Hey Neighbor!
Last week, I asked what types of in-person events would inspire you to leave your houses and socialize with the community. Y’all apparently like to eat as much as I do, as the top two choices were food-related:
- Progressive tasting event: limo/party bus carts us around to a different venue for each meal course
- Dinner with strangers: take a brief personality quiz to be matched with 5 others for dinner (some preferred lunch or brunch instead), where you find out the restaurant the morning of the dinner, and leave with 5 new friends.
I’ve got these on my radar, so stay tuned for something in the next couple of months.
📣 I also wanted to shout out a couple of special readers who will make contributions to Explore Clairemont and the newsletter. Bob Tournier is a Bay Ho resident who documents the Clairemont Town Council and Planning Group meetings, so I’ll post his updates on the website. The other contributor (who wants to remain anonymous) writes unvarnished opinions on local restaurants, so I’ll share some of those in the newsletter. Plus, he’s a great source of comings and goings (one coming is below).
~Tanja
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This is Part Two in our District 2 candidate interview series. Josh Coyne, Mandy Havlik, Paul Suppa, and Jacob Mitchell all answered the same questions submitted directly by the Explore Clairemont audience.
Along with the interview summaries, there is a link to each candidate’s full-length YouTube interview. As stated last week, the aim here is simply to inform you of the candidate’s stances on issues that concern our community. It’s up to you to decide who you think would be the best councilmember when you vote on June 2.
Again, I reached out to the District 6 candidates as well, and they opted not to participate. If you missed last week’s interviews, you can check them out here.
Did you find last week’s interviews helpful?
San Diego City Council District 2 Interviews: Havlik, Coyne, Mitchell, Suppa
📱Clairemont Community Planning Group Goes Wild
If you were looking for excitement Tuesday night and didn’t attend the Clairemont Community Planning Group meeting, you missed out! First, the community came out en masse to state their opposition to the proposed AT&T cell tower at Gershwin Park. Second, a disruptive attendee repeatedly ignored the committee’s requests for him to be respectful after he made multiple outbursts, lay down on the floor during a presentation, and became combative with committee members. After warnings that the police would be called, he finally left at the tail end of the meeting.
Regarding the cell tower opposition, residents cited fire hazards, child safety at the park, macro- and microplastic pollution, and a multitude of other reasons for not wanting it installed there. The CCPG agreed and said they would ask the City of San Diego to deny the request. Ultimately, it will be at the City’s discretion to determine whether this project moves forward.
🥾Serra Mesa Ruffin Canyon Trail Expansion Opens
The trail connection in Ruffin Canyon linking Serra Mesa to Mission Valley opened last week. This project has been decades in the making and now offers hikers and bikers a safe passageway between neighborhoods. Cruise to Costco on your bike, but good luck cruising back after shopping in bulk. I’ll be getting a guided tour of the new trail, so look out for an update coming soon!
🚻 Help Restore Mount Etna Park Restrooms
Nearly a year ago, someone set off an explosion in the restrooms at Mount Etna Park in Clairemont, destroying them. This park serves members of the community and is also home to North City Youth Baseball. One of the baseball players, Tucker Diczhazy, who plays for (ironically) the Bomb Poppers, is raising funds to restore the restrooms. You can donate to the cause here.
Coming to the Neighborhood
☕️ MOTW (Muslims of the World), an Arabic specialty coffee chain, will replace the former Subway on 7710 Balboa Avenue in Kearny Mesa. The chain, which started in Indiana and has locations nationwide, does not yet have a location on the West Coast. Opening date is unknown.
🌇 Beyond the Neighborhood
Here are some things happening beyond the neighborhood that you might want to know about.
💫 There will be a fundraiser on April 26 to restore Starlight Theater in Balboa Park. The 4,000-seat venue was built in 1935, but has sat abandoned for 15 years.
📚 San Diego Unified School District is receiving new funding that will allow it to expand free after-school child care. Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, all elementary and middle school students will be eligible for the program.
🗳️ There will be a second candidate forum for San Diego City Council District 2 candidates on April 27 at Liberty Station. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the mime did not qualify to move ahead in the race. There will also be a District 6 forum on April 30 at University City High School.
Canyon-view home on a cul-de-sac—it doesn’t get much better. This Serra Mesa home, located at 2546 Marathon Drive, boasts 3BR and 2BA in 1,396 sq ft. It features a remodeled kitchen, remodeled bathrooms, and new HVAC. It also has a tankless water system. Enjoy breathtaking views on the spacious deck.
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 Scout
This bestest boy has a face you can’t pass up! Scout (also called Wendelle in his profile)–doesn’t care what you call him, as long as you call him yours. He’s seven years old and full of love. Visit him at the Humane Society today.
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.
Celebrate the many cultures of the Linda Vista community at the 41-year-old Linda Vista Multicultural Fair & Parade. Food, fun, and festivities all take place on the 6900 block of Linda Vista Road on Saturday, April 25 at 10 am.
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 23
🤣 Comedy | Sara Weinshenk | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Mercedes Moore | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | Billie Lee | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
🎭 Theater | Weird Is Good! A Spring Art Exhibition | Creative Performing Media Arts | 6 pm
Friday, April 24
🎸 Live Music | Mystery Train | The Gärten | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy/Charity | Bay Park Comedy Night | Coastline Real Estate Group | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Rare Form – LIVE!! | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | MESSER CHUPS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS | Brick by Brick | 7:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | JAMES “MURR” MURRAY: THE ERRORS TOUR with special guest Josh Nasar | Mic Drop Comedy | 7 pm
⚽ Sports | University of San Diego Baseball vs Saint Mary’s | University of San Diego (USD) | 6 pm
🤣 Comedy | RUI MONTILLA | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm & 10 pm
Saturday, April 25
🎏 Fair | Linda Vista Multicultural Fair & Parade | Linda Vista | 10 am
🤣 Comedy | CHRISSA SPARKLES | Mic Drop Comedy | 10 pm
🏘️ Community | Paws to Read at North Clairemont Library | San Diego Humane Society | 11 am
🎸 Live Music | The Oddz | The Gärten | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Live Music: Al Dente Jazz | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 6 pm
🎸 Live Music | Totally 80’s Band – LIVE!! | Fast Times | 7 pm
🎸 Live Music | Detroit Underground | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
🤣 Comedy | JAY WASHINGTON | Mic Drop Comedy | 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 26
🎸 Live Music | Quick Fix Trio | The Gärten | 5:30 pm
🤣 Comedy | DAWSON’S CREEK BRUNCH | Mic Drop Comedy | 1 pm
🎸 Live Music | The Exit Band – LIVE!! | Fast Times | 3 pm
📚 Classes | Studio: Ease and Release Sound Bath Journey | Vinya: vino + vinyasa | 6 pm
🤣 Comedy | HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE MORALS COMEDY NIGHT | Mic Drop Comedy | 8:30 pm
Tuesday, April 28
🎸 Live Music | Soul Persuaders | Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant | 7 pm
Wednesday, April 29
🤣 Comedy | JOKE SWAP | 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.
