June 17, 2011
On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com
Volume V – Number 6
MISSION VALLEY
Troubadour By Vince Meehan
A
llegra Barley wowed a crowd of young music lovers on a Friday evening at Playa Bar & Grill in Mission Valley. Playing her trademark beat-up 12-string acoustic guitar, Allegra effortlessly belted out crowd favorite cover tunes, as well as a few of her own original songs. The outdoor dining patio was packed with a happy-hour crowd of locals who were happily eating chips and salsa while Allegra ran through a set which included old time favorites such as Journey, to more contemporary acts such as Jack Johnson and Bruno Mars. Allegra is a born and raised San Diego native who has been playing for over 15 years. Wearing classy black pin-stripped dress pants and a generous supply of silver jewelry, Allegra performed her set with complete confidence and control. There are plenty of musicians that bristle at the idea of playing a happy hour set, considering it either beneath them, or lacking dignity. But Allerga relishes the chance to perform and told me how blessed she felt to get paid to do something she loves so much. I had a chance to ask her a few questions about her music, and I believe her love and enthusiasm for her work came through. Did you study any particular singers when you started out, or did you come up with your own style? I didn’t study any musicians necessarily, but I did listen to a lot of different genres/musicians, so I guess subconsciously i studied them I loved Ella Fitzgerald (and other Jazz), Louis Armstrong, James Taylor, Paul Simon and John Denver. I formed my style based on a mixture of blues, jazz and lyric/storytelling music
New Mummy Exhibition Opens Modern Day Mummy: The Art & Science of Mummification Opening Saturday, June 11, at the San Diego Museum of Man (SDMoM) “Modern Day Mummy: The Art & Science of Mummification” will focus on the fascinating subject of mummification, and the scientific inquiry and intrigue that surrounds mummies. Modern Day Mummy will showcase various types of mummies, both intentionally and naturally preserved, and illuminate how current research is performed on mummies, and what scientists hope to learn.
See ALLEGRA, page 12
See MUMMY, page 12
SDSU Names New President Photo courtesy of: SDSU
The California State University Board of Trustees named Elliot Hirshman, provost and senior vice president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, as president of San Diego State University. “It is a tremendous honor to be chosen to serve as the next president of San Diego State,” Hirshman said. “This university has unlimited potential and I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff and the community to continue building on its foundation of excellence.” Hirshman will assume the SDSU presidency this summer, and succeeds President Stephen L. Weber who has served as president since 1996. “San Diego State is getting a leader that brings both impressive academic credentials and strong administrative experience,” said CSU Trustee William Hauck, chair of the presidential search committee. “Those factors, along with his exciting vision for the future of San Diego State, make him an excellent choice to steward the university into the next decade.” See SDSU, page 15
Shrek the musical comes to the San Diego Civic Theatre Page 3
San Diego staycations are the new way to go. Read about Campland By The Bay Page 16
Slash plays a Les Paul live. Find out why. Page 8
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
DoubleTree - Mission Valley gets a makeover
New County Prescription Drug Card Is Free
Mission Valley's DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton is undergoing a renovation which includes fully updated guest rooms . The guest room modernizations will incorporate new lighting arrangements, bathroom remodels, and new exterior doors and windows, among other features. According to Cumming Project Executive Blaine Rhea, the renovation is set for completion later this Fall. “We see the future of Mission Valley to include more accessibility, style, and appeal for San Diego residents,” said Jerry Harlan, Senior Director of Capital Project Management, Hilton Worldwide. “The plan is to renovate the DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego-‐Mission Valley in a way that improves the guest experience, but that also energizes the surrounding area, which is one of San Diego’s most visited neighborhoods.”
Carl DeMaio Launches “San Diego 311”
Savings of up to 65 percent on medications, including those or pets
Smart Phone “App” and Online “Widget” to Provide One-Stop Access to Key City Services Councilmember Carl DeMaio
unveiled San Diego 311 – a system to streamline how city services are provided to San Diego residents. San Diego 311 will be available as a Smart Phone “App” for Androids, Blackberrys and I-Phones – and accessible through online Widgets. “San Diego 311 gives citizens an easy, one-stop way to access key city services,” said DeMaio. “It’s time for city government to catch up with modern technology and embrace new ways to serve our citizens.” Residents can use the system to report problems with a whole range of major city services, including potholes, broken sidewalks, abandoned vehicles, broken lights, illegal
by Ron Roberts The County of San Diego is partnering with a private company to make available to all 3.1 million of our residents a free prescription discount card that will provide savings of up to 65 percent on 60,000 name brand and generic drugs. Yes, you read that right, free. The easiest way to get a card is to go online to coast2coastrx.com, click on San Diego County, sign up and print it out. It is that simple. Soon we will have cards available in pharmacies, county libraries, Family Resource Centers and other public locations. This benefit is being provided through a partnership with the Coast2Coast Rx Discount Prescription Card Program. The company has discount agreements in place with all of the larger pharmacies and 95 percent of the smaller ones. Not only is this program being done at no cost to local taxpayers, but the county will earn $1.35 for every prescription dispensed. The payments are standard practice in counties throughout the United States. We negotiated such a high rate that other counties have since requested, and received, an increase in their fee. The funds raised – we are not going to guesstimate an amount in advance – will be put back into programs that serve our at-risk populations. While the card is available to everyone, those who have health insurance that includes drug coverage are very likely to get a much better deal by using their existing plans. The Coast To Coast plan is most valuable to the uninsured or under insured, such as those with very high prescription deductibles in their health plan. See RON ROBERTS, page 15
dumping, and graffiti. DeMaio said the system will not only improve citizen services, but save taxpayers money by streamlining the way complaints are handled by city departments. San Diego 311 uses geo-tagging technology to automatically provide the problem’s location, simplifying the reporting process for residents and the response process for city employees. DeMaio selected CitySourced as the city’s partner for the system. CitySourced has created similar systems for cities such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Escondido. “City government should be easy to access – and the San Diego 311 App will literally put City services at citizens’ fingertips,” concluded DeMaio.
San Diego Natural History Museum
and H&M Landing Announce
Blue Whale
T
Nature Cruise
he San Diego Natural History Museum and H&M Landing are teaming up to present a second season of nature trips at sea, where passengers can expect to see blue whales, pods of dolphins, sea lions, sea birds and more. Ship’s passengers will have an opportunity to learn about all they see through commentary and interpretation by the Museum’s highly trained volunteers known as the “Museum Whalers.” By any measure, the blue whale has to be considered one of the most magnificent animals on the planet. There were once an estimated 300,000 of these 100-foot whales roaming the oceans, but their numbers have been reduced to less than 15,000 worldwide. The species is making a comeback and we are especially lucky to have a population of them off the San Diego coast. And to be able to spend a day offshore watching these giants is a marvelous opportunity. Operating from two boats (the 105-foot Bright & Morning Star, and the 85-foot Ocean Odyssey), the Museum offers two trips a week, Thursday and Sunday, beginning Thursday, June 2, 2011 and continuing through October. Boats board at H&M Landing at 2803 Emerson St., San Diego, CA 92106, in Pt. Loma. Trips run from 10 AM to 4 PM. Tickets are $75 for Museum members and military and $80 for nonmembers and can be purchased through the Museum’s website at www.sdnhm.org, H&M Landing’s website at http://www.hmlanding. com or by calling 619.222.1144 See WHALES, page 5
Good Cop/Bad Cop
Due to unprecedented instances of police officer misconduct, San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne recently held his first department meeting to discuss a strategy to address the problem. The meeting was held at Qualcomm Stadium in a large conference room and attended by over 300 police officers. Lansdowne spoke and then opened up the room for discussion. He told the officers that in his opinion, most present were outstanding and doing an honorable job. However, he acknowledged that a few bad eggs had tainted the once proud reputation of the San Diego Police Department for everyone. The Chief promised to concentrate on, and develop a larger wellness component within the department. This is to be the first of several meetings where Chief Lansdowne will make clear his expectations that all his officers behave as such, and to come up with a reasonable plan to ensure officer conduct remains top notch.
MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
Page 3
The Del Mar Fair Spaghetti on a stick! The San Diego County Fair is in full swing, so get off the couch and head up to Del Mar. For me, the Del Mar Fair has always been the unofficial start of summer in San Diego. And if you are looking for food on a stick, you came to the right place. Hot Dog on a stick, Teriyaki on a stick, Calimari on a stick, pizza on a stick, spaghetti on a stick... ok, I just made that last one up! But you get the idea. The second thing that sticks out about the fair is the live music. There are several stages scattered throughout the fairgrounds featuring national acts as well as the best local talent our city has to offer. One thing a lot of people overlook is the fantastic art show that goes on inside the grandstands every year. Paintings, sculpture and photography are on display from artists of every age group. The fair also has a lot of things you might not be used to seeing such as pig races, roller derby and various off-road racing. Oh and of course, let's not forget the rides! So pack up the kids and crank up the car to San Diego's favorite place in the sun, the Del Mar Fair!
FESTIVAL PAIRS TOP RESTAURANTS, SAKE, JAPANESE BEER, MIROWBREWS The Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana (JSSDT) hosts the 9th Annual Beer & Sake Festival on Thurs., Jun. 23 at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar (11966 El Camino Real, San Diego, 92130) The festival will highlight imported Japanese beers and local microbrews and a vast variety of sake. In addition to the tastings, the festival will feature culinary creations from the most talented chefs in San Diego. Restaurants including Top of the Market, Sushi on a Roll, The Marine Room, Alchemy, Shimbashi Izakaya, Negai, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens and more will display signature dishes and sushi creations. “This is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Dave Tuites, President of the JSSDT. “We value the opportunity to educate others about Japanese culture through the Beer and Sake Festival, all while raising money for a great cause.” Attendees can enter to win prizes including sake baskets, beer baskets and restaurant gift certificates during a raffle and silent auction. Lead sponsor Harrah’s Rincon Casino is offering a grand-prize gift basket. The San Diego Taiko drum group will perform throughout the evening and guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite restaurant dish. The restaurants with the most votes will be dubbed the 2011 Beer and Sake Festival “Best of Show.” Proceeds from the event support the JSSDT’s educational programs that build bridges between the people of Japan and the San Diego/Tijuana region, including language competitions, internships, educational exchanges, and sports exchanges. Admission to the festival is $60 per person or $40 for JSSDT members and can be purchased online at http://2011beerandsakefestival. eventbrite.com.
See page 13 for more on the fair!
San Diego Lore As San Diego's suburbia began to sprawl out onto the Northern Mesas in the late 60's and early 70's, new residents began to report the presence of a strange apparition. This figure appeared in the dead of night inside peoples houses, usually in hallways or doorways. Distinguished by it's dark coat and wide brimmed hat, this spectre never moved or made a sound. Instead, it simply stood watching, then vanished. People in Mira Mesa, Kearney Mesa, and Rancho Penasquitos reported seeing this mysterious dark man, but to this date, there have been no explanations for it's presence.
FEEL THE EARTH
Whoa Shrek! Shrek the musical, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will play San Diego Civic Theatre, for one week only, July 5 – 10. Kids of all ages will enjoy the antics of everybody's favorite ogre, played onstage by Eric Petersen, who joins the tour from the Broadway production For more information visit:
www. BroadwaySD.com.
Shake
UltraStar Cinemas unleash the beast
Whether it be Smell-O-Vision or IMAX screens, there is always something new to make a film more engaging . The newest in movie fun comes in the form of D-Box seats. UltraStar Cinemas in Mission Valley is the only place in San Diego where you can experience the D-Box, which is similar to a flight simulator for movies. D-Box Technologies provides an incredibly unique experience with motion simulated seats that move with the film you’re watching. The seats pitch up and down or shake, depending on the action of the film, and are also larger and more comfortable than the normal "coach class" seats. Disney, Fox, and a number of other distributors support D-Box seats along with a variety of gaming systems. You can change the setting of the seats movement to make it less or more intense. It moves with every minute of action and creates the ultimate viewer participation. Let your blood pump as the seat rumbles with a light cycle! Feel the seat roll under you as you ride the waters with Captain Jack Sparrow! Move over, 3D! This is the new face of film watching!
-Elle Winsett
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
The Way it was...
...the story of the original San Diego natives. by Adolfo A. Muniz, Ph.D.
Long before Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay in 1542, the Kumeyaay people had been living in the area for thousands of years. San Diego and Mission Valley in particular, has a rich Kumeyaay history associated with it. There are many archaeological sites scattered throughout the county, and my job is to catalog them. The Kumeyaay people inhabited the San Diego area predominately in the Otay Mesa area, as well as along the San Diego River. At what is now Mission Trails Park, the narrows of the river provided an excellent area to exploit the geography for water as well as fish. The Kumeyaay were not farmers, instead they were textbook examples of the hunter/gatherers talked about in so many history classes. The game plan is those days was to take advantage of anything nature had to offer. They gathered wild seeds, roots, and berries in the valley, and acorns up in the mountains for food. In San Diego, it is common to come across ancient grinding stones used to smash the acorns into mush. Many times, rock drawings can be found nearby. Along the coast, they gathered shellfish for food as well as jewelry. The Kumeyaay had to take advantage of any break from nature they could. The area around what is now the old Padre Dam was a good place to set up shop. The geography of the area made an excellent place to trap water for drinking as well as setting up traps for fish. The Kumeyaay created fish hooks made from bone, but also created fish traps. As little as 500 years ago, there use to exist a huge lake that sat between modern Palm Springs and went down to just above El Centro. In those days, the Colorado river flowed into the area to feed the lake. But a change in the course of the river cut off the flow and the lake eventually dried up. The Cahuilla people who lived in the area created fish traps that can still be seen in the middle of the now dry desert. The Kumeyaay lived in a area that stretched from the ocean up river valleys to the Cuyamaca mountains. The Kumeyaay did not have bow and arrows to hunt with, but made do with slings, snares and crude weapons to hunt small game. By stopping up water in a makeshift weirs, they created an area that attracted wildlife to hunt, as well as natural resources to use. They created shelters using willow and sycamore saplings that grew in the water rich environment. Cray-
fish provided tasty treats and of course water for drinking was a valuable commodity in the semi-desert area. The Kumeyaay also used these watering holes to gather medicinal herbs used for treatment and healing. Over the years, they became very adept at recognizing these medicines and using them. According to not so ancient Kumeyaay stories, these practices are still used in modern times. A case in point; the story goes: A Kumeyaay man came back from WWII with severe cuts on his legs from barbed wire. He had gangrene, his shinbone was showing, and raw flesh was exposed. His legs were black to above his knees. The Veterans Hospital told him that he had to have both legs amputated. Instead, he came home, and went to a Kumeyaay woman well known as a Kwusiyai or doctor. She treated him, and to this day he has both his legs. This same woman Kwusiyai was known to deliver naturally, breach births and babies with cords wrapped around their necks, during the 1940's and 1950's. She was also known to have cured malaria. There are Kumeyaay elders alive who can verify these stories. Adolfo A. Muniz is the Collections Manager at the San Diego Archaelogical Center.
