February 7, 2012:
The City Council was visited by royalty today. We honored the Imperial Court de San Diego for its 40 years of noble deeds in our city.
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February 7, 2012: The City Council was visited by royalty today. We honored the Imperial Court de San Diego for its 40 years of noble deeds in our city. February 7, 2012: Thank you 9th Circuit! February 7, 2012: Check out today’s U-T! Great Q&A with the self described mayor of Golden Hill Judy the Beauty on Duty Forman. Judy is an amazing woman, the personification of District 3 and of all the qualities that make it so special. February 6, 2012: Praying that the 9th Circuit gets it right and that California takes a giant step toward equality tomorrow. February 6, 2012: The Council will consider adopting civil penalties for the illegal demolition of historic resources on Tuesday. This is an important step toward preserving the character of our historic neighborhoods. February 5, 2012: "This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We'll get back up again and when we do the world's gonna hear the roar of our engines. Yeah. It's halftime, America. And our second half's about to begin." -- Nice Super Bowl ad. February 5, 2012: Oh My Madonna! February 4, 2012: Just read an article on Smart Planet about streetcars in D.C. Another reason why I'm pushing so hard to bring streetcars back to San Diego: "massive economic benefits." February 3, 2012: Humbled to be named READ San Diego's Literacy Advocate of the Year for my work to support our public libraries. February 3, 2012: Great turnout tonight for the food truck fundraiser for Birney Elementary in University Heights. Thank goodness calories don't count when you're eating for a good cause! February 3, 2012: iI toured UCSD's Hillcrest Medical Center today with local residents to see its recently expanded Emergency Department. This $10 million investment demonstrates the hospital's commitment to our community's wellbeing. February 2, 2012: Welcoming another new business to Hillcrest, along with 40 jobs! Check out the tasty burgers at Smashburger at 3975 Fifth Avenue. February 2, 2012: Answering questions from constituents at tonight's University Heights Community Association meeting. February 2, 2012: In the U-T: "Urban farming gets a boost." Love the line from this article: "The San Diego City Council has opted to whip out the Miracle-Gro for urban farms." Yes we did! February 1, 2012: The new Pershing Avenue through Balboa Park is freshly repaved AND now sporting wider bike lanes. A twofer! February 1, 2012: Check out "Fixing the Dome" in today's U-T. Great photo essay about the work currently underway to restore the California Building's dome in Balboa Park. Another project that will be done in time for the park's 2015 centennial celebration! January 31, 2012: On days like today, when we accomplish so much for the community, I am more thankful than ever to have a team of talented public servants working for my constituents. Thank you Todd Squad for all you do for District 3! January 31, 2012: Urban agriculture regulations approved! Read more (PDF) January 31, 2012: Homeless storage facility saved! Read more (PDF) January 30, 2012: The Council will vote Tuesday to fund the first ever storage facility for the homeless in San Diego through June. I am grateful to my colleagues for stepping up to keep this critical program running. I hope the public will also embrace this proven way of cleaning up our streets. January 30, 2012: The repaved Sixth Avenue north of Upas is looking good! January 29, 2012: Heads Up District 3! Tuesday is the final day to provide input via the San Diego Foundation's online survey seeking to build a consensus on a vision for our region. Please take 15 minutes and weigh in today: www.showyourlovesandiego.com. January 29, 2012: On Tuesday the City Council will consider enacting an Urban Agriculture Policy. Among other things, the policy would ease restrictions on the keeping of chickens, goats, and bees in San Diego. So excited! January 29, 2012: Thank you to the Philippine American Society for Arts & Culture for naming me their Filipino Citizen of the Year. January 28, 2012: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the House of the Philippines in Balboa Park. January 27, 2012: Congratulations to Stepping Stone's class of 2011 graduates! Your strength and commitment to sobriety are inspiring. January 27, 2012: Ribbon cutting to welcome Wang's to North Park. A huge step forward for this neighborhood's economic revitalization - plus great food and drinks! January 27, 2012: Talking about how investing in infrastructure helps create good jobs with U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. - at San Diego Job Corps. January 27, 2012: Here's some good news in the U-T for those of us that believe San Diegans deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods: Serious Crime at 42-year Low. January 26, 2012: Connections Housing proves San Diegans don't only care about the homeless in the winter, but we care about them 365 days a year. January 25, 2012: Tomorrow the City will break ground on our first year-round homeless shelter and service center: www.sdconnections.org. This is a significant step in addressing homelessness in Downtown and without a doubt will be one of my proudest days as your Councilmember. January 25, 2012: In today's U-T: "City retiree health care deal could save $714M" This is a big deal! By reforming our retiree health care benefits, the City will save over $700M and is now on the cutting edge of fiscal reform nationally. It also proves once again that collective bargaining is the best way to achieve savings for taxpayers. January 24, 2012: The Council voted today to extend the existing Uptown Interim Height Ordinance for two years, matching the anticipated completion date of the long awaited Community Plan Update. Now let's get the plan update done! January 24, 2012: Tonight the President announced that he will cut red tape to speed up infrastructure projects across the nation. Tune in to SanDiego6 this Wednesday at 7:20 a.m. to hear how the City plans to do the same thing. January 24, 2012: "Our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong." - President Barack Obama January 24, 2012: Speaking at the Adams Avenue Business Association annual meeting. January 23, 2012: Thank you to my Council colleagues for adding streetcars to our City's annual legislative package. San Diego's lobbyists can now advocate for their restoration in Washington and Sacramento! January 22, 2012: Celebrating the Year of the Dragon. January 22, 2012: I just watched the extremely moving message from Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Thank you for your service to our nation, Congresswoman. January 21, 2012: In today’s U-T: "Homeless Storage Center Gets Lifeline." Proud to work with Kevin Faulconer and my colleagues to save this critical program that serves the homeless. With the financial help of businesses and citizens, we can ensure it remains open and helping to clean up our streets. January 21, 2012: Thank you to all who attended today's Coffee with Your Councilmember in North Park. Great discussion on a bunch of hot topics. Big thanks to The 30th Street Cafe for hosting us! January 21, 2012: Thank you to the many concerned citizens at this morning's arson meeting in University Heights. Big thanks to SDPD for being there, too. The community is united and we will find the suspect and bring him to justice. January 20, 2012: A special University Heights community meeting to discuss the recent arson fires is scheduled for 10 a.m. this Saturday, January 21 at 4353 Park Blvd. Neighborhood leaders, my staff and others will be on hand to share information and strategize ways to increase safety. All UH residents are welcome to attend. January 19, 2012: Today's paper has an update on our planning for the 2015 Balboa Park Centennial. Check it out and get involved. There are public meetings today and tomorrow. January 19, 2012: Tune in to Fox 5 this morning at 6:40 a.m. I'll be live in studio discussing the latest on the University Heights arson fires. January 18, 2012: I paid a visit to the always fun North Park Lions this afternoon. We discussed the City's budget, redevelopment and Balboa Park. January 18, 2012: Please consider participating this event to honor the memory of SDPD Officer Jeremy Henwood and raise funds to help youth programming in Mid City. Learn more: www.starpal.org. January 17, 2012: On scene at Birney Elementary School in University Heights this morning. An arsonist set fire to Birney's auditorium last night. If you have information that could help us find the individual responsible for this crime, please contact CrimeStoppers at 888-580-8477. January 16, 2012: I'm pleased that both opinion pieces in yesterday's U-T Dialog highlight District 3's efforts at urban renewal. City Heights and North Park are models that should be duplicated statewide. January 16, 2012: Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a thousand San Diegans at the All People's breakfast. — at Hilton San Diego Bayfront. January 15, 2012: There's an interesting article on efforts to save LGBT history in the Advocate. Where are the LGBT historical sites in San Diego? How can we use preservation to create my vision of an LGBT thematic district in our city? January 14, 2012: Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Burlingame neighborhood with former Senator Jim Mills and community leader Grant Merkel. January 14, 2012: I'm not happy about needing glasses but I'm thrilled to be able to see again. And I love shopping local! January 13, 2012: Touring the Green Build project at the airport. January 13, 2012: The City's pension bill is much less than expected which means our projected budget deficit is significantly reduced. This is great news and more proof that we are making progress toward fixing the City's finances. January 13, 2012: In the U-T: Anonymous Donation Guarantees Library’s Finish. I never doubted that San Diegans would step forward to fund this important project. This announcement is great news for our city. January 11, 2012: With the Gay Men's Chorus in advance of Mayor Sanders' State of the City address. GMCSD will perform the national anthem tonight. — at Balboa Theatre - San Diego. January 11, 2012: I taped a segment today for San Diego's Most Wanted asking for the public's help in apprehending the arsonist that targeted a University Heights church. Program airs this Saturday, 7:30pm on Fox5. January 10, 2012: Thank you to my Council colleagues for their unanimous vote today for continuing funding for the construction of a senior center on 30th Street in North Park. With their support, this dream will become a reality! January 10, 2012: The City will host the sixth annual Project Homeless Connect tomorrow. Learn more about how you can help support this effort or how those who might need a hand can get help. January 9, 2012: Aldine Drive in Kensington reopened to traffic today after six months of construction. It features a new retaining wall *AND* was repaved - a twofer! January 9, 2012: Tune in to Fox5 at 7:00am. I'll be live with Matt Johnson in Kensington for the completion of the Aldine Drive Slope Stabilization project. After over six months of construction, this vital Mid City road will reopen to traffic. January 7, 2012: Cox Communications celebrates the opening of its new Hillcrest store with a donation to the San Diego LGBT Community Center's youth housing program. January 6, 2012: Freedom of Speech exhibit and reception - at Centro Cultural de la Raza. January 6, 2012: Get your wallets ready! There's a cash mob coming to Hillcrest this Sunday. A fun and unique way to support small, local businesses. Learn more on the U-T's website. January 5, 2012: Eleven appointments today? I think it is safe to say we're back in the swing of things. Bring it on 2012! January 5, 2012: Proud to join local leaders to break ground on a the first phase of the project that will finally deliver to San Diegans a world class waterfront. January 5, 2012: Update: When construction is complete this spring, the Downtown Quiet Zone will significantly improve the quality of life of those living, working and visiting our City. January 4, 2012: Joining Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest to dedicate the Conrad Prebys Emergency and Trauma Center this morning. This is part of a $200M project that will bring state of the art emergency care to this 120-year old District 3 institution. January 3, 2012: From 10News, "Vandals Hit Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall for 3rd Time." We must stand together against these senseless acts. I encourage anyone with information about these crimes to contact Crime Stoppers at 888 580-8477. January 3, 2012: RIP: Dr. Joe Colombo made significant contributions to academia, higher education, our city and the LGBT community. He was a District 3 resident and a mentor. Godspeed Dr. Colombo. January 3, 2012: I'm urging all neighbors to help us solve a recent string of arsons at a University Heights church. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered. Reward Offered for Tips in University Heights Arson Cases. January 3, 2012 Reminder: Here's how you can recycle your Christmas tree and save precious landfill space. Christmas Tree Recycling District 3's drop off location is Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Dr. January 1, 2012: New Year's Day hike in one of our City's great regional parks. - at Mission Trails January 1, 2012: Hello 2012! December 31, 2011 New Year's Eve partying tonight? Have fun but please party responsibly. Don't drink and drive. If you need it, use AAA's Tipsy Tow service. December 31, 2011 Tune in to SanDiego6 this morning at 9:40. I'll be on air to discuss redevelopment and possible ways to keep job creation and neighborhood investment alive after the Supreme Court's decision. December 30, 2011 U-T story, "Fire damages University Heights church again." There is no place in District 3 for this kind of hate. If you have information that can help police apprehend those responsible for this crime, please contact Crimestoppers at (619) 235-8477. December 29, 2011 Tune in to the Fox 5 Morning Show this Friday at 7:10 am. I'll be live in studio with reaction to the State Supreme Court's decision to end redevelopment. December 29, 2011 My KPBS interview in response to today's Court ruling ending redevelopment is posted on its website. In short, it was the worst case scenario. It has negative impacts on job creation, infrastructure and affordable housing. This is bad for North Park and City Heights. December 29, 2011 The Supreme Court is expected to issue its redevelopment decision today at 10am. Tune in to KPBS Midday at noon. I'll be on air with reaction. December 28, 2011 From the U-T, "Group plans to auction old Hillcrest sign." Get your bidder paddles ready! You can own a piece of our community's history. December 27, 2011 The first of many jobs the 2015 Centennial Celebration will create. Check it out and share with those who might be interested: http://www.balboapark.org/2015/employment. December 27, 2011 NYT has an article on the City's renewed commitment to free concerts in Balboa Park. This is one of my 2011 highlights and underscores my belief that the arts are essential for a vibrant city. December 26, 2011 When you're ready to take down your Christmas tree, the City would like you to recycle it. Details, drop off locations and more here: http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/events/christmas.shtml. December 26, 2011 out the current issue of the San Diego Uptown News for my thoughts on what 2011 meant for Uptown and what 2012 might bring from myself and other neighbors. December 25, 2011 Four generations of Glorias around the table, enjoying a meal and sharing stories. What a wonderful holiday. I am blessed and grateful. December 25, 2011 Merry Christmas! December 24, 2011 I just read, "Ordinary Holiness: The Lay Away Angels" in the Washington Post. I love this. December 24, 2011 I'm last minute holiday shopping on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest. Much less stressful than going down to the Valley. Keep it local D3! December 23, 2011 Labor Council Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive – at Qualcomm Stadium. December 22, 2011 Good news for the North Park Theatre! Let's welcome SDMT to D3 and show our support by attending February's run of 'Wonderettes.' December 22, 2011 Our Mayor (and my constituent!) Jerry Sanders is profiled in this month's Men's Fitness magazine for his impressive weight loss. Go Jerry! December 22, 2011 Continuing the theme from my commentary last week, there's more truth about redevelopment and affordable housing in today's U-T, "CCDC a supporter of affordable housing." December 21, 2011 TRANSIT ALERT: Starting January 20, Albertsons will be MTS's new vendor for Compass cards. Vons will discontinue offering transit passes on January 5. Learn more at http://www.sdmts.com. December 20, 2011 I hope the 160 million workers affected by this move are taking note: House Republicans Reject Payroll Tax Cut Deal. December 20, 2011 Wishing everyone a very happy Hanukkah! December 19, 2011 Balboa Park's 2015 centennial celebration is gaining international attention. This year long event will place our park and our city on the world stage and we will shine! December 19, 2011 I just read this in the U-T, "Oman may figure into 2015 Balboa Park plans." Balboa Park's 2015 centennial celebration is gaining international attention. This year long event will place our park and our city on the world stage and we will shine! December 18, 2011 Love the D3 tradition of holiday lights over I-805? Thank our small businesses who sponsor them. Another great reason to shop local! December 18, 2011 Watching my father's soccer game. Go Dad! — at Robb Memorial Field. December 17, 2011 Check this out in today's U-T: "Vintage trolley operation expands Downtown." There's no stopping the restoration of streetcars in San Diego! December 16, 2011 Pleased to announce that we closed on Connections Housing, our permanent, year-round homeless services center today! When it opens next year, hundreds our city's homeless will better served and San Diego will have lived up to its motto of being America's Finest City. December 16, 2011 Thank you Fox5 for this report on the squeeze middle class families are experiencing nationally and here in San Diego. I also appreciate the plug for the important work of 211 San Diego: "Middle Class Is Shrinking, Study Says - KSWB." December 16, 2011 Check out my letter to the editor in today's U-T. Redevelopment is an important tool for creating affordable housing and must be preserved. December 15, 2011 The Hillcrest Business Association is getting creative to encourage you to shop local this holiday season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa13dQodEF0. December 15, 2011 I am grateful that the Iraq War has at long last come to an end. Let us never forget those who died in service to the nation and honor our veterans with the care and benefits they have earned. December 15, 2011 Thank you to our City's senior volunteers who donated almost 12,000 hours of time in 2011, saving taxpayers over $230,000. December 14, 2011 Headed to the City's winter homeless shelter to light its Christmas tree and thank the donors who make this public-private program a success. Additional donors are always welcome: www.alphaproject.org. December 14, 2011 Happy (early) Birthday to my wonderful Deputy Chief of Staff Katie Keach! The Todd Squad loves you. December 13, 2011 The rain has stopped. Now help the City fill the potholes that developed during the storm. Report any you see via this link: http://apps.sandiego.gov/streetdiv/sreq_t1.jsp December 12, 2011 Go Sherri Lightner! She will do a great job chairing the Council's new committee focused on job creation and improving the economy. December 12, 2011 Thank you to my Council colleagues for voting unanimously this morning to support my continued service as Chair of the Budget Committee. I look forward to leading the Committee in 2012 to deliver a balanced budget that prioritizes public safety and infrastructure. December 10, 2011 Celebrating the holidays with some of our nation's heroes at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center. December 10, 2011 'Tis the season...for holiday parties. I'm attending seven of them today. December 9, 2011 Used oil, filters, batteries or other auto waste laying around? Recycle them this Saturday from 9am to 1pm at Presidents Way and Park Boulevard courtesy of the City. December 8, 2011 Pleased to join Father Joe's Villages today to dedicate 140 new affordable housing units in Downtown San Diego. December 7, 2011 Good times at tonight's North Park Community Association holiday party at West Coast Tavern. Thank you to NPCA for all their hard work to keep the progress in North Park going! December 7, 2011 I just saw this story on MSNBC, "Street Fighter: One woman's mission to fight gridlock." I loved this profile on how NYC's leaders are working to untangle gridlock by creating car-free zones and expanding bike lanes. Check it out and tell me where you think we could try similar pilot projects in San Diego. December 6, 2011 Appearing on SanDiego6 News in the Morning this Wednesday at 7:20 a.m. I hope to cover the Council's recent actions on the Convention Center expansion, pension reform and other hot topics. Please tune in. December 6, 2011 Just read, "U.S. to use aid to promote gay rights abroad," in the New York Times. Thank you Mr. President and Madame Secretary! December 6, 2011 Thanking our departing Navy Mayor Admiral Bill French for his service and proclaiming a day in his honor. December 5, 2011 Can you help some of our most vulnerable neighbors living on the streets? Blankets are needed. If you can pitch in, email info@alphaproject.org or call (619) 542-1877. December 1, 2011 Join me tonight to observe World AIDS Day. Let us remember all who have died, support those living with and affected by HIV, and recommit to the goal of realizing an end to AIDS. December 1, 2011 For those following closely, Winslow the dog is back home today! December 1, 2011 Celebrating the good work of my friend Robert Gleason at the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice breakfast. December 1, 2011 I'm appearing on the Fox 5 Morning Show at 8:20 am today to plug Balboa Park December Nights. Tune in for event details, parking advice and other tips on how to enjoy this San Diego holiday tradition. November 30, 2011 Hey North Park, please keep an eye out for Winslow who went missing earlier today. Check out the photo on my Facebook page for details and contact information. November 30, 2011 Great update on our expanding WiFi network in Balboa Park at www.balboapark.org. We're using technology to enhance the park visitor experience. Check it out this weekend at December Nights. November 30, 2011 At last! The resurfacing of Sixth Avenue along the west side of Balboa Park started yesterday. November 29, 2011 I just read the U-T article, "Price Charities Donate $50 Million to USC." Thank you to the Price Family for their amazing generosity and continued focus on improving the lives of the people of City Heights. November 28, 2011 Reminder: Balboa Park December Nights is this weekend! Check out this web site and follow @DecemberNights on Twitter for up to the minute event information. November 26, 2011 Small Business Saturday was a hit. I was happy to see so many shoppers while I was out in North Park and Hillcrest today. Keep it up San Diego! November 25, 2011 Attention Black Friday shoppers, please remember to save a couple of bucks for Small Business Saturday. Join me tomorrow to support the local businesses that support our neighborhoods. November 24, 2011 Best part of the holiday (besides leftovers)? Spending it with family. Lots of love for my parents and big brother. November 24, 2011 Lots of good stuff being served at the Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers! November 24, 2011 I'm blessed with a wonderful family, dear friends, an amazing staff, loyal supporters, a challenging career, good health, a roof over my head and the best Council District ever. I have much to be thankful for and hope you do too. Happy Thanksgiving! November 23, 2011 I just saw this 10News story: "Lifeguards to move dead whale to Fiesta Island." Wow, talk about "other duties as assigned." Thank you City workers! November 22, 2011 So long to the amazing Michael Lengyel who has worked hard to bring improvements to North Park. All of District 3 is grateful for his service. November 22, 2011 Watson is home! I joined his owner Jamee Lynn of North Park this morning to celebrate his safe return after going missing nearly a year ago. This good news was made possible because Jamee Lynn microchipped Watson when he was a puppy. Be a responsible pet owner and have your loved ones microchipped. The County offers this service for just $20. Learn more http://www.sddac.com/microchip.asp. November 22, 2011 The City's Winter Shelter for the homeless is now open. I applaud my Council colleagues for siting this year's shelter early (in May!) and without acrimony. This is a good thing for San Diego. November 21, 2011 GOOD NEWS. Remember Watson who went missing earlier this year? He was found alive a few days ago! Tomorrow Watson's owner and I will host a press conference to share his story and how pet owners can ensure similar outcomes for their pets if they go missing. November 21, 2011 Just read this article in the Washington Post: "Debt committee failure becomes official with written joint statement." Beyond disappointing outcome with very real negative impacts for our City's finances and all Americans. November 20, 2011 Thinking of my trans brothers and sisters gathering at San Diego LGBT Community Center tonight for Transgender Day of Remembrance. We all have a role in stopping anti-TG hate and violence. November 19, 2011 All-electric car-sharing launches today. A step closer to my goal of giving San Diegans more choices when it comes to getting from A to B. November 18, 2011 So excited to see new life breathed into this formerly boarded up storefront. Proud to welcome Wang's to North Park! November 18, 2011 As the first enrolled tribal member elected to the San Diego City Council, I was honored to host a ceremony at City Hall today to acknowledge local American Indian leaders who are serving our community. November 18, 2011 This morning I paid a visit to the Monarch School for homeless students. With the help of redevelopment, this amazing place is set to expand from 10,000 sq feet serving 140 students to a new 50,000 sq foot facility serving over 300 children. Learn more at www.monarchschools.org. November 18, 2011 I just tried the new Snooze restaurant in Hillcrest. As you can see from the breakfast burrito I ordered, you need to check it out for yourself! Delicious! November 16, 2011 I just read this article on KPBS: "Quarter Of San Diego Streets Need Major Repairs." This is not news to those of us in District 3. You have my commitment to continue to press for more road repairs