Hey Neighbor!
My intent with this newsletter isn’t to be political, but rather to inform. Tip O’Neill famously said, “All politics is local.” And he was right. When it comes to our roads, our schools, our homes—it’s important to be informed on who makes the decisions that will impact us most. That’s why I interviewed candidates, trying to remain as apolitical as possible while giving you insight into your decision at the ballot box this June. I hope it helps.
🎟️ Now, back to the fun stuff. As this little newsletter community grows, I’m starting to explore real-life events that would be fun and interesting, and that would get us out of our little bubbles.
So here are a few ideas. Let me know if any of them would appeal to you.
✅ Wine tasting event hosted by a sommelier
✅ Game night: bingo, Mah Jongg
✅ Social studies lecture: attend a lecture on a cool topic at a local brewery
✅ Dinner club with strangers: answer a short quiz, get matched with 5 strangers for dinner, where you learn the restaurant the morning of the dinner; leave with 5 new friends
✅ Progressive tasting event: visit a different restaurant for each course of a meal on a party bus
Let’s jump to the good stuff
~Tanja
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Local elections are right around the corner—June 2, to be exact. In our coverage area, there will be open seats on the San Diego City Council in Districts 2 and 6.
District 2 includes Bay Ho, Bay Park, and Clairemont. District 6 includes parts of Kearny Mesa.
I polled you, my lovely readers, for questions you wanted the candidates to answer. Every District 2 candidate participated, and each answered the exact same questions.
I also reached out to District 6 candidates and was either turned down or my request went unanswered.
This is a two-part series of interviews with District 2 candidates. Part one, below, includes Richard Bailey, Nicole Crosby, and Mike Rickey. Next week will include Mindy Havlik, Paul Suppa, Jacob Mitchell, and Josh Coyne.
San Diego City Council District 2 Interviews: Bailey, Crosby, and Rickey
805 Shutdown
If you’re planning to travel south on the 805 below the merge this weekend, you’d better make an alternate plan. Southbound 805 will be closed below the merge to the Governor Drive exit from Friday at 9 pm through Monday at 5 am. Please plan accordingly.
Breaking Ground on Affordable Housing in Serra Mesa
We covered news of the Serra Mesa Apartment affordable housing complex a few months back, but now it has finally broken ground. The 60-unit complex will set aside 30 units for homeless veterans and the rest for people earning below the area’s median income. The projected completion date is approximately two years from now.
Judge Halts Taking Out the Trash Fees
Last Thursday, a judge denied the City of San Diego’s request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by homeowners to oppose the new trash fees. The lawsuit argues that the fees violate Proposition 218, which says the cost of providing a service (trash collection) cannot exceed the cost of providing that service. While voters approved the trash tax, the fee is double what was originally proposed. The judge last week decided there is enough evidence for this case to start trial on May 8.
District 6 Candidate Kent Lee Answers Questions (Not Mine)
Kent Lee, San Diego City Council President Pro Tem, answered some questions in “The San Diego Union-Tribune” if you’re interested in his stance. District 6 includes part of 92111, mainly the Convoy District. FYI-Mr. Lee turned down my request for an interview.
Woman (Engineering) Power
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) founded a branch at Mesa College in 2024. It has since grown from 4 to 15 women engineers and reached more than 90 Mesa College students. SWE aims to empower women in the engineering field through workshops, professional connections, and social mixers.
This new-construction home at 3702 Conrad Avenue in Clairemont is 2,200 sq. ft. and has 4BR and 5BA, including an ADU. All bedrooms are primary suites. The kitchen features an island and upgraded stainless steel appliances. A massive rooftop deck is perfect for an expansive outdoor-living setup. Tankless water heater, mini-split AC units, and new electrical and plumbing systems complete the package.
Don’t forget to take advantage of our amazing Explorer Exclusives offers from local merchants!
- 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
- 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 Dutchess
Sweet, shy Dutchess is almost seven years old and is looking for a chill home to relax in with her new family. She weighs 10 lbs. Dutchess is a bit timid at the Humane Society (who wouldn’t be?), but she is open to being petted and picked up. Visit her at the San Diego Humane Society.
Have a pet you’d like to feature here? Reply to this email with your pet’s photo and a short description to show off your pet.
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.
Have an event you’d like to feature here? Partner with us!
Thursday, April 16
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Softball vs Hawaii | University of San Diego (USD) | 5 pm
🎭 Theater | Sing Into Spring: A Spring Choir Concert | Creative Performing Media Arts | 6 pm
📅 Community Meeting | Serra Mesa Planning Group | Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | HE IS LEGEND – CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF “SUCK OUT THE POISON” WITH SPECIAL GUESTS | Brick by Brick | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Chickenbone Slim And The Biscuits | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | CROWD WERK | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | JAIME FRENCH | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | BILL JUBRAN | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
Friday, April 17
🎸 Live Music | Los Tortugas | The Gärten | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Live Music: Blue Healers | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Equinox – LIVE | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Wild$ide Band | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | PENTAGRAM WITH SPECIAL GUESTS | Brick by Brick | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | DEI COMEDY | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🎸 Live Music | Mackenzie Leighton Quintet plays the music of Charles Mingus | Dizzy’s | 8 pm
🤣 Comedy | LEO GONZALEZ | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Baseball vs Seattle U | University of San Diego (USD) | 6 pm
Saturday, April 18
🥂 Social | Community Impact Fair | BoujieMana | 10 am
🎸 Live Music | Starsign | The Gärten | 7 pm
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Women’s Tennis vs Washington State | University of San Diego (USD) | 12 pm
🤣 Comedy | ANGELO COLINA (En Espanol) | Mic Drop Comedy | 3 pm
📅 Event | The Inner Sanctuary: A Healing Circle | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 4 pm
🎸 Live Music | Johnny J & The Jiggle Oh’s (JUMP BLUES SWING) | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | A Tribute to the Masters | Paper Moon Music | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | 7SecondsToVegas | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | DIE KRUPPS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS | Brick by Brick | 7:30 pm
🎸 Live Music | Joshua White interprets Jerome Kern | Dizzy’s | 8 pm
🤣 Comedy | SARA HUNTINGTON | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm & 10 pm
Sunday, April 19
🎸 Live Music | School of Rock | The Gärten | 5:30 pm
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Women’s Tennis vs Gonzaga – Senior Day | University of San Diego (USD) | 12 pm
🎸 Live Music | Bad Rabbit – LIVE!! | Fast Times | 3 pm
🤣 Comedy | STAND UP FOR KIDS SHOWCASE | Mic Drop Comedy | 3 pm
🤣 Comedy | CRIS SOSA | Mic Drop Comedy | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Live Music Sundays w/ The Remnants | The Cordova Bar | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | ULTRA SUNN WITH SPECIAL GUESTS | Brick by Brick | 8 pm
🤣 Comedy | DR MO’S COMEDY SHOW | Mic Drop Comedy | 8:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | KERWIN CLAIBORNE | Mic Drop Comedy | 8:30 pm
Tuesday, April 21
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Baseball vs UC San Diego | University of San Diego (USD) | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Ritmo De Plebes SALSA DANCING ! | 7 pm
Wednesday, April 22
🤣 Comedy | ABBAS WAHAB | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | COMEDY MADNESS WITH MICHAEL QUU | Mic Drop Comedy | 8 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.