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JULY BIRTHSTONE: RUBY
Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July and is also designated for the 40th wedding anniversary. In ancient legends it was believed that the wearer of ruby was blessed with health, wealth, wisdom and outstanding success in affairs of the heart. Many women like to combine rubies with diamonds in their wedding or anniversary bands. Ruby is the red variety of the corundum family, which is also the same family as sapphire. With a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale ruby is the next hardest stone to diamond. Call Enhancery Jewelers 619-282-3900 for answers to any gem and jewelry questions you may have. Enhancery Jewelers is located in the Chili’s Shopping Center at 4242 Camino del Rio N.#17 (at I-8 & Mission Gorge). Open Tues.–Fri., 10–6 pm; Sat. 10–4 pm. Martin and Kathleen White have owned Enhancery Jewelers for over thirty two years. They specialize in diamond and gemstone jewelry, custom design, appraisals, jewelry and watch repairs. Visit us online at www.enhancery.com and become a fan on Facebook
MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
THE TIDE
Page 5
by Casey Bogan
• Homes • Condos • Apartments • Commercial
Grunion Embryo If you happen to be on the beach around midnight in San Diego on Summer nights, you might be witness to a grunion run. Grunion are small silver fish who beach themselves at night to lay their eggs in the sand. If you do see this spectacle, then consider yourself lucky because it is likely that more people have seen bigfoot than grunion! You are the developing embryo of a California grunion. It has been over a week since your mother oviposited you in the damp sand at the high tide line. Mom was only able to bury you and your siblings about 3 inches into the ground but the retreating tide deposited sand which gave you about 16 inches of cover. It has been nice in your egg. You are deep enough to not have to worry about drying out, or getting eaten by cats, rats, and skunks, or being trampled by human activities. There has been plenty of oxygen out of water and the temperature has been perfect for growth. You have developed nicely and done a great job of consuming almost all your yolk. But now, the tide is rising again. The waves are getting higher and higher, and finally, the ocean water surrounds your egg. Timing is crucial. If you hatch too soon, you will be buried by the sand above. You need enough of the sand to be displaced so that you can break free of the egg membrane and make it to the ocean—all before the tide goes out. Oh, wait…the tide is dropping. Looks like you will have to extend your incubation another two weeks. Don’t worry; you still have some yolk left. Just make sure you spend this time developing some of your teeth and skeleton so that you can start eating as soon as you hatch. Better luck during the next spring tide. We need grunion like you out there to provide next year’s embryos. Casey Bogan is the manager of volunteer services at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Birch Aquarium -UCSD Visit the Birch Aquarium website at:
www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/
Whales, from page 5 “We are pleased to partner with the Natural History Museum to make these cruises available to the public,” said H&M general manager Phil Lobred. “The Museum has been building its expertise in the natural wonders of our region for 135 years, and we are proud to be affiliated with it.” In addition to the day cruises, H&M Landing is initiating a series of nine overnight nature cruises to the Coronado Islands through the summer with departures on June 15, June 29, July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17, August 31, September 7 and September 14. Trips will depart at 10 AM on Wednesday and return Thursday morning at 8 AM. Operated at the height of the Blue Whale season, these unique cruises offer the additional and exceptional opportunity to experience the magic of the islands at dusk and throughout the night. Dinner and sleeping accommodation provided aboard the boat. Fare is $130 for adults, $110 for seniors and $75 for juniors. Call H&M Landing directly at 619.222.1144 for reservations. Between the months of April and October, blue whales—some as long as 100 feet and weighing up to 190 tons—are being sighted 9 to 30 miles off the San Diego coast. They are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth; and among the Earth’s longest-lived. And the loudest. They emit a series of pulses, groans, and moans, and it’s thought that, in good conditions, they can hear each other up to 1000 miles away. Current estimates indicate that there are only 3000–4000 blue whales in the northern hemisphere, with the largest population living along the west coast of North America.
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Page 6
MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
GINA’S
Valley Views By Gina Cord, Founder of this newspaper
W
e are experiencing great changes in restaurants and food in Mission Valley and the changes are outstanding. The new Tora Restaurant in Mission Valley Shopping Center is only new in name and décor as it previously was called Onami and was in a different location in the shopping center where it had been for about ten years. The new location, just across the walkway from the Food Court is beautifully decorated and now includes a full bar. I was expecting to find a new Japanese restaurant, but the food which is a combination of Asian cuisine, is the same style that was served in the older restaurant. Shanna Park, the General Manager, who is from Korea as are the owners of the restaurant, has been with the restaurant for more then ten years. Tora, which means Tiger in Japanese, is a gigantic display of seafoods, salads, sushi, soups, fresh assorted fruits and desserts and you can return to the service areas as many times as you would like, or that you can possibly hold.
LIQUID ALOHA MUSIC FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, JULY 9 AT THE NTC PROMENADE, POINT LOMA Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii . . . Kona Brewing Company will be bringing its annual Liquid Aloha Festival to San Diego on Saturday, July 9 at the NTC Promenade in Liberty Station, Point Loma, starting at 3:00 pm. The Dirty Heads will headline the daylong celebration and 100% of the proceeds from beer sales will benefit San Diego Coastkeeper, a group working to protect San Diego's inland and coastal waters. Kona Brewing will be serving Longboard Island Lager, Fire Rock Pale Ale, and Wailua Wheat on draught throughout the festival. One Drop, Simpkin Project, Sand Section, and the Kalama Brothers will be performing, and festivities wrap up at 9 pm. 21-and-up tickets are $15 and are available at Brown Paper Tickets. A second Liquid Aloha Festival will happen in Orange County on July 23, 2011 with more details forthcoming. Additional event sponsors are 91X and Pacific Magazine. More info at: www.liquidalohafest.com.
