Addressing Traffic Dangers in Linda Vista

A recent study by law firm Estey & Bomberger has determined that Linda Vista has one of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in all of San Diego. Read more here.

Pedestrian safety concerns bring a host of other problems, including decreased economic productivity of the immediate area, increased cases of senior isolation, and decreased use of public recreational spaces.

Bayside Community Center is working to increase pedestrian safety in Linda Vista through a number of community improvement projects. Check out the pictures of our latest traffic calming project in front of Linda Vista Elementary STEAM Magnet school.

Bayside Mobilizes Philanthropists in Response to Armed-Robbery

Bayside Community Center reaches out to philanthropists to generate over $200 to replace revenue lost during the recent armed robbery of a Linda Vista-based entrepreneur. (Click here to read about the incident).

On Friday, July 19, owner of Taco Time, Jose Heims, was robbed at gunpoint of about $200. Bayside Community Center Executive Director Dr. Corey Pahanish reached out to Heims to discuss what happened. With the assistance of philanthropists from the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Point Loma enough funds were raised to replace the stolen amount and were given to Heims Tuesday, July 30.

When asked why he reached out Dr. Pahanish states, “this is a perfect example of our mission to empower in motion. We have someone who is suffering the symptoms of living in a distressed community and there’s an opportunity to not only address a wound but to empower them to keep going with a culturally relevant business in a community that knows and loves them.”

When asked about the gift Heims commented, “to me it’s important that we get more lights on our streets, not just for me but for everyone’s safety. I want to talk to the city about getting more lights here and I’m willing to pay for them.”

While we are saddened by the injustice suffered by Heims and other Linda Vista residents, we are encouraged by the resilience, generosity, and commitment of our diverse community to improve the quality of life in Linda Vista.

Tomasa Ruiz, Community Champion

When asked why Bayside Community Center nominated Ms. Ruiz for the Molina Community Health Champions award, Kim Heinle Bayside Community Advocate responded, “A champion is someone who prioritizes the well-being and progress of the community, an advocate above all else.” Ms. Heinle summarizes Bayside’s goal by saying, “we want to empower our diverse community to assume more leadership roles in the neighborhood. We want to help residents move from civic participants to civic leaders.”

From left to right. Tamy Nguyen, Tomasa Ruiz, and Kim Heinle.

For Tomasa though, there’s more to being a community champion. Her experience as an activist and organizer began when close family friends were threatened with the loss of their daughter due to immigration enforcement action on public transportation in the early 2000’s. Tomasa recalls, “My friend asked me to help spread the word and raise money to help release their daughter who had been detained by immigration while riding the trolley. At that time community organizing wasn’t important to me but I wanted to help.” Reflecting on her initial experience Tomasa recalls, “I saw the need but also the power and the benefit of inviting people to support a cause.”

Tomasa and son Daniel at Linda Vista Community Garden hosted at Bayside Community Center.

Later, Ms. Ruiz participated in Bayside Community Center’s Resident Leadership Academy (RLA), a 10 week leadership course designed to help community residents identify the need for and affect positive change in their neighborhood. When asked what drew her to Bayside’s RLA Tomasa shared that is was, “to help her children live a healthier life.” Since graduating from Bayside’s RLA in 2013 Tomasa has participated in and led a variety of important community improvement projects in Linda Vista including; improving lighting in Kelly Street park, installing traffic calming mechanisms around neighborhood schools, facilitating a Women’s Savings group and advocating for new legislation that promotes Urban Agriculture statewide.

Despite her impressive community work family is still Tomasa’s priority. When speaking of her husband, Jose, Tomasa shared, “He has always worked to support us and he knows how happy this work makes me.”  And yet while Jose was initially weary of his wife’s community work he has since come to see the benefits of Tomasa’s work both within the community and within the family. Tomasa remarks, “now even he’s getting involved a bit more.” Most recently, Jose has volunteered his construction experience and knowledge to help oversee Bayside staff in a variety of remodeling projects within the new facility.

Jose volunteering at Bayside Community Center's new facility.

Tomasa and Jose’s youngest son, Daniel, has also been positively impacted by his mother’s example. Tomasa recalls, “Daniel remembers when he was younger and I used to attend the RLA classes at Bayside.” Since that time, Daniel has often been the youngest participant in many civic meetings held in Linda Vista. Currently, he is a participant of Bayside’s Youth RLA and as of May 1 will be one of the youngest RLA graduates in the county.

When asked how her opinion regarding community organizing has changed since her initial experience Tomasa replied, “I know that if we can work together we can make improvements. It’s been many years and I love it!”

Bayside Community Center looks forward to many more years of working with families and community champions like Tomasa Ruiz. We fully agree with and support her commitment to, “learn everyday how to improve and to keep working.”

Tomasa celebrating with family, friends, and Bayside Community Center staff.

Linda Vista's First Intersection Mural

After 2 ½ years of planning, designing, and advocating, the Linda Vista community is excited to see its first intersection mural come to life! Intersection murals are unique traffic calming mechanisms that serve to beautify a community, build community empowerment, and create safer environments for pedestrians. This mural, located outside Montgomery Middle School, was designed and painted by residents and local artists through various community engagement processes. It is truly reflective of the community, inclusive of the views from Linda Vista to the west and east to the nod to bicycle and active transportation; from the book of knowledge and appreciation of education to the healthy eating and lifestyles through garden produce; and beyond. Bayside is honored to have supported and advocated alongside the local community, schools, Intersection Mural Network, and artists in making this once far off idea a reality.