Mission Times Courier - May 2014 by Mission Publishing Group LLC

May 2014

On the Internet at www.MissionTimesCourier.com

Volume XX – Number 5

Campaign for district attorney gets testy By Jeremy Ogul Mission Times Courier

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis

Dumanis counters that she retains an unmatched passion for protecting the public. She says she ran for mayor out of a sense of duty to the community, particularly in light of the danger that disgraced former mayor Bob Filner represented. Despite the criticism, her record of more than 11 years at the helm gives Dumanis a natural advantage coming into the race. A mid-March poll of San Diego County voters found that nearly 65 percent of respondents recognized Dumanis’s name. By contrast, 12.6 percent recognized Brewer and 11 percent recognized Wyatt. In a test ballot, Dumanis held a 36-percentage point lead over Brewer and a 38-percentage point lead over Wyatt. The survey was paid for by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and conducted by Smith Johnson Research. County voters tend to stay with whom they know in district attorney elections. James Don

fter narrowly defeating incumbent Paul Pfingst in 2002, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis sailed through the 2006 and 2010 elections unopposed. Now, nearly 12 years into her tenure as San Diego County’s top prosecutor, two challengers are waging campaigns to oust her. One is Bob Brewer, a former prosecutor who has spent the past 32 years in private practice specializing in civil litigation and white-collar defense. The other is Terri Wyatt, a career prosecutor who tallied more than 26 years as a deputy district attorney before retiring last fall to run against her former boss. Both argue that Dumanis has become too political and say that her 2012 campaign for mayor of San Diego underscored a lack of commitment to the job of district attorney. See Campaign page 16

Patrick Henry breaks ground on new performing arts center

PJHM Architects won a professional award for their design of the new performing arts center. By Jeremy Ogul Mission Times Courier

or decades, the idea of a new performing arts center at Patrick Henry High School seemed like a desert mirage — the closer you got to it, the farther off it appeared. Now, the dream is finally coming to life, and the days of the “cafetorium” — the austere cafeteria where performances have been staged since the school opened — are numbered. School leaders and community activists celebrated the start of construction on the new performing arts center with a groundbreaking ceremony on March 26. Work on the 500-seat theater and attached production studios should be complete by the

fall of 2015. The 16,000 square-foot theater includes an orchestra pit, a 45-foot-tall fly loft, a 20-foot-tall proscenium, backstage dressing rooms, a large enclosed lobby, ticket booth and student store. Approximately 8,100 square feet of instructional space for the College, Career and Technical Education Production Studios program will wrap around the theater. This space includes mixed media classrooms, a planning boardroom, lighting workshop, audio-visual workshop and a workshop for the design and fabrication of sets and props. “It’s going to change the direction of the school,” said Katherine Nakamura, former San Diego Unified school board member and steadfast supporter of the project. “It’s going to change the heart of the community.”

In addition to providing a new home for school performing arts programs, the theater will be available for use by community groups such as the Christian Youth Theater, Step in Step Dance Studios, Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra and the San Diego Shakespeare Society. The new performing arts center is part of a larger school site modernization project, which includes new air conditioning for the existing buildings on campus, enhancements to the gymnasium, a new intercom system, electrical upgrades, security lighting, a new fire alarm system, Americans with Disabilities Act remodeling and a new parking lot. The cost of the project, including the performing arts center and site modernization, is See ARTS CENTER page 4

Clock ticks as Sacramento lawmakers fight over water bond proposals By Doug Curlee Editor

here’s an old political axiom that says “People who love sausage and laws should never watch either being made.” It’s hard to imagine any place where that’s more applicable than the ongoing, multi-cornered mudwrestling match currently going on in Sacramento over what to do about California’s badly outmoded, overwhelmed and decaying water delivery systems. There are no fewer than ten full or partial solutions to the water crisis being batted around the Assembly See WATER page 12

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

The 2014 class of Trail Guides for Mission Trails Regional Park receive their graduation certificates during the cermonies at the park March 29. Photo by Cynthia Robertson

MTRP trail guide grads the best in the field By Cynthia Robertson for the Mission Times Courier

n the last Saturday in March, nearly 40 people gathered in the morning at the Mission Trails Regional Park amphitheater. A house wren warbled happily in the Western Sycamore Trees as this year’s graduates of the park’s Trail Guide Class shook each other’s hands. The morning marked the 20th anniversary of graduates from the class. The Trail Guide class covered everything from botany to geology to zoology. The students also had lessons on ecology, natural history and the life of the Kumeyaay, the Native American people who had long-called the MTRP area their home. Several teachers, rangers and MTRP founding member Dorothy Leonard joined the graduates in their celebration. Park Ranger Andy Quinn, who took the class two years ago, congratulated the graduates. “I still have the binder from the class right behind my desk. I now the pain you went through,” Quinn joked. “But it was worth it. There’s a sense of family here, even though it’s a huge park,” he said. Leonard commended everyone for having given up every Wednesday nights and Saturday

mornings for ten weeks. “You guys are the best of the best,” she said. Fred Kramer, chairman of the trail guides, had each of the graduates come up, one by one. “Please state the scientific name of the plant you were assigned to research,” he said. The graduates all pronounced the Latin names of their plants as if it were their second language. When it was Daniel Carlson’s turn, he said “Platanus Racemosa,” and held his arms up indicating the Western Sycamore tree behind him. Carlson, a tree trimmer by trade, said later that he took the class because he wanted to get some experience in the park and recreation field. “This class has been a great way to meet everybody,” he said. When it was Rose Cooper’s turn to go up, Trail Guide and Instructor Bill Howell said that she was the class valedictorian. “She just missed two questions on the final exam. And that was a big exam,” he said. Cooper said that she enjoyed the class since she had always loved being nature. “It’s good for the soul. I especially like sharing with children and want to get involved in teaching them how to conserve and respect nature,” she said. When the 19 graduates all received their certificates, Bill

Howell congratulated them. “Yesterday you were all students. Today you are trail guides,” he said. The graduates all went to the Community Room for cake and coffee. They reviewed their exams and met family members of their fellow graduates. Jennifer Stone left the Community Room soon after she’d had a piece of cake and looked over her exam. She went outside to check on the nest boxes around the Visitor Center. “My favorite part of this class was learning about the birds. I found out about the nest box program from Wendy Esterly, one of the trail guides, so I signed up to be part of the program,” Stone said. She tiptoed up to one of the nest boxes near the Visitor Center and knocked on the box before she opened it and looked in. “This nest was not here last week. It belongs to a house wren. Probably the one you’ve been hearing sing around here,” Stone said. Stone and all of her new trail guide friends will soon be leading walks at Mission Trails Regional Park. For more information about the Trail Guide class and other volunteer opportunities at MTRP, go to www.mtrp.org or call (619)668-3281.

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Blues jams set the stage for a relaxing Sunday By Jen Van Tieghem Mission Times Courier

undays were made for kicking back and recharging your batteries before a new week starts. So why not add some soul-soothing blues to your laidback weekend finale? Weekly blues jams at several East County watering holes present dynamic live entertainment every Sunday afternoon. At Downtown Café in El Cajon, Chet Cannon and The Committee is the house band for what they call “The Patio Party Blues Jam.” And over at Second Wind in Santee, The Moneymen kick starts their own jam. Both sessions welcome musicians of all skill levels to join in. “Jammers roll in, and get signed up designating their instrument. We put together sets of musicians based on instruments and they play blues songs largely decided by what songs [they] and the singers know,” Michael Head, guitarist for The Moneymen, explained. “The house band fills in any missing parts where needed to give a little polish, allowing us to open it up to all levels.” As can be expected, many singers, bassists, guitarists and drummers show up to jam, but Head also finds it exciting how many blues harmonica players, keyboardists and horn sections have come out. On the Sunday I visited Second Wind, there were well more than a dozen musicians on hand, including several horn players. The fun and supportive atmosphere made them all – whatever their skill set – seem at ease when taking the stage. Chet Cannon also noted the various ages and performance levels at the Downtown Café jams. “We’ve had musicians sit in young as 11 and old as 86. We

Blues jams musicians at Second Wind Santee give everyone a chance to play,” Cannon said. “We also have a pretty good turnout of players with a fair amount of stage experience. Part of the fun at our event is that you’re not ever really sure what might happen, or who may be up playing next set. That is some of the reason why it’s the longest running blues jam in San Diego County, not just noise, but a real blues jam adventure.” While these two jams are similar in many ways the venues do dictate a couple of major differences. Second Wind’s jam takes place indoors and as a bar is for a 21-and-up crowd only. The layout lends itself to a festive musical atmosphere with a large dance floor in front of the stage and ample seating so blues fans can grab a drink and watch the fun. It also has a couple of pool tables where I noted folks playing some friendly games while still enjoying the music. At Downtown Café the jam is different in that it takes place outdoors and is an all-ages restaurant. I also boasts a dance floor for those so inclined.

“Dancing is welcome,” Cannon told me. ”There are folks who’ll always get up and shake it like they really mean it. Actually our band feels we’re not just doing something right until we get somebody up there and dancing.” With two entertaining blues jams just minutes from La Mesa, I highly recommend picking the one that suits your style and checking it out. Better yet – take the family to Downtown Café one week and the next get some friends together for adults-only fun at Second Wind. The jam session at Second Wind Bar with The Moneymen takes place from 2:30 to 5 p.m. More information on the bar can be found online at www. SecondWindBars.com. The Patio Party Blues Jam at the Downtown Café currently takes place from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., but soon they’ll be switching it up to 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Their website can be found at www.downtowncafe-ec.com. Cannon also keeps tabs on blues shows and musicians elsewhere in the region on his site, www.GoodBluesUpdate.com.

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LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Arts Center, from page 1 approximately $36.8 million. “This is actually the biggest project right now under construction at San Diego Unified,” said Lee Dulgeroff, executive director of the district’s facilities planning and construction division. “This is more significant than building an elementary school from the ground up in terms of the scope and size of the project.” The school board in December 2011 A ceremonial groundbreaking allocated funding ceremony in March marked the start for the project from of construction. Proposition S and Credit: Daryl Prendergast / SDUSD Proposition Z, school bond measures approved by voters in 2008 and 2012. The state of boulder back up the hill,” California also provided funding Nakamura said. Nakamura, then-printhrough Proposition 1D. The road to securing that fund- cipal Pat Crowder, music ing was never easy or certain, teacher Matt Kalal and others organized the comthough. “Six years ago we were a bunch munity to advocate for the of wackos with a model and a pipe project at school board dream,” said Nakamura, who was meetings. “[Board members] knew still on the school board when the latest push for the project began. there was community supDespite widespread community port,” said Kevin Beiser, support for a serious performing an advocate for the projarts facility, getting a majority of ect who was elected to the school the school board to fully fund the board in 2010. “There were just project frequently seemed like a doubts about whether or not it was the best use of the funds.” Sisyphean exercise. School board members worried “I cannot tell you how many times we have had to push that publicly in 2011 about whether other schools would lose money if they approved funding for the project at Patrick Henry. The board gave the project boosters two weeks to get the other 10 elementary and middle schools in the Henry cluster to agree to give DATE AVER AGE HOME PRICE INTEREST R ATE P&I up 4 percent of their Proposition April 2014 $542,960 4.31% $2,690.14 S funding to support the performApril 2015 $564,680 5.3% $3,135.68 ing arts center at Patrick Henry. “You know how hard it is to get Difference in Monthly Payment by waiting 1 year = $445.54 a principal to agree to something Difference Over 30 Years = $160,394.40 Monthly = $445.54 Annually = $5,346.48 like that?” Nakamura said. THE DIFFERENCE IN COST FOR WAITING JUST ONE YEAR CAN BE SIGNIFICANT! To the surprise of almost everyone involved, the principals of the For buyers, rising interest rates can drastically Sabine Steck other 10 schools voted unanichange your monthly payment. For sellers, there REALTOR® Residential Specialist mously to give up some funding sabine@kengina.com will be less buyers available that are qualified to in order to support the performCalBRE#01361360 purchase your home due to increased interest rates! ing arts center. Nakamura was amazed. WHY WAIT? Call me to discuss “That was unprecedented in the history of the San Diego a strategy that works for you! Unified School District,” she said. This advertisement is not to be considered a solicitation of other Broker’s listings With the passage of Proposition

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Z in 2012, the sacrifice was no longer necessary, but the Cowles Mountain Foundation has continued to raise money to enhance the project with additional equipment and features such as a grand piano. The foundation had only raised $300 when someone early on suggested reaching out to Annette Bening, the Oscar-nominated actress famous for her roles in The Grifters, American Beauty, Being Julia and The Kids are All Right. Bening, an alumna of Patrick Henry, gave $40,000 to the project. Her contribution kickstarted the campaign, Nakamura said, and the group has now raised more than $100,000. They have sold more than 100 chairs, and many more are still available for a donation ranging from $300 to $1,000. The foundation is also offering naming opportunities and joint-use contracts. For information on how to contribute, visit www.phame.us and www.cowlesmountain.org.

