Clairemont Times February 2020 by Clairemont Times

The

Clairemont Times Serving Clairemont, Bay Park, Linda Vista & Kearny Mesa

News of the Neighborhoods

V10.E2

Founded in 2011

FEBRUARY 2020

Trees, Built To Last (Plan Accordingly) by Butch Everett & Bradley Brown

Have you ever planted a tree that died or did not in increase in size? Maybe you planted a tree that established and grew vigorously; then you noticed it was planted too close to an unmovable object, under power lines, or in some other unfortunate location? This happens all the time, so don’t feel too bad. You can always plant another tree. In this article we’re going to discuss two crucial issues when planting trees: • Growing Stronger Trees • Right Tree - Right Place Let’s start with selecting the right tree for the right spot. San Diego County is one of the most bio-diverse counties in the United States. This means homeowners can grow almost anything; they just need to plant correctly (in the right place) and provide proper care (irrigation). When you make the decision to plant a tree, at the very least consult an ISA Certified Arborist. Ideally you would talk to a Board-Certified Master Arborist or Registered Consulting Arborist; they are most qualified to assist based on the knowledge requirements of their higher certifications. You can also research online, in a library, or even in the “field”. Use resources like Sunset Western Garden books to determine your growing zone. Search the web to find your USDA plant hardiness zone. Check out Cal Poly’s tree selection website at SEE Trees, page 14

Bay Ho Water Main Project Scheduled to Begin June 2020 by Chris O’Connell

Last month, at the Clairemont Community Planning Group, a representative from the City of San Diego provided information about an upcoming water main project in the Bay Ho area. The list of streets slated for the upgrade East of Moraga Ave are: Kamloop Ave. Quapaw Ave. Taos Dr. W Fox Ave. Nemaha Dr. Ecochee Ave Below is information from the Fact Sheet. The City of San Diego (City) established an ongoing program for the replacement of all aging and deteriorating water mains currently in service. These replacements will reduce future water main breaks and reduce maintenance requirements. The program will also bring the existing water mains up to current City Standards. Project Overview Bay Ho 2A (W) Project will replace approximately 1.48 miles (7,814 linear feet) of water distribution mains. The project is located in Council District 2, within the Clairemont Mesa Planning SEE Water Main, page 3

Nominations Open for San Diego Mesa College 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award San Diego Mesa College has opened nominations for the 2020 San Diego Mesa College Distinguished Alumni Award. The Alumni Award program was established in 2011 to recognize former students who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the legacy of academic excellence and equity at San Diego Mesa College. The award recipient will be announced in March and invited to be the guest speaker at Mesa College’s 2020 Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 30. Nominations are due no later than February 21, 2020. Anyone in the community is encouraged to submit a nomination. “We are proud of the tens of thousands of students who have attended Mesa College, and of the contributions that Mesa College alumni have made to the people of San Diego and communities beyond,” said Dr. Pamela T. Luster, President of Mesa College. “I encourage everyone to suggest nominees to help us to select our 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.” The 2019 award recipient was Dr. George Dionisopoulos, a Professor Emeritus in the School of SEE Nominations, page 3

The 10-Minute Challenge by Senior Park Ranger, Steven Smith

As a Park Ranger I am often asked, “What animals are in the park?” The answer is there are quite a lot of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and plant life that exists in the Open Space Parks of San Diego. More than I can tell you in a brief reply to the question. I could write out a very long list of all the species that exist here and you might read it, remember one or two you really want to see, forget the rest and then get disappointed that you don’t see the critter of your desire the next time you are in the park. I know this to be true because after working here almost 6 years I have really wanted to see a Bobcat, yet still have not despite the numerous hours I spend in the canyons. To be amazed by all the life in the parks I really don’t need to see one spectacular creature to make me happy, because there is so much life in the canyons. Usually all it takes is to sit still and be quiet for a short amount of time and let all the critters forget that I am there so that they can get on with living their life in the small wild spaces of urban San Diego. So, I have started my own personal challenge I would like to share with you in order to see, hear and appreciate more of San Diego’s Open Space. In particular, the Tri Canyon Parks of Tecolote, Marian Bear and Rose SEE Challenge, page 11

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2 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

