HillQuest BLOG

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Council Budget Committee kicks the can

Several Hillcresters attended yesterday’s Budget Committee meeting where three of our residents asked for next year’s Uptown Partnership budget be pulled from consideration for lack of community input. Gloria, Faulconer, Young, Emerald & DeMaio all moved UP’s budget on to the full council for a September showdown. Perhaps they’re not aware of the Uptown Partnership’s continuing problems. (btw...the city has 6 parking districts, but only 3 of them have meters. Our district wants to spend $504K for new Uptown parking meters. Perhaps the others should get them first.)

Residents and business owners called out the Partnership’s lack of responsiveness to the community in prioritizing parking needs and a budget that is flawed by an entry of $1,942,500 for an expenditure that in reality should have been budgeted at $504,000. The Partnership Executive Director, Carol Schultz responded to councilmember Gloria that the new “found’ money that has been erroneously budgeted, in her mind, should now support parking at the proposed, yet unfunded, Mission Hills-Hillcrest library. Really? How long will that take to build? Hillcrest has needed a parking lot since the ’70s. The AT&T lot in central Hillcrest is available now. Will it ever be more affordable?

The Uptown Partnership received a letter from councilmembers Gloria & Faulconer in early May strongly suggesting changes in the structure and operations of their board and leadership. Uptown Partnership was called out by yesterday’s committee to implement their suggestions before their budget is heard by the full council in September. Faulconer commented that the Partnership’s community outreach on July 2 could have been better achieved if they had not chosen the eve of a holiday weekend for their neighborhood forum. (Ms. Schultz and her board’s president were also unable to attend.)

Here is one Hillcrest resident’s comments...“I am here today to ask that you reject the Uptown Parking District CPD budget and plan. A $2.8 million dollar budget that includes a $1.4M “miscommunication,” needs to be pulled and further scrutinized. A $2.8M budget that includes a $1.9M line item for parking meters, that is four times the going-rate, needs to be pulled. A budget with a board-approved $1.9M line-item that is apportioned with the city at 25:75%, when it is supposed to be 55:45%, needs to be pulled. A budget that does not reflect the last board meeting’s vote to alter a $1.9M line item to $125K, while the Partnership is looking into that vote, needs to be pulled. A budget, with a $1.4M “miscommunication” needs to be pulled.”

Sadly, it was not.

Roll up your sleeves for a Hillcrest blood drive this Saturday

The San Diego Equality Campaign (SDEC) has partnered with Stonewall Young Democrats (SYD), Dyke March San Diego and the American Red Cross to host Right to Save. The event will take place on Saturday, July 11 from 11:30am to 5pm at University Christian Church, 3900 Cleveland Avenue across from the Hillcrest Post Office. While this blood drive will operate like any standard drive sponsored by the American Red Cross, a main goal of the event will be to highlight the discriminatory Food & Drug Administration (FDA) policies that ban gay/bisexual men from donating blood, regardless of their health status.

The FDA enacted the policy, which permanently bans men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood, in the 1980’s when HIV was devastating the gay community. Now, over 20 years later, the policy is outdated and unequal. With modern testing procedures and increased public knowledge of HIV, a blanket ban on all MSMs is unnecessary. According to Sara Beth Brooks, chair of SDEC, “every healthy adult should the right to save up to three lives by donating a pint of blood.”

The American Red Cross is currently on record as being against this ban, but must comply with all FDA regulations. The sponsor organizations are working with the American Red Cross to highlight the arcane policy through this event. Besides blood collection, the event will also include a petition drive, balloons, face painting and a special appearance by “Buddy the Blood Drop.” Blood donation appointments are being accepted now, and are highly encouraged. Email to volunteer.

Men who have sex with men may not give blood at this event. Those who are ineligible because of this reason are asked to find an eligible female or straight male to donate on their behalf. Gay and bisexual men are encouraged to volunteer at the event to educate the public about the ban.

Will you join this Sunday’s Dyke March?

Wear walking shoes and meet at the big water fountain in Balboa Park this Sunday at 11am for this year’s Dyke March from the park to Ohio & University in North Park for a free event for all ages until 6pm. Speakers will include State Senator Chris Kehoe and Abby Schwartz. Entertainment by Rhythm & the Method, Angie Evans, Bitter Sober, Jenn Jenn and more.

Thanks for hopping. We’re pooped

Today’s annual Hop in the ’Hood to celebrate the completion of this year’s HillQuest was a ton of fun. Thanks to everyone for making this the best Hop in our short history. Sunday’s block party began in remembrance of Janell Rock who performed at 2007’ Hop (see below). This year’s music was out of this world!  The band line-up included jazz guitarist Kim Evans, the amazing Daneille Lo Presti, Rhythm Turner & the Method, the Kings of Paradise, boogie woogie queen Sue Palmer and Sam Johnson’s Jazz Quartet closed out a perfect afternoon in the Hillcrest. The San Diego Women’s Drum Circle provided the beat throughout the day.

Here’s a slideshow of some of Sunday’s fun. Five floats entered the Flower Power Parade which was followed by great cake and ice cream. New this year was the addition of the popular bean bag toss (aka CornHole) tournament which drew dozens of participants playing for top prizes. Cole & Hunter won the first tournament.  Susan & Robyn (at right) won the second, their team “Pay Attention, Susan!!” took top honors as the champions of all the champs.

Thanks to all the great local eateries, friends and folks who pitched in to make this year’s block party the best ever. See you next July for HillQuest’s eighth annual Hop in the ’Hood.

RIP: Performer Janell Rock

Celebrate the completion of this year’s HillQuest Urban Guide with a free neighborhood block party (the Hop in the ’Hood) this Sunday, July 5th in the 3700 block of Seventh Avenue. The Flower Power Parade will kick off at 12:15 followed by cake and ice cream for one and all. Mistress of Ceremonies Laura Jane leads the entertainment line-up:

10:30 - 11:10am - Kim Evans
11:25am-12:15pm - Danielle Lo Presti & the Masses
12:15pm - Women’s Drum Circle — Flower Power Parade —
12:30-1:30pm - Rhythm & The Method
1:45 - 2:45pm - The Kings of Paradise
3:00 - 4:00pm - Sue Palmer’s Motel Swing

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