UH residents Dave and Dave teamed up to support their neighbors, proving that kindness and collaboration remain at the heart of University Heights.

The San Diego Buddhist Association’s Hsi Fang Temple hosted the Under the Moon Lantern Walk, bringing more than 200 neighbors together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The lantern-lit stroll through University Heights ended with mooncakes, music, and blessings—a beautiful reminder that we all live under the same moon.

After months of effort, the Vermont Street Bridge shines again thanks to UH volunteers dedicated to maintaining the bridge’s safety and beauty.

UHCA President Marc Johnson reflects on this month’s community accomplishments, upcoming initiatives, and the continued importance of civic engagement.

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.

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.

UH neighbors are speaking out against a city proposal that would eliminate public right of way access, raising concerns about transparency and public space preservation.

The UH Fall Festival brought hundreds of residents together for food, live music, and family fun in the heart of the neighborhood.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Roosevelt Middle School student-athletes wrapped up another exciting fall season in San Diego Unified’s free athletic program. Competing in basketball and track & field, students built teamwork, independence, and confidence under the guidance of Coach Tais Marinho-Gomez, a former UCSD track standout. The program continues to grow, giving every student a chance to shine.

Meet Billy and Moses, two playful brothers who love chasing laser lights and watching the world go by from their window perch. Gentle and affectionate, these University Heights cats share a home with Missy, a former Pet of the Month—though they prefer admiring her from a safe distance.

Historical artifacts from University Heights are being auctioned, offering residents a chance to preserve pieces of the neighborhood’s past.

Founded by UH resident and psychology professor Jacqueline Penhos, Hugs and Bags has grown from a small act of kindness into a thriving nonprofit supporting homeless students and families. Through weekly food giveaways, clothing swaps, and volunteer-powered outreach, the group brings compassion and connection to University Heights.

Picking up after your dog isn’t just polite—it’s the law. Whether in a park, on a sidewalk, or in your own yard, cleaning up every time keeps University Heights clean, safe, and neighborly. A little responsibility goes a long way toward keeping our community welcoming for everyone.

A new community initiative highlights University Heights residents who go above and beyond to make a difference in the neighborhood.

The UH Women’s Walk Club continues to grow with new fall events that promote wellness, inclusion, and neighborly connection.