News...
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Swanson Pool
Lots of things are happening at Swanson Pool this summer and into the fall and winter!
First, the bad news... The pool is again scheduled to be closed for approximately 3 and one half months this
fall or winter as a result of the City budget problems. Many in our community appealed to our City leadership to reconsider this approach to balancing the budget but it appears that the closure is going to occur at Swanson as well as at most other City pools. In addition there remains a possibility of staffing cuts at the pool that will reduce the availability of some of the programs offered. Stay tuned
as these issues develop and let our City leaders know how you are impacted. This might lead them to think twice before closing the pool and cutting staff in the future.
Another potential disruption to pool operations will be some improvements to make Swanson compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA improvements will provide better access to the pool facilities and the outside restrooms in the pool building. The work will begin this summer. The Standley Park Recreation Council has asked Council President Scott Peters, who helped secure the funding for this project, to minimize the disruption to Swanson and Standley Park
facilities during the project, particularly during our busy summer.
Now for the good news! The pool received a face lift this spring and is open and thriving this summer. Swim lessons are offered for all levels and ages and provide a great opportunity to get more comfortable in the water. Swimming is an excellent way to exercise for all age groups. The kids love it and for the adults it is a great way to work off those hot dogs you eat during your summer
barbecues. The staff at the pool are outstanding and led by pool manager Dominic Mangiapane. In 2007 the staff finished in 2nd place for safety drills among all City pools. They missed first place by only 1 point! Also UC local Mark Presley who’s on the staff earned the Water Fitness instructor of the year honor for 2007 (that’s out of all 13 pools). Congratulations to Mark and Dominic.
So get out there and get wet! Swanson Pool is signing up kids and adults for swimming lessons. Call the pool at (858)552-1653.
Use our pool and show the City what a valuable resource it is for us.
Thanks to Dr. Mark SAWYER
Summer camp registration at Standley Recreation center
Summer camp registration is in progress at Standley Recreation Center.
Along with the weekly day camp, the center will offer specialty camps: junior sports camp, multi sports camp, flag football camp, soccer camp, basketball camp, volleyball camp, and art camp. More information is available at Standley Recreation Center 858-552-1652.
Summer classes will be offered in two five week session this year. Session I will be held the week of July 7 through August 9, and Session II will be held the week of August 11 through September 13.
Registration is in progress at Standley Recreation Center. More information is available in the summer program flyer.
Please, see Standley recreation center to learn more about or to contact them.
EdUCate!
We are asking you to donate to our Dollar-a-Day campaign before January 1, 2009 because we have a matching grant for the first $10,000 in donations. If you don’t donate, we don’t get that extra $10,000.
With a successful 2008-09 school year, EdUCate! hopes to pass the $1,000,000 milestone in donations to our fine
teachers.
The Dollar-a-Day program has generated over $77,000 in donations in its two years of existence. This amount was raised, even though fewer than 10% of students’ families participated. If all UC student families participate in Dollar-a-Day, we can put up to $500,000 into our schools each year!
Dollar-a-Day contributions have equipped more than 80 UC
lassrooms with state-of-the-art document cameras and digital projectors. 2008-09 Dollar-a-Day contributions will provide laptop computers to teachers at all five schools. The laptops will help teachers to use the document cameras and digital projectors to their full potential.
U.C. new council representative
U.C. has a new council representative. At the July UCPG meeting, Madeleine Baudoin, Council District 1 representative to University City announced she would be leaving Scott Peters’ office at the end of July to take another position at a biotech company in San Diego. Madeleine devoted a lot of time and energy to her position as she interfaced with residents, groups and organizations throughout University City regarding their many questions, requests and needs.
We extend our thanks and best wishes to Madeleine and welcome Jacob O’Neill our new council representative. Jacob also oversees all Constituent Services for Council District 1 and is the office liaison for military matters. To learn more about Jacob, visit the Council District 1 website: www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd1/staff/oneill.shtml.
Jacob (Jake) O’Neill has taken Madeleine Baudoin’s position as liaison with University City for Scott Peters. Jake met with local resident Brian Mangan to discuss issues concerning University City, including gateway signs, beautification, and planting of the medians, as well as a Maintenance Assessment District. Brian, a seven year resident, is a new volunteer with University City Community Association.
If you wish to contact Jake at Council President Peters’ office, his email is jmoneill@sandiego.gov.
Big thank you from the Yandel Family
The Yandel Family, Larry, Dawn, Ryan, Matthew and Kaitlin, would like to extend a BIG THANK YOU to the U.C. community for the wonderful outpouring of love and support to our family during this difficult time.
Our U.C. family has been very giving of themselves to our family. We are very thankful and appreciative to all.
Westfield’s UTC expansion
On July 29th, the City Council approved the Westfield’s UTC expansion 7-1, with Council Member Donna Frye casting the dissenting vote.
Westfield recently announced plans to renovate and expand the Mission Valley mall as well.