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

May Hopefuls at Mission Trails Regional Park By Audrey F. Baker Trail Guide

ack in 2012 Trail Guide/photographer Wendy Esterly caught sight of “someone” new to MTRP, the Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata). What a cutie! Built like an imaginative toddler’s toy – its 12 to 14 inches long and sports a plush tail (50% of its full body length). Artistically colored, too! Cinnamon brown on top, adorable masked face, and yellow underparts. At night, oversized black eyes sparkle emerald green. That skinny body, long neck, small head, short legs and long whiskers are handy when hunting prey in their burrows. Shrews, voles and mice – beware! Weasels are fast movers, swimmers and trees climbers. Annual births occur in April and May. We’re hoping this solitary species has found at permanent home at MTRP. From the familiar to the elusive, our MTRP Trail Guide walks are an opportunity to learn more about natural Southern California, with its unique landscapes, habitats, local history, plant and animal life. The walks are free, interesting, fact-filled, and geared to all ages and interests. Grab sturdy shoes, that comfortable hat, water bottle and sunscreen and hit the trail! Morning walks are offered every Saturday, Sunday and

Wednesday, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. You’ll start from the park’s Visitor and Interpretive Center, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. The walk beginning from the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Entry Station, Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, at the San Carlos-Santee border, gives a different perspective of the park and its diverse habitats. These walks are offered from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and take in historic Old Mission Dam. Wildlife Tracking reveals the secret lives of animals, bringing insight into their survival techniques and habits. Tracking Team members assist in identifying and interpreting tracks, scat and habitats. Join us at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 3 in front of the Visitor Center, One

Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos, for a two-hour tracking adventure. Discovery Table: Animal Tracks is an opportunity to improve your naturalist skills. You’ll learn the secrets to quick identification and discover which tracks look like a baby’s handprint, whose are the largest of local mammals, and more. Try our skill game matching an animal to its tracks. See you Saturday, May 10 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. inside the Visitor Center. Bird Kumeyaay Lake with MTRP Birder Jeanne Raimond and experience Spring-time avian activity. Jeanne tells us the area should be active with newly fledged birds and the nesting efforts of migratory species. Binoculars and bird book are recommended. See you at

8:00 on Saturday, May 17 at the Kumeyaay Campground Day Use Parking Lot, Mission Trails Regional Park, Two Father Juniper Serra Trail, Santee for a two-hour exploration. Star Party shines on with Saturn rising in the southeast, Mars overhead and Jupiter setting in the west. Join our MTRP Resident Star Gazer George Varga as he scopes in the Whirlpool (M51), Sunflower (M36), Black Eye (M64) and Sombrero Galaxies and more! See you 7:30-10:00 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at the far end of the Kumeyaay Campground Day Use Parking Lot, Mission Trails Regional Park, Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, Santee. Murray Walk and Talk offers a break from routine city life with a stroll amid Lake Murray’s scenic shores. Engage with your MTRP Trail Guide for a fun walk and talk in nature from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Meet at the boat docks, Lake Murray, 5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa.

Family Discovery Walk connects your little ones with nature through discovering outdoor wonders as a family experience. This interactive outing focuses on childhood enrichment and fun! Meet inside the Visitor Center. See you on Sunday, May 25, 3:004:30 p.m. Birding Basics, the 90 minute class conducted by Mission Trails Bird Guide Winona Sollock, teaches 5 simple techniques to identify birds “at a glance!” You’ll also pick up tips on bird field guide use. (Bringing one is optional.) Class meets on Saturday, May 31 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. inside the Visitor Center. Meanwhile, come on out and enjoy the park! Visit www.mtrp.org for more information and our events calendar, or call (619) 668-3281. Special walks can be arranged for any club, group, business or school by contacting Ranger Chris Axtmann at (619) 668-2746 or at caxtmann@mtrp.org.

6 Del Cerro Action Council By Jay Wilson President

pril was an exciting time for our community. Thanks to the drive and tenacity of Del Cerro resident and former school board member, Katherine Nakamura, we recently broke ground on PHHAME – the Patrick Henry High Arts, Media, & Entertainment Center. This has been a community effort headed up by Katherine and Matt Kalal, the Instrumental Music Director for Patrick Henry, with support from the former principal Pat Crowder and new principal List Gillingham, School Board President Kevin Beiser, and community leaders. This 500-seat auditorium, visual arts, and media facility includes classrooms specifically devoted to teaching students how all of the behind-the-scenes work is accomplished. There should be more information about this complex in this issue of the “Mission Times Courier.” There are 500 chairs in the theater, and all deserve to be sponsored by a member of this community. In the not- too-distant future, we will be enjoying outstanding performances by well-schooled thespians and musicians from Patrick Henry and by such community organi-

COUNCIL NEWS zations like the 70-piece Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra conducted by Davis Amos (Henry’s first director of music). Another accomplishment in April was the addition of 10 shade trees surrounding the playground at Lake Murray Community Park. To make sure the trees would survive, 36-inch boxed trees were purchased; the trees are 8 to 10 feet high. These trees are part of Phase II, which also included installation of more sponsor tiles on the perimeter of the playground. The final addition of Phase II will be the installation of a second shade structure, thanks to some funding from Councilmember Sherman, with the remaining funds coming from the Lake Murray Community Park Playground Foundation. The shade structure will be a duplicate of the structure already there. After the two-month-long field restoration of the upper and lower grass areas at Princess Del Cerro Park, the fences are down. Two major field areas are now renovated—Lake Murray Community Park and Princess Del Cerro—and there are four more to go –three fields at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center and the large field at the San Carlos Recreation Center. All the renovation will be completed in August. Funds for this project came from Councilmember Scott Sherman. On April 24, the Del Cerro Action Council and the San See DEL CERRO page 23

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

San Carlos Area Council News By Mickey Zeichick President

an Diego’s first female Police Chief will be one of our featured speakers at our next San Carlos Area Council (SCAC) on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 6 PM in the San Carlos Branch Library, 7265 Jackson Dr. Chief Shelley Zimmerman will update us on some of the sweeping changes that will be coming to the Policed Department. COWLES MOUNTAIN DILEMMA: I know for certain that the folks who are so into nature and being healthy don’t read my column or understand how they are harming the very neighborhood where they go to get their “peace and tranquility. I know they don’t read it because they haven’t changed their behavior, which is what we really want. We don’t want the use of the “trails” to diminish – we do want the behavior to change and to have folks respect the neighborhoods and residents who live there. I am reading and re-reading the City of San Diego Charter ... to see if there is something that can be done. Human rights principals formulated by U S President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1941, in his annual message to the Congress of the U S. President Roosevelt made his

“Four Freedoms” speech almost a year before the U S entered WWII (1939-1945). In his address Roosevelt envisioned a postwar world in which four freedoms would be guaranteed: Freedom of speech and expression -- Freedom of worship -- Freedom from want -- Freedom from fear Fear comes in many forms – and I believe that the residents living around the base of Cowles Mountain live in some sort of fear. We also need to look further like the end of Lake Murray Blvd., and the end of Cowles Mountain Blvd. and Barker Dr. and Barker Way. What do these areas have in common? They all have trails leading up to the Mountain. They all attract “visitors” that become a nuisance for the residents nearby. SCAC Elections will be held in May: We are looking for Directors to help guide our Council, if you are interested please contact me. Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) is one of many plan-

ning groups in the City of San Diego. Community Planning Groups are citizen organizations that form to advise the City on land use-based community goals and development proposals. CPGs are established in conformance with City policies and are “recognized” to provide official recommendations to the City. NCPI is comprised of the neighborhoods of Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, Grantville, and San Carlos and meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Zion Avenue Community Church. Get to know your San Carlos Representatives. They are: Richard Burg, Matthew Adams, Dan Northcutt (SCAC) and Tim Flodin. It is important that matters that go before the NCPI Board be presented to the community council of the area so we can help you get your point across, or act as mentor or liaison. The SCAC purpose is: “to further, in a representative, non-partisan manner, the interests of the community, through (1) the presentation of and participation in public forums; (2) presentation of lectures or panels on pertinent subjects to enable its citizens to form individual opinions; (3) mediation and communication to lessen neighborhood tensions; (4) the promotion of activities benefiting the community, and (5) dedication to protecting and developing the qualities of the community which make it a fine place in which to live. See SAN CARLOS page 18

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COUNCIL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM â&#x20AC;&#x201D; MAY 2014

College Area Community Council and Planning Board By Rhea Kuhlman President

ost of the work that gets done by any board takes place at the committee level. At our April meeting, we reviewed the Annual Reports from our four standing committees for the fiscal year ending March 2014. The hard working people on these committees are not all board members. Most committees consist of board members plus caring community members who have a special interest in a particular issue in the College Area. Here are some of the major activities undertaken by these committees in FY 2013-14: Beautification: Members of the committee took the design for Tubman Charter School Joint Use Park at 68th and Mohawk from an artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rendering to a City approved design. The approval process involved countless meetings with City and School District staff and boards, and a few hard fought battles. The result is a design that residents can be proud of, with real grass (as opposed to artificial turf), benches, a running trail, and attractive landscaping. The efforts of the Beautification Committee were instrumental in the widening of the westbound bike path on Montezuma Road from 55th to Fairmont, making that road safer for cyclists. The committee also submitted a proposal for design work on a sidewalk along the north side of Montezuma. Committee members worked to improve maintenance of the landscaping on the median island at the intersection of Fairmount and Montezuma, just south of I8. The median, which had been maintained by Caltrans for years, was turned over to the City in 2013. Navigating City departments to find the right one to take responsibility for the maintenance proved daunting, but not insurmountable. A landscape contract is now in process for this

