From unique restaurants and locals in “hot water” to enviro-friendly days and charity causes, downtown is always chock full of latest happenings and gossip. Let’s see who said what about San Diego Gaslamp Quarter news this week.

She’s Miss California: Carrie Prejean, Miss USA runner-up, is headed home to San Diego to return to volunteer positions doing outreach to strippers and Petco Park visitors. After speaking out against same-sex marriage in the recent Miss USA pageant and getting some harsh critiques, at least two institutions are looking forward to her return - The Rock Church and the San Diego Padres.

Beefy: Two brothers and native San Diegans, Derek and Craig Cowling, have brought the only 100 percent organic beef burger restaurant to San Diego. For the grand opening, O’Brothers will select five Twitter followers to receive a free meal each week for the rest of 2009. Winners will be chosen at random from the first 1,000 Twitter followers or at the conclusion of the promotion of April 30, 2009. Start your tweeting!

Earthy: Paul Jamason of SD Urban blogged about Balboa Park’s Earth Day festival this past Sunday. Booths included solar panel installers, free Clif bars and “bible thumpers saying that could ‘cure homosexuality’.” Check out pictures and more information here. (Pictured)

We Love Free: With the economy giving us a hard hit, it might not be so easy to shell out 3,000 bucks for a rooftop cabana at Hard Rock’s Intervention on Sundays. Hotel Solamar’s LoungeSix is going in a different direction with “first-come, first serve” cabanas – and that means they’re free! Find out what else LoungeSix offers during the rest of the week.

Benefit: Philip Gilpin’s nonprofit organization, International Green Shield, which helps build sustainable, disaster-proof structures for people affected by harsh climates and natural disasters is coming to San Diego. Anthology in Little Italy, is hosting the organization’s first event tonight, Thursday, April 23, at 9:30 pm. Enjoy great music and fantastic food for a good cause.

Crash: An 18-year-old suspected of drunk driving crashed into two vehicles parked in front of a Mission Hills home Thursday morning. After slamming into the vehicles, the driver and passenger ran back to their home where they were found by police and taken to the hospital for injuries.

Pay Cut: San Diego city nonprofit employees that handle housing, redevelopment, information technology and the San Diego Convention Center have been asked to take a six percent cut in pay and benefits. About 10,600 city employees will take monthly cuts. Ouch.

Culture and Cocktails: On April 23 from 6 to 9 pm, Balboa Park celebrates the new “Oceanic Art: A Celebration of Form” exhibition. Enjoy music, cocktails and nteractive entertainment.

Discover more about Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego.