Nonprofits and museums

Holiday installation at Timken Museum

The Timken Museum of Art has once again partnered with San Diego State University’s Theatre, Television and Film department and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum to create a festive experience showcasing the Timken’s exquisite holiday ornament collection. Jewels of the Season is a sparkling and dazzling display of more than 1,000 unique, handcrafted ornaments beautifully capturing the essence of the holiday season.

The museum inside Balboa Park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission.

SD youth photo exhibition open

MOPA@SDMA in Balboa Park is hosting its 17th Annual Juried Youth Exhibition. Now open through April 21, 2024, guests can enjoy the creative artworks of 77 local San Diego students as they showcase their photographic talents through themes of exploration and imagination. From ages 9-18, these young artists remind us that exploration is not about an end goal but a journey meant for discovery.

Zoo releases endangered frogs in lake

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, in collaboration with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, reintroduced more than 70 endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs into a lake located in the San Bernardino Mountains. This release marks the first time the Southern California distinct population segment of the mountain yellow-legged frog has been reintroduced into a lake instead of a mountain stream. The frogs were bred at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Beckman Center for Conservation Research between 2020 and 2022, and then reared at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. The cross-country effort to save this California frog is part of a robust conservation breeding and reintroduction research program aimed at restoring populations of this declining species throughout its historic range.

Classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, severe population fragmentation has led to estimates of fewer than 200 adult mountain yellow-legged frogs remaining in their native habitats. The mountain yellow-legged frog is facing many threats to its survival, including disease, introduced predators, wildfires and drought driven by climate change. Breeding programs for species facing an uncertain future in their native habitats are critical for recovery. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and its partners, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, are working to manage and propagate this species as part of a full-scale conservation breeding and reintroduction research program. The program began in 2006 as a salvage effort, but has evolved to include genetic diversity management, disease management, assistive reproductive technologies, behavioral studies, field surveys and statistical analyses. Teams take a rigorous, scientific approach to enhance breeding and reintroduction efforts for this species. To date, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has bred and reintroduced thousands of individuals back into high-elevation mountain habitats and monitored their success.

Aspiring teachers and STEM professionals encouraged to apply for scholarships

San Diego Education Fund had opened its 2024 scholarship application period Nov. 6.

High school seniors in the San Diego Unified School District who meet eligibility requirements and are interested in pursuing careers as teachers or STEM professionals are encouraged to apply.

Since 2000, San Diego Education Fund has invested nearly $4 million to support the college educations of low-income, ethnically-diverse students. Scholarships cover tuition and other costs from the first day of college through graduation. Along the way, recipients receive counseling, mentoring and team building to steer them toward success.

Many San Diego Education Fund scholars are the first in their families to attend college.

To date, more than 400 recipients are working or have worked at San Diego Unified School District campuses.

Holiday interfaith prayer breakfast successfu

St. Paul’s Senior Services hosted their annual Holiday Interfaith Prayer Breakfast in Bankers Hill on Nov. 16. Faith leaders and attendees from a wide variety of backgrounds came together in unity to enjoy blessings, breakfast, and great fellowship. Over 130 guests joined to support this year’s theme of “Peace.” This annual event kicks of the holiday season by promoting messages of hope and inclusivity for those of all faiths.

Keynote speaker Charlie Owens, Director – CREDO of the Marine Corps Installation West, spoke of his many experiences witnessing compassion during his career. “Compassion is an action,” Charlie said, “and one act of compassion can change a life.”

People to Watch

Talmadge artist wins first watercolor award

Robert Chisholm, an artist and resident of Talmadge in San Diego, California, has won the Best of Miniatures award in the November 2023 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) Member’s exhibition “What’s the Story?”, an in-gallery show of the SDWS at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, CA. Chisholm’s painting titled “Staying Warm”” was selected by prominent local artist Jesse Miller for this honor, out of 220 paintings.

Chisholm is a freelance creative professional based in San Diego, California. He has recently published a book of his watercolor paintings titled Impressions Along The Way with poems by David Fares. His commercial work can be seen at https://chizhaus.com/

Therapist releases book for high-conflict couples

Jennine Estes Powell, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a heart set on making a big difference in the world of relationships, is releasing a book on Jan. 2, 2024 which can be preorded on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and other stores.

She created a group practice in San Diego called Estes Therapy where they specialize in all areas of relationships and taught fellow therapists the intricacies of successful couple counseling.

Seeking a broader impact, she aimed to delve into the challenging realities that highly escalated couples grapple with, areas often shied away from by therapists. Recognizing the challenges of writing, particularly due to a learning disability, she acknowledged the need for a collaborative effort. To tackle this ambitious project, she enlisted the expertise of Jacqueline Wielick, MFT, as a co-author.

Together, they meticulously crafted the book Help For High-Conflict Couples: Using Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Science of Attachment to Build Lasting Connections. It is designed to confront the common issues that ensnare high-conflict relationships. This isn’t merely a guide for talking it out; it’s a detailed roadmap, a playbook of sorts. Their objective is clear: to provide step-by-step guidance on healing past wounds and enhancing communication, offering a resource that transcends the limitations of traditional therapeutic approaches.