The CACC and CACPB could not function without the work of its standing committees. western entry point to the College Area. The group is also pursuing beautification of an unattractive concrete retaining wall on the south side of Montezuma eastbound approaching 55th Street. Working with the SDSU Art Department, we hope to see improvements to this area in the coming year. Finally, several committee members are investigating the possibility of signage on El Cajon Blvd. to welcome travelers to the College Area communities of East College and El Cerrito. Code Enforcement and Nuisance Rental Properties: This busy committee has coordinated implementation this year of the College Area Volunteer Code Enforcement program. This program was revived by the City to assist the short-staffed Code Enforcement Division in documenting minor code violations visible from the street, and making initial contact with property owners to urge voluntary compliance. After two letters from the group, cases that have not been resolved are turned over to the City for enforcement. The program has so far proved effective in decreasing problems such as parking on lawns, outdoor storage, and poor maintenance, and has resulted in substantial improvements in the appearance of some streets in the College Area. Further improvements are expected. The committee also continues to work with the City towards effective implementation of the Residential High Occupancy Permit ordinance, which regu-

lates the occupancy of houses with more than 5 adults, and the Rooming House ordinance, which regulates rental properties in single family zones with more than two leases in one house. A report on the status of High Turnover High Occupancy rentals in the College Area documented the need for such regulations. Project Review: In 2013, this committee reviewed and recommended approval of a Planned Development Permit to construct a 17 unit, 4-story student apartment building over 2 stories of underground parking at 5716 Hardy Avenue. In February 2014, the committee conducted a preliminary review of a proposal for a Planned Development Permit to construct two 5-story buildings with 102 student apartments over two stories of underground parking at 5030 College Avenue. The committee had a number of concerns regarding this proposal, and drafted a letter to the City voicing these concerns, requesting that the issues raised be considered during the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regular cycle review process. It followed up In March with a letter to the City advocating modification of City municipal code to apply the same parking standards to certain off-campus student apartments as apply to dormitories, to insure adequate parking for students living in these facilities. Outreach: This hard working group produces the monthly newsletter for CACC, and sends out e-blasts between newsletters to publicize information important to the community. It also oversees maintenance of the CACC website, www.collegearea. org. In 2013 the group designed banners to advertise upcoming CACC meetings, and decals for local business members of CACC to display in their windows. Members mailed out letters inviting new residents of the College Area to join CACC, and oversaw the annual renewal process for existing members. In summary, the CACC and CACPB could not function without the work of its standing committees. Please consider joining one of them to make a real difference in your community.

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

Explore Mission Trails Day Is May 17 By Jay Wilson for the Mission Times Courier

he 12th annual Explore Mission Trails Day (EMTD) is Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The theme is “Connecting Children with Nature.” Free guided nature walks, talks, and other programs will be available throughout the park, including live animals, and programs for children. The San Diego Natural History Museum and Scholastic Publishing’s Ms. Frizzle™ and The Magic Schoolbus© will present a program for children in the amphitheater at the Visitor Center at 10 and 11:30 a.m.; this year’s program features coyotes. Free pony rides, a climbing wall, crafts for children, and Discovery Stations will be at the East Fortuna Staging Area at the west end of Mast Boulevard. The Lake Murray and Santee Kiwanis Clubs will sell food and refreshments at both locations. Corporate sponsors include Republic Services, SDG&E, Olive Garden Restaurants, and Superior Ready Mix. The City and County of San Diego provide support through their Special Promotional Program Fund and Community Enhancement Fund, respectively. EMTD is presented by the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department, Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, and San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman.

giveBIG Campaign – May 6th

On Tuesday, May 6th, the Mission Trail Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation is participating in the San Diego Foundation’s 24- hour “giveBIG” campaign. giveBIG is an online opportunity to support the MTRP Foundation. The San Diego Foundation has an “incentive pool” of $150,000 that will be distributed to the participating nonprofits in proportion to the amount of money each nonprofit raises during this 24-hour period. The San Diego Foundation, local media, and the MTRP Foundation will be publishing more information as the May 6th date approaches. The donation website will be www. sdfoundation.org/giveBIG.

Programs for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 6th Graders

The MTRP Foundation is working with the Boy Scouts San Diego-Imperial Council and the Girl Scouts of San Diego, and will be offering free monthly programs to help these children earn merit badges and belt loops. Alicia Berg, an Education Program Instructor for the MTRP Foundation, will offer one program a month for each scouting organization from 1 to 4 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. There will be classroom instruction and a guided hike with each program. The topics will target the required badge information. Check the scout websites for more

Free pony rides, a climbing wall, crafts for children, and Discovery Stations will be at the East Fortuna Staging Area at the west end of Mast Boulevard. information. Ms. Berg has also been working with the San Diego Unified School District to develop a program targeting 6th graders that meets the new Core Curriculum standards. Financial assistance for bus transportation has been implemented through an SDG&E Environmental Champions grant. Teachers and administrators should contact Ms. Berg by email at mberg@mtrp.org for additional information and to make a reservation. Help the MTRP Foundation reach its goal of 7,500 email address and receive our e-news updates. Your email address will be secure. Go to our homepage mtrp.org and scroll down the left hand side to “enter email address.” This is the best way to keep informed about all the events at MTRP, including guided walking tours, concerts, art exhibitions, star parties, park beautification opportunities, children’s classes, and special events like Explore Mission Trails Day on May 17. Take an extra step and invite a friend to join.

Art and Music at the Visitor Center

Photographic artist Dolwain Green is the featured artist and

his exhibition “There And Back Again” will be in the Visitor Center through May 23. You are invited to a free reception hosted by the artist on Sunday, April 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. On Sunday, May 4, Panamerican Shanty will perform featuring excerpts from a radio show that features music circa 1915. And on Sunday, May 11, the San Diego Native American Flute Circle will be in the Amphitheater from 1 to 3 p.m.

Children’s Classes

Nora’s Art Classes for Children ages 5 to 12 continues to meet most Saturdays at 2 p.m. in the MTRP Visitor Center. Classes are $20 each. Linda Hawley’s “Nature Adventures!” for children 3 and up will meet in the Visitor Center on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, May 26, 27, and 28, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The topic will be “Butterflies & Fellow Flutter-bys.” Classes are $10 per child. Check our website, mtrp.org under “More News” for additional information for both programs. Kumeyaay Lake Campground Is Scheduled To Reopen in June Spend A Great Day At MTRP Every Day!

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Larry Greenfield, Claremont Institute, to speak on US Global Policy at Navajo Canyon Republican Women Meeting May 13 By Judy McCarty Public Relations

CRWF is honored to welcome Larry Greenfield as our featured speaker May 13. Larry is a Fellow in American Studies at the Claremont Institute in Claremont, Ca., Executive Director of the Reagan Legacy Foundation and a Senior Fellow at the American Freedom Alliance. He is a noted expert on U.S. foreign policy and the U.S. – Israel strategic relationship. In 2012 he was named National Executive Director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs in Washington. In addition, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis will speak about her re-election campaign. Check-in time is 10:30 am for the 11 am meeting; a fullcourse luncheon is served at noon, followed by the speaker. Cost is $20 and reservations are required. Please RSVP to NCRWF99@gmail.com or call Kit at 619-286-2835. Volunteering on campaigns is the easiest way to meet other Republican women and there are several opportunities to share your time on worthwhile endeavors. Contact waskahwhelan@aol.com (with NCRWF in the subject line) to get times and places. * * * Our satellite club, Downtown Republican Women, will present an informal Candidate Forum at their meeting May 15 at 5:30 pm at The Athens Market, at First and F streets downtown. Cost is $15. The restaurant’s regular hors d’oeuvres buffet will be served along with a no-host bar. RSVP to dmcrsd@gmail.com. Downtown Republican Women meet every third Thursday of the month and all Republicans are welcome. For more information, check our website at www.navajocanyonrwf.org.

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LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Antique Street Faire becoming a local treasure By Marty Graham for the Mission Times Courier

t is the ultimate antique road show. Every year, the La Mesa Village Merchants Association closes a stretch of La Mesa Boulevard, opens the street to about 100 vendors for the annual La Mesa Antique Street Faire and hosts thousands of guests who shop, obtain free appraisals for their own antiques, feast on great food from the restaurants nearby and enjoy live music. This year’s event takes place May 18 and organizer Arlene Moore is crazy busy nailing down the final details. Moore began working on the Antique Street Faire – this will be her 11th – in 2004 with Kathy Sowden, the now retired owner of Finders Keepers. When Sowden sold her business and moved to Bisbee, Ariz., Moore took over. “It’s no small production,” Moore said. “I start organizing the next year while we’re cleaning up at the end of this year’s.” Moore owns Park Estate Co. on La Mesa Boulevard and, like many other antique dealers on the boulevard, also runs an estate sale planning business that keeps her busy evenings and weekends. But she says the street faire is important to promoting local businesses and bringing in new customers – and to educating people to the idea that antiques are the best part of

“There’s nothing on this Earth you need new besides your mattress and panties.” - Arlene Moore recycling and living a sustainable life. “There’s a true resurgence in people wanting to reuse and recycle,” Moore says. “The quality of these functional vintage items is so extraordinary. Solid wood furniture with perfect craftsmanship of materials meant to last forever, the beautiful patina and finishes that improve with time; Pyrex that doesn’t shatter and really works.” “These pieces are usable because they were designed and created to

bring the most functionality and a variety of uses into homes where there was no extra space for junk,” she said. “When you buy them, you’re not only recycling, you’re saving the planet from the production of more garbage and wasted energy that goes into modern stuff that isn’t meant to last.” The street faire guest vendors – about 100 – are hand picked and come from all over California, she said. “They are personally juried to be sure they are going to show genu-

ine antiques,” Moore says. “One of my pet peeves about the business is faux vintage – it’s decorative rather than functional and the quality isn’t there.” Though it’s about antiques, all the boulevard merchants benefit, says Virginia McKenzie, who owns the Mostly Mission store. “It’s a wonderful, low-key event that brings in a lot of new people,” McKenzie said. “A month down the line, people stop in and say I saw your shop while I was at the antique fair and I’m back to buy

some of your fine, American-made furniture.” This year, the faire is foregoing live music after finding it sometimes made conversations between antique dealers and collectors difficult, Moore said. Moore will be giving people one free appraisal of an antique item during the street faire. People with more than one item will be able to get appointments to have more thorough and complete appraisals. “I love the Village – this is exactly what we’re committed to: small businesses run with great care and personal service, in a family-friendly environment,” Moore says. “And we know we’re helping with the bigger issues, of supporting our planet and living in an Earth-friendly way.” Because it is being held on a Sunday, there’s plenty of free parking available. The Trolley also delivers people right to Spring Street. “I really like how this event brings us new people with a real commitment to reuse and sustainable living,” Moore says. “There’s nothing on this Earth you need new besides your mattress and panties.”

