06.08.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🤝 A sign of community support

Coming soon: La Mesa’s very own Downtown District sign

SD La Mesa Downtown District sign rendering

La Mesa Village is reaching for the stars — this is a mock-up of the archway coming soon to the heart of the community. | Rendering courtesy of La Mesa Village Association

Communities like North Park, Little Italy, and the Gaslamp Quarter each have their own identity signs. Soon, La Mesa will too thanks to a project fully funded by locals because the adage is true — it takes a village.

After a lengthy fundraising process, the La Mesa Village Association (LMVA) says construction on the La Mesa Downtown District Sign is expected to break ground this fall.

The ~16-ft-tall archway will be located on La Mesa Boulevard at Palm Avenue — in the heart of the Village — designed to serve as a gateway into the bustling business district lined with small businesses and restaurants.

The left and right beams of the sign will boast the community’s nickname — “Jewel of the Hills” — and the center will say “Downtown La Mesa Village, Inc. 1912.”

SD La Mesa Downtown District tile painting — Steve Clay was the first local to paint a tile for the sign’s columns.
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Photo via La Mesa Village Association

Part of the fundraising efforts included the LMVA partnering with the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation to sell tiles and brass plaques to the public. They will be painted and displayed on the two columns that will support the sign.

So, when it’s all said and done, the locals who supported the endeavor will continue to physically hold up the sign via the bases adorned with 1,512 hand-painted, 4-by-4-inch tiles.

SD La Mesa Downtown District sign tile painting — Local Leigh Harns painted her very own tile, too.
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Photo via La Mesa Village Association

All of the tiles are now sold and are being painted at CeramiCafe in Grossmont Center, and the LMVA tells SDtoday they expect to wrap up the “tile painting phase” by the month’s end.

The LMVA says the project’s engineering phase will follow and hopefully after that, construction of the sign will begin. We’ll keep you updated as it all starts to take shape.

Asked

Which local community identity sign is your favorite, and why? (Think: North Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Barrio Logan, Hillcrest, El Cajon, Carlsbad, etc.)

Give us a sign

Events

Thursday, June 8

Salsa Under the Stars | Thursday, June 8 | 6-9 p.m. | Little Italy Food Hall, 550 W. Date St., San Diego | Free | Grab food and drinks and dance to music by Manny Cepeda Orchestra.
Blue Water Film Festival Screening | Thursday, June 8 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, San Diego | Check out a pair of Opening Night screenings at this fest promoting San Diego as a hub for marine science and environmental storytelling.

Friday, June 9

SD Beer Weekend | Friday, June 9-Sunday, June 11 | Times vary | Thorn Brewing Co., 3176 Thorn St., San Diego | Free | The San Diego Brewers Guild hosts this 3-day celebration of local craft beer across select independent breweries.
Barrel of Laughs Comedy Night | Friday, June 9 | 7 p.m. | San Pasqual Winery - Seaport Village Tasting Room, 805 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego | $25-$30 | Enjoy a lineup of comedians while sipping wine at this 21+ show.
An Evening with Author Luis Alberto Urrea | Friday, June 9 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave. | Free | The author and Pulitzer Prize finalist (“The Devil’s Highway”) discusses and signs his newest book, “Good Night, Irene.”
Annual Luau Party: A Celebration of Kai’aina | Friday, June 9 | 7-10 p.m. | Kona Kai Resort & Spa, 1551 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego | $25-$129 | Usher in summer and celebrate the spirit of Aloha at this shoreline shindig featuring Polynesian cuisine, live music, and Tahitian drumming.
Kevin Hart | Friday, June 9 | 7:30 p.m. | San Diego County Fair, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar | $73 | The actor and A-list comic headlines the Grandstand Stage.

Saturday, June 10

Ramona Pride | Saturday, June 10 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Collier Park, 625 E. St., Ramona | Free | Begin the day with a walk for visibility followed by a community-style picnic.
52nd Annual Greek Festival | Saturday, June 10 + Sunday, June 11 | Times vary | St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 3655 Park Blvd., San Diego | $3 | A celebration of culture with food, drinks, music, dance, and more.