SD Hunger Coalition welcomes new CEO

San Diego Hunger Coalition’s (SDHC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alondra Alvarado as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Friday, December 1st, 2023. Alondra brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in and with the San Diego County nonprofit community and in government and media affairs in San Diego, Imperial and in Mexico, that will undoubtedly steer San Diego Hunger Coalition towards continued success and growth.

Alondra Alvarado steps into this esteemed role succeeding Anahid Brakke, who served as President and CEO for the past nine years. Under Anahid’s visionary leadership, SDHC tripled the number of staff, programs, and collaborative tables and the organization’s budget grew from less than $500,000 in 2014 to $3.4M in 2023.

Asm. Ward appointed chair of housing committee

Assembly member Chris Ward (D-San Diego)  was appointed Chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development after serving on the committee for three years after his election in 2020.
“Assembly member Ward has demonstrated a strong commitment in the Assembly on issues related to housing affordability, increasing supply and improving access and equity,” Speaker Robert Rivas said. “I’m confident Chris will build on what Assembly member Wicks accomplished, and deliver much-needed housing solutions that work for all Californians.”

Rick Snyder installed chair of National Apartment Association

San Diego’s Rick Snyder was installed as the chair of the National Apartment Association at the Hilton Bayfront San Diego. He will begin his yearlong term in January. Snyder takes the helm as the industry faces new regulatory challenges at the national level and in a time of historical rental demand. Snyder has more than 30 years of real estate experience, with a specialization in property management as the head of R.A. Snyder Properties Inc., which manages over 6,000 rental units throughout the San Diego region.

Housing and development

Median home prices held steady in October, home sales declined

Prices of resale homes in San Diego County generally maintained their value in October, while home sales continued to drop, according to the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors.

Home prices remain about 10% higher than a year ago, with the median price of single-family detached properties standing at $964,000 and attached properties (condominiums and townhomes) at $667,500. Compared to the previous month, resale prices of single-family homes were down 3.6%, while prices of attached homes were up just over 1%.

The number of previously owned homes that sold in October fell 10% from October 2022, although sales of single-family ticked up from September by 3%. Conversely, condos and townhomes saw a decline in sales, month-over-month, by 6 percent. For the year-to-date, resale home totals have seen a steep drop of 25 percent from last year.

Grand renovation for The Barcelona in Bankers Hill

SENTRE announced a “grand renovation” of its apartment community in Bankers Hill — The Barcelona — to commemorate its centennial milestone this year. The renovation includes the exterior revitalization and interior enhancements, including new signage, balcony repairs, painting, landscaping and elevator modernization. A renovation plan includes the rooftop deck, boutique lobby and leasing center, lounge and clubhouse/fitness center.

Report: SD has third lowest mortgage delinquency rate

Construction Coverage released a new report about mortgage delinquency rates in the U.S. and found San Diego had the third lowest mortgage delinquency rate among all large metros.

Over the course of 2020 and 2021, while COVID-era financial assistance programs were in effect, serious mortgage delinquencies experienced a 75% drop from their pre-pandemic rate.

Fortunately, that figure has remained low even once those programs ended—likely the result of a strong job market and the fact that, despite rising interest rates for new mortgages, most homeowners who bought or refinanced before 2022 were able to lock in low rates. But while mortgage delinquency rates remain low nationally, the concentration of delinquent mortgages varies significantly by location.

Analyzing data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau, and Zillow, researchers ranked locations based on the percentage of mortgages at least 30 days delinquent as of December 2022, which only applied to 0.7% of mortgages in San Diego and Carlsbad. Meanwhile, 0.2% of San Diego mortgages were in serious delinquency (past due by 90 days or more). At the national level, 1.9% of mortgages were at least 30 days delinquent, and 0.5% were at least 90 days delinquent.

Data: Newly homeless people continue to outpace those finding housing

New data from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) shows the number of people falling into homelessness continues to outpace the number of people exiting into housing across the San Diego region.

On average, over the last 12 months (October 2022 to September 2023), 10 people found housing for every 16 people who experienced homelessness for the first time. During the previous 12 months (October 2021 to September 2022), 10 people found housing for every 13 who experienced homelessness for the first time.

An analysis of the most recent 12 months of data (October 2022 – September 2023) shows the following:

• 14,258 individuals experiencing homelessness for the first time (vs. 15,327 from October 2021 – September 2022)

• 8,843 individuals exited homelessness (vs. 11,861 from October 2021 – September 2022)

• 45,703 people served (vs. 41,345 from October 2021 – September 2022)

The report reads, “While the increased ratio seems daunting, a deeper understanding of the data provides a fuller perspective. Over 1,000 fewer people experienced homelessness in our region for the first time during the 12 months the data was collected versus the previous 12 months. Meanwhile, the number of people housed fell by more than 3,000 compared to the 2021 – 2022 data set. With the lack of more emergency housing vouchers in 2023, an unrelenting increase in the cost of renting across our region, and the lack of large projects, like Father Joe’s Villages’ St. Teresa of Calcutta, coming online, we see the direct correlation between a lack of housing opportunities and exits from homelessness in this data set.”