DINING & DRINK

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Hit-And-Miss on El Cajon’s Bistro Sixty & San Diego Desserts

Got Mother’s Day Plans? Brunch at Terra

Sunday, May 11th 9am-2pm Fresh Fruit Parfait with lavender yogurt Sour Cream Coffee Cake choice of

Bistro Sixty San Diego Desserts

Steak & Eggs

sliced chipotle top sirloin, potato brie & red onion quesadillas, local vegetables, two over easy eggs

5987 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115 619.287.8186 BistroSixtySD.com

Biscuits + Gravy cheddar cheese biscuits, bourbon glazed ham, country gravy, fried eggs Pork Belly & French Toast Casserole beer braised pork belly, blackberry syrup Farmer’s Omelet local farm fresh vegetables, caramelized onions, homemade farmer’s cheese, breakfast potatoes

hen San Diego Desserts expanded to include a restaurant portion to their already well-known bakery, the owners were adding another eatery to an already colorful area of College Avenue. But a good bakery doesn’t necessarily translate into an equally good restaurant. First the good. The bistro section is a welcome and cozy restaurant to the neighborhood, providing a selection of sandwiches, flatbreads and pastas during the lunch time hour. Dinner includes an even wider array to include appetizers, small plates, salads and seasonal entrées ranging from $7 to $22. There’s also an extensive wine selection to complement the new American cuisine. But an order of their culotte steak ($22) didn’t fare well. What arrived to the table were over-cooked asparagus spears and barely warm white beans. Unfortunately, even the steak – which was ordered medium – was overcooked, which served to bring the dish down several more notches. The only redeeming element in this order was the sherry peppercorn sauce that tied the dish together. Prepped well, it would have been memorable;

Grilled Salmon Salad quinoa, sweet corn, grape tomatoes, red onion, citrus vinaigrette California Bowl quinoa, roasted garlic oil, shitake mushrooms, local fresh vegetables, garlic, basil, tomatoes with choice of local fish, chicken or tofu Dessert Berries ‘n Cream brown sugar sweetened vanilla cream, fresh berries, wafer cookie Children’s Options Available

$35 per person plus tax and gratuity $15 children 5-12yrs

619.293.7088 7091 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115

instead, it was only a shadow of what it could have been. On the flipside, where the establishment excels is in their desserts. It’s a chocolate-heavy, immaculately decorated selection with everything priced at $5.25. Peanut butter, caramel and macadamia mousse bombes are just a few of the popular desserts on constant rotation and can be ordered to-go. They’re all rich and decadent treats that will satisfy the biggest chocoholic. On occasion, the bakery will offer something without chocolate like their refreshingly light lemon cake. For those with a sweet tooth, my advice is to check out the more unique offerings and/or

take it to go with one of the other favorites. Bistro Sixty is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check out their Monday all-you-can-eat spaghetti specials that includes your choice of sauce, garlic bread and Caesar salad for $15. The sauce selection varies from week to week; call the restaurant for more details. Darlene Horn is a San Diegobased food blogger and has penning her opinions on food for nine years at MyBurningKitchen. com. She’s the author of the semiautobiographical, food-centric comic, The Girl with the Donut Tattoo, drawn by her husband and artist, Paul Horn.

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

San Carlos Preschool “A Great Place To Grow” Enrolling now! Ages 2.5 - 5 yrs. www.sancarlospreschool.com

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The Delta-Mendota canal carries water through the state’s Central Valley. Photo by Dave Parker / Creative Commons

Water, from page 1 and Senate hallways, each seeking some sort of partnership, or at least accommodation, with one or more of the others. Partisan politics is, as always, playing a major role in the general confusion, although it’s certainly not the only factor involved. Generally speaking, Republicans are more on the side of more water storage, both above ground (more dams and reservoirs) and below ground (recharging depleted underground aquifers) along with better conservation and recycling of current supplies. Democrats as a rule abhor the prospect of building more reservoirs, preferring such cures as recycling, conservation, watershed improvements and various and sundry measures that will win the support of the state’s large and vocal environmental communities. All of this effort is aimed at rewriting an $11.14 billion water bond currently on the November 2014 ballot — a water bond that almost everyone wants to see done away with because it’s so loaded with “pork barrel” projects, many of which have little or nothing to do with actual water supply fixes. Sen. Lois Wolk, a Democrat from Davis and author or coauthor of two of the ten proposals, says that big measure has to go. “We all know that $11 billionplus bond issue on the ballot has to change, and needs to change significantly, to win voter support,” Wolk said. “I believe it’s a nonstarter. We must present voters with a realistic and supportable water bond.” Wolk’s two measures, each for less than $7 million dollars, would try to touch as many bipartisan bases as possible. Sen. Fran Pavley from Ventura says people are looking at everything to try to make all this sit well with voters. She says studies have proven that spending the money to clean the sediment out of California’s 190 reservoirs would allow storage of more than 2 million acre-feet of water over and above what we can store now. She thinks that would wipe out most of the need for new and bigger reservoirs. People are talking nice for public consumption, but there is serious infighting going on in both houses of the Legislature over this problem.

One measure proposed by Lakewood Assemblymember Anthony Rendon was praised by members of a Senate committee. It was then amended and changed 20 times by that same committee. That’s just one example among many. Assemblymember Dan Logue from Chico has a $5.8 billion proposal that leans heavily toward more reservoir capacity, but the bald fact is, he’s a Republican from an agricultural area in the north of the state. That alone may doom his proposal, unless he can somehow partner with a Democrat. That’s just not likely to happen anytime soon. In trying to figure out what might eventually happen here, there are three factors that have to be taken into account.

The clock is ticking loudly

Unless the legislators can come together on a single bond issue by June 26, only two alternatives will be left to them. They must either allow the $11.14 billion bond currently on the ballot to face the voters, and probably go down to defeat, or they can pull that measure off the ballot, thereby accomplishing nothing at all to alleviate the state’s water problems. It will require a twothirds vote by both houses to replace the monster pork barrel.

What about the delta?

Only one of the proposals floating around the Capitol now calls for full funding for sustaining the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the ancient and very fragile system of

dikes and levees that is the hinge point of the current State Water Project and the All-American canal. That system is the real starting point for water being transferred from north to south. There is a lot of speculation that Democrats in both houses are afraid to say too much about the Delta, because they don’t want to anger Governor Jerry Brown.

What about the governor?

Brown, you will recall, is pushing for a hideously expensive ($26 billion) two-tunnel system around or under the delta. Anyone who was around for the 1980’s battle over what would have been the Peripheral Canal around the delta can only imagine how much louder the screaming will be from the north if that plan ever gets legs. Brown has been uncharacteristically quiet about the tangled web in the Legislature over this current problem, leading proponents from both sides of the aisle to wonder whether he’ll try to kill the efforts here and now, or actively campaign against the bond issue that finally gets before the voters. Over the years, people have bet a lot of money on what Jerry Brown might do in any given circumstance. They’ve mostly lost those bets. If this current drought has taught us anything, it is that our current water system is broken, and drastically needs repair, and a lot of it. The ball is in the Legislature’s court. That prospect frightens a lot of people.

PETS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Fancy Rats Make Great Pets By Sari Reis Owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting

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he National Fancy Rat Society, (yes there actually is one), says that rats are “the most intelligent, responsive and affectionate of small rodents and make ideal pets for children.” If handled from infancy, rats respond extremely well to humans and rarely bite. Because they are fastidious selfgroomers, they do not smell and only require occasional bathing. They will need their nails clipped and possible worming, but other than that, they are quite easy to care for. Their average lifespan is about three years. The males are larger than the females and are less active and playful and may be more appropriate for young children. Being nocturnal, rats are extra lively at night so a bedroom may not be the ideal place to locate the cage. Set up and maintenance are fairly easy. Rats need a wire cage about two feet square with horizontal bars for climbing. The cage must not be kept in direct sunlight or in a draughty area and should be set on a table or counter about hip height, for comfortable interaction. The bottom of the cage should be a plastic tray filled with paper-based litter or shredded paper. It should be cleaned once or twice a week. For sleeping comfort, a home -made hammock tied to the cage bars would be perfect for a rat to get his zzzz’s , and a house inside the cage made of an inverted ice cream container with a hole cut in the side, would make any rat very happy. Plenty of cardboard and cut up paper should be available in the cage for play and nest making. Since rats need and love to chew, a block of untreated wood makes a perfect gnawing toy. Rats eat a diet of rat pellets (lab blocks) with added dry dog

(619) 567-5677 biscuits and fresh fruit and veggies in moderation. They should have fresh water from a bottle at all times. Rats are very social animals, so it is always a good idea to have at least two of them. Because they are prolific breeders, two males or two females are recommended. Fancy rats also like to interact with their “humans” and should be let out of their cages for about an hour every day. The time out must be supervised and the area rat-proofed before they are released. Make sure there are no wires they can chew through or any other hazards around. Always

keep an eye on small children when they are handling the rats because the rodents are small and can easily be hurt or stepped on. Some common ailments that rats can suffer from are spots and scabs on their skin, parasites, abscesses, tumors, malocclusion and respiratory problems. Make sure you find a veterinarian that can treat your rats should they become ill. Lastly, be sure to purchase your rat from a reputable fancy rat breeder. It is the only way to ensure the rat is healthy and has been socialized to humans. For additional information, I recommend you get the book, “Simply Ratty” by Thomas Macfarlane. It is a terrific little guide every rat parent should have. Sari Reis is a Certified Humane Education Specialist and the Owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting Services. For more information you can contact her at 760-644-0289 or www.missionvalleypetsitting.com

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LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

What is lurking under all your stuff in that dark corner of the garage? By B.J. Coleman for the Mission Times Courier

ou might find a buried treasure. You might find a mummified possum. That you don’t know what you’ll find means you have gone too long without cleaning your garage. Case study in point lives in a community above Mission Valley. His older San Diego neighborhood features houses from the 1920s, like his, with a detached garage. That’s “detached garage,” as in totally disconnected from anything other than stacking and packing, packing and stacking, then stacking and packing away more household goods, files and boxes. The Mission Valley Gentleman has asked to remain anonymous, and his location undisclosed. He is ashamed that he cannot bring himself to clean out his garage. He’s believable in declaring he’s no hoarder, but the chore of garage cleaning seems so overwhelming that despite his great need for use of the space, he cannot unlock the garage door and get started cleaning. Meanwhile, Mission Valley Gentleman’s cherished convertible is tarped and gathering

dust, standing immobile as casualty of a complete cooling system failure on a Southern California freeway. He’s been relegated to cadging rides from friends and filling in with the occasional Car2Go rental. He has already scoured the junkyard, found and bought a cheap replacement engine, then located both car and motor together -- near the garage. And empty out that garage he must do for space to put the working engine into his car. But he can’t make himself do it. Stephanie Hanson is community manager for Monkey Bar Storage, a garage storage

and organization company serving homeowners in the United States and Canada, by offering sales of storage systems to get items up off the garage floor and organized into layers. Hyde offers expert suggestions for how Mission Valley Gentleman and others like him can get about the thankless task of garage cleaning. Her overall recommendation is to keep everything simple, to not be daunted, and to imagine the goal at the end as a dream “man cave.” Where to start? Take on the cleanout in four stages. Step one is to sort things into discard, donate and keep piles.

“Be strong,” the organizational advisers say, and ask yourself if you really need each thing. Separate often-used from seldom-used items. Donate things you don’t have use for now but that someone else might. Next on the list is to consolidate. Sort the “keep pile” again, putting like items together into boxes, piles or containers. For example, woodworking tools should all go in one area. Third step is to organize, using two simple rules. Place the “no-brainers” first, such as putting gardening tools near the garage door nearest the yard.

