VOLUME 2 ISSUE 13


June 25-July 8, 2010 OLD TOWN • MISSION HILLS


ALBA school waiting for park funding from Prop S


By David Harvey SDUN Reporter


When the Alternative Learn-


ing for Behavior and Attitude (ALBA) high school moved to the former North Park Elementary School on Oregon Street in Au- gust 2009, the San Diego Unified School District promised to fund improvements to ALBA facili- ties and the joint-use North Park Community Park. Almost a year later, ALBA has


yet to receive those funds from the school district, though the money has been approved. According to District 3 Coun-


cilmember Todd Gloria, $630,000 from Proposition S – a county- wide, $2.1 billion school-funding measure voters passed in Novem- ber 2008 – has been allotted to the joint-use areas of the school and park. “The only wrinkle, from what


I understand, is that their re- ceipts are slowed because of the economy,” Gloria said. “At the end of the day, the commitment has been made and the improvements will come, we’re just working on a time frame at this point.” ALBA has approximately 60


students, a mix from San Diego high schools and middle schools. Most of ALBA’s students were suspended or had behavioral problems at their regular schools and typically spend 18 weeks in the program. Currently, only the high school


students occupy the North Park site. “Neighbors were initially con-


cerned when they were talking about bringing the school here, people were saying, ‘We don’t need more delinquent teens in this area, cause we already have that,’” said Sean Hartigan, chair of the North Park Recreation


see ALBA, page 5 Index


Urban Garden ..............9 Briefs…………………11 Tour.......................12 Pops……................14 Suds…………………17 Concerts............……21 Restaurants…………24


PUPPET MASTER p. 16 BANKERS HILL • HILLCREST • UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS • NORTH PARK • SOUTH PARK • GOLDEN HILL • NORMAL HEIGHTS • KENSINGTON


Critical CARE


As Scripps Mercy Hospital celebrates 120 years, its connection to patients remains vital


Led by Sister Mary Michael Cummings, the Sisters of Mercy bought 10 acres in Hillcrest and then raised $5,200 to build a three-story hospital at Eighth Avenue and University Avenue in 1891 (above). St. Joseph’s Sanitarium grew to include 220 rooms, a residence for the elderly and a training school for nurses. (Courtesy Scripps Mercy Hospital)


By Dave Schwab SDUN Reporter


changed its name and location, but never its commitment. “It’s the special attention


D


uring 120 years of community service in Hillcrest, Scripps Mercy Hospital has


to everyone who walks through the door; dealing with people who don’t have a home to live in, yet they’re treated as respectfully as if they had a name on a building outside,” said Mercy Hospital Executive Director Mary Braunwarth about what makes the institution distinctive and has allowed it to


Uptown Partnership defends spending, touts bright future


Last month, a San Diego


County grand jury issued a report on its investigation of Uptown Partnership – one of six San Diego parking district


management groups – for allegedly mismanaging city funds. The grand jury cited the Partnership for spending nearly three times as much


on operating expenses since 1999 than on projects. The Partnership has received $8.6 million from meters since 1999, using $3.2 million for salaries and overhead and $1.1 for projects and planning, and is proposing 31 projects using $4 million of reserve funds in 2011. Uptown Partnership manages parking for Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, Park West and Five Points. Senior Editor Christy


Scannell talked with Carol Schultz, executive director of Uptown Partnership since 2005;


survive all these years. That type of patient service


is what’s become known as the “Mercy style of care,” described by patients and loved ones as “a distinctive feeling” that sets the hospital apart from other health care facilities. “The sisters, the physicians and the employees have a very


Anne Rast, president of Uptown Partnership’s board and a retired San Diego city planner; and Ben Baltic, an Uptown Partnership board member and Bankers Hill business owner, about the future of the Partnership and parking in Uptown.


Q: WHY DO YOU THINK UPTOWN PARTNERSHIP WAS INVESTIGATED?


SCHULTZ: The (Uptown Partnership) board had an objective to have one big capital project and had thought that would be a parking garage in Hillcrest and then recognized the fact that for a number of reasons the financial package that the board at


Uptown News publisher launches newspaper for LGBT community


SDUN Staff Report Only a year after publishing the first


edition of San Diego Uptown News, a mainstream community newspaper serving San Diego’s Uptown area, San Diego Community News Network has launched a second newspaper, Gay San Diego, and website, gay-sd.com. The inaugu- ral edition of the paper, which serves San Diego County’s LGBT community, was pub- lished June 18 and includes a wealth of local news and commentary geared to-


ward readers in San Diego and outlying communities. Both San Diego Uptown News Gay San Diego are biweekly, and will publish on alternating weeks. “We took a risk starting a newspaper


GAY SAN DIEGO


one year ago at the worst time in the recession but the timing also enabled us to get our foot in the door with little competition,” said David Mannis, SDCNN owner and publisher. “San Diego Uptown News helped us


establish credibility with readers and see Gay, page 10


Schultz


one time thought it could put together would not be feasible any longer. With that in mind, the board said, “Well, if that’s not what we can do, let’s


see Partnership, page 7


strong bond with each other that inspires them to care for people mind, body and spirit,” said Sister JoCeal Young, who’s been with the hospital for 20 years. “It’s not just gall bladders: They’re really taking care of the person and their families.”


see Scripps, page 6


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