Black political icon Leon Williams celebrates 100 years
Local elected officials and community leaders honored longtime political and equal rights leader Leon L. Williams with special awards Saturday to help celebrate his 100th birthday. Williams was awarded a Life Achievement Award by the County.
Williams was elected San Diego’s first Black city councilman in 1969 and first Black county supervisor in 1982. And is the namesake of the County’s Leon L. Williams Human Relations Commission.
Community leaders and officials who know and worked with Williams wanted to honor his continued commitment and historic contributions to our County.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Nathan Fletcher thanked Williams for his years of service.
“We know it wasn’t easy and we also know the path was made easier for others because of what you went through,” said Fletcher.
While receiving the award, Williams thanked the community that he served for so many years.
“I didn’t know that people appreciated the struggles that we all had to make, not just me, I wasn’t the only one struggling in those days to create more fairness amongst human beings,” said Williams.
Many local officials participated in the program included City Mayor Todd Gloria, Rep. Sarah Jacobs, California Senate President pro Temp Toni Atkins, Jamul Indian Village of California Chairwoman Erica M. Pinto and Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission Chair Ellen Nash.
The award celebration was held at the San Diego County Administration Center and was accompanied by a resource fair featuring numerous County services and programs.
Foster kids graduate
Promises2Kids held its annual Guardian Scholars Awards Reception on July 13, 2022, at Julep. The event, which was presented by ESET, celebrated this year’s 54 graduates and welcomed 60 new Guardian Scholars and all returning students into the program. 170 guests were in attendance, including Guardian Scholars, mentors, and donors.
Promises2Kids is dedicated to creating a brighter future for foster children in San Diego. From the moment they come into foster care and through to adulthood, Promises2Kids provides the hope, support, and opportunities these special individuals need to change their lives for the better. Programs include Camp Connect, Guardian Scholars, Foster Funds, and the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center.
Promises2Kids’ Guardian Scholars supports foster youth in their pursuit of their educational and career goals. This provides former foster youth with mentoring, case management and a financial scholarship to pursue their educational dreams, determine a career path and advance to complete their vocational training, community college or university education.85% of Guardian Scholars graduate, compared to the 8% who graduate nationwide.
Millions in scholarships for local college students
San Diego Foundation awarded $3.5 million in scholarships to 983 local college students at its annual Community Scholarships Program awards ceremony on July 30. Scholarship recipients, their loved ones, and San Diego Foundation donors and volunteers convened at the San Diego Zoo to celebrate another record-breaking year and honor the next generation of San Diego leaders.
The Community Scholarships Program helps foster equity of opportunity for San Diegans, a priority of the San Diego Foundation Strategic Plan. Investing in local students is one of the most advantageous ways to advance equity in the region and increase access and resources for San Diegans facing barriers to realizing full and healthy lives.
“Students of color from low-income communities face unique challenges and many do not have the support and access to resources or money they need to pursue a higher education,” said Danielle Valenciano, Director of Community Scholarships at San Diego Foundation. “These scholarships allow us to directly support college students, so they can spend less time working, incur less debt and dedicate themselves to focus on what matters most – obtaining their degree.”
Historically, Black, Latinx and low-income students continue to be underrepresented in higher education. Among the 2022 – 2023 scholarship recipients, 69% are first-generation college students, or the first in their immediate families to pursue a higher education, and 93% of students who are considered low-income, according to their Earned Family Contribution data.
Applications were submitted by more than 16,000 local high school, community college, graduate and adult re-entry students studying a variety of subjects, including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); health sciences; business; and arts and education, among others. More than 50% of those who applied were affiliated with a college access and readiness program such as AVID, Reality Changers and TRIO/Upward Bound.
“As a low-income student, affording college was something that was always on my mind,” said Meliya Russom, scholarship recipient and incoming freshman at University of California Los Angeles. “Early on in high school, I promised myself that I wouldn’t have my parents carry the financial burden of paying for my education, and the San Diego Foundation has helped me keep this promise.”
The Community Scholarships Program is made possible through the generous support of 146 unique charitable scholarship funds at San Diego Foundation established by local donors. As the largest scholarship program in the region, outside of the university system, San Diego Foundation has awarded $40 million to more than 10,000 college students since 1997. To learn more about opening a scholarship fund, visit SDFoundation.org/ScholarshipFund.
