Modern Home Tour returns

On Sept. 27, the 2014 San Diego Modern Home Tour will showcase eight homes from San Diego to Encinitas exemplifying modern architecture. Several of the homes are in or around Uptown, including a canyon-side home in Presidio Park/Old Town, the Shayan House in Mission Hills, “Union 4” in Bankers Hill and Sofia Lofts in Golden Hill.

Tour-goers transport themselves to each home and set their own pace for touring each location. Advanced tickets are $30, or $40 day-of. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets must be picked up at one of three will-call locations. Visit modernhometours.com for tickets, information and photos of the featured homes.

The Law Office of Henry Ahrens joins Soles4Souls as drop-off location

Uptown bankruptcy and immigration law firm, the Law Office of Henry Ahrens (4379 30th St., North Park), is now an official drop-off location for the global anti-poverty organization, Soles4Souls Inc.

As such, the office will collect new and gently worn shoes throughout the year for the charity, which sells used shoes and clothing to create sustainable jobs and fund relief efforts around the world. The organization also distributes new shoes and clothing to those in need in the U.S. and worldwide.

Visit soles4shoes.org for more information about the program.

Drive Like Jehu reunites for one-off show

’90s San Diego post-hardcore band Drive Like Jehu recently performed a one-off reunion show at the Spreckels Organ Pavilian in Balboa Park on Sunday, Aug. 31. Although the band released just two albums before disbanding nearly 20 years ago, it drew a large audience at the outdoor venue known for hosting orchestral acts rather than alternative rock music.

Hillcrest Business Association elections

At 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the board of directors of the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) will hold its annual meeting at Snooze, AM Eatery (3940 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest). Attendees will receive the nonprofit’s 2014 Annual Report, and present members (or by proxy) will elect eight new board members to serve through 2016, two to serve through 2015. Members will also choose the HBA’s representatives to the Uptown Community Parking District. An HBA member may nominate themselves or other members by returning a nomination petition to the HBA (3737 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest) by Friday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. For more information and to receive a nomination form contact the HBA at 619-299-3330 or visit hillcrestbia.org.

Uptown Planners vote in favor of ‘Transforming Hillcrest’ plan

At their Sept. 2 meeting, the Uptown Planners, the city-recognized volunteer board advising on land-use and development issues in Uptown, voted to support a development plan created by local architect Jim Frost known as “Transforming Hillcrest.”

The plan is often called an alternative to SANDAG’s impending Uptown Bicycle Corridor through Hillcrest on University Avenue, although SANDAG has yet to release any preliminary drafts of the plan. The plan would reduce University Avenue to a single lane of traffic in either direction, devoting the saved space to parking, bike lanes and pedestrian space.

The Uptown Planners voted to recommend that SANDAG consider incorporating design elements of Frost’s plan into their own, and to perform a traffic study analyzing the feasibility of the proposal.

The Hillcrest Business Association, which has advocated strongly for Frost’s plan, will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Bombay Exotic Cuisine of India, 3960 Fifth Ave., where Frost will present and discuss his proposal.

Fletcher launches veteran-supporting nonprofit

Former California assemblymember and Marine Corps veteran Nathan Fletcher recently announced the launch of the Three Wise Men Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at raising awareness for issues veterans often face transitioning from combat duty to civilian life. “It’s a tragedy that between as many as 50 veterans kill themselves every day in America, often as a result of untreated psychological trauma inflicted by combat,” Fletcher stated in a press release. “If we truly honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion, it’s our duty to ensure that those who survive combat can also survive the transition home.” The organization derives its name from Fletcher’s three cousins: brothers Ben, Jeremy and Beau Wise. The latter two were killed in action serving in Afghanistan; the former is an active duty Marine. The foundation’s first event will take place on the deck of the USS Midway on Oct. 18. Proceeds will go toward increasing veteran access to support and services addressing veteran suicide. Visit threewisementribute.org for more information.

Police department foundation to hold annual gala

The San Diego Police Foundation will hold their annual Gold Shield Gala, “The Future’s So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades,” on Oct. 4 to raise money for the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). This year’s gala specifically benefits the foundation’s “K9 Crimefighters Campaign,” which aims to fund new canines for SDPD’s K9 Unit. Seventeen of the department’s 31 police service dogs are expected to retire within the next three years. Each canine costs approximately $30,000. Tickets for the formal event are available for $185 per person or $1,750 for a 10-person table. They may be reserved by calling 619-232-2130 or by visiting sdpolicefoundation.org.

King Tut exhibition tickets go on sale

Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming Natural History Museum exhibit, “The Discovery of King Tut.” The exhibition will make its West Coast debut in San Diego on Oct. 11, featuring over 1,000 replicated artifacts hand-crafted by Egyptian artisans. It also walks visitors through the historically iconic tomb of Tutankhamen. In honor of the San Diego Museum Council’s “Kids Free in October” program, the museum will admit the first 500 children (ages 3-12) for free when accompanying a ticket-purchasing adult. General admission tickets are $27, with discounts for members and certain demographics. Purchase tickets and find more information at sdnat.org/kingtut or call 877-946-7797.

Local landscape architect awards now open

The San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects is now accepting nominees for its 2014 Design Awards Program, which recognizes outstanding works of landscape architecture and environmental planning. Entry form and payments are due by Sept. 12. Entry submissions must be sent by Sept. 26 to the San Diego chapter office, 1050 Rosecrans St., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92106. Late submissions are not acceptable. The entry fee is $120 for ASLA members, $200 for nonmembers. Design award categories include Communications, Commercial, Environmental, Historical/Landmark, Institutional, Parks/Rec/Trails, Planning/Analysis, Public/Municipal, Pro Bono, Single Family, Multi Family and Un-built Works. The entry form and more information are available at asla-sandiego.org.