Hey Neighbor!
We’ve almost made it through another week! Last Wednesday, as I was working on the newsletter, I started to feel the slightest hint of congestion in my chest. I powered through a sluggish day. By the time I woke up Thursday, I felt like I’d been hit by a truck—102 fever, coughing, delirious, the whole shebang. COVID reared its ugly head and got me for the third time. I’m just coming out of my week-long fog, but it’s starting to feel like I’m in a long-term relationship with this cough.
Anyhoo, last week’s survey on home repairs made me feel simpatico with many of you. In the last two years, I had to replace my roof and a good chunk of my plumbing because of two slab leaks. The worst. Here’s how the rest of you answered.
Let’s dig into this week’s news.
~Tanja
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Last week, you got a chance to discover allllll the coffee shops in our neighborhood. This week, it’s matcha’s turn to shine. This glorious green powder, packed with antioxidants, has taken the city by storm, and people are downright obsessed with it.
Fortunately, many of the city’s top matcha spots are a short walk, bike, or drive away from our doorsteps. Whether you crave a sweet, dessert-like creamy cloud matcha drink or a more traditional drink that allows the true matcha flavors to steal the spotlight, this list of 10 local spots is sure to satisfy your craving—or your curiosity—for matcha.
Matcha Madness: 10 San Diego Spots to Get Your Fix
Comings
👩🏽🍳Jin Music Studios, a karaoke bar located at 4690 Convoy Street #110, filed a permit this month to add a 230-square-foot kitchen to their facility.
Large Multiple Dwelling Unit to Replace Single-Family Home in Linda Vista
A permit was opened on July 23 “to demolish the existing house on site, construct a new four-story, 16,882 SF apartment building with 24 units.” Three of those units will be considered affordable. The single-family home was sold in December 2025 for $915,000.
Second Car in Two Months Crashes into Clairemont Library
It’s as if the Clairemont Library has a hidden bullseye on it. In June, a car crashed into the library, and just last week, yet another car crashed into it. Unfortunately, the second hit caused enough structural damage to prompt a multi-month closure. Some programs have been moved to the North Clairemont Library in the interim. By the way, this is the fourth time we’ve reported cars crashing into homes or buildings in only seven months.
City Unveils 2027 Affordable Home Development Master Plan, and it’s Eyeing Three Neighborhood Sites
If all goes according to plan, 11 city-owned land sites will become affordable housing developments. Three of those sites include the Clairemont Library, the Linda Vista Library and Skateworld, and the Rose Canyon Operations Yard in Bay Ho. Concerns about the Rose Canyon site have been brought up at many Clairemont Community Planning Group meetings, as it is built on the Rose Canyon Fault Line. An earthquake could trigger severe liquefaction.
The city will hold open house events, and the public is encouraged to attend to voice opinions.
- August 4; 5:30-7 pm; Mission Valley Library: this will include discussion of the Linda Vista Library/Skateworld sites
- August 12; 5-6:30 pm; Standley Recreation Center: this will include discussion of the Rose Canyon and Clairemont Library sites
City in Final Negotiations with Potential New Lessee for Tecolote Golf Course
In February, the City of San Diego issued a Request for Proposal to hire a new manager for its Tecolote Golf Course. A city representative informed me this week that they have accepted a proposal and are in final negotiations with one potential lessee. The negotiations are expected to take another two or three months before the final plan will be presented to the Council for approval. Unconfirmed reports are that the proposal contains $7 million in capital improvements for the course.
Driver Shot on SR-52
A woman driving in Kearny Mesa on SR-52 at the Interstate 15 connector was shot through her car. Another passenger and a child were unharmed. The woman’s condition is unknown. 619 News Media posted a YouTube video of the police follow-up.
4402 Mt. Bigelow Drive in Clairemont is a 3BR, 4BA, 3,384 sq ft home with a beautiful canyon backdrop. Set on a quiet cul-de-sac, this custom-designed home features more than 15 custom glass doors, Purpleheart hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and a marble fireplace. The primary suite has a balcony overlooking the canyon, a spa-inspired bathroom, and a custom closet. The backyard is perfect for entertaining, with gorgeous drought-resistant landscaping and a custom outdoor kitchen, including a built-in barbecue.
- Your neighborhood one-stop for all things beauty — hair, brows, lashes, facials, massage, and more. It’s a women-run collective on Clairemont Drive where you get real one-on-one attention. Appointment only, the way it should be. Grab the Explorer Exclusive deal: 20% off any service from Unique Impressions Collective, a full-service boutique salon in Clairemont.
