2012 February | San Diego Uptown News

Archive for February, 2012

El Patio Restaurant in Old Town burns out

Posted: February 21st, 2012 | Fire, News, Old Town |

At 4:20 a.m. on Feb. 20, San Diego Fire and Rescue responded to a call for a structure fire on the 2600 block of San Diego Avenue. Upon arrival, responders found the El Patio restaurant at 2611 San Diego Ave. in flames.

Approximately 30 officers responded and it took approximately 40 minutes to extinguish the fire. While the restaurant is destroyed, there was only roof damage to some neighboring buildings. The two businesses are the Gum Saan antique shop and Captain Finch’s mercantile store. All buildings are within the boundaries of the Old Town Historic State Park.

Hillcrest welcomes Smashburger

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Hillcrest, News, Restaurants |

Smashburger, the latest burger restaurant to hit Uptown, had its grand opening on Feb. 3 in Hillcrest. The company has been ranked number one on Forbes’s list of the Most Promising Companies in America. With over 140 locations across the United States, Smashburger plans to expand to Kuwait, Canada and Latin America. The newest location at 3975 5th Avenue in Hillcrest is the ninth San Diego location

Repairs to iconic Museum of Man dome at Balboa Park will preserve history, not alter it

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Balboa Park, Infrastructure, News |

The iconic dome at the San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park is currently undergoing repairs and the City-funded project is taking serious measures to ensure the historical preservation of the building throughout construction.

Hillcrest sign goes to Obelisk

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Hillcrest, News |

The 1984 Hillcrest sign was sold to Brett Serwalt of the Obelisk Shoppe after a three-day auction. From Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. to Feb. 1 at 5 p.m., community members and business owners could bid on the sign. After 19 bids, Serwalt was the winner

“Incense Bandit” wanted in commercial robbery series

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Hillcrest, North Park, Police |

Fifth Avenue Books, along with Crime Stoppers, is offering a total cash reward of $3,000 for information leading to the capture of the man police dub “the incense bandit.”

Over three months, the incense bandit robbed at least four businesses in North Park and Hillcrest.

SOHO sues Caltrans over sale of former headquarters building

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Infrastructure, News, Old Town | 1 Comment

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is moving forward with an auction of its former Old Town headquarters. However, pending litigation may discourage would-be buyers from bidding on the property

University Heights Forum outlines Uptown Plan

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Infrastructure, News, University Heights | 1 Comment

At the recent University Heights Forum, Uptown Planners Chair Leo Wilson discussed revisions of the Uptown Community Plan (UCP). Held on Feb. 9, the meeting addressed plan elements and Wilson’s concerns with San Diego Association of Government’s (SANDAG) statistics, on which certain elements of the plan are based.

Picketers protest Inn at the Park construction

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Bankers Hill, News |

A group of approximately 60 people representing the Carpenters Local Union #1506 gathered in protest at the Inn at the Park, 525 Spruce St. in Bankers Hill. The group was picketing Cutting Edge Drywall of San Diego, which has been sub-contracted to do construction on the building.

Uptown Briefs

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Arts & Entertainment, Communities, News |

SOHO TO HOST HISTORIC HOME TOUR WEEKEND On March 17 and 18, Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) presents its Annual Historic Home Tour Weekend. This year features the early 20th-century homes of Bankers Hill. On March 17, attendees can select from their choice of walking tours and new lectures. The

Calendar Feb. 17 – March 1

Posted: February 17th, 2012 | Arts & Entertainment, Calendar, Communities |

Feb. 17 Preschool storytime: 10:30 to 11 a.m., Mission Hills Library, 925 W. Washington St., 692-4910, tinyurl.com/missionhills, free. Circus Vargas: 7:30 p.m. animal-free edition of Circus Vargas bridging the gap between old tradition and modern innovation, Park Blvd. at I-5 in Balboa Park, visit circusvargas.com for more information, adult tickets