until all of our streets are sexy. November 16, 2011 I just read this article in the Union-Tribune: "Downtown advocates urge transit over cars." A variety of transit options serving a thriving Downtown and connected to Balboa Park and the Uptown communities? I couldn't agree more! November 15, 2011 Forget Black Friday and Cyber Monday - in District Three it's all about Small Business Saturday. Support the businesses that support our neighborhoods on Saturday, November 27 and year round. November 15, 2011 This Thanksgiving, Father Joe's Villages will serve its 20 millionth meal to San Diego's homeless. You can help this nonprofit continue its good work and burn off some calories at www.thanksgivingrun.org. November 15, 2011 Check out this article on Voice of San Diego: "Passing the Hat to Save Historic Street Lights." Kensington's historic street lights are worth saving. This article details how residents are coming together to accomplish that goal. November 13, 2011 Monday's Council meeting will focus on Regulatory Relief San Diego. Where can the City cut red tape in order to create more jobs? Example: The Budget Committee that I chair has directed city staff to eliminate the number of steps required to award road repair contracts. This will speed up needed street repaving and in turn create more construction jobs. Share your ideas with me here or come to the meeting at 6pm, 202 C Street. November 13, 2011 Five acres of Florida Canyon in Balboa Park were improved today in honor of local veterans with 780 native plants thanks to San Diego Canyonlands, City Park & Rec staff and dozens of volunteers. November 12, 2011 San Diego's compassion doesn't stop when it rains. I joined volunteers from Embrace today to serve the homeless in Downtown. November 11, 2011 This college basketball game was the first played aboard an aircraft carrier. A Veterans Day tribute, it was attended by over 7,000 people, including the President, First Lady and my dad. November 11, 2011 Tonight's Carrier Classic was awesome. Our beautiful city was on display for the nation to see and we shined! - with Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. November 11, 2011 In honor of Veterans Day, I'd like to thank my grandfather for his service in the Navy. To all of our veterans and their families, thank you for your service. November 10, 2011 A great night spent celebrating our LGBT veterans in Hillcrest. November 10, 2011 Filming the story of how I got started in public service for "My Aha Moment" in Balboa Park. November 10, 2011 Full evening tonight: Veterans for Obama phone bank, LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor dedication, San Diego Young Democrats reception, and ACLU cocktail party. Hope to see some of you at one of these events! November 10, 2011 Litter, graffiti, landscaping or other issues along our freeways? Here's a way to report these problems to Caltrans online. Bookmark it! http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/msrsubmit/ November 9, 2011 Thank you to our firefighters for their generous donation to support the North Park Toyland Parade. You can help too! www.toylandparade.com November 8, 2011 Tune in to SanDiego6 Wednesday morning at 7:20am. I'll be on air to share how we're cutting red tape at City Hall to speed up road repairs and create jobs. November 8, 2011 I love that caring professionals are coming together to keep the North Park Theater open and operating for the public to enjoy. The renaissance of North Park will not be stopped! November 7, 2011 I visited with Occupy San Diego folks today and listened to those who feel their government has stopped paying attention to the people. Hoping to build a dialogue that can bring positive change. November 7, 2011 Today's U-T includes a great interview with the Balboa Park's 2015 chief on the what lies ahead for the centennial celebration in our city's crown jewel. November 7, 2011 After the rain comes the potholes. Please report post-rain issues in the public right of way to the City so staff can attempt to fix them: http://apps.sandiego.gov/streetdiv/sreq_t1.jsp. Thank you! November 5, 2011 Thanking those who served with two of my Council colleagues today at an early Veterans Day event atop Mount Soledad. November 5, 2011 Had a great Coffee with Your Councilmember this morning in Balboa Park. We had full discussions on a number of important topics including Plaza de Panama, speeding up needed road repairs, and the OccupySD movement. November 4, 2011 Public transit is critical to the continued success and growth of our community. Check out this video by one grassroots group that shares my vision for reestablishing streetcars as a part of our regional transit system: sandiegohistoricstreetcars.org. November 3, 2011 Tonight I appeared on KPBS's Evening Edition to discuss our Keys to Housing initiative to end family homelessness and the city's efforts to cut red tape to speed up road repairs and put people to work. November 3, 2011 Today local government, community and nonprofit leaders launched the Keys to Housing initiative to end family homelessness in our region. Learn more at www.keystohousing.org. November 2, 2011 More on Infrastructure Day from Voice of San Diego: "Wednesday's hearing could represent a key moment in reversing decades of San Diego's infrastructure neglect." November 2, 2011 I paid a visit to the San Diego Children's Choir in Hillcrest tonight. This terrific nonprofit is doing great work to expose D3 kids to the arts. Learn more at www.sdcchoir.org. November 2, 2011 The Budget Committee's Infrastructure Day was a success! The Council has a better grasp on the size of our problem, started a series of reforms to speed up repairs, and identified $14.2M for more sexy streets. November 1, 2011 Congratulations to North Park Main Street for receiving an Orchid Award for its sustainability project! Check out our vision for making North Park America's greenest neighborhood. Get involved by contacting NPMS at http://www.northparkmainstreet.com/sustainable-north-park-main-street. November 1, 2011 Free Healthy Living Seminar Series starts November 8 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Check it out. November 1, 2011 Read about how we're working to create a urban agriculture policy to make our food supply more sustainable, healthy and affordable: www.grist.org. October 31, 2011 Great visit this morning with the students of Albert Einstein Academy in South Park. October 31, 2011 Happy Halloween from the Todd Squad! October 31, 2011 The world's population will top 7 billion today. I sure hope I have enough Halloween candy! October 29, 2011 Happy Birthday to my Grandma! She's 82 years young and looks like a million bucks. October 29, 2011 While far from perfect, the 2050 RTP adopted yesterday begins to slowly shift San Diego toward more transit options. 156 miles of new trolley service, nearly $4 billion for bicycle and pedestrian projects, and reintroduction of streetcars in District 3. October 29, 2011 My Halloween 2011 costume: Blaine of the Warblers from Glee. October 28, 2011 Celebrating Dia de los Muertos at the City Heights Performance Annex. We'll be here until 8pm. Come join us! October 27, 2011 Proud that District Three won a bunch of Orchids at tonight's Orchids & Onions Awards. As I always say: we don't do ugly in D3! October 26, 2011 What is the City doing about homelessness? Here's a Housing Commission report that details San Diego's recent efforts. It's a good start, but more is needed. Stay tuned. http://docs.sandiego.gov/councilcomm_agendas_attach/2011/LUH_111026_5ppt.pdf. October 26, 2011 Waiting in the Fox5 green room: Will be on air at 6:40 am with Kevin Faulconer to talk about homelessness in San Diego. October 25, 2011 In today's U-T story about the approval of the Balboa Park Centennial plans: "We can do something big, bold and exciting in the city," said Councilman Todd Gloria, whose district includes the park. "2015 is going to be magnificent." October 25, 2011 Proud to join homeless advocates today to launch a new campaign to raise needed funds to help move the San Diego's homeless from the streets into housing.. October 25, 2011 Thank you to my Council colleagues for their unanimous support to launch the Balboa Park Centennial Celebration. Mark your calendars now - 2015 is going to be awesome! October 25, 2011 Big Day Ahead: Declaring Housing America Month, unveiling Downtown's new homeless meters, Friends of Balboa Park awards luncheon, Council vote on Balboa Park 2015 Centennial. October 24, 2011 Celebrating 100 years of women's suffrage in California with the Women's Museum. Check out the terrific exhibit in the lobby at City Hall. October 24, 2011 Got potholes? Streetlight out? Graffiti? Use this link to report these and other problems to the City for repair: http://apps.sandiego.gov/streetdiv/sreq_t1.jsp. Please bookmark it! October 23, 2011 At Last! The Altadena Neighborhood Association and I dedicated the Thorn Street median project today. This long awaited improvement will calm traffic and beautify this great corner of North Park. October 22, 2011 Proud to be with over 800 supporters of the San Diego LGBT Community Center at its 38th annual gala celebrating a year of great progress: DADT repeal, Seth's Law, EBO, etc. October 22, 2011 This is what community looks like! Thirteen homes near Home Avenue in City Heights spruced up thanks to Community HousingWorks' annual FaceLift program. October 21, 2011 Hitting the red carpet at the 12th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival with Lee Ann Kim. October 21, 2011 The North Park Planning Committee is now on Facebook. "Like" this page to stay informed on the lastest land use issues in the neighborhood. I hope other D3 planning groups take the social networking plunge! (hint, hint) October 21, 2011 After six months of performance, the evidence shows that the City's Equal Benefits Ordinance is working. Equal pay for equal work! October 20, 2011 Beyond excited to accept CityBeat's Best Elected Official Award tonight. I dedicate this honor to the members of the Todd Squad who do an outstanding job serving the people of District Three on my behalf. October 20, 2011 This is worth a look: http://downtownsandiego.org/sites/default/files/files/Global%20Trends%20REVISITED%20for%20SAN%20DIEGO%20Oct-11.pdf. (PDF) Intriguing presentation from today's Downtown San Diego Partnership luncheon on how global trends like demographics, lifestyles & competition are changing cities. October 19, 2011 Today we broke ground on a new $14 million affordable housing community in North Park. October 19, 2011 SDPD has a new, more user-friendly crime mapping tool for citizens: http://www.crimemapping.com/default.aspx. Check it out and be sure to sign up for email alerts for your neighborhood. Nothing prevents crime like informed and engaged residents! October 19, 2011 Waiting in the green room at SanDiego6. Will be on air soon with Marc Bailey and Lynda Martin. Tune in! October 18, 2011 I'm pleased Lyric Opera is taking the necessary steps to ensure it continues to serve San Diego. The North Park Theatre will remain open through this process. This is just a bump in the road - nothing will stop resurgence of North Park! October 18, 2011 We are making progress in moving the homeless from the streets to housing. There's a lot more work to do but today's U-T story is proof that this problem can be solved. October 17, 2011 Today I joined local leaders to report on the progress we're making in addressing homelessness in Downtown San Diego. October 17, 2011 My colleague Sherri Lightner receives well deserved kudos for her thoughtful water policy proposal that the Council will consider later today. October 16, 2011 Good times at today's Between Heights neighborhood block party. Lots of fall family fun in a great corner of District Three! October 16, 2011 Reminder: The Hillcrest Business Association is hosting the first ever Hillcrest Hoedown this afternoon on University Avenue. Join us for some fun with or without your spurs. October 15, 2011 There are public restrooms on LA's Skid Row. Don't you think San Diego could use a few of these? October 15, 2011 Spending today in Los Angeles touring homeless service providers. Seeking best practices that might work for our communities. October 13, 2011 I joined school district and neighborhood leaders to break ground on the Jefferson Joint Use Field. Nearly one acre of new park space for North Park! October 12, 2011 Thank you to my Rules Committee colleagues for their unanimous support of the first step toward launching the 2015 Centennial celebration in Balboa Park. October 11, 2011 Tomorrow, 9am at City Hall, the Council's Rules Committee will take the first step toward formally launching the 2015 Balboa Park Centennial Celebration. October 11, 2011 I'll be calling in to KPBS Midday in a few minutes to discuss my favorite subject: road repair, please tune in. October 11, 2011 You know you're out when even Google knows you're gay. Happy National Coming Out Day! Come out, tell your story, and change hearts and minds. October 10, 2011 Look out District 3! We've got some sexy streets headed your way this week in Uptown, Balboa Park and City Heights. October 10, 2011 The City Heights Farmers Market goes big time with a photo essay in the New York Times. Proud to see the great things in District 3 getting national attention. October 10, 2011 SDPD has arrested three suspects in connection to a series of street robberies in Hillcrest and University Heights. Thank you San Diego's Finest! October 9, 2011 Reminder: Check out today's Family Festival at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. I'll be on stage performing "Rex" with our Civic Organist Dr. Carol Williams. Program begins at 2pm. October 8, 2011 Hanging with Smokey Bear at today's community open house at Fire Station 11 in Golden Hill. October 8, 2011 Coffee with Your Councilmember, today, 10:00-11:30 am. Kensington Community Church, 4773 Marlborough Drive. Drop by, have a cup of coffee and share what's on your mind. October 7, 2011 Happy Birthday to the amazing Steve Hill: senior policy advisor, Balboa Park Guru and a fantastic father! He's enjoying a dessert with the Todd Squad at URBN in North Park. October 6, 2011 Join me this Sunday at the Spreckels Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park. I'll be performing with our amazing Civic Organist, Dr. Carol Williams! October 5, 2011 Council Committee gave the green light to move forward with new rules to allow chickens, bees, roof top gardens and other urban agriculture tools in San Diego. Full Council vote expected in early 2012. So excited! October 5, 2011 My colleagues and I are joining the San Diego Housing Commission to support the 6th annual Project Homeless Connect. Volunteers and donations are needed for this important event on January 11, 2012. Special Housing Programs. October 4, 2011 Tomorrow, a Council Committee will collect public input on potential legislation to support urban agriculture in the City (i.e. composting, roof-top gardens, chickens, goat and bees). Read the report and give me your thoughts. October 4, 2011 For 50 years of translating vision into action, I was pleased to offer a resolution to proclaim it to be C3 Day in the City of San Diego. October 3, 2011 I've always challenged San Diego's refugee community to dream big and set a goal of electing one of their own to the City Council within a generation. I'm proud that leaders like Hamse are working hard to make this dream a reality. Read more about his story in today's U-T. October 3, 2011 Today we broke ground on the Port of San Diego's 3.3 acre Ruocco Park on the Downtown waterfront. Learn more at http://www.portofsandiego.org/ruocco-park/2741-port-to-celebrate-groundbreaking-of-its-newest-public-park-on-october-3.html. October 2, 2011 "You want to be commander in chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States, even when it's not politically convenient." -President Barack Obama October 1, 2011 Congratulations to Talmadge Neighbor of the Year Kelly Waggoner! She is a wonderful voice for this special neighborhood. October 1, 2011 Celebrating Filipino culture at the 7th annual FilAmFest in Paradise Hills with Council President Tony Young. September 30, 2011 Thank you to the firefighters at Station 14 in North Park for preparing a veggie lunch when I stopped by for a visit today. Glad a few of them could take the Veg Pledge, even for just one meal! :) September 30, 2011 As a part of my ongoing focus on addressing deferred maintenance in Balboa Park, I'm pleased that we will be replacing the Casa del Prado's roof. September 30, 2011 Public safety will always be my top priority for District 3. Yesterday, we took a big step forward by increasing police presence in our community through the introduction of the Hillcrest Bike Team. September 30, 2011 I was pleased to pay a visit to Senior Community Centers yesterday to launch the Seniors First initiative. September 28, 2011 Happy Rosh Hashanah. L'Shanah Tovah! September 27, 2011 Veg Pledge Day 3: Guru fried rice and spring rolls from the Loving Hut in North Park. September 27, 2011 We are working proactively to prevent crime in Hillcrest. This Thursday's launch of SDPD's Hillcrest Bike Team will be a huge boost to our efforts. September 27, 2011 Pleased to join City workers to declare Hispanic Heritage Month. My Puerto Rican grandmother would be very proud. September 26, 2011 Veg Pledge Day 2: Mediterranean Veggie sandwich from Panera. Tastes better than a lot of the regular sandwiches I order! September 25, 2011 Proud to join my Council colleagues and my constituents this morning to raise money for local nonprofits that serve San Diegans living with HIV/AIDS. September 25, 2011 Veg Pledge Day 1: Buffalo "Chicken" Sandwich and sweet potato fries from Evolution on 5th at Quince. September 25, 2011 Join me and thousands of San Diegans and take the Veg Pledge. Prevent animal cruelty, improve your health, and protect the environment by exploring a vegetarian diet for one week: vegsandiego.com. September 24, 2011 Heading out to the always fun Adams Avenue Street Fair. The District Three booth is B-15 between Bancroft and 33rd. Stop by and say hello. September 22, 2011 I was pleased to accept a new kiosk from the Friends of Balboa Park today. These enhance the visitor experience, expand WiFi access, and raise funds to support the park. September 21, 2011 As Chair of the Budget Committee, I'm pleased that we are moving forward on marketing agreements that will reduce costs and bring needed new revenue to the City. September 20, 2011 Tune in to SanDiego6 this Wednesday at 7:15am. I'll be live in studio discussing the proposed Convention Center expansion and our lifeguards' new partnership with Toyota that may save the City almost $1 million. September 20, 2011 Happy Birthday to Dion Akers, my always charming council representative. He does an awesome job serving the residents of University Heights, Normal Heights, Kensington and Talmadge. Thanks for all you do Dion! September 20, 2011 It's official: Don't Ask, Don't Tell is over! I can't wait to see our troops serving openly with distinction and making all of us as proud as their predecessors who served in silence did. September 19, 2011 Coming Soon to Hillcrest...an SDPD Bike Team to increase police visibility and presence in our vibrant business district. More details to come on 9/29. September 18, 2011 Congratulations to all of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine's 40 Under 40 award winners - many of whom are D3ers! These folks are doing amazing things and will provide our city with solid leadership for years to come. September 17, 2011 Thanks to all who attended today's Coffee with Your Councilman in Hillcrest. We discussed a host of topics including Balboa Park, parking and redevelopment. Special thanks to Chef Rich Sweeney and the crew at R Gang for hosting us! September 17, 2011 Coffee with Your Councilmember in Hillcrest today, 10:00-11:30 am at R Gang Eatery, 3683 Fifth Ave. Come have a cup of coffee and tell me what's on your mind. September 16, 2011 Finally, one of the worst streets in D3 has been repaved. We have a lot more work to do, but I'm very pleased Boundary Street has been repaved in North Park. September 15, 2011 Success! I'm proud to report that San Diego Police have arrested one person connected to the theft of bronze plaques from our historic neighborhoods. Let this be a lesson to those criminals who would prey on our historic neighborhoods: We will find you and you will go to jail. September 14, 2011 Please support the Todd Squad at next weekend's AIDS Walk San Diego. Join our team or make a donation online http://events.thecentersd.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=1040&team_id=1020. Funds go to local nonprofits that help those living with HIV/AIDS. Until there's a cure, we'll keep walking! September 14, 2011 I'm with Councilmember Faulconer and San Diego Police Department discussing the recent theft of historic home plaques throughout San Diego. One suspect is in custody. Investigation is ongoing. September 14, 2011 I just read an article on Voice of San Diego, "Stocking Needy Kitchens with Low Hanging Fruit." I love this. It's so D3! September 12, 2011 Construction has begun at the Jefferson Elementary School Joint Use Park. When completed in 2012, this will add needed park space for the people of North Park. And not to worry, we're still working hard with our partners at the San Diego Unified School District to create similar opportunities at Normal Heights and McKinley Elementary schools in D3. September 11, 2011 It's awesome to watch ocal firefighters raise the American flag at the 9/11 memorial service aboard the USS Midway in San Diego. September 11, 2011 Today, we mourn those who died, comfort the loved ones left behind, thank those who served and continue to serve, and celebrate our freedom as Americans. Most of all, we keep the promise made a decade ago: We Will Never Forget. September 10, 2011 With this final step, my move is complete! If you've recently moved, don't forget to register to vote at your new address. September 10, 2011 Busy Saturday in D3: Open Doors/Open Minds Refugee Women Conference in City Heights, North Park Car Show, Urban Gourmet Food Market grand opening in South Park, Burlingame Block Party and 10th anniversary of Ray at Night. Join me at any or all! September 9, 2011 Felt underprepared during yesterday's blackout? Check out the Red Cross's "Prepare San Diego" web site for useful tips on how to be ready for any future emergency: www.preparesandiego.org. September 9, 2011 Thank you San Diego for staying classy during the blackout! Please help us as power is restored by staying at home and off the roads, conserving water, turning off air conditioners, calling 911 only if there is a serious emergency, and checking on the welfare of your neighbors. September 7, 2011 Mayor Sanders has a new web site that provides residents with road repair updates. He may be giving me a run for my money when it comes to love for streets! Check out the latest list of streets fixed: http://www.sandiego.gov/mayor/pdf/streetrepavingupdates.pdf. September 7, 2011 The new Upas Street in North Park is repaved and ready to go! September 6, 2011 As we prepare for Sunday's 10th anniversary of 9/11, please consider participating in one of the many memorial events in our community. We must keep the promise we made ten years ago: We will never forget. September 2, 2011 As we start Labor Day weekend, check out the recent online KPBS profile of one City employee provides a snapshot of the challenges all workers are facing today: stagnate wages, reduced benefits and the rising cost of living. September 1, 2011 Congratulations to my colleague Kevin Faulconer and City staff for successfully repairing the historic Quince Street pedestrian bridge! It was officially reopened today for the public to enjoy. September 1, 2011 Voice of San Diego posted an interesting piece on the new D3. I look forward to taking on the challenges facing the communities of the new District. Working together, I believe we can solve many of our shared problems and ensure that D3 continues to be the best district in San Diego. August 31, 2011 Thank you to my friend and mentor Congresswoman Susan Davis for sharing how she led the fight to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell in Congress with the community at The Center tonight. Susan is a true public servant and I feel fortunate to have learned from the very best. August 31, 2011 How do cities attract and retain talented workers who can choose to live anywhere? Place matters and D3 has a lot of what people are looking for if San Diego wants to compete. Check out this upcoming event on this topic hosted by the EDC. http://theyoungandrestless.eventbrite.com/ August 30, 2011 Join my team at this year's AIDS Walk San Diego. Use this link to sign up or donate http://events.thecentersd.