Hey Neighbor!
The weather is heating up, so it would certainly be nice to have a pool to dip into. If you were hoping that would be the Clairemont Pool at the South Clairemont Recreation Center, you’ll have to wait a while longer until it opens—no one really knows when that will be. But hopefully I’ll have more on that for you by the end of this week.
Let’s dig into this week’s news.
~Tanja
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A couple of weeks ago, a LOT of you mentioned needing work done on your homes. Some of y’all even reached out to me for recommendations. I thought it would be great for locals to share who you love for home services (and who to steer away from). Once you click one of the buttons below, drop the info, and I’ll put together a list to share with everyone. Bonus points if the business/person is a local resident in one of Explore Clairemont’s coverage areas. The no-gos will be kept private and only shared upon request.
🔨 Real Talk:
Do you have a handyperson, contractor, landscaper, or other home service rep you love (or hate)?
Clairemont Pool: When Will it Open?
My story this week was supposed to delve into the closure of the Clairemont Pool, which has been closed for nearly two years, with no opening date in sight. This has frustrated community members who rely on the pool for recreation, as well as the aquatics teams at Clairemont High School who use it for practices, games, and events.
I researched the original contract, awarded to California Commercial Pools. That company was the sole bidder on the City of San Diego’s Request for Proposal (RFP) that was issued several years ago for pool improvements throughout the city.
Of course, the city ran out of money in the middle of repairs, so they then turned to grants, and the trail gets rather muddy. I’m on an email chain with about 8 city representatives, and I was told they would respond to all my questions regarding the extensive closure and high expenditures by Wednesday morning. Considering the city’s high rate of efficiency and stellar reputation for transparent communication, I was shocked not surprised at all when I didn’t hear back (insert sarcasm here). So I reached out mid-morning yesterday asking when I’d get my response. I was assured it would be before the end of the day. By 3 pm on Wednesday, I hadn’t heard a peep. I emailed three more times after that and was completely ignored.
So, there is no feature story in today’s issue since the story is not ready to be written. If I hear back from the city on Thursday, I will finish the story and send y’all the link separately. The Clairemont Town Council is having their meeting tonight, and there is supposed to be an update on the pool from Councilmember Jennifer Campbell’s office. The meeting is at 6 pm at 4425 Bannock Avenue in the Cathy Hopper Friendship Center.
Comings & Goings
🧱 Brick by Brick, a staple in the Bay Park community since 1995, yesterday announced its impending closure later this month. The music venue, known for its hardcore heavy metal performances, provided no reason for the decision. The last show will be on August 13.
🐠 It’s the end of an era for a decades-long business resident of the Morena District. Catalina Offshore Products, located at 5202 Lovelock Street, is moving out of the space it has called home for nearly 50 years. The local seafood supplier is likely to downsize and relocate to National City, but there has not yet been an official announcement of the new address.
👓 America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, located at 3952 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite F, in the Clairemont Town Square, is shuttering on August 8. The chain has 1,000 locations nationwide and provides eye care and eyewear.
🚰 Pure Water Touts (Partial) Completion of its Project
The City of San Diego announced last week the completion of construction on the Morena Conveyance South & Middle portion of the Pure Water project. While it may no longer feel like you’re driving through a full-on obstacle course, all paving is not yet complete. The city first needs to complete performance testing.
✍️ Toler Elementary Signing Day
On Friday, August 7, new kindergarteners to Toler Elementary School in Clairemont will get to experience a bit of the magic collegiate athletes feel on signing day. Toler is holding its second annual Signing Day & Welcome Celebration at the school, where signing up will be a celebration and include a photo station, giveaways, and meet-and-greets with the school staff. The event kicks off at 10:30 am at 3350 Baker Street in Clairemont.
Beyond the Neighborhood
💻 San Diego Unified School District Limits Technology
SDUSD enacted more stringent guidelines on cell phone usage in schools last year. This year, students who are issued Chromebooks by the district will notice decreased accessibility to some platforms. YouTube and other video-streaming services will only be accessible when enabled for specific instructional purposes. Non-instructional gaming platforms will also be inaccessible.
This beautifully appointed Serra Mesa home, located at 2801 Amulet Street, is 3BR, 2BA, and 2,215 sq ft. Top-end appliances in the open-concept kitchen make for great entertaining, along with a spacious backyard. The primary bedroom includes a spa-like ensuite bathroom. A bonus room for an office or kids’ playroom gives its homeowners one more place to spread out.
- 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 Luna
Sweet Luna is a nearly 10-year-old senior kitty looking for a new home. Help her live out her golden years with love. Visit her at the San Diego Humane Society and adopt her for 50% off through August 31.
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, August 6
📚 Classes | Pen Turning – Slimline | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware | 1 pm
🎸 Live Music | Laurel Canyon Revival | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | ELLEN HARROLD | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | AMBER AUTRY | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
Friday, August 7
📚 Classes | Mosaic Art Classes San Diego: Turkish Lamp Workshop | Courtyard by Marriott | 10 am
📚 Classes | Ceramic Painting Classes in San Diego | Courtyard by Marriott | 2 pm
❤️ Charity | Ensure no family fights alone – One Summit fundraiser | Road Runner Sports | 5 pm
🎸 Live Music | Surf Birdz | Clairemont Town Square | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Date Nite Drumming – 7:00 SHOW – Theme is the Music Through The Years | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Hot Club of SF | Paper Moon Music | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Groove Therapy | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | 3 Car Garage | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Writhers with special guests | Brick by Brick
🤣 Comedy | Pedro Gonzalez | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 8
🎸 Live Music | Zeptune | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Detroit Underground | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Agents of Apollo | The Gärten | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Ben Delgado Ensemble | Dizzy’s | 8 pm
🎸 Live Music | DJs & Dancing w/ DJ Serg | The Cordova Bar | 9 pm
🎸 Live Music | SoCal Metal Blaze: Slave I Remain with special guests | Brick by Brick
Sunday, August 9
🤣 Comedy | Generations Brunch | Mic Drop Comedy | 1 pm
🎸 Live Music | SYLTR (So You Love To Rock) | Fast Times | 3 pm
🎸 Live Music | Camille’s Po Boys | The Gärten | 5:30 pm
🎸 Live Music | Live Music Sunday w/ Dolly’s Revenge! | The Cordova Bar | 6 pm
🤣 Comedy | THE SALTY MOM COMEDY TOUR | Mic Drop Comedy | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Julian Roel group | Dizzy’s | 7 pm
Tuesday, August 11
🤣 Comedy | Heated Rivalry | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Big Time Operator | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
Wednesday, August 12
🍽️ Food & Drink | Paint and Sip at Easy Does It! | Easy Does It Coffee | 5 pm
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Women’s Soccer vs Cal State Fullerton | University of San Diego (USD) | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | CHRIS COPE | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
🧘 Wellness | New Moon Sound Bath San Diego | The Meditation Nook | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | ANTOINE SCOTT | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Cybertronic Spree with special guests | Brick by Brick
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.
