City Heights Field Guide | March 12, 2014

City Heights Field Guide | March 12, 2014  Navigating a Changing Community

Take Action Now to April 25: Crawford High School Prom Drive Donate new and gently used formal dresses, suits, shoes and accessories. Schedule a drop-off appointment at  promdrive@saysandiego.org or (619) 583-2500 ext. 2281. March 13 to 23: Latino Film Festival Featuring films by local, national and international talent. Special showcase of videos produced by San Diego youth, including a look at sex trafficking in San Diego, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. March 15. Tickets and information. March 15: Azalea Park Garden Tour Organized by Community HousingWorks Realty 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More info. March 20: Senior Meet and Greet Noon at the Azalea Park Neighborhood Park. Free lunch provided. RSVP to (619) 525-8231 March 22: The Garden Gathering Join community gardeners from City Heights, southeastern San Diego, the Tijuana River Valley, El Cajon and beyond to discuss best practices and share solutions. Check in at 9 a.m. at the City Heights Farmers Market. Workshops begin at 10 a.m. in the library. Contact (619) 641- 7510 ex. 302 for more information. March 26: Community Walk with Mid-City Police Walk the community with Mid-City Police to show a presence and assess needs. Meet at the Mid-City Police Substation at 4 p.m. March 31: Covered California Enrollment Deadline Open enrollment in Covered California health plans - and their subsidies- ends. More info. April 5: International Health Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Colina Del Sol Park April 26: Help Capture 'One Day In San Diego' Help gather footage that tells the story of San Diego. Your footage could be used on PBS. More info.

Kassab Tapped to Sell Compass Cards  The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System has partnered with City Heights businessman Mark Kassab to sell Compass Cards. The monthly transit passes are now available at both Murphy's Market locations and his Chevron station. >>The cards were previously only sold at Albertson's, which shut down. Is City Heights a Food Desert? The Albertson's closure renewed conversations about City Heights being a food desert. But depending on the definition you use, the neighborhood may not be a traditional food desert, according to City Heights Life.  >>Kassab says he's offered access to fresh foods all along. >>En Español. Where the Affordable Housing Fee Is Headed Now  Councilwoman Marti Emerald gave a fiery response to linkage fee commenters, including Qualcomm and other business heavy hitters, at last week's City Council meeting: "Shame on you. Your arguments are tired and hackneyed." (Watch it here.) Upping the linkage fee would increase funds for affordable housing. Business advocates say it would limit job growth. The Council voted to rescind the increase proposal to try to work out a compromise. >>Voice of San Diego reporter Andrew Keatts explains. Covered California Enrollment Deadline Approaching Open enrollment for Covered California health plans - and the subsidies that come with them - is March 31. Covered California officials say the best way to sign up during the final days of open enrollment is in person. >>VIDEO: Covered California spokeswoman gives sign-up tips. >>San Diego has surpassed state health officials' sign-up projections. San Diego Welcomes First Muslim Fraternity Alpha Lambda Mu, or Alif Laam Meem in Arabic, is the nation's first Muslim fraternity. A UC San Diego chapter formed this school year. The organization gives a social outlet to observant Muslims who often feel left-out of the conventional college experience. >>VIDEO: Hear from San Diego members of Alpha Lambda Mu.  Safe Routes to School Project Completed The city has completed a $1.2 million project that includes new sidewalks, new traffic-calming pop-outs on corners, and a new traffic light near Joyner Elementary.   >>Read more from City Heights Life. >>En Español.  Hoover High Heats Up in Cooking Competition Felix's BBQ sous chef Chris Sias mentored Hoover High School students for this year's Teen Iron Chef competition. The event puts high school culinary students to the test each year. >>Read more. >>En Español.   Sincerely, Megan Burks Speak City Heights