Tribal Beat presents Vagina Monologues • Quince Street Bridge • Mid-City Rapid Bus Line

Friday, April 8 2011	“(It’s) emphatically clear that the general public does not approve of the bypass bridge that the architectural firm continues to push. The public supports Save Our Heritage Organisation’s plan, which includes removing parking from the Plaza de Panama.” — Jarvis Ross in Thursday’s letters to the U-T editor
Thursday, April 7 2011	Neighbors concerned re: Rapid Bus project Over 60 residents attended a Sandag meeting yesterday evening at Grace Lutheran Church to learn about the proposed Mid-City Rapid Bus project, a new high-frequency service that will quickly carry passengers between Downtown and SDSU via Park and El Cajon boulevards. but the only street where the buses will have two exclusive tracks is on Park Boulevard from University to El Cajon. Virtually everyone in the crowded room was against the proposal which also includes closing Polk Street to thru traffic. One neighbor questioned Sandag spending this money since bus ridership has been on the decline for years, but the blame was placed on the recession & (last year’s) lower gas prices. It was indicated that more and more fabulous options would come on board to this rapid system as the community got more dense and ridership increased. But the community does not want to become more dense. Is anyone listening? One old woman was so upset after attending numerous “community input” meetings and concluding that the input was just ignored and could no longer contain her frustrations and shook and trembled as she spoke. Sadly, she decided the meetings were merely circus acts and that nobody was really listening. Is the $43M project a waste? Or is it time to rally? Does the community have a voice or will Sandag do what they want no matter what? Questions? Call David Hicks at (619) 699-6939.
Wednesday, April 6 2011	“Scientists are working hard to develop a vaccine for HIV, but progress is slow. UC San Diego researchers want to show that we can reduce the spread of HIV now, even without a vaccine.” — Susan Little, MD, UCSD professor of medicine and lead researcher of “Lead the Way”
Tuesday, April 5 2011	Mid-City Rapid Bus project meeting This Thursday from 4-6 (presentation at 5pm) an informational meeting for the community will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 3967 Park Blvd (at Lincoln). Learn about the proposed Mid-City Rapid Bus project, a new high-frequency service that will quickly carry passengers between Downtown San Diego and SDSU via Park and El Cajon boulevards. Is the $43M project a waste? Or is it time to rally? Find out about changes planned for your street, ask questions and voice your opinion.
Monday, April 4 2011	“San Diego had been the poster child for pension abuses and excess, so now it has the opportunity to be the poster child for serious reform.” — Author Steven Greenhut re: Mayor Sanders new pension plan
Sunday, April 3 2011	Join an incredible evening of laughter, tears, passion & tunes! Tribal Truth presents... Vagina Monologues: End violence against women The Vagina Monologues is a poignant and hilarious tour of the last frontier, the ultimate forbidden zone. It is a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery. In this stunning phenomenon that has swept the nation, Eve Ensler gives us real women’s stories of intimacy, vulnerability and sexual self-discovery. Purchase tickets < this Thursday at the Birch North Park Theatre (2891 University Ave) V-Day is a global movement of grassroots activists dedicated to generating broader attention and funds to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day creates dialogue and shatter taboos around violence against women and girls through thousands of events in over 140 countries. By supporting local activists in producing benefit performances of Eve Ensler’s award winning play...part of your ticket price will be invested in local anti-violence activities. (Thank you in advance for supporting three fantastic organizations, Jeans 4 Justice, Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute and Humanity in Motion, all dedicated to ending violence against women and girls!) Join us for an evening of yummy cocktails, amazing raffle prizes, awesome auction items and of course The Vagina Monologues! As a bonus, West Coast Tavern will be hosting a rocking after party with live music and ice cold Vagina-tinis. See you there!!
Saturday, April 2 2011	“They treat [the sewage] to a certain level and then they send it out in a pipe and it goes out three or four miles out into the ocean, and that’s where all the sewage of San Diego goes.” — Former candidate for mayor Steve Francis re: SD’s biggest environmental problem
Friday, April 1 2011	How long will the Quince Street bridge be closed? A western portion of the 106-year old wooden pedestrian bridge that crosses Maple Canyon connecting Bankers Hill to Balboa Park was crushed by a large eucalyptus tree nearly two weeks ago. The popular footbridge was designated a historic site in 1987. Please email Councilman Kevin Faulconer to ask for a quick repair to this neighborhood favorite and continue to contact the city until this neighborhood treasure is repaired. Elinor Meadows (1914-2002) was a Bankers Hill community activist and art teacher who led a campaign to save the Quince Street pedestrian bridge from demolition in 1987. While closed she place a hand-lettered sign and large tears on the bridge. It read: “I am an old bridge. I was the pioneer structure across a lovely canyon. I have carried my share of walkers. I have provided a place to view the bay, a quiet place to pause, to stop and think. I have seen many changes. The bay is busy, the air is heavy, the streets are crowded. My people need me more than ever. But where are they? No one crosses me now. It’s enough to make an old bridge weep.”

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