San Diego is My Home

02
May

Buble Is Here

Author: HelenKay, Category: Arts, Music, SDSU

No, I did not spell bubble wrong.  I’m talking about Michael Buble, the Canadian singer. Here, look:

See, you recognize him. I knew you would. 

He’s performing this evening at Cox Arena (SDSU) at 8:00 p.m. This is bad news for me since I live near SDSU and the traffic congestion on event evenings can be…well, horrific. But, for the rest of you in other parts of the city, this is good news so enjoy.  Tickets still are available.

01
Apr

The Wiggles

Author: HelenKay, Category: Arts, Events & Happenings, Music, SDSU, Special Shows

The Wiggles are in town.  For some, that likely sounds like a disease.  For others, it’s the only sound that brings peace to an otherwise rowdy home full of preschoolers.   For still others…both answers are right.

The Wiggles are agroup of four dudes from Australia who sing kids’ songs and put on elaborate shows that mesmerize kids.  If you’ve never heard of them, you likely don’t have kids.  In that case, my suggestion would be to stay away from Cox Arena this evening.  The Wiggles perform there at 6:30 p.m. This means traffic congestion in and around the college area…where I live. Yes, I will be staying home this evening.

21
Jan

Cal State Civility

Author: HelenKay, Category: SDSU

The current CSU student code spells out a general expectation of civility among students.  When deciding if the College Republicans at San Franciso State University acted “uncivil” with regard to an anti-terrorism rally, a California court decided that “civility” is a vague term.  The unversity system can no longer take disciplinary actions based on what is or is not civil without having a more specific charge or explanation of the prohibited conduct.  Apparently schools can ask students to be civil but can’t really do anything if the school thinks a student has not done so under the current language.  

SDSU Student President James Poet  said on this issue:  “I’d hope students would want to be civil to each other . . . Isn’t that anybody’s wish?”  Yeah, what he said.

It’s now up to the trustees to make clear what “uncivil” acts make up the more general charge.  This revisions will affect 23 campuses, including SDSU and Cal State San Marcos.

21
Dec

Aztecs

Author: HelenKay, Category: Events & Happenings, SDSU, Sports

Sick of football yet?  Well, you have  few more games ahead of you.  A lot of games, actually,  But, if you want to rotate sports, maybe take the action indoors, college basketball has started.  And some biggies are coming to town to play.  For example, this evening the lady Aztecs (SDSU) are playing #2 ranked UConn at the Cox Arena.

The Alumni Association is making a push to have this be the biggest women’s basketball crowd in in SDSU history.  To achieve that goal, the first 4.312 fans will receive free t-shirts.  So, if you love women’s basketball or are looking for something to do - or both - check here.

20
Nov

Mini-Dorms Redux

Author: HelenKay, Category: City Council, Housing, SDSU

The City Council met last night to discuss the always divisive issue of mini-dorms.  For those who have missed the lawn signs and vocal arguments, mini-dorms happen when a group of students move into a residential neighborhood, rent out a house and turn what was a nice little cottage on a quiet neighborhood into a home for 50 partying college kids. 

Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. 

The real problem is the serious lack of housing options for local students.  The result is the mini-dorm mess and a bunch of angry non-student neighbors.  Two proposed ordinances addressing these issues went before the Council.  One passed.  It requires $1000 yearly permits for homes with more than six occupants.  The idea is to provide an economic disincentive…I think.  The second was a rooming house proposal relating to the number of leases allowed and required per house.   That one did not pass due to wording issues.  The expectation is that is will be rewritten and re-submitted.

The end result?  No one is happy.  The proponents of the ordinances feel as if no one is listening or willing to do anything.  The opponents think the yearly permit fee is overkill.  The issue of insufficient student housing  - ie, the underlying problem - remains unaddressed, so the students are no better off either.

Kind of makes you wonder what the “right” answer is, doesn’t it?

16
Oct

No Place Like Home

Author: HelenKay, Category: Housing, Neighborhoods, Politics, SDSU

The housing battle between students and residents continues in the area around SDSU.  Mini dorms - those fabulous living arrangements where too many students try to live in a too small place - have long been a touchy issue.  This year is no different.

The problem usually arises when a neighborhood home in a residential area is rented out to students.  A two-bedroom house becomes a home for ten as every available inch of inside space, sometimes including the family room,  is used for beds.  The result being noise, partying and parking problems.    

Enter a developer who wants to turn a heap of rubble on El Cajon into a multi-level dorm with retail on the ground floors.  The developer has made this work in university areas across the country.  The developer argues that with this new dorm there will be ample parking, residential staff and the eyesore will be gone.  Students say they need to live somewhere and it’s not their fault SDSU does not have enough living space.   Some also point out that living next to SDSU you should expect to see students everywhere.  Area residents sense a bait-and-switch coming where the developer promises an okay situation and, instead,  leaves behind a bunch of college party animals, no parking and bad retail.

So, what’s the answer?  No idea.  But, if you care about this issue and live near SDSU you may want to check out the Rolando Community Council Meeting tonight at 7:00pm at the Methodist Church (4855 Seminole Drive).