Panda pair coming to zoo

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance conservation and care team leaders recently visited China and met Yun Chuan (pronounced yoon chu-an) and Xin Bao (pronounced sing bao) the two giant pandas to be cared for by San Diego Zoo.

Yun Chuan is a nearly five-year-old male panda. He is described as mild-mannered, gentle and lovable. His mother, Zhen Zhen (pronounced jen jen), was born at San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun (pronounced bye yoon) and Gao Gao (pronounced gow gow). The first character of his name, “Yun,” is a nod to his grandmother Bai Yun, who thrived at San Diego Zoo for 23 years. The second character of his name, “Chuan,” refers to the province of Sichuan where he hails from Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base. 

Xin Bao is a nearly four-year-old female giant panda who was born in Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base. She is described as a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears. Her name means a “new treasure of prosperity and abundance.”

The date of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao’s exact arrival in San Diego is not yet known, as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is working through the necessary steps with its U.S. and Chinese conservation partners, looking forward to a prospective arrival this summer.

MUSEUMS

Two new exhibits at The Nat

In honor of its 150th anniversary, two new exhibits are debuting at The Nat on May 24 to kick off the Summer of Wonder. Nature Trail at the Nat is opening outside the museum and inside the museum’s archives are shown off in “Action from the Archives: The Nat at 150.” The trail is an immersive nature garden that surrounds the Museum and showcases the incredible diversity of native plants. It’s The Nat’s birthday gift to the community and free for all to enjoy. For the interior museum exhibit, a research team has dug deep into the archives for some one-of-a-kind photos of the unforgettable people who helped make The Nat what it is today. The Nat’s 150 years of history are packed into 150 feet.

Stan Lee exhibit extended at Comic-Con Museum

Museo Comic-Con, a division of the San Diego Comic Convention, has announced the extension of the exhibit “Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee” until Sunday, June 16, offering more fans the unique opportunity to visit this exclusive exhibit in historic Balboa Park.

Originally set to run for eight months, the exhibit’s second extension will provide fans with more time to see the rare comic books, original art, and paintings exploring decades of Lee and his collaborators’ work, and, a new addition, the chance to buy Comic-Con Museum exclusive and collectible Stan Lee merchandise.

Debuting last year as a tribute to the iconic Lee as part of his 100th birthday celebration, the exhibit produced by Comic-Con Museum and Kartoon Studios, the controlling partner to the “Stan Lee Universe” IP, features never-before-seen items donated by auction houses and private collectors, including Heritage Auctions, DC Comics, Metropolis Comics, and Funko.

Free admission for active-duty military at Automotive Museum

The San Diego Automotive Museum is proud to announce its participation in the Blue Star Museum Program. In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, alongside the Department of Defense and museums nationwide, the program offers complimentary admission to active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard, Coast Guard, and Reserve members.

From Armed Forces Day on May 18th to Labor Day on September 2nd, military members and up to five dependents will enjoy free entry to the San Diego Automotive Museum located in Balboa Park (2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, 92101). Valid military or dependent ID must be presented upon arrival.

REAL ESTATE

Home sales trend upwards again in March

Home sales in San Diego County improved in March, evidence of a warming spring selling season despite a dearth of inventory of homes on the market. Data on the current resale market is compiled by the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors.

Single-family home sales in March were more than 13% higher than February, and sales of attached properties (condominiums and townhomes) were up more than 5%. Year over year, however, sales of existing homes were down 11% for single-family and 7% for condos and townhomes.

 The median price of resale homes still shows no sign of leveling off. March single-family prices were up 3% in one month, and attached properties were up more than 2%. Year over year, prices have risen 8%. Today, the median price of a single-family home stands at $1,050,000, while the price of condos and townhomes is $670,000. Homes are closing escrow, on average, in about four weeks.

 The most expensive single-family property sold in March in San Diego County was a 5-bedroom, 5-bath home directly across from Coronado Beach on Ocean Boulevard. The 5,000-square-foot Nantucket-style home includes a front yard set up for oceanfront gatherings, and the indoor basement is an entertainment haven with a wine cellar. It sold on March 11 for $13,515,000.

Chicago developer leases units in University Heights

CEDARst Companies has begun leasing residential units at The Nash, a residential community located at 4135 Park Blvd. comprised of 190 units across seven stories. The Nash will debut as the first of several mixed-use communities in San Diego developed by CEDARst. Under the umbrella of the popular FLATS property management brand by ProperXPM, The Nash marks a pivotal milestone in the Chicago-based real estate pioneer’s West Coast expansion, adding to a nationwide portfolio spread across eight states that totals $4 billion in asset value and  7,000 apartments in various stages of development.  The Nash is a joint venture between CEDARst and Bridge Investment Group. The $74 million project broke ground in May of 2022. Suffolk Construction is the general contractor, with Studio E as the project architect. Initial move-ins at The Nash started May 1.

$98 million project to add 117 affordable homes to City Heights

City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) and their partners at Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation are celebrating the start of construction on Cuatro at City Heights – a $98 million affordable housing and mixed-use community. Families are anticipated to begin move-ins by Fall 2025.

The new community will be constructed on four lots on University Ave. And El Cajon Blvd. With exteriors comprised of stucco and glass, the buildings are each four-stories with elevators. Each community will have between 21 and 38 residential units. 

