Supervisor Montgomery Steppe Is Helping Ensure SD’s Policies Serve Everyone
Monica Montgomery Steppe has always had two interests: music and public service. When she has time, she still occasionally sings at church, but it’s her devotion to public service that eventually led her to work for several San Diego city officials, including former San Diego City Council President Myrtle Cole, representing District 4—the district with the highest percentage of Black residents.In 2016, during a council meeting about racial profiling by the San Diego Police Department, Cole made comments seemingly condoning the practice. Not long after, Montgomery Steppe quit Cole’s office. In 2018, she challenged Cole and won the District 4 seat.“I left her office because that was the line that I didn’t want to cross,” Montgomery Steppe says. “I knew that I would have to represent her and what she said, and I was not able to do that. That was really one pivotal moment that helped me to have the courage to stand on my own values.”Last year, Montgomery Steppe was elected to the County Board of Supervisors in a special election, becoming the first Black woman to hold the position. She has already helped bring home a deal between UC San Diego and the county to convert the former Alvarado hospital campus in the College Area into a psychiatric facility with 30 behavioral health beds and a crisis stabilization unit.Photo Credit: Erica Joan“I want to make sure that we are considering people who we have never considered before in San Diego’s history when we’re crafting and implementing these policies,” she says. “It really has been America’s Finest City for a select group of people—so, every day, my work is to make sure we can all say this is America’s Finest City, because we’re all being treated fairly and we’re all at the table making decisions.”The post Supervisor Montgomery Steppe Is Helping Ensure SD’s Policies Serve Everyone appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: November 6–10
Now that Halloweekend has passed, we are on the cusp of Christmastime, but we can still revel in the pumpkin spice coziness of fall for a bit longer. So why stay cooped up inside when there’s so much to do around the city? Food lovers will have much to feast on, including Ambrogio by Acquerello’s five-course truffle dinner. Fans of live entertainment can hit the Balboa Theatre for Hadestown, expand their cinematic palette at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, or see a show-stopping performance from Sabrina Carpenter—plus 11 other fun things to do in San Diego this weekend.Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to DoCourtesy of San Diego Brewer’s GuildFood & Drink Events in San Diego This WeekendAmbrogio by Acquerello Truffle DinnerNovember 8The truffle is known as one of the world’s rarest and priciest ingredients, and San Diegans can get a Michelin Guide–worthy introduction to its umami flavors at Ambrogio by Acquerello’s six-course Truffle Dinner Friday night. Chef Salmoiraghi’s truffle tasting menu will include beef tartare, quail, Alaskan black cod, and, most importantly, black and white truffle. Reservations start at 5 p.m. and require a $50 deposit. Total dinner costs are $220 per person. 7556 Fay Avenue, La JollaSails and Ales Beer Fest at Kona Kai San DiegoNovember 8 Take in views of the San Diego Marina with sips from more than 35 local breweries, distilleries, and wineries at Kona Kai San Diego’s annual Sails and Ales Beer Fest. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday and will also include live entertainment and a buffet food menu. Proceeds from Sails and Ales will go towards the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County. Tickets are $59 per person. 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island Chula Swordfish Dinner at Vistal November 8The Chula Swordfish Dinner at the Intercontinental’s waterfront restaurant Vistal will feature a five-course meal and a live swordfish breakdown demonstration. The night’s menu, starring locally sourced fish from Chula Seafood, includes swordfish-infused takes on gazpacho, ravioli, and al pastor and finishes with espresso chocolate truffle cake with swordfish-eye ice cream. Your $85 reservation includes the demo, meal, and self-parking. 901 Bayfront Court, Downtown The Capital of Craft BeerfestNovember 9Hop over to Kilowatt Brewing for the centerpiece of San Diego Beer Week, the Capital of Craft Beer Fest, from 12 to 4 p.m. this Saturday. The San Diego Brewers Guild and 30 local independent breweries will serve signature brew samples, Los Tortugas will play live music, and attendees will get to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Hoppy Beer Award. General admission is $76.54 and comes with unlimited tasters and a customized taster glass, while VIPs ($97.88) will receive early admission and the chance to try rare and exclusive beers. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.7576 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Kearny Mesa Courtesy of Farm TruckConcerts & Festivals in San Diego This WeekendCoronado Island Film FestivalNovember 6–10The Coronado Island Film Festival brings five days of screenings and special events to the peninsula, with highlights like the centerpiece film A Real Pain and the always tasteful Culinary Cinema series. Tickets to the gala and kick-off bash, individual screening passes, and inclusive badge options can be purchased online.820 Orange Avenue, CoronadoSan Diego Asian Film FestivalNovember 7–16The Pacific Arts Movement’s 10-day San Diego Asian Film Festival will take place across a handful of local venues, beginning with Thursday’s opening night screening and afterparty at The Nat. Tickets can be purchased for individual films, as well as special events like the festival’s Awards Gala, while the All Fest Pass ($325) gets you VIP privileges, plus entry to all receptions, happy hours, and events. CitywideFarm Truck Barn Dance & Back Country Music FestivalNovember 9Main Street in Ramona will be abuzz with Americana rhythms from noon to night as 18 local artists perform at four community venues throughout the day. The day of live music begins with the Back Country Music Festival, from 12 to 5 p.m. at Pamo Valley Winery, Ramona Family Naturals Market, and Smoking Canyon Brewery, followed by the third annual Farm Truck Barn Dance at Reds, Whites & Brews from 5 to 10 p.m. There will also be a Sip ‘n Shop event throughout the day. Tickets are $25 for the full experience. Main Street, RamonaSabrina Carpenter at Pechanga ArenaNovember 10Sabrina Carpenter arrives at Pechanga Arena this Sunday with flirty pop anthems like “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Juno.” British indie rock artist Declan Mckenna, known for his mega hit “Brazil,” will open the show. This concert is the hottest ticket in town, with resales on Ticketmaster and AXS going for upwards of $350. 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, MidwayCourtesy of San Diego Community College DistrictTheater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This WeekendHadestown at Civic TheatreNovember 8–10The Tony-winning musical Hadestown—inspired by the heartbreaking Greek myth of lovers Orpheus and Eurydice—stops by the Civic Theatre this weekend. There will be evening shows of Hadestown Friday through Sunday and two weekend matinee performances. Tickets starting at $56.25 for this touring production. 1100 Third Avenue, DowntownNative American Heritage Show at Exclusive Collections GalleryNovember 8–10See the works of 12 Indigenous painters, photographers, sculptors, and other artists at Exclusive Collections Gallery’ annual Native American Heritage Show. Free to the public, this group show is on display Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Attendees will get the chance to meet participating artists; shop specialty hats from Auntie Creations and custom bags from Wabanoonkwe; and enjoy wine, beer, light bites, and cultural performances. RSVP (recommended) by emailing [email protected]. 621 5th Avenue, GaslampCity Ballet of San Diego’s Dracula at Balboa TheatreNovember 9 & 10The City Ballet of San Diego’s Dracula pays homage to Bram Stoker’s fanged monster—with a twist. Resident choreographer Geoffrey Gonzalez has crafted a story of Countess Dracula and the women she’s turned into vampires. Afterwards, see two more dances: the French Romantic–inspired Emeralds and the City Ballet premiere of Ecliptic, which uses hoops to keep nine dancers in collective balance. Tickets start at $69.95 for this ballet program, with performances Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.868 4th Avenue, GaslampMore Fun Things to Do in San Diego This WeekendCelebrating Women Awards 2024November 6Spend an empowering evening with San Diego Mag at UCSD Park & Market as we toast to the city’s innovators at Celebrating Women, sponsored by Rancho La Puerta. From 4 to 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, the event will feature a panel discussion and Q&A with five women leaders—moderated by our associate editor Amelia Rodriguez—plus networking opportunities, several women-run business pop-ups, and an awards ceremony. General admission is $72 and $42 for awards nominees, and the dress code calls for business attire.1100 Market Street, East Village Holiday Village at the BayfrontNovember 7–December 3Embrace the giving spirit at the inaugural Holiday Village at the Bayfront: A Cause to Celebrate. The event will kick off this Thursday with a tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m., featuring live music, themed bites, and more than 30 impeccably decorated Christmas trees to be admired and auctioned off in support of San Diegans experiencing homelessness. People can bid for a tree to take home through Nov. 24, and the trees will remain on display through Dec. 3. 1 Park Boulevard, EmbarcaderoBig Picture Weekend at Fleet Science CenterNovember 8–10Feel the roar of fighter jets and ride into the “Danger Zone” with the daring pilots of Top Gun Flight School and the Battle of Dunkirk at the Fleet Science Center’s Big Picture Weekend. See IMAX screenings of three blockbusters in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater: Top Gun (Friday), Top Gun: Maverick (Saturday), and Christopher Nolan’s World War II epic Dunkirk (Sunday). Tickets are $19.95 for each film. 1875 El Prado, Balboa ParkSan Diego Made 10th Anniversary Holiday MarketNovember 9–10Get a head start on your seasonal shopping at San Diego Made’s annual Holiday Market, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at NTC Park. Peruse goodies from more than 130 local makers and explore food, drinks, live music, and workshops. The event has a disco theme, and attendees are invited to dress up accordingly. Additional features include pop-up mini golf, tarot card readings, and a free gift with purchase from vendors while supplies last. Tickets are $5 online, $6 at the door, and $65 for VIP, while kids ages 10 and under can enter for free. 2455 Cushing Road, Point LomaThe post 15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: November 6–10 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