My particular favorite, in both the old and the new restaurants, is the king crab legs, and again you can eat as many as your tummy can hold. Next to the crab legs, are the fresh shrimp, crayfish and mussels waiting for your palate. But, of course, you will want to sample the hot fish dishes, tempura, the selection of soups, and at least a couple of the more than twelve dishes of beautifully presented salads and a like number of sushi arrangements. The restaurant will hold a crowd of 250 people and it is always full at luncheon and at dinnertime. See GINA, page 12
MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
Guitar ZONe
Vinnie's
Page 7
W INE CORNER
Gewuürztraminer
by Vince Meehan
O
ne of the funnest parts of being a wine buff is trying to pair wines with certain foods. Spicy Asian food is one of the more challenging cuisines,so I will solve this quandary for you by suggesting Gewürztraminer. Gewürztraminer? What is that?
By Dennis Hartmann
How to take care of your Acoustic guitar (Part 1) There you are, all smiles and grins, walking out of that music store with a brand new acoustic guitar. The times are over when you were mulling over which one to get, the kind of tone wood, its neck shape. All is great in musician-land. But sooner or later, one question will come to mind: How do I best care for my instrument? One very important factor that most people don’t think about is our climate. San Diego is after all a desert-like area and Santa Ana winds add to sometimes dramatic changes in humidity levels. Leaving your guitar exposed to such arid conditions can have lasting effects that cannot be repaired; its worst one being a cracked guitar top. As a rule of thumb, a guitar should be kept at around 40% humidity. There are several solutions on the market that will help you to achieve this. There’s a soundhole humidifier, for example. It’s basically a sponge, encased in an oval shaped piece of plastic. You inject water into it and squeeze it in-between the strings. Another variety is the guitar case humidifier. But that, of course relies on the fact that you keep the guitar in its case. I personally prefer a room humidifier. I have all my guitars on their stands and I don’t have to worry about anything. The better ones out there even let you set the humidity level. That’s it for now, let’s talk about strings, wood cleaners and other elixirs in my next column.
Pronounced (Gay-hurtz-tra-meaner), this is a white wine which is known for it’s very aromatic and spicy nuances. Traminer was an ancient dry wine born in the land of my ancestors at the foot of the Alps, and Gewürztraminer literally translates to “spicy Traminer”. The Germans made Gewürztraminer somewhat of a national wine and produced most of it until recently. The nose is often very floral, while the taste is an off dry grassy tone with hints of clove, nutmeg, or caramelized apples. This spicyiness is what gives the wine it's name You’ll have to search for Gewürztraminer, but you will notice it by the long tall bottle it comes in similar to a Riesling. This is due to the Alpine roots of the wine. Firestone Winery makes a very good Gewürztraminer and you can find it at most major supermarkets. So ask for a Gewürztraminer, but be sure and learn the pronunciation first. My girlfriend still calls it “Gewürztraburger, so she’s not allowed in the wine section anymore. ;)
Arriverderci!
Civita
Terraces at Copley Point
(formerly Quarry Falls)
Sudberry Properties is committed to environmentally-sensitive design, striking architecture, attention to detail, and meticulous construction. Our mission is to create public places within our shopping centers and mixed-use communities that enhance people’s quality of life – while being sensitive to our environment. We’re especially proud of two of our developments that have been awarded LEED certification: Civita (formerly Quarry Falls) – a mixed-use community in Mission Valley, and Terraces at Copley Point – two Class A office buildings. Both are models for sustainable design.
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
AUGUSTANA
WHATS UP Local San Diego band Augustana recently made an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in support of their third album titled "Augustana". Fronted by vocalist/lyricist Daniel Layus, Augustana is currently touring the US with The Maine in support of the release. The tour kicked off on May 12th in Dallas, TX and will wrap up in San Diego on June 17th at the House of Blues.
THE LES PAUL Guitarists like Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, and Slash have made names for themselves by playing the Les Paul guitar. This guitar which is known for it's rich tones and sustain, is almost twice as heavy as a regular electric guitar. This can take some getting used to at first, but soon enough you'll be slinging it low like a rock god. Oddly, most guitarists do not use this in the studio due to it's one-dimensional personality. But live, that's where the Les Paul earns it's fame where turning it up loud through Marshall cabinets creates the one of a kind sound that is synonymous with Rock N Roll.
Local singer-songwriter Justin Henderson has released his new album “Starlight” on independent record label Tate Music Group. Henderson is a talented singer-songwriter who draws his musical inspiration from his faith and personal life experiences. His music has been influenced by the alternative, folk, and jazz genres. Produced by Tate Music Group, the album includes eight tracks, and is currently available nationwide at the iTunes Store, Amazon. com, or directly from TateMusicGroup.com. The Del Mar Fair is the unofficial start of Summer in San Diego and is currently in full swing with music headliners such as Bruno Mars, Melissa Etheridge and Travis Tritt. Bruno Mars is my pick as the must see, but if you haven't seen him by the time you read this, you were too late! San Diego faves Nervous Wreckords perform at the 2nd Annual OysterFest June 18th on San Diego Bay. Oysters, beer and music by the Nervous Wreckords sounds like a good time to me no matter what they are calling themselves this year! And Alegra Barley holds court at happy hour on Friday Nights at Playa Bar & Grill all June. -Vince Meehan
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
Page 9
HAPPY HOUR
REVIEW Playa Grill & Margarita Bar Happy Hour 3-7
Mission Valley has a ton of cool places to hang out, but where do you go for happy hour? Who has the best drinks, service, and decent food? Happy Hour has come a long way over the years, gone are the days of a dark hotel bar with nasty Vienna Sausages in BBQ sauce and micro-waved mini-tacos. The Playa Grill & Margarita Bar in Mission Valley’s Fenton Square has a great happy hour which includes half-price drink and food specials as well as live music. The enclosed outdoor patio is the place to be at happy hour, it is a circular dining area with a gas fire-pit in the center. This is where the live music is and the most fun place to enjoy happy-hour. Guys, you must take notice that the crowd was 75% well-dressed young professional girls who had no qualms about whooping it up with margaritas and glasses of wine. The thing that impressed me was how well-dressed the crowd was. In San Diego, it isn’t uncommon to see guys at bars in the unofficial whiteboy outfit of cargo shorts, flip-flops, and baseball hats. But everybody at the Playa Grill was well dressed which to me bumps up the ambiance and atmosphere up to a more upscale level. I myself, love to dress up when I go out, so I appreciate seeing others with my zest for life. The crowd is mainly 25-40 with a few families sprinkled in. The food is a San Felipe type Mexican cuisine with a heavy seafood influence. The beer and wine lists are not huge, but have some good selections to choose from. The restaurant looks new and modern with a Tuscan-Style stone and wood motif. The staff is very attentive and friendly, and always make sure you get your last order in before happy-hour ends. Great service goes a long way with me and Playa Grill & Margarita Bar has plenty! -Vince Meehan
THE TEMPEST 2011 SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL The Old Globe Theatre June 19 - Sept. 25.
Shakespeare's final and most beloved masterpiece places the desire for revenge against the demands of love. Marooned on a distant island with his daughter Miranda, Prospero has spent 12 years perfecting his magic. When he learns that a ship bearing his old enemies is sailing near the island, with the help of the spirit Ariel, he raises a torrential storm, bringing within his grasp the enemies who robbed him of his dukedom. An enchanted tale filled with humor, romance and adventure, The Tempest is ultimately a story of redemption and forgiveness. INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Seminar series features a panel of artists from the current show. Monday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. FREE POST-SHOW FORUMS: An informal question-andanswer session with cast members. Tuesdays, July 5 and Sept. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 24.
