Bill Maddox heads to Mt. Everest
In an email dated Tuesday, Sept. 24, Uptown resident Bill Maddox detailed his pending trip to Kathmandu, Nepal – one stopover before his final destination of Mt. Everest – as a result of a targeted fundraising and awareness-raising campaign for a unique treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Maddox, who lives with the disease, is hiking the mountain for the “Raise Awareness, Raise Funds and Raise Hope” campaign, in part to inform the public of non-embryonic stem-cell research for Parkinson’s patients. On Oct. 9, Maddox and his team of 10 climbers depart for a 14-day trek to Mt. Everest’s south base camp, at 17,598 feet. They are scheduled to return home Nov. 2. Maddox prepared for his trip with a series of hikes in San Diego County, he said, as well as a three-day hike at elevations close to 11,700 in California’s Sierra Mountains. “While climbing Mt. Everest sounds so adventurous and romantic, the real deal is that this is an event staged to raise funds. So now that I’m actually going to Nepal, it is time to ask for more support,” Maddox wrote, thanking all those who have been able to donate. Travel expenses are being covered by Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, meaning all donations will go directly to the research. For latest news on Maddox’s trip, as well as more information on the research and ways to contribute, visit summit4stemcell.com.
South Park Walkabout
The fall South Park Walkabout scheduled for Oct. 5 will be themed “Altars & Icons,” Walkabout representatives said on their website. The “Artoberfest” Walkabout will be from 6 – 10 p.m. on 30th Street from Kalmia to Beech streets. “Kick off the fall season with San Diego’s favorite shops and eateries,” representatives said. “Explore and discover all our neighborhood businesses have to offer.” Organized by the South Park Business Group, the quarterly Saturday events are intended to introduce residents and visitors to the businesses in South Park. A free trolley service will be provided from 6 – 10 p.m. and organizers are offering a Walkabout Guide on their website. Specific for the October event, businesses and artists will feature Dia de los Muertos altars and artwork, and Studio Maureen & The Next Door Gallery at 2963 Beech Street will host an opening reception of “Location/Dislocation.” Diego Tattoo Gallery at 1606 Fern St. will be offering 30 percent discounts on all Day of the Dead-related tattoos. For more information, including the guide, visit southparkwalkabout.com or southparkscene.com.
James Hubbell’s Ilan-Lael Foundation celebrates anniversary
International sculpture artist, architect and long-time San Diego resident James Hubbell will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his Ilan-Lael Foundation Saturday, Sept. 28 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest. The celebration will feature food, wine, a silent auction, guest speakers and a pop-up art show featuring Hubbell’s work on loan from private collections. The Ilan-Lael Foundation – Hebrew for “a tree from God” – is an educational nonprofit with a mission to “connect people, art and nature” and help artists become more involved with the San Diego region, a press release said. “Thirty years feels like an impossibly long time,” Hubbell said in the release. “Whenever possible, we try to do things with others. We see nature, art and people as inseparable.” Tickets for the event are $150 per person, and the celebration runs from 5 – 9 p.m. at 4190 Front St. For more information and tickets visit ilanlaelfoundation.org or call 760-765-3427.
Fire damages Hillcrest pet store
A fire damaged Uptown Pets Boutique located at 1251 University Ave. in Hillcrest after breaking out Monday, Sept. 23 at approximately 1:15 p.m. No animals were harmed in the fire, as the business primarily sells pet food, clothing and medical supplies, and one employee exited the building safely. Residents saw smoke and flames coming from the back of the building and called San Diego Fire & Rescue, and witnesses say the fire may have been arson. ABC 10 News reported authorities were in search of a man spotted lighting a piece of cardboard on fire, then feeding it with additional cardboard placed on a wood porch. The man has not been found for questioning. Fire & Rescue representatives said the fire caused $100,000 in damage to the building and $50,000 to merchandise.
Sally and Henry’s advocates for pets
Several pet-centric and dog rescue events have been held at Sally and Henry’s Doghouse Bar & Grill, located at 3515 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest. Co-owner Marc Bragg said he is on a “mission” to help raise funds for sick dogs and to “rescue” various local dog-rescue organizations by being a center for fundraising events. Sally and Henry’s is a full service bar and restaurant for humans, offering an outdoor back patio for dogs. Their mission is to be “the premier hub for hosting dog rescues, dog trainings” and other dog events, like Dog Yoga and Dog Painting. Also a lawyer, Bragg uses his training to advocate for animals that may be euthanized and has created the “Wiley Coyote Fund for Sick Pups” in response to a 2-year-old puppy named Wiley who will need continual blood transfusions to treat an autoimmune disease. Transfusions cost approximately $1,000 each, a press release said. Additionally, Bragg will be hosting a fundraiser for Wiley’s owner on Oct. 5 from 1 – 5 p.m. Three days earlier on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m., Sally & Henry’s will host their first pet-themed trivia night. For more information visit sallyandhenrysdoghouse.com or call 619-501-8638.
