COMMUNITY SERVICE

Girl Scout cookie billboard in Hillcrest

A billboard in Hillcrest sponsored by RJS Law that highlights the “Unbox the Future” theme of the 2024 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Support local Girl Scouts by purchasing $6 packages through Sunday, March 10.

Panda diplomacy is back with help from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

For the first time in more than two decades, the China Wildlife Conservation Association signed an agreement to send a pair of black and white pandas to the San Diego Zoo. Long seen as a symbol of the U.S.-China friendship, the male and female bears are expected to arrive by the end of the summer. The partnership also includes conservation-related research on disease prevention and habitat protection contributing to China’s panda park construction.

San Diego County Credit Union returns as spelling bee sponsor

San Diego County Credit Union returns as a sponsor of the San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee, presented in collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education and ABC 10News on March 14, at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA. The spelling bee is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in public or private school with a combined enrollment of 30 or more children. The winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Cox plants trees at Morley Field

More than 60 Cox Communications technicians joined Parque Balboa por siempre on Feb. 16 to plant 15 much needed trees in Morley Field that will help support ground cover, replace previously damaged saplings and create a more environmentally healthy community. In addition, Cox Charities made a $2,500 donation to Forever Balboa Park to support its work with urban forestry and sustaining and enhancing Balboa Park.

Father Joe’s provided 28k shelter bed nights during rain

Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego’s largest homelessness services provider, served nearly 4,000 neighbors in need in January, including inclement weather shelter during recent unprecedented rainstorms.

The latest “Compassion in Action: Our Neighbors by the Numbers” report includes data on the number of people experiencing homelessness in January. In that month alone, Father Joe’s Villages provided 28,506 shelter bed nights, defined as one person sleeping in a safe shelter for one night. This number includes activation of the Inclement Weather Shelter during a storm that brought catastrophic flooding to many areas in San Diego.

Additionally, Father Joe’s Villages’ medical staff also provided care to 1,015 neighbors last month through Street Health, dentistry, mental health, and psychiatric care. The organization also helped 36 individuals find housing and exit homelessness.

Nonprofits repay COVID-19 loans

San Diego Foundation and Mission Driven Finance announced that $5.2 million lent to nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic has been successfully repaid with less than one-tenth of one percent in losses.

Seeded by San Diego Foundation, the loan program was launched in April 2020 to assist San Diego County communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund provided zero-interest gap financing to San Diego County-based nonprofits, particularly for those providing front-line care to affected communities, with a priority on those serving communities disproportionately affected by the global pandemic and its economic consequences.

“This trust-based loan program helped keep the doors open at many of our safety-net organizations at a critical time during the pandemic, and no doubt supported many individuals and families in need. We were grateful to be in a position to support the community through this important program,” said Sarah Lyman, Executive Director, Alliance Healthcare Foundation, which also invested seed funding in the program.

NEGOCIO

Lafayette Hotel inducted into Historic Hotels of America

The Lafayette Hotel and Club in San Diego, California, is pleased to announce it has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States.

The Lafayette Hotel and Club is one of more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance. To be selected for membership in Historic Hotels of America, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.

The Lafayette, built in 1946 by Larry Imig, was the only hotel constructed during World War II.

Bivouac Ciderworks opens Adventure Lodge & General Store

Next to Bivouac Ciderworks tasting room in North Park, the brewery is expanding with a cider bar, coffee bar, retail shop selling outdoor gear and members-only Salon d’Eau de Vie speakeasy at 3980 30th Street. Owner Lara Woman describes the Adventure Lodge as a community clubhouse people can bring their kids and dogs to.

Lazy Acres Natural Market accepts EBT SNAP benefits on deliveries

Community grocer Lazy Acres Natural Market announced that it will now accept Electronic Benefits Transfer Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) online for same-day delivery and pickup via Instacart. With this program, EBT SNAP participants will now be able to use their benefits to shop for local and organic produce and groceries online for delivery or pickup from six locations throughout Southern California. This launch follows the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s recent approval. With transportation often serving as a barrier to the grocery store, Lazy Acres hopes to increase access to organic and natural food throughout the community by enabling online grocery shopping and delivery.

San Diego indie film channel on Roku

The San Diego Indie Film Network (SDIFN) announced the launch of their new Roku channel, dedicated exclusively to showcasing independent films created by local filmmakers in San Diego. This innovative platform offers a unique opportunity for emerging filmmakers to reach a wider audience and for viewers to discover exceptional independent cinema. Now, film enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of locally produced films right from the comfort of their own homes.’