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
TERRA
by Eileen Sondak
photos courtesy of Terra American Bistro
C
hef Jeff Rossman, owner/chef of the criticallyacclaimed restaurant, Terra, has been a favorite with local diners for 13 years. Recently, Terra gave up its Hillcrest home and moved to the College area, but although the restaurant has a new address, the quality remains top notch. The new Terra is called Terra American Bistro, and its casual bistro atmosphere and convenient parking (right outside the door) has made Chef Rossman’s longtime customers happy -- and even gained the restaurant a lot of new fans. In fact, after just under a month, Chef Rossman’s high standards and exquisite cuisine, have propelled Terra to a major spot on the College area’s culinary map. The restaurant has a large bar area in its midst, where the Happy Hour crowd congregates. Comfortable tables and booths can accommodate twosomes or larger groups in the main dining area, and the service is friendly and knowledgeable. Many restaurants tout their use of organic and locally-grown produce. Chef Rossman goes one better. He grows his own produce in his garden -- and he’s adding a roof-top garden to produce even more. The best value at Terra is the three-course tasting menu for early diners – priced at just $19.95. Between 4:30-6:00 p.m., you get a three-course meal that features some of the chef’s most popular dishes. You can start with the soup of the day (the server will tell you what the chef is preparing that day) – or you can opt for the delicious ginger chicken potstickers with sweet chile soy sauce as your appetizer. An iceberg salad with avocado buttermilk dressing is the third choice of starters. All three entrees are signature dishes, but we love the braised pot roast. This preparation has been one of Chef Rossman’s best sellers for years. It’s prepared with Karl Strauss Amber Lager, mushroom ragout, and roasted garlic potato mash with truffle oil. Seafood fanciers can select the grilled local sea bass with ginger-soy glaze, stir-fried vegetables, and wasabi aioli. The fish is accompanied by brown rice. Chicken and sausage pasta with grape tomatoes, asiago cheese, and fettuccini pasta is the third tasty choice on this early dining menu. The dessert list is a real winner as well – with a mini-flourless chocolate cake, lavender creme brulee, and mango sorbet with fresh berries as the three selections. The regular dinner menu is organized by small plates (and sharing items), flatbread pizza selections, and a slider bar. Soups and salads are another category on this oversized menu, and finally you have the large plates – which include hearty portions of lobster macaroni ‘n’ cheese (made with Maine lobster), fish and chips, flat iron steak, and grilled salmon with barbeque sauce – just to name a few. The large plates range from about $11 - $20. The most exciting offerings on the dinner menu are the flatbread pizzas. We were delighted with the caramelized onion and tomato flatbread, with asiago and jack cheese. This vegetarian delicacy is great for sharing, and costs $10.50. The slider bar is another interesting choice. You can get a kobe and Meyer Angus blend bistro burger with gorgonzola cheese and caramelized onions for $9.50. Local diners won’t have far to go now that Terra has moved into the College area – but it’s worth a trip to savor the Terra dining experience.
American Bistro
Terra American Bistro
7091 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego (619) 293-7088
Vietnamese cuisine BY LISA COX
BOK CHOY 101 Bok Choy is a Chinese cabbage commonly used in Asian stir-fry dishes or Kimchi. Bok Choy is chock full of nutrients, containing Vitamins A and C, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium and Sodium. It also contains glucosinolates which have been reported to prevent cancer in small doses. Bok Choy can now be found in most grocery stores year round; however, it is best in the fall and winter. When purchasing Bok Choy, look for firm pale stalks with bright green, unwilted leaves, avoiding yellowing leaves. Bok Choy should be cooked separately, then added to whatever dish you are preparing. To cook Bok Choy, add two or three heaping tablespoons of oil to a wok (I recommend Sesame or Peanut Oil). When the oil is heated, add fresh garlic and the stalks. Briefly stir-fry the stalks and then add in the leaves. Stir-fry Bok Choy until you get the consistency you want; however, do not over cook your Bok Choy or it will get soft and wilty. Bok Choy is best served a little crispy. To give it an added boost, you can also add ginger or chili pepper. Once you have the consistency you want, add the Bok Choy to your favorite stir-fry dish, soup or as a side dish on its own.
SAN DIEGO DENNY’S RESTAURANTS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH VVSD In celebration of Armed Forces Day, San Diego area Denny’s restaurants today will kick off a summer-long campaign benefitting the annual San Diego Stand Down event. As a part of an ongoing partnership with the Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), 39 participating restaurants will serve as drop-off points for diners to deliver much-needed supplies and funds to help military veterans in need. Beginning May 21st through July 7th, diners may come by any of the participating San Diego area Denny’s to drop-off clothes, blankets and hygiene products, which will go toward the Stand Down, a VVSD program designed to help San Diego homeless veterans combat life on the street. “Denny’s is delighted to work with the VVSD and show our support for the veterans of San Diego,” said Ben Bagnas, a franchisee who operates two San Diego Denny’s restaurants.
Mission Valley Area Denny's 3704 CAMINO DEL RIO W SAN DIEGO, CA 92110 7676 FRIARS RD SAN DIEGO, CA 92108 1065 CAMINO DEL RIO SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
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What's In
by Agnes Morales
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“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” -Yves Saint Laurent
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BODY & SOUL
By Lauren Westerfield
Yoga’s current popularity has converted the ancient practice into a mainstay of Western culture -- one that can be incredibly diverse and difficult for newcomers to decode. You may hear “yoga” and think stretching, spandex pants or celebrity aficionados; but while most people use the term to describe the physical practice of asanas, or yoga postures, “yoga” itself is in fact a much broader philosophical tradition in which physical postures, and all the different variations thereof, are only a single slice of the pie. That being said, most yoga studios focus on the physical and offer a combination of breathing, dynamic stretching, strengthening postures and meditation during each class. While there are various types of asana-based yoga that meet this description, most fall under the broader stylistic definition of Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is a method by which students employ the power of opposites – strength and flexibility, effort and ease – to achieve mental and physical balance while performing yoga asanas. Many introductory yoga classes will be billed as forms of Hatha yoga; but be aware that the term covers vast ground and is limited only by the inclusion of posture and breath work designed to enhance mind-body awareness.
1) Leather braided bracelets are a great accessory at 2 for $10 2) Horizontal striped shirts on this classic V-neck shirt make any guy look buff. 3) A romper with a large buckle belt is a perfect bridge for a day at the beach to an evening BBQ. And the romper has pockets! 4) Summer ruffle tops go great with shorts. 5) Mojave turquoise earrings in a classic teardrop shape have made a comeback. 6) Zip code graphic T's by Codewear have hit San Diego by storm. 7) Bright primary colors are a hit for this summer. 8) This black lace Kelly Dress paired with silver necklaces are a great look for San Diego nights. Agnes Morales is the owner of Alwayz In clothing boutique in North Park. For more on Agnes and her boutique, go to: www.alwayzin.com
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Summer is coming and it's time to adjust your wardrobe accordingly. With all our San Diego sunshine, it is only natural to start wearing sundresses, tank tops, and sandals. And for all the guys, are you still sporting those tired and dated Ed Hardy and TapOut threads? Isn't it time to update your look as well as prepare for Summer? This is San Diego, not Jersey Shore. San Diego is the place to be seen with all our nightclubs and restaurants, and if you want to turn some heads, you'll need to spice up your look.