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=1040&team_id=1020. Until there's a cure, we'll keep walking! August 30, 2011 North Park's resurgence will take another giant step forward when Wang's opens in the long vacant J.C. Penney building on University Avenue. Work continues on the project. I can't wait! August 29, 2011 Thank you to San Diego's firefighters for their quick work to stop a brush fire in one of our urban canyons in City Heights. August 29, 2011 Congratulations to last night's Nicky Awards winners! They represent the best D3 has to offer. August 26, 2011 The San Diego Redistricting Commission approved new City Council District boundaries last night. It modifies District 3 by removing City Heights, Kensington and Talmadge and adding Mission Hills, Old Town, Bankers Hill, Park West and all of Downtown. August 25, 2011 After our successful push to make it easier to have community gardens in San Diego, the City is now exploring other ways we can boost urban agriculture. Learn more in today's post on the Voice of San Diego's website. August 25, 2011 I'm deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend John Laird. He was a tireless community activist and volunteer for decades. I will miss him terribly. My heart goes out to his husband Aaron Borovoy, who has been a pillar of strength through John's long illness and has shown all of us what true love looks like. August 24, 2011 We visited the San Diego Food Bank this morning to learn more about how this important nonprofit is helping San Diegans feed their families. August 24, 2011 A senior center for North Park, police station fixes in City Heights, affordable housing and other infrastructure should not be delayed while the lawyers fight out the existence of redevelopment. Our neighborhoods need these improvements and our city needs the jobs they'll create. August 23, 2011 I was pleased to join the community to cutting the ribbon on Mama's Kitchen's new permanent home in City Heights. August 22, 2011 San Diego is working to ensure that we have an adequate water supply for our residents. Today I paid a visit to one solution we're pursuing to this important problem facing all of Southern California. August 22, 2011 Want to get involved in the renaissance in North Park? Consider joining the Board of the neighborhood's business improvement district. Your voice can help us keep the momentum in this great neighborhood going. www.northparkmainstreet.com August 22, 2011 Have you *seen* the I-5 to the 163 interchange?! It's now pothole-free. Thank you Caltrans! August 19, 2011 Check out this month's Governing magazine. They check in on "deep and lasting changes" San Diego has made toward financial reform and note that we may "represent a model for cities." August 19, 2011 I'm grateful San Diegans are pitching in to help law enforcement to catch the thieves that are preying on our historic homes. Please stay vigilant, report what you see to SDPD. Crimestoppers is offering a reward. August 17, 2011 Beyond excited! The Silver Line featuring vintage streetcars launches in Downtown on August 27. August 17, 2011 Honored to congratulate Captain Jeff Cheek on his 25 years of service to the City of San Diego today at Fire Station 18 in Normal Heights. August 16, 2011 Tune in to SanDiego6 on Wednesday at 7:20am. I'll be live in studio with my Budget Chairman hat on to discuss how Washington's actions on the debt limit and S&P downgrade may impact our City's finances. August 16, 2011 Thank you to the Cygnet Theatre for hosting a fundraiser tonight for the Kensington-Normal Heights Branch Library. Learn more about Cygnet's "Tuesdays on Twiggs Street" events and its latest show "Little Shop of Horrors" at Cygnet Theatre. August 16, 2011 We're making progress on potholes and parking on Kansas Street near El Cajon Blvd. August 15, 2011 I just read Warren Buffett's piece for the New York Times, 'Stop Coddling the Super-Rich.' Preach it, Mr. Buffett! August 15, 2011 Yesterday, I was honored to join many local veterans in Balboa Park to commemorate the end of World War II. August 14, 2011 I just finished a stint in the dunk tank to raise money for Mama's Kitchen at CityFest. August 14, 2011 Join me at CityFest today. I'll be at my booth at 1pm, raising money for Mama's Kitchen in the dunk tank at 2pm, and unveiling the new Hillcrest sign at 8pm. A fun day in D3! August 12, 2011 As our city gathers today to mourn the death of Officer Jeremy Henwood, please consider donating to the memorial fund established for his family. Information is available on my homepage. August 11, 2011 Join me and the Hillcrest Business Association this Sunday at CityFest to christen the new Hillcrest sign over University Avenue. August 11, 2011 I was just briefed on next week's repaving schedule. Look out North Park, Azalea Park, City Heights & South Park: you've got some sexy streets coming your way! August 10, 2011 My office has teamed up with local residents to returf the super popular Grape Street Dog Park in South Park. It's amazing what we can get done when D3 comes together! August 10, 2011 I'm pleased to support the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership and their program to promote green features and sustainability in our City's crown jewel. Learn more at the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership website August 9, 2011 I'm glad 10News shared the story of the family who came to the aid of Officer Jeremy Henwood. I had the honor of personally thanking these neighborhood heroes for their actions on Saturday. They represent the very best of City Heights and District 3. August 9, 2011 Packed house for State Controller John Chiang's financial planning briefing for LGBT couples at The Center tonight. This is a community that is ready to exercise its hard earned rights (and prepared to repeal DOMA & Prop 8)! August 9, 2011 TranscenDANCE is a terrific D3 nonprofit that uses dance to empower local youth. Please consider attending one of their upcoming 5th anniversary performances. Great kids, great art, great cause - how can you resist? www.tdarts.org. August 9, 2011 Just drove on the new 35th Street in Normal Heights WITH bike lanes and WITHOUT potholes! August 8, 2011 Please consider honoring fallen San Diego Police Officer Jeremy Henwood by contributing to his memorial fund. All donations will go directly to the family. Donations can be mailed to: Officer Jeremy Henwood Family Trust, c/o San Diego Police Officers Association, 8388 Vickers Street, San Diego, CA 92111. August 7, 2011 I am heartbroken by the senseless loss of Officer Jeremy Henwood. August 6, 2011 Please pray for the San Diego police officer shot in City Heights this evening. August 6, 2011 Thank you to all who attended Coffee with Your Councilmember in South Park this morning. Big thanks to Grant's Marketplace for hosting us. August 6, 2011 Would you get tested? UCSD has tapped 92103 & 92104 for the nation's first test and treat campaign for HIV. Learn more about the Lead the Way effort now underway in D3. Rapid & early tests available at the corner of Park & University. August 5, 2011 I am proud to support the Balboa Park Online Collaborative's ongoing efforts to bring free public Wi-Fi access to our City's crown jewel. Here I'm presenting a grant from my office to BPOC's Rich Cherry while holding a sample piece of the fiber that is building the network. Learn more about this great nonprofit's work at http://www.balboapark.org/bpoc. August 5, 2011 I'm working with the Police Department to catch the thieves that are preying on our historic homes. If you have information that could help us, please call 619-692-4800 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. August 4, 2011 Mayor Sanders announces 59 miles of additional road repair for San Diego. It's official: he's now a member of the sexy streets fan club. August 3, 2011 I love that my term "sexy streets" is catching on and helping draw people's attention to the need to repair our City's roads. The UT's Tom Blair is the latest to take note in his column posted today. August 2, 2011 Thank you to my Council colleagues for supporting the continuation of a nearly century old San Diego tradition of free concerts in Balboa Park. August 2, 2011 TRAFFIC ALERT: Highway 163 through Balboa Park will be closed at various times at night starting this Friday, August 5 through Tuesday, August 9. This will allow the City to repair a major sewer pipe that runs along the highway. For more information, visit http://www.sandiego.gov/engineering-cip/projectsprograms/sr163sewerpipeline.shtml. August 1, 2011 Tonight I updated my constituents on the latest from City Hall at the City Heights Planning Committee. August 1, 2011 Proud to help small business districts thrive with this policy change: http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd3/pdf/2011/110801.pdf. August 1, 2011 Please voice your support for continuing free concerts at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. This public/private partnership that benefits more than 100,000 San Diegans will be voted on by the City Council this Tuesday. Learn more on the Spreckels Organ Society web site: www.sosorgan.org. July 29, 2011 The Voice of San Diego is featuring a good explanation of the complexity of affordable housing production by Jeff Graham: Opinion: Government Policies Control Affordable Housing. It's worth a read. July 31, 2011 Today I conquered three local mountains: Cowles, North Fortuna and this week's Council Docket. July 30, 2011 Had a great time listening to and laughing with constituents at tonight's concert in North Park's Bird Park. Learn more about this great community event at www.northparksd.org. July 30, 2011 Today I had the honor of eulogizing my former ROTC instructor and mentor Randy Pender. his service in the U.S. Army and in our schools, CSM Pender gave so much to our nation and our city. He will be missed: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/signonsandiego/obituary.aspx?n=randolph-pender-randy&pid=152040194. July 30, 2011 Join me this morning at a lemonade stand in North Park to help raise money to fight childhood cancer. http://www.alexslemonade.org/. July 30, 2011 I paid a visit to the North Park Rec Center today to learn more about how the City is partnering with our schools to ensure that our children do not go hungry this summer. July 28, 2011 Concerned about crime and homelessness in North Park? Please attend tonight's North Park Action Team meeting, 5:30pm, 2719 Howard Ave. Learn more on the NPCA web site, www.northparksd.org. July 28, 2011 The City is moving forward with an all-electric car sharing pilot program for District 3, Downtown and Mission Bay. Car sharing is an important piece of my transportation vision for San Diego. July 27, 2011 Pleased to present the Hillcrest Business Association with a check to support the first ever Hillcrest Hoedown. Learn more about this event at http://fabuloushillcrest.com/events/hillcrest-hoedown/. July 26, 2011 What a welcome sight on the way to work this morning: the Quince Street pedestrian bridge repairs have begun! July 25, 2011 I was proud to join our community last night to celebrate the countdown to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. 55 days until this injustice is finally over and our servicemembers will no longer be forced to serve in silence. July 25, 2011 The Council is attempting to bolster our City's urban agriculture movement by revising rules for retail farms, community gardens and the keeping of chickens, goats and bees. Check out this report and share your reaction/suggestions with me: Read report July 25, 2011 Check out San Diego Magazine for independent confirmation that when I say District 3 is the best district in San Diego, I'm not just talking. I love D3! July 22, 2011 With the stroke of a pen, our President has made our military stronger and ended an injustice against thousands of our nation’s servicemembers. So long DADT! July 22, 2011 Great news! SANDAG’s Board voted this morning to accelerate plans to bring light rail to Balboa Park and District 3. The vote included allocating $400M for this project. My thanks to Ron Roberts for his leadership on this important action. July 18, 2011 I just read an article in the U-T "3 yards = 1 feat", about North Park neighbors using three properties for a new vegetable garden. This is soooo District Three. I love it! July 18, 2011 This weekend, we celebrated a group of neighbors who have come together to make City Heights a safer community: City Heights on Patrol. July 18, 2011 We've got a lot of repaving scheduled this week: Albatross, Boundary, Copley, Madison, Sixth & others. These will join the 300+ blocks repaved since I became your Councilmember. I won't stop until all of our roads are repaired. July 17, 2011 Listening to my constituents at today's Pride Festival. Thanks to all who stopped by to share a thought or ask a question. July 16, 2011 I was incredibly fortunate to have my family march with me in today's Pride parade. July 16, 2011 As we come together to celebrate, our community has so many accomplishments to be proud of. Happy Pride San Diego! July 15, 2011 Did you see a silver historic streetcar running next to trolleys on the streets of Downtown last night? Silver Line service using a restored historic streetcar will be up and running very soon. I can't wait! July 15, 2011 Wishing Veterans Villages of San Diego (VVSD) great success this weekend at the 23rd annual Stand Down for homeless veterans. Please consider supporting this wonderful local nonprofit and its important work: www.vvsd.net. July 14, 2011 I visited the San Diego Art Department in North Park yesterday. I love how the arts are helping to revitalize North Park and expanding the culture offerings available to D3's youth. July 13, 2011 The fundraiser for Hillcrest fire victims is inspiring. This is District 3 at its very best. I couldn't be prouder. July 13, 2011 Reminder: Join me and Mayor Sanders tonight to lend a hand to our neighbors affected by last week's Hillcrest fire. July 12, 2011 Getting the word out on KUSI about restoring streetcars in San Diego, especially in District 3. Check it out and be sure to send your input on this important transit project to MTS via their web site: http://www.sdmts.com/streetcarstudy.asp. July 12, 2011 Today, the Council proclaimed July to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month in our City. So proud! July 12, 2011 Check out Kevin Faulconer and me on the Fox 5 Morning Show promoting our bipartisan approaches to summer suits and redevelopment. For the record, I belong to the *Open Government* Seersucker Society. July 11, 2011 This morning, I joined Mayor Sanders and Councilmember Faulconer to discuss how we plan to keep redevelopment efforts going in our neighborhoods. July 11, 2011 Thanks UT for the editorial as we start Pride Week in San Diego. I agree that equality for LGBT Americans is just a matter of time. For the record, I'm totally fine with that time starting today. July 10, 2011 Come on District 3, our neighbors need us. Join me, Big Mike and Tom Brown this Wednesday, July 13, 4-8 p.m. at Jimmy Carter's Restaurant, 3172 Fifth Ave., to help the those affected by the Hillcrest fire. July 9, 2011 I had a blast today with many of my Somali constituents celebrating Somalia's independence. District 3's greatest strength is its diversity. July 8, 2011 Learn more about our plans to bring streetcars to Balboa Park and share your input with MTS: http://www.sdmts.com/streetcarstudy.asp. Your feedback is a critical step toward restoring streetcar service to District 3. July 8, 2011 I'm happy to announce Sunday hours for the City Heights Library and Mid-City Gym. News Releases. July 7, 2011 I'm touched by D3's gratitude for helping to preserve funding in the City's budget for the multicultural police storefront and Community Relations Officer positions. I have the best constituents! July 7, 2011 Pleased to welcome another new business to District 3: Casa de Luz in North Park. Casa De Luz. July 6, 2011 Please make a point of shopping at our small businesses in Hillcrest this week. They could use our support as they make up for the business lost during today's fire. July 6, 2011 Hillcrest Fire: three alarm fire, no injuries, extensive property damage. 100+ firefighters on scene. Red Cross assisting 12 residents displaced by damage. University Ave is closed to traffic for the time being. July 6, 2011 I believe the proposed YMCA at the old Pearson Ford site has the potential to reinvigorate El Cajon Boulevard, bring three neighborhoods together and make our District stronger. July 4, 2011 Happy Independence Day! Get out there and enjoy it San Diego. July 3, 2011 Proud to support our local Somali community's annual festival. Join us next Saturday for this terrific celebration of the culture and diversity. www.somaliyouthunited.org. July 1, 2011 I enjoyed celebrating the end of fire engine brown outs today with the firefighters at Station 8 in Mission Hills. Great to spend time with some of our City's heroes. July 1, 2011 Today marks the start of the City's new fiscal year and the official end to the fire engine brownouts. Happy New Year San Diego! June 30. 2011 Love it or hate it, the fact is that ending redevelopment means poor communities like those in my district lose. As we gear up to fight this in court, it appears the only ones who will win are the attorneys. Check out the story on Fox 5's website. June 30, 2011 In today's U-T: I'm proud of the ongoing success of the City Heights Farmers Market. Combined with our community garden and school based education efforts, we're building a healthy food movement in D3. June 27, 2011 Proud that our Council took a strong position in support of mass transit in our comments on the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan. We specifically asked that streetcar restoration and the I-15 Centerline BRT projects be prioritized. June 27, 2011 The U-T includes a great Q&A with two North Park leaders discussing how we're bringing new life to this wonderful neighborhood. June 25, 2011 Now open in North Park! Check out Bodhi's Animal Hospital at 2200 University Avenue. A great example of how we're bringing new life to this great urban neighborhood. June 25, 2011 Thanks to all who attended today's Coffee with Your Councilmember in North Park. We spotlighted Bodhi's Pet Hospital new location at 2200 University Avenue and discussed a ton of hot neighborhood topics. June 25, 2011 Coffee with Your Councilmember, today, 10:00 to 11:30, at North Park's new Bodhi Pet Hospital, 2200 University Avenue. Join me for a discussion of local issues important to District 3. June 24, 2011 In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do. June 24, 2011 A gay mayor of San Diego? I'm proud of our city for seeing this for what it is: a non-issue. Check out the story KPBS posted online. June 23, 2011 Tonight I joined the City Heights Community Development Corporation to award the inaugural Jay Powell Student Scholarships to three local teens. June 22, 2011 I had a great time at US Citizenship and Immigration Services' inaugural Pride Month luncheon. I spoke about how the immigrants served by this office and the LGBT community are seeking the same thing: full access to the American Dream. June 21, 2011 I'm walking door to door in Hillcrest to listen to residents thoughts on how we can improve traffic circulation in the hospital area. June 21, 2011 I learned about yardbombing as a form of public art at the Americans for the Arts convention in San Diego last week. Love this! June 20, 2011 Don't miss the great Voice of San Diego article about one of our great District 3 youth, who was once homeless and is now bound for Harvard. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we have some amazing young people in our district! June 19, 2011 Happy Father's Day to my Dad! He is where I got my sense of humor, diplomatic skills and liberal politics. I listen to his advice on all things except fashion and hair styles. :) June 18, 2011 Lots to do in D3 today: City Heights Farmers Market third anniversary, South Park Old House Fair, Hillcrest High Heel Race and San Diego Zoo Gala. Join me at one or all! June 17, 2011 Ugh! Could there be anything more annoying to find on your doorstep than an unwanted phone book? June 17, 2011 Tune in to KPBS's San Diego Week tonight at 8p.m. I'll be on air discussing the City's reaction to Sacramento's plans to end redevelopment. June 17, 2011 This weekend, get outdoors, meet pro football players and help children with Muscular Dystrophy at the Kick for a Cure two-day charity soccer tournament and festival. It is free and open to the public and includes a fun zone with a Human Foosball Court, entertainment, food, and Vendor Village. www.kickforacure.org June 17, 2011 Here are my thoughts on the need for redevelopment in San Diego. I will continue to fight for the revitalization tools that have helped City Heights and North Park flourish. June 17, 2011 Councilmember Gloria Fights for Redevelopment June 16, 2011 I had a great time talking with Fairmount Park neighbors tonight. Civic organist, speeding on residential streets and road repair were hot topics. June 15, 2011 Today, we broke ground on the new Hillcrest/Mission Hills Vons at the corner of Washington and Dove. So exciting! June 14, 2011 Tune in to SanDiego6 at 7:20 this Wednesday morning. I'll be live in studio to discuss the latest news from City Hall and around District 3. June 14, 2011 Proud to honor North Park's AYSO U14 boys team on becoming statewide champs at today's City Council meeting! June 14, 2011 Our urban canyons are a precious resource that must be preserved. I look forward to actively supporting the terrific plan when comes before the City Council. You can read more in the U-T: Canyon park plan gets new life in San Diego. June 13, 2011 We've begun securing the slope along Aldine Drive in Kensington. This will protect homes threatened by the failing slope and ensure the safety of this important road. My office will stay engaged to ensure the finished project meets the high standards of this great community. Check out Fox 5's story on their website. June 13, 2011 I had a great time chatting with the Mesa Democratic Club tonight. These folks kept me on my toes with some excellent questions and are fired up! June 11, 2011 Just got home from Reality Changers' graduation inspired and full of hope. If you don't know this non-profit, you need to! They are turning our neighborhood youth into first generation college students. www.realitychangers.org June 11, 2011 A great day in the Colina Park corner of City Heights: I love City Heights Face Lift! June 10, 2011 Getting ready to go live with NBC 7's Mark Mullen on CA NonStop. Tune in to Cox 107 or Time Warner 253. Talking hot topics at the city. June 10, 2011 Congratulations to D3ers Delores Jacobs and Nicole Murray Ramirez on their selection as KPBS's LGBT Pride Month's Local Heroes! June 9, 2011 Tired of waiting at the bus stop? Real time arrivals for MTS buses are now available by text. Check out www.sdmts.com for more information. This is a great step toward making transit more user friendly. June 8, 2011 Mark my words, the community's vision for a parking free, pedestrian friendly Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park will be achieved in time for the 2015 centennial celebration. June 8, 2011 SDUT on the City Council: "a constructive, problem-solving approach now seems close to the norm at City Hall". Kudos to my colleagues, esp. Council President Tony Young. June 7, 2011 District Three was a team player today for City Hall's first Seersucker Tuesday. Proof that you can govern and have fun at the same time! http://bit.ly/iwSzR7 June 7, 2011 Proud to have led the effort to make it A LOT easier to have community gardens in our neighborhoods. Kudos to all who made this accomplishment possible! June 6, 2011 Reminder: Tomorrow at 2 p.m. the Council will consider ratification of my ordinance that eliminates the red tape for permitting community gardens. Please let your Councilmember know that you support making it easier for gardens to be located in our City. June 6, 2011 As Budget Committee Chair, I'm proud to have worked with the Mayor, Council and the public to minimize cuts to neighborhood services in next year's budget. June 4, 2011 Reminder: Coffee with Your Councilmember, today, 10:00-11:30 am, City Heights Library, 3795 Fairmount Avenue. Come hear an update from City Hall, share your thoughts and ask questions on the issues of the day. June 3, 2011 Donations by local small businesses are helping improve student success in our neighborhood schools like McKinley Elementary. June 3, 2011 Want to help design the new North Park Mini-Park? Join us this Saturday, 6/4, 9am-2pm, 2906 University Ave as we collect citizen input on this exciting project. June 2, 2011 I'm kicking off the San Diego Art Museum's Summer Salon Series "What A City Needs" tonight. We'll be discussing the need for shelter. Join us! Details on SDMA's web site. June 1, 2011 One of the best things about this time of year? The official tree of the City of San Diego, the Jacaranda, is in full, purple bloom. June 1, 2011 With the help of neighborhood input, the Mid-City Rapid Bus project will be revised to increase the number of parking spaces around Park Blvd. June 1, 2011 Proud of my constituents in Altadena who stood up for themselves and demanded equal time to advocate for a long overdue infrastructure project that will restore a historic asset and calm traffic in their residential neighborhood. May 31, 2011 Participating in this year's AIDS Walk San Diego on September 25? Please consider walking with me and my friends. Click on this link to join our team or to make a donation to help those living with HIV/AIDS in our community. May 30, 2011 Happy Memorial Day! As you enjoy a day off with family and friends, please take a moment to remember the men and women of our military who have paid the ultimate price to defend the United States. May 30, 2011 Enjoying the Kensington Memorial Day Parade in a sweet '63 Ford Falcon riding on a freshly paved Marlborough Avenue. May 29, 2011 Keynoting today's San Diego Regional Lifeguard Academy graduation. Fifty new guards protecting our waters just in time for summer. May 28, 2011 Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the International Cottages in Balboa Park with some fellow boricuas from the House of Puerto Rico. May 26, 2011 You've told me you want streetcars! Well, I'm happy to tell you that we're making significant progress in getting them back in San Diego and eventually District 3. May 25, 2011 A new sidewalk was just installed in South Park. This project in the 2900 block of Ash Street is one of 280 sidewalk repair projects completed or planned for District 3. May 24, 2011 Tune in to SanDiego6 Wednesday at 7:15am. I'll be live in studio with the latest from City Hall , including the Blue Star Museum program and (my favorite subject) street repair. May 24, 2011 Council voted to authorize balloting for the North Park Clean and Safe program today. Ballots will be sent to property owners in the next few days. Learn more about this proposal to enhance the community on North Park Main Street. May 23, 2011 Joining Mayor Sanders and arts leaders in Balboa Park to launch Blue Star Museums Initiative today. This national program provides free admission to active duty military and their families between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Blue Star Museums May 21, 2011 Mark your calendars for 2015! This will be a yearlong event you won't want to miss and it will be the launching pad for our plans to ensure Balboa Park remains spectacular for another 100 years. Read more in today's U-T. May 21, 2011 Marlborough Avenue in Kensington: Fresh asphalt over new water and sewer pipes. Slowly but surely, we're rebuilding D3's infrastructure. May 20, 2011 As of today, residents on Upas Street have a new tool to help slow speeding cars in their neighborhood. May 20, 2011 Headed to the third annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. With one thousand people expected, I'm proud San Diego has created the premier event honoring Harvey in California. May 19, 2011 Grateful that an improving economy and increased collaboration between the Mayor and City Council means some of the harshest budget cuts will be avoided. Learn more about the Mayor's revised budget proposal in today's U–T. May 18, 2011 Thank you to the San Diego Housing Commission for working with the City Council to preserve the Neil Good Day Center for some of our most vulnerable citizens. May 18, 2011 Tune in to the Fox 5 Morning Show at 6:40am. I'll be discussing National Public Works Week and how the City is addressing our neighborhood infrastructure needs. May 17, 2011 Today's U-T details how North Park is leading the economic turnaround by filling key vacant storefronts with creative new businesses. Proof that D3 is always a wise investment. May 16, 2011 Infrastructure Geeks Unite! It's National Public Works Week. Check out a list of San Diego events celebrating the occasion: National Public Works Week May 15, 2011 Headed to the North Park Festival of the Arts today? Stop by my booth near University and Grim and say hello! May 14, 2011 I enjoyed hanging out with Stanford alumni and Ocean Discovery Institute for a clean up in Swan Canyon in City Heights. May 14, 2011 Tune in to Channel 4's Shades of San Diego this Sunday at 5pm/9:30pm for a tribute to the legacy of Harvey Milk. May 13, 2011 