Assembly Speaker Pérez to run for State controller
California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez announced Wednesday, Oct. 9 his intention to run for the office of California State Controller in 2014.
Pérez said that while California’s economy has improved significantly in recent years, considerable work remains to be done. “California has made great strides in its path to recovery, but our work is far from complete. I’m running for Controller to ensure our government reflects the values of the people of California and increases prosperity, by managing our finances smartly, efficiently and effectively,” Pérez said in the announcement. Pérez noted that when he first joined the State Assembly, California’s budget deficit was more than $60 billion, over half the state budget for the year. “Fiscal restraint has been crucial to putting our finances back in the black, and will remain vital to ensuring a prosperous future for our state,” he said. As the first openly gay person to be elected to Assembly Speaker in the country, Pérez has been a longtime advocate on behalf of the LGBT Community. He has been especially active in the fight against HIV/AIDS, serving as a leader with AIDS Project Los Angeles, the Latino Coalition against AIDS and the California Center for Regional Leadership.
Home Start opens second shelter
Providing a safe, secure and supportive housing environment for homeless young mothers, Home Start has expanded its maternity shelter program by opening a second location in Normal Heights.
The shelter has been renovated to house five young mothers, ages 18 to 24, and their children. In addition to providing secure housing, Home Start’s maternity shelter program provides supportive services tailored specifically for homeless young mothers, including mental health counseling, self sufficiency training, job training, and nutrition and health education.
“This is truly a life-changing environment for these low-income families,” CEO of Home Start Laura Mustari said. “By providing for their basic needs, we give young mothers the opportunity to seek education and stability, so they can build a healthy foundation for their families.”
The Oct. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Interim Mayor Todd Gloria, County Supervisor Ron Roberts, as well as Home Start and HomeAid San Diego representatives, and included tours of the property.
The property’s renovation was made possible through a partnership with HomeAid San Diego, a nonprofit organization, which leverages its relationships in the building and real estate industries to assist nonprofit service providers with their building and maintenance needs.
For more information about Home Start, please call (619) 692-0727 ext. 144 or visit www.home-start.org. For more information on HomeAid San Diego, visit www.homeaidsd.org or call (858) 793-6292.
San Diego’s ‘fainting girl’ awarded ARCS fellowship
Karmel Allison gained a bit of national spotlight on Monday, Oct. 21 when she nearly fainted while standing behind President Barack Obama as he spoke on the importance of Obamacare and its benefits, particularly young people with pre-existing conditions like Allison. Allison, a University of California San Diego student, stepped back into the spotlight once again, receiving a fellowship from the ARCS Foundation.
Led entirely by women, this national non-profit organization seeks to support the growth of scholarship in science, engineering and medical research. Since 1987, the local chapter has given a total of $3.9 million in unrestricted funds to UC San Diego, which students may use to complete research, cover travel expenses or fulfill other financial obligations.
Allison is currently working within the bioinformatics department, studying potential therapies for autoimmune diseases like diabetes. Formerly a software engineer, Allison was diagnosed with diabetes at age nine and wanted to learn more about her own condition. Several years ago she began working at a laboratory on campus and was soon inspired to pursue her graduate degree in computational biology.
“It is an honor to be selected as a fellow and be associated with these talented ARCS scholars,” Allison said. “The fellowship support affords me more time and freedom to spend advancing my research instead of worrying about a means to fund my work.”
The San Diego chapter of ARCS Foundation, Inc. awarded 31 UC San Diego graduate students with fellowship awards totaling $222,500 for the 2013-14 academic year.
Goodwill opens in Hillcrest
On Oct. 17, Goodwill celebrated the grand opening of its new store in the heart of Hillcrest at 1219 University Ave. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and free cake. “We are pleased to finally open the doors to Goodwill’s newest retail store in Hillcrest,” Mike Rowan, CEO of Goodwill Industries of San Diego County said. “Unique home décor, books, decorative items and quality gently used clothing and accessories have been flowing into Goodwill since we began accepting donations last July, so we have literally thousands of items available for purchase.”
“This location created more than 25 new jobs at Goodwill for San Diegans,” Beth Forsberg, VP of Operations added. “All of our staff is in place and we’ve been working really hard to make this a ‘go-to’ destination in Hillcrest. A stylish neighborhood like this brings top end donations that will please our shoppers, and help us to create more jobs for San Diegans.”
The new store and donation center will be open 7 days a week. For more information on this and other locations, visit sdgoodwill.org.
Councilmember David Alvarez endorsed by top Unified School Board members
Vocal education supporter Councilmember David Alvarez received the endorsements of six San Diego education leaders in his race to become Mayor. San Diego Unified School District Board of Education President John Lee Evans, Vice President Kevin Beiser joined and Board Members Richard Barrera and Marne Foster—four of the five SDUSB members—announced their support for the young democratic candidate on Monday, Oct. 21.