Hatha Yoga in Mission Valley: YMCA Mission Valley
Clean, basic atmosphere and broad class offerings in a fitness-oriented environment; free with membership. $. 5505 Friars Rd., San Diego CA 92110. 619.289.3576.
Lotus Sanctuary
Holistic wellness studio offering yoga alongside acupuncture, massage, Pilates and bodywork. $$. 1792 W Washington Street, San Diego CA 92103. 619.293.3360.
CorePower Yoga
Sleek, modern and abundant in amenities, with a focus on hot yoga and fusion fitness classes. $$$. 980 Camino De La Reina, Unit #4, San Diego CA 92108. 619.574.9642.
California Missions Art Showcase Husband and wife team Paul and Denise Strahm will share their paintings and photos of California's Missions at an exhibition hosted by the Mission Trails Visitor Center Gallery in San Diego from Saturday, June 18 through Friday, July 15, 2011. There will also be an artist’s reception that is also open to the public on Sunday, June 26, 2011, from 1-4 p.m. What better venue to showcase the California Mission artwork than the Mission Trails Visitor Center Gallery, since it was named after the historic start of the California Mission system.
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011 Allega, from page 1
I smell a...
Who is your favorite music artist of all time, and why? Tough question... I love so many different artists and genres that it’s impossible for me to pick one to call my favorite!... I have a deep appreciation for Muddy Waters and a lot of the old, gritty blues musicians. I love any music that i can physically and emotionally feel when I’m listening to it - whatever feeling that may be!
RAT!
Earlier this year, voters passed proposition 25 which was sold as cutting the pay to the state legislatures if they do not pass a balanced budget on time. June 15th is the deadline for passing the budget. But now, the legislatures are hinting that they may ignore the mandate of the people and take advantage of a loophole by creating a budget, but not actually passing it. State controller John Chiang has stated that he intends to hold the pay for the state legislatures if they do not pass the budget on time. However, if he does, the legislatures might sue and force the issue. Since the issue date of this paper is June 17th, by the time you read this article, the participants will have already played their hand. Go to www.MissionValleyNews.com to see an update on the matter and to find out if our state legislatures are noble, or just a pack of rats. -Editor
Gina, from page 6 With an Asian style, the décor is elegant, but simple with cut pieces of wood decorating the wall as you enter, and a unique arrangement of full white birch trees lining another wall. You will surely want to treat yourself to a new, healthy style of dining at Tora! Luncheon is served from 11:30 to 3pm and dinner from 5:30 to 9pm Monday thru Thursday and to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. For group reservations or catering call 619.295.9774. Another innovation in food, also located in Mission Valley Shopping Center is the new grocery store in Target’s Store. I was amazed at the number of items displayed in over twenty aisles of food stuff and a like number of refrigerated containers, all sparkling clean and well-stacked with identification labels on all aisles. I believe you can find every trade-mark ever made on the shelves and some that I had never even heard of before. All prices are reduced from the general merchandise in most other grocery stores. For a new experience in food shopping and liquor purchases, this location is a must! Another era of elegance has been taken away from us with the passing of the UT society columnist, Burl Stiff. He was a fantastic writer and always clearly identified the designer of the dresses worn by our local women and visitors and he clearly identified all members who attended the local galas and fund-raising events. I remember him mostly from the coverage he always gave to haute couture designer, Travilla, for whom I worked for many years as model and fashion director. We always opened the horse racing season as Del Mar with a fashion show of Travilla’s designs in the Turf Club and invariably, Burl Stiff gave us full page coverage with a full description of the gowns in the paper. This era, of course, was before the jeans and tees era that no longer requires society page coverage, but will long be remembered as The Age Of Elegance and beautifully described by Burl Stiff….he will be missed by many. I welcome who’s new and what’s news from our readers for this column. Email to Gina Cord at Gina@MissionValleyNews.com
What do you enjoy the most about playing live? The best thing about playing live is the crowd reaction. I enjoy being able to effect people, and actually see that they’ve been effected... my favorite part of live performance is crowd response; song requests, active listening, applause, tips... I love feeling that the job I’m doing is making a difference - making people’s experiences better and more enjoyable! Do you have a favorite genre of music? Anything from Blues to Jazz to Pop to Rock... anything that completes and rounds out my current mood is my favorite for that moment. Describe your preferred song writing environment. My favorite writing environment is at a bar or a restaurant, by myself, with a cocktail to sip on, a notebook, a good pen and lot of white noise around me, usually during the middle of the day...i love to be surrounded by life and happenings when i write... it helps my creative process. Allegra’s voice is definitely the instrument that shines above all at her performances. She sings with a rich soul in her voice like Adele, but with the soft finesse of Natalie Merchant. Allegra has the ability to project her voice to the back of the room with power and clarity, and then transition to a soft falsetto which sucks you in emotionally. I appreciated Allegra’s gutsy vocal style because so many female vocalists today resort to a little girl voice which I don’t find impressive. Another thing that made her stand out was her ability to vamp and scat during certain songs. This came across as unforced and natural which is not easy, and she seemed to revel in those moments. Some singers have a weak thin voice and rely on the PA system as a crutch, but not Allegra. She sang through a mike to insure that she cut through the happy-hour chatter and tinkling of silverware, but plenty of times you could hear her voice rise above the din which would result in appreciative applause and encouragement from the diners. Allegra is a recording artist as well as a performer. She is currently working on her 5th album called “Keep It Simple” which will be available on iTunes in August. She played an original tune of the album called “Take It Easy which reminded me of something soft and pretty that Paul McCartny could have wrote back in his Beatle days. The thing I will remember the most about Allegra’s performance was her smile. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen so much fun emoting from a singer, and Allegra’s smile was contagious. She maintained eye contact constantly with her audience and actually sang directly to diners from time to time. Engaging is the word that comes to mind at her performances, and the girls seem to be her biggest fans. Allegra likes to close her eyes when she reaches for the high notes and this brings out shouts of support from the margarita girls in the back. Several times throughout her set, Allegra was approached by young girls 6 or 7 years old who requested songs, or just wanted to say hi. Grace, dignity and poise lumped in with huge amounts of raw talent are what make Allegra stand out. Allegra translates into Italian as “happy” and I can not think of a more approprié name for her. Not to mention, it is a term used in formal music for upbeat tempo. I enjoyed Allegra’s performance a lot and hope to see and hear more from her in the future, In a world where Ke$ha is one of our bigger recording artists, this talent was a refreshing as well as thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd. Thank you Allegra!