Sunday, June 11

Janet Jackson: Together Again | Sunday, June 11 | 7:45 p.m. | North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, 2050 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista | $41-$745 | If you’re a fan of Ms. Jackson, this show is “All for You.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

City Council has approved a 10-year deal that’ll bring up to 75 digital advertising kiosks to downtown San Diego — set to be installed over the next three years. Not everyone loves the idea, but supporters say the kiosks will generate up to $1.4 million annually. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Civic

San Diego County’s programs won 54 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties for excellence in local government. This includes initiatives across 15 categories — such as health, community, and economic development — like the No-Cost Senior Transportation Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program.

Award

The prestigious Michelin Guide has named Artifact at the Mingei International Museum to its “New Discoveries” list. The Balboa Park restaurant — on the ground floor of the museum — features a global menu inspired by the museum’s collections. It’s one of only 10 additions to Michelin’s latest California highlights. (Eater San Diego)

Community

Feeding San Diego will offer free meals to local children this summer at 28 sites across the county. Kids age 18 and under can eat free breakfast, lunch, or snacks on-site Monday-Friday at places like Access Youth Academy, Pro Kids City Heights, Lakeside Library, and Serra Mesa Rec Center.

Ranked

USA Today 10Best says four out of the 10 best beaches on the West Coast are in San Diego County. The standouts are La Jolla Shores (No. 2), Oceanside Harbor (No. 3), Windansea Beach (No. 4), and Black’s Beach (No. 8). Oh, we know this SD life is just beachy. (USA Today)

Announced

Vanilla Ice (June 25). Jordin Sparks (July 2). Bow Wow and Soulja Boy (July 9). Ashanti (Aug. 6). Those are some of the artists performing at SeaWorld San Diego’s 2023 Summer Spectacular. All concerts are at 6 p.m. at the Bayside Amphitheater and are included with admission; upgrade for reserved seating.

Today Is

World Ocean Day, a global day to rally for ocean and climate action. San Diegans can celebrate with the Blue Water Film Festival or join I Love a Clean San Diego’s World Ocean Day Beach Cleanup on Sunday, June 11, at La Jolla Shores.

Sports

With 118 completed passes, May was a good month for San Diego Wave FC defender Naomi Girma. The NWSL named Girma to its May Best XI of the Month squad — the powerhouse player’s second time earning the honor. The Wave’s next home game is on Saturday, June 17.

Family

Summer Moonlight Cinema — One Paseo’s free, outdoor movie series — has returned to the shopping center in Carmel Valley. Family-friendly screenings go down every Saturday this month, 6-9 p.m., on the lawn behind Harland Brewing. Catch “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” on June 10, and “Monsters, Inc.” on June 24.

Travel

Real flight deals Going members scored last month: A flight from Phoenix to Tokyo for $630 and a flight from NYC to Buenos Aires for $632. Sign up for free and see what crazy deals are offered on flights from your airport.*

Seasonal

🍓 Strawberry fields forever (er, for now)

Carlsbad Strawberry Company open for 2023 U-pick season

SD Carlsbad Strawberry Company U-pick season

Another pro tip: the redder the strawberry, the better. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Let me take you down, ‘cause I’m going to strawberry fields — the spot in Carlsbad, that is.

The Carlsbad Strawberry Company at 1050 Cannon Rd. is in the midst of its 2023 U-pick season, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through mid-July.

The berry basics: Admission is $5 per person (kids 5 and under are free) and includes the sunflower maze, shaded seating areas, and games. Another $12 per person includes a bucket and access to the field’s rows to trim your berries straight from the shrubs.

Here are a few pro tips:

Wear close-toed shoes because the rows can get muddy.
Only use the bucket you’re given upon entry — don’t overfill it or bring your own bags.
Leave your purses, backpacks, and pets at home.
Visit the sheep and goats ($6 per person); we hare there are rabbits, too.
Bring a picnic to enjoy at the tables — with your fresh strawberries for dessert.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

My husband and I recently managed to sneak away for a date night, and Casa Gabriela was on our radar. The Mexican restaurant opened earlier this year and offers elevated eats in a really cute setting (where Bo-Beau used to be in La Mesa Village).

For dinner, we shared Chef Gaby’s La Jefa Asado, a molcajete for two that includes steak, pollo a la brasa, shrimp, nopales, and more. We finished our meal with the Brown Bag Churros and a cafecito, of course. So good.

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