North Park is known as the “creative haven” of San Diego, always bursting at the seams with culture. From new bar and gallery openings to summer concerts and the search for a masked gunman, let’s discover who said what about this week’s North Park news in review.

They’re Finally Here: The latest additions to North Park nightlife are True North Tavern, Mosaic Wine Bar and Splash Wine Lounge. True North has been remodeled to be unrecognizable from its past venue, Shooterz. According to North Park Scene, the owners of True North Tavern (brains behind Sandbar, Tavern at the Beach and Offshore Tavern) have revamped the location with outdoor seating, a center bar surrounded by flat screen televisions, a dance area with a DJ booth, and private outdoor cabanas with a special outdoor bar. New at True North, the tavern has teamed up with Urban Solace down the way to serve gourmet appetizers at the bar! (pictured)

Sorry to See You Go: A few great North Park businesses have shut their doors due to poor economic times, including Milo Shoe Gallery, Commonwealth Café, Neighbourhood Boutique.

Sweet New Look: North Park shopping keeps trendy locals in must-have edgy looks. A new boutique called The Fizix just opened on University Avenue. Kalos Designs – one part Kate Ross shoes, one part home décor and design – just converted to a sole design focus with a new name: Pigment. House Boi has closed their North Park shop, to reopen with a new space in Hillcrest. Disconnected is welcoming a new gallery dubbed a.k.a., setting up shop within the salon, with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 20. 

Smokehouse Sundays: New at The Linkery, the all-summer, all-day affair, starts at noon and ends when the food is gone, featuring the finest meats cooked over naturally-felled, coastal oak on the Linkery’s custom rotisserie, including: pastured spring lamb from Rinconada Dairy in California’s Central Coast and pork shoulders, house-made hot links, and of course, delicious ribs—all from Berkshire pork raised by Eden Natural Farms. Cost is $29 and includes smoked meats, beans, cole slaw and corn. It feeds two moderate eaters or one large appetite.

Bird Park Tunes: Take a night off and catch North Park Community Association’s Bird Park Summer Concerts at 28th and Thorn. From 5:30-7:30pm every Saturday June 27 - August 8, sit back and relax as you enjoy tunes from numerous local artists—all for free. With a strict rule of no alcohol or glass, you’ll have a drama-free sober Saturday night here.

A Real Political Party: The same group of 14 to 36 year-olds who brought you the largest Obama inauguration night in San Diego, “Farewell to W at the W,” took their political party scene to The Office Bar in North Park, on June 11, according to NBC San Diego. Mixing social fun with political activism, the Young Democrats gathered with LGBT-oriented Stonewall Young Democrats to discuss equal rights, political actions, and candidate endorsements, all over a few beers. We definitely love those who socialize for a cause.

So Fresh and So Clean, Clean: Tired of trash in your neighborhood? Join North Park Community Association in keeping the community clean by participating in its “Spring Cleaning: An opportunity to keep North Park beautiful” program. Clear out alleys, storm drains, gutters, and tree wells with your North Park neighbors. Sign up at northparksd.org. 

Teen Trauma: North Park residents—beware of a rapist on the loose. According to San Diego 6 News, a 15-year old girl was reported being abducted and sexual assaulted by a man in his 20s who approached and threatened her with a knife around 11:30am on June 9. The San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes Unit is currently investigating the case. Yikes; be safe gals.

Where’s My News? : According to the North Park News blog, a new publisher is taking control of North Park News. Who’s bringing the new logo and changes to North Park News? Our last Rancho Santa Fe News in Review blog informed you that New Metropolitan Man, Bob Page, acquired North Park News with his purchase of the San Diego Metropolitan. Page is definitely bringing new things to North Park. 

Unmasking a Murderer: North Park neighbor, Normal Heights, wasn’t so normal when a gunman wearing a black “luchador” mask shot and murdered an 18-year old male. According to 760-KFMB Talk Radio, the gunman shot the victim, Stephen Cormier, in a cul-de-sac at 40th Street and sped off with the getaway driver of a white Ford Explorer. Police are still looking for the murderer, as well as the driver of the vehicle. 

Spotlight North Park Event: Don’t miss the upcoming North Park Music Thing August 7-9, featuring nearly 150 musical acts from the Southwestern United States, on up to 20 stages, with all proceeds donated to the San Diego Music Foundation. Details here.

North Park Photos: Check out North Park Festival of the Arts photos from May 17. View more event photos.

From nightlife to shopping, discover North Park in San Diego, and read more North Park News in Review.