The San Diego City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a 20-year lease that will pave the way for a museum and community center at a city-owned property adjacent to Chicano Park. “I want to thank you for saying ‘yes’ to the community this time because this community has heard ‘no’ a lot more than it has heard ‘yes’ over the years,” he told his colleagues. “Chicano Park is what it is today because of the community… The museum and cultural center will be successful because of the community.”
Read MoreCommunity leaders pursuing a Chicano Park museum took a key step forward this week when San Diego officials agreed to lease an empty building in the park to them for 20 years so they can begin fundraising for renovations. Alvarez said previous success by community leaders in creating the park and turning it into something special are a strong indication that they will successfully make the museum happen. “The community built this park,” he said. “So we know that the museum and cultural center will be built.”
Read MoreWorld-famous luchador and South Bay resident was honored Tuesday when the San Diego City Council proclaimed it to be Rey Mysterio Day. Councilman David Alvarez presented Mysterio with the proclamation citing his work in the community where he has organized and participated in “various charity events, educational campaigns and wrestling matches at schools and community centers.”
Read MoreHundreds of people, in fact, and of all artistic stripes—from gallery owners and curators, to theatre directors and choreographers—came out to the council’s city budget hearing to voice their concerns with the cuts. They were joined outside by City Council members David Alvarez, Lorie Zapf and Chris Ward, all of whom expressed their support for finding a way to keep the city’s arts funding at its current levels.
Read MoreCity Council Members David Alvarez and Lori Zapf have shown great support for the arts and culture community and the commission’s budget in recent years. I trust that again they will provide leadership for an increase to the Mayor’s proposed 30 percent cut to the budget of the Commission for Arts and Culture and that the Mayor will again show his support for arts and culture in San Diego by not using his veto power.
Read MoreStudents of San Diego High School hosted a rally Saturday to save their school by supporting Measure I on the November ballot. Both councilmembers Alvarez — a former SDHS alumni — and Todd Gloria back Measure I, calling it a no-brainer. They said if it doesn’t pass, it comes with an additional cost.
Read MoreThe San Diego City Council on Tuesday directed the city attorney's office to draft ballot measure language that would allow San Diego High School to continue operating at the current Park Boulevard location after its lease runs out in 2024."It might seem like a long time until 2024, but if you have a child entering first grade and we do nothing to continue the operations of the school, then that child will not be able to enter (San Diego) High School by that year," said Councilman David Alvarez, who represents an area that sends numerous students to the school.
Read More“The District’s partnership with Junior Achievement will help us ensure all of our students have access to the highest quality curriculum so they can succeed in today’s global economy,” said Councilmember David Alvarez, District 8.
Read MoreCouncilman David Alvarez called Wednesday on Mayor Kevin Faulconer to add $1 million to support San Diego's arts and culture programs in his budget proposal, which will be considered for adoption by the City Council next week.
Read More"I’m the first one of my family to graduate high school, go to college. I’m a native San Diegan, born and raised—San Diego High School, San Diego State University. I’m raising my family now in the community where I grew up here in San Diego. We want to give back. My wife is an educator; we’re all about service to others and I think that’s a value that often times gets overlooked in our leaders. Everybody really wants to do something for the community."
Read MoreTwo-thirds of San Diego's public school children qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, meaning they live in poverty, and 5,000 of the district's students are homeless. Monday morning, members of the San Diego school board, several parents and an elected county education official endorsed Councilman David Alvarez for mayor, saying his pro-neighborhood focus will help improve opportunities and outcomes for San Diego's most vulnerable children.
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