Week 152: Hillcrest Holiday Cleanup & Cocktails

Week 152: November 30th-December 6th, 2025

This week, I participated in some "urban activism" and helped with some community projects as a part of the Hillcrest Cleanup and Cocktails event. My friend, Mel, is very involved in community groups in Hillcrest such as the Kiwanis Club (remember we walked in the Pride parade back in Week 81!?), so I was happy to be her plus-one.

The Volunteer Info banner and last year's group photo

Volunteers were asked to gather at the sign-in area by the big Hillcrest sign on University and 5th at 8:30am. We got name tags, enjoyed some coffee and breakfast treats, and listened to a safety talk/brief orientation.

There was coffee and breakfast for volunteers!

A red carpet was laid out for everyone signing in

Then, we piled into the street during one traffic light signal cycle to take a big group photo (which we all got a copy of at the end of the after party!).

The 2025 Hillcrest Cleanup & Cocktails Holiday Card

Following the photo, volunteers broke off in small groups to clean up various parts of the neighborhood or work on special projects. Many items were supplies, such as trash bags, gloves, and face masks. Along with litter cleanup, the Hillcrest Business Association asked for small groups of volunteers to help with a few "special projects" such as cleaning up and beautifying “The Little Spot,” the property on University Avenue adjacent to the 163 freeway, helping paint the City of San Diego's cement trash cans, and a special “Pride project."

Mel and I chose to help with the special "Pride project" that turned out to be reclaiming the overpass on 10th and University over the 163. Right after Pride, apparently the City of San Diego painted over the harmless rainbow on the fence. In an act of "good vandalism" the Hillcrest Business Association and the volunteer organizations came together to repaint it rainbow. I was tasked with the purple sections on one side of the overpass and got two entire sections finished before we had to head to Urban Mo's for the after party.

The purple paint was thick enough for just one coat to be good enough

For some reason, they wanted us to ONLY paint the street-facing side of the fence.

Bad lighting - but one full purple section done!

The OTHER side of the overpass with the same rainbow pattern on the fence

I had a TON of fun painting and would love to continue doing simple projects like this around the community. So many people walking past us were thanking us for putting the rainbow back onto the fence and I felt proud to be a part of something meaningful for the community. I think its a waste of resources and time for the City of San Diego to keep coming back and painting over the rainbow with differing shades of crappy green paint. Apparently this was not the first time the community has had to redo the rainbow, and I could tell because there were obvious layers of alternating purple and green paint on the fence. Having a rainbow fence on an overpass is such a small, harmless thing. The City should be worried about a lot of other things, in my opinion.

Anyway, after cleaning up, we headed back past the check in area and se saw the huge pile of trash bags that the other volunteers collected. Hillcrest is a busy and popular place, so unfortunately there will likely be more trash to pickup within hours, but at least a good amount is secured and properly disposed of. I wish America was not as tolerant of litter as it is, because seeing trash everywhere really can ruin the vibes (and the environment! Hello? Mother Nature is watching!)

The big pile of trash bags collected by the other volunteers!

The after party at Urban Mo's included a complimentary drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and some food (chicken tenders!). We socialized for a bit and headed out with happy tummies and happy hearts.

Mo's always has fun holiday decor outside!

AND fun holiday decor INSIDE!

Some of the food in the area at Mo's for the volunteers

The sponsors of this "Special Santa Edition" of the Hillcrest Cleanup and Cocktails event are; The Kiwanis Club of Hillcrest All-Inclusive, Sunnyboy Biscuit Co., the Hillcrest Business Association, Urban Mo’s, Crest Cafe, Frenchy’s Hideout, Sisters Pizza, and The Anvil Gym.

You can check out more under the hashtag #HillcrestSanDiego or @HillcrestSanDiego on Instagram.

Bonus: If you want to listen to a very unhinged holiday playlist, check out mine called "happy christmas ron" (sorry, it is on Spotify :c). Like most playlists I make, there is no rhyme or reason to any of the songs, nor is there a correct order to listen to it. Enjoy!

See you next week.