Stuff the Bus fundraiser extended
So far, $47,857 has been donated to SDCCU Stuff the Bus to help provide back-to-school supplies for students in need. This is the eighth year in a row that San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) has partnered with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and iHeartMedia radio stations in support of Live Well San Diego to raise funds for students experiencing homelessness. To help reach our goal of $100,000, the campaign is being extended through August 31.
“We are beyond appreciative for all donations from members of the community to this year’s SDCCU Stuff the Bus campaign,” said SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Campbell. “We are excited to extend the fundraiser to allow more time to meet our goal to enable us to provide the support these students experiencing homelessness need heading into the new school year.”
Monetary donations can be made through the end of August at sdccu.com/donate.
Atkins’ appoints local to California Rehabilitation Oversight Board
On Aug. 3, the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), appointed Tamika Nelson to the California Rehabilitation Oversight Board. Ms. Nelson fulfills the requirement for one county chief probation officer to be appointed to this office.
“Tamika Nelson has over two decades of experience working with communities and individuals on probation in California,” Pro Tem Atkins said. “The Rehabilitation Oversight Board will benefit greatly from her legal and criminal justice expertise, as well as her tireless work ethic.”
Tamika Nelson, J.D. is the Chief Probation Officer for the San Diego County Probation Department. Previously, she served the San Joaquin County Probation Department in various roles for 22 years, most recently as the department’s Assistant Chief Probation Officer. She is a member of the American Probation and Parole Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, and Chief Probation Officers of California.
Tamika Nelson lives in San Diego and the term is at the pleasure of the Senate Rules Committee. Compensation is not stated.
Great San Diego Scavenger Hunt
The city of sun and fun has a new way to get active and explore San Diego with the first annual Great San Diego Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, August 27th, 2022. Participants are invited to gather their most intrepid pals for the adventure of a lifetime throughout the city. In teams of four players, attendees will explore hidden gems and local haunts of San Diego’s most beloved neighborhoods while supporting small businesses. Scavenger Hunt teams will explore across San Diego and complete puzzles in classic San Diego neighborhoods like Hillcrest, the Gaslamp Quarter, Adams Avenue, North Park, and many others. Some of the puzzles may be difficult, like tracking down a gourmet donut, while others will be simple, like snapping a selfie Hillcrest’s Mural Alley. The Great San Diego Scavenger Hunt will kick off at 8 a.m. at the North Park Mini Park and will take to the streets promptly thereafter, with participating neighborhoods offering five to seven scavenger hunt stops within their area, completing missions at each stop.
Participants will want to bring their thinking caps as this scavenger hunt will put even the most resourceful to the test! Through deciphering clever riddles, teasing tongue twisters, pop quizzes, and more, teams will gain points to see who will have the chance of being at the top at the end of the hunt. Missions will be a mix of the following submissions: photo, video, text, and GPS check-in. Each mission will be assigned a difficulty level and corresponding point value. Extra bonus points will be awarded to teams and individuals that display creativity, flair, and resourcefulness during game play and for those for opt for extra challenge like completing the Missions in heels or traveling through the course on bike.
Participants will receive a free swag bag with fresh socks, Great SD Scavenger Hunt backpack, energy kit with snacks, and a first aid kit. Once the hunt is over, official Great San Diego Scavenger Hunt afterparty venues will offer food and drink specials from 5-7 p.m. that evening. Venues will host live leaderboard scores, highlight reels, and virtual awards ceremony where winners are crowned in a variety of categories.
Registration for a team of four players is $120 ($30 per person). For more information and to purchase registration, visit greatsdscavengerhunt.com.
The Great San Diego Scavenger Hunt is made possible by the Business Improvement District Alliance (BID Alliance). Participating neighborhood scavenger hunts are brought to you by The Gaslamp Quarter Association, Adams Avenue Business Association, Fabulous Hillcrest and the Hillcrest Business Association, the College Area Business District, Mission Hills Business Improvement District, and the North Park Main Street Business Improvement District.
Three innovative transportation concepts move forward
In November 2021, SANDAG released a request for innovative concepts to partner with the private sector to develop and deliver cutting-edge transportation solutions for the San Diego region in the next five to 10 years.
