By Brent E. Beltrán
This is the first in what I hope will be a bi-weekly column within my Desde la Logan column that will highlight the various happenings in the barrios of San Diego. I can’t cover everything but I can highlight those things that I feel deserve to be seen and read about. It’s a work in progress so bear with me.
Barrio Logan Planning Group Holds First Meeting
Barrio Logan finally has a planning group! And I’m on it!
On January 20 the Barrio Logan Planning Group held its first meeting ever at Woodbury University School of Architecture. The meeting was attended by more than 65 people plus the fifteen appointed planning group members that were able to make it. The large crowd was a good start and shows the interest that community members have in getting involved in Barrio Logan.
Councilman David Alvarez listens intently as Barrio Logan Planning Group chair Mark Steele speaks.
Chairperson Mark Steele presided over the meeting and Councilmember David Alvarez, who was instrumental in the founding of the planning group, gave some welcoming remarks. Mark Steele gave an overview of the parameters of the Barrio Logan Planning Group and all appointed members introduced themselves and spoke briefly on why they wanted to be a part of the group. Lara Gates from the City’s planning department gave a PowerPoint presentation on the do’s and don’ts of planning groups in regards to the Brown Act.
Maritime industry made it very clear that they were upset with David Alvarez not appointing anybody of their liking to the group. Well boohoo! Elections have consequences and the consequences for their B & C referendum is them not (yet) having a seat on the planning group. There’ll be plenty of opportunities in the future for them to worm their way onto the group. Until then they can give public comment.
The Barrio Logan Planning Group meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6pm at Woodbury (2212 Main St.) the next meeting is February 18.
New San Diego Workers Center to Open in Logan Heights
On Monday, January 26 the San Diego Workers Center will open its doors to day laborers and workers of various trades. The center, located at 2689 Imperial Avenue near 27th Street, will serve as a hiring hall and training center for day laborers, household workers and others.
“We are investing in a good future for the workers, so they can support themselves and their families,” said Zarai Santos, operations manager at the San Diego Worker Center
Affiliated with the National Day Labor Organizing Network, which collaborates with 46 worker centers throughout the US, the San Diego Workers Center will also help workers fight wage theft and other abuses committed on some of the most vulnerable workers in the work force.
A press conference takes place Saturday, January 24 at 10am followed by an open house with food and entertainment. The public is invited to attend. For more information contact Zarai Santos at (619) 947-3793.
2nd Annual Break Down Borders Run
This Saturday, January 24 the second annual Breaking Down Borders Run along the U.S./Mexico border takes place. Participants will gather at Larsen Field in San Ysidro at 9:30am and the event will begin at 10:30am.
This 5K is organized by Colectivo Zapatista and the Palestinian Youth Movement-San Diego and will “highlight the violence and injustices that indigenous and oppressed communities face at colonial border regions around the world.”
The 5K is part of the 11th annual Enero Zapatista, a month-long celebration to commemorating the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas, Mexico which helped achieve political autonomy for many of the indigenous peoples of southeastern Mexico.
For more information contact Alborz Ghandehari at (443) 538-0098 or visit their Facebook event page.
La Bodega Celebrates One Year!
This Saturday, January 24 from 5-10pm the folks at La Bodega (2196 Logan Ave.) will be hosting their One Year Anniversary Group Art Show. This free art exhibit reception will feature dozens of one-of-a-kind custom skateboards by some of San Diego’s finest underground artists.
There will be live music performed by The Smiths cover band Still Ill as well as DJ’s, food and amazing art.
Since opening their doors last January La Bodega has put on more than 38 events and has helped revitalize that Logan Ave section of Barrio Logan. Numerous new spaces have opened up there including Chicano Art Gallery, The Church, The Chain, Original Gentlemen, Border X Brewing and the soon-to-be-open restaurant ¡Salud!
La Bodega has been at the forefront of the barrio arts scene since their opening and I congratulate them on their one year birthday.
EHC Discussion on Climate Change
The great people at the Environmental Health Coalition are organizing a discussion on climate change at the Sherman Heights Community Center (2258 Island Ave.) on Tuesday, January 27 from 4:30-5:30pm.
The discussion will focus on the dangers and health effects of climate change, what San Diego is doing about it, how it effects your home and community, and what can be done to impact the issue.
Dinner will be provided and Spanish translation will be available. For more information contact Luz at (619) 307-1696.
Border X Brewing Grand Re-Opening Celebration
Border X Brewing has relocated across the street into the historic Two Roses building at 2181 Logan Ave. and they are throwing a grand re-opening celebration on Saturday, January 31 from 3-11pm.
The event will feature a photographic exhibit called Celebrating Barrio Logan Roots that will showcase historical photos of Barrio Logan residents. There will also be a food truck and new craft beers will be debuted.
If you have yet to try Border X’s brews then now is the time to have a taste. I recommend a Blood Saison, followed by a bit of Random Hoppiness and topped off with some Abuelita’s Chocolate Stout.
Bayshore Bikeway Barrio Logan Segment Community Meeting
The second of two Bayshore Bikeway Barrio Logan Segment Community Meetings is set for Monday, February 2 from 6-8pm at Woodbury University School of Architecture located at 2212 Main Street in Barrio Logan.
The Barrio Logan segment on Harbor Drive from 32nd Street Naval Station to Park Blvd will be the last segment of the Bayshore Bikeway. Community input is needed to make sure SANDAG follows the will of the stakeholders of Barrio Logan and to make sure this segment visually fits in with the cultural and artistic aesthetic of the barrio.
An email from SANDAG states: “This second meeting will be an opportunity to review the project objectives and how it fits into the SANDAG regional bike program. We will describe the further work done to date to identify the opportunities and challenges in determining a project alignment and design, and most importantly, we want to hear from you about your interests and concerns regarding the project. This is the second of two planned stakeholders group meeting. It is a public meeting, so other interested members of the community like you are welcome to attend. A public workshop also is planned later in the planning process to get broad public input.”
For more information contact Bayshore Bikeway Project Manager Stephan Vance at (619) 699-1924.
Raza Sí, Guerra No: Memories of the Chicano Moratorium
On Tuesday, February 3 from 4-5:30pm the CLAH Program at UCSD will present the Annual Gracia Molina de Pick Chicana Feminism Lecture: Raza Sí, Guerra No: Memories of the Chicano Movement. The event will take place at Malamud (formerly Weaver) RM (Institute of the Americas, UCSD Main Campus).
Meet and listen to Chicana and Chicano leaders that played key roles in the creation of the anti-Viet Nam war organization, National Chicano Moratorium Committee. Presenters include Soledad “Chole” Alatorre, Gloria Arellanes, Katarina Davis, Irene Tovar and Rosalio Muñoz.
For more information contact Haydee Cervantes.
Brent E. Beltrán
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Brent , a great start to informing every one about the vaious “happening” in town. I think this is crucial for everyone. I am assuming that we can send you items from all over San Diego .
Yes, Maria. You can send me events. I won’t list everything. Just happenings that I think deserve more attention. I plan on doing Barrio Bits every other week.