As a resident of downtown San Diego’s East Village, homelessness is something I witness daily. It pulls at my heart strings because I had an uncle who was homeless and passed away while living on the streets. But homeless children, that’s beyond heartbreaking. Over 350 children a year are homeless and in need of care and support in downtown San Diego. So to see steel and concrete poured at 15th and Commercial causes hope to emerge for these kids.

Father Joe’s Village Child Development Center is underway and slated to open it’s doors by Christmas of 2011. Here are some highlights of this center:

• High quality child care services
• Child care offered to parents looking for work
• After school programs
• Child development programs
• On site therapeutic child services (sick & well child visits, prenatal care)
• Family literacy program
• Parent advisory board

What a blessing this center is-what a blessing Father Joe is to our homeless children and their families.

I’m sure at some point you noticed, on the corner of Market and 5th Ave (where Z Gallery used to live),windows lined with Chef Brian Malarkey’s mug atop various bodies to hide-and hype-the construction of his new restaraunt. At first glance I thought, how obnoxious, but on the other hand, I’ve eaten at Oceanaire, seen his skills on Top Chef, and can honestly say I was curious. Very curious.

Thankfully, the bodies with his head are gone and inside those walls is one cool spot. The design is welcoming, comfortable, eye catching and houses a crowd that, for the most part, reminds me of Del Mar. Do you know what I mean? If not, nevermind. The place is hip. The bar is open with floor to ceiling views of Market Street (great for people watching) and our server, Jesus, was a former contestant on Project Runway which made for great conversation. Plus, my vodka soda was perfection.

Once seated, the menu arrived. Three ingredients describe each meal so ask questions. Our server illustrated mouth-watering plates with ease therefore selling us on a couple of questionable descriptors. I’m no food critic but I do love unique flavors and believe in trying anything placed in front of me. With that being said, hop on over to Searsucker. The atmosphere, the food, the flavors, the crabcake, the people…it’s a perfect addition to downtown San Diego and especially, the Gaslamp District.

Do you enjoy walking among the creative art pieces along the Embarcadero in the Columbia District in Downtown San Diego? Would you like to maybe own one to put in your Downtown San Diego Condo or Loft? Take advantage of the opportunity to become an owner of one of 30 sculptures currently on display.

Prices range from $9,500 to $40,000 and they are available on an on-loan basis for display in public, corporate and private collections or settings. The de-installation of the Urban Trees 6 will begin today September 13th, 2010 and continue until the installation for the Urban Trees 7 on October 4th. 25 artworks have been purchased by private collectors since the Urban Trees began in 2003.

Don’t miss out on the ceremony for the Urban Trees 7, which will be held on October 28th.

For more information visit www.portofsandiego.com or call 619-686-7246.

The East Village Community Action Network is a collection of East Village residents who share a common interest in the positive development of this budding neighborhood. It’s open to renters, home owners, business owners and the like who care to see and contribute to the growth of this area of Downtown San Diego. This group needs participation not only in its meetings but in its community projects as well. The following is the agenda for next weeks meeting on September 16th from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at East Village Community Church at 1374 Island Ave.

AGENDA

• Agency reports – SDPD, Council District 2, CCDC, HOA Alliance, EVA-BID
• Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA – Architect for the New Central Library to give a public presentation of the new new library, detailing the history and vision behind the East Village’s soon to be, most iconic building
• Cissy Fisher, Vice President, Special Housig Initiatives, San Diego Housing Commission – Temporary Winter Shelter Update
• Tara Lake – Senior Planner, CCDC - Public Restroom Update
• Michael Trimble, McFarnane Promotions – Monster Bash Update

For more info visit www.evcan.net

If you are a friend of this distilled spirit, I have an event for you. At the Mingei International Museum, in Balboa Park, over 60 bottles of tequila are on a mini-exhibit. Why, you ask. Well, think about it. Tequila is a culture and this culture has inspired an art of its own in the form of bottles. Some people don’t even notice the beauty of this art as they are taking shots, but for those of you who actually take the time to sip and enjoy tequila, you’ll have a different appreciation.

El Agave, in Old Town, has loaned a collection of their bottles for folks to admire. Ceramic and glass bottles celebrating Pancho Villa, Frida Kahlo and El Diablo are grouped by design and shape. And don’t forget the labels, those are just as much an art as the bottles. If observing these bottles gives you an itch for a sip of this agave plant descendant, be sure to get your tickets now for TEQUILA!-A Lecture and Tasting. 7-9pm on September 11th is the time and date, tickets are fifteen bucks a pop.

Afterwards, head to downtown San Diego. Stop at El Vitral in the East Village located on J and 8th Streets. Hang out in their Tequila Lounge and use all of your new found knowledge on their 250+ tequilas. Exhibit is here until January 2nd.

Salud!

Days ago, the international exhibition, Art of Photography, opened at the Lyceum Theater in the Gaslamp District. Downtown San Diego has had the honor of hosting this event since 2006 and I, for one, cannot wait to head over and check it all out…and for good reason.

This exhibition is judged by a museum curator and this year, that curator is Natasha Egan-associate director and curator from Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Photographic Arts. She spent lots of time with over 14,000 photo entries from 67 different countries. She narrowed her choice selection down to 111 photos representing 25 countries. These honored few are thrilled with the opportunity for exposure and the chance at their work being purchased by a museum. San Diegans are honored with exposure to such culture.

Check out some past photographs from Art of Photography:

Exhibit runs through November 7th.