CHEE CHEE CLUB GETS AN ARTFUL BOOST

Longtime local art gallery owner and curator Alexander Salazar has joined hands with the Chee Chee Club, located at 929 Broadway, Downtown — for a year-long exhibition of art. The Chee Chee Club, a typical dive bar, opened in 1933 and is one of the oldest known bars in San Diego. “The Chee Chee Art Project” will consist of 12, month-long exhibitions with artwork mounted on each of the walls and even behind the bar. The first show, “Dive Bar Art: a figurative and non-abstract art exhibition,” took Salazar over three weeks to curate and drew over 300 people on Jan. 16, its opening night. Many items in the current exhibition come from Salazar’s own personal collection as well as from many local artists, two from an artist in Los Angeles and one from North Carolina, and several of the artists are from the LGBT community. Most of the pieces are for sale and 100 percent of the sales will go to the artists. The current exhibition will run through Feb. 16 and Salazar plans to follow it up with an exhibition called “The Shit Show,” featuring artwork he’s found at resale shops throughout San Diego. He encourages everyone to visit the Chee Chee Club monthly throughout 2015 to see what’s new on display. For more information, find Alexander Salazar-Fineart on Facebook, or visit alexandersalazarfineart.com.

Local Humane Society seeks award nominations

This summer, the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) will once again honor people and businesses for extraordinary acts supporting animals in San Diego County in its “Animal Compassion Awards.” The nonprofit organization is asking for nominees that have “demonstrated an exceptional level of compassion towards animals.” Nominations are open through Feb. 13 in 12 categories. From those categories three awards will be given: the Animal Impact award will honor how an animal has impacted a human life or vice versa; the Humane Hero award will be given to an individual, group or business that creates positive awareness of animals; and the Pet-Friendly Business award will recognize a local business that promotes and supports a pet-friendly environment in one of 10 business types. Winners will be featured in the July issue of “San Diego Pets Magazine.” Nominations can be made at sandiegopetsmagazine.com/animal-compassion-awards-nomination. Visit sdhumane.org for more information on the awards and the organization.

Car2go wheels out new fleet

Car-sharing company Car2Go announced Jan. 28 that it would begin upgrading its San Diego fleet of electric Smart Cars to the 2014 model from the 2010 model it currently uses. While interior features will remain consistent with the 2010 model, the 2014 Smart Car is said to accelerate more smoothly, and can reach a top speed of approximately 84 mph, while the 2010 model tops out at 65 mph. Now branded as the largest car-sharing company in the world, Car2Go launched the nation’s largest all-electric fleet in San Diego in 2011. Today, the company serves more than 33,000 users in the city, with its headquarters located on Ninth Avenue, Downtown. In addition to a $35 registration fee, Car2Go users pay 41 cents per minute. The service works in conjunction with a smartphone app that serves as a car locater and reservation system. Watch the March issue of Downtown News for a more in-depth story about Car2Go and its new fleet of sharable Smart Cars. For more information, visit car2go.com.

Father Joe’s selects new chief

Father Joe’s Villages, Southern California’s largest residential homeless services provider, announced its new president and CEO on Feb. 2. Jimmy F. Vargas will oversee all facets of the organization starting Feb. 17. “I strongly believe that it is our obligation to help and care for the homeless,” Vargas said in a press release. “It is thrilling to be part of the passionate team that is motivated to do the right thing for our clients. With such a powerful mission, it’s an honor to lead this organization into the future.” Vargas has more than 30 years of broad management and human resources experience at The Copley Press, Inc., KIII Communications and Citibank. He is also a deacon of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. “Deacon Jim is the perfect choice as the next leader of our Village,” said St. Vincent de Paul Village Board Chairman Vince Kasperick. “In addition to his extensive leadership experience, he brings a strong passion for our mission of serving the poor. His deep roots in our community and collaborative leadership style will be effective as we continue to work with the city, county and other service providers to end homelessness in our community.” Interim President and CEO Diane K. Stumph will continue in her role as chief financial officer.

Local mall owner seeks scholarship applicants

The Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) is looking for applicants for its Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarship program, which awards college scholarships to at-risk high school students. Any student in the graduating class of 2015 who lives within 50 miles of Fashion Valley or Las Americas Premium Outlets in San Diego qualifies for the scholarship. The window of opportunity lasts until Feb. 25. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,500 for students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school. Students are selected based on financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those who are the first in their family to pursue a post-secondary education will also be given close consideration. Additionally, 10 designated Simon, Mills and Premium Outlets centers will grant a $2,500 Award of Excellence ­scholarship that is renewable for up to three years. To date, SYF has awarded more than $12 million in scholarships to more than 3,700 students in its 16 years of operation.