Uptown health care hero honored
Mission Hills resident Rosemarie Marshall Johnson was one of two local medical professionals honored by the San Diego County Medical Society Foundation at an evening event held Thursday, Sept. 26. Now in its second year, the “Héroes de la Salud!” ceremony was held at The Abbey in Bankers Hill and highlights the heroic efforts physicians make daily, a press release said. Johnson was presented with the 2013 Health Hero Legacy Award for her volunteerism. As a retired anesthesiologist, she was “instrumental in launching” Project Access San Diego, the release said, serving as the medical community liaison, advocating for care for the uninsured and recruiting volunteers. Project Access is a program of the Medical Society Foundation, serving over 2,100 patients since its inception. Del Mar, Calif. resident Wendy Buchi was honored with the 2013 Health Hero Champion Award, and special recognition went to the team of radiologists at Imaging Healthcare Specialists. For more information visit sdcmsf.org or call 858-300-2777.
San Diego Film Fest returns
The 12th annual San Diego Film Festival returns Oct. 2 – 6, with five days of events, tributes, parties and over 100 film screenings, to be held in venues ranging from Downtown San Diego to La Jolla. The two centerpieces of the festival called “festival villages” will be Reading Cinema at 701 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp, and Arclight Cinemas at 4425 La Jolla Village Dr. at UTC, though some events will be held in other locations. This year’s kick off begins Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. with the Reading Cinema screening of “12 Years as a Slave,” starring Brad Pitt. The film’s producers and screenwriters will be available immediately after for an informative Q&A before moving on to the “After Party” at Bang Bang, located at 526 Market St. The festival’s Red Carpet event will be held Oct. 3 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St. in La Jolla prior to the Visionary Filmmaker and Emerging Producer award ceremony. The “Almost Famous” party returns Oct. 4, at Dollhouse, located at 432 F St. in the Gaslamp. With eight different categories, many films have local ties, including “Breaking Through,” a documentary about the national advancement and visibility of LGBT politicians, and “Fading West,” the world-premiere documentary about local rock band Switchfoot. The festival also features the West Coast premiere of Mariel Hemingway’s “Running From Crazy.” Hemingway will be honored with the “Humanitarian Award” at an event held at UC San Diego on Oct. 5. Attendees can choose from a VIP or regular festival pass and day passes. Single-ticket options are also available. For more information, including tickets and a complete list of the films, events and schedules, visit sdfilmfest.com.
County Health & Human Services combats teen drug abuse
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency recently funded a new program to help combat teen drug abuse. The program will be administered by McAlister Institute, Mental Health System, Palavra Tree and Phoenix house in a partnership that will provide free drug tests for San Diego teens. Called the Free Initial Drug Test, each provider will administer the tests in different ways that may include instant urine tests or lab analysis of hair, saliva or blood. “Adolescence is the critical period both for starting to smoke, drink or use other drugs and for experiencing more harmful consequences as a result,” said Jeanne McAlister, founder and CEO or McAlister Institute, in a press release. The release cites a study stating 75.6 percent of high school students nationally have used addictive substances including cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana or cocaine. In San Diego, 33 percent have used alcohol, 24 percent have used marijuana and nearly 14 percent have used prescription drugs without a doctor’s note, the study states. The focus of the County grant is early intervention, and McAlister said she is hopeful families use the resource. More information can be found at mcalisterinc.org/freetest/.
SOHO participates in Smithsonian’s nation-wide event
On Saturday, Sept. 28, Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) will join Smithsonian Magazine’s ninth annual Museum Day Live!, a national event giving free admission to ticketholders. The Marston House Museum located at 3525 Seventh Ave. in Hillcrest, the Old Town Adobe Chapel Museum at 3963 Conde St. and the Warner-Carillo Ranch House Museum at 29181 San Filipe Rd. in Warner Springs, Calif. will be open for free, in an effort to emulate the admission policy of the Smithsonian museums in Washington. Last year’s event had over 400,000 participants throughout all 50 states. Museum Day Live! tickets must be downloaded at Smithsonian.com/museumday/ and are good for two museums Sept. 28. For complete information about SOHO’s participating museums visit sohosandiego.org or call 619-297-9327.
HIV Funding Collaborative receives $25,000 award
The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation received a $25,000 award from the Alliance Healthcare Foundation for the 2014 grant cycle of the HIV Funding Collaborative. Alliance has been a “key member” of the Collaborative since its inception, Human Dignity Foundation representatives said, providing administrative and financial support from 1997 – 2009. The Collaborative, which was formed in 1990, is currently run by the Human Dignity Foundation and has awarded close to $400,000 to local HIV and AIDS service organizations for the 2013 grant cycle. The 2014 cycle opens in October. “We are so grateful to the Alliance Healthcare Foundation for continuing their commitment to the HIV Funding Collaborative,” said Human Dignity Foundation Executive Director John Brown in a press release. “Every year the gap between what the AIDS/HIV providers need and what is available grows and every year it becomes a greater challenge to help fill that gap. Today we are $25,000 closer.” Since its inception, the Collaborative has distributed over $6 million.