Check out the latest update from my office: News from Councilmember Todd Gloria May 11, 2011 Our city employees went toe to toe with the private sector and won by delivering $5M in savings for taxpayers. Proof that when it comes to serving the people of San Diego, no one does it better than our public servants. Learn more from the KPBS story. May 11, 2011 May's District 3 water wise yard of the month is a beauty in Kensington. Check it out in my newsletter: http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd3/pdf/2011/dialogue05.pdf. May 10, 2011 Thanks for all the birthday wishes! Special thanks to the Todd Squad for the Gaga-themed decorations and the important reminder that I was Born This Way. :) May 9, 2011 As Budget Committee Chair, I've heard the public loud and clear: no cuts to libraries and recreation centers. We're building a majority on the Council to get that accomplished. Check out the story in the U-T to learn more about our progress. May 9, 2011 I encourage everyone to read the recently published Senior Needs Report. It details the many significant issues our LGBT seniors face. We need to begin to help and it will take all of us to address the needs of our trailblazing LGBT generation. May 8, 2011 Special City Council meeting tonight, 6pm, at City Hall. We'll be taking public comment on the Mayor's budget proposal and discussing the role of volunteerism in City operations. Join us in person or watch live on CityTV24 or at sandiego.gov. May 8, 2011 Celebrating with the lady who taught me everything I know. Happy Mother's Day! May 7, 2011 Good outline of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan is available: http://www.envision2050sd.com/. Note the inclusion of streetcars in the transit section. Great news for D3! May 7, 2011 Congratulations to Save Our Heritage Organisation on a terrific May Day celebration at the Marston House Museum. I had the honor of unveiling the new Balboa Park geranium which will be planted in the park for the 2015 centennial celebration. May 7, 2011 TODAY: Asian Pacific Heritage Festival & Dragon Boat Festival, SOHO's May Day at the Marston House, speaking to the Pacific Beach Democratic Club and San Diego Youth Symphony dinner. Join me at one of these events to support these great organizations. May 6, 2011 This is a big one: City's health care agreement slashes debt by $323M and saves San Diego $715M over next 25 years. Learn more in the latest update from my office: http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd3/pdf/2011/eblast110506.pdf. May 5, 2011 Many of you have asked me how to get potholes on local highways repaired. Use this online tool to report problems to Caltrans: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/msrsubmit/. Follow up with your State Senator or Assemblymember as needed. May 5, 2011 City Council is reviewing the Park & Recreation (9am) and Library (10:30) department budgets this morning. Watch live on Channel 24 or at sandiego.gov. May 3, 2011 As the Council's Budget Committee Chair, today I put forward a fiscally responsible plan to restore library and rec center hours. Learn more at http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd3/pdf/2011/110503.pdf and let me know what you think. May 2, 2011 When you're in a hole, quit digging. Glad the Council quit digging today and can get back to finding funding to restore library & rec center hours. May 2, 2011 This morning, I did a "sit-along" with some of our City's 911 dispatchers. These are some of the most impressive public servants I've ever met. Remaining calm, coordinating first responders and comforting callers - amazing. May 1, 2011 THANK YOU to the men and women who have worked and sacrificed for years to make this day possible. As our President said, justice has been done. May 1, 2011 Reminder: Redistricting Commission comes to District 3 tomorrow, 5/2, 6pm, 4001 El Cajon Blvd. Please attend and share your ideas on how D3's boundary lines should be drawn. See the article in today's U-T for a primer on the discussion to date. April 30, 2011 Busy Saturday in D3: Creek to Bay Cleanup in Manzanita Canyon, Rebuilding Together project in Fairmount Park, Roots Festival on Adams Avenue and 2011 San Diego Equality Awards in Balboa Park. Hope you'll join me at one or all! April 29, 2011 Curious which streets are scheduled for repair in the coming months? Visit the infrastructure page on my web site, with an updated map of planned work http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd3/pdf/110314infrastructuremap.pdf. Your street not included? Don't worry, I'll keep at it until all of D3's roads are fixed. April 28, 2011 Today is Dine Out for Life. Eat at a participating restaurant & fight AIDS. TIP: Calories don't count when eating for a good cause! April 27, 2011 Bringing sexy back to South Park: the repaved Juniper Street is great. April 27, 2011 I am celebrating Administrative Professionals Day with my fabulous Executive Assistant Venessa Jackson. April 27, 2011 Council review of Mayor's budget proposal by department begins this Monday. See http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/committees/budgetandfinance/pdf/fy12departmentalbudgethearingcalendar.pdf (PDF) for full schedule of hearings. Lots of opportunity for public input on next year's City budget. April 26, 2011 Check out this month's selection for the best water-wise yard in District 3 at Upas and Grim. It's a nice one! As always, I welcome your nominations of other great examples of how landscaping can be beautiful and use little water. April 26, 2011 Slowly but surely we're adding new bike infrastructure in District 3: Sharrows have appeared on Marlborough Ave. Learn more at www.bikesd.org. Next up: bike corrals! April 26, 2011 I'm attending tonight's 48th annual Planned Parenthood dinner. Now more than ever, we must stand up for this important public health organization and women's reproductive rights. April 25, 2011 Many of you ask about the bizarre way San Diego collects and pays for trash . The U-T includes a good explainer on the extreme inequities of our current approach: "It's rubbish: No fairness in city trash collection". Now the question is how do we fix it? April 24, 2011 I encourage you to read the thoughtful opinion piece in today's U-T that attempts to answer a question I'm often asked: how did San Diego get in this mess? Check it out online: "Pension crisis: Poor investment decisions are to blame". April 24, 2011 Huge turnout at today's Community Easter Egg Hunt . Thank you to all the organizers, donors and volunteers who made 400+ District 3 children's holiday special. April 24, 2011 Happy Easter ! Join me and other volunteers at 2pm in Trolley Barn Park in University Heights for our annual community Easter Egg Hunt. April 23, 2011 San Diego's own High Tech High is a finalist in the President's Race to the Top Commencement Challenge Please take a moment to vote online and help our local students reach their goal of having the President give their commencement address. Learn more at http://www.hightechhigh.org. April 22, 2011 Thank you D3 ! Your donation of Easter baskets will ensure that hundreds of our District's children will have a great holiday when we gather in Trolley Barn Park this Sunday. April 21, 2011 Just toured City Heights Square at the corner of University & Fairmount . This $30M project by Price Charities will bring new jobs and housing to the community. When complete in October, it will be a wonderful addition to District 3 and a great example of the value of redevelopment. April 20, 2011 Proud to have earned an "A" on this year's Environmental Quality Report Card. Thank you League of Conservation Voters San Diego for holding elected officials accountable for defending our precious natural resources. April 19, 2011 Live on SanDiego6 Morning News, Wednesday at 7:20 a.m. Will be discussing the proposed library/recreation center brownouts and other hot topics from City Hall. Please tune in. April 19, 2011 Reminder: D3 Children's Easter Egg Hunt is this Sunday. Donations of baskets, etc. still accepted. More info at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=218534268163944. April 18, 2011 LA Times covers the new veterans cemetery at Miramar and the key role my late friend John Smith played in getting it built: "New national cemetery in San Diego rushes to meet pent-up demand." John's contributions to his fellow veterans are the legacy of a true hero and patriot. April 18, 2011 Today I joined local taxpayers to demand fairness for working people who pay more in taxes than corporations. April 18, 2011 Outstanding article in today's U-T on how we're using technology to increase the public's access to the treasures in Balboa Park : "Balboa Park Expands into the Digital Age." April 17, 2011 Hanging out at Earth Fair in Balboa Park. Come by my booth in front of the Mingei Museum and say hello! April 16, 2011 Building a Bridge to the Future with a packed room of San Diego Democrats at the annual Eleanor & Franklin D. Roosevelt Dinner. April 16, 2011 Good times at the 2011 Youth Soccer Expo at the City Heights Recreation Center today. City staff and volunteers came together to give 300 local youth a great day in their park. April 15, 2011 In case you missed my discussion about the Mayor's budget with Council President Young on the Fox 5 Morning Show today , it's posted on their website. April 14, 2011 Tune in to Fox 5 Morning News, Friday at 6:30 am. Will be discussing the Mayor's budget proposal with Council President Tony Young. April 14, 2011 My comment on proposed library and recreation center brownouts: "These are devastating cuts, especially to the low-income and urban neighborhoods that I represent." For more on this story, visit the KPBS website. April 14, 2011 Check out USA Today's video profile of North Park's McKinley Elementary community garden. I love that D3's children are leading the slow food movement! April 13, 2011 The last thing we need is to invite the divisive partisanship in Wisconsin to San Diego. We must stay focused on keeping our neighborhoods safe, balancing the city's budget and investing in infrastructure. An ideological fight will accomplish none of these things. April 12, 2011 Thank you to my Council colleagues for approving the Roosevelt Joint Use Park for Hillcrest at this morning's meeting. When it opens in late 2012, it will add over 2 acres of recreation space in this park starved corner of District 3. April 12, 2011 Check this out on the U-T's website: "Balboa Park makes list of 'coolest city parks.'" I'm proud that the national media is recognizing what every San Diegan already knows: Balboa Park is pretty darn cool. April 11, 2011 Working with the City Council, the Mayor is now proposing to end the fire engine brownouts that have increased 911 response times in our district . This is an important step toward demonstrating that public safety is our City's top priority. April 11, 2011 Now open at 1644 University Avenue: Revivals . Learn more about this latest addition to Hillcrest and how it gives back to our community at www.revivalsstores.com. April 10, 2011 Celebrating the contributions of Verna King at the annual San Diego Democratic Women's Club scholarship tea . Great women and a great cause. April 8, 2011 Council President Tony Young and I lay out how the City Council is working proactively to balance our City's budget and preserve core services in an op-ed in today's Union-Tribune. April 6, 2011 Join me today in Hillcrest as we welcome another great business to University Avenue. The Grand Opening of Revivals will take place at 5:30 p.m. at 1644 University. April 5, 2011 How do we intend to keep Balboa Park magnificent in the 21st century? The Balboa Park Conservancy. Check out its recently launched website: www.balboapark.org. April 3, 2011 The Public Utilities Department wants your help to improve the look, feel and information provided in the City's Utility Bill. Take this online survey and provide your input and ideas today: Water and sewer bill redesign survey April 1, 2011 I'm hosting tonight's Teralta Neighborhood Park Movie Night sponsored by the City Heights BID, CHCDC and SDAFF. Tonight's feature: "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs." 7pm, Orange and 40th St. FREE! April 1, 2011 SANDAG's Transportation Committee reviewed the Regional Bicycle Plan this morning. Check out the new bike paths, lanes and blvds proposed for D3: Project details. Good stuff! April 1, 2011 Campus Avenue in University Heights: milled, paved, painted and ready to go! March 31, 2011 As Chair of the Budget Committee, I'm proud to help lead the Council's proactive approach to balancing our City's budget. Read about our efforts on KPBS's website: San Diego Council Weighs In On City Budget. March 30, 2011 This is excellent news for District 3 can be found on Voice of San Diego's website: City Heights' Express Bus to Stay on Interstate. We're making progress on one of my major priorities: long promised transit improvements in City Heights. March 30, 2011 This Saturday, we're welcoming another farmers market to one of our communities: Golden Hill. Check it out. 27th & B Street, 8am - noon. March 29, 2011 Had an amazing time at Lady Gaga's Monster Ball. She's an awesome performer with a great message. March 28, 2011 Formally inviting my constituents to tomorrow's unofficial District Three Town Hall meeting: the Lady Gaga concert at Viejas Arena. See you there! March 28, 2011 In case you missed it, my visit to KUSI this morning with Council President Tony Young on the City's budget is posted on KUSI's website. March 28, 2011 Thank you to Conrad Prebys for his generous donation to the San Diego Zoo. Gifts like these will ensure Balboa Park will be in great shape for the 2015 Centennial and that the park's magic will endure for years to come. March 27, 2011 Appearing with Council President Tony Young on KUSI, Monday at 7:00 am to discuss the city's budget. Under Tony's leadership, the Council is working to identify cost savings to preserve critical services. Tune in to learn more. March 27, 2011 Celebrating my mom's birthday with the family at Hash House in Hillcrest. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! March 26, 2011 Had a great time with the San Diego American Flag Football Association this morning. I had the honor of performing a coin toss at the beginning of a game. Fun group of folks that clearly know how to have a good time! March 26, 2011 Read about someone who shares my appreciation for smooth streets on Voice of San Diego. Thank you to Mario and all our city staff who are working hard to repair our roads. March 23, 2011 Economic impact of 2015 Balboa Park Centennial could equal four Comic-Cons. Another reason we're working to create a year long event that will make San Diegans proud. Check out stories on KUSI, SignOn San Diego and Channel 10 to learn more! March 23, 2011 Rest in peace Elizabeth Taylor . Thank you for speaking out for those with AIDS when few others would. March 22, 2011 I will join civic and industry leaders this Wednesday to present our vision for Balboa Park's 2015 Centennial Celebration to the City Council's Natural Resources & Culture Committee. Tune in to CityTV at 2pm. March 21, 2011 Reminder: The City's Redistricting Commission will hold a public meeting tonight, 6:30 pm, 9192 Topaz Way in Kearny Mesa. Please consider attending. March 20, 2011 Had a great time at this morning's America's Finest City Softball League's Opening Day. Congratulations to the league on 30 years of LGBT softball in San Diego! March 19, 2011 Great coffee today on Adams Avenue. Thanks to all who attended! We discussed a wide range of topics including the budget, proposed medical cannabis regulations, and road repair. March 19, 2011 Check out the Q&A with one of our North Park Bike Team officers on Voice of San Diego. This innovative model is reducing crime in District Three. March 18, 2011 It's that time of the month again. Please submit your nomination for the District Three Water Conservation Garden of the Month to toddgloria@sandiego.gov. I'd love to highlight your yard in next month's district newsletter. March 18, 2011 The new and improved Richmond Street has been repaved, marking a huge improvement on an important road that runs through the heart of Hillcrest. March 17, 2011 As the Chair of the Council's Budget Committee, I am committed to involving the public in the City's budget process. To that end, I'm pleased to launch the revamped Committee website. March 16, 2011 I met with District Three's Youth Commissioner Rose Olascoaga this afternoon. She's a resident of City Heights and doing a great job on the commission! March 16, 2011 The UT's Tom Blair commented on my love for street repair in today's column. March 15, 2011 I am appearing on SanDiego6 this Wednesday around 7:30 am. I'll be discussing the budget, redevelopment and a plan to tackle our deferred maintenance backlog. I hope you will tune in. March 15, 2011 More pothole relief is on the way! Council is voting today to repair over 120 miles of roads citywide. District Three will see many smoother streets including portions of Adams Avenue, 6th Avenue, Pershing Drive and many more. March 11, 2011 Pipeline work will completely close SR-163 between Interstate 8 and A Street on Friday and Saturday nights. From Monday to Friday, expect at least one lane in either direction to be closed between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. On Friday and Saturday, the entire section of SR-163 between I-8 and A Street will be closed from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. For more information, read the Fact Sheet (PDF) March 9, 2011 Appearing on KUSI at 7:45am on Thursday to promote the 84th annual Thursday Club Rummage Sale. Proceeds benefit Balboa Park. Tune in to see the goodies that will go on sale this weekend. March 9, 2011 Please join me in rooting for the outstanding North Park youth soccer team that will be competing for the State Championship this weekend. All of D3 should be proud of their accomplishments! March 9, 2011 Check out the article on the U-T's website on how garbage finds its way in to our ocean and join me tonight for a discussion on the topic that I will moderate with San Diego Coastkeeper. March 8, 2011 Looking forward to tonight's Hillcrest Mardi Gras. Proceeds benefit the Hillcrest Business Association and GSDBA. Come have fun and support our local small businesses! March 7, 2011 Thrilled that the Council voted today to repave another $2.1 million worth of roads in San Diego. Little by little, we're tackling the city's pothole problem. March 7, 2011 Thanks to my colleague Councilmember Sherri Lightner lifeguard service at Black's Beach will be restored. Good job Sherri! March 7, 2011 Check out this month's San Diego Magazine: the Neighborhood Issue. Not surprisingly D3's fabulous communities dominate the list of best places in San Diego. March 5, 2011 I survived Fire Ops 101! Thank you San Diego Firefighters for all you do each day to keep our city safe. March 5, 2011 Wilson Avenue north of University Avenue is smoother than ever! March 4, 2011 Check out the new and improved balboapark.org. Lots of great information on our City's crown jewel. March 1, 2011 In case you missed it, this story was on Channel 10 News: Downtown High-Rise To Become Homeless Shelter; Project Will Convert World Trade Center Building On A Street. What I believe to be the most important project in Downtown took a big step forward today. I'm proud to support this project as a part of our larger focus on addressing the homeless problem in our city. February 28, 2011 Honored to adjourn today's Council meeting in memory of Mike Klarfeld, my friend Marti Emerald's husband, who passed away last Wednesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Marti. Donations to San Diego Hospice are encouraged. February 27, 2011 More coverage of last week's State of District Three can be found on San Diego News Room's website. February 27, 2011 Looking forward to addressing the New Leaders Council Fellows this morning. Hope to inspire these young professionals to devote their talents to public service. February 26, 2011 Check out today's U-T for some good news: "Billions proposed for bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly streets!" This is a critical step toward reducing carbon emissions, improving quality of life and providing more transportation options in San Diego. February 24, 2011 Neighbors came together last night to hear the State of Council District Three. I appreciate the support and encourage continued dialogue so the progress can continue. Today's U-T has a good wrap up of the event and it is linked from my homepage. February 24, 2011 San Diego's emergency winter shelter is in "critical need" of blankets, sleeping bags and plastic rolls: Drop off donations at 1635 Newton Ave. February 23, 2011 Some of the highlights from tonight's State of District Three speech are included on signonsandiego.com: "Gloria: Bonds needed for streets, infrastructure." February 23, 2011 I drove on the new 35th Street, south of University, this morning. It's like butter! February 22, 2011 Just got my hair cut. Hoping it attracts as much attention as Bieber got today to my State of the District tomorrow. February 22, 2011 I asked a simple question at a news conference today: "Is City Heights better off today because of redevelopment?" The community's answer: "Yes!" Check out the story at www.kpbs.org. February 22, 2011 Thanks to all the City Heights residents and affordable housing advocates who attended today's rally for redevelopment funding. February 22, 2011 Join Mayor Jerry Sanders, Council President Tony Young and me at a rally for affordable housing redevelopment funds today, 12:30pm, 3910 University Avenue in City Heights. February 22, 2011 Swift Avenue in City Heights is freshly repaved with bike lanes! She's a real beauty! February 21, 2011 Reminder: Join met 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday at the Birch North Park Theatre for a look back at 2010 and what lies ahead in 2011 for District 3. February 21, 2011 Thank you Messrs. Washington through Obama for a day to enjoy our City's beautiful Mission Trails Regional Park. February 17, 2011 How much do I support redevelopment? Enough to go on Fox5 at 6:00am on Friday to talk about it. Please tune in. February 17, 2011 Have you read the February edition of the District 3 Dialogue yet? Check it out (PDF). February 15, 2011 Appearing on SanDiego6 Wednesday, 7:15 am to discuss the City's budget , saving redevelopment and the need for more fire stations. Please tune in. February 15, 2011 Speaking to North Park Planning Committee tonight, 6:30 pm , 2901 North Park Way. Feel free to stop by and say hello! February 15, 2011 New report details just how much we need to reach acceptable response times by our fire department . Short answer: 10 new fire stations and $100M. February 14, 2011 In observance of Singles Awareness Day , I suggest you all listen to Beyonce's 'Single Ladies.' February 13, 2011 Looking forward to this morning's Victory Fund brunch and welcoming Houston Mayor Annise Parker to San Diego. February 12, 2011 Coffee with Your Councilmember in South Park, today, 10:00 to noon at Alchemy restaurant, 1503 30th St. Join me for an update from City Hall, ask questions, share your ideas and get help with municipal issues. February 11, 2011 Are you subscribed to Crime Mapping? This free subscription service is a cyber neighborhood watch, providing citizens with information and increasing interaction between citizens and law enforcement. Check it out. February 10, 2011 I was thrilled to join the community as work started today on the Thorn Street Median Improvements in Altadena. This project aims to calm traffic, beautify the neighborhood and provide a focal point for this historic neighborhood. February 10, 2011 Big day in the Altadena corner of North Park . Please join the community for a groundbreaking on the long awaited Thorn Street Median traffic calming project at 10:30 a.m. February 9, 2011 Want to help fight crime? Report streetlights that are out. Use this online tool to tell us where to send crews for repairs: http://www.sandiego.gov/street-div/strlight.shtml. February 8, 2011 On behalf of Council President Tony Young, I joined Grandparents Connection to proclaim February to be Black History Month in San Diego. February 8, 2011 Appearing on Fox 5 at 8:00 am to talk about my favorite subject: street repair. Tune in! February 7, 2011 KUSI's Michael Turko reported on the opening of the Birney Joint Use Field in University Heights . He properly credits the community's strong advocacy for getting the park done. This Turko File is now closed! February 6, 2011 Check out sandiegonewsroom.com to learn how we are working to leave a legacy of environmental sustainability in Balboa Park. February 3, 2011 Reminder: Tonight's Balboa Park Committee meeting will discuss Plaza de Panama project alternatives . The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Balboa Park Club. February 3, 2011 Join me and the Alta Dena Neighborhood Association to break ground on the long awaited Thorn Street Median Improvements : Thursday, February 10, 10:30 a.m. on Thorn Street between 33rd and Felton. This project will provide traffic calming and beautification in this corner of North Park. February 3, 2011 San Diego's crime rate is at its lowest level since 1963 . This is great news. More must be done, but with initiatives like the North Park Bike Team, we're making it clear to criminals that they aren't welcome in District 3! February 2, 2011 Great visit with the Alta Dena Neighborhood Association tonight . I announced that we will break ground on the Thorn Street traffic calmer on February 10th. Hooray progress! February 2, 2011 Check out this profile piece by my alma matar the University of San Diego January 31, 2011 Tune in to Fox5 tomorrow morning at 7:15. I'll be live in studio discussing why we must preserve redevelopment for neighborhoods like North Park and City Heights. January 31, 2011 I am joining community leaders at 12:30 today at the City Heights library to oppose the State's proposal to take away redevelopment funds - the tool we've used to revitalize this important neighborhood. January 28, 2011 This Monday at 9 a.m., the City Council acting as our Redevelopment Agency will launch the first ever Ad Hoc Committee on Redevelopment . I am honored to serve as the Committee's Chairman. Join us if you can, and visit this site to see the agenda. January 25, 2011 San Diego Police Department is working aggressively to apprehend the suspects in paintball shooting incidents. I am personally monitoring the situation. If you have information that can help our investigation, please call 619-531-2000. January 25, 2011 REMINDER: My State of District Three event has been moved to February 23. Same place and time. Please watch the President's SOTU address tonight instead. I'm hoping he talks about infrastructure in his speech as much as I do in mine! January 22, 2011 Just finished a great Coffee with Your Councilmember at the Balboa Park Senior Lounge. 