PEOPLE TO WATCH

North Park author to launch “The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane”

North Park author Steve Schlam’s debut novel, “The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane,” is set to launch on March 4.  This powerful and poignant work of fiction explores the life and tragic times of Haystacks Kane, a 607-pound professional wrestler and dedicated butterfly collector born Herschel Cain in Brooklyn, New York, who has been gravely injured in a match with his archrival and long-time nemesis. The match left him lying in his hospital bed (actually two hospital beds, lashed together) immobilized and unable to speak, attempting to figure out what’s happened, both in the immediate sense and over the longer course of his life—and what can be done about it.  Visitors from his past and present enter the room—or perhaps only his disordered inner world—offering up counterpoint to his own silent musings and ruminations as he drifts in and out of consciousness seeking to uncover, and make sense of, his history. All the while, he wishes to transport himself to the Valley of the Butterflies known as Petaloudes on the island of Rhodes in Greece, the Eden he dreams of, where he can live as his authentic self in peace and tranquility amidst “the sound of butterflies,” his soul freed at last.

“The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane” can be purchased through local and national booksellers and on Amazon.  To learn more about this special novel and its author, please visit http://www.steveschlam.com  y http://www.8thHousePublishing.com.

The Nat announces new VP

After an international search, the San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) has appointed John O. Niles as its new Vice President of Science and Conservation. As a member of the executive team, Niles, who goes by Johno, will lead the Museum’s Science and Conservation department comprised of 55 staff members.

“Johno’s background and expertise in conservation and climate change is a critical component of our work as we enter our 150th year and plan for the future of the Museum,” said Judy Gradwohl, the Christy Walton President and CEO.

Feeding San Diego names new CEO

 Alimentando a San Diego, the county’s leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization, has named Bob Kamensky its new chief executive officer. A longtime San Diegan and U.S. Navy veteran with over 35 years of service, Kamensky transitioned to the not-for-profit sector in 2021 when he accepted the role of chief strategy officer at Feeding San Diego. He stepped into the role of interim CEO last fall upon the retirement of Dan Shea.

In the role of CEO, Kamensky is primed to lead the county’s Feeding America partner food bank to continue its role as the leading hunger-relief and food rescue organization. Under his leadership, the organization will continue to invest time and resources into food rescue to divert surplus food from local stores and food businesses, quickly respond to crises, and will work closely with elected officials on the local, state, and national levels to advocate for hunger relief policies.

GOVERNMENT

City to receive $29.9 million homelessness funds

The City of San Diego will continue tackling homelessness by supporting shelter space, outreach efforts and housing programs thanks to an additional $29.9 million grant allocation from the State of California. The California State Legislature made the money available through the latest round of funding from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP-5).

This year’s $29.9 million allocation is the largest award the city has received from the state’s HHAP grant.

City Council approves proposal to waive fees for storm-related reconstruction

The San Diego City Council approved a proposal by Mayor Todd Gloria to waive fees for building and demolition permits on property damaged by the Jan. 22 storm and flooding.

An estimated 1,000 San Diego residents suffered damage to homes, businesses and personal property in the storm, primarily in the communities of Mountain View, Encanto, Mount Hope, Shelltown, Southcrest and Rolando.

The savings from the fee waiver, which will cover reconstruction or repair of structures the same size as the one that was damaged, is projected to save residents approximately $2.41 million in total.  Any residents who may have already paid building or demolition permit fees to the city will be eligible for reimbursement.

The action also established a Debris Assistance Program, which would allow for debris-management services at no cost to residents in the impacted communities. This will help provide for the collection, handling, and proper processing, recycling and/or disposal of demolition waste generated by storm victims.

County supervisors approve gun violence reduction work plan

The County Board of Supervisors approved a work plan to reduce gun violence activities in San Diego County.  The Board voted to receive the Gun Violence Reduction Work Plan, using recommendations from the Gun Violence Community Needs Assessment Final Report authored by Health Assessment and Research for Communities. The plan includes 17 actions for the county to take to protect against and prevent firearm-related violence.

REAL ESTATE

Wilshire Quinn issues $16.5 million loan on new multi-family property in San Diego

Wilshire Quinn Capital announced that its private lending fund, the Wilshire Quinn Income Fund, has provided a $16,500,000 refinance loan in San Diego. The subject property for the loan is a newly constructed, 36-unit multi-family building in the Bankers Hill neighborhood two blocks from Balboa Park and minutes away from downtown. The property is comprised of 26,501 square-feet, on a .23-acre lot, including street level retail and 21 sub-terranean parking spaces.

Attached home sales picked up in January

Sales of attached properties in San Diego County, consisting mainly of condominiums and townhomes, saw a welcome pickup in January, while single-family homes sales dipped. Data on the current resale market is compiled by the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR) through the San Diego Multiple Listing Service (SDMLS).

Resales of condos and townhouses increased by nearly 6% in January, compared to December, and were almost 12% higher than January of last year. Single-family purchases, on the other hand, were down 4% month-over-month, and 5.5% lower than a year ago.

The median price of single-family resale homes in the county increased by 4%, to $980,000, which is more than 15% higher than last January. The price of attached homes was unchanged over the past month at $650,000 but is still more than 10% higher than in January 2023.