September 30, 2009, SPBG Meeting, Chaired by Maureen Ceccarelli

Next meeting is October 28th, 2009

Police Report:

none given

MAD Report:

Pedro Anaya, Jr. from GGHCDC said that they have finally been paid by the city for the past three months so they are moving forward with their services. They are planning on having the trash cans emptied on Friday in preparation for the Walkabout and Pedro is working on getting the power washers out. He is also trying to get the trash cans emptied on Sunday morning after the Walkabout.

SPBG committee to the GGH Community Plan Update Committee:

David Skillman has had problems setting up the date, but we should have an update next month.

GGH CDC:

They had their annual meeting.

The GGH CDC focuses on the revitalization of the area and is mainly funded by city or county (53%) the rest is from memberships, donations, grants.

They did have a mixer at The Station and it was a great success, about 50 people attended and a good time was had by all. Everyone is encouraged to attend the next mixer which will be in November, details to follow.

PR COMMITTEE:

They are putting together the budget for the next year.

Radio spots on KPBS are running this week for the Walkabout

They will not be running spots for the Holiday Walkabout and instead may use the money for a lighting project (information on this is below).

They have started submitting reimbursement for the Micro District grant money.

Walkabout:

Postcards, The Grove and Studio Maureen have postcards for the Walkabout if anyone needs any.

Trolley’s will be on hand again this weekend, please remind clients that it is free, the route is on the back of the postcard and generally does the loop in 20-30 minutes.

It was also brought up about doing something different for some of the Walkabouts to keep a steady stream on interest in them…crafts, Octoberfest, scavenger hunt, Easter Egg hunt, etc. Put your thinking caps on for the next meeting.

You can friend us at: www.facebook.com/southparkscene

The Public Relations Committee meets the Wednesday prior to the regular group meeting at 8:30 am at Grant’s.

Michael from Posh Wash suggested that we all discuss what our businesses are doing to market and promote their individual businesses, and what is working well.  It was agreed to add this to the October meeting agenda, and to encourage everyone to attend and participate.

OLD BUSINESS;

a. Ask Campaign, this was successful in 2009 and will be utilized again in 2010. It helped defray costs for the website, pr, trolley, etc. Last year the “ask” was $150…Mike from Posh Wash suggested that this year’s “ask” be determined by what the pr budget it, when completed.

b. Ethos meeting update, Pedro Anaya, Jr. reported that he, Lisa Vella and Jason Page met yesterday and Jason had no intent to be for the set up at Gala to be a conflict with the Summer Walkabout and he welcomes future collaboration and communication. He will not be doing anything for the Autumn Walkabout but will be discussing his plans for the Holiday one with Lisa. He will also put a bigger emphasis on clean up afterwards.

LIGHTING:

It has been brought up in past meetings to have lighting in the trees to tie the ends of the South Park area together.

One bid was received for $300 per tree. This was for higher end lights that will last up to 4 months, with service during that time. This is still a bit high so Maureen has a call to get another bid. If anyone knows of a company that does this, please call her.

Some other suggestions were put out there that Maureen will investigate the cost effectiveness of:

-       Bigger lights across the intersections (similar to the bridges).

-       Large spot lights (sometimes these are donated by car dealerships)

-       Lighting contest along those paths, for residential and commercial (Sam Keenan and Cyndi Meeves will work on this).

Pedro from the GGHCDC did mention that he has contacted the MAD district on the possibility of using MAD funds to help defray the cost. He has not found out any definitive answers so is not putting this on the table as an alternative plan.

NEW BUSINESS:

Anne mentioned that in part of the Grant application she wrote in a “bike campaign” so that as a community we are integrating more ideas. Some ideas were thrown around for different bike-related activities. Thomas Bike Shop and Velocult are going to be spear heading this topic.

Velocult did mention that they have a weekly bike outing on Sunday’s at 9am from their shop.

Thomas Bike Shop does do bike rentals.

