Support the Arts in San Diego - Don't Let The City Council Make Cuts to Art Programs!

Join us and let the city council know that you support the arts in San Diego. Please attend this meeting and tell Councilmember DeMaio not to make these cuts to art programs. Let him know that San Diegans support the arts and artists!

Councilmember DeMaio Schedules December 14 Budget Town Hall at NTC Promenade Arts & Cultural District: Proposes Cuts to Arts Funding

Dear San Diego Arts and Culture Colleagues:

You may have heard about the proposal from San Diego City Councilmember Carl DeMaio to significantly cut arts and culture funding in his “Roadmap to Recovery.”
You can read about the cuts at Voice of San Diego (The proposed cuts to arts and culture come on page 37 of the Roadmap PDF.)

Councilmember DeMaio is holding a series of public Budget Town Halls to brief San Diegans on the Road to Recovery plan, answer questions and listen to their ideas.

A Town Hall is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14 from 6pm to 8pm at the NTC Command Center, 2640 Historic Decatur Road. The Command Center is in the heart of the city’s planned 26-building Civic, Arts and Cultural District at the former Naval Training Center.

Already 7 buildings are renovated and are home to over 40 Civic, Arts and Cultural organizations and artists - many of which will be impacted by the Councilmember’s proposed cuts.

Representatives from arts and cultural organizations are encouraged to attend the Forum and can RSVP at Roadmap to Recovery Facebook Page and click the "I'm Attending" button in the upper right corner.

In advance of the Town Hall, on Thursday, December 9 at 10 AM, These Days on KPBS will air a segment about this discussion. Dalouge Smith, CEO of San Diego Youth Symphony and outgoing Chair of San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition, and Seema Sueko, Artistic Director of Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company, will be on air.

Please tune in (89.5 FM or www.kpbs.org ), and feel free to call in to join the conversation.

Alan Ziter, Executive Director
NTC Foundation
2801 Rosecrans
San Diego, CA 92106
619 573-9315 - phone
619 764-4995 - fax
aziter@ntcfoundation.org
www.NTCPromenade.com for the NTC Promenade Arts & Cultural District

Another Holiday Hit List is History - We'll See You Next Year!

Yes, it's sad, but the 4th Annual Holiday Hit List has come and gone. I hope that everyone had a great time that day. I really enjoy talking with all the vendors and checking out everyone's wares. If you missed this year's event, you can read about it online and shop online from most of our vendors. Check out the two articles and visit our vendor line up page!

The San Diego UT covered our 4th Annual Holiday Hit List with two articles!

"Crafty Holiday Treats"
"Christmas Gifts With an Edge Found at North Park Crafts Fair"

Shop from the vendors who participated at this year's Holiday Hit List! Visit the Craft Mafia blog!

Holiday Hit List Happens Tomorrow!

Join me tomorrow for the 4th Annual Holiday Hit List at the Masonic Hall in North Park! Get your holiday shopping done and buy from local artists & crafters. There will also be a polymer clay demo where you can try your hand at this fun craft! Door open at noon, but don't be late if you want to snag a swag bag! See you there!

Swag Preview!

Part of getting ready for the big Holiday Hit List show is the swag bag compilation! I always look forward to seeing all the great things that we get from our vendors, and it's a fun evening for all the Mafia members as we put them together. Really, it is! Take a peek at this year's swag. There's only 100 bags to give out (1 per family), so don't be late for this year's Hit List! For more info about all this, and the Holiday Hit List, visit the North Park Craft Mafia blog!

North Park Craft Mafia - San Diego, CA: 4th Annual Holiday Hit List Vendor List!

North Park Craft Mafia - San Diego, CA: 4th Annual Holiday Hit List Vendor List!: "Are you counting the days 'til the 2010 Holiday Hit List? We are! Get a sneak peek at the vendors who will be at this year's event! Check..."

Get a Peek at the New Velvet Klaw Studio This Friday!

After much planning, it's finally becoming a reality! Velvet Klaw will be opening a screen printing studio in the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station. Where's that? Liberty Station is located at what used to be the Naval Training Center off Rosecrans St. in Pt. Loma. The Promenade is becoming home to many artist studios and galleries. We are so proud to be able to be a part of this growing art and cultural center! The Velvet Klaw Studio will be located in the Barracks 19 building which used to be the living quarters for those who were in training at the NTC. The building now houses several art studios and retail shops. The VK studio will offer workshops where you can learn how to screen print and will host the NPCM's monthly craft night events! In addition, we will have a retail area where you can find products from all the NPCM members and other artists.

