DeMaio announces run for Congress

Former mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio, who narrowly lost his bid to become the CEO of America’s Finest City last November, made an official announcement on May 30 that he will seek the 52nd district. The seat is currently held by Democrat Scott Peters, who also narrowly defeated longtime incumbent, Brian Bilbray, a Republican. In his announcement DeMaio said he is “frustrated with partisan bickering” and intends to bring reform to Washington. “If we want better results from Washington, we have to change the people we send there and impose new rules to govern the way they operate,” DeMaio said in the announcement. “That’s what my reform agenda is all about – making government work again for the people.”  The candidate listed four priorities: Balance the budget using his pension reform skills; make government work by addressing long-troubled programs; revitalize the economy by advancing real tax reform; and fix Congress first by imposing accountability and transparency.  As an openly-gay and socially moderate Republican, DeMaio is already attracting national attention. “I see myself as a ‘new generation Republican’ who wants to challenge the party to focus on pocket-book, economic and quality of life issues in a more positive and inclusive way, rather than issues that are frankly none of the government’s business in the first place,” DeMaio said.

W Hotel offers rooftop yoga class

On Tuesday, June 11, the W Hotel partnered with LOLE Women’s yoga apparel, will host a Mind, Body and Spirits yoga class on their fourth floor rooftop. The hour-long class will begin at 7 p.m. and attendees are asked to bring their own yoga mat to class. Immediately following the class will be a special cocktail hour, with snacks, raffle items and giveaways. Those interested can RSVP to the W Hotel’s twitter account, at @WhotelSD. The W Hotel is located at 421 W B St., Downtown. For more information contact the hotel at 619-398-3100.

Largest Old House Fair set for June 15

The South Park Business Group’s 15th annual Old House Fair scheduled for June 15 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. will be the largest yet, with over 75 exhibitors and vendors participating throughout South Park, organizers said. The free, daylong festival includes self-guided walking and biking tours, exhibits by craftspeople, contractors, shops and service organizations, live music and entertainment, and arts and crafts for children. Attendees will have the option of taking an hour-long Trolley Tour for $5, and there will be food vendors selling items as well. “An additional new feature of this year’s Old House Fair is the chance to visit a vintage 1953 camper restored to its mid-century beauty, which will be on display at the Vintage Row,” said Marsha Smelkinson, South Park Scene marketing director. The camper, presented by Urban Holiday Rentals, is available for vacation bookings. “Venders of vintage home décor items, furniture and artwork will also be featured in the Vintage Row on 30th Street, between Cedar and Beech streets,” Smelkinson said. While the Old House Fair is free for attendees, there is a charge for tickets to that day’s Historic Home Tour, which also runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets for the tour are $25 and include five historic homes. Advance purchase tickets are available online and can be picked up via will call at the ticket booth located at 30th and Beech streets starting at 9:30 a.m. the day of the fair. For more information and tickets visit theoldhousefair.com.

Big Bay Shuttle returns for first official season

After a limited trial period, which drew more than 20,000 passengers and great response in 2012, the Big Bay Shuttle has returned for service to destination points along the Embarcadero. Operated by Ace Parking Management, the service launched on May 24, and will continue on through Sept. 3.  For just $3 per day rider, locals and visitors may ride the “green” compressed natural gas (CNG) shuttles to eight different destinations along a loop that links Downtown San Diego with the Embarcadero. Stops include Sheraton Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, Wyndham San Diego Bayside, the Broadway and Navy Pier, Seaport Village, the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina, and the Hilton Bayfront San Diego.  The shuttle does not stop at the airport, though the Sheraton on Harbor Island could be considered as close enough for some riders. Shuttles are clearly marked and will operate Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit aceparking.com/bigbayshuttle, call 800-925-PARK, or email [email protected].

Central Library gets boost from LGBT community

Members of the local LGBT community are reaching in their pockets and calling on friends with a fundraising goal of $150,000 that will go to the new Downtown Central Library. The funds are being sought to support not only the new Teen Center and also to help grow and maintain the library’s LGBT collection, which at 8,800 items is one of the largest in the country. Additional library holdings include a large array of online LGBT-specific databases, periodicals, books, periodicals and other items. Statistics show that 40 percent of homeless teens in San Diego are LGBT and many will use the library’s services. Once the $150,000 goal is reached, a large alcove window overlooking Park Blvd. next to the LGBT collection will be named after the community. So far nearly $80,000 has been raised, according to Library Commissioner Susan Atkins, who is overseeing the fundraising “But we still have a way to go and I’ll keep smiling and dialing – with a little help from my friends – until we’re done,” Atkins said in a press release. Prominent members of the local LGBT community who have promised to donate money or support include Susan and Crystal Atkins-Weathers, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Denise Nelsen, Former State Senator Christine Kehoe and Julie Warren, Lambda Archives Board President Maureen Steiner and Camille Davidson, Dr. Delores Jacobs at The LGBT Center, Kay Chandler at the Human Dignity Foundation, and Rescue Social Change Group, among many others. “The Library is a very inclusive place,” Atkins said in the same release. “Rich, poor, homeless, straight, transgender or a racial minority, everyone gets the same tireless service from a dedicated library staff person.” She called it “fitting” for the local LGBT community to make its support for the library known. Atkins said charitable donations are often “invisible” because many donors are private leaders with organizations such as the Port Commission, Airport Authority, Human Rights Commission and others. “We want the San Diego community to know now and for generations to come that LGBT people are supporters of institutions that serve the best interests of the city,” she said. Once open, the new Central Library will also be home to e3 Civic High School, a charter school set to serve 500 students. Donations for the LGBT initiative can be made by sending checks to Jay Hill, Chief Executive Officer, San Diego Public Library Foundation, 820 E Street, San Diego, CA 92101 with LGBT in the memo line. Donors can also go online at give.supportmylibrary.org/LGBT. Those giving $2500 or more will also receive a brick that will become part of the library’s lobby and be engraved with the message of their choice. “Every donation counts, large and small.” Atkins said.