Store often-used things for easy accessibility. Transparent storage bins increase visibility for items you need frequently. Consider overhead storage for those you rarely use. Step four is to maintain, which involves developing organizational habits. “Take it day by day,” the Monkey Bar experts counsel. “If you know where something goes, keeping everything organized is easier, and the stress will melt away.” And as far as the ultimate prize objective of building a “man cave,” Hanson offers several tips. “Dream big!” she exclaims. A clean garage can be turned into a man’s own sports bar for watching games with friends. The area could be a trophy room for a hunter, fisherman or amateur competitor. Or, like anonymous Mission Valley Gentleman’s vision for his resolved problem, the empty garage can be restored to its original intent as a room -- housing a classic car for protection against the elements or a road-unready jalopy for auto repairs.

Saturday, May 17 10am–7pm EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL COMPLEX 4343 Ocean View Blvd. San Diego, CA 92113 San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. You’re invited to join us as the San Diego community gathers in celebration of SDCE’s rich and diverse history of providing adult education in San Diego.

FEATURING: FOOD FOR PURCHASE COMMUNITY BOOTHS STUDENT ART DISPLAYS CAR SHOW

FAMILY/CHILDREN’S AREA AND ACTIVITIES LIVE ENTERTAINMENT CAMPUS TOURS

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

A tree grows in Grantville

Presented by City of San Diego Park & Rec. Dept. & Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

By Doug Curlee Editor

SAT. MAY 17!

t’s not a majestic redwood tree. It’s not a Torrey pine we seem so intent on saving. It’s not a colorful jacaranda tree with its brilliant purple flowers. On the surface, it doesn’t have that much to recommend it. It’s just a sycamore tree, in front of a house on Loukelton Circle in Grantville. Not much to recommend it. Except history. It’s been there since 1954, when it and many like it were planted by the city in what was then one of the first housing developments to be built in the area. Most of its brothers and sisters are long gone now, but this one has somehow survived for almost 60 years. It sits in front of Ken Woveris’ home, and it’s like a family friend. “‘We take care of it, try to keep it trimmed and healthy when we can. It was here when we moved in, and there was never any thought of getting rid of it.” In a day and age when we all seem to be looking for things to change, things to update, things to replace with something newer, bigger and better, it’s kind of nice to see something that harkens back to an earlier time. It

FREE FAMILY FUN!

Hands-on discovery stations, guided family nature walks, a climbing wall, pony rides and…a visit from Ms. Frizzle!*

reminds us that things weren’t always as hectic as life can be today. Yes, it’s just a tree. It’s just a neighborhood- an older neighborhood. It’s not a place where people will come by the carload to see a tourist attraction. It’s just a place where people live quietly, and where an old sycamore tree lives, kind of watching over the people. There’s something to be said for that.

Vacation Bible School

• June 23rd – 27th • 5 to 8 p.m. • $45 per child includes dinner, materials and a T-shirt.

Join us at St. Dunstan’s Weird Animals VBS where kids will learn that Jesus’ love is one-of-a-kind. VBS is for kids entering Kindergarten through 5th grade.

www.stdunstans.org The church across from Patrick Henry High School 6556 Park Ridge Blvd. San Diego, CA 92120 619-460-6442

www.stdunstans.org

Everyone Welcome. Come & See!

Activities 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

at Visitor Center & East Fortuna Staging Area (last pony ride at 1:30 p.m.)

One Father Junipero Serra Trail • San Diego, CA 92119

Campaign, from page 1

Keller was elected in 1946 and served 24 years. Ed Miller was elected in 1970 and also served 24 years. Paul Pfingst won in 1994 and served eight years before losing to Dumanis in 2002. Pfingst said incumbents tend to run into trouble when a highprofile case goes sour. The botched prosecution of falsely accused church volunteer Dale Akiki on charges of child sexual abuse contributed to Miller’s downfall, Pfingst said. The bungled prosecution in Stephanie Crowe’s murder case contributed to Pfingst’s defeat. “The DA is sort of at the mercy of what cases the media thinks is important,” Pfingst said. “If cases do go well, then generally that’s a good thing in DA elections.” Dumanis has not suffered the scorn of a high-profile loss in the courtroom since her last election, and she touts a 94 percent conviction rate.

The aftermath of a run for mayor

Months after she began her third term as DA, Dumanis began organizing her campaign for mayor of the city of San Diego. Considered by some to be an early frontrunner, Dumanis captured just 13.23 percent of the vote in the primary, finishing far behind then-City Councilmember Carl DeMaio (31.28 percent), Bob Filner (30.33 percent) and Nathan Fletcher (24 percent). “I think when I ran for mayor what I heard strong and clear was that people thought I was doing a

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014 But more important than perceived conflicts of interest, Dumanis’s campaign for mayor hurt business in the DA’s office, Wyatt said. Dumanis frequently left the office to campaign for mayor, and her executive staff had the interests of her mayoral campaign in mind when making decisions, Wyatt said. “Making the best prosecution decisions—based on justice, based on integrity, based on ethics, based on fairness, based on all the things you want in a district attorney— unfortunately became secondary to the DA’s political ambitions,” Wyatt said.

Above: Candidate Bob Brewer and his wife, retired Federal Judge Irma Gonzalez Right: Candidate Terri Wyatt great job as DA and they wanted me to stay DA,” Dumanis said. To her opponents, it showed she no longer wanted the job of DA. “I think that was a terrible error of judgment for her,” said Brewer, who added that the Dumanis campaign created “layers of conflicts” that still resonate today. He noted that the Dumanis mayoral campaign and subsequent endorsement of DeMaio in the runoff created a conflict of interest when news broke of Filner’s sexual misconduct in office, Brewer said. Sheriff Bill Gore, a Dumanis supporter, disagrees. “She could have prosecuted that case just fine,” Gore said. Law enforcement officials — including Gore, Dumanis and San

How political is ‘too political’?

Diego Police Chief Bill Lansdowne — collectively decided to assign the investigation to the Sheriff’s Department to avoid the appearance of bias, not to avoid a real conflict, Gore said. “Mr. Brewer would face far more conflict of interest than I would because many of his clients [from his private practice] would require him to conflict out,” Dumanis said.

Dumanis promised in 2007 not to make endorsements in races that did not impact public safety. Since then, her endorsements — of candidates for mayor, county supervisor, judge and members of the legislature — have been prolific. “As a leader, I think it’s important to endorse those who will be helpful and supportive of public safety issues,” Dumanis said. “I make endorsements because it helps us get legislation and the funds and the resources that we need to do our jobs.” Brewer argues the endorsements have politicized the office and put Dumanis in compromising positions. He has promised not to make any endorsements or run for any other office after he is elected DA. According to Wyatt, however,

Brewer is no less political than Dumanis. Wyatt said she did not decide to run for district attorney until she witnessed Brewer’s “backroom wheeling and dealing” and “pandering” to get police unions and deputy district attorneys to support his campaign. “I don’t want the office turned over to someone who is even more political than the current DA,” Wyatt said. Brewer, who has been running an aggressive campaign, has a long list of endorsements, including the police officers’ associations in each of the cities of San Diego, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, El Cajon, Escondido, La Mesa and Oceanside. Other supporters include former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of San Diego County and the San Diego County Probation Officers Association. Brewer, with $568,344, has raised more than any other candidate, including $96,000 that he lent himself. Dumanis also has an impressive list of supporters, including Gore, the San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association, the San Diego County District Attorney Investigators Association, all five San Diego County supervisors, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith and the district attorneys of 29 counties across the state. She has raised $408,103, according to the latest available filings. Wyatt’s most notable endorsement is Bob Doyle, the former Riverside County sheriff and chair of the state Board of Parole Hearings. The latest campaign filings show Wyatt has raised $105,009, including $99,409 she lent herself. Dumanis, meanwhile, has found herself ensnared in a local campaign finance scandal. The FBI alleges that Mexican tycoon José Susumo Azano Matsura illegally funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to independent groups supporting Dumanis. She has not been charged with any wrongdoing, and she said she had no coordination with the groups or knowledge of the illegal donations. Brewer has also faced questions about campaign finance compliance. An independent committee supporting Brewer, called San Diegans for Better Justice, raised $47,500 as of March 17. Filings show that amount included $10,000 from retired federal judge Irma Gonzalez, who is Brewer’s wife. Election laws mandate that independent committees cannot coordinate with the candidates they support. After Dumanis supporters raised questions about the legality of Gonzalez’s contribution, Gonzalez requested the money be returned to her to avoid a distraction. The June primary is set for June 3. Mail ballots will be available beginning May 5. Early voting will open at the Registrar of Voters office on at 8 a.m. on May 5. If one candidate does not receive more than half the votes, the top two candidates by vote count will advance to a run-off election in November.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

KEEP CALM AND DONUT PANIC By Jen Van Tieghem Mission Times Courier ith a clever name, an expanding menu, and a lot of heart Linda Dami is diving head first in to the donut world. Her recently acquired location on Mission Gorge Road in Grantville has been home to Sunshine Donuts for many years, but Donut Panic promises to be more than just a donut shop. Dami has been baking since age 12 and began making vegan donuts in college when many of her friends had adopted vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. She herself is not either but enjoyed sharing her creations with a wider audience by creating these vegan options. At Donut Panic Dami and her father have begun transitioning the space and the donut options, over the last two months. Standard donuts made with milk and eggs are still a staple with regular customers continuing to patronize the shop. But Dami’s inclusion of vegan donuts – substituting soy milk and potatoes for the animal products - on Wednesday evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings (after 9 a.m.) has opened them to a new and different audience. As word has spread people have come from as far as Escondido to try these treats. “On Fridays we have vegan cupcakes,” Dami explained of the developing ideas for Donut Panic. “Eventually we want to add some vegan/vegetarian savory options like sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches.” As with any new business making changes and upgrades doesn’t come cheap. Dami will soon launch a Kickstarter campaign to help offset her costs

Jazz

Classical

Wednesdays – Gilbert Castellanos Jazz Jam at Seven Grand. Free. 9 p.m. SevenGrandBars.com.

April 25 – 26 – Beethoven’s Fifth at Copley Symphony Hall. $25-$101. 8 p.m. www. SanDiegoSymphony.org

Fridays – Sam Johnson Jazz Group at Cosmos Coffee Cafe. Free. 3 to 5p.m. CosmosCoffeeCafe.com.