“The world class transportation system envisioned in the 2021 Regional Plan is now one step closer to being a reality,” said SANDAG Chair and Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear. “We’re on track to implement innovative transportation solutions within the next decade that will truly serve our communities and connect the San Diego region like never before. We look forward to working with all of our partners to make this happen.”
In response to the request released in November, 18 companies submitted transportation service concepts that leverage new technology, transportation trends, and project delivery methods. Each concept underwent an evaluation of its ability to advance the goals of the 2021 Regional Plan to improve equitable access to travel choices and address climate goals.
SANDAG has selected three concepts to advance to the second phase of the competitive process. Beep, Inc., Globalvia, and Cordoba Corporation were each awarded a $50,000 stipend to develop their concepts further.
“Our region is poised to lead the nation in implementing next-generation transportation technologies,” said SANDAG CEO Hasan Ikhrata. “SANDAG is proud to try a new way of doing business to deliver first-in-the-nation concepts that will bring our Regional Plan to life.”
The three finalists were chosen for the potential of their innovative concepts in addressing distinct aspects of the region’s transportation vision. SANDAG will spend the next few months working with the teams and regional partners to better understand what implementation could look like in our region. This fall, the finalists will publicly unveil their refined concepts to a SANDAG panel and up to three concepts could be selected to participate in a working partnership to fund, plan, design, and construct the proposal.
Beep, Inc., in partnership with Balfour Beatty, Kittleson, and TESIAC, proposes implementing mobility hubs to create a network of autonomous electric shuttles designed as a neighborhood circulator. The alternative transportation network will provide first- and last-mile connections to existing transit services. These mobility hubs will include strategically located electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and placemaking amenities to support the mobility networks. Additional electric charging investments, including microgrids, substations, and solar power, are proposed future concepts in these locations to support growth and enable the first demonstrated self-sustaining electric mobility hub.
“Redefining mobility requires transformative solutions that enhance connectivity to existing transit services and provide sustainable transportation options for all,” said Beep CEO Joe Moye.
At the U.S.-Mexico border, Cordoba Corporation, in partnership with Sener, Rincon, Kleinfelder, iteris, Fehr & Peers, Gruen Associates, Cal y Mayor, Kosmont, VMA, and MBI, proposes the first-of-its-kind transit border crossing in the country. The concept is to extend the Blue Line Trolley one mile into Tijuana, expand the San Ysidro Transit Center, build connecting pre-clearance border crossing facilities, and provide improved traveler information through Intelligent Transportation System upgrades. The plan seeks to optimize border infrastructure, enhance mobility, reduce congestion, improve air quality for border communities and those who cross the border regularly.
“Cordoba’s proposed concept modernizes mobility in the Cali-Baja Region, fast tracks delivery for an efficient and secure border crossing, all while mitigating congestion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, meeting environmental justice principles, advancing social equity, revitalizing our urban core in Tijuana and San Diego, and strengthening U.S.-Mexico relations to uphold our North American competitiveness and quality of life,” said Director of Programs and Policy, Cordoba Corp Jacqueline Reynoso.
Cavnue in partnership with Globalvia, Meridiam, AECOM, and Via, proposes a state-of-the-art, next generation managed lanes network to improve the speed and reliability of transit and shared mobility services. The technology-enabled infrastructure will improve safety, optimize the performance of existing roadways in the region, and prepare San Diego’s infrastructure for autonomous driving and connected vehicles. New on-demand transit services provide first-mile/last-mile connects and feed into the modernized managed lanes.
Co-founder and CEO of Cavnue Tyler Duvall said, “We are eager to collaborate with SANDAG and local stakeholders to explore opportunities to adapt existing and new roadway environments for connected and automated vehicles that will allow for safer, faster and more widely available transportation throughout the San Diego region.”
Airport exceeds 2 million passengers served in June
San Diego International Airport in June reached a COVID-19 pandemic record number of passengers served in one month, 2,068,397, making it the first time the airport welcomed more than 2 million passengers since December 2019. When compared year over year, passenger traffic is up 30.2 percent.