This Friday is the monthly "Friday Night Liberty" event where you can walk and take a tour of the galleries and studios. Get a sneak peak at Velvet Klaw's new home efore the official Grand Opening & Reception on November 20th. If this is your first visit to the NTC Promenade, then you are in for a treat! Some of the studios and galleries include the Visions Art Museum, the Mandell Weiss Gallery, the San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery - and more! Also, check out the performing arts studios that feature music, dance, and martial arts. Admission to all the galleries and studios is free and there's plenty of free parking!

Friday Night Liberty
NTC Promenade at Liberty Station
Velvet Klaw Studio - Preview Opening
2690 Historic Decatur Rd. - Studio 203 (Barracks 19, upstairs)
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

October 6th - It's a Roller Disco Birthday Party for Skateworld!

The Friends of Skateworld are hosting a birthday party for Skateworld! On Wednesday, October 6th, Skateworld will be celebrating 35 years of rollin' good times in San Diego with a Roller Disco Birthday Party! Please mark your calendars and invite your friends! This is sure to be a fantastically fun event complete with costume contests and birthday cake! Get your best 70's outfits ready! Admission is $7 and includes skate rental! With your paid admission you will receive a ticket for an opportunity drawing and could win a great prize - like a pair of skates! You won't want to miss this party!

Be sure to visit www.SanDiegoSkateworld.com for their latest skate session schedule. They are OPEN for weekly sessions and available for birthday parties and special events. We'll see you out on the floor!

Skate & Eat - and Help Save San Diego's Last Roller Rink!

Did you know that San Diego has only ONE roller rink in the entire city? Skateworld has been keepin' the good times rollin' since 1975 and now they are in danger of being forced to close their rink in Linda Vista. We can't let that happen. The Friends of Skateworld (FOSW) is a nonprofit group that is working diligently to see that San Diego keeps this rink. Please visit their website and read about what has been going on with the city council. The FOSW is also organizing some fun fundraising events to help get the public involved. ALL proceeds from these events goes to the fund to help save Skateworld! Don't forget to sign the online petition and send letters of support to the city council!

Skate For Skateworld - Saturday Morning Skate!

September 18, 2010 - 10:00am - 1:00pm

Skateworld - 6907 Linda Vista Rd.

The FOSW is hosting a special Saturday Morning skate session at Skateworld! Have your morning coffee and then grab your skates and get out on the floor! Admission is $5 and skate rental is FREE! All ages are welcome, so bring the family! What a great way to start your weekend!

Eat For Skateworld - Pizza Fundraiser!

September 18, 2010 - 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Joe's Pizza - 5583 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. - 92117

Do you like pizza? The Friends of Skateworld invite you to a Pizza Fundraiser at Joe's Pizza! Here's how it works; come to Joe's Pizza on Sat., Sept. 18th between 5 pm and 9 pm, order the pizza buffet and let them know that you are there to support Skateworld. All the proceeds will go to help save the rink! It's simple - and tasty!

Joe's pizza buffet features a variety of pizzas, salad bar, bread, pasta, soups, and dessert pizza! All for $10 per person! They also serve beer & mojitos!

Get a Taste of University Heights This Sunday!

What is the University Heights Arts Open & the Taste of UH? This is a collaborative event with the University Heights Community Development Corp. and Taste of University Heights. So, get ready for lots of fun, food, and art! It all happens on Sunday, September 12, 2010, from noon to 5 p.m. So, what will be waiting for you in University Heights? Stroll through the quaint neighborhood while enjoying sample delicacies from some of University Heights diverse restaurants. Then, enjoy a free self guided tour of the arts. The UH Arts Open showcases the works of over 100 new as well as celebrated artists, playwrights, performers and musicians from the San Diego region enlivening the historic University Heights community. The UHAO incorporates local businesses, schools, churches, theaters, and a free shuttle tour of artist studios in the area.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Teachers Annex Building located at the intersection of Park Blvd. and El Cajon Blvd. The grassy open area will serve as the Artwalk area, featuring visual artists of all mediums, as well as historic groups, community groups, the taste ticket will call, free parking and shuttle start. Be sure to stop by the North Park Craft Mafia booth! Members Meagan Rae Designs, Artista Muerta, and Velvet Klaw will all be there to represent! Live music, performances, and theater will be featured across the street at Swedenborg Hall.

