December 31,
2009
December 30,
2009
— Ron Pitt owner of EcoDog, a
system that shows how power’s used in your home
December 29,
2009
— 40-year resident Charles Bras
re: a proposed 18-story high-rise in La Mesa
December 28,
2009
How can the City of San Diego make money to offset their budget woes?
...perhaps it’s
time for cars to pay for parking in Balboa Park
As
a resident of Bankers Hill and an artist at Spanish Village, I walk
through Balboa Park at least three days a week, so it was with interest
that I attended a recent meeting where plans for the future of the park
were shared. I learned that the lack of funding is a real challenge. Then it hit me… paid parking is everywhere at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Balboa Park has none. Guests visit our park from many areas. I see license plates from different states, Mexico and, of course, California. All these people are enjoying the park, but are not paying for maintenance in any way. There
are an inordinate
number of cars in and around the park, and the influx will not be
alleviated unless a smart plan is put into place. I propose that parking meters be placed at all spaces inside Balboa Park as well as along Park Boulevard between Upas Street and Presidents Way. All the parking at the Zoo would also become paid. I propose that residents (say within ten miles) could buy a “local” sticker for $20 per year, and then be exempt from paying the meter price. Those who work in the park would buy an “employee” sticker $50/year. Everyone else would have to walk, ride a bike, take public transportation or pay for parking. I understand that the new meters and enforcement agents will cost the City, but the cost of setting up this plan will be offset soon after implementation. I see firsthand the collapse of the park’s infrastructure. Spanish Village is in dire need of remodeling. Other areas of the park are also in ill repair. Balboa Park is a public jewel that needs to be maintained and grown. We need to get on with the idea of paid parking and make it happen soon!
About the Author: Fourth generation Californian Sali Weiss, a member of the SD Sculptors Guild, is quite passionate about Balboa Park. (Reprinted from HillQuest, edition six)
December 27,
2009
Plans to kick off the New Year?
Hillcrest’s newest hot spot — The Gossip Grill (at 1440 University Avenue) will be hosting a festive celebration to bring in 2010 followed by a tasty New Year’s Day brunch menu from 10am-2pm accompanied with “heavy flow” champagne for only $9.50 (their full menu will begin at noon).
This recent addition to the neighborhood (at the former location of Cafe Eleven), The Gossip Grill offers a clever, sexy spin on your typical bar food with a Mary Jo Testa menu offering an array of organic items ranging from flatbread pizzas to the crab cake burger. Check it out!
December 26,
2009
— Tom Varallo in today’s letters
to the Union-Tribune
December 25,
2009
Santa and his singing reindeer
had a white Christmas
across most of North America this year.
December 24,
2009
— Serra Mesa community leader
James Feinberg