40+ D3ers shared their ideas on Plaza de Panama, dog parks, the homeless, Mid-City Rapid Bus and other hot topics. Thanks to all who attended! January 20, 2011 Heading to El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement District annual meeting, Fairmount Park Neighborhood Association monthly meeting and Coalition for Reproductive Choice annual dinner tonight. Come by and say hello at any or all! January 19, 2011 I am unveiling Blair Thornley's public art on the North Park parking garage this morning. Feel free to let folks know they can "park at the art!" January 19, 2011 I am launching our Crime-Free Multi-Housing initiative in Mid-City today with SDPD and area apartment managers. Our goal: prevent crime, not just respond to it. January 19, 2011 The State of District Three has been rescheduled for February 23, 2011, still at 6:30 at the Birch North Park Theatre. Please join me on the 23rd! January 18, 2011 Tune in to SanDiego6 this Wednesday at 7:15 am. I'll be live in studio discussing redevelopment and other local issues. January 18, 2011 Don't miss me present the State of District Three Wednesday, February 23, 6:30 p.m. at the Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave. January 17, 2011 As we honor Dr. King's work today, it seems appropriate that we remember his resolve and continue his march toward the promised land. January 17, 2011 Thank you to the men and women of the San Diego Police Department for achieving the lowest homicide rate in our city since 1968. January 11, 2011 Tomorrow I will ask the City Council to support state legislation that would cap the interest rates of payday loans. If you share my view, I'd encourage you to contact your Councilmember and ask them to support my resolution. January 11, 2011 I was grateful for the opportunity to thank the Marine Corps Reserve for their leadership of the Toys for Tots program in our city during today's City Council meeting. January 10, 2011 Thanks to the 60+ people who attended tonight's hate crimes forum at The Center. Special thanks to the panelists who helped educate us on this important subject. January 8, 2011 Heartbroken by the tragedy in Tucson. Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers. January 8, 2011 Large turnout at today's Plaza de Panama public meeting in Balboa Park. January 7, 2011 Please tune in to SanDiego6 this Saturday at 8:45 am. I'll be live in studio discussing the budget, redevelopment and other city issues. January 7, 2011 My goal is to make sure that when we build something in San Diego, we make it as green as possible. Read how North Park is leading the way when it comes to sustainable building practices in the January 4 U–T article, "Redevelopment takes green approach with interim program." January 6, 2011 Reminder: Please join me, local law enforcement and others this Monday at The Center for a forum on hate crimes in San Diego. Monday, January 10, 6:30pm - 9:30pm, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Center St. January 6, 2011 I just read Council President Tony Young's action plan for 2011. I love the shout outs for my two committees, Balboa Park and community gardens! January 6, 2011 Those of you following the plans for Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama will want to attend this Saturday's public meeting. Park Reclamation Design Workshop, Saturday, January 8, 2011, 9:00 a.m., Balboa Park Club, 2144 Pan American Road West Agenda (PDF) January 5, 2011 Power is out for 3,200 homes in Hillcrest, University Heights, Normal Heights and North Park. SDG&E says power will be restored in about an hour. January 2, 2011 I am accepting a new organ console donated by several local foundations for Balboa Park's Organ Pavilion at 1:30 today. Another philanthropic gift for our park as we prepare for the 2015 centennial celebration. January 2, 2011 Check out today's good U-T editorial re: our region's transportation vision (i.e. trolleys & streetcars in D3). We must still push to fund and prioritize transit projects first. December 31, 2010 A woman at New Year's Eve party thanked me for repaving her street this year. The perfect way to end 2010. Happy New Year everyone! December 28, 2010 Repaving of 35th Street started today. I enjoyed visiting with residents watching the work get done. They share my love of asphalt. December 28, 2010 In today's U-T Letters Section, I commented on the City's budget and making redevelopment work for all our neighborhoods. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. December 28, 2010 Time to take down the Christmas tree? Here's information on the City's tree recycling program. D3's drop off location is at the Golden Hill Recreation Center. http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/pdf/treerecycling.pdf December 24, 2010 Check out the recent U-T story, "Gloria, Denny join 65 elected officials urging Boxer to update U.S. transit policies" for an update on my latest efforts to champion better public transit in San Diego. December 23, 2010 Thank you El Cajon Boulevard businesses for sponsoring the D3 tradition of holiday lights over Interstate 805. December 22, 2010 Thank you Mr. President! December 21, 2010 You know what rain means: potholes, standing water, etc. Please report problems to the City using our online form: http://apps.sandiego.gov/streetdiv/ December 20, 2010 This is absolutely fascinating. Check out this NYTimes online mapping tool on recent census data. Zoom in on D3 - you'll be amazed at what you'll learn about our neighborhoods: http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/explorer?hp December 20, 2010 60 Minutes reported last night on the budget crisis at the state and local level. If you missed it, this is worth watching. December 19, 2010 As we celebrate our DADT victory and the tangible proof that is does get better, I'm please to share my It Gets Better video with the youth of our community. Visit www.itgetsbetter.org to see it. December 18, 2010 Victory! Senate Votes 65-31. DADT has been repealed! It does get better. December 17, 2010 Have you found me on Twitter yet? Get even more news from District 3 by following @ToddGloria. December 17, 2010 New public art coming to North Park courtesy of redevelopment. Keep an eye on the garage over the next two weeks to see how we're bringing some flavor to our outstanding business district. December 15, 2010 Serving dinner tonight at the Winter Shelter. Thank you to Alpha Project for caring for our city's most sick and vulnerable. Please consider making a contribution to support their work at www.alphaproject.org. December 15, 2010 Prouder than ever of my Congresswoman! Thank you to Susan Davis for leading the charge on repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. December 14, 2010 Grateful to our Council President and my colleagues for selecting me to Chair the Council's Budget and Redevelopment Committees. I'm looking forward to working aggressively on both important subjects in the year ahead. December 12, 2010 Good news for Hillcrest! An important tree was preserved by the community. Check out news coverage from CBS8. December 10, 2010 Check out the post on Voice of San Diego. We've done a lot of work on community gardens but so much more is left to be done. This will be a legislative priority for my office in 2011. December 9, 2010 SANDAG Committee will vote tomorrow on a new vision for transportation in San Diego through 2050. Check out the Hybrid Version under Item 6, page 215 of this link: http://www.sandag.org/uploads/meetingid/meetingid_2573_12120.pdf. Trolley and streetcar service in D3! Please share your reactions with me. December 9, 2010 Michael Portantino was a great contributor to San Diego and the LGBT community who has left us far too soon. I am saddened to lose a friend and local leader. His death leaves an enormous void in our community. December 6, 2010 Congratulations to my friend Tony Young on becoming our new Council President! Kudos also to my friends Kevin Beiser and Scott Barnett on their swearing in as new School Board Members. Our community is blessed with great leadership. December 5, 2010 Thank you Donna Frye and Benjamin Hueso for your service to our City. You will be missed! Welcome to my new colleagues David Alvarez and Lorie Zapf. I look forward to serving with you. December 4, 2010 Rallying for marriage equality on University Ave in advance of Monday's 9th Circuit Court hearing on the Prop 8 case. December 4, 2010 Celebrate the Holiday Season in D3 Today: North Park Toyland Parade (11am), Balboa Park's December Nights (noon-10pm) and South Park Walkabout (6-10pm). Get out there and enjoy the best our district has to offer. December 2, 2010 Appearing on KUSI Friday at 7:00 am to talk about the great things going on in Balboa Park. Tune in to hear the latest about the Plaza de Panama, December Nights, the 2015 Centennial Celebration and Balboa Park Conservancy. December 1, 2010 Today is World AIDS Day. Join Mama's Kitchen tonight for the Tree of Life, 6pm, 3955 5th Ave. Above all, know your status. Get tested. November 30, 2010 I'm not surprised by Pentagon's survey results showed little impact if the ban on gay soldiers is repealed. Our troops are professionals focused on their mission. I'm prouder than ever of the men and women who serve our nation. November 30, 2010 Check out today's U-T to learn how we're making progress on the 2015 Centennial Celebration in Balboa Park. Mark your calendars. This will be a year's worth of programming that you will not want to miss! November 28, 2010 Thanks to all who turned out yesterday to celebrate Kensington's 100th birthday and the restoration of the neon sign over Adams Avenue. If you missed it, check out KFMB's event coverage online. November 28, 2010 Check out the article in today's U-T on a new way to experience Balboa Park. Another example of how we're using technology to improve your park visit. November 27, 2010 Joining Jerry Sanders, Ron Roberts and the Kensington community for a picnic to celebrate the neighborhood's 100th anniversary and restoration of the iconic neon sign. Today, 2pm, Kensington Library. November 27, 2010 Enjoy Black Friday? Today is Small Business Saturday! Shop local and support the businesses that support our neighborhoods. November 25, 2010 I enjoyed good food and great people at the 22nd annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner in Hillcrest. November 24, 2010 A D3 Tradition: Scott Carlson Dinner, Thurs, 11am, The Center in Hillcrest. Join me, the Imperial Court and others for a Thanksgiving meal & celebration. November 24, 2010 A sight for sore eyes: the Kensington sign has returned to Adams Avenue. November 22, 2010 I was honored to assist with interring the remains of a local WWII Navy veteran, one of four who make up the first burials at the new national cemetery at Miramar. I was very proud to have been a part of this historic event. November 22, 2010 Rain means more potholes, standing water and other issues. Help us resolve them by reporting the problems in your neighborhood using the City's web site. If it isn't fixed in a week or so, please call my office. November 20, 2010 Headed to Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony at The Center. Program starts at 7pm. Join us! November 18, 2010 Congratulations to San Diego Ambassadors of The Trevor Project on a successful event tonight. Proud of the progress you're making to protect our LGBT youth! Great inspiration as I prepare to film my It Gets Better video tomorrow. November 18, 2010 Curious what's going on at 2200 University Avenue? Check out www.sdreader.com and learn about the awesome reuse of this building as a pet hospital. Great things are happening in North Park! November 18, 2010 This morning, I'm speaking at the SD Workforce Partnership's 2010 Workforce Summit: Solutions for San Diego's Economic Growth & Prosperity. November 27, 2010 Great news for the people of City Heights who've been waiting patiently for the new Home Avenue Park: we secured $2.8 million in state funds to complete it! November 16, 2010 Construction begins on the restored Kensington sign over Adams Avenue! November 15, 2010 Check out the latest issue of the San Diego Uptown News for important information on parking in the Uptown communities. We'll stay focused and keep the pressure on to expand parking opportunities in Hillcrest. November 13, 2010 Coffee with Your Councilmember: today, 10:30 to noon at Super Concina, 3627 University Ave. Join me for an update from City Hall and to share your thoughts on local issues. November 12, 2010 Please remember to shop at your favorite District 3 small businesses tomorrow on Small Business Saturday! November 12, 2010 What will our transportation network look like in 2050? Check out the four scenarios being studied by SANDAG. I'm liking the Transit and Fusion proposals. Which ones catch your eye? http://www.sandag.org/uploads/meetingid/meetingid_2572_12014.pdf (See Item 4, Attachment 1) November 11, 2010 Had a great time riding in today's Veterans Day Parade. Thank you to the thousands of San Diegans who came out to show their support. November 11, 2010 To all of our nation's veterans, thank you for your service. November 9, 2010 Appearing on SanDiego6 Wednesday morning at 7:15 to share the latest news from City Hall. Please tune in. November 9, 2010 Council will vote today to bid and award a contract for $2.3 million to secure the slope above Aldine Drive in Kensington. This project is a long time coming and I'm glad that we'll soon have this problem solved. November 8, 2010 There's a story in the current issue of Gay San Diego about one of the people that helped to pave the way for me and so many others to have a career in public service. Thank you, Neil Good! November 7, 2010 I'm grateful for the opportunity to welcome the thousands of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure walkers to Balboa Park. Together they raised almost a half a million dollars to fight breast cancer. November 5, 2010 I paid a visit to third graders at Albert Einstein Academy today. We talked about our community and the role government plays in making things better. November 5, 2010 Native American History Month celebration today, noon, Civic Concourse. Join me and local American Indian leaders for traditional food, music and dancing at City Hall. November 4, 2010 I'm participating in Sunday's Komen Race for the Cure in Balboa Park. Please consider joining me and thousands of others to help in the fight against breast cancer. November 4, 2010 Thank you to my colleagues for their support of my Ordinance to Protect Small & Neighborhood Businesses. November 3, 2010 This is great news for those of us who understand there is more than one way to get from A to B: SANDAG staff recommends allocating $2.6 billion toward bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. November 3, 2010 Grateful that the cold weather shelter for the homeless has been sited for this winter. October 30, 2010 Judging the Nightmare on Normal Street costume contest tonight in Hillcrest. Gates open at 7pm, contest starts at 8:30. Come see the most creative costumes in San Diego! A fun D3 tradition. October 30, 2010 Dia de los Muertos in City Heights. The D in D3 stands for diversity! October 29, 2010 How much does the Todd Squad love infrastructure? Enough to dress up like it for Halloween. I love it! October 29, 2010 I helped kick off a great initiative in North Park's business district today. Energy makeovers will help our environment while improving the bottom line of our small businesses. October 28, 2010 SD Police Officers Association is accepting donations for a trust fund to support Officer Christoper Wilson's family. Please see attached link for more information. http://www.sdpoa.org/absolutenm/articledisplay/?a=402&z=10. October 28, 2010 Please keep the family of this slain San Diego Police Officer in your thoughts and prayers. October 27, 2010 Check out this great video detailing the recent building of a water conservation garden in Azalea Park. Many thanks to Rebuilding Together for making this happen. http://vimeo.com/16041044 October 27, 2010 Georgia Street Bridge underpass is clean as a whistle! October 27, 2010 UPCOMING EVENTS: Budget Town Hall tomorrow and Energy Efficiency Makeover on Friday. Check it out. (link to the eblast posted yesterday) October 24, 2010 Thank you for all the wall posts, comments, emails and calls. I know exactly who I work for: the people of District 3 who love their unique neighborhoods and support our small businesses. We will keep fighting! October 24, 2010 Celebrating my grandmother's 81st birthday. She's where I got my good looks. Happy Birthday Grandma! October 23, 2010 Who cares if it is raining? City Heights Face Lift must go on! The Todd Squad show off our handiwork with a happy homeowner. October 23, 2010 City Heights Face Lift today! The Todd Squad and hundreds of volunteers are doing an extreme makeover of a block of Cherokee Avenue in the Corridor neighborhood of City Heights. This is one of my favorite events of the year. October 23, 2010 Repaved and restriped. The new First Avenue in Hillcrest. October 22, 2010 Harris Poll: San Diego is the second most popular city in US. I'm not surprised - 1.3m people can't be wrong! October 21, 2010 Headed to Hawley Blvd in Normal Heights to celebrate the completion of a sidewalk repair that was long overdue. One of 354 repairs scheduled in D3 this year. Hooray for infrastructure! October 20, 2010 Check out this week's CityBeat for a good look at a successful City prevention program serving District 3 that is on the chopping block due to budget cuts. Speak out and take action to ensure the Police Department's Multi-Cultural Community Relations Office is preserved! October 19, 2010 Rain means potholes, standing water and other issues. Please report problems in your corner of D3 using this link: http://apps.sandiego.gov/streetdiv/. It will help City staff to respond once the storm has passed. October 18, 2010 Thank you to my colleagues for their unanimous support for my Equal Benefits Ordinance. San Diego joins many other jurisdictions to ensure "equal pay for equal work." a great day for our City and all those who believe in fairness. October 18, 2010 Make sure to see a great profile of VVSD's Stand Down on 60 Minutes. Proof that San Diegans care about our homeless veterans! Now let's get the winter shelter done. October 17, 2010 Tomorrow is the last day to register to vote for the November 2 election. Please be sure to register and vote! October 17, 2010 Just got home from a powerful rally and vigil against bullying of LGBT youth. Thanks to all who were there to demand safe schools for our kids. Special gratitude to the School Board and my colleague Tony Young for their support. October 16, 2010 I signed copies of "Filipinos in San Diego" at today's book launch at Miramar College. This great book is now on sale! Check me out on page 125. :) October 15, 2010 The Equal Benefits Ordinance to be heard this Monday by City Council. My legislation will ensure City contractors provide their workers with domestic partner benefits. Join us a 2pm to support equal pay for equal work. October 12, 2010 Appearing on SanDiego6 Wednesday at 7:20am to discuss the latest from City Hall: reform, redevelopment cap and winter shelter. October 11, 2010 Great story in today's Voice of San Diego about a Burmese refugee resettled in City Heights, receiving health care in North Park and nonprofit support in Hillcrest. I am so proud to represent District 3! October 8, 2010 Emceeing tonight's NAMI San Diego Gala. Proud to support this great nonprofit that helps advocate for those with mental illnesses. October 8, 2010 Today, I joined the Lyric Opera and the North Park community to place the North Park Theatre's blade sign back above the marquee. Check it out the next time you're on University Avenue. October 8, 2010 Veg Pledge Day 6: Portobello burger at The Linkery in North Park. Delicious! October 7, 2010 Police Chief Lansdowne spells out what he will eliminate if $16 million is cut from his budget. View the video. October 6, 2010 Check out today's U-T to see what our Fire Department will look like without reform and revenue. October 6, 2010 Veg Pledge Day 4: Awesome lo mein at The Loving Hut on El Cajon Blvd for lunch. Good stuff! October 6, 2010 Announcing a $25m federal grant for job training for San Diegans looking for work in the health care sector. October 5, 2010 Veg Pledge Day 3: Anyone know if the Super Tacos at Jack in the Box are vegetarian or not? Getting conflicting opinions on this one among the Todd Squad. October 5, 2010 Parking progress in Hillcrest: DMV (+187), Pernicanos (+36), Normal St (+15), Post Office (+32) = 270! More to come!! October 5, 2010 City Council votes to move Permanent Homeless Services Center plans forward. A great day for San Diego! October 5, 2010 With the help of Senator Christine Kehoe, I'm proud to open up 187 parking spaces in Hillcrest to the public today. The DMV parking lot on Normal Street will now serve as after hours parking for customers headed to shop on University Avenue. A great way to help support our small businesses in Hillcrest! October 4, 2010 Veg Pledge Day 2: Who knew you could get so full on lettuce? October 3, 2010 I had a great time at Coffee with Your Councilmember at the Hillcrest Farmers Market. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello. October 2, 2010 Looking forward to starting Veg Pledge Week tomorrow morning at the Hillcrest Farmers Market. Join me, the Hillcrest Business Association and the Animal Protection League. No meat for me for the next seven days - a sight to see! October 2, 2010 Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who came out today to support Rebuilding Together's project in Azalea Park. Special thanks to Cricket Wireless for their help and the talented Vicki Estrada for her sustainable design. Check out the restored recreation center and new water conservation garden next time you're in the area! October 1, 2010 Taste the best food in one of San Diego's best neighborhoods at the Taste of North Park is this Saturday from 11am to 4pm. October 1, 2010 Great news for our city: Comic Con is staying put! Kudos to all who came together to keep this important event in San Diego. Proof that we are a world-class city that can compete and win against the toughest competitors. September 30, 2010 Please watch this message from Ellen on the recent bullying related suicides by our gay youth. This is unacceptable and we must all speak out and reach out to make sure this stops. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=592846987806&ref=mf September 30, 2010 I Walked a Mile in Her Shoes to raise money for YWCA's Becky's House tonight...I have a whole new respect for you ladies after wearing 4" heels! September 30, 2010 Big improvements are coming to Azalea Park. Join me, fellow City Heights neighbors and Rebuilding Together this Saturday. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/28/hundreds-expected-for-azalea-park-makeover/ September 29, 2010 Big improvements are coming to Azalea Park. Join me, fellow City Heights neighbors and Rebuilding Together this Saturday. September 28, 2010 Join me this Thursday as I "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes." San Diego men will take to the streets of downtown in high heels to raise money for Becky's House, a shelter for battered women. The things I'll do for charity! www.ywcasandiego.org. September 28, 2010 Join me next week in taking the Veg Pledge. Seven days as a vegetarian? Thank goodness D3 is home to many great vegetarian restaurants! www.sdvegweek.com. September 27, 2010 The latest edition of Fact Check TV covers just how far City services have been cut and how more cuts would harm District 3. Check it out: www.voiceofsandiego.org. September 26, 2010 Thousands of San Diegans hit the streets to raise money for local HIV/AIDS service providers. Until there's a cure, we'll keep walking!. September 25, 2010 Busy Weekend: Pacific Islander Festival, Coastal Cleanup Day, Adams Avenue Street Fair, Talmadge Block Party and AIDS Walk San Diego. Join me at one of these signature San Diego events.. September 25, 2010 In case you missed it, my visit to KPBS's San Diego Week to discuss the City's winter shelter for the homeless. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/sep/24/housing-homeless-during-winter/. September 24, 2010 Catch me on KPBS-TV's San Diego Week tonight at 8pm. I'll be discussing homeless issues in our City with Gloria Penner.. September 21, 2010 Happy to report the San Diego Police Department has arrested a suspect in a series of home burglaries in University Heights and North Park. September 21, 2010 Disappointed that thousands of servicemembers must continue to serve in silence. America's heroes deserve better than what the Senate gave them today. September 21, 2010 First public meeting on the Plaza de Panama reclamation project is this Thursday, 9/23, 6:00pm in the Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American Plaza. Get involved and help ensure our park's unique character as we approach the 2015 centennial. September 21, 2010 Today, I joined my colleagues to proclaim Sept 15 - Oct 15 to be Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of San Diego. September 19, 2010 Volunteering tomorrow at 4:00 am for San Diego's first ever homeless registry week. Goal is to identify the most vulnerable on the streets, move them into housing, and conserve limited public resources. A part of our region's efforts to lead on this important issue. September 18, 2010 Coffee with Your Councilmember, today, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Zio's in North Park, 2940 El Cajon Blvd. Come get an update on the latest from City Hall and share your thoughts on the issues of the day. September 16, 2010 My AIDS Walk team needs just one more team member to meet our goal. Will you join me? Sign up using the link below. The more the merrier as we walk to help those with HIV/AIDS in our community. http://aidswalksd.