And there is a meeting called Critical Mass that heads out every last Friday of the month from the Fountain at Balboa Park at 7pm.

Skye from Velocult is in the stages of implementing “SD Bike Commuter” (or a similar name once finalized). The premise will be that area businesses will have a decal indicating them as bike friendly. This lets bike riders know that not only is the establishment bike friendly, but that they offer discounts or free items, to those that show up by riding there.

Skye from Velocult will be speaking with the SD. Bike Coalition on hosting a “bike valet” at the Walkabout to further promote the idea.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS

Anthony Bernal from Todd Gloria’s office reported that they have been working on the LU&H to put a better process in place for the preservation of historic homes. Too many are being gutted.

Streets are being paved and overlayed in the area…for a list, please visit:

www.sandiego.gov/cd3

and if you have one that is not on the list, please let Todd’s office know.

The office has also sent letters to Susan Davis’ office and the Postmaster regarding the George Washington Post Office about it’s usefulness and to not have it shut down.

Petitions are being collected at local businesses, Grant’s Marketplace has one and one will be at the information table at the Walkabout.

Christ United Men’s Club is compiling a cook book and would like recipes. They are hoping to get them from the local businesses and it doesn’t necessarily need to be from the restaurants. If you have a great and special recipe, they’d love to get it. They will have forms at the next meeting and are planning to publish 10,000 (or so) next March.

So Childish, Leyla Chavez was on hand to announce that they are planning their 2nd annual Halloween event, Saturday Oct. 24th at 4 pm. Hulabaloo will be there along with a balloon guy and lots of other fun things. If you have young ones, it’s an event you don’t want to miss.

Shakti Rising is an organization that is based on empowering women to make a transitional change in their lives and the community. They are a residential and outward recovery program serving women 15-30. They are having their graduation on October 30th and are looking for sponsorships. Sponsorship will get you recognition on their website, in their program and during the event. Sponsors range anywhere from a silent auction item or as a cash sponsor anywhere from $100 - $5,000. The graduation will be held at the Jacobs Center in City Heights and they expect about 300 people to attend.

Grant’s Marketplace will be celebrating their 7 year anniversary at the Walkabout and will also be launching the first phase of SLOB (Support Locally Owned Businesses). He will have a  Boar’s Head cart on location and also feature live music. If you are a locally owned business and have a storefront in the area, please send your logo to Joe and he will include you in the campaign.

Studio Maureen & The Next Door Gallery will have her Day of the Dead Show. It will begin with the Walkabout where she will have her annual alter. You are encouraged to stop by and add something for someone that you would like remembered.

Velocult would like to let everyone know that the middle of their shop is open, literally, to the public. They have the ability to host a number of different events, including movie screenings and even weddings (yes they have had one).

South Park Psychological Services wanted to let people know that they have a part time office available. If you are interested, please contact Joy Boatman.

As always, if you have anything to add to the website, please e-mail spbg@lucyslist.net

Minutes by Cyndi Meeves, North Park News, 619-906-4105

Attendees:

Nancy Sherman Keller Williams Realty, Joe Grant – Grant’s Market Place, Maureen Ceccarelli – Studio Maureen & The Next Door Gallery, Donald Albright Thomas Bike, Cyndi Meeves North Park  News, Keith Blankenship - Pathfinders, Donald Albright – Thomas Bike, Ron Fritz - SD Chiropractic Center, Ann Mery – The Grove, Lynn Scelfo, Prudential California Realty, Joy Boatman – South Park Psychological Services, Michael Crespy – PoshWash, Matt Thomas – Alchemy Restaurant, Sam Keenan – Coldwell Banker, Leyla Chavez – So Childish, John R. Hood, CUPresbyterian Church, Anthony Bernal – Todd Gloria Office – CD3  (abernal@sandiego.gov), Mallory Kozar – Shakti Rising (Mallory@shaktirising.org) (858) 442-2617, Christinne White – Shakti Rising (christianne@shaktirising.org)