All units will be subject to income restrictions, specifically targeting individuals and families with earnings falling between 30-60% of the area median income, or about $40,000 – $80,000 for a family of four. Additionally, 30 units will be set aside for un-housed veterans. The project does not include parking. In addition to housing, it will have commercial space for a youth and community center.

Funding secured for LGBTQ+-youth shelter

Representative Scott Peters was joined by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, San Diego Housing Commission CEO Lisa Jones and Beth Davenport, COO of The San Diego LGBT Community Center, to celebrate $1.5 million in federal funding that Rep. Peters recently secured for a shelter for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. The funding will support the San Diego Housing Commission’s conversion of unused office space into a 44-bed shelter that will be operated by The Center in partnership with San Diego Youth Services and the YMCA of San Diego County. Scheduled to open later this year or early next year, it will be the first permanent LGBTQ+-affirming youth shelter in San Diego.

Rep. Peters secured the $1.5 million through the annual Community Projects Funding process, which allows members of Congress to request federal funding for select projects they feel will address the most significant needs facing the communities they represent.

“Too often a young person comes out of the closet only to be kicked out of the house,” said Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. “Thanks to Congressman Peters, these young people will have a place to go.”

REGIONAL REPORTS

Nutrition insecurity on the rise

The San Diego Hunger Coalition has released its latest issue brief, revealing concerning trends in nutrition insecurity within San Diego County. The report, based on data from September 2023, underscores the persistent challenges faced by residents in accessing adequate nutrition.

According to the brief, nutrition insecurity has risen to 25% in September 2023, up from 22% in the previous year. This means that one in four individuals in San Diego County struggle to afford three nutritious meals a day. The total number of nutrition-insecure individuals now stands at 832,000.

Report finds San Diego region has enough water to meet needs

Owing to consecutive wet winters, regional infrastructure investments and conservation efforts, San Diego County now has enough water to meet the region’s needs into the foreseeable future, according to a recently released report.

The California Department of Water Resources performed its fourth snowpack survey of the year on Tuesday, “confirming that the early winter’s “snow drought” gave way to a slightly above normal snowpack following a series of storms,” the report read.

The DWR’s early April survey marks the typical peak snowpack for the year in the Sierra Nevada, and the Colorado River Basin – the main source of water for San Diego County – also reports more snow than average for this time of year, according to a statement from the San Diego County Water Authority.

“Wet years are the right time to prepare for the inevitable dry years,” said Dan Denham, Water Authority general manager. “That’s why we’re working every day to explore creative deals that help us reduce water rate pressures for San Diegans, enhance our long-term water security, and help our neighbors meet their needs for drought-resilient water supplies.”

HELP WANTED

Lifeguards needed at city pools

Summer is approaching and the City of San Diego’s 15 swimming pool facilities are working to staff up for the influx of seasonal visitors during warmer months when kids are out of school. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is currently hiring seasonal and year-round pool guards – some positions that come with benefits. To view open positions at the City of San Diego, visit sandiego.gov/jobs.

Voices for Children seeks volunteers

During Foster Care Awareness Month in May, nonprofit Voices for Children is seeking new volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).

CASA volunteers are advocates who bring stability to thousands of children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties. Over time, a CASA often becomes the most consistent person in a child’s life. In addition, 50 to 60% of children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties on a given day are part of a sibling set. CASA volunteers are often the ones who enable siblings to maintain relationships with one another.

According to Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS, President & CEO at Voices for Children, this past year, CASA volunteers and staff advocates supported more than 2,300 youth in foster care between the two counties. The organization urgently needs more volunteers to ensure a trained CASA is provided to every abused, abandoned, or neglected child who needs one. In particular, the organization is seeking male and Spanish-speaking volunteers.

To learn more about the CASA program or become a volunteer, visit speakupnow.org.

BOTTOMS UP

North Park Beer Co. wins gold

North Park Beer Company won a Gold Medal at the 2024 World Beer Cup, the largest international beer competition often referred to as The Olympics of Beer Competitions. San Diego breweries won 14 medals overall. North Park Beer won for its Ice-Fu! in the Hoppy Lager category.

The medal ceremony took place in Las Vegas as part of the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, and it featured more than 9,300 beers from 2,600 breweries spanning 50 countries. The Brewers Association, which is a not-for-profit trade association that promotes and protects American craft brewers, hosts the event.

San Diego breweries eclipsed last year’s World Beer Cup awards total of 12, including one more Gold Medal.

Side-by-side trial beers on tap in North Park

The Original 40 Brewing Company y TapRoom Beer Company have collaborated on Soo Breezy West Coast Pale Ale, a side-by-side trial beer from the North Park breweries that used the same recipe but with different Amarillo hops. Original 40 featured T90 Amarillo from Virgil Gamache Farms while TapRoom included Flowable Amarillo from Totally Natural Solutions.

Soo Breezy, which is 5.4% alcohol-by-volume (ABV), is available on draft at the two breweries that are 1.5 miles apart. Original 40 is located at 3117 University Avenue, and it also has the beer in four packs of 16-oz cans. TapRoom is located at 2000 El Cajon Boulevard. Head brewers from both breweries are seeking public input on the two beers.