Eunime Por Tijuana Provides Refuge for Orphaned Children with HIV
A handful of teenage girls share this bedroom. Posters of their favorite singers and notes from their friends paper the walls, and piles of stuffed animals populate the beds. One girl sits quietly at the vanity, brushing her hair and touching up her makeup. Juana Ortiz, her legal guardian, mentions how pretty she looks. The room is dimly lit, a curtain gently blowing in the Tijuana breeze. It’s a sleepy afternoon at Eunime—a rarity with 20 young residents.The kids at Eunime Por Tijuana orphanage are just like other children. Their deep belly laughs, sweaty games of street soccer, and ambitions and dreams for the future are the same. However, one difference sets them apart: Most of the kids at Eunime are HIV-positive.Just a few miles south of the San Diego-Tijuana border crossing and framed by a rainbow fence, Eunime serves as a safe haven, providing orphaned children the necessary medical care and resources to live a life as unaffected by their diagnosis as possible. Founder Juana Ortiz started Eunime 20 years ago in honor of her sisters Eunice and Noemi, who, according to Juana, were among the earliest diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS in Tijuana. Ortiz now serves as the general director.“Eunice did not have the opportunity to receive treatment and be in good health,” Ortiz explains in Spanish. “It is in her memory that we do our best to give attention to all children that may need it.”While Ortiz and I talk, I hold a 22-day-old baby, still unnamed, in my arms. His fate remains unknown, as the bloodwork that will determine his status hasn’t come back yet. His mother is HIV-positive and doesn’t regularly take her medicine. After he was surrendered at a local hospital, the hospital reached out to the National System for Integral Family Development, which contacted Ortiz for placement help. The baby’s eyes, big and brown, catch mine. He gurgles contentedly and falls back asleep, nestled in my chest.“Do you think Sebastian fits him?” Ortiz coos, pinching his fat tummy.Photo Credit: Ana RamirezA child swings on a new playset, courtesy of a recent donation.“I do,” I reply, trying to swallow the growing lump in my throat. Ortiz and I walk to the abandoned lot next door which, thanks to a recent donation, now contains a playset. The children flock around her with their incessant chirps of Juana, Juanita, Ma.A little boy swings on the new playset, pumping his legs with all his might to achieve the highest possible arc. The other residents race under him, nearly keeled over with laughter, trying to avoid colliding with the pendulum.Despite support from donations and government assistance, Eunime is increasingly more expensive to run. Ortiz cites the increased minimum wage and decreased government support following the pandemic as financial stressors.Photo Credit: Ana Ramirez“We are operating with 70 percent of what we need,” she says. A rotating staff of caretakers and volunteers allow for around-the-clock care and supervision. Between looking after newborn babies, doing laundry for 20, helping with homework, and distributing the children’s medicine, there is never a dull moment.Once, Ortiz tells me, the kids managed to sneak around 20 dogs into the orphanage, moving the pups from room to room trying to avoid her, hoping she wouldn’t hear the pack.January 19, 2023PHOTOS: The Growing, UCSD-Backed Migrant Community in TijuanaRELATED ARTICLE“We have to have some sort of rule in place,” she laughs. “There can’t be more dogs than kids.”Since 2004, nearly 70 children have called Eunime home. Eight have been adopted; the rest have grown up entirely under Juana’s wing.“We will never match the attention [a child can get from an adoptive] family,” Ortiz says. “So we feel deeply grateful that God may grant them the opportunity to have a family.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by EUNIME Por Tijuana, A.C. (@eunimeportijuana)Ortiz works closely with the kids to create a life plan for when they age out of the orphanage at 18. Residents have gone straight from Eunime into university. Others have joined the workforce or started their own families.Ortiz motions to a wall of photos in the waiting room. Alongside images of her sisters are records of all her residents’ young lives, from baby pictures to middle school sports team shots to college graduation photos.“Here, we are a big family,” she says.The post Eunime Por Tijuana Provides Refuge for Orphaned Children with HIV appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
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