VILLAGE NEWS
Scott Appleby & Kerry ApplebyPayne
LA JOLLA
See what new tasty treats are being offered at the La Valencia,
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THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012
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www.SDNEWS.com Volume 17, Number 31
its voice heard
La Jolla makes
Signs protesting the relocation of La Jolla’s Wall Street post office, created by Save the La Jolla Post Office Task Force members Cassidy Coan and Athina Singer, lined the sidewalks around the Cuvier Club.
Hundreds jam-pack Cuvier Club to fight for La Jolla legacy In a powerful show of community unity, more than 400 La Jollans filed into the Cuvier Club on April 26 to urge U.S. Postal Service representatives not to go through with the proposed sale and relocation of their beloved Wall Street post office. Residents packed the room to capacity, holding nothing back in expressing just how much their post office means to them. Arguments against the proposed relocation ranged from protecting the historicity of the building and Belle Baranceanu mural to emphasizing the significance of the Wall Street post office as a vital economic engine, meeting place and cultural landmark for La Jollans. The defenses were varied, but one
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thing was certain: No one wanted to see it go. “I can’t think of another time that I’ve seen such excitement and such a sense of unity about anything in La Jolla,” said Tom Grunow, president of the La Jolla Historical Society board. Merchants, residents, civic leaders and community organizations have joined hands in the fight to save La
treasure.” Relocating the post office would not only cut off the village’s economic lifeblood, but also its link to communities surrounding the village, like Bird Rock, said Joe Parker, president of the Bird Rock Community Council. “Bird Rock does not have its own U.S. post office, and we come to greater La Jolla to do our business
Photo by Sharon Hinckley
Jolla’s Wall Street post office since word spread of its proposed relocation in January. “It’s truly the glue that holds our community together,” said District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner. “We need to do everything we can so we don’t lose this historic community
What’s next? The USPS will accept public comment until May 26. Comments for the record are only accepted via letters to the following address: Diana Alvarado USPS Pacific Facilities Service Office 1300 Evans Ave., Ste. 200 San Francisco, CA 94188-8200
Nature-inspired art returns to Torrey Pines
After the public comment period, the USPS will reach a recommended decision regarding the post office’s proposed relocation. Following the announcement of its decision, the public will have 15 days to appeal the recommendation. — Mariko Lamb
BY KENDRA HARTMANN | VILLAGE NEWS A plein-air art experience returns to the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve this weekend as wildflowers and artists alike come out to breathe in the fresh ocean air. It’s the third annual Art in the Pines, returning for the two-day event featuring artists capturing nature’s beauty in the midst of it. Guests can observe artists at work, peruse and buy original art, experience the reserve and support the preservation of one of San Diego’s unique natural environments on May 5 from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. and May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival, held just south of Torrey Pines Lodge, is free and open to the public. Events include a professionally judged plein-air contest with an awards ceremony; artists’ booths and an open-air galleria exhibiting nature-inspired art for sale in a variety of media like painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and photography; food and live music; children’s nature and art activities; an opportunity drawing for donated artwork; guided nature walks; tours of the historic Torrey Pines Lodge; and expert demon-
there,” he said. “The La Jolla post office is an important community touchstone for Bird Rock. It is our connection to greater La Jolla.” Phil Coller, president of the La Jolla Village Merchants Association, argued that USPS’s proposal simply does not make sense as a rational economic solution to the postal service’s dire financial problems. “If they put a 14,000-square-foot building that they need to downsize to 6,000 square feet — and most of that is the counter space — why would you go about trying to move it with all the costs? Just keep your 6,000 square feet and sell off the other 8,000 square feet,” he said. “Why would you also go out and try to relocate to another space that’s probSEE POST OFFICE, Page 5
strations in several different artistic media. A free shuttle will run from the reserve’s North Beach and South Beach parking lots. The event is free, but the parking lots are $10 per car or free with a valid annual pass. Guests are strongly encouraged to consider walking to the event (15-minute walk uphill from the south parking lot). Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located at 12600 North Torrey Pines Road. For more information, call (858) 755-2063, email AITP@torreypine.org or visit artinthepines.org.