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The Boulevard Sign Turns 20!
Drive-in restaurants, malt shops and drag races are images from the good old days of El Cajon Boulevard, but one of the most visual elements of that era was the spectacular display of neon signs. It wasn't Las Vegas, but for San Diego, an
evening drive down the bright and colorful Boulevard is a fond memory for those who were in San Diego during the 1940s through the 1960s.
To fill the void of lost neon signage, the spectacular Boulevard gateway sign was erected in 1989 to return to the glory of neon. City officials and local business leaders saw the sign as a major new landmark which would promote the
Boulevard as a destination and encourage further community revitalization efforts.
March 2009 will mark the 20th Anniversary of The Boulevard gateway sign, which is located near the intersection of Park and El Cajon Boulevard. Just as planned, this monumental occasion has come to represent 20 years of progress and
revitalization. With the establishment of the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, the last 20 years has seen the area's reemergence as a retail, and more recently, residential destination. Since the installation of the
sign, the Association has installed 165 ornamental streetlights, landscaped miles of medians, repaired sidewalks, and planted hundreds of trees.
To recognize its 20th Anniversary, the Association is having the Boulevard sign freshly painted, and is repainting the165 ornamental streets lights that line El Cajon Boulevard from Park Boulevard to 54th Street in the district's signature
teal color. The Association is also working with graphic design students at SDSU to develop a banner design to promote the sign's anniverary.
The Association is hosting a celebration on Friday, March 20, to recognize some of people who have played a vital role in revitilizing El Cajon Boulevard. Mayor Jerry Sanders, Councilmember Todd Gloria and other important guests have been
invited to the event to share their favorite memories of El Cajon Boulevard. The cocktail party begins at 5:30 pm at the JA Cooley Automotive Museum located at 4233 Park Blvd. At 6:30 pm, we'll cross the street for the main reception at
Lusti Motors, located right next to the Boulevard sign at 1844 El Cajon Boulevard. Parking is available at the Fellowship Church parking lots on Georgia Street and Park Blvd. Please RSVP: (619) 283-3608
The Lafayette Hotel Needs Your Support
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Did you know: The Lafayette Hotel was originally built as an exclusive hideaway for Hollywood's finest? From the arrival of our first guest, Mr. Bob Hope, on July 1, 1946, to-date our hotel has had the pleasure of serving numerous
celebrities, group meetings, and organizations over the years. Betty Grable and Harry James slept here. So did Ava Gardner.
Built by playboy homebuilder Larry Imig, the property then called Imig Manor, enjoyed grand success. Hollywood's most glamorous stars came night after night to what was the hotel's fashionable Mississippi Ballroom to drink, dine and dance
to the music of Ted Fio Rito and other top big bands.
The Lafayette Hotel is a historic and valuable community asset which needs to be preserved. Local and national economic circumstances have placed additional burdens on the Hotel, given the lack of activity in the travel market. The Hotel
is in drastic need of a capital system and room makeover to stay competitive enough to continue operating through this recession.
The current ownership has done everything in its power to maintain the commitment to rehabilitate and revitalize the Hotel to its' former grandeur, but they are in need of financial assistance from the Redevelopment Agency to complete the
effort.
Recently the ownership of the Hotel went to the North Park Redevelopment PAC and requested their approval for a grant to refurbish the Hotel. The PAC was very favorable and one vote shy of unanimous in its approval recommendation to the
Redevelopment Agency.
With the proposed rehabilitation completed, the Hotel will continue for many years to come to serve as a catalyst for local business support and development in the area.
The hotel is asking for the support of its valuable friends and neighbors in this undertaking and asks that you sign a copy of the letter attached and let your voice be heard. To download the attachment,
click here, then scroll down the page and click on the green highlighted words, Funding Support Letter. Signed letters may be faxed to 619-296-0512 or emailed to tina@lafayettehotelsd.com. For more information or to attend the
upcoming meeting please call 619-296-2101 ext 162. The Ownership, Management and Employees of the Lafayette Hotel thank you for your support!
City Heights Redevelopment: Planning Our Next Steps
Share your ideas about how this community should grow and change in the next 5 years!
Community Meeting: Monday, March 9th at 6pm
Price Building, 4305 University Ave, 6th Floor
Every 5 years we have the opportunity to prioritize how the tax dollars generated by redevelopment get spent on everything from shopping centers to speed bumps. It adds up to about $14 million every year! The elected committee that
oversees these dollars wants you to be involved in the process. Come and learn more and help us plan for a community that meets everyone's needs.
For more information contact the Redevelopment Agency at 619-236-6534
Smart meters set the stage for energy savings and improved service.
You'll soon have a new tool that can help you gain better control of your energy use and costs. SDG&EŽ will replace 1.4 million electric meters with smart meters and upgrade 900,000 natural gas meters from March 2009 to December 2011.
SDG&E's smart-meter initiative is part of California's Energy Action Plan, a statewide roadmap for achieving a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future.
Smart meters are digital devices that collect and communicate your energy-use data regularly throughout the day to SDG&E. Eventually, you'll be able to monitor your energy use daily via the Internet instead of waiting for a monthly recap
on your bill. You'll be able to track your home energy use hourly and business energy use every 15 minutes. Knowing when you use energy can help you save it, which also helps the environment by preserving natural resources.
"We're using smart-meter technology to develop improved service options for customers, including new ways to save energy, save money and add convenience to everyday life," says Debra Reed, SDG&E president and chief executive officer. "In
the future, for example, smart meters may allow you to earn bill credits for conserving power at peak-use times."
Smart meters already serve about 7,200 large businesses in SDG&E's service area. To prepare for installations regionwide, SDG&E tested the smart-meter technology at selected homes and businesses in the Tierrasanta community last year.
SDG&E will notify you by mail a few weeks before technicians arrive to install your smart meter. To learn more about smart meters, visit www.sdge.com/smartmeter or call 1-800-336-7343.
Want to manage your account electronically?
Later this year you'll be able to view your energy use information online. To prepare, sign up for My Account, SDG&E's personalized online account management service available at www.sdge.com/myaccount. Have your account number handy.
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