Ruth Mitchell, a local author, recently wrote a science fiction book set in and around University City. Her book “Deleted”is a speculative young adult novel set in the near future. In this book, described as “Inception” meets “Wargames,” a couple of UCSD students discover how to hack into people’s memories. There is also a love story, some adventure, science and reflection. 

Anyone familiar with University City will recognize landmarks and enjoy the prominent role the setting takes in this book. Pursued by the hacker who has erased her from everyone’s memory, the main character spends a lot of time hiding in Rose and Marian Bear Canyons. 

Mitchell has lived in University City since 2005, is a former reporter turned stay-at-home mom, and researched her novel by tapping into the talent of our community. She consulted professors from UCSD and computer scientists who worked for the military and Qualcomm. “Deleted” is described by one Goodreads reviewer as “a fresh story with intense action, sweet romance, super cool science, and great themes” and is now available for purchase on Amazon. If your book club is interested in having the author attend your meeting, you can email her at [email protected].

MUSICAL SHOWCASE

Are you a supporter of music in the schools? Do you love a good show? Then save the date for the sixth annual Sights and Sounds Showcase hosted by the University City High School Music Boosters, on Friday, Feb. 21, from 6-10 p.m. The musical showcase will be held at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus, 4126 Executive Drive.

This wonderful community event gives local youth the opportunity to show their talent while raising money to support the music program at UCHS. Entertainment includes music, dance, and singing by UCHS students and staff, as well and a performance by salsa band Rumba Y Sol, whose members includes UCHS Music Director Brandon Corenman. Come enjoy music, food, dessert buffet, and a silent auction. If you are a local business or community member that would like to support the Music Boosters and this event with an item for the silent auction or a sponsorship, contact Diane Masser-Frye at [email protected].

SWANSON POOL

Swanson Pool will reopen and the pool’s spring schedule will begin on Feb. 9, subject to weather and facility condition. Swanson Pool, located at 3585 Governor Drive in Standley Park, offers both lap and recreational swim, water fitness, youth swim team and youth water polo, swim lessons and more. For program information, call the pool at 858-552-1653 or search “Swanson Pool” on the city’s website at sandiego.gov.

COMMUNITY PLAN

The University City Planning Group is in the process of updating the community plan and has held special monthly UC Community Plan Update Committee meetings to help provide community input for an updated plan. Agendas and supporting documents for the meetings can be found at the plan update website, planuniversity.org. During the last meeting, public comments and agenda items included:

Concerns over the UC Villages Golf Course destruction of habitat, trees, and bulldozing of part of the golf course. Several attendees requested that the plan update require this be kept as a golf course or open space and not be allowed to be rezoned for housing.

Louis Rodolico introduced himself as a candidate for Council District 1. He discussed the missing road connections in our community. He talked about the issue of in-lieu fees being too low, discouraging developers from including more affordable housing units.

Katie Witherspoon reviewed the progress to date and upcoming steps. She announced there would be a community plan workshop, in addition to the regular CPU meeting in May. Witherspoon presented the results of the mobility survey. They identified the top 10 corridors of concern. The largest number of comments on the survey were regarding the Regents Road bridge corridor. She reiterated that the community plan would not be considering the bridge in the plan update EIR.

Diego Velasco presented an informative discussion of urban design and urban planning. He reviewed types of building and development, human scale design, active, street-facing design. He brought up the different architectural styles in the University community.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m. at University City High School, 6949 Genesee Ave. The next University City Planning Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m., 10300 Campus Point Drive. The public is welcome to attend both meetings.