Hey Neighbor!
There was a lot of positive feedback on the District 2 candidate interviews I posted the last couple of weeks. Of course, when you bring politics into the mix, however middle-of-the-road you try to make it, there will also be those who don’t appreciate it. The readers who didn’t appreciate it showed that by unsubscribing (and that’s totally okay).
This week, it’s back to our regularly scheduled programming of sunshine and rainbows with an in-depth look at the expansion of the Serra Mesa trail into Mission Valley.
Monica Fuentes, who’s a volunteer member of Friends of Ruffin Canyon, was kind enough to give me a guided tour last week (I’ll post a video to social media soon). It’s a beautiful and peaceful little escape. You should definitely check it out!
~Tanja
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It’s been nearly 20 years in the making, but the trail to connect Serra Mesa to Mission Valley finally opened. Were it not for the persistence of the community, especially members of Friends of Ruffin Canyon, this might not have ever happened.
Find out how to access this new connector that leads you from the native vegetation of Serra Mesa to the promised land of Costco in Mission Valley.
Ruffin Canyon Trail Now Connects Serra Mesa to Mission Valley
🥾Will you hike this trail?
☕️ Comings & Goings
Drive-thru coffee chain, Black Rock Coffee Bar, is looking to establish roots in Kearny Mesa at 5335 Overland Drive. This is currently the home of Angry Pete’s Pizza, which is still open, so not sure what this means. I’ve reached out to Angry Pete’s and was told their lease ends in December and they are actively seeking a new location.
📚 North Clairemont Library Faces Potential Closure
Proposed budget cuts announced by Mayor Todd Gloria’s office could impact libraries across the city by limiting hours. But of the 37 public libraries in the system, only one faces potential closure—North Clairemont Public Library. Once libraries are temporarily closed, they rarely reopen. To help save our library, here’s how you can help:
- Contact Councilmember Jennifer Campbell at 619-236-6622 or jennifercampbell@sandiego.gov
- Contact Todd Gloria at 619-236-6330 or mayortoddgloria@sandiego.gov
- Attend the May 4 budget hearing at City Council Chambers at 6 pm. You can also submit comments remotely
- Attend the May 5 library budget hearing at City Council Chambers at 2 pm
Have the Library Foundation send a postcard to officials on your behalf: https://libraryfoundationsd.org/take-action/send-a-postcard
All hearings are held in person at the City Council Chambers, 12th Floor in the City Administration Building, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101
For meeting info:
https://www.sandiego.gov/planning/public-hearings-meetings
To participate remotely: https://www.sandiego.gov/cityclerk/participate
📝 Bob’s Clairemont Community Meeting Recap
I provided a brief update on last week’s Clairemont Community Planning Group meeting, but our new contributor and Bay Ho resident, Bob Turnier, will recap community meetings in more detail. If you can’t make (or don’t want to make) the meetings, but still want to know what’s happening in your backyard, follow Bob’s recaps.
(If you attend meetings in Linda Vista, Kearny Mesa, or Serra Mesa, and would like to provide recaps, send me a message.)
💵 Show Me the Money
Recent reports show the outcome of fundraising efforts by City Council candidates in San Diego. In our neighborhood, District 2 and District 6 seats are up for grabs. Richard Bailey leads in fundraising in District 2, while Kent Lee slightly edges out as the leader in fundraising in District 6.
⛺️ A Perfect Union
Employees at Kearny Mesa’s REI store are moving forward with a plan to unionize. They intend to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union to improve scheduling, pay, and other aspects of their jobs.
Beyond the Neighborhood
🧑🚒 San Diego Fire Union Warns of Budget Cut Dangers
The Fiscal Year 27 proposed budget includes job modifications in the public safety sector, and San Diego Fire warns that this could have disastrous effects in a city built in a high fire zone. A fire division director notes, “San Diego Fire is already stretched thin.”
If you’ve ever had a desire to rappel from your house to Costco, this Bay Ho home can make that dream a reality! 3002 Courser Avenue offers 3BR and 2BA in 1,324 sq ft. It’s perched atop a canyon bluff on a cul-de-sac above Costco, and features A/C, a fireplace, a huge patio, a California room off the living room, and many other upgrades throughout. How much do you think it’s on the market for?
Don’t forget to take advantage of our amazing Explorer Exclusives offers from local merchants! There are some new additions coming soon!
- 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 Snow
This blue-eyed beauty is 2 years old and weighs about 12 pounds. He’s a bit shy at first, but Snow is coming around and starting to seek out affection. No doubt he’d be purr-fect for your home. See him 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 30
👨👩👧👦 Kids | Children’s Day | Linda Vista Farmers Market | 3 pm
🎭 Theater | Bringing down the house Innovations K-8 | Innovation Family Community Theatre | 6 pm
🐶 Food & Drink | Pups & Pints with Ketch Brewing | The Cordova Bar | 6 pm
🤣 Comedy | AN EVENING W/ MASOOD BOOMGAARD & SELF-HELP SINGH | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
🎭 Theater | Edges and Angles: A CPMA Dance Concert | Creative Performing Media Arts | 6 pm
Friday, May 1
🍽️ Food & Drink | BUONGUIDO WINE DINNER | La Gran Terraza | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Live Music: Isabella & The Cats | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | SPIRITWORLD WITH SPECIAL GUESTS | Brick by Brick | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Halo Effect | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎭 Theater | Much Ado About Nothing | San Diego Mesa College | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Tecolote Canyon | The Gärten | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | SABRINA WU | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | LESLIE JONES | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | 3 Car Garage | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant
Saturday, May 2
❤️ Charity | Humble Design Donation Drive | Designer Gallery | 10 am
🤣 Comedy | ADVANCED STAND UP COMEDY CLASS SHOWCASE | Mic Drop Comedy | 3 pm
🎸 Live Music | Full Strength Funk Band | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Jetpack Mojo | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎭 Theater | Much Ado About Nothing | San Diego Mesa College | 2 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Agents of Apollo | The Gärten | 7 pm
🏘️ Community | Clairemont Outdoor Living and GARDEN TOUR | 9 am
Sunday, May 3
🎸 Live Music | Gregory Page | Carina’s Listening Lounge | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Appian Way | Fast Times | 3 pm
🤣 Comedy | SAANIYA ABBAS: HELLARIOUS | Mic Drop Comedy | 3 pm
🎸 Live Music | Blue Heelers | The Gärten | 5:30 pm
🎭 Theater | Much Ado About Nothing | San Diego Mesa College | 2 pm
🤣 Comedy | JESSIE MCDONALD | Mic Drop Comedy | 6 pm
🤣 Comedy | KELLY KELLZ | Mic Drop Comedy | 8:30 pm
Tuesday, May 5
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Baseball vs UC Irvine | University of San Diego (USD) | 6 pm
Wednesday, May 6
🤣 Comedy | DANNY POLISHCHUK | Mic Drop Comedy | 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.
