Friday,
August
15,2008
Patience, Gertrude...Sixth Avenue will reopen eventually.
The city sign at the corner of Sixth & Pennsylvania has changed once more...this time adding a month to the time estimated for the completion of a new sewer for the Uptown area. The street closure (south of Pennsylvania to Upas) was initially anticipated to occur between July 21-29, then was changed until mid-August. However the contractor ran into difficulties, and the road will be closed for the additional month to complete the installation of a junction structure.
The original traffic plan was to have a full closure of the avenue for a week allowing the contractor to set up a huge machine to drill up to 40+ feet deep hole. Then, the plan called to open two lanes by shifting the traffic to one side of the road (re-stripping to have one lane in each direction) while the contractor continued to construct the junction box.
A couple weeks ago, soil sloughing occurred during the drilling operation at elevation 1-12 feet in an area close to a gas line. As a result, the excavated area may grow wider to take more than half of the road. Since the site condition has created some concern, the contractor evaluated other options and requested keeping the road closed until the junction structure is safely in place. The city says the current traffic plan is working, and staff in the field have indicated that they have received no complaints. Mike Bourgault is the point of contact and will have the latest information if you want to contact him at (858) 495-7894. Until then, those in cars will continue to back up on Pennsylvania...but bikers, joggers and dog walkers are enjoying the empty asphalt thoroughfare to and from Balboa Park.
Thursday,
August
14,2008
We sampled from 40 locations from one side of Hillcrest to the other for only $25. In and out of wine bars, restaurants, pubs, cafes and coffeehouses...not to mention Pinkberry and Yog-art. The big bus started late so it ran some of the revelers around Hillcrest on a beautiful summer evening until 10pm for the Toast to Hillcrest — one of the nation’s top ten neighborhoods. Comments on the bus included thumbs up for the Turkish treats at Pasha, the crab cakes and
wheatgrass martinis at California Cuisine
and Moumen’s warm welcome and tasty samples at Kous Kous. Toasters
enjoyed the white pizza with garlic served at Whole Foods Market,
visiting with Chef Deborah Scott at Kemo Sabe and whole baguettes
passed out 
at Bread & Cie. Others loved the veggie lasagna & wine from Crest Cafe, cabbage rolls & beer from City Deli and the large tasty portions at Asian Bistro. Toasters raved about the blueberry martini at #1, the Frey organic wine served with yummy slices at Fusion Pizza, the great beer choices at Wit’s End and the pomegrante margaritas at Ortega’s.
A fun time was had by all...let’s do it again next year!
Wednesday,
August
13,2008
Join in tomorrow evening’s Toast to Hillcrest & celebrate our great neighborhood
Sample your way from one side of Hillcrest to the other. For only $25 enjoy 40 unique restaurants, wine bars, coffee houses, pubs & cafes from 5:30-8pm this evening — plus a 4-hour ticket (5-9pm) to hop
on-and-off this big
red double decker bus. The Toast to
Hillcrest is for adults over 21 only. Purchase tickets online with a credit card thru noon Thursday. A limited number
of tickets will also
be available for cash at the check-in booth, located on the corner of
Fifth & Robinson, tomorrow beginning at 5pm. Bring
your ID
to get a wristband & your ticket-map. Each location will
also be identified with red
balloons
to welcome you from 5:30-8pm. The bus will run an
additional hour after the event is over. The Toast to Hillcrest is a
fun-raiser for the Hillcrest
History Guild
that offers participants a “Wine, Spirits & Nibbles” tour at new
businesses like Pinkberry, Hula’s and Pizza Fusion along with
neighborhood favorites such as the Brass Rail, Kemo Sabe and California
Cuisine.Here’s a list of all 40 locations for Thursday’s Toast. Reminder: everyone must check in at Fifth & Robinson with your ID for your ticket-map and wristband.
Tuesday,
August
12,2008
Susan Davis addresses the Town Council
Over 35 neighbors attended Tuesday night’s Hillcrest Town Council meeting at the Joyce Beers Community Center in the Uptown Shopping District. After introductions, Ron deHart, Executive Director of San Diego Pride presented the Hillcrest Town Council with a check for $900 for a post-Pride cleanup conducted by members and friends of the group and coordinated by the HTC Litter & Graffiti committee.
US Congresswoman Susan Davis then spoke to the interested audience about the work she is doing on behalf of her constituents. Her report included a discussion on water conservation, oil and gas production (the congresswoman does not support off-shore drilling) and LGBT in the military. Chris Shaw, owner of Urban Mo’s was presented the L.I.O.N. (Let’s Improve Our Neighborhood) award for the curb appeal of his establishment at Third & University. A development committee report was given by Juli Peters-Hyde. Neighbors voted on a list of sustainability topics, created by Ann D. Canavan, that they would most like to learn about at upcoming meetings. The September 9th HTC meeting will host a District 3 City Council forum with Todd Gloria and Stephen Whitburn.
Monday,
August
11,2008
Are you ready for the Toast to Hillcrest?
Tom Brown from Hula’s and Nancy Moors of the Hillcrest History Guild were featured on NBC 7/39 this morning to plug this year’s “Wine, Spirits & Nibbles” tour of Hillcrest.
Look for the bouquets of red balloons that will identify participating businesses. Tickets may be purchased online with a credit card or on the evening of the event beginning at 5pm with $25 cash from the will-call booth at the corner of Fifth & Robinson (next to WaMu).
Sunday,
August
10,2008
The 25th annual CityFest was being held today from 10am-7pm along Fifth Avenue from Walnut to University...
....can
you say FUN?!?
MC Flow made her Hillcrest
streetfair debut surrounding by rocking hip hop fans!
Saturday,
August
9,2008
Mark your calendars for next Thursday’s Toast to Hillcrest
Join in the fun for this year’s “Wine, Spirits & Nibbles” tour across the neighborhood. From the new Hula’s, Pinkberry and Pizza Fusion to yummy favorites Kemo Sabe, Busalacchi’s, Bite, Baja Betty’s and dozens more like Jamba Juice, Crest Cafe, Wine Steals, The Loft, Hash House a Go Go and Ono Sushi...one $25 ticket will get you over 30 different restaurants, wine bars, pubs and cafes to sample....plus a four-hour ticket to hop on-and-off a big red double decker bus.
This is an adult only
event for those over 21. Bring your ID to the corner of Fifth &
Robinson beginning at 5pm Thursday, August 14th to get a wrist
band and receive your ticket and map...then look for the red balloons marking the participants.
Toast
to Hillcrest
will take place from 5:30-8pm as a fun-raiser for
the Hillcrest
History Guild
(HHG). You may purchase tickets online, from the “Toast” booth (Fifth
&
Robinson) at Sunday’s CityFest or the night of the
event. Volunteer opportunities are available, too.
Want to help blow up the red balloons and disperse them in
front of participating businesses Thursday afternoon? Or check IDs and
sell tickets from the Toast to Hillcrest booth the evening of
the event? Call (619) 260-1929.Celebrate Hillcrest! Last fall the American Planning Association (for the first time) selected ten great neighborhoods across the nation. Hillcrest was the only honoree in Southern California. Here’s the list. Enjoy next Thursday’s community event by visiting Hillcrest’s most popular cafes and pubs along with new businesses for less than a $1 per stop on this “Wine, Spirits & Nibbles” tour. Drink (and eat) responsibly. HHG’s Nancy Moors will be on NBC’s Channel 7 this Monday morning at 6:45 to promote the event. Tune in!
#1 Fifth Avenue’s
Michael Quinn at 2007’s Toast to Hillcrest >
