Friday,
August 24,
2007
Last two standing — Patty & Glenn
A lot of smiling took place this morning at the corner of
Fifth & Robinson as Hillcrest’s WaMu was the site of a smile-off
which began at 8:30 with 37 happy contestants. Each of them received
ten dollars ca$h every 15 minutes. (There was plenty to smile about!)
Washington Mutual gave away over $7,500 with five grand going to the
last gal standing...and she was doing
it in stiletto heels.
Patty Johnson won $5,000 and picked Hillcrest’s Florence Elementary to receive the additional $1,000 school donation from Washington Mutual.
Thursday,
August 23,
2007
Hillcrest wins major victory against 301
This morning Superior Court Judge Linda Quinn affirmed her Tentative Ruling in favor of Friends of San Diego and against the 301 University project (a 148-ft building that had been planned for the south side of University Avenue between Third & Fourth). The 12-story proposed building would have towered over nearby businesses. Her ruling overturned the September 12, 2006 City Council 7-1 decision and reversed their approval. Donna Frye and Mike Aguirre were right! The court agreed that the City of San Diego did not follow legal requirements in the preparatation of the environmental study for the project, that 301 University would have a severe impact on the neighborhood, that a proper traffic analysis was not done, that 301 ignored serious community park shortages, they did not analyze construction impacts or the cumulative impacts on the neighborhood and that the public alley could not be given away to a developer.Any of these items would have been sufficent for the project to be dissappoved. Judge Quinn’s ruling will save Hillcrest from this “monster building.” Thanks to everyone who made this happen!
Wednesday,
August 22,
2007
Neighborhood poised to claim a major victory
On August 20, the Superior Court issued a Tentative Ruling in favor of Friends of San Diego. This public-interest group, working with Hillcrest residents and business owners, brought a lawsuit against the 301 University project, which they dubbed the “Monster Building.”The judge agreed with the major claims — that the project ignored legal requirements related to excessive traffic, park shortages, giveaway of the public alley and other issues. The applicant will be required to complete an Environmental Impact Report and make needed design changes, before they can seek a new approval. The final decision is expected tomorrow morning (August 23rd) at 9am in Superior Court, Dept 74.
Tuesday,
August 21,
2007
— Former Lakeside minister who
walked across the nation to protest the war in Iraq
Monday,
August 20,
2007
Hillcrest Restaurant Week (Sept 4th-9th)
Dozens of neighborhood eateries will be participating in a new event the first Tuesday-Sunday in September to celebrate our centennial year. Hillcrest Restaurant Week will span six days with fixed-price menus for $9.07, $19.07 or $29.07.
Currently,
37 restaurants have signed up with specials for breakfast, lunch and/or
dinner. On Sunday morning, Sept 2nd, FOX6 will spotlight restaurant
week by tasting several of the menus. For more info or to be involved
in this first-time event, call (619) 260-1929. Also, mark your calendar
for the Toast
to Hillcrest — a Wine, Spirits &
Nibbles Tour on Thursday evening,
Sept 20th from 5:30-8pm for one low price of $15. A limited number of
tickets to this adult-only event may be purchased in advance or on the
day of. A will-call booth will be located at Washington Mutual (Fifth
& Robinson) to check IDs, attach wrist bands, distribute maps and
sell tickets.Sunday,
August 19,
2007
— Scott E. Grant in this
week’s letters to the editor of the GLT
Saturday,
August 18,
2007
Sue Palmer’s Motel Swing and Pieces close University Heights summer concert series
Hundreds of fans filled Trolley Barn Park last night for their final 2007 summer concert as San Diego favorite Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra and the vocal group Pieces entertained the community with boogie woogie, swing and doo wop! Young and old shared picnics and danced in the grass on a beautiful August evening in University Heights.
Friday,
August 17,
2007
Hillcrest Centennial “Game Night” coming Friday, August 31st
Two weeks from
tonight the Hillcrest
Centennial
committee will be hosting another free community event, and you’re
invited! Bring your favorite board game, puzzle or a deck of cards for
euchre, bridge, hearts, spades or poker (don’t forget the chips).
Realtor Tony Azar may even sponsor a black jack table with prizes at
the end of the evening! Another Hillcrest resident will have his new
creation — Hillcrest-opoly set up. Want to buy
the Uptown District or Balboa Park?Snacks and drinks will be provided...all we need are the players. This casual evening of fun for one and all will be held at Joyce Beers Community Center in the Uptown District from 6-9pm. Call (619) 260-1929 for more information. Also mark your September calendar for Hillcrest Restaurant Week (Sept 4th-9th) and the Toast to Hillcrest (Thursday, Sept 20th).
Thursday,
August 16,
2007
Dozens of people gathered at Washington Mutual’s Hillcrest branch for a neighborhood “Business Mixer” on Wednesday evening. Local Realtor (and Hillcrest resident) Tony Azar and branch manager Nancy Sardina welcomed the entrepreneurs who introduced themselves and shared a few words about their businesses. Kristen Van Meter (shown above in the white shirt giving her presentation) is co-founder and program director of Functional Bodyworks Center — she was also the winner of the grand door prize, a sunset kayak cruise. Kristen and her partner Daniela Schellenberg, both certified practitioners of the Feldenkrais method of bodywork, are planning to relocate their business to the Uptown area. The network mixers are held every six weeks. Contact Nancy at WaMu for information about promoting your business at the next event.