Practical guide to polycystic ovary syndrome
Chris Hearn, a U.C. resident and UCHS graduate, has co-written with Dr. Shahab Minassian, “Pocket P Cos,” a quick and practical guide to polycystic ovary syndrome. Check out his website at www.pocketpcos.com.
New T-mobile wireless communications facility
A new T-mobile wireless communications facility is planned for Stresemann and Lamas in University City with below ground equipment. Still in the review process stage; antennae must be above ground. Alex Hempton will be glad to answer your questions. AHempton@sandiego.gov…
Citizens’ Review Board
Sandy Arkin will be soon be president of Citizens’ Review Board on Police Practices. Sandy has been the consummate volunteer: past chair of EDUCATE! and recently honored as one of the founders of the new, popular Children’s Museum in San Diego.
Educate! new program
EdUCate is planning to roll out a new program in the fall 2008 to help grant teacher wishes. Teachers will load their needs onto the Educate! web-site and people will be able to grant their wish by making a donation.
Check out the details in the September 2008 UCCA publication.
New newsletter editor
The June issue welcomes our new editor, Kay GOODFELLOW. Kay replaces Glenn DaBREO, who stepped in a year ago to keep the newsletter at our doorsteps. Thank you, Glenn, for all your good work!
Kay, a University City resident for 27 years, has editorial
experience with a local sports club newsletter and shares the community’s desire to have a central communication through our newsletter. Kay joins Terri DAY, advertising contact for six years, to bring our community a publication we deserve.
We encourage the public to submit information pertinent to
University City in the Contact us page or to editor@ucca-news.org. Additionally, we are asking advertisers or sponsors to contact Terri in the Contact us page or at advertising@ucca-news.org.
First anniversary online 
We are celebrating our first anniversary online with a total make-over of our Internet site www.ucca-news.org. Read more about this site.
Please, rate this site to let us know how you feel about and... report any bugs!
Renovating and expanding UTC
Westfield Corp. recently unveiled plans for renovating and expanding UTC. These plans propose adding 750,000 square feet of new retail, 250 multi-family dwelling units, and an enlarged transit center. Per the Draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) recently released, alternatives could include a reduction in the new retail and the addition of up to 725 dwelling units, up to 250 hotel rooms, and/or up to 35,000 square feet of office space.
At the May 13th UCPG meeting, Westfield presented their plans for renovating and expanding UTC to add 750,000 sq. feet of retail and 250 residential units and requested approval of the community plan amendment it would require. After a lengthy question and comment period by the board, members of the audience which included supporters and opponents, presented their questions and comments. The UCPG board voted to deny approval. Community planning groups are advisory only.
Westfield is scheduled to go to the City Council July 29th, 2008, for approval. Westfield UTC hopes to get City Council approval for a 750,000 square foot expansion of retail and highrise residential towers at the cost of $900-million. While the San Diego Planning Group downtown has supported the idea in a 5-1 vote recently, the U.C. Planning Group here opposed it 14-2 with one abstention, the Westfield rep. Locals point to “the elephant in living room” overlooked by the Westfield group: TRAFFIC amounting to almost 18,000 trips more. Genesee and Nobel may look like 163 and Friars Road pouring into Fashion Valley. In spite of going “green,” and promising a transit center, locals know few take the bus, but we all take the car. Will Westfield open the floodgates to new development if the community plan gets amended to allow this monster project.
What do you think of the UTC renovating and expanding? Tell the UCCA editor at editor@ucca-news.org or use the form in the Contact us page.
University City High School athletic fields renovation
After ten years in the making (and suffering) the San Diego
Unified School District and University City High School and
Foundation have reached an agreement to renovate the upper athletic fields at the high school this summer. The renovation will include the installation of new water lines from the Robbins Street entrance gate to the lower athletic fields. In addition, a pump will be installed to boost the water pressure to provide sufficient pressure and flow to adequately water the upper fields (soccer, softball, field hockey, and baseball). Fields are going to be re-seeded and leveled. Sprinkler heads will be repaired or replaced and irrigation lines repaired, replaced or reinforced as necessary.
Longs Drugstore
Madeleine Baudoin, U.C. representative from Councilman Peters' office, attended the February UCCA board meeting and brought relevant news. Longs Drugstore would like to put a 24-hour store in the Marketplace/ Henry's Shopping Center. Picture a Longs fronting Governor Drive in place of the post office, Postal Annex, and jewelry store. Longs would like to have a drive-through pharmacy window. Citizen concerns involve enough parking spaces, the 24-hour schedule and lights impacting locals on Stadium north of Governor. On the other hand, some locals like the idea of having a drugstore available 24/7. The post office would be relocated to another empty space in the shopping center, as would Postal Annex, and the jewelry store. If you have questions or comment about a project in its infancy, watch for news in next month's UCCA newsletter or write us the Contact us page.
Genesee, Regents and Governor repaved
Genesee Avenue, Regents Road and Governor Drive will be repaved sometime in 2008. We all have noticed dodged potholes on these arteries in and out of University City and welcome this job.
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