Get more info online at www.UHarts.org. Catch a free shuttle that will take you on your Taste and artist studio tour throughout the day. The UH Arts Open is FREE, but you will need a ticket for the "Taste". They are $15 in advance or $20 the day of event. This includes entry to raffles with prizes!

When: September 12, 2010 , Noon - 5pm Where: Arts Open Artwalk & Taste ‘will call’ begins at the Teachers Annex Building: Park Blvd/El Cajon blvd. 4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103 Reception: Friday, September 10th, 7-9pm Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler Ave San Diego CA 92103 Contact: 619-508-4075 or visit www.UHarts.org

Visual Craft Attack - This Weekend!

Looking for something to do this Sat? Come to our show at Visual Art Supply on Adams Ave from noon to 5 pm! You'll find lots of crafty vendors & live & DJ'd music. Sound good? Don't forget to check out what Visual Art Supply has to offer in the way of art supplies - lot's of good stuff.

Vendors will include:

Linda Castagnola

Meagan Rae Designs

Velvet Klaw

Belle Pepper Couture

Dusty Cat Designs

MF Designs

Kiki Smith

Starfire Design

Paris Davis Designs

Gee Whiz Designs

B's Bows

Neopolitan Ecowear

Found

and more!!!!!!!

Visual Craft Attack: a Raid on the Senses
Saturday, August 7th
3524 Adams Ave. - 92116

Join Us At The "Support Skateworld Rally"!!

Come one, come ALL to our Support Skateworld Roller Rink RALLY!! Free admission and skate rental! Bring your signs and banners and skate with us inside the rink and on the sidewalks in front of the rink. Be seen and be heard! Show your support for San Diego's ONLY remaining roller rink. Show the city council that you want Skateworld to stay! Tell everyone you know & let's get everyone out there! You can bet that members of San Diego Roller Derby will be on-hand to show their support!

Download the event flyer!

Help promote the event on Yelp!

Sign the online petition!

Skateworld Rally!
6907 Linda Vista Rd., San Diego - 92111
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
6 pm - 9 pm

Keep Skating in San Diego - Save Skateworld!

I grew up skating at the Palisade Gardens roller rink on University Ave. in North Park. Many Saturday afternoons were spent there and I developed a love for the sport of roller skating. When the rink closed its doors in 1985 it was a great loss to the community of North Park. I hadn't roller skated for a number of years, but picked it up again when I discovered women's flat-track roller derby! I skate with San Diego Roller Derby at Skateworld, our home rink. Now the rink needs your help. Skateworld, the last remaining roller rink in the city of San Diego, is in danger of losing its lease. The San Diego Redevelopment Agency has an exclusive negotiation agreement with a private development company (MRW) for the property on which Skateworld is located. This company has indicated that they plan to redevelop the property and the future of Skateworld is uncertain.

Skateworld has been an outstanding member of the Linda Vista community for nearly 35 years. This establishment attracts visitors from all over San Diego County and has made many positive contributions to the public. Skateworld hosts fundraisers for various causes, provides family-friendly activities, and employs many who would not find jobs elsewhere, such as teens with no previous work history. Businesses adjacent to the rink are also supported by Skateworld’s patrons. Many San Diegans, who remember skating there as children, now take their own families to Skateworld. Closing this rink would be a devastating loss for all of San Diego County.

Please join all of us who love Skateworld by voicing your support of the rink to the San Diego City Council. The community of Linda Vista is represented by 6th District Council Member Donna Frye. Her phone number- 619-236-6616; email- donnafrye@sandiego.gov. Tell Ms. Frye that you do not want to see Skateworld leave Linda Vista! The rink won't be closing tomorrow, but it is in jeopardy if this deal with MRW is allowed to be approved without hearing any opposition. You can also send a letter to the ENTIRE city council with a single click! So simple! You can also show your support by signing our petition that will be presented to the City Council at a later date. There is no age limit – everyone is eligible to sign. You can sign the petition at Skateworld or sign the online petition! If you would like to help collect signatures, you can download a petition packet! All help is appreciated! Also, don't forget to join the "Friends of Skateworld Roller Rink" group on Facebook & read the new Friends of Skateworld Roller Rink blog! Thanks for your support!