May 2 - 4 – Tchaikovsky’s Third at Copley Symphony Hall. $20 - $96 Friday & Saturday – 8 p.m, Sunday – 2 p.m. www. SanDiegoSymphony.org

Saturdays – Jazz with George and Alan at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoDesserts.net. Saturdays – Douglas Kvandal with the LiveJazz! Quartet at the Amigo Spot at the Kings Inn. Free. 7 p.m. www.kingsinnsandiego.com. May 15 – Rachmaninoff: In the Key of Jazz at Copley Symphony Hall. $20. 7:30 p.m. www. SanDiegoSymphony.org

for things such as new signage and branding, updated permits, new equipment, and upgrading the furniture and display cases. The crowd-funding platform is a popular way for entrepre-

neurs to raise money upfront with promises of incentives later. Donut Panic’s campaign will give contributors the chance to earn free donuts, stickers, and possibly a limited edition t-shirt. Dami is also working on community partnerships to help spread the word about her donuts. She is shopping for a local coffee roaster in order to support another neighborhood business. And she recently teamed with Modern Times Beer who serve her cupcakes on Fridays and donuts on Saturdays in their Point Loma brewery and tasting room. When she’s not busy with all of that Dami finds time to dream up new flavors for the shop. Some of

the current vegan items on rotation include saffron-pistachio, earl grey, vanilla bean, chocolate raspberry, maple “bacon,” and quite a few others. The “bacon” (we had to ask) is made of dried coconut cooked with soy sauce and liquid smoke. Customers also request flavors and place special orders for vegan donuts with a minimum of two-dozen ordered. “I have a whole list of probably 100 flavors,” she said. “I just haven’t had time to start trying them out yet.” The flavors she has introduced are an interesting mixture of classic and unique styles. Her personal favorite from the vegan side are rosewater with cardamom. “My father is Iranian so I think it’s the fact that it’s a flavor profile I grew up with,” she explained. With the aroma of sweets in the air, I had to try some of the treats before leaving Donut Panic. Very similar to a standard donut the vegan variety had a slightly stronger yeast flavor with a chewier texture – and still delicious. The cinnamon and sugar coated variety was extra tasty with a cup of iced coffee. In addition to the donuts there are many reasons I’ll be returning – game nights each Wednesday, plans for acoustic live music events, and a grand opening party still to come are just a few ways Dami enticed me to want to come back. Keep up with Donut Panic on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ DonutPanicSD

May 24 – Stage IV Jazz at San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room. Free. 7 p.m. www. SanPasqualWinery.com

Pop Tuesdays – Suzanne Shea and Bob Wade at Bistro Sixty. Free 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.www.BistroSixtySD. com Call and hold your table 619-287-8186 Wednesdays – Westside Inflection at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 8 p.m. www. RivieraSupperClub.com Thursdays – Greg Shibley at The Westgate Hotel. Free. 6:30pm – 9:30 p.m.. www. westgatehotel.com Fridays – Nathan Welden at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 p.m. www.BistroSixtySD. com

May 16 - 18 – Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano at Copley Symphoney Hall. $20 -$96. Friday & Saturday – 8 p.m, Sunday – 2 p.m. www. SanDiegoSymphony.org May 18 – Dr. Eugene Sukhorukov - Shakuhachi Japanese Flute at Mission Trail Regional Park. Donations welcome. 3 p.m. www.mtrp.org

Alternative April 26 - 27 – Adams Avenue Unplugged. Free. Varies times and venues from Kensington to Normal Heights. www.adamsavenueunplugged.com May 16 – Chess Wars at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 9 p.m. www. RivieraSupperClub.com May 24 – The Frights, Death Lens, Groms, Seminole, Hydrogen Jukebox, and Plane Without A Pilot at Soma. $8. 6:30 p.m. www. SomaSanDiego.com

Other Thursdays – Open Mic Acoustic Nights at Parkway Bar. Free. 7 p.m. www. TheParkwayBar.com

April 26 & May 31 – People of Earth at San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room. Free. 7 p.m. www. SanPasqualWinery.com

May 4 – Jeff Pekarek Trio at Mission Trails Regional Park. Donations welcome. 3 p.m. www.mtrp.org

April 27 – Augustana and Twin Forks at Soma. $20. 7 p.m. www.SomaSanDiego. com

May 31 – Black Market III at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 9 p.m. www. RivieraSupperClub.com Bands, venues, and musiclovers: please submit listings for this calendar by emailing Jen@ScoopSanDiego.com

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Common Sense Corner By Scott Sherman City Councilmember District 7

udit Committee OKs Results of Graffiti Abatement Audit Requested by Sherman Graffiti is a major problem in our neighborhoods. Not only is graffiti an eyesore, but according to the Department of Justice it can increase residents’ fear of gang activity, cause lost revenue from reduced ridership on transit systems, reduce retail sales, and lower property values. Finding a solution to quickly abate and cover up this illegal activity is necessary in order to maintain our neighborhoods at a higher standard. Last year, as Vice-Chair of the

Audit Committee, I requested that the City Auditor conduct a performance audit on the City’s Graffiti Control Program. This program is responsible for graffiti abatement, law enforcement, and community outreach efforts. Currently, the process for graffiti abatement is highly decentralized. The responsibilities for complaint intake, routes and clean-up in the field are shared by the Transportation and Storm Water Department’s Street Division, the Developmental Services Department’s Neighborhood Code Compliance section, and Urban Corps of San Diego. All three of these groups take in graffiti requests; however the responsibility to address the abatement of the graffiti is split

depending of its location. If you have ever tried to call into the graffiti hotline, you know it is not very user friendly. In order to address this, the Office of the City Auditor has recommended that the City look into streamlining the graffiti abatement process in order to centralize it under one department and improve the program’s overall performance. I look forward to working with the Mayor, the Chief Operating Office and city staff to see this program implanted. Common sense approaches like this one to streamline the Graffiti Control Program will increase customer service and increase efficiency at the City. Yours in Service, Scott Sherman

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Notices Button Show & Sale, Town & Country Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle N., San Diego. FREE admission Sat. May 17, 10-5; Sun. May 18, 10-3 (05/14) St. Andrew’s Lutheran Preschool admits children of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to children at the preschool. St. Andrew’s Lutheran Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational or other school-administered programs. (05/14) The SUCCESS Optimist Club is hosting an Italian dinner at the Balboa Golf Course on May 2nd. Tickets $40. Please contact Georgia Langhorst at 619-421-0621 (05/14) Have a dispute on your energy bill? We can help! We speak Arabic, Spanish, Burmese, English, and Swahili. Alliance for African Assistance: 619-286-9052. www. alliance-for-africa.org (05/14)

Services Jenna’s Barber Shoppe. Styling for men, women & children. Wheelchair friendly. Old time expert haircuts at affordable prices. Colors & perms. 7424 Jackson Dr. #1A (across from Keil’s in Bank of America lot)

BATHTUBS REFINISHED like new without removal. Bathtubs-Kitchen SinksWashbasins. Fiberglass and Porcelain. Over 25 years in San Carlos. Lic. #560438. 619-464-5141 (01/15) Dan Patterson Handyman/Carpentry: Repair and replacement of plumbing, electrical repair, installation of water heaters, doors, windows, cabinets, flooring, fencing. Pressure washing of driveways, all phases of home repair. And remodel including kitchen and bathroom remodel. No job too small, free estimates. Raised in Allied Gardens, 17 years in construction. Dan Paterson 619-4819978. (12/14) Quality exterior carpentry. Decks, Fences, Patio Covers and Termite Repair. Lic365241. www.aactionbuildersofsandiego.com. Bob 619-275-1493 (4/15) German Setter Tile and Marble. Professional marble/tilesetter with 28 years experience. European craftsmanship. Punctual & dependable. License# 872804. Contact Jens Sedemund: 619-415-6789 or jens@germansetter.com (12/14) Professional Flute/Piano Instruction. 32 years experience. Beginner to advanced. Music Education. B.A. Degree. Reasonable rates. Teaching in your home or mine. Rick, 619-286-8012. (12/14) BARGAIN BOYZ CONSTRUCTION/ REPAIRS FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED BUILDING CONTRACTOR SPECIALIZING IN ALL HOME REPAIRS AND REMODELING NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL! LICENSE #828251-B. PHONE 619-654-3922. EMAIL jimmysupan@cox.net (10/14) Arbor West Tree Surgeons trimming, removals, stump grinding. Serving San Diego County since 1985. Certified Arborist WC#3137A. Bonded, insured C61 & C27-627801. Free Estimates 619-661-5001. (09/14) Keith Everett Construction and Handyman Service: All phases of home remodeling

Roofing Lic# 691295-C39. Veteran Owned, Allied Gardens based. Celebrating 20 years in business. Full roof & repairs. Free Est. Veteran and Senior discounts. 619-8237208. (07/14) Gardening Service: Lawns, hedges, weeding, trimming, we do it all! 25 years experience, Allied Gardens resident since 1983. Weekly/bi-weekly service. Licensed/ insured. Free estimates. 619-287-6947 (07/14) Linda’s Puppy Love, licensed, insured pet sitting service offering daily walks, cat care, overnight stays-your home, lots of love. 619-857-3674. www.lindaspuppylove.com (07/14) Stronger, Safer Seniors. Personal training for all ages. Personal instruction for beginners to advanced. Workout in your home or outdoors. Certified 17 years. FREE consultation. Email pkmelody@ sbcglobal.net or call Pam 619-962-7144. Strongersaferseniors.com (06/14) Mobile Screen Service. Window and Door Screens. Repair or Replace. Fast, Courteous and Affordable Service. Call Sunshine Screens. 858-248-6500 (06/14) Jill of all Trades offering super-efficient home care services with competitive rates. Services offered: organization, cleaning, laundry, food prep/cooking and transportation for appointments/errands. Call Charlotte at 619-867-1272 (06/14) Ms. Margie’s School of Oceanography will offer 3 sessions: July 7-11, 14-18, 21-25 from 9-3pm. Ages 6-12. $125/wk. Call 619-4642507 or mbialk@yahoo.com (05/14)

Next Publication Date: May 23 Ad Space Reservation: May 13 Article Deadline: May 14 Classified Deadline: May 23

San Carlos, from page 6 PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL ‘PHAME”

Vice President School Board Member, Kevin Beiser, and Former School Board Member, Katherine Nakamura, have been instrumental in supporting the building of a performing arts center at PHHS and are currently seeking supporters to help furnish the building with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Please go to http:// cowlesmountain.org/ to find out more information on how you can be involved to help support this amazing facility that will be up and running soon. The completion date is set for the spring of 2015 and should add a special touch to our campus by bringing us up to the 21stcentury in style.

San Carlos Branch Library

We in San Carlos have been waiting a long time for a new library to be built. The financial problems that San Diego has faced are a big part of the reason why. Bonds funding libraries (which would have allowed our library to be built) were defeated by a few percentage points when Judy McCarty was our council representative. That pattern has continued to present day. Below is information about a proposed state constitutional amendment (SCA7) that would lower the threshold from a 66% to a 55% majority for the passage of measures that fund libraries. The information was taken from the EveryLibrary website. Check http://everylibrary. org/everylibrary-urges-passageof-sca7-in-california/ for more information. This link offers a

simple explanation of the bill and even has a sample letter that you can send to the writers of the bill. It will go before the State Senate in early May. We should also write to Senators Block and Wyland who are on the Financing Committee. Let’s get our Library Built! Here are their addresses: Honorable Marty Block, 39th District, State Capitol, Room 5050, Sacramento, CA 95814 OR Honorable Marty Block, 39th District, 2445 Fifth Avenue, Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92101; Honorable Mark Wyland, 38th District, State Capitol 4048, Sacramento, CA 95814 OR Honorable Mark Wyland, 38th District, 1910 Palomar Point Way #105, Carlsbad, CA 92008. If you would like your name added to the SCAC Interested Party e-mail list please contact John Pilch at jfpilch@hotmail.com with a copy to me. Your privacy will be respected and neither your name nor e-mail address will be shared with anyone or used for any purpose other than SCAC business. Messages are sent “Bcc” to prevent you from being spammed. If you have an issue you wish us to consider; a question about the community; who our next speaker will be; need a meeting reminder; copy of the agenda or ... please contact me or go to our FaceBook page. My contact information is: 619-461-6032 and e-mail is: mrzeichick@gmail.com -- I will get back with you. Be kind to yourself and others.- Mickey

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LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