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=419268&lis=1&kntae419268=8CA0D847428E4977B4529F05653949E6&team=3869068 September 14, 2010 Mayor Sanders and I will announce the inaugural Board of Directors of the Balboa Park Conservancy at 12:30 today. This is an historic day for our City's crown jewel! September 13, 2010 I checked out the newly paved South Hempstead Circle in Kensington. A beautiful street in one of San Diego's most beautiful communities is smooth once again. September 13, 2010 Council to vote today on the first ever guidelines for medical marijuana dispensaries in our City. Should have been done years ago, but better late than never. Check out www.kpbs.org for coverage of the issue. September 11, 2010 9/11: We will never forget. Keeping those we lost 9 years ago in my thoughts and prayers today. September 10, 2010 Want to help shape how the Uptown community will grow in the decades to come? Join me Saturday, 9/11, 8:30 am, Balboa Park Recital Hall for a neighborhood discussion in advance of the Community Plan Update: www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/uptown/. September 8, 2010 Many of you have asked me what will become of the former Universal site in Hillcrest. The answer is in today's newspaper. I'm grateful David and Scott are stepping up to restore activity on this important corner in D3. September 7, 2010 Most of D3's kids are headed back to school today. Good luck in the new school year! Your City is very proud of each of you. September 6, 2010 Grateful for the contributions of America's workers and the role of labor in building our middle class. Happy Labor Day! September 4, 2010 The new 33rd at Lincoln in City Heights is freshly smooth. Doubly sexy because under this newly paved street are brand new water and sewer pipes. Yay for infrastructure! September 2, 2010 Serving up the Big Kitchen's famous lasagna at tonight's SD Democratic Club celebrity waiter fundraiser. August 31, 2010 Car alignments and axles agree, the newly repaired and repaved Florida Street in North Park is awesome! August 30, 2010 Mayor Sanders, Dr. Jacobs and I shared details today of the plan to reclaim the Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama in time for the 2015 Centennial. Check out KPBS's coverage. August 30, 2010 Joining Mayor Sanders and Irwin Jacobs today to announce details on the plan to restore the Plaza de Panama. I'll discuss how it connects to our vision for a Balboa Park conservancy and the 2015 centennial celebration. Watch tonight's local news to see the coverage. August 29, 2010 Little Saigon's Lantern Festival on the Boulevard runs until 10 p.m. on Sunday. Don't miss it! August 28, 2010 Proud of the steps the City is taking to address homelessness. Still have lots of work to do but the progress is encouraging. Count on me to continue to make this a priority at City Hall. August 27, 2010 Great article on signonsandiego.com on this weekend's Lantern Festival and the emerging Little Saigon district in D3. Check it out and join me this weekend at the festival. August 26, 2010 Never one to just lay next to a pool, I used my vacation to travel to the Big Apple to check out Central Park's Conservancy and learn how its governance model could work for San Diego's Balboa Park. Thanks to the conservancy staff, donors and volunteers who took the time to explain to me how they've helped restore their great urban park. August 26, 2010 Happy Women's Equality Day! August 26, 2010 Have you seen "Hillcrest: The Movie" yet? Check it out! August 20, 2010 Check out the important article in today's U-T on Dr. Irwin Jacobs' and the City's mutual goal of restoring the Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park. August 17, 2010 I am disappointed that the stay on same-sex marriages will continue. However, this is another hurdle that we will overcome. I look forward to my friends enjoying the right to commit to one another the same way others can, and I am confident that time will come soon. August 16, 2010 Join me at noon today in the lobby of City Hall for the unveiling of the Women's Equality Day exhibit. I'll be joining NOW, League of Women Voters and the San Diego Women's History Museum to celebrate the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage. August 13, 2010 Busy Saturday Ahead: Catch me on SanDiego6 at 9:15 a.m. with an update from City Hall. Then join me at Grant's Marketplace in South Park at 11:00 a.m. for Coffee with Your Councilmember. August 13, 2010 Please join me Saturday, August 14 at Grant's Marketplace in South Park from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for the latest "Coffee with your Councilmember" event. I look forward to your questions and comments. August 12, 2010 Thank you Judge Walker!!! August 12, 2010 I just helped local kids cut the ribbon on Montclair Park's new playground. A great day for North Park! August 11, 2010 I am speaking at San Diego HIV Community Day at the Convention Center this morning. The theme is the role of families in preventing and adapting to HIV/AIDS. August 10, 2010 Join the North Park community and me at 12 noon this Thursday to dedicate the new playground equipment at Montclair Park, 2911 Nile Street. August 9, 2010 The Landis Street bridge over I-805 was just repaved. Nice! August 8, 2010 My take on the Reform Before Revenue measure on November's ballot is included in the latest issue of the San Diego Uptown News. Authored by Councilmember Donna Frye and me and endorsed by Mayor Jerry Sanders, this initiative will be decided by the voters in November. August 8, 2010 I just had the privilege of introducing "Hillcrest: The Movie" at CityFest. August 8, 2010 Dunk tank at 2pm on Univ between 4th and 5th. Come dunk me and raise money for Mama's Kitchen. August 7, 2010 Please join me Sunday, September 26th for the 21st annual AIDS Walk to help fight HIV/AIDS in San Diego. Please follow the link to register with us. Thank you for supporting such a great cause! aidswalksd.kintera.org/2010/toddgloriaandfriends August 6, 2010 Join me this Sunday in Hillcrest for CityFest! Stop by my booth to say hello. Come by Mama's Kitchen's dunk tank at 2pm to help me raise money to fight HIV/AIDS. See the premiere of Hillcrest: The Movie at 8pm. Guaranteed good times! August 5, 2010 I saw a monster pothole on Wightman and 41st Street in City Heights this morning. It was reported and fixed by our efficient City staff in the same day! Thank you! August 5, 2010 There is a good write up on the North Park parking structure in today's paper. Many thanks to my predecessor Toni Atkins and the community for having the foresight to build this amenity to facilitate the growth of our local small businesses in North Park. August 5, 2010 Tune in to KPBS's These Days this morning at 9:00. I'll be discussing the Reform Before Revenue ballot measure and the overturning of Prop 8. August 4, 2010 What a day! Prop 8 Day of Decision and City's Reform Before Revenue. Read all about both in my latest update. August 4, 2010 I am overjoyed that the U.S. District Court overturned Proposition 8. I know our fight to secure this right is not over, but I am confident this civil right will be confirmed and marriage equality will be realized for all Californians and eventually all Americans. August 3, 2010 Tune in to SanDiego6 this Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. to hear how Mayor Sanders, Donna Frye and I are working together to bring financial stability to the City through the Reform Before Revenue proposal. August 3, 2010 Check out my commentary in the current edition of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine on the progress we're making on providing solutions to homelessness in Downtown San Diego. August 2, 2010 I'll be participating in National Night Out Against Crime events in Talmadge, City Heights and North Park tomorrow night. Please join Night Out events in your neighborhood. We all have a role to play in making our community safe. August 1, 2010 I am enjoying the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus' extrABBAganza at the North Park Theatre. July 30, 2010 Check out my visit to KUSI this morning with Kevin Faulconer to discuss approaches to resolving our City's financial crisis: www.kusi.com. July 29, 2010 Gotta get my beauty sleep because I'm appearing with Kevin Faulconer on KUSI at 7:25 on Friday to discuss how we must compromise to resolve our City's looming budget crisis. Please tune in! July 29, 2010 Donna Frye and I have worked together to suggest a series of reforms and revenue to help solve our City's budget woes. Please tell me what you think! July 29, 2010 As reported in today's U-T, progress is being made toward restoring this local icon over Adams Avenue. With the community's help, I expect the Kensington sign will be back up by Thanksgiving. July 26, 2010 Thank you Jacky Suarez for helping to save lives and property during a recent apartment fire in City Heights. July 25, 2010 The future of Balboa Park and plans to celebrate the 2015 centennial? Tune in to KUSI on Monday at 8:00 a.m. I will chat about what's in store for our City's crown jewel. July 24, 2010 Madison Avenue in University Heights was just repaved. It's a beauty! July 24, 2010 Look out San Diego! I'm hitting the streets tomorrow with local bicycle advocates. I promise no spandex will be involved. July 24, 2010 Join me tonight at the North Park Community Association's super popular summer concert series in Bird Park. 5:30 p.m., 28th & Thorn. The Cathryn Beeks Ordeal is performing. July 23, 2010 I'm working to make University Avenue more pedestrian, bicycle and transit friendly. Check out last night's report by Fox5's Perette Godwin: www.fox5sandiego.com. July 21, 2010 Balboa Park? Yeah, there's an app for that. Check out today's U-T to learn more. July 20, 2010 Tune in to SanDiego6 Morning News this Wednesday at 7:20 a.m. I'll be talking about all the latest hot topics from City Hall. Don't miss it! July 20, 2010 I had the pleasure of hanging out with former Councilman Tom Hom at tonight's Asian Pacific American Coalition meeting. Mr. Hom was the first API person elected to the San Diego City Council back in 1962. I became the second in 2008. July 20, 2010 Happy Birthday to my amazing Executive Assistant Venessa Jackson! July 19, 2010 Recently repaved and restriped intersection of Florida and Lincoln is keeping North Park looking sharp! July 18, 2010 Establishing a new nonprofit partner to build support for Balboa Park is critical to ensuring the park's success for another 100 years. Read all about it in today's U-T. July 17, 2010 At my booth at the Pride Festival. Stop by #150 and say hello! July 17, 2010 Happy Pride! July 16, 2010 Opening the new 36K sq. ft. La Maestra Community Health Center in City Heights. A great day for health care in Mid City! July 16, 2010 In time for Pride, Robinson Ave. in Hillcrest gets a makeover of fresh pavement. July 15, 2010 I addressed the Citizen's Revenue Review & Economic Competitiveness Commission at City Heights Library tonight. Thanks to the D3 residents who came out to give input into solving our City's structural budget deficit. Learn more at www.sandiego.gov/CRRECC. July 15, 2010 I present to you the new Howard Ave - now without potholes! July 15, 2010 Please read the article in today's U-T, which serves as more proof that I have the best constituents and neighborhoods in San Diego. Thanks Bob, Linda, Tom and all the Parksters for what you do for our community! July 14, 2010 Share your thoughts on resolving the City's structural budget deficit with the Citizens Revenue Review & Economic Competitiveness Commission when it comes to District 3. Thursday, 7/15, 6pm, City Heights Library, 3795 Fairmount. July 14, 2010 Thank you to all who made this big step toward ending homelessness in San Diego possible, especially my colleagues on the LU&H Committee. July 13, 2010 Tune in to Fox 5 at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday. I'll discuss the proposed homeless services center for Downtown San Diego. If approved, the center will represent a major step forward in addressing homelessness in our City. July 13, 2010 Today we opened the first ever LGBT history exhibit at San Diego City Hall! July 13, 2010 The City Council just unanimously proclaimed July 2010 to be LGBT Pride Month in San Diego. July 12, 2010 Just walked past the nearly completed LGBT history exhibit in the lobby of City Hall. It looks AMAZING! Join us tomorrow at 12:15 to cut the ribbon or stop by between now and July 23 to check it out. You'll be very proud! July 10, 2010 Presented a check to support Somali Youth United and their Somali Independence Day celebration today. We are blessed to have a vibrant East African refugee community join our San Diego family. July 10, 2010 Coffee with Your Councilmember, today, 11:00-12:30, Lestat's Coffee, 3343 Adams Avenue. Come on by! July 9, 2010 Watching 59 Wilson Middle School students graduate from English learners to fluent English speakers. So proud of these hard working D3 kids! July 7, 2010 Next Wednesday, we have a chance to take a big step toward addressing homelessness in San Diego. I hope we'll seize this opportunity. Check out www.sdnews.com for an article about the proposed homeless services facility. July 5, 2010 I marched with the North County Coalition in the Oceanside Independence Day Parade this weekend. This first ever LGBT contingent in the parade was dedicated to showing our support for our troops. July 4, 2010 Proud to be an American. Happy Independence Day everybody! July 3, 2010 Happy Anniversary to my parents! July 1, 2010 Tonight I flipped the switch on the new University Ave. median lights in Hillcrest. Check them out next time you're in the 'hood! July 1, 2010 Knocking doors in North Park today to talk about the Mid City Rapid Bus project proposed for the neighborhood. Learn more at http://www.keepsandiegomoving.com/midcity-rapid-bus-intro.html. June 30, 2010 Appearing on Fox 5 at 7:30 am and San Diego 6 at 8:15 am tomorrow to discuss the Equal Benefits Ordinance and the latest from City Hall. Please tune in! June 30, 2010 Heading out to officially open El Take It Easy. Join me tonight to welcome this great new restaurant to our North Park community. 3926 30th Street. June 29, 2010 I planted a new tree at the corner of El Cajon & Euclid thanks to the BID Council. This is a part of 55 new trees along the Boulevard. Trees are great additions to our local small business districts! June 29, 2010 My Equal Benefits Ordinance will be heard by the Council's Rules Committee this Wednesday, 9am at City Hall. Please contact your Councilmember and let them know you support Equal Pay for Equal Work. June 29, 2010 Chatting it up with the San Diego Young Democrats tonight. June 27, 2010 Let me provide the clarity that today's U-T editorial missed: this measure will repeal the City's living wage law. It will cut the salaries of the lowest-wage workers in San Diego and strip them of health care benefits. Vote carefully this November. June 26, 2010 Celebrating Mariposa Ice Cream's 10th anniversary today. Join me and Congresswoman Susan Davis at 2:30pm, 3450 Adams Ave for the best ice cream in San Diego. June 26, 2010 Join me today in Kensington to learn more about clean energy. This is a part of our year long centennial celebration. Sustainability will ensure Kensington's continued success for the next 100 years! For more information, check out energycenter.org. June 25, 2010 Are you ready for Smart Meters? SDGE starts installing smart meters in District 3 this month. Work will continue through Feb 2011. Learn more at www.sdge.com's Smart Meter Homepage. June 24, 2010 Check out the latest concept for a new Civic Center. What do you think? June 24, 2010 Want more transit? SANDAG needs your input in planning the region's transportation future. Please take this online survey to make sure District 3's voice is heard: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TMGQQFZ. June 23, 2010 The U-T put me on the Hot Seat today. Take a look and let me know your thoughts. June 22, 2010 Check out this campaign extolling the virtues of shopping local started by South Park businessman Joe Grant: www.imaslob.org. Our small businesses are a big reason why District 3 is great. June 21, 2010 More proof that we need a permanent, year-round homeless services center in San Diego: Homelessness is up 7.8%. June 20, 2010 Happy Father's Day! I'm so grateful for my father who taught me the value of hard work and patience. June 19, 2010 Visiting with constituents in South Park at the Old House Fair and in City Heights at the Somali Family Service Health Fair was a great way to spend my Saturday. June 18, 2010 Check out Voice of San Diego's take on today's big event in Hillcrest. Great photography and writing. Adrian and Sam always do a terrific job. June 17, 2010 I just drove on the freshly repaved Redwood Street. Lookin' good, North Park! June 17, 2010 I'm boarding the Trolley on Dump the Pump day. Go transit! June 15, 2010 Join me and the community this Friday to open the Pernicano's parking lot. 36 new parking spaces open to the public in the heart of Hillcrest's business district - certainly something to celebrate! 6/18, 11:30 am, 6th & Robinson. June 15, 2010 The proliferation of payday lenders is a problem. Read in the current issue of the North Park News how I hope address this through the Council's Land Use & Housing Committee. June 14, 2010 My heart is heavy after adjourning today's Council meeting in memory of Raymond Portillos Leon. He was a bright light among our local LGBT youth. I encourage everyone to support The Trevor Project and its nationwide work on suicide prevention. June 14, 2010 Check out this morning's KPBS These Days discussion of the 20 years of the City's Housing Trust Fund. Thousands of San Diego families lives have been touched by this national model that creates affordable housing in our community. June 13, 2010 Participating in KPBS's These Days at 10am on Monday to discuss the 20th anniversary of the City's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Tune in! June 13, 2010 Celebrate Philippine Independence Day with me and the House of the Philippines in Balboa Park today. Music, food and dancing. Program starts at 2pm. Yes, there will be lumpia. :) June 12, 2010 Join Mayor Jerry Sanders and me at 10am today to open the new Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School Joint Use Park. This will add 1.7 acres of park space to City Heights. Food, games and prizes. A great day for District 3! June 11, 2010 I joined today with North Park residents and high school students to highlight the changes that are needed and coming soon to the North Park Community Park. June 10, 2010 It's time for San Diego to have an Equal Benefits Ordinance. See my News section to learn how I'm proposing we ensure equal pay for equal work. This will be heard by the Council's Rules Committee on June 30. June 10, 2010 I enjoyed the City of San Diego Filipino-American Employees Association's annual luncheon to celebrate the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. June 8, 2010 Thank you San Diego for honoring our veterans and passing Prop C! June 8, 2010 With the passage of Prop D, it's time for a strong council to stand up. I'm prepared to do my part to build a legislative branch that provides the oversight San Diegans are demanding. June 5, 2010 I just drove over the freshly paved Granada Ave in North Park. So smooth! June 5, 2010 Vets Job Fair in Balboa Park, UCSD Community Celebration in Hillcrest, Community HousingWorks FaceLift in City Heights, Art on Adams in Normal Heights, Being Alive Soul Plates benefit in Uptown. Just another Saturday in District 3! June 4, 2010 GRID Alternatives brings solar power to a home in City Heights. The City Council supported GRID Alternatives' flagship Solar Affordable Housing Program, which trains and leads teams of community volunteers and job trainees to install solar electric systems with low-income homeowners, with CDBG funding. June 4, 2010 Want more public transit in San Diego? Check out the Urban Area Transit Strategy currently being reviewed by local leaders, www.sandag.org. It includes possibly restoring streetcar service in District 3. Weigh in with your thoughts at 2050rtp@sandag.org. June 1, 2010 I joined with local health care leaders to declare the UCSD Medical Center to now be 100% smoke free. June 1, 2010 I visited the City department responsible for building and maintaining our neighborhood infrastructure today. I was briefed by the Engineering and Capital Projects staff on how they ensure quality construction and checks out two infrastructure projects currently underway in District 3. May 31, 2010 As you enjoy Memorial Day with your family and friends, please take a moment to remember all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. May 30, 2010 The latest on the Kensington sign is available at SanDiegoNewsRoom.com. In short, we will have the sign back up over Adams Avenue by this Thanksgiving. May 28, 2010 Grateful to my brother for helping to fix my garbage disposal today. After all these years, he still looks out for me. Thanks, Big Bro! May 28, 2010 Six additional freeway lanes on I-5? No thanks. I'd prefer the money be used to extend trolley service and build more bike lanes. There are much smarter ways to ease traffic congestion. May 28, 2010 Questions about the water/sewer working underway in Kensington? Check out this FAQ. (PDF) May 27, 2010 Thrilled that the House has voted to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell! I'm proud the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to support the repeal almost one year ago. We're a big step closer to allowing all of those who are qualified to serve. May 27, 2010 Attending tonight's Safe Neighborhoods meeting in Normal Heights to show my support for their new citizens on patrol effort. 7pm at the Storefront. May 26, 2010 Walking door to door in Kensington to discuss the $11M in infrastructure work underway in the neighborhood. In short: we're working to repair the streets. May 24, 2010 Today is the last day to register to vote for the June Primary Election. Be sure to register, particularly if you recently moved. May 22, 2010 Toni Atkins, Carl DeMaio & Todd Gloria walk into a bar... Not a set up for a joke, but it will happen tonight at 11 pm at Rich's to celebrate Harvey Milk Day! Proceeds benefit the Harvey Milk Foundation. Join us! May 21, 2010 Coffee with Your Councilmember, Saturday, 10:30 am to noon, Balboa Park Senior Lounge. Come with your questions and comments. I'll be ready! May 21, 2010 Heading over to reopen San Diego Rescue Mission thrift store in North Park at 4pm. Then on to Save Our Heritage Organisation People in Preservation Awards tonight in Old Town. Not a bad way to spend a Friday! May 21, 2010 Had a great time at this morning's Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast! Thank you to my colleagues Kevin Faulconer, Sherri Lightner, Marti Emerald, Carl DeMaio and the Todd Squad for being there. So inspiring! May 20, 2010 I just drove on the recently repaved Orange Ave in City Heights. So happy! This was a really bad one. May 20, 2010 The Municipal Employees Association and I presented checks to City Heights on Patrol (CHOP) tonight to support their neighborhood watch efforts in Mid-City. May 19, 2010 Looking forward to this Friday's Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. I hope everyone will join me in celebrating the life of this civil rights trailblazer. May 17, 2010 Proud to be on the host committee for A Reception Honoring Bishop Christopher Senyonjo from Uganda. Please come this Wednesday to show support for Bishop Senyonjo and our brothers and sisters in Uganda. Details: Wednesday, May 19, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., Top of the Park, 525 Spruce St. May 17, 2010 We're making progress on repairing our sidewalks in District 3. I just saw work underway in South Park. View the list of projects planned. May 17, 2010 Grateful to Save Our Heritage Organisation for selecting me for a People in Preservation Award. Looking forward to doing more to preserve San Diego's treasures in the years ahead. May 16, 2010 Had a great time today at the North Park Festival of The Arts. Was proud to join with the neighborhood historical society to award this year's Klicka Scholarship to San Diego High School senior Taylor Bazley. May 15, 2010 Don't forget: the North Park Festival of the Arts is tomorrow, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on University Avenue. Come enjoy your Sunday and stop by my booth to say hello! May 14, 2010 Proud to join Tony Young at today's Second Chance ribbon cutting for their remodeled facility. I congratulate Scott H Silverman and his team for helping turn so many lives around in our community. May 13, 2010 Just got back from checking out a new community garden being built on Fairmount Avenue in City Heights. Many thanks to my friend Ashley Lunn and her team at Keller-Williams Realty for helping make this happen. When complete, it will provide healthy food to 80 local families! May 13, 2010 Check out my comments about Prop C, the Veterans Jobs Initiative, in this month's edition of the North Park News. May 12, 2010 Just cut the ribbon on the new Adams Avenue Farmers Market in the Rite Aid parking lot. Check it out tonight and every Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Congratulations to the Adams Avenue Business Association for bringing the new amenity to District 3! May 12, 2010 Great news: The repaving of Florida Street has begun! May 11, 2010 Thanks to 10News for telling the story of City Heights residents who are working hard to make their community a better place. I am so proud of the progress they're making! May 11, 2010 Today, I had the pleasure of honoring our Public Works employees and proclaiming May 16-22 to be Public Works Week in the City of San Diego. Learn more at www.sandiego.gov. May 11, 2010 Glad I'm not alone in thinking we need more money for public transit in San Diego, not less. Check out The Ride blog on the U-T's website: "Watchdog group claims transit agency took taxpayers for a ride." May 10, 2010 This is a pretty good birthday gift: the U-T endorses my veterans jobs initiative, Proposition C! May 9, 2010 Happy Mother's Day! I'm blessed with the best one. May 7, 2010 As your Councilmember I do lots of different stuff but critiquing yard work is not among them. Read on... A number of North Park residents have contacted my office in recent days about a letter circulating in the neighborhood. The letter is usually found on the doorstep, criticizes the upkeep of the recipients' yard and is signed with my name. I did not write, authorize or endorse this communication. While a part of my duties as your Councilmember includes assisting neighborhoods with problem properties and addressing code violations, I would never use such an unprofessional approach to this kind of problem. In the future, if you receive a letter purportedly from District Three that is not on official letterhead, please call my office to verify the letter's legitimacy. I apologize for any confusion or frustration this false letter may have caused to anyone who has received a copy. I appreciate all of the constituents who have brought this to my attention. May 6, 2010 Speaking at the University Heights Community Association tonight. Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at Birney Elementary. I'm scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. Join us! May 3, 2010 Heads up to local students: GSDBA is now accepting applications for its student scholarships. Check out www.gsdbafoundation.com for more details. Applications are due May 31. May 3, 2010 Proud to stand with my colleagues to oppose Arizona's SB 1070 and racial profiling on a 7 to 1 vote! May 3, 2010 I'm talking about Arizona's SB 1070 with Fox5's Matt Johnson at 7:00 am. Tune in to hear how San Diego is responding to this un-American attempt to legalize racial profiling. May 2, 2010 Looking forward to supporting Council President Benjamin Hueso's resolution condemning Arizona's SB 1070 tomorrow. Let me be clear: racial profiling is un-American and we deserve real immigration reform. Check out www.cbs8.com for a news story. May 1, 2010 Busy Day Ahead: Asian Heritage Festival on Mission Bay, San Diego Vet Center open house, SOHO's May Day at Marston House Museum, and Equality California Awards. And I'm not even up for reelection! April 30, 2010 I'm embracing my D-List celebrity status as a waiter at the STAR/PAL Celebrity Waiter Luncheon in Balboa Park today. Looking for big tippers to help support youth prevention programs in City Heights. April 29, 2010 I drove over the recently repaved part of 32nd Street in North Park this morning. Just a portion of the 60 miles of roads to be repaved this year in D3. It's a beautiful thing! April 29, 2010 Today is Dining Out for Life® San Diego! I'm dining out to fight AIDS. Are you? April 27, 2010 My colleagues and I will proclaim today "Captain Ralph Haynes Day" in the City of San Diego. Ralph is retiring after 30 years working in our Fire Department, much of it at Station 17 in City Heights. Thank you for your service, Ralph! April 26, 2010 Are you Dining Out for Life® San Diego this Thursday? I am having lunch at Basic Urban Kitchen + Bar and dinner at The Red Door Restaurant and Wine Bar. Remember: calories don't count when you're helping to fight AIDS! April 25, 2010 Kensington is celebrating a big birthday this year. Check out the great article in today's U-T on why this is one of San Diego's best neighborhoods. April 25, 2010 I'm at the Roots Festival! Come by my booth which is right next to the delicious Mariposa Ice Cream! April 24, 2010 I'm leaving Midge Costanza's celebration of life grateful to have known such an amazing woman. April 24, 2010 A great example of one of the many District 3 refugee youth who is working hard to succeed is the subject of an article in today's U-T. Congratulations Amina! April 24, 2010 Coffee with Your Councilmember, today, 10:30 - noon, Caffe Calabria, 3933 30th Street in North Park. Also, catch me at the Switzer and Normal Heights Canyon Clean Ups and the Roots Festival. Lots to do today in D3! April 22, 2010 Check out my commentary in today's U-T re: taking leadership on the issue of homelessness in San Diego. April 22, 2010 Happy Earth Day! April 21, 2010 Fired up to make progress today on homelessness issues at my Land Use & Housing Committee! Tune in to Channel 24 or the City's web site to follow along. April 21, 2010 Happy Administrative Professionals Day! FYI - I have the best Executive Assistant in the world. If you know Venessa, you know what I mean! April 20, 2010 Want to make San Diego more pedestrian friendly? Join me this Thursday to support Walk San Diego at the Golden Footprint Awards. Check out www.walksandiego.org for more details. April 19, 2010 Good news for those of us concerned about health care access for San Diegans south of Interstate 8: UCSD will keep its Hillcrest hospital open! UCSD shared this with me last week and I'm glad to see them make their intentions public in today's Union-Tribune. April 19, 2010 Great announcement by Mayor Sanders about street repairs. Includes lots of good news for District 3! Check it out. April 18, 2010 EarthFair 2010 is today in Balboa Park! Stop by my booth (#1079), say hello and check out the many ways our City is working to preserve San Diego's environment. April 18, 2010 Earth Day is April 22. Check out this fun EPA website for ways you can help improve our environment: http://www.epa.gov/pick5. April 17, 2010 Fired up to give the keynote at the SoCal 2010 TRiO Student Leadership Conference at USD. Trying to inspire hundreds of high school students to Think Globally, Act Locally. April 16, 2010 Survey (PDF): Citizens want a balanced approach to budget solutions and greater focus on infrastructure. I couldn't agree more! April 16, 2010 Check out today's Union-Tribune article, "Building Could Be Home for Homeless." It's a good advance look at Wednesday's Homeless Solutions Day at my Committee: making progress on a permanent homeless facility Downtown. April 15, 2010 Three things I love: community gardens, City Heights and Michelle Obama. Today's my lucky day! April 15, 2010 Heading to the Lafayette Hotel for the launch of a $4M renovation and restoration project. This will preserve the historic charm of the hotel while bringing new vitality to El Cajon Blvd. A great day for North Park! April 14, 2010 Two weeks to Dining Out for Life® San Diego! Join me and The Todd Squad for lunch at Basic Urban Kitchen + Bar on April 29. 25% of your check will go to fight AIDS in our community. April 14, 2010 There is a great article in Governing Magazine on why we must focus on repairing our national infrastructure. Please check it out! April 13, 2010 Looking forward to joining The Center on Policy Initiatives to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the passage of the Living Wage Ordinance in the City of San Diego. Today, noon, Civic Center Plaza. Be there! April 12, 2010 Welcome to the sailors and families of the USS Carl Vinson! We're glad you will now call San Diego home. April 12, 2010 Check out my visit to Fox 5 this morning with our Fire-Rescue Chief, Javier Mainar, to discuss fire engine closures. The video is available on Fox 5's website. April 10, 2010 What weekend? Joining Ocean Discovery Institute for a canyon clean up in Swan Canyon this morning. Looking forward to San Diego County Democratic Party's Roosevelt Dinner tonight! April 9, 2010 Driving to Ontario, CA to represent San Diego at a League of California Cities meeting on AB 32/SB 375. Admit it, you're jealous. April 6, 2010 Council approved water submeters for new multifamily developments yesterday. This may help reduce water usage by at least 15%. Kudos to Councilmember Marti Emerald for getting this done! April 4, 2010 Over 600 kids had a great time at the Easter Egg Hunt in Trolley Barn Park. Thank you to all who donated baskets including San Diego City Firefighters, Municipal Employees Association, SOHO, and many individual D3 residents. Special kudos to Courtney Thomson of my team who worked hard to make it such a special day. April 3, 2010 RIP: Craig Noel, father of San Diego Theatre and trailblazing force behind the Old Globe. April 2, 2010 City staff tell me Florida Street resurfacing between Robinson & Mytle will begin the week of April 26. Work should be complete by the end of May. Yay for smoother roads! April 1, 2010 We've almost reached our goal! If you can donate baskets to help us meet our goal for this Sunday's Easter Egg Hunt in Trolley Barn Park, please contact my office. No D3 child should go home empty handed! April 1, 2010 I was honored to help open Hillcrest's newest restaurant, Porkyland, today. Stop by their location on University Avenue and try the excellent food, especially the salsa verde. April 1, 2010 One our City's Emergency Medical Technicians was killed while helping motorists involved in an accident on the 163 near Washington Street this morning. Please keep his family and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers. March 31, 2010 Check out the article from San Diego Newsroom about how I'm working with Move San Diego to bring better transportation options to our region. March 30, 2010 Mark your calendars! Dining Out for Life® San Diego is on April 29, 2010. Participating restaurants donate at least 25% of their proceeds for the day to fight HIV/AIDS in San Diego. I'll be eating breakfast, lunch and dinner out that day. I hope you will too. March 29, 2010 Street Fair Volunteers Needed Furthering my commitment to you to be as accessible as possible, my staff and I have booths at most of the District's fairs and festivals. We often need volunteers to help us set up and take down the booth as well as joining us to staff the booth during the events. Staffing the booth usually consists of greeting your neighbors, distributing City informational brochures and taking questions or concerns. The benefits include quality time with me and the Todd Squad, developing a great summer tan, interacting with the good people of District Three and access to some of the best street fairs and festivals in Southern California. I hope you can lend a hand. Please send an email to toddgloria@sandiego.gov or call my office at 619-236-6633 if you can volunteer. Be sure to include your name, contact information and which events you might like to attend. A member of my team will follow up with you. Thank you for helping me to connect local residents to our City government and further our cause of making District Three an even better place to live. District Three Street Fairs & Festivals
March 28, 2010 A Call for Easter Baskets for District 3 Children Please join me in supporting the 8th Annual LGBT Community Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Imperial Court de San Diego. This wonderful event will be held next Sunday, at 2:00 p.m. at Trolley Barn Park in University Heights. I am collecting preassembled Easter baskets for neighborhood children that attend the event. Hundreds of local children are expected and no child should go home empty handed. Can you help me reach my goal of donating 100 baskets? Baskets can be dropped off at my office located at 202 C Street, 12th floor until Friday, April 3rd. Have questions? Please contact Courtney Thomson in my office at (619) 236-6633. Thank you for your support! March 27, 2010 Happy Birthday to my mom who turns 58 years young today. You can tell she's a D3 original because she still refers to City Heights as East San Diego. March 27, 2010 Ever wonder how we can end homelessness? Check out the excellent piece from yesterday's U-T: Housing is Good Medicine. March 26, 2010 Coffee with your Councilmember, Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Kensington Cafe, 4141 Adams Avenue. I will be taking compliments, complaints and coffee requests. March 26, 2010 South Park Walkabout: This Saturday, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in fabulous South Park. If you've never been, you must go. It's good times! March 26, 2010 I joined San Diego Zoo officials and actress Tori Spelling to open the newly renovated Polar Bear Plunge today. Learn more about the Zoo's education and conservation programs at sandiegozoo.org/. March 25, 2010 Joining the Friends of Balboa Park and City Park & Rec staff at 10 a.m. today to plant 20 new trees in the park for Arbor Day. Meet us at the Golden Hill Rec Center to pitch in! March 24, 2010 On today's Land Use & Housing Committee agenda: Medical Marijuana land-use regulations. Meeting starts at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Committee Room. The public is welcome to attend. March 23, 2010 The current issue of the San Diego Uptown News covers the City's plans to restore the Plaza de Panama in time for Balboa Park's 100th birthday in 2015. Read all about it! March 23, 2010 Rest in peace, Midge Costanza. Thank you for a lifetime spent making the world a better place. March 23, 2010 Like my online presence? Please vote me up for an influenceSD Award. Just click the arrow next to my pic. If it turns green, you're done! Voting ends TOMORROW. Thanks! March 22, 2010 I'm looking forward to Friday's ribbon cutting for the new polar bear exhibit at the San Diego Zoo. I'm so lucky to represent Balboa Park! March 22, 2010 Public radio broadcast an interesting report on veterans' struggle to find work. I'm proud to have secured Prop C a place on the ballot with the help of my Council colleagues. March 21, 2010 Yes we can! March 19, 2010 Coffee with your Councilmember, Saturday, 10:30 am at the City Heights Branch Library. Get an update on what's going on at City Hall and share your thoughts on the issues of the day. March 19, 2010 I presented diplomas tonight at Ybarra Elementary to City Heights residents who graduated from the Proyecto Leadership Academy. March 19, 2010 I just saw this on MSNBC: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for Iraq war vets is 21.1%. I'm very glad I was able to get the City's Veterans Hiring Initiative (Prop C) on the June ballot! March 18, 2010 I'm speaking at the Fairmount Park Neighborhood Association tonight. Join us in this beautiful corner of City Heights at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of the Brethren. March 18, 2010 It's official: my veterans jobs initiative will be Proposition C on the June ballot. March 17, 2010 Check out the New York Times today for a fascinating article on the infrastructure needs across the nation and why it can be hard to get support for fixing them. Worth a read. March 17, 2010 Check out the New York Times' website for a fascinating article on the infrastructure needs across the nation and why it can be hard to get support for fixing them. It's worth a read. March 17, 2010 Don't worry - I'm wearing green today. Happy St. Patrick's Day! March 16, 2010 I'm looking forward to giving Aaron Heier my Two Cents at 7 pm tonight at San Diego LGBT Community Center. Join us. I might give him a full nickel! March 15, 2010 KPBS posted a great story about the City's investment into our roads and other public assets. Check it out. With bids coming in at all time lows and unemployment rising, the City is prioritizing infrastructure repairs to rebuild our neighborhoods and put San Diegans back to work. March 15, 2010 I finished filling out my 2010 Census form. It's going in the mail first thing tomorrow. Please complete and return your census form as soon as you receive it! March 13, 2010 Join me today at the St. Patrick's Day Parade at 11:00 am along 5th & 6th Avenues near Balboa Park. March 13, 2010 Great editorial in today's U-T on North Park's commitment to affordable housing. Yet another reason I'm proud to represent District 3! March 12, 2010 Check out the 2009 San Diego City Environmental Quality Report Card on the League of Conservation Voters' website, www.lcvsd.net. I'm proud to have earned an A- for my votes on the City Council. I look forward to working hard in the year ahead to continue the progress we're making on environmental stewardship in San Diego. March 11, 2010 I'm so excited I made it home in time for the Lady GaGa video premiere! March 11, 2010 I appeared on KUSI at 6:20 a.m. today to promote the 83rd Thursday Club Rummage Sale. This fun event is this weekend at the Balboa Park Activity Center. Proceeds benefit select local charities, most of which are in Balboa Park! March 10, 2010 I'm heading to Mosaic in North Park to accept my report card from local environmental leaders for my voting record on the environment. I got an A-! March 10, 2010 I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at tonight's Burlingame Homeowners Association annual meeting. Pizza, wine and pink sidewalks for everyone! March 10, 2010 How did the San Diego region spend its stimulus funds? An article in today's U-T gives an accounting of some of the projects funded or under construction. March 8, 2010 I am beyond happy that Mo'Nique just won the Oscar! March 5, 2010 Beer tasting at Cafe Calabria in North Park. Proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders' work in Haiti. Join me! March 4, 2010 Check out my March column in the North Park News where I discuss my Land Use & Housing Committee priorities for the year: green building, abandoned buildings, community gardens, homelessness and payday lenders. March 1, 2010 Our hard working crews from the Water Department expect water service to be restored to all North Park customers impacted by the water main break by 10 or 11 p.m. tonight. However, it will take a few hours longer to backfill the hole and make place a temporary asphalt patch down and reopen the street. The job will then be referred to the Street Division to make permanent street repairs. Thanks for your diligence, Water Department! Thank you for your patience, North Park! March 1, 2010 As most of you know by now, a major water main broke this morning in North Park. I was onsite earlier today, and a member of my staff remains in the neighborhood to help provide resources and answer questions. A 30-inch collector pipe in the 2800 block of Polk Avenue ruptured this morning. The Water Department is excavating and will have a clearer idea of the necessary fixes by this afternoon. Water service is shut off in the 2800 and 2900 blocks of Polk Avenue and may remain off for the rest of today. The 2800 block of Polk remains closed to traffic. If you suffered property damage due to today's water main break, please visit the City of San Diego's Risk Management Department website and fill out a public liability claim form. http://www.sandiego.gov/riskmanagement/services/liability.shtml#liability. I will post updates here as new information becomes available. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact my office, 619-236-6633 or toddgloria@sandiego.gov. February 28, 2010 Today's U-T includes an important article that you might have missed about the region's plan for 2050. Please take a moment to read it and then share your thoughts with me on how we can accommodate 1 million new San Diegans in the next 40 years. February 27, 2010 Thank you to the San Diego County United Veterans Council for endorsing the Veterans Jobs Initiative which will be on the June ballot. February 27, 2010 I'm headed to the United Veterans Council to discuss the Veterans Jobs Initiative, which the City Council placed on the June ballot. Then I'll be off to Coffee with your Councilmember at 10:30 am at Babycakes in Hillcrest. Come one, come all! February 26, 2010 Breaking ground on two park projects in D3 today! A new tot lot at Montclair Park in North Park at 11am and a new joint use field at Birney Elementary in University Heights at 1pm. A big day for our neighborhoods! February 24, 2010 North Park Main Street is offering a workshop to discuss the benefits of operating a business in an Enterprise Zone this Thursday evening. Read the details (PDF). RSVP today! Phone: (619) 236-6403 or (619) 235-5267, Email: nsingh@sandiego.gov. February 23, 2010 Reminder: Sunday bus service cuts start this week. Please check out www.sdmts.com to see how your favorite bus routes might be effected. Please know that I will continue to oppose these and future cuts to transit and demand new funding so San Diego can build a world-class transit system, not a 6-day a week transit system. February 22, 2010 I'm joining Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer to reopen the First Avenue Bridge over Maple Canyon this morning at 10:00 a.m. The bridge, built in 1931, connects Downtown to Uptown has been seismically retrofitted and restored to its original condition. February 19, 2010 Police helicopter flying over your home? Answers to the FAQs my office gets about SDPD's Air Support Unit are now on the Important Issues: Public Safety page of my website. February 18, 2010 Joining the Renegade Lunch Lady Chef Ann tomorrow morning at Einstein Academy in South Park for the Healthy Kids Expo. February 17, 2010 Check out healthycal.org and read why public transit matters to City Heights residents and why its an important part of preserving San Diego's high quality of life. February 17, 2010 I will appear on KUSI's Good Morning San Diego Thursday morning at 8:25 am to discuss my veterans jobs initiative on the June ballot and other ways the City Council is working to create local jobs and strengthen our middle class. February 16, 2010 Congratulations to SDNN's picks for great young leaders in the local African American community, including my long time friend Angela Kinlaw. She is doing amazing work at Hoover High School in City Heights! February 16, 2010 Hillcrest Mardi Gras is tonight! Join me at 6pm on University at Fourth. Celebrate Fat Tuesday and support the Hillcrest Association & GSDBA. February 14, 2010 Happy Singles Awareness Day! February 11, 2010 Today's U-T has a nice write up on my veterans jobs initiative that will be on the June ballot. February 10, 2010 KUSI's Turko Files gave the thumbs up to my work to construct a long delayed park in University Heights. February 9, 2010 There's a great article on my State of the District address in the Uptown News. Check it out! February 8, 2010 I just finished an interview with KUSI's Michael Turko re: a new park for University Heights. The segment will air tonight. Also, I will be on KUSI's morning show tomorrow morning talking about my push for a permanent homeless shelter. Tune in at 7:00 a.m. February 6, 2010 Today's U-T includes an article about a permanent homeless shelter. Let me be clear: this project and this issue are a priority to this Councilmember. February 5, 2010 Join me for lunch today for a discussion on improving pedestrian safety in City Heights at Walk San Diego Bimonthly Luncheon Forum. Noon to 1pm, Downtown Information Center in Horton Plaza, 1st Level. February 4, 2010 My State of District Three address will air tonight at 7pm on CityTV Channel 24. February 3, 2010 Check out KPBS. We're making progress in creating more affordable housing in San Diego! February 3, 2010 The Veterans jobs initiative was approved for the June ballot. Read more on SDGLN. February 3, 2010 Couldn't make it to my State of District 3 address on Monday night? A video of the entire speech has been posted on my web site. It will also air on CityTV Channel 24 on Thursday at 7 p.m. February 2, 2010 Check out today's U-T. Plans to reclaim the Plaza de Panama are coming together. When finalized, would you make a donation to accomplish this project in time for the Park's centennial in 2015? February 1, 2010 Thank you to all who showed up for my State of District Three address! I can't believe you guys filled the entire theatre. I will keep you posted on our progress toward accomplishing the goals I outlined in my speech on Facebook. February 1, 2010 It's Official: My veterans jobs initiative will be on the June ballot! Thank you to my Council colleagues for their unanimous support. February 1, 2010 Nearly 40 District 3 residents stopped by my first community coffee of the year to discuss the issues of the day. The coffee included a presentation by the San Diego City Firefighters on the rolling brown outs that were included in the City's budget reductions. February 1, 2010 State of District Three, Tonight, 6:30 pm, Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre at the Old Globe. Special Guests: Congresswoman Susan Davis and the Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council. Reception immediately following featuring some great food from local D3 businesses. January 31, 2010 I'm fired up for tomorrow's State of District Three speech. 6:30 pm, Old Globe Theatre. Be there! January 30, 2010 Gong Hay Fat Choy! January 30, 2010 Don't forget: Coffee with Your Councilmember, today, 11:30 a.m., Velo Cult in Golden Hill, 2220 Fern Street. San Diego City Firefighters will be on hand to explain rolling brown outs and what they mean for District 3. January 29, 2010 Will be appearing on SanDiego6 this Saturday at 9:15 am to preview my State of the District address on Monday. Tune in on Saturday and attend on Monday! January 28, 2010 Coffee with your Councilmember is this Saturday, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Velo Cult, 2220 Fern Street. Join me to get an update from City Hall and to share your thoughts on the municipal issues of the day. January 27, 2010 Why do you think people choose to ride the bus? Because the bus is free of advertising or because it runs on time and doesn't cost too much? Check out this article by San Diego CityBeat to read my opinion. January 26, 2010 January 26 was a big day in District 3. Fifteen new parking spaces in Hillcrest and six new streetlights in City Heights. January 25, 2010 My State of District 3 speech is in one week! Feb 1, 6:30 pm, Old Globe. I hope all of you can attend. I am still drafting my comments. What do you want me to report on? January 23, 2010 Joining I Love a Clean San Diego this morning at 46th & Myrtle in City Heights for "Clean Canyon for a Clean Coast." Put on your parka and bring your work gloves at 9:00 am to help make one of our urban canyons an even more precious community asset. January 21, 2010 I am at the Coalition for Reproductive Choice dinner. January 21, 2010 Celebrate the completion of the Normal Street Median Improvements Project with me today at 5:15 pm at KTU&A at 3916 Normal Street. I will be recognizing the hard work that has created 15 new parking spaces for Hillcrest. A great day in a great neighborhood - with good food from Gossip Grill! January 20, 2010 Braving the rain to attend tonight's Kensington centennial celebration kick off! A year's worth of events to honor the neighborhood's past and look ahead to its future - including the restoration of the famous sign above Adams Avenue. January 20, 2010 I think it's pretty cool that his Mayor would travel 500 miles to fight for my civil rights. January 18, 2010 The storm is here! Please help me by reporting down trees, clogged storm drains, and traffic signals to the City's Streets Division at (619) 527-7500. If possible, please provide an exact address. Thank you for your help! Stay safe and dry. January 18, 2010 I'm joining with the Red Cross this morning to distribute fire prevention materials to District 3 homes as a part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. January 16, 2010 Check out today's U-T: The Mayor and I are working together to restore the Plaza de Panama in time for the 2015 Balboa Park Centennial Celebration. January 15, 2010 I just returned from tonight's Stepping Stone graduation ceremony. Congratulations to all the graduates who have completed Stepping Stone's program and are now in recovery. You have my respect, and I'm proud of each of you! January 15, 2010 For those looking for more information on Haiti and how you can help, please visit www.whitehouse.gov January 15, 2010 Check out today's beautiful LA Times article about the great things happening at the City Heights New Roots Community Farm. As the City's Land Use and Housing Committee Chair, I'm committed to expanding community gardens throughout San Diego. January 15, 2010 I am remembering Dr. King's legacy at the Jackie Robinson YMCA Human Dignity Awards Breakfast in Mission Valley this morning. January 14, 2010 KUSI included a good report on reactions to the Mayor's State of the City Address January 14, 2010 Check out today's U-T for coverage of my Veterans Jobs Initiative. January 14, 2010 I'm appearing on SanDiego6 to discuss reaction to the Mayor's State of the City address. Tune in at 7:20 a.m. What did you think of the speech? Let me know by contacting my office or posting to Facebook. January 13, 2010 I am speaking at the Balboa Park Sustainability Workshop on Thursday morning. The event is free and open to the public. The program starts at 7:30 am at the Natural History Museum. January 13, 2010 I am grateful to my colleagues for their support of my Veterans Jobs Initiative at Rules Committee this morning. The proposal to update the City's hiring policy to include veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan now heads to the full Council and hopefully to the voters on the June 2010 election. January 13, 2010 Check out my interview with Fox 5's Matt Johnson previewing Mayor Sanders' State of the City address. The Mayor's speech is tonight, 6:00 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre. Watch in person, online at sandiego.gov or on CityTV Channel 24. January 12, 2010 I'm heading over to Hillcrest Business Association meeting at 5:00 p.m. to honor their outgoing board members. I encourage the community to come to the Hillcrest Town Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. where plans for the remodel of Vons at Washington and Dove will be shared. Both meetings are at the Joyce Beers