Old Globe’s Edelstein to explore Shakespeare’s language

The Old Globe will offer a one-time presentation of “Thinking Shakespeare Live!” on June 15, at 11 a.m. on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Throughout the 90-minute program, Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein will lead the audience through a performer’s approach to tackling Shakespearean language, according to a press release. Based on Edelstein’s book “Thinking Shakespeare: A How-To Guide for Student Actors, Directors, and Anyone Else Who Wants to Feel More Comfortable with the Bard,” the show is an introduction to Shakespeare for all audiences. “I’ve put together this program to show that with just a few hints and tricks that are easy to learn and apply, Shakespeare’s language can be as immediate and alive as anything in today’s paper,” Edelstein said in the release. “’Thinking Shakespeare Live!’ is a fun way to start a new relationship with my man William, or to learn new ways to spend time with him. ”Edelstein has directed almost half of Shakespeare’s works throughout his career and will demonstrate the techniques and methods he uses with the help of three other actors, giving the audiences a unique peek behind the curtain. Tickets are $10 for Old Globe subscribers and full-time students and $15 for general audiences and can be purchased online at TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or at the box office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

Space 4 Art gets nonprofit status

A community-designed, volunteer-built art space in East Village that for four years has offered dozens of affordable studios for San Diego artists, was recently accepted for 501(c)3 status. The innovative creative arts center, located at 325 15th Street, consists of three warehouses and an outdoor lot, where artists can both hone and share their craft. “We are thrilled to have received this positive determination from the IRS,” said Executive Director Patric Stillman in a press release. “It will allow SPACE 4 ART to pursue establishing a permanent home, obtaining access to new technologies, improve educational programming and provide artists with fiscal sponsorships.” Stillman is inviting the community to celebrate the announcement with SPACE 4 ART on Saturday, June 8, with a special exhibit with works of art coming from students attending UCSD’s Preuss High School, other local universities and colleges, and the diverse artwork of those others using the 40 open studio spaces at SPACE 4 ART. Normal gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit SDSpace4Art.org.

Councilmembers to be honored for community support

The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation will honor Council President Todd Gloria and Councilmember Kevin Faulconer for their contributions to the City’s Community Projects, Programs and Services initiative (CPPS) at a reception on Wednesday, June 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. The reception will be held at the Gaslamp Museum, located at the William Heath Davis house, 410 Island Ave., Downtown. The public is invited to attend the reception and meet Gloria and Faulconer, whose support allowed the Gaslamp Museum to renovate the property, view the many improvements to the museum and enjoy refreshments. CPPS provides funding to public agen   cies or non-profit organizations with one-time community, social, environmental, cultural or recreational needs, according to the release. With CPPS’ help, the Foundation added new flooring and display screens to the museum, and upgraded the gardens. Additionally, lighting was added outside the museum and electricity was brought out into the park. For more information about the reception, please call the Gaslamp Museum at 619-233-4692.

Proposed budget revision reflects Council’s concerns

Mayor Bob Filner’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2014 was presented at a public budget hearing on May 21. San Diego City Council plans to vote on the budget on June 10, according to a press release from Council President Todd Gloria’s office. This updated version of the budget proposal, referred to as the May Revise, includes input from the City Council on the original budget. “The May Revise more closely reflects the will of the City Council to better serve San Diegans,” Gloria said in the release. Changes in the budget provide for strengthening of public safety by restoring civilian positions in the Police Department, funding for assessments of City infrastructure such as water systems and street maintenance and improvements, and also restores proposed cuts to the City Attorney’s Office, according to the release. The proposal also addresses homelessness by funding the veteran’s emergency shelter and homeless storage facility. A $13 million surplus at the end of the current fiscal year is needed to carry out the provisions of the 2014 proposed budget. Gloria said that the Council is working with an independent budget analyst to help maintain fiscal discipline as they work towards approval.

Collage artist creates first Golden Hill community mural

Golden Hill’s first community mural went up on May 29 on the side of Jaroco’s Market, located at 1148 25th St. The mural is a street-sized reproduction of an original collage designed by local artist Giancarlo Pia, according to a press release. The composite mural, a layered collage, is also the first of its kind in San Diego. The mural reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the community by incorporating representations of Golden Hill residents, symbols of the Golden Hill neighborhood, and also incorporated the Downtown San Diego skyline. “The vision for street art is to bring beauty, a sense of pride, and a feeling of optimism & connectedness to residents in urban communities,” Pia said in the release. According to the artist’s website, Pia has been creating hand-cut, layered collage pieces without computer manipulation since 1997. For more information about the artist, visit giancarlopia.com.