Mummys!, from page 1 The highlight of the exhibit will be Mumab, a modern day mummy preserved using ancient Egyptian techniques. Mumab is now housed at SDMoM on permanent loan from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Anatomical Services Division. In 1994, Dr. Bob Brier, Senior Research Fellow at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, and Ronn Wade, Director of the Maryland State Anatomy Board and Director of the Anatomical Services Division at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, recreated the Egyptian method of mummification. Fortunately, they were able to use the cadaver of a Baltimore man who had died in his seventies of heart failure, and donated his body to science. Wade and Brier transformed the body into an Egyptian-style mummy following 2,000 year-old descriptions of mummifying techniques. Located beneath the ornate 200-foot California Tower, the SDMoM is the city’s only museum devoted to anthropology and archeology. With its Spanish colonial and mission style architecture, the landmark building was originally constructed for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition. Today, a key focus of the SDMoM is to create and display dynamic and educational anthropological exhibits about people and places throughout the Americas and around the world. For more information on the SDMoM, please visit www.museumofman.org. Modern Day Mummy will run from June 11 to March 4, 2012.
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
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Attention Local Bands!
Send in a CD with a photo of your band to the Mission Valley News for a chance to be showcased in our 1st Annual Local Band Issue coming out in the Holy Month O' September. The top three bands will chosen to battle it out on stage for a cover story feature and be crowned The Best Band in San Diego for 2011
Send a CD of your song with a short bio and photo to: Mission Valley News 6549 Mission Gorge Road #199 San Diego, CA 92120
Got a gig?
New Album? Press Release? Send show dates & venue to: music@MissionValleyNews.com
Don't miss your chance for exposure!
The San Diego County Fair Gospel Festival will be Saturday June 25th on various stages throughout the fairgrounds, as well as a Christian Music Festival Friday June 24th.
Readers Respond I am writing in response to “Clean Eggs Before Storing to Prevent Salmonella” that was published on April 1 in Mission Valley News and written by Dina Eliash Robinson. This article makes statements about the egg industry, particulary regarding hen cage systems and egg safety that are inaccurate and completely false. The Egg Safety Center www.eggsafetycenter.org works to educate consumers on ways to further reduce the incidence of food-borne illness related to egg products. Published research documents that hens raised in modern cage systems typically have fewer diseases and require less medication than hens in cage-free and free-range environments. The modern cage housing system effectively separates the flocks into smaller, more easily managed groups - typically 6 to 8 birds in a large cage, which provides for better individual inspection of hens. It is also important to note that eggs from modern cage systems typically have lower shell bacteria levels than eggs from non-cage eggs. Gene Gregory President - United Egg Producers We welcome all comments from our readers. Please write to: letters@MissionValleyNews.com
The San Diego County Fair BeerFest will be on Friday June 24th, 5-9pm, Saturday June 25 11-3pm & 4-8pm, and Sunday June 26 1-5pm
What's Happening at the Fair? The 2011 San Diego County Fair, presented by Albertsons/Sav-on, offers free admission to those on unemployment, or who have been on unemployment during the past 12 months! Two free Fair tickets are available for such individuals if they present a recent unemployment check stub and a photo ID at the will-call window next to the O’Brien Gate on two specific Tuesdays, June 21 and June 28.
Gates open daily at 11 a.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m., Saturdays, Sundays and Monday, July 4. Admission is $13 for adults; $7 for ages 6-12 and 62 and older; and free for ages 5 and younger.
Costco will be featuring a fair package for $53.99 which includes: 4 Adult Tickets, 4 Drink Tickets, 50 ride Tickets and 1 Parking Ticket
Mission Publishing
Mission VALLEY NEWS
ScoopSanDiego.com 6549 Mission Gorge Road #199 San Diego, CA 92120 • 619.283.9747
Group, LLC publishers of
Mission Times Courier La Mesa Courier
EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR
PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Vince Meehan extension 134 vinnie@MissionValleyNews.com Mission Publishing Group, LLC
ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
Lionel Talaro extension 128 lionel@MissionTimesCourier.com
Vince Meehan extension 134 vinnie@MissionValleyNews.com
Gina Cord Elizabeth Berg Ron Roberts Jeff Barnes Lisa Cox
Circulation: 20,000. Published 12 times in 2011 and delivered throughout our circulation area of Mission Valley, San Diego, California by Mission Publishing Group, LLC. Classified ads and articles must be submitted by mail, e-mail or dropped off at our business address, 6549 Mission Gorge Road #199, San Diego 92120. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements or material submitted which are deemed to be objectionable. Publisher’s liability for errors: Mission Valley News & Views assumes no financial liability for errors nor for omission of copy and upon request will furnish a letter of correction to the advertiser. The Publisher, Mission Publishing Group, LLC., shall not be liable for any error in published advertising unless an advertiser proof is requested in writing 12 days prior to publication date and clearly marked for corrections. If the error is not corrected by the Publisher, the liability, if any, shall not exceed the space occupied for the error. Further, the Publisher shall not be liable for any omission of an advertisement ordered to be published. On written request, Publisher shall reschedule and run the omitted advertisement at the advertiser’s cost. All claims for adjustment must be made in writing within 30 days of the date of publication. In no case shall the Publisher be liable for any general, special or consequential damages.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS (Cont'd) Dennis Hartmann Casey Bogman Agnes Morales Lauren Westerfield Elle Winsett Adolfo A. Muniz
OUR NEXT ISSUE
The next issue of the Mission Valley News comes out Friday, July 15th. The advertising deadline will be Tuesday, July 5th.
Equal Housing Opportunity: Real estate advertising in Mission Valley News is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Mission Valley News & Views will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. This is to notify Mission Valley News readers that all dwellings advertised in Mission Valley News are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or TTY at 1-800-927-9275. News and information printed in Mission Valley News is obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but accuracy on information sent to the paper cannot be guaranteed. Articles and opinions of writers or letters to the editor that are submitted for publication to the Mission Valley News are the views of the writers and should not be considered the views of the publisher. Content of paid advertisements is solely the responsibility of the advertiser. © 2007–2011, all rights reserved.