Also offering their endorsements were San Diego County Board of Education Member Greg Robinson and Sandy Mattson, former McKinley Elementary PTA president.
“Two-thirds of children in San Diego Unified School District qualify for free and reduced lunch programs, meaning two-thirds of our students are living in poverty,” Barrera stated. “When we think about the goal of creating a quality school in every neighborhood, we need to know that the person in the Mayor’s office understands the lives of our students beyond the classroom make an impact on their ability to succeed in school and in life.”
Boathouse owners buy Gathering restaurant in Mission Hills
From SDGLN.com
Katherin Poythress – UT San Diego
A Mission Hills mainstay is getting a new owner, a new look and a new name.
John and Jill Ealy are buying The Gathering Bar and Grill, a 2,500-square-foot restaurant established in 1986 and known for its traditional American fare and weekly magic acts, with plans to overhaul the dining space and rename it Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar.
The siblings operated the now-closed Ole Madrid in the Gaslamp Quarter and now collectively own Zelda’s on the Beach in Capitola, Betty’s Beach Cafe in Lahaina, Hawaii, Ideal Bar & Grill in Santa Cruz and the Boathouse Restaurant in San Diego.
Utility Undergrounding Advisory Group approved by Land Use and Housing
On Wednesday, October 23, the San Diego Land Use and Housing Committee voted unanimously in favor of creating a Utility Undergrounding Advisory Group, likely intended to address the many complaints of San Diego residents regarding the presence of utility boxes. The plan for the board was presented by Chiefs of Staff Stephen Hill and Ricardo Flores from the offices of Council President Gloria and Councilmember Emerald, respectively. It was stated that Community Planners Committee Chair Joe LaCava will chair the advisory group, which would consist of 14 other members, although Councilmember David Alvarez pointed out that LaCava would have to go through the same approval process as other community members on the board. This entails being nominated by a councilmember, appointed by the council president and confirmed by the city council. The board is planned to consist of seven members of the public, six members from utilities (two each designated by SDG&E, Cox and AT&T), and two city staff members (one each from the Utility Undergrounding Program and Engineering & Capital Projects). Absent from the board will be representatives from Time Warner Cable, which opted to be left out of the committee when approached. TWC did not immediately respond to a request to comment. The board is planned to have a one-year timeline.
Jennifer Knapp to perform and speak in North Park
Jennifer Knapp, who first visited San Diego twice in 2010 during her “Letting Go” tour, is returning for two more appearances. The first will be an 8 p.m. performance on Friday, Nov. 1 at The Irenic, otherwise known as Missiongathering Church, located at 3090 Polk Ave. in North Park. The historic building underwent a complete transformation when it was refurbished two years ago for the evangelical but progressive Christian community it now hosts. It doubles as an intimate, all-ages entertainment venue on Friday nights, making it a fitting location for the Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning musician, who is a former Christian music chart topper. Knapp’s return to music in 2010 after a seven-year hiatus aligned with her choice to come out, and her music transitioned more to mainstream folk. After touring amidst constant questions about being gay and Christian, Knapp launched the nonprofit “Inside Out Faith” in 2011 as a way to reach out to LGBT people of faith and to open dialogue between them and her other faith-based fans. On Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., Knapp will hold an IOF speaking engagement at Missiongathering Church. Tickets to Knapp’s Friday, Nov. 1 performance are $20 in advance, $22 at the door. Her “Inside Out Faith” series is open and free to the public. To purchase advance tickets or to learn more about Knapp and her nonprofit, visit jenniferknapp.com or insideoutfaith.org.
Uptown Interim Height Ordinance to be heard by full council
At its Oct. 23 meeting, the Land Use and Housing subcommittee unanimously approved an amendment to the Mid-City Communities Planned District Ordinance, also known as the “Interim Height Ordinance,” which would effectively prevent high-rise developments in the area. If passed maximum building heights would be 50 feet in Mission Hills and 65 feet in Hillcrest. The full council will hear the item on their Nov. 5 meeting.
Boxer reiterates importance of bill regulating debt limit negotiation
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) renewed her call for the passing of the USA AAA Credit Restoration Act, which was introduced in 2011 following the first of now several financial scares caused by debt ceiling debates. According to boxer, the proposed legislation would establish a predictable and fair process for considering an increase in the debt limit.
“The USA AAA Credit Restoration Act would prevent a repeat of the manufactured default crises we have endured twice in the last three years by ensuring that Congress always pays its bills—just like America’s businesses and families,” Boxer said.
The bill was first introduced on Oct. 13, but died in committee. The bill was reintroduced by Boxer in January of this year and currently resides in the Finance Committee.
While there is debate on the degree of catastrophe that would occur were the U.S. to default on its debts, there have been measurable impacts via lost confidence in U.S. markets—the stock market plunged 2,000 points in 2011 after the last debt limit crisis.