Rolling Readers ignites children’s love for reading in school classrooms
Improving literacy levels is the aim of the nonprofit organization By Anne Bartholomew Every Tuesday, the students in Mike Giffen’s first grade class at Adams Elementary School return from lunch to a magical part of their day. Waiting for them in the classroom is Ranessa Ashton, a read-aloud volunteer. Gathering on the carpet, full of [...]
Playing games in Balboa Park
Museum of Man hosts ‘Counter Cultures: The Secret Lives of Games’ The Museum of Man is getting serious about playing games. Beginning June 11, the museum in Balboa Park will feature “Counter Cultures: The Secret Lives of Games,” an exhibition funded in part by the Dr. Seuss Foundation. The exhibition features board, tile and card [...]
Gloria advances affordable housing in tough economy
By Ruby Cougler Standing amid the rubble and construction noise of what was until recently a seedy motel and a hotbed of criminal activity, Councilman Todd Gloria touted recent strides to prevent homelessness and promote homeownership in San Diego. Gloria held a press conference at the site of the former North Park Inn at the [...]
Karuna International puts volunteers to work helping low-income youth in foreign countries
By Sandy Pasqua When Priscilla Elizalde volunteered at a high school in Costa Rica, she said she received much more than she gave. “It was a life-changing experience,” she said of the two weeks she spent helping to remodel a classroom, plant coffee and assist making benches. Elizalde was in Santa Elena Monte Verde, Costa [...]
Alchemy seeks to raise young, discerning diners At Albert Einstein Academies
Story and photos by Jennifer Kester South Park restaurant Alchemy wants to target a whole new set of discerning diners, the students at Albert Einstein Academies. The restaurant has a longstanding relationship with Albert Einstein, offering up its kitchen to the school for a weekly cooking class. Before Alchemy opened its doors a year ago, [...]
Diversity a big element in the sixth annual Indie Music Fest
By Bart Mendoza Now in it’s sixth year, North Park’s annual Indie Music Fest, held this year on March 26 and 27 at various locations in the area, has quickly become one of the top events on the West Coast for up-and-coming performers to get noticed. Championing diversity in music, art, spoken word and film, [...]
Love that goes the distance
Providing for special needs now and into the future By William Keesling Planning for the long-term care of a loved one with special needs requires thought and preparation. The fact is, when it comes to the future needs of a family member with a disability, the possibility that they may outlive you is something that [...]
Remembering metal lunch boxes and maypoles
Hundreds Commemorate 80th Anniversary of Beloved Kensington School By Ruby Cougler On Saturday, Nov. 14, over 500 people walked through the doors of Kensington’s Benjamin Franklin Elementary and stepped back in time. They came to celebrate the little school that has educated over 8,000 San Diegans since 1929. This was the first event held by [...]
YMCA Youth & Family Services Community Art Project blooms in North Park
YMCA Youth & Family Services (YFS), the social services department of the YMCA of San Diego County has unveiled a set of three, large-scale community focused murals. On the outside walls of the YMCA Youth & Community Center in the heart of North Park, at 2929 Meade Ave. A generous award from the National Endowment [...]
Franchisers put a Subway on Adams Avenue
Not content to own two Subway restaurant franchises — one in City Heights and the other in North Park — Laila and Raul Said have opened a third restaurant at 3540 Adams Ave. in Normal Heights. And they have no qualms about saying that if business warrants, they would be interested in operating more. “If [...]