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
at your SERVICE Daniel Anderle 619.296.3400
1040 University Ave. Suite B211 San Diego, CA 92103
Nicole Brown
Stylist
www.edwardjones.com
619.581.3686 • 1450 Frazee Ste. 101 • San Diego, CA CST#2063352-40
Serving Homeowner Associations since 1978 Contractor’s Lic. #388579
KIM ROSEN, MCC
Cruise and Tour Specialist 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 610 San Diego, CA 92108 A Virtuoso Member Agency kim.rosen@protravelinc.com
www.protravelinc.com
619-453-0558
email • info@treebeardlandscape.com web • www.treebeardlandscape.com
(619) 697-8302
ELLE ON FILM By Elle Winsett Pirates of the Caribbean 4 on Stranger Tides
A
s a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, I was considerably excited to see the newest installment. Where the last two films felt a bit lacking, I was hoping for something a little meatier... maybe some more intriguing special effects or more interesting characters to meet. The movie delivered to some degree. Where it is robust in style and character, it does fall short in writing. In does follow in the footsteps of the previous films... it is chock full of subplots and introduces characters that may or may not be needed. Penelope Cruz's Angelica is a fun addition, but she doesn't bring much to the film, being very much a one-note character without a story of her own. She is ONLY a connection to Jack Sparrow. In the meantime, however, we are introduced to Ian McShane as Blackbeard, who practically eats the scenery and twists the main plot perfectly. You'd think that Jack Sparrow would be the scene stealer, but his usual one liners seemed stale compared to his long time nemesis, Captain Barbossa, who, after loosing his leg(in a ), is seeking revenge. Oh... and then there are the mermaids. The script indulges in a love story that begs to bring back the nostalgia of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. The love story doesn't get very far and doesn't feel satisfying... it lacks passion, instead relying on a cliche innocence that was made popular by the Twilight films. The young mermaid who falls for the clergyman is considered a
Tech Topics
monster and the cleric's naiviety faith charms her. The Disney crew continues to attempt to cash in on the vampire trend by practically making these mermaids 'water vampires'... girls who tempt men then reveal their fangs when they get them underwater. It was an intriguing idea, but it felt forced. Rob Marshall's attempt at the franchise was well intended and he did hit a bullseye by not overwhelming his audience with over the top CGI. The animation for the mermaids was graceful without looking fake and the Fountain of Youth was a whimsical use of water effects. Even so, there was a significant lack of action and fun schlock that made the first Pirates film so successful. It became bogged by dialogue and those pesky subplots. If anything, I came out of the theater feeling proud of the effort and really hoping to see more of Captain Barbossa in the next one. Would it be too much to ask to give Jack Sparrow a break and focus on a character who's more pirate than rock star?
BACKING UP YOUR FILES! - 911 Data SOS
nn
a with is Hartm n Den
It’s 8am on a Monday and my phone rings. A frantic customer tells me that his computer reads “No Operating system found”. My first question always is: "Have you backed up your data?" – There is dead silence on the other end of the phone, followed by some barely audible sobbing. If the hard drive really died, reconstructing data can be quite costly, anywhere from $200 to $2500, if at all possible. So here are some quick and low-cost tips to avoid the void: Purchase an external hard drive the size of or greater than your computer’s hard drive. Users of Windows 7 can rely on the built-in backup software. Backups can be scheduled daily, weekly, etc. The program also offers to create a recovery CD/DVD. Macintosh computers have the built-in “Time Machine” as a back-up. Attach your external drive, Time Machine will ask you if you’d like to use this as your backup drive, click ”Yes” and you’re done. And for the disaster conscious: Download and install software that lets you backup data to an offsite storage center, e.g. Mozy, Carbonite. Ease of mind, people! Dennis Hartmann IT Consulting - dhartmann@pacbell.net
MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
Page 15 Ron Roberts, from page 2 Still, there are instances where someone who has medical insurance will find an advantage in using the card. For example, if a doctor has prescribed a medication that is no longer covered by the patient’s insurance, the patient can turn to the Coast2Coast card for a discount. Before heading to the pharmacy, you can check online in advance the medication’s cost. Along with providing discounts of up to 80 percent on lab and imaging tests, the card also provides users with savings on dental, vision and hearing services. In addition, the card also covers pet medications. Yes, if your dog, cat or bird needs prescription medication, this card can save you money. Just a few months ago, Supervisor Greg Cox and I asked county staff to evaluate the idea for a discount prescription drug program. It turned into a competition between two firms with Coast2Coast winning out. The program quickly was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors. We will evaluate its performance next year and determine if the county should remain a partner or if there is an even better deal out there for residents. In the meantime, please tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers about this free card. It may save them money or allow them to buy a medication they thought was unaffordable. Usually I would judge a program like this as too good to be true. But in this case, it absolutely is true.
www.MissionValleyNews.com
Supervisor Ron Roberts’s Fourth District includes Mission Valley and its surrounding communities. You can reach him at ron-roberts@sdcounty.ca.gov or find him on Facebook by searching Ron Roberts.
SDSU, from page 1 “My thanks to Chancellor Reed and the search committee members for their good work,” outgoing SDSU President Stephen L. Weber said. “It is my privilege to pass on responsibility for serving a great university to President Hirshman.” Since 2008, Hirshman has served as provost and senior vice president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he was responsible for all aspects of the academic program, including instruction, research and academic support services, as well as enrollment management, admissions, financial aid and Division I intercollegiate athletics. “My colleagues and students salute San Diego State University for attracting such a fine President,” said Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
VISIT US ONLINE FOR WHERE TO GET DESSERTS, FOOD AND DRINK.
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MissionValleyNews.com — June 17, 2011
San Diego
Staycations by Vince Meehan
Campland By The Bay has all the amenities one could hope for, even a cafe that serves cocktails! Heated pools and jacuzzis provide great night time relaxation. If you need to get away from it all, but you don't want to spend a fortune, Campland By The Bay is your place.
C
ampland By The Bay has been a fixture in San Diego for over forty years, and yet a lot of San Diego residents have not enjoyed a stay at this beach playground. Located on the North Shore of Mission Bay, this urban campground features hundreds of campsites that accommodate anything from pup tents to Super RVs. The thing that impressed me about Campland By The Bay, was the sense of security I felt on my stay. There was a festive “4th of July” feel to the place that went on after the sun went down. Adults chatted over firepits and BBQs while children rode bikes and scooters in endless laps around the park. This is a great family destination with enough creature comforts for even the biggest camping wuss. I’ll admit, most of the crowd were what I like to call “Nascar Pros” with their custom trailers and RV buses which remind me of rolling apartments. But there were plenty of camping purists as well, with their dome tents and Coleman stoves. The smell of campfires burning filled the air whether you were walking you dog, or heading for a dip in the jacuzzi. In today’s economy, it makes sense to “staycation” at home and Campland By The Bay provides a great place to relax and enjoy a Southern Californian day and night of beach fun. There are all sorts of watercraft to rent during the day, and at night a fully equipped store has anything you might need or forgot. This same store opens early in the morning where you can grab a hot cup of coffee in your pajamas. Warm showers and clean bathrooms make Campground By The Bay a place I’d recommend to all my friends whether they live in San Diego or San Bernardino.
Jose Romero
Future Film Star Shines High School Student from Mission Valley Accepted into 2011 Youth Documentary Program Student Jose Romero of Kearny Senior High Digital Design has been accepted into this year’s 2011 REEL VOICES program. Romero will be joining nine other local high school students as they work together over the summertime learning about filmmaking from professionals and creating their very own short documentary that will screen at this year’s 12th San Diego Asian Film Festival (October 20-28, 2011). REEL VOICES is a free, 12-week summer internship that focuses on film making including editing and post-production procedures using state-of-the-art film equiptment.
Custom Landscape Construction
Patio Covers • Landscape Design • Water Features Stamped Concrete • Full Tree Services • Retaining Walls Synthetic Turf • Brickwork • Country Manor Walls Decking • Sprinkler Installation • Fencing Flagstone and Pavers • Rock Gardens/Drainage Culture Stone & Masonry • Licensed & Insured
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800-464-7952 www.pacwestlandcare.com License No. C27-855731
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