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Jeffrey Parish, owner of Junc Boutique in South Park and a graduate of Fashion Careers College, won first place in a college-sponsored Khanga Cloth Design Competition to help citizens in rural Tanzania. Competitors were asked to design a marketable garment that could be sold in high-end boutiques in New York City to benefit students, teachers and villagers in Tanzania. They were given a choice of designing clothing, tote bags or place mats. The top finalists were given Khanga cloth to cut and sew a final sample for judging. Parish, who designed a top, won $100 for first place. Second and third place honors went to Margaret Polanco, who designed a skirt and tote bag.

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Seven persons have been elected or re-elected to the North Park Project Area Committee in an election held Feb. 9 at San Diego National Bank. Filling the two open business/income property owner seats were W. Patrick Edwards, owner of Antique Refinishers Inc., and Roger Lewis. Judi O’Boyle, a member of the North Park Planning Committee, was elected to the one open community organization seat. The two open seats for residential tenants were filled by Valerie Loy and Mary Wilkinson. Don Leichtling and Harry Morrison were elected to the two open seats for residential owner-occupant. The PAC advises the city of San Diego Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment projects in North Park.

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More than 50 volunteers aged 5 and up took part in finishing the mural that surrounds the Octopus’s Garden at McKinley Elementary School. The artwork, made up of donated mirrored tiles and ceramic materials that were glued to the wall that borders the garden, was designed by Rob Tobin of the A Reason To Survive (ARTS) organization. Some of the art on the wall was designed by McKinley second graders. The open areas of the mural were filled with several of the International Bacchalaureate Program themes that are incorporated in the school curriculum. Jon Rogers, a McKinley parent who designed part of the mural, issued a Letter to the Editor thanking volunteers, sponsors and others responsible for creation of the mural (See Page 13). A list is available online at mckinleyptc.com.

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The Adams Avenue Business Association plans to encourage all the businesses on Adams Avenue to participate in Destination Kensington — the evening walk-abouts scheduled for March 10, May 12, July 7, Sept. 8 and Nov. 10 — as soon as it launches its Farmers Market. The market is on hold until permits are finalized. By participating, the businesses agree to stay open beyond normal business hours to welcome visitors and shoppers.

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The Botanical Building in Balboa Park will be filled with 300 fragrant Easter lilies between March 26 and April 21 — the 51st year the display has been held in the park. Historically, white lilies are depicted on Minoan frescoes dating back more than 3,500 years, and ancient Romans planted the lily along roadsides for medicinal use by traveling legions of soliders needing treatment for wounds and sores. The 1st century Christian church adopted the lily as a traditional, time-honored flower of Easter. Besides the popular and fragrant seasonal display, the Botanical Building contains more than 2,100 permanent tropical plants, a carnivorous plant bog, and a “touch and smell” garden. The building is open free to the public Friday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The last three performances of “Ain’t Misbehavin’ — The Fats Waller Musical Show will be staged Feb 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Hotel’s Mississippi Ballroom, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. A Fourth Entertainment production,  the musical revue is a tribute to 1920s and 1930s black musicians from the Harlem Renaissance. The music was written by Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller. It’s named after Waller’s song, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Says Michael Kuester, president of Fourthwall Entertainment, “It is a perfect look into the music of that time period and is a treat to celebrate Black History Month.” To purchase tickets, call (619) 817-8130.

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Lyric Opera San Diego’s Jazz in North Park Concert Series continues at  the North Park Theatre on March 3 with the Carmen Bradford Quartet at 7 p.m. Vocalist Bradford, the daughter of legendary trumpeter Bobby Bradford, has recorded several albums, including this year’s “Sherrie Maricle & the Diva Jazz Orchestra Featuring Carmen Bradford.” Single tickets for the performance are $27 for adults and students $15. Call the theater at (619) 239-8836 for more information. Remaining performances in the series: April 7, Duo Jazz Piano Concert featuring Kenny Werner and Mike Wofford; May 5, the Graham Dechter Quartet featuring Tamir Hendelman, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton; June 2, the Terell Stafford Quartet featuring Gerald Clayton; and July 7, Denise Donatelli with the Geoffrey Keezer Quartet.

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The San Diego Woman’s Club is assisting San Diego Youth Services by hosting a special fundraiser on March 6 to supply the organization with a commercial washer and dryer for their recently purchased apartment building that will service San Diego’s homeless youth. A Luck of the Irish Casino Day fundraiser will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the club, 2557 Third Ave. Pay $25 and you’re in. For more information, call (619) 436-6777 or visit sandiegowomansclub.org.

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Staff members at Urban Mo’s and Baja Betty’s in Hillcrest will switch work stations on March 23 to raise funds for the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Called “The Big Switch,” hosts, bartenders, servers and food runners from each establishment will relocate between 5 and 11 p.m. Twenty-five percent of the revenue at each restaurant during those hours will be donated to the community center. Urban Mo’s is at 308 University Ave. Baja Betty’s is at 1421 University Ave.

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Applications for this summer’s 36th annual San Diego Pride festival in Balboa Park are now available online at SanDiegoPride.org. Special rates are available for nonprofit organizations and to those who reserve space by May 6. The festival will be held July 17 and 18. The online application process allows vendors and exhibitors to fill out applications and pay fees electronically. Applications for the annual Pride parade will be made available in the coming weeks.
The festival attracts an average of 40,000 attendees each year, plus hundreds of exhibitors and a full lineup of live entertainers and special attractions. The event is preceded by a mile-long Pride parade, scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 17, along University Avenue through the heart of Hillcrest. This year’s theme is: “One World, One Heart, One Pride.” For more information about festival applications or volunteer opportunities, call (619) 297-7683 or visit the Pride office at 3620 30th St.

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Janet O’Dea has been named president and a member of the board of directors of L.B. Powers & Son Co. Inc., one of the oldest plumbing companies in San Diego. It is located in Mission Hills. O’Dea succeeds Philip Stull as owner. Stull retired after 40 years. He started as a plumber and became the owner in the 1980s. Luther B. Powers formed the company in 1914. O’Dea is a former product development manager for the Anthony Robbins Cos. and Equity Management Inc. She currently serves on the board of the Uptown Planners Community Planning Group and, with her husband, Allen Hazard, was the driving force behind the Mission Hills Historic District.  She has a degree in liberal arts and sciences from DePaul University.