UH News Center

The most up-to-date news about events, issues, and happenings for a thriving, inclusive University Heights

Library & Books Rachel Esguerra Library & Books Rachel Esguerra

November Events at UH Branch Library

November at the UH Branch Library is packed with cozy reads and family-friendly events. Highlights include fall soup demos, Maker Monday crafts, City Ballet’s Book and a Ballerina, Piñata Science, ArtQuest with MCASD, and a coil pots craft for Native American Heritage Month. The branch is also an official mail ballot drop-off location through Tuesday, November 4.

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Community News Holden Leslie-Bole & Edgar Ramirez Manriquez Community News Holden Leslie-Bole & Edgar Ramirez Manriquez

North Park Planning Committee November Update

As University Heights representatives to the North Park Planning Committee, your neighbors share updates on city advocacy and local improvements. This month’s highlights include a petition to reimagine “daylighted” curb spaces under AB 413 into community features like benches and planters, plus a request to install transit signal priority along major UH and North Park corridors.

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Faces of UH Marc Johnson Faces of UH Marc Johnson

UH Poet Jane Muschenetz Wins National Award

University Heights resident and poet Jane Muschenetz, a refugee from Soviet Ukraine and mother of two, won first place in the 2025 National Federation of Press Women contest for her poetry collection POWER POINT. Her work blends data, humor, and heart, exploring identity, motherhood, and resilience through a poetic lens.

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Youth & Schools Silver Spence Youth & Schools Silver Spence

Respect the Cone Zone: Birney Elementary’s Appeal for Community-Wide Support

Birney Elementary has launched its new closed-campus policy to improve student safety, creating the “cone zone” along Campus Avenue for smoother, safer drop-offs. The school and Beekeeper Alliance are asking the community to help—by driving carefully, avoiding congestion, and volunteering an hour to keep UH’s youngest pedestrians safe.

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Library & Books Hannah Ells Library & Books Hannah Ells

Friends of UH Library November Update

The Friends of the University Heights Library share exciting updates and gratitude as Secretary Abi embarks on a new adventure. The group is now seeking a new Secretary to help support events, meetings, and literacy initiatives. November also brings the Friends’ popular book sale—where proceeds fund local libraries—and a reminder to join for just $10 a year.

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Future of UH / Land Use Josh Newton & Grant Ruroede, SD Community Wealth Building Coalition Future of UH / Land Use Josh Newton & Grant Ruroede, SD Community Wealth Building Coalition

Why Housing Is So Expensive in San Diego?

San Diego’s housing is increasingly out of reach: affordable units lag far behind need, the median home price tops $1.025M, and only 12% of families can afford a median-priced home. The article explains why market dynamics and policy choices keep prices high and outlines community-first models that could help.

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Sustainable UH John Hanacek Sustainable UH John Hanacek

Light Pollution and Pest Control in UH

Excessive nighttime lighting does more than waste energy—it disrupts nature’s best pest control system. Bright lights deter owls, which can consume over 1,000 rodents a year, and allow rats and mice to thrive. Smart lighting choices like motion sensors, downward fixtures, and warmer bulbs can restore balance, cut costs, and help owls keep UH rodent-free.

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