. “People are really excited and enthusiastic,” she said. Regular meetings will be held at the HBA office, 3737 Fifth Ave., the third Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m., with the next scheduled for July 16. For more information and to participate call 619-299-3330.

Former CalTrans building to be transferred to park system

The former CalTrans headquarters located near Old Town State Park will be transferred to the state parks system after the final state budget is approved. Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins successfully persuaded the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee to approve the transfer, Atkins announced in a press release June 11. The building, located at the southwest corner of Juan and Taylor streets, was built on the site of the first permanent European settlement in California and of a Kumeyaay Native American village, dating to 500 CE. The site will either be integrated into the Old Town State Park or developed as a separate historic park, the release stated. “This is a three-way win for the people of California and San Diego,” Atkins said in the release. “This action preserves a site rich with our heritage and removes an eyesore from the historic center of our city, all without cost to taxpayers.” The agreement was in limbo for several years as CalTrans vacated the building in 2006 and, after failing to reach an agreement with the parks department, began the process of auctioning the property to private investors. In the transfer, the state will not be purchasing the property from CalTrans. Development for the property is being discussed and will most likely include demolishing the former CalTrans building.

City Deli in Hillcrest slated for new ownership

Announced Tuesday, June 18, City Delicatessen at the intersection of University and Sixth avenues will soon be under new ownership. Michael Wright and Alan Bilmes opened the restaurant in 1984. Under the pending purchase, partners Tom Brown, Frank Lechner and Mike “Big Mike” Phillips will retain the restaurant’s furnishings and full liquor license for approximately $325,000, U-T San Diego reporter Lori Weisberg said in a story printed Thursday, June 20. Following the sale, Brown, Lechner and Phillips will rebrand the location as Harvey Milk’s American Diner, in honor of the LGBT civil-rights activist. In the U-T article, Brown said they had support from the Harvey Milk Foundation, led by Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk. In a separate article printed June 20 in LGBT Weekly, Phillips said they had been working on plans for a Harvey Milk diner for three years. Pending the sale, staffing and remodel, Brown said they intend to open by August or September.

Hillcrest rummage sale returns June 27

Members of the congregation of University Christian Church in Hillcrest will once again welcome the community into their Friendship Hall for one of San Diego’s oldest and biggest rummage sales. The community sale opens 9 a.m. Thursday, June 27 and organizers said they expect a “long line of shoppers.” The sale is June 27 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and June 29 from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds support local and international charities, including the Heifer Project International, Big Sister League, the Monarch School and Education Project International. Church members will be sorting items – from antiques, jewelry and furniture to clothing and collectibles – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 24 – 26. The sale is sponsored by the church’s Disciples Women organization, and will be located at 3900 Cleveland Ave.

Rose Wine Pub honored as Small Business of the Year

South Park’s The Rose Wine Pub was honored as Small Business of the Year for the 78th Assembly District at a ceremony held in Sacramento, Calif. June 10. Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins congratulated The Rose owner Susan Prise at the ceremony and special business appreciation luncheon. “Rose Wine Pub is a place to gather and relax with neighbors and friends in a pleasant, warm atmosphere of good food and drink,” Atkins said in a press release. “This local establishment captures the essence of the surrounding area and exemplifies why San Diego is known as a cosmopolitan city of neighborhoods.” Located at 2219 30th St., the establishment was named for the restored 1927 Rose Grocery building it now occupies, as well as in honor of Prise’s grandmother, Rose Miranda.

Takeda California helps restore habitats for environment day

On Friday, June 21, a group of Takeda California employees and their family members joined The San Diego River Park Foundation in Alpine, Calif. and the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park to help restore native habitats, in part to honor World Environment Day, which is celebrated June 5. Takeda, a San Diego-based subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited of Japan, is “dedicated to making positive impacts across the region,” a press release stated. “Our employees take pride in keeping San Diego beautiful,” said Keith Wilson, Takeda California president and chief scientific officer, in the release before the cleanup. Wilson is also a resident of Mission Hills. “We are committed to improving peoples’ health and giving back to our communities to improve our local environment,” he said. As part of the efforts, the groups worked to restore trails at the Peutz Creek Reserve in Alpine, and removed weeds, non-native plants and habitat restoration in Balboa Park. Both are repeat sites for Takeda volunteer work. “We are ecstatic to have Takeda California helping us again,” said Dennis Otsuji, Friendship Garden board president, in the release. “It is companies like [Takeda] and volunteers like their employees that help maintain the Garden for the public to enjoy.”

Special Delivery receives $57,000 grant

The Thursday Club Junior gave Special Delivery San Diego, a nonprofit that has prepared and served meals to over 4,500 individuals with HIV, AIDS, cancer, heart disease or other life-threatening illnesses since its inception in 1991, a grant for $57,000. Founder and Executive Director Ruth Henricks said the organization was “very pleased and honored” for the recognition. “We are thrilled to receive this very generous award from such a wonderful local organization,” Henricks said in the announcement. “This contribution will be used to help us continue our work of delivering nutritious meals to over 250 unduplicated men, women and children.” Special Delivery clients typically receive two cold and one hot meal daily, groceries and the ability to shop in the organization’s food pantry, representatives said. Special Delivery is located in Mission Hills at 4021 Goldfinch St., and Henricks said the grant would also help them to stock the pantry with “many much-needed, nutrient-sense super foods.” For more information visit specialdeliverysandiego.com or call 619-297-7373.