BIG Step in Battling Parkinson’s Condition Mission Times Courier

he San Diego Rehabilitation Institute offers new motor skills treatment for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease called BIG™ Therapy, based on Lee Silver Voice Training (LSVT). BIG™ therapy focuses on improving motor skills, such as walking, leg and arm movement and balance. A recent study comparing BIG therapy with home exercise showed statistically significant improvement in overall mobility in the BIG therapy group. “Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I have always been very active and enjoyed a regular exercise program for more than 40 years,” said John Maxwell, a San Diego resident. “Three years ago, I developed osteoarthritis in my right knee and all physical activity eventually became unbearable. It was vital to me find a way to continue because research has shown that physical activity can help slow the progression of Parkinson’s.” Maxwell underwent knee replacement surgery in 2012 and then with the help of a personal trainer, he started a new fitness plan that incorporated exercises of benefit to Parkinson’s patients—including stretching, cardiac and weight-training. His training paid off and he was healed enough to participate in the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute’s BIG rehabilitation program. San Diego Rehab Institute physical and occupational therapists worked with Maxwell to improve major motor skills during an intensive schedule of 16 60-minute therapy sessions over four weeks. His treatments targeted the whole body functional movements while retraining sensory feedback to learn how “normal” movements should feel. As a result, he experienced improvement in walking, balance, trunk rotation and dexterity. LSVT BIG™ program (based on the LOUD ™ program, which has been successful in improving voice quality) is a research-based exercise approaches that has been developed and scientifically researched over the past 20 years with funding from the National Institutes of Health. “I have fully integrated the exercises I learned from my fitness trainer and the BIG program and continue to experience new milestones,” Maxwell said. “I no longer use a cane to walk. On most occasions, my gait and posture are within the normal range. My right knee has fully recovered

College-Rolando Friends of the Library

“Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I have always been very active and enjoyed a regular exercise program for more than 40 years.”

By Armin Kuhlman for the Mission Times Courier

- John Maxwell and I am now reaching a level of physical activity that I haven’t seen in many years.” Maxwell added that through his fitness trainer and the certified BIG therapists, he has regained control of his life. LSVT can help people with other conditions too, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, multiple systems atrophy, cerebral palsy, and even down syndrome. For more information about the LVST BIG™ rehabilitation program, call the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute at Alvarado Hospital at 619-2297216 or visit AlvaradoHospital. com.

computer services

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ax Help by AARP volunteers is available through April 11 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12:30 to 5:30 PM and Thursday, 9:30 AM to 4 PM. This free service for seniors and low-moderate income people is on a walk-in basis with no appointment required. Our Oasis program for April is “Smart Energy Solutions from SDG&E” on Tuesday, April 8 at 2 PM. The next class for Computers 2SDKIDS is 9:30 AM Saturday, April 26. Parents and guardians can learn about this continuing program and apply for the technology assistance program at that time. C2SDKIDS provides free computers. Call 619-533-3902 for

required pre-registration. Our book discussion group meets the second Saturday at 10 AM. April selection is Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle. Regular programs include story time every Friday at 10 AM as well as kids yoga the first and third Fridays immediately following story time. Adult yoga is the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 9:30. Zumba is the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 6:30 PM with Zumba gold 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 9:45 AM Children’s Arts & Crafts is the 1st and 3rd Saturday at 12 PM. Our Friend’s Room Book Sale is on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:30 PM and Saturdays from 12 to 2 PM. We welcome your donations of books, CD’s, DVD’s and magazines in good condition. No textbooks, please. We’re also look-

ing for volunteers for our book sale room. The next meeting of the Friends of the College-Rolando Library is 4:30 PM Tuesday, March 25. You can visit our web site http://collegerolandolibrary.org to learn about current library events, classes, volunteer opportunities plus links to San Diego Library and community. There’s still time to renew your annual membership if you haven’t already done so, or consider becoming a Friend to support our library programs. Life Membership is now available for $250. It is your ideas, volunteer time and enthusiasm that will keep our library a vital part of our College-Rolando community in the years to come.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

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SPORTS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

San Diego City Council Recognizes Local Junior Team Tennis Champs By Karen Ronney Tennis Coach, Author, Educator

avajo Area Junior Team Tennis earned citywide honors on March 25, 2014 when that day was declared Team Top Gun Day by the San Diego City Council. Players, coaches and parents from the U.S. Tennis Association’s 14s Advanced squadron were recognized for their accomplishments winning the 2013 National Junior Team Tennis 14’s Advanced Title, which is the crown jewel of competition for that division. A total of 13 out of the 18 players met in Council Chambers under the sponsorship of Councilmember Scott Sherman of District 7, a 1981 alumni from Patrick Henry High. He was instrumental in bringing the honor to San Diego junior tennis. After giving the group its plaque, Sherman and staff member Garrett Hager provided a celebratory cake as a gesture to say “Congratulations.” “This is an extraordinary accomplishment because the whole community stood behind these players,” said Sherman, who expressed fond memories of attending Patrick Henry. “It took a great deal of dedication by

Junior Team Tennis: Julia Ronney, Jennifer Kerr, Olia Javidi, Emily Maxfield, Alexa Meyer, Nicole Mossmer, Valeria Corral, Jessica Anzo, Raquel Pareja everyone. This is living proof that great things can happen when people work together.” Team Top Gun, named after the 80’s iconic movie, adopted the motto of being the “Best of the Best” by winning one national title, five Southern California Sectional and five San Diego Regional Championships. The group was led by Coaches Solomon Liu and Patrick Henry High Coach Karen Ronney, and they worked with the junior players over a four year period. The kids played together and built lasting friendships through the 12’s and 14’s age divisions.

“It took a great deal of dedication by everyone. This is living proof that great things can happen when people work together.” -Scott Sherman “This is an amazing group of juniors who play the highest level of tennis in the country and they proved to be worthy of this honor,” said Conan Lorenzo, the

San Diego Area Junior Tennis Kiev “Megaman” Moores, Coordinator. “Being the national Nicholas “Nighthawk” Appel, champs is incredible considering Andy “Cassanova” Hu, Seth “The the talent we have in Southern Flash” Kim, Ivan “Terminator” California as well as the entire Thamma and Reid “Ponderosa” country. I am in awe of what they Ponder. The support staff was have done.” The San Diego group came from the Southern California Section, which was one of 17 in the country. In total, 13,000 teams and nearly 100,000 kids competed under the Jr. Team Tennis banner in the United States. Then the field was Junior Team Tennis: Robert Liu, Timothy reduced to 16 elite Sah, Ryan Saggerman, Kiev Moores, teams in the 14 Nicholas Appel, Andy Hu, Seth Kim, Iuan Advanced draw, Thamma who vied for the title in three days of fierce com- Commander “Ace” Solomon Liu, petition. Team Top Gun finished Coach Karen “ K-Town” Ronney, “The Best of the Best.”. Conan “Eagle Eye” Lorenzo and Lorenzo was part of the group Southern California Director who received the City Council’s Ken “The General” Grassel. official Proclamation, which To celebrate Team Top Gun was signed by San Diego Mayor Day, the group later ate lunch at Kevin Faulconer and all of the Kansas City BBQ, the downtown Council Members. They were San Diego restaurant where the impressed by Team Top Gun’s movie Top Gun was filmed more story and the legacy that was than 20 years ago. The young started by Liu, nicknamed players were in awe of the iconic “Commander Ace.” The group wall art of actors Tom Cruise then adopted motivational and Kelly McGillis as well as the monikers. The Red Squadron hundreds of military caps hangconsisted of Patrick Henry’s ing from the ceiling like shining All-Eastern star Julia “ Lil J” stars, and photos of airplanes Ronney, Jennifer “Crouton” Kerr, embossing the walls. Olia “Powerpuff” Javidi, Emily “This day of celebration at the “Maxforce” Maxfield, Alexa “Hot Kansas City BBQ was something Dog” Meyer, Nicole “Hammy” I envisioned for a long time,” said Mossmer, Valeria “Valiente” Commander “Ace” Liu. “These Corral, Jessica “Angelfire” Anzo, kids are friends for life on and off and Raquel “Astrid” Pareja. The the court and that’s what tennis Blue Squadron included Robert is all about. This is was my ulti“Vegas” Liu, Timothy “Tornado” mate dream and today it became Sah, Ryan “Iceman” Seggerman, a reality.”

AREA WORSHIP DIRECTORY

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

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AREA WORSHIP DIRECTORY Prince of Peace Lutheran 6801 Easton Court, San Diego, CA 92120 Sundays at 9am (619) 583-1436 Paul L. Willweber Zion Avenue Baptist 4880 Zion Ave, San Diego, CA 92120 (619) 582-2033 St. Therese Catholic Church 6016 Camino Rico, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 7am, 9am, 11am; Mon: 6:20am, 7:30am; Sat: 5pm (619) 286-4605 William P. Stevenson St. Andrew’s Lutheran 8350 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91941 Sun: 8am, 9:30am, 11am; Sat: 5pm (619) 464-4211 Andy Taylor St. Dunstan’s Episcopal 6556 Park Ridge Blvd, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 8am, 10am; Wed: 10am, Thurs: 7am (619) 460-6442 Kevin Warner San Carlos United Methodist 6554 Cowles Mountain Blvd, San Diego, CA 92119 Sun: 8:15am, 10am (619) 464-4331 Sue Farley Community Church of San Diego 7811 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 9210 Sun: 9:30am. 1st Sun is Communion at 9:30am (619) 583-8200 John C. Clements Mission Valley Christian Fellowship 6536 Estrella Ave, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 7:45am, 9:30am, 11:15am (619) 683-7729 Leo Giovinetti Tabernacle Church & Kingdom House of Prayer 5310 Prosperity Ln, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: 6:30pm; Wed: 12pm worship at SDSU (619) 788-3934 Darren Hall Blessed Sacrament Church 4540 El Cerrito Dr, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: 8am, 10am, 6pm; Sat: 5pm (619) 582-5722 Bruce Orsborn All Peoples Church 4345 54th St, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: 9am and 11am (619) 286-3251 Robert Herber Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 6767 51st Street, San Diego, CA 92120 (619) 287-3970 Wesley United Methodist 5380 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: Youth worship 11am; Sat: YAY at 7:30pm (619) 326-7202 Dr. Cuong Nguyen Mission Church of the Nazarene 4750 Mission Gorge Pl, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 9am and 10:30am (619) 287-3211 Dr. David Runion Salvation Army Kroc Center Church 6611 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 Sundays at 10:30am (619) 287-5762 Bryan Cook

Masjid al-Rribat 7173 Saranac St., San Diego (619) 589-6200 Imam Mohamed Gebaly Temple Emanu-El 6299 Capri Dr., San Diego 92120 Fridays 6:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:30 a.m. (619) 286-2555 Rabbi Devorah Marcus Holy Spirit Anglican Church 6116 Arosta St., San Diego 92115 Sunday, 9:30 a.m. (619) 324-9171 Father David Montzingo Palisades Presbyterian Church 6301 Birchwood St., San Diego 92120 Sunday 9:30 a.m. (619) 582-0852 Rev. Dr. Steve Davis Ascension Lutheran Church 5106 Zion Ave., San Diego 92120 Sundays 9:15 a.m. (619) 582-2636 Pastor Richard Zuber Mission Trails Church-Allied Gardens 6550 51st St., San Diego (Foster Elementary School) Sundays 11:00 a.m. Pastor Kyle Walters Mission Trails Church-San Carlos 6460 Boulder Lake Ave., San Diego (Springall Academy) Sundays 9:00 a.m. Pastor Kyle Walters The Grove Church 4562 Alvarado Cyn. Rd., San Diego 92120 Sundays 9:30 a.m. Pastor John Hoffman Tifereth Israel Synagogue 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego 92119 (619) 697-1102 Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal Chabad of East County (Jewish) 8691 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa 91942 jewishec.com (619) 647-7042 Rabbi Rafi Andrusier Del Cerro Baptist Church 5512 Pennsylvania Lane, La Mesa, 91942 Sunday Traditional Service 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Service 11:00 a.m.(619) 460-2210 Web Site www.dcbc.org Pastor Dr. Mark S. Milwee Have additions or corrections to our list? Is there a house of worship you would like listed? Please email our editor at doug@missionpublishinggroup.com

