Today’s newsletter is presented by SD Library.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- I had my own ‘Comic-Con without a badge’ experience yesterday. While I did not wait in any two-hour-long lines, I spoke with some folks who did.
- It’s National Carousel Day — Belmont Park is offering $2 carousel rides.
Tessa Balc
Audience engagement producer
Top story
Lights, shade and an avocado green trolley car: A peek at the design of Hillcrest’s Normal Street Promenade
It’s been a long time coming.
The Normal Street Promenade is making real progress, folks. So much so that it seems Hillcrest’s first park is nearing completion. We have a status update on the project, complete with videos from a tour put on by SANDAG and the Hillcrest Business Association.
After two years, visible progress has been made. Nearly 100 trees, structures for light and shade and seating have been added to the promenade.
Sure, there’s still some work to be done.
For instance, the rainbow bike lane, which will be the second-longest rainbow bike lane in the world, — granted there’s only one other rainbow bike lane in the world — will be one of the last things completed.
Most of the holdup, those constructing the promenade say, has been due to the logistical challenges. One of the most challenging aspects has been the concept of running a concession stand outside of a historic trolley car.
MTS donated an original car, in all of its avocado green glory to the site. But at 38,000 pounds it has to be specially-reinforced with concrete pads as its base and needs to have ADA-accessible modifications.
All of this goes to say, progress is being realized. We’ll keep you updated on what comes next.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Stories you should know about
🍼 San Diego lawmakers push for federal action on IVF access and the cost of fertility treatments: The proposals come as legislators at both the state and federal levels try to make access to fertility treatments more affordable for military and young families.
💥 Indigi-Con, with roots in Comic-Con, paves the way for young Indigenous artists: Indigi-Con is now in its third year of connecting Native artists through comics, storytelling and culture after the seeds for the event were planted at a Comic-Con panel.
🎭 The Admiral coming to Liberty Station in three phases: The goal is to transform the neglected, overgrown grounds and five historic structures into a cultural and culinary attraction.
🎬 Marilyn Monroe comes to Coronado: The blonde bombshell frolicked on the beach near the Hotel Del Coronado for the classic comedy “Some Like It Hot.” Here’s the local story behind the film.
🚨 Opinion: ICE due process failures are removing the caregivers of our elders.
What else we’re reading
🏡 College Area neighbors are remembering a 99-year-old woman who was a fixture in the community after a car struck and killed her on a morning walk Wednesday. (ABC 7)
🦓 The zoo will stop charging city residents for parking in January, but is still considering whether to provide relief to tourists and non-city residents too. (Union-Tribune)
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
What to do this weekend
Need weekend plans? We’ve got you. ⭐ = free
🌿 Hella Plants Market at the Soap Factory (Today, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.)
🚲 Bicycle Film Festival at the San Diego Museum of Art (Today, 3 p.m.–10 p.m.)
🎸 Convivio’s “Rock & Roll Revival”: (Sunday, 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.)