VOLUME 24 ISSUE 11 Nov. 9 – Dec. 13, 2018
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Get up to date on local events! Page 23
INSIDE
NEWS BRIEFS
THIS ISSUE FEATURE
Harmonious event
(l to r) District 7 Community Forestry Advisory Board member Vince Mikulanis, CAUFC Executive Director Nancy Hughes, Sophia Frost and Jessica Read (Courtesy Vince Mikulanis) Youth Harmony Day brings barbershop music to Allied Gardens. Page 3
Cox Conserves Hero award winner Phil Pryde (Courtesy of Cox Communications)
San Carlos resident recognized for commitment to outdoors
FOOD & DRINK
Stylish Italian
Joyell Nevins
North Italia moves into Fashion Valley Mall. Page 14
San Carlos resident Phil Pryde has many achievements to be proud about — helping establish the first federal wilderness area in San Diego County, co-authoring an environmental textbook, acquiring land for Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary,
stopping the build of an environmentally hazardous flood channel, and now the first-ever National Cox Conserves Hero award winner. The award comes with a $50,000 donation to San Diego River Parks Foundation (SDRPF) in Pryde’s name. “He’s incredible — so dedicated to preserving the
environment and inspiring the next generation of environmentalists,” enthused Ceanne Guerra, spokesperson for Cox Communications. Cox Conserves Heroes has been a regional competition of Cox Enterprises, parent company of Cox Communications, See COX HERO page 4
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MTS OKs transit center housing developments
NEWS
Hospital upgrade
Grantville Trolley Station a likely favorite for early investment
Dave Schwab
Kaiser Zion completes construction to improve ‘patient experience.’ Page 22
ALSO INSIDE Opinion Politics Community Mission Trails Education Classifieds Library
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The search for desperately needed affordable housing recently got a boost from the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), whose board voted unanimously in October to allow underutilized parking lots to be transformed into affordable homes. MTS board’s vote followed release of an April report by Circulate San Diego titled “Real Opportunity,” which provides detailed recommendations for how MTS can stimulate the creation of new homes adjacent to transit stations. The report included new research See MTS HOUSING page 5
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The Grossmont Trolley Station is an example of how housing can be built right next to the trolley line. (Photo by Jeff Clemetson)
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AGGCC members recognized for tree planting project
The California Urban Forests Council (CAUFC gave statewide recognition to the Allied Gardens Grantville Community Council (AGGCC) and members Jessica Read and Sophia Frost during an awards ceremony on Oct. 26. CAUFC is the nation's oldest urban forest advocacy organization and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Their mission is to “expand sustainable urban and community forests to improve the quality of life for all Californians,” and the Zion Avenue Beautification project for which Read and Frost were recognized does just that. The project was one of two statewide recipients of the “Best Urban Forestry Project.” The project planted nearly 60 trees along Zion Avenue, completely transforming one of the gateways into Allied Gardens. As these trees grow, they will help calm traffic, provide the community with shade, beauty, and a host of environmental and social benefits. While the City of San Diego planted the trees, there is still a need to water them. Many of the residents along Zion Avenue have volunteered their time to water the trees adjacent to See NEWS BRIEFS page 2
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