The milestone also marks the closest the airport has come to reaching pre-pandemic passenger numbers; June ended 90.5 percent of 2019 traffic.
When compared to the previous month (May 2022), June passenger traffic was up 7.9 percent. The greatest number of people were served on Sunday, June 26 with more than 82,000 passengers.
“SAN has seen a steady increase in passenger numbers as demand for summer travel continues,” said Kimberly Becker, president and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “Reaching more than two million passengers is a milestone we can celebrate as our region continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2022, the airport served more than 10 million passengers. A 72.8 percent increase in passenger traffic year over year. Detailed reports of SAN air traffic statistics are available at san.org/News/Air-Traffic-Reports.
Reduced pet adoption fees
San Diego Humane Society is reducing adoption fees for dogs, cats, kittens and small pets during a nationwide campaign to “Clear the Shelters” in partnership with NBC Universal and Telemundo. Aug. 2-31, 2022, you can adopt a dog, cat or kitten for $20 and a small pet for $5 at any of San Diego Humane Society’s campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego.
To help people continue to practice safe social distancing, this year’s Clear the Shelters adoption event will span an entire month, just like in 2020 and 2021. The longer adoption drive will allow for spaced-out adoption consultations at San Diego Humane Society’s campuses.
Out of the 703,048 animals who have found homes during the Clear the Shelters campaign nationwide since 2015, 4,402 were adopted from San Diego Humane Society.
“Every year, we look forward to clearing our shelters and getting deserving pets into homes,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. “Right now we have more than 600 animals available for adoption and they are all ready to give and receive love. Adopting a pet is incredibly rewarding, because each time we find one of them a new home, we create space for another animal who needs our help.”
Marriott’s Downtown hotel sold to two East Coast management companies
Marriott’s 245-room Courtyard San Diego Downtown Hotel has been sold for an undisclosed price to an affiliate of New York City-based Certares Management LLC in partnership with Philadelphia-based HHM. Michael DiPrima and Diana Simpson with CBRE Hotels handled negotiations for the seller.
The sale marks the duo’s eighth hotel transaction in the San Diego metro since June 2021, the most of any investment sales team in the region. In that time, DiPrima and Simpson have worked approximately a half billion dollars in hotel transactions in San Diego.
“San Diego is the greatest hotel market on the West Coast and possibly the country,” said DiPrima. “The metro is seeing more transaction activity than any other region in Southern California, and a lot of that has to do with its booming tourism and leisure activity, as well as the tremendous amount of life sciences and technology development underway.”
Located at 530 South Broadway in Downtown San Diego, the historic hotel was originally built as the San Diego Trust & Savings Bank in 1928 and converted into a hotel in 1999. The hotel features a grand lobby with 32-foot-high ceilings, 4,800 square feet of meeting space including the Safe Deposit room with the original 47,000-pound Mosler Safe Company vault door, and 245 guest rooms that recently underwent a $4.5 million renovation.
Scripps renovated historic college building
A historic structure built nearly a century ago to train nurses is now taking on a new purpose, as the recently rehabilitated Woltman Family College Building at Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego has opened its doors this month for cancer support services for patients and families.
Built in 1926, the Italian Renaissance-style building was previously known as the Mercy College of Nursing. After the college closed in 1970, the building was used for various purposes until the San Diego Historical Resources Board designated it a historic site in 1999. Since then, it has stood mostly vacant until rehabilitation work started in 2020.
“The Mercy College of Nursing is an important link to the histories of both Scripps and San Diego, so we’re thrilled to preserve its legacy for future generations,” said Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder. “This is an example of smart adaptive use planning that blends the past with the present, enabling us to utilize the space for new purposes as we upgrade the Scripps Mercy San Diego hospital campus. It’s both a window to the past and a lookout to the future.”
The building is renamed the Woltman Family College Building in honor of their philanthropic gift for the project. The rehabilitation began with a detailed adaptive reuse plan to restore the building’s utility in a way that allows an efficient contemporary use, while also preserving its significant historic features. Efforts focused on restoring existing building materials wherever possible and refabricating deteriorated elements to match original specifications as needed.
Today, the structure is home to cancer support services for patients receiving care at Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center locations. Services include patient navigation, pastoral counseling, family consultation, fitness classes, yoga, meditation, a patient resource library, a wig boutique and more.