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

San Carlos Friends of the Library By Sue Hotz Publicity Chair All programs are FREE--details at www.sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org.

ongratulations to our Friend Ann McDonald who on March 9, was honored by Assembly Member Shirley Weber for COMMUNITY ACTIVISM in the 79th Assembly District. Cited was her work with AAUW and SCFOL/ FSDPL. Thank you, Ann, for your untiring efforts for our community. Art & Flower Show: Art can’t be defined, but we know what we like when we see it. Since 1984, SCFOL has sponsored local artist displays in the library’s Community Room--which is located through the wooden doors in the Children’s area or the wooden doors inside the library’s left side entrance. Their eclectic works vary from paintings to collages, photography, to quilts. The artists beautify our meeting room and generously donate

15% of their art shows’ sales to SCFOL; purchasing their works supports your library. Remember to vote monthly for “The People’s Choice Award.” A special eye candy treat is in store for you in the Community Room on May 16 from 10:30 to 5:30, and May 17 from 9:30-1:30, when the San Carlos Garden Club presents their gift to the community: “A Show in Living Color.” The Garden Club’s first such show was in April, 1985. Come experience the beautiful pairing of floral arrangements with paintings by our May

artists. Free Flower Arranging Demonstrations will be held on May 16 at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Renowned pianist Peter Rutman will entertain on May 17 at noon while you enjoy the enchanting displays. .” May 6-June 5 artists are: Maria Louisa Dominguez, Alexandra Cauldwell, Christina Volz, and Barbara Stewart plus paintings by Nancy Baker. Barbara Stewart schedules our artists, following in the footsteps of previous art chairs: Nyla Barclay, Marie Downey, Betsy Brown, and Jen Bottoms. Participating

Garden Club Members are: Ruth Cassady, Jo Cormier, Genny Deutsch, Dorothy Driscoll, Myrna Hines,Tim Kelly, Rita Kuehn, Bea Lorentz, June Mason, Peggy Mattthews, Chairperson--Joyce McManus, Marj Myers, Shirley O’Connell, Susan Pappert, Gayle Regan, Terry Seaburg, Carol Sebastain, Carol Lynnet, and Ann McDonald. Year round, look for the Garden Club’s floral displays in the library’s main room. Years ago, they also planted the trees and shrubs on the corner lot. YOUTH: Tuesdays @4:00: yoga for kids. Wednesdays @ 2:00: school-age Stoytime & Crafts; May 14 & 28 @3:00 Steam2 Academy; Weekly @3:30: by appointmenttutoring; May 14 @ 5:00 TEEN pizza & a movie. Thursday, May 8 @3:30: Special Crafts with Marta Miesner. Fridays @ 10:00: preschool storytime; May 9, 16, 23 @ 4:30 for ages 3-6 is Character Building. SCFOL annually donates $5000 to matching funds to bring your children these FREE programs. ADULTS: May 6-June 5: Art show. May 8 @ 12:30: Librarian’s Book Club is reading “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. May 16-17:”A Show In Living Color”/Flower Arranging Demonstrations/Peter Rutman on the piano. See our website for additional ADULT programs. Our 40 per month membership drive continues--JOIN THE FRIENDS—Life-Memberships remain at $250--we’ll see you at the library checking out books and at the May 3 and June 7 Used Book Sales.

LOCAL NEWS

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

Del Cerro, from page 6 Carlos Area Council jointly sponsored a candidate forum for all three San Diego County District Attorney candidates. It was well attended and we hope it helped everyone who attended reach a viable candidate conclusion. Keep up the growing effort with the communication through sddelcerro.nextdoor.com/. It is evolving, with more interest and members each month. Take the time to sign up and become involved. This is one of the programs supported by Adam McElroy, our Police Community Relations Officer with Eastern Division. If you need to reach Officer McElroy, use this email: AMcElroy@pd.sandiego.gov. It is almost a month away, but mark your calendar for Saturday, March 31 from 10 to 2, for the first Henry Cluster STEMM (Science Engineering, Math, Music, and the Arts) miniature golf challenge. Lewis Middle School will turn into a miniature golf course, with holes designed by teams of students competing for the soon-to-be fabled Henry Cluster Miniature Golf Challenge Trophy! The Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation has extended a challenge to all students of the cluster schools, from kindergartners to seniors. They’ll work in co-ed teams of two-tosix participants, with an adult team mentor (of their choosing) to carry an idea from design through implementation; have fun, meet new people, and learn something! There is no entry fee and each team was provided with a starter kit. For more information about this event and the HCSTEMM, go to hcstemm.org. Saturday, May 17, from 9 to 2, enjoy the 12th Annual Explore Mission Trails Day. There will be lots of exhibits and interactive displays for everyone to enjoy. Check the website at mtrp. org for a complete schedule of events and activities. There will be a special “Star Party” at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground from 7 to 10 pm. The Del Cerro Action Council website is delcerroactioncouncil. org. You can always post a comment, question, or suggestion on the site.

School Zone

Patrick Henry Students Take Top Honors

Lindsay Stall, Julia Ronney and Katie O’Nell placed first, second and third respectively in the program sponsored by the Sunrise Optimist Club of San Diego. ranked tennis player who experienced national pride in sports By Karen Ronney when she was a part of the Davis Tennis Coach, Cup’s opening ceremonies between Author, Educator the USA and Great Britain. She was a leading flag bearer in the hree outstanding Patrick Henry oncourt procession at Petco Park. High Students won top honors The All-Eastern League tennis for their exceptional entries in selection said she sat courtside the Optimist International Essay watching American pros compete Contest. Patriots Lindsay Stall, for the country. This is something Julia Ronney and Katie O’Nell she’d like to do in the future posplaced first, second and third sibly as a member of the USA respectively in the program spon- Women’s Federation Cup team. sored by the Sunrise Optimist Ronney won the second place prize Club of San Diego. Each received of $50. a bronze medallion and a monetary O’Nell, a junior, expressed heartprize. felt admiration for her grandfather, “This was a difficult choice who suffered a serious hip injury because the essays were so in World War II. He was told he good,” said Optimist Judge Ruth would never walk again but beat Glasteen.” Each of the winners had the odds. He eventually became a unique experiences and they give college professor at the University so much to our community. “ of Notre Dame. O’Nell was third Stall, a junior, shared a family and received $25. experience where a loved one sufIn addition to the essay confered the loss of a job and later, test, the Sunrise Optimist Club a home. She saw firsthand how of San Diego has helped children financial struggles change lives. It in Del Cerro, San Carlos and La motivated her to start a Habitat Mesa since 1976. They currently for Humanity chapter at Patrick assist elementary-aged students in Henry. She invited peers to help reading; raise funds for childhood and she fundraised for building cancer; support middle schools and supplies. This year, the group help fund high school bands. completed its first home in the “Helping youth in the comcommunity. She earned a $100 munity is the focus of our club,” prize and will advance to the dis- said Optimist spokesman Dennis trict level to compete for the $2500 Andoslek. “We want to make a difscholarship. ference and the essay contest is one Ronney, a freshman, is a highly of our flagship programs.”

Mission Times Courier welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to the community. The rules are simple: no more than 150 words. Letters must be signed with a real name, and either a phone number or an email address for verification. Phone numbers and email addresses will NOT be published. Letters may be edited for space concerns, and not all letters will be used. Keep it clean-no personal attacks of any sort will be published. Send letters by email or snail mail to: doug@missionpublishinggroup.com or P.O. Box 199, 6549 Mission Gorge Road, San Diego 92120.

Dear Mr. Curlee, I enjoyed your “Recent Storms...” piece but there are a couple of points I wish you had made. First, the type of rain storm we get is almost as important as the season total. These little 1/4” and 1/2” showers spread throughout the season don›t fill reservoirs. Mostly, they make the grass & brush grow only to burn more vigorously in the fall. The recent big 6” -7” downpour north of us should have had a major impact on our stored water. Embarrassing fact: In early February, the governor declared a drought emergency. Then, President Obama visited and dropped off $130 million. Next comes the deluge! Not to worry -- our Sacramento geniuses hurried to flush 95,000 acre-feet of water down dry streambeds to the ocean. Mustn›t let too much water accumulate so some could go to the parched farms in the central valley! I encourage you to read the Wall Street Journal article about California›s real water situation. See March 8-9 2014 issue, page A11. Regards, Dennis E. Holland

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MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — MAY 2014

THE IDEAL CONNECTION Warmer weather has arrived and now is the perfect time to tackle your Spring home maintenance checklist. We have some tips to help you get started so you can have a fun and relaxing springtime.

Spring

Home Maintenance Checklist

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Outdoors

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Outdoor Irrigation: Check your outdoor water systems (pipes, faucets and sprinkler system) for proper usage and operation. With warmer weather on its way, and less rain, you may even consider installing a timer for an automated process. Landscaping: Thinking of planting trees to spruce up your yard for spring? Be cautious of where you plant them. Trees can offer nice shade to your home, but roots can invade your drains. If you’ve had root intrusion problems in the past, it may be time to schedule a plumber to address the issue. Gas Grill: If your gas grill remained unused during winter, it may need a quick look over before firing up. Check the tubes and hoses for blockages from spiders, webs or grease. Also examine gas line hoses for cracks, tears, leaks or kinks. Whether you have a built-in or stand-alone grill, if you sense a gas leak, shut off the gas and don’t light the grill until the issue is resolved.

Indoors Spring Cleaning: Clean rooms and spaces in your home that have collected dust over the winter months. Remember to dust hard to reach areas like tops of cabinets and ceiling fan blades. Spring is a good time take inventory of your cleaning products and tools. Clean out and purge old products or products you don’t like or use. You may also want to reconsider where you store cleaning products. Stowing caustic chemicals under your sink can quickly damage a water connector, causing corrosion and eventually a major flood. Avoid keeping these types of products under your sink: • Drain cleaners • Industrial cleaning products • Oven cleaners • Bleach • Mildew stain removers • Other corrosives Air Conditioning System: Routine service and maintenance on your air conditioning system helps to improve efficiency and ensure your system is functioning properly to keep you cool and comfortable. Check your system early in the Spring to help prevent costly downtime and address any possible issues ahead of time, not in the middle of a heat spell. Inspect your outdoor air conditioning condenser unit for leaves or other debris that could be obstructing the grille.

Filters: A filter change will help to cut down on energy use and save you money on your energy bills. TIP: Know your filter! Some filter types are washable and can be reused. Others, such as electrostatic, carbon or allergy/hepa are specialty filters and need to be replaced with a like kind or require special service.

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