- Need someone to walk your dog or check in on your cat? Going out of town and need an in-home pet sitter? The Daily Wag is here to help! Grey Valdes is a Bay Ho resident with a passion for pets, and she has been actively involved with dog rescues for more than a decade (which is why she is a 2x foster fail pet parent). If you’re looking for a trustworthy person to care for your pet, The Daily Wag is offering $10 off any service.
- A yoga studio and wine bar on Balboa—take a class, stay for a glass. Patrick and Victoria are Clairemont neighbors who built Vinya from scratch, and it’s genuinely one of the coolest things in the neighborhood. Grab the Explorer Exclusive deal here: 10% off a meal and/or a free yoga class at Vinya: vino+vinyasa
- Renate is a Clairemont neighbor who bakes authentic German breads and pastries from scratch. You order ahead online and pick up from her home on Fridays. Everything sells out fast! Get the Explorer Exclusive deal while it lasts: 15% off your first order of baked goods from Little Backstube microbakery
Meet Pakkun
This amber-eyed love bug is Pakkun, a nearly 5-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix. He’s gentle with children, a fan of belly rubs, and does well when his brain is kept busy. He loves walks where he goes into full sniffari mode. Visit him at the San Diego Humane Society.
Here’s what’s happening in the neighborhood this week! For the full events calendar and for any recurring events, like trivia nights, hit the button below.
Thursday, July 30
📚 Classes | Success Accelerator: Breaking Invisible Ceilings | Evolution Room | 10 am
🎸 Live Music | Pitch A Friend Event! | The Cordova Bar | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | Max Castillo & Aaron Monte | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Chickenbone Slim And The Biscuits | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | LUKE ABRANCHES | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
Friday, July 31
🍽️ Food & Drink | Sun Moon Rising: a Zodiac Wine Journey | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 5 pm
🎸 Live Music | Summer of Love | Clairemont Town Square | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Breez’n | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Honey Tones | The Gärten | 7 pm
🎨 Art | Brewdoodle | Kilowatt Brewing Kearny Mesa | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Serious Guise | Fast Times | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | KELLY K-DUBB | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🎸 Live Music | Summer Noise: An All California Fest ft. A Darker Shade of Black with special guests | Brick by Brick
🤣 Comedy | TAYLOR TOMLINSON: TRIES OUT NEW IDEAS | Mic Drop Comedy | 6:30 pm
Saturday, August 1
🍽️ Food & Drink | 35th Annual MORAVA Serbian Summer Folkfest 2026 | Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church | 2 pm
🧘 Wellness | Bunny Yoga! Supporting the San Diego House Rabbit Society | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 2 pm
🤣 Comedy | ONCE UPON A MIC | Mic Drop Comedy | 3 pm
🎸 Live Music | Live Music: The Innocent Bystanders | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Soto Six Jazz | The Gärten | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Kaotics | Fast Times | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | LISA WALLEN | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | ADVANCED STAND UP COMEDY CLASS | Mic Drop Comedy | 10 am
🤣 Comedy | INTRO TO STAND UP COMEDY CLASS | Mic Drop Comedy | 12 pm
Sunday, August 2
📚 Classes | Kintsugi Workshop | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 12 pm
📚 Classes | Community in Color: A Sunday Funday Painting Experience | RE/MAX Pacific | 1 pm
🎸 Live Music | Manzanita Blues | Fast Times | 3 pm
🤣 Comedy | Silver Sisters | Mic Drop Comedy | 6 pm
🤣 Comedy | KEITH PEDRO | Mic Drop Comedy | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Sunday Night Jazz @ Tio Leo’s | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 5 pm
Monday, August 3
🧘 Wellness | Kuku for Kids – Mindful Kids Yoga Camp | YogaSix Bay Park | 1:30 pm
🎸 Live Music | Sharpening & Hand Planes 101 | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware | 3 pm
Tuesday, August 4
🤣 Comedy | EDUCATOR ANDREA | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🎸 Live Music | Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
Wednesday, August 5
📅 Event | Sewing Basics: Machine Foundations | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 6 pm
🤣 Comedy | The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi Live Cohosted by Russell Daniels | Mic Drop Comedy | 6:30 pm
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Women’s Soccer vs UC San Diego (Exh.) | University of San Diego (USD) | 7 pm
🧘 Wellness | Sound Bath + Yoga Nidra San Diego | The Meditation Nook | 7:30 pm
Fast Times is 100% free and independently owned and operated (heck, it’s just me). Your contributions help keep it going so we can have more fun and continue to build a stronger community. I appreciate any and all support.