Economy and business

Report: Food insecurity in SD

The 5th Annual State of Hunger luncheon, held on November 16, 2023, by San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC) unveiled staggering statistics shedding light on the prevalent concern of nutrition insecurity in San Diego.

Key findings from San Diego Hunger Coalition indicate that nearly 1 in 4 San Diegans were grappling with nutrition insecurity as of June 2023, representing approximately 790,000 individuals. Among these numbers, alarming trends emerged, particularly affecting vulnerable groups within the community.

The data revealed that around 30% of children, almost 1 in 4 older adults, and nearly 2 in 5 individuals with disabilities experienced nutrition insecurity.

Report: Continued financial struggles

United Way of San Diego County and United Ways of California presented the eye-opening Real Cost Measure (RCM) 2023 report, revealing that one in three California households, including 36% in San Diego County, face severe financial insecurity. Unlike traditional poverty measurements, this report considers housing, healthcare, and other essential expenses, highlighting the stark disparity between the Federal Poverty Level and the actual cost of living. The study found a family of four needs $110,568 annually for a decent standard of living in San Diego County, emphasizing the challenge faced by working class families. The cost of housing contributed significantly to the financial struggle many San Diegans face.

Tourism Authority: 30 million visitors, $14 B in visitor spending

The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) celebrated a triumphant 2023 fiscal year today at its 69th Annual Meeting held at SeaWorld San Diego.

In fiscal year 2023, San Diego welcomed an estimated 30.5 million visitors who collectively stayed longer in the region and contributed a record $14.28 billion in direct spending locally — a significant $1 billion increase compared to the previous fiscal year. With visitors steadily coming to the San Diego region, local hotels also achieved higher occupancy rates countywide at an average of 73.7%, an increase of 5% year-over-year. These hotel stays helped generate more than $418 million in transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue for local municipalities.

San Diego’s bustling tourism in fiscal year 2023 fueled unprecedented regional economic growth, supported quality jobs, and contributed to essential services and well-being of local communities. The total economic impact generated by tourism reached $23.48 billion and the industry supported more than 214,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Toyota expands vehicle-to-grid research with SDG&E collaboration

Toyota Motor North America and San Diego Gas & Electric Company, announced that they have agreed to collaborate on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using a Toyota bZ4X. The V2G research will explore bidirectional power flow technology that enables BEV owners to both charge their vehicle’s batteries from the electric grid and discharge electricity from the batteries back to the grid.

Casa Guadalajara debuts holiday menu

This holiday season, Diane Powers’ award-winning Bazaar del Mundo Restaurants –  including Casa Guadalajara in Old Town – are serving special holiday dishes infused with authentic Mexican flavors.

The restaurants offer holiday turkey mole tamales, chipotle cranberry chicken, Enchiladas Navidañes, pumpkin empanadas, pumpkin flan and Mexican hot chocolate through the new year.

In addition to these seasonal items, Powers’ restaurants offer Fiesta Express Meals for those looking to celebrate the holidays in the comfort of their own home. Fiesta Express Meals, available in street tacos and fajitas, include all the essential ingredients needed to host an at-home holiday fiesta with a Mexican twist.

Government updates

Kensington crosswalk installed

Many Kensington residents were very concerned about traffic safety along Adams Avenue after the tragic traffic accident this year where a young boy lost his life. Council President Sean Elo-Rivera’s District 9 office immediately formed a working group of concerned neighbors to ask the City Transportation Department for traffic studies to find a solution.

After studying the area, engineers decided that a crosswalk with high visibility lighting was needed at Biona and Adams to provide nearby residents with a safer way to cross the street. Colored curbs and crosswalks on other parts of Adams Avenue were also repainted to increase the visibility of pedestrians.

The District 9 office provided the funding for crosswalk and it was installed in November.

New Safe Sidewalk program

As part of a citywide effort to improve sidewalks in all communities, the City of San Diego is investing resources to fix uneven and damaged sidewalks, while also making it easier for people to make repairs in front of their private property.

Launching this year, the Safe Sidewalks Program will waive costly permit fees and help expedite the process for property owners to make needed sidewalk repairs, saving up to $2,100 per project. Many property owners are not aware that state law makes them responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks in front of their private property, creating a potential issue and legal liability.

The program will run through fiscal year 2026.

New vision for public library system

The San Diego City Council has approved the Library Master Plan, which provides a long-range vision and strategy for library facilities, technology and programming.

The Library Master Plan – years in the making – is the result of a partnership between San Diego Public Library and Library Foundation SD. It provides an aspirational vision for a library system that’s empowered, equitable and engaging.

With the unanimous vote, the San Diego Public Library now has a plan to modernize its branches, further meet community needs and become more geographically available across San Diego.

City of San Diego launches new online permit finder tool

The City of San Diego has unveiled a new online tool to allow San Diegans to easily access to permit activity and historical data. Using Permit Finder — an interactive geographic information system (GIS) platform — San Diegans can now view records of more than one million permits, all in one convenient place. By making permit data available through a user-friendly online platform, the city is also improving efficiencies for Development Services Department staff who can now focus their time on permit reviews and processing.