The rehabilitated building also currently houses various Scripps administrative departments, as well as temporary space for contractors and consultants while they work on the hospital’s ongoing master plan development.
The Woltman Family College Building is a four-story reinforced concrete structure with approximately 42,000-square feet of space.
A decorative concrete facade frames the building’s main entrance, which is accessible through a recessed space adorned with ceramic tile wall treatment, hand-painted tile trim and a terra cotta tile floor. Affixed directly above the original front doors is a historic sign announcing the building’s earlier function: “Mercy College of Nursing.”
Upon entering the building, visitors will encounter a variety of distinctive design features. On the first floor just beyond the main entrance are three decorative fireplaces, located in the former living room, library and study (now part of cancer support services). Each fireplace features original tiles created by Ernest Batchelder, considered an important contributor to the American Arts and Crafts movement of the early 1900s. Other interior building features that have been restored include French and single-panel doors with transom windows, arched corridor passageways, door and window casings, crown molding and built-in cabinetry.
Rehabilitation work also included modern upgrades to meet current functional and regulatory requirements. This included installation of new mechanical systems, such as plumbing, electrical, fire protection and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The building also incorporates several new features to ensure accessibility for the disabled, including an exterior wheelchair lift, an interior elevator, interior ramps and accessible restroom facilities.
Scripps Mercy San Diego is currently in the early stages of master plan development that will involve construction of a new replacement hospital tower and support buildings. The new Prebys Cancer Center, a comprehensive outpatient facility, opened on the campus last fall.
Those interested in visiting the patient resource library and wig boutique at the Woltman Family College Building should make an appointment by contacting [email protected] and people interested in fitness classes can call 1-800-SCRIPPS. Information about ways to support Scripps Mercy Hospital’s master plan development is available at scripps.org/HereforGoodCampaign.
Hillcrest, Normal Heights residents join Episcopal Community Services board
Fueling the organization’s mission to break barriers and transform communities within San Diego, Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is adding four new members to its board of directors to support ongoing program enhancements and increase awareness throughout the community.
New board members include: Hezekiah Herrera, special education teacher for the Alpine Union School District; Erica Martin, senior counsel at San Diego Gas & Electric; Katie Tran, marketing and events director at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Oscar Gomez, chief operations officer at Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. The directors will leverage their unique experience and talent to support ECS’ vision of an equitable society where all have unlimited potential.
“With the reinvigorated focus of our new strategic direction, ECS is tapping into talented partners throughout the San Diego region to join us as we work toward our vision,” said Elizabeth Fitzsimons, CEO of ECS. “Our new board members each bring valuable experience and dedication to our community. They will help fuel ECS’ commitment to working collaboratively through partnerships to advance our shared goals, enhance our programs for greater impact, and strengthen awareness within our community to drive regional change.”
In addition to Herrera’s special education classroom experience, he brings a unique perspective to the board as a former client of ECS’ Para Las Familias program, which provides bilingual behavioral and mental health services to families with young children. His experience as both a teacher and an ECS client will ensure the client experience remains top of mind for the board. Before becoming an educator, he worked in the public affairs and communications field and has also served on multiple city, county and nonprofit organization boards and commissions. Herrera resides in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego with his two children.
Martin is senior counsel at SDG&E and practices in the areas of regulatory and environmental law, representing the company before the California Public Utilities Commission and other federal, state and local agencies. Martin’s knowledge of the regulatory environment and her vast network of relationships throughout the region will help support ECS’ goals for increased partnership and collaboration. In addition to joining the ECS board of directors, Martin currently sits on the advisory board of the Copley-Price YMCA and is the legal advisor to the Vestry at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Carlsbad. She resides in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego with her husband, Kyle, and their two children.
Through her role at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tran’s experience in creatively executing virtual, hybrid and in-person events; profitable budget and contract management; and improving the overall event experience will play a critical role in enhancing ECS’ range of events to reach targeted communities and bring awareness to the organization.
Gomez brings nearly two decades of experience in early childhood education and operations work with nonprofits to his role on the board. He previously served as the deputy of director of child development at MAAC, overseeing the organization’s Head Start program, performance standards and federal reviews.
