February 23
The University Avenue sidewalk project (as seen here in front of the Healthy Back Store) is nearing completion. The drier than normal winter has helped the construction move forward more quickly. The $472,780 project replaced the south sidewalk along University Avenue from Vermont to Herbert.
February 22
February 22, 1888 (according to today’s Union-Tribune)
Construction was completed on a 35.6-mile flume designed to carry water from the Cuyamaca Dam to San Diego. Work on the project began in 1886 after the San Diego Flume Co. was incorporated and the Cuyamaca earthen dam was built. To celebrate, California Governor R.W. Waterman and other dignitaries rode down the channel in a small watercraft. (from the UT)
(or was it a year later?) According to the SD Historical Society: Bryant Howard, president of the Consolidated National Bank who had taken over the direction of the flume company from Ephraim Morse, was named president of a celebration scheduled for February 22, 1889. The event was considered so important that it rated nineteen vice presidents and ten scheduled speakers. A parade started from Sixth and H Streets with A. G. Gassen, the grand marshal, wearing a scarf of red and a big red plume in his hat. His adjutants wore blue scarves and white plumes in their hats, and their aides wore yellow scarves. It being Saturday afternoon and Washington’s Birthday as well, most of the downtown area was draped with red, white and blue bunting and flags were displayed in front of houses and stores.
Every group that could muster a unit was represented, including the City Guard Band, City Guard, the Grand Army of the Republic, Knights of Pythias, Pacific Beach Cadets, the Ancient Order of United Workingmen, International Order of Odd Fellows, Turnverein, Atherton’s Commercial College, S. White’s and Schiller & Murtha’s baseball clubs, Excelsior Rowing club, Golden Eagle Society, League of Freedom and the Red Men. The most popular of the commercial floats was a brewery wagon dispensing free beer to parade viewers along the way. (Some things never change!)
This year’s rainfall totals are more than twenty inches less than last year’s 22.47"...remember all that wet stuff? 2005 produced the third wettest season since 1850.
February 21
February 20
February 19
Come on out and join us! Here Lara and Ellen take on the Washington Street median at Fifth. It was COVERED with nasty cigarette butts.
February 18
Buzz about the
neighborhood?
Did you
see this bee-covered parking meter on Fifth Avenue north of Brookes?
Thanks to our friends at The Loft for giving us the head’s up. But the
BIG BuZzzzz is Hillcrest Mardi Gras...this year’s annual
Fat Tuesday celebration will be held rain or shine (February 28th) on
University between Third and Fourth avenues. This year they’re even
having a ferris wheel! Buy your tickets early at Hamburger Mary’s,
Obelisk Bookstore, Column One or Ono Sushi for only $15. Or pay five
more bucks at the gate. Pre-parties abound, too!