Community Center in the Uptown District. January 11, 2010 I just read an interesting article exploring the link between public transportation investments and job creation. Check it out! January 11, 2010 I hope you watched the Fox 5 Morning Show this morning at 6:30 am. I was live in studio with Council President Pro Tem Faulconer discussing the Mayor's upcoming State of the City Address and other local issues. January 9, 2010 Check out FlawLes's Tie Party Promo on YouTube. You may recognize a guy in the video who wears a tie everyday but has a hard time tying a knot without a mirror. The party is Jan 23, 6pm, W Hotel, and benefits Equality California. January 9, 2010 The Mayor's State of the City Address is this Wednesday, 6pm at the Balboa Theatre. Tell me what you hope he will talk about in his speech as a part of his 2010 agenda by contacting my office (toddgloria@sandiego.gov or (619) 236-6633) or sending me a note on Facebook. January 8, 2010 Joining the community to break ground on City Heights Square, a redevelopment project at Fairmount & University Aves. The project will bring $75 million in investment and hundreds of jobs to our community. Truly a great day for City Heights! January 7, 2010 Check out my guest commentary in today's Union Tribune. The MTS Board will meet today at 9:00 am at 1255 Imperial Ave to consider the elimination or reduction to bus service on Sundays. The public is encouraged to attend and comment. January 6, 2010 I appreciate the attention from our friends to the north in the Bay Area Reporter (www.ebar.com) and the chance to extol the virtues of our next Assembly Speaker. January 5, 2010 The power is out in North Park/University Heights/Normal Heights. SDGE is working on it and projects power to be restored by 10 pm tonight. Hang in there D3! January 5, 2010 Check out today's U-T for my New Year's resolution: let's make public transit sexy in 2010! January 4, 2010 Resolve to improve your neighborhood in 2010. Report potholes, broken streetlights and other problems to the City using this link. With your help, we'll make District 3 even better this year. San Diego City Street Division Services - Service Request Form. January 3, 2010 I will be on Fox 5 at 6:40 Monday morning discussing what 2010 has in store for the City of San Diego. Be sure to tune in! January 1, 2010 Happy New Year! December 31, 2009 Check out the January issue of the North Park News, including my New Year's resolutions on page 6. December 31, 2009 Get home safely tonight after ringing in the New Year. MTS is offering free bus and trolley rides tonight. Thank you to Sycuan and MADD for sponsoring this great service: www.sdmts.com. December 28, 2009 Heading out to the Miramar Landfill to host the press conference kick off of City's Christmas Tree recycling program. Word has it I might get to help grind up some trees into mulch. Be sure to watch tonight's news for footage! December 27, 2009 City offers Christmas tree recycling until January 23. District 3 collection site is at the Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive. Using this service helps the environment and extends the life of our landfill. For all of the locations, visit www.sandiego.gov. December 22, 2009 Check out this week's San Diego CityBeat for an example of why eliminating transit service on Sundays is a bad idea: "Stranded on the strand: Proposed transit cuts would impact Coronado business interests." December 18, 2009 I teamed up with the Municipal Employees Association to thank the many senior citizens who volunteer at the City. These seniors provide invaluable assistance at the information desk at City Hall and the Senior Lounge in Balboa Park. December 17, 2009 Thanks for all the feedback on my interview with KPBS. For those of you that missed it, you can listen to it at www.kpbs.org. And yes, I am aware that I talk fast. :) December 17, 2009 I helped reopen the remodeled Jack in the Box in Hillcrest on Washington Street this morning. December 17, 2009 Mayor Sanders and I will announce the creation of an endowment to maintain three important gardens in Balboa Park today. Thank you to the Thomas & Lilyan Frank estate for helping to preserve our City's crown jewel. December 16, 2009 I am appearing on KPBS's 'These Days' on Thursday at 9:30 am. Tune into 89.5 FM to hear me discuss the latest from City Hall and my thoughts at the end of my first year as your Councilmember. December 15, 2009 For those of you who remember my remark several months ago about newly paved streets being sexy, President Obama today declared the insulation is sexy. December 14, 2009 I adjourned today's City Council meeting in honor of Sol Price. Mr. Price and his family have done so much good for San Diego. He will be deeply missed. December 13, 2009 So long Judge Napoleon Jones. San Diego is a better place because of your public service. Rest in peace. December 13, 2009 Taking care of business for the people of District 3. As always, if there is an issue in your corner of the district that needs attention, please contact my office. December 13, 2009 I am so proud of Houston that I could burst. Congratulations Mayor-Elect Annise Parker! December 12, 2009 Coffee With Your Councilmember, Saturday, 12/12, 10:30 am - noon, Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Join me to discuss the latest from City Hall, answer your questions and listen to your concerns. December 11, 2009 Congratulations to John Perez, the next Speaker of the California State Assembly! You make us all very proud John. December 9, 2009 Interviewed with Mayor Sanders this morning on KUSI regarding the City's budget. December 9, 2009 The Mayor and I were interviewed on SanDiego6 this morning. The Council just voted 7 to 1 to balance the City's budget. December 9, 2009 I spent a part of my morning with Veterans Village of San Diego (www.vvsd.org) for the opening of the homeless veterans winter shelter. Please show your support for this important public service by making a contribution to help cover the costs of opening the shelter early. December 3, 2009 Big Holiday Weekend in District 3! Check out December Nights in Balboa Park on Friday and Saturday AND the Toyland Parade in North Park on Saturday morning. December 2, 2009 Check out my interview with Fox 5's Matt Johnson on the Mayor's proposal to balance the City's budget. December 1, 2009 I had a great time tonight with the San Diego Junior Theatre for the ceremonial lighting of Balboa Park in advance of this weekend's December Nights festival. Learn more at balboapark.org. December 1, 2009 In honor of World AIDS Day, join me at 6 pm tonight for the Tree of Life to support Mama's Kitchen at 3965 5th Avenue or at 7:30 pm to support Bienestar's Unidos en Esperanza at 3020 North Park Way. I hope to see you there! December 1, 2009 Today is World AIDS Day. Help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Know your status. Get tested today November 30, 2009 The December Edition of the North Park News is now available at www.sdnorthparknews.com. Check out my column on holiday giving, good news about D3 school's test scores and all the happenings in this great neighborhood. November 29, 2009 Well deserved laurels for our local arts community in today's U-T. I couldn't have said it better and I'm proud to have the Old Globe in Council District 3! November 26, 2009 Heading over to the UU Church in Hillcrest to serve meals at the 21st annual Scott Carlson Dinner. Many thanks to the San Diego City Firefighters, Local 145 for providing most of the turkeys and hams! November 26, 2009 I am counting my blessings and wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! November 25, 2009 I will discuss my take on the Mayor's budget proposal this morning on San Diego 6 at 7:30 and KUSI at 8:00. Be sure to tune in! November 24, 2009 News on the Golden Hill MAD. Whatever the ultimate outcome, it is important that the progress in Greater Golden Hill stays on track... www.voiceofsandiego.org. November 24, 2009 Mayor Proposes Budget Cuts & Layoffs. Check out this article that describes his proposed solutions and share your reaction with me. Council will vote on it on 12/14. November 22, 2009 A Sign of the Holidays: Lights Over the 805 through District 3 are lit. November 20, 2009 Speaking at the Transgender Day of Remembrance at 7:00 pm at The Center. Please join us as the community gathers to remember the individuals who have been killed because of their gender identity in the last year. November 19, 2009 Join Mayor Sanders & the City Council for a budget hearing in District 3 this Saturday. 11/21, 9:00 am, Hoover High School Auditorium, 4474 El Cajon Blvd. Share your suggestions on how the City can resolve its $200 million deficit. November 16, 2009 Kensington residents are taking care of business: North Park Makeover - fox5sandiego.com November 16, 2009 Service cuts proposed for local public transit. Read more about it in today's Union-Tribune and send your feedback to MTS before the cuts are finalized in January. November 14, 2009 Subman & I opened the new Subway at 3540 Adams Avenue today. Check it out! November 14, 2009 Four Orchids for District 3 neighborhood projects at annual SDAF awards! Further proof that our communities are the best! See www.orchidsandonions.org for more information. November 13, 2009 At the Spreckels Theatre to accept Leonard Simpson's San Diego's Best Dressed award. Proceeds benefit Mercy Hospital. Don't tell Leonard my tux is from Burlington Coat Factory! November 13, 2009 Breaking News: Judge rules seals can stay at Children's Pool. November 13, 2009 Lunch downtown today? Join me at 3rd & B Streets at noon for the City's Native American month celebration. Indian dancing, music & food. November 12, 2009 Thinking about putting solar panels on your home? Join Mayor Sanders and me to learn about the City's AB 811 program. Tonight, 6:00 pm, War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Drive. November 11, 2009 To all our nation's veterans: Thank you for your service! November 10, 2009 Thank you to Voice of San Diego for highlighting the needs of returning OIF/OEF veterans who are already experiencing homelessness. I'm proud that the City of San Diego has provided millions to expand VVSD's housing for local veterans in need. November 10, 2009 Speaking tonight at the Hillcrest Town Council. Meeting starts at 6:30 pm at the Joyce Beers Center in the Uptown District. I am scheduled to present at 7:15 or so. Hope to see you there. November 10, 2009 Joining with my colleagues today to proclaim November to be Native American Month in the City of San Diego. November 9, 2009 I just finished touring Partnerships With Industry. This nonprofit helps adults with development disabilities find jobs in the community. If you are looking for great employees to work for your company, please visit www.pwiworks.org or call (619) 681-1999. November 8, 2009 Friends, The District 3 seat on the City's Senior Affairs Advisory Board is vacant and I need to appoint someone to fill it. Do you know a qualified District 3 resident who might want to serve on this board? The Senior Affairs Advisory Board (SAAB) serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council on policy and issues relating to transportation, security at home, improved intergenerational interaction, meal delivery, housing, improved City-County cooperation, and other issues as determined by the Chair. The Board makes recommendations for improving communications between seniors and the City government, reviews City employment policies for seniors, performs studies and surveys as requested by the Mayor and Council advises on relevant issues and formation of laws, policies, or procedures which may affect seniors and reports annually to the Mayor and Council on the "State of the Seniors" within the City of San Diego. You can learn more about SAAB at http://www.sandiego.gov/saab/. Eligible individuals should live in Council District 3 and have experience or an interest in the issues related to senior citizens. If you or someone you know might be interested in serving, please send a resume and cover letter to my office. The contact information is below. Senior citizens are an important part of our community. From affordable housing to neighborhood senior centers, the City has an important role to play when it comes to addressing their need. I hope one of you could help serve as a partner in helping to serve the needs of our seniors. Thanks for helping to spread the word! TODD Councilmember Todd Gloria November 7, 2009 The Veterans Day Ceremony atop Mount Soledad was amazing. November 6, 2009 Look out Monroe-Clark Middle School students - I'm your Principal for the Day! November 2, 2009 Attending tonight's City Heights Area Planning Committee meeting. 6:30 pm. 4310 University Avenue. See you there! November 1, 2009 Joining volunteers at 301 University Avenue in Hillcrest to phone bank against Maine's version of Prop 8. Bring your cell phones and pitch in at 1:00 pm today. We need your help: the road to reversing Prop 8 in CA goes through Maine! October 31, 2009 Headed to Nightmare on Normal Street in Hillcrest to judge the costume contest. I can't wait to see what folks came up with this year. District 3 knows how to bring it on Halloween! October 29, 2009 Just finished an amazing tour of Crawford High School in City Heights. There are great things going on at this school. Mr. Winn's AP Calculus students inspire me to keep working hard to bring change to Mid City. Go Colts! October 28, 2009 Congratulations to Judy Shepard on the signing of Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. 11 years of hard work has finally paid off. October 28, 2009 I hope you will join my City Council colleagues and I for this important budget hearing in District 3. October 28, 2009 The painting of the AT&T building in Hillcrest has begun! October 27, 2009 Today on the way to work, I noticed: (1) the lights on University Ave have been timed to improve traffic flow; (2) the black top at the intersection of University & Texas has been repaired; (3) the graffiti on the Georgia Street Bridge was removed; and (4) the Normal Street Median parking project is well underway. Kudos to my District 3 team and City staff for taking care of business! October 26, 2009 I visited with third graders at the Albert Einstein charter school in South Park this morning. We discussed City government, community involvement and their ideas on how to improve San Diego. October 25, 2009 I had a great time at Tantrums and Tiaras! We raised over $40K for Mama's Kitchen. Thanks to all who attended and helped support this wonderful nonprofit organization. October 22, 2009 Coming soon: Adams Avenue Farmers Market! Check out an article in today's U-T. Thanks to Senator Kehoe, CalTrans, City staff and the Adams Avenue Business Association for working to make this happen. October 21, 2009 Join me this Sunday for a fun night at the North Park Theatre. I'll be judging the Tantrums & Tiaras contest to raise money for Mama's Kitchen. Learn more at www.mamaskitchen.org. October 20, 2009 I was proud to honor a longtime City employee and dedicated neighbor by having the City Council proclaim today "Al Stasukevich Day in the City of San Diego." Thanks for helping keep District Three strong, Al! October 19, 2009 Councilmember Marti Emerald and I teamed up last night to raise funds to support Alpha Project, a local nonprofit that works to end homelessness. Thank you to all who donated to this worthy cause! October 19, 2009 Congratulations to new SD Fire-Rescue Chief Javier Mainar! October 19, 2009 Don't forget! Join Toni Atkins and me for Face Lift in Azalea Park this Saturday. You can help transform a city block in one morning. See you there! Want to help? Contact Linda Pennington at (619) 563-4014 or gizmopennington@cox.net October 18, 2009 Dear Friends, If you've ever had a concerns about prostitution - and you're interested in doing something constructive to help reduce future prostitution offenses in the neighborhood this is the volunteer opportunity for you! Over 500 offenders have been though PIP and only 6 have reoffended. PIP is held every other month, and the community members' volunteer obligation would be MINIMAL (no more than 1 hour every-other month, IF you volunteered for every session). I'm inviting anyone who might be interested in volunteering to observe PIP on Monday, October 26th. It's 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at 5348 University Avenue (SDPD's Multicultural Resource Office/Storefront). Please RSVP to my staffer Anthony Bernal by email abernal@sandiego.gov. I personally served on the PIP for many years before my election to the City Council. It is a great way to contribute to our community while helping to prevent crime. I hope you'll consider getting involved. October 17, 2009 I am enjoying the San Diego Asian Film Festival Gala. October 17, 2009 I am celebrating homecoming at my alma mater, USD. October 17, 2009 ) Today's editorial page supports the Balboa Park Taskforce and our City's efforts to restore San Diego's crown jewel. October 15, 2009 Join me tomorrow morning for the LGBT Coalition Breakfast where I'll be discussing the City's budget deficit and seeking community input on potential solutions. Friday, 10/16, 7:30 a.m., The Center, 3909 Centre Street in Hillcrest. October 14, 2009 Here's an interesting item from today's City Council Public Safety & Neighborhood Services Committee hearing: http://www.sandiego.gov/citizensreviewboard/ Check out the video that explains the work that the Citizen's Review Board on Police Practices. Informative and entertaining! October 14, 2009 I will attend the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee and Burlingame Homeowners Association meetings tonight. Updates on the latest from City Hall and taking questions. See you there. October 13, 2009 I will visit with the North Park Project Area Committee tonight, 6 p.m., 3180 University Ave, 2nd Floor. See you there! October 12, 2009 I am about to take the stage at the La Jolla Playhouse. October 12, 2009 I will be speaking tonight at the City Heights Project Area Committee meeting. October 12, 2009 Check out the article in today's U-T announcing an important step toward revitalizing Balboa Park. October 11, 2009 On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, I will join Jerry Sanders, Bonnie Dumanis and others to perform The Laramie Project at the La Jolla Playhouse. Ticket proceeds benefit the Hillcrest Youth Center. Please join us. October 11, 2009 Will be talking housing on the San Diego Association of Realtors' Real Estate Today radio program today at 9:00 am on KOGO 600. October 10, 2009 Coffee with Your Councilman today, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Kensington Cafe, 4141 Adams Avenue. Stop by to share your thoughts with me and my team. October 9, 2009 I joined with Councilmember Carl DeMaio this morning to host a workshop with local educators and The Trevor Project to discuss suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth. October 8, 2009 Join Councilmember Todd Gloria and Toni Atkins, candidate for State Assembly in the 76th District, for Fall Facelift 2009 on Saturday, October 24th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Azalea Park neighborhood of City Heights. FaceLift 2009 October 8, 2009 Looking forward to the SD Young Democrats & Chicano Democratic Association mixer tonight, 8:00 pm at Confidential, 901 4th Avenue. October 7, 2009 Whether your concern is safer and improved streets, healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day events like today's are aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America - one community at a time. October 7, 2009 Progress on my efforts to beautify the entrance to Hillcrest is highlighted in this week's CityBeat. I appreciate AT&T's willingness to make improvements to their building's facade and look forward to continuing to explore ways they can help solve the parking problem in one of America's Top 10 Neighborhoods. October 6, 2009 I am checking in tonight with the Uptown Planners and providing an update from City Hall. 6:00 pm at the Joyce Beers Community Center. October 5, 2009 Great day at City Hall for District 3: $2 million to make Balboa Park greener and a new 1.6 acre park for University Heights. Thanks to my colleagues for their support! October 5, 2009 All is safe at City Hall after smelling smoke in Council chambers. Thank you San Diego Fire-Rescue! October 3, 2009 Catch me today at any one of these events: North Park Walking Tour (9 a.m.), Fil-Am Fest (11am), Deaf Awareness Day (12:30), Talmadge Block Park (3pm), YoungPoz Fundraiser (6 p.m.), and Aquatic Adventures dinner (7:30). October 2, 2009 Master of Ceremonies for tonight's National Alliance on Mental Illness San Diego's awards dinner. Learn more at http://www.namisandiego.org/. October 2, 2009 I am distributing care packages to wounded warriors at Balboa Naval Hospital. October 2, 2009 KPBS completed an excellent report on the current status of the Navy Broadway Complex project. Is it still possible to reconsider what will be built on our City's front porch? October 1, 2009 I am speaking at the University Heights Community Association meeting tonight, 7:00 p.m., Birney Elementary. Come one, come all for an update from City Hall and lots of Q&A. October 1, 2009 Mayor Sanders says the City budget deficit will be $179 million next year. The City Council will now work with the Mayor and community to balance the budget. All options are on the table. Let's start the dialogue now. What City services do you think we can cut? What are you willing to pay more for? I welcome your comments. September 30, 2009 Join me, the U.S. Census Bureau and The Center tonight at 6:00 p.m. at 3909 Centre Street in Hillcrest to discuss the 2010 Census and the LGBT community. September 29, 2009 Dear Friends: What: Census 2010 San Diego LGBT Complete Count Committee Kickoff Meeting When: Wednesday, September 30th 2009. Reception at 6 PM, Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Where: San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre Street, San Diego, CA, 92103 Speakers will include San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria, and Tim Olson, Assistant Chief of the US Census Field Division and one of the architects of recent policy changes toward greater LGBT inclusion in the 2010 count. The meeting and Complete Count Committee participation will be open to all community members interested in the Census. Community leaders and people involved with the following groups are particularly encouraged to attend:
To attend, please RSVP to Matt Weinstein, LGBT Partnership Specialist for Southern California for the Census Bureau. Matt can be reached by phone at (213) 494-6105, or by email at matthew.e.weinstein@census.gov. And finally, please forward this invitation along to your colleagues, friends, and any other contacts you feel would like to be involved in engaging our local LGBT communities in the 2010 Census. I look forward to seeing you at The Center on September 30th. September 29, 2009 Hosting a community forum tonight to discuss the issues around registered sex offenders. This event is designed to provide parents with information on Megan's Law and prevention tips. The meeting is tonight, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Joyce Beers Community Center, 3900 Vermont Street in Hillcrest. All are welcome. September 28, 2009 Joining the community to break ground on the Normal Street Median Project in Hillcrest. When complete, this will add 15 new parking spaces in the heart of the busy University Avenue business district. Good news for Hillcresters searching for a place to park! September 28, 2009 I am appearing live on San Diego's 6 morning show to discuss infrastructure and parking. Tune in at 7:20 a.m. September 27, 2009 Veg Pledge Complete! Seven days without meat. I'm glad I did it. September 27, 2009 AIDS Walk San Diego is a success! Check out this link for a recap of a great morning in District 3. A lot of money was raised to support local HIV/AIDS programs, including $2,380 by my team of friends and supporters. Thanks to all for making a difference in the lives of those who need the help. September 26, 2009 Coffee with Your Councilman. Today. 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. City Heights Branch Library. Come with your city related questions, concerns or ideas. Compliments are also welcome! September 24, 2009 Veg Pledge Day 5: Had a good lunch at Veg-N-Out on 30th Street today. Grateful for the vegetarian option at tonight's charity dinner. September 23, 2009 Keeping the Veg Pledge at tonight's BBQ. No ribs for you! September 23, 2009 Thanks to Mayor Sanders, City Heights residents, City staff and the hard working folks who were paving Rowan Street in Fairmount Park today. We had a great press conference to tell San Diego that we're making progress on repairing our streets and roads. September 23, 2009 It's Historic Preservation Day at LUH this afternoon. Tune into Channel 24 or online at sandiego.gov to follow along. September 20, 2009 Veg Pledge Day 1: Nature's Express on 5th Ave is great. Can't wait to try more local vegetarian hot spots. I just wish there weren't so many Jack in the Box commercials on TV. September 19, 2009 Mission accomplished in Manzanita Canyon. Special kudos to Anthony Bernal of the Todd Squad for proving the he's great at constituent service AND removing non-native, invasive species! September 17, 2009 Tonight's Legends Behind the Badge ceremony was a great way to support the San Diego Police Historical Society. September 16, 2009 I am joining North Park Main Street this evening to dedicate the new trees that have been planted at 30th and Upas. The new trees have really beautified this thriving corner of North Park. Check them out! September 1, 2009 I am thrilled that work crews are repaving the streets at 40th and Wightman! August 31, 2009 I am asking everyone to keep the firefighters, including 36 from the City of San Diego, battling the Station Fire in Los Angeles in their thoughts and prayers. August 6, 2009 Congratulations Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor! August 6, 2009 Congratulations Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor! August 6, 2009 I am sending a letter to our Congressional Delegation (PDF: 857K) asking them to oppose the potential closure of the North Park Post Office. August 5, 2009 Check out the Voice of San Diego profile of the Talmadge Citizens Patrol. This group of neighborhood volunteers are helping to cut crime in their community. They are continuing a long tradition of District 3 residents standing up to criminals and taking their neighborhoods back. August 4, 2009 I am attending National Night Out Against Crime events tonight in Talmadge, City Heights and North Park. July 27, 2009 Welcome to the new Council District Three website and to my blog! This will be an effective tool to provide you with up to date information and my perspective on City-related issues. Your input is essential to my effective representation, so please continue to keep in touch by calling (619) 236-6633, emailing toddgloria@sandiego.gov or visiting me on Facebook, Twitter or MySpace. Please stay tuned for ongoing updates! |