Letter from Publisher by Chris O’Connell

We are in the heart of the “winter” in these parts and this edition morphed into an Outdoor Edition. The beginning of the year is a time to try new things and I thought a couple pieces on trying new things might be nice. One the “10 Minute Challenge” is way harder than I thought. I tried it in my backyard recently and it did not go well. However, practice makes perfect. Planting a tree (page 1), a lot of solid information on the steps to take. In our yard I have done some proper and not so proper planting. There are times I think I like something and then over time I am not a fan. With me it is a never-ending process. Luckily, I have weeding to keep me occupied. A big thank you to Michael Dwyer for all his efforts regarding voting and the preparation for the upcoming March 3rd Primary. There are a lot of changes and Michael presented a very easy to read and understand layout plus provides direction should you still have questions. On a funny/serious note I wrote about a couple health pieces, one an Advance Health Care Directive my wife

recently presented to me (p6). The other as it relates to the health of one of our dogs McCoy (p14). Page 12 also has some personal/business affairs advice from Richard McEntyre & Bob Berg (p12) which I hope you will find helpful. Also, and I am not afraid to admit I have been recycling wrong. I found a flyer, after hearing someone speak recently about the Miramar Landfill (p7), and posted it on page 10. Check it out. Of course, after you are done reading this paper, please pass it on to someone else to share the news and then hopefully someone at the end of the line recycles it properly. As always, thank you to the contributors this month for all their hard work. Thank you of course to our advertisers without the local business community the paper is not possible. Finally, thank you for reading! If I can be of assistance do not hesitate to call or email, (858) 752-9779 or chris@clairemonttimes.com

Chris O’Connell, Publisher

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From the City of San Diego Planning Department The Community Discussion Draft is now available for review on Document Page of the Clairemont Engaged project website. Visit www.ClairemontPlan.org The Community Discussion Draft is a preliminary draft of the update to the Clairemont Community Plan. It consists of draft plan elements that have been reviewed, discussed, and developed over the course of multiple meetings with the Clairemont Community Plan Update (CPU) Ad-Hoc Subcommittee. The Discussion Draft contains the plan vision, draft land use map, goals, and policies along with limited maps and graphics. The purpose of the Discussion Draft is to provide the Subcommittee and community stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the policies in the new community plan and to provide input on the refinement of plan policies. The public is welcome to comment and provide them to staff at

mpangilinan@sandiego.gov. The public comment period on the draft will be through March 6th, 2020. For news and updates on the Clairemont Community Plan Update, please visit the project website at www.clairemontplan.org.

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The Clairemont Times • February 2020 • 3

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San Diego Mesa College Announces Over SANDAG & U.S. Navy will Collaborate $180,000 in Scholarships Available in 2020 Exclusively to Revitalize Old Town Campus San Diego Mesa College is actively accepting applications for the 2020 Scholarship Application cycle, with more than $180,000 available in scholarships for Mesa College students. Scholarships range from $250 to $2,500. In 2019, Mesa College awarded over $175,000 to 175 students. Students have until Tuesday February 18, 2020 to submit their applications to any of the scholarships that are available. Applications are fully accessible online, and students with a variety of GPAs are encouraged to apply (some scholarships do not have GPA requirements). Students are also encouraged to apply to as many as

they can, and can be awarded up to three each. “We have an outstanding list of scholarships available this year,” stated Dr. Pamela T. Luster, President. “We are incredibly grateful to the donors, including Mesa faculty and staff, who return year-after-year to offer these scholarships, and even more proud to be offering several new scholarships in 2020.” Scholarship winners will be announced in March/April, and invited to the San Diego Mesa College Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony which will be held on Saturday, April 18th.

Nominations

chapters. His primary areas of research concern political issues of the 1960s and the cultural legacy of American involvement in Vietnam. Former Mesa College Alumni Awarded recipients include two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Arnie Robinson, Golden Globe Award winning actress Annette Bening, film producer Raul Celaya, artist Miya Hannan and community activists, Carlos and Linda LeGerrette. Nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Award are due by Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. For more information see www.sdmesa.edu/alumni or email jnkearns@sdccd.edu.

Continued from page 1

Communication at San Diego State University. He attended Mesa college from 1969 – 1971, and earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from SDSU. In 1984, he was awarded his Ph. D. in Communication from Purdue University. After a year at Rutgers University, he joined the faculty in the School of Communication at San Diego State where he taught for 34 years – including hundreds of Mesa College transfer students, faculty and staff. He is an award-winning scholar who has published over forty books, journal articles and book

Water Main Continued from page 1

Group. In addition, the project will: • Provide a more reliable water supply and operational flexibility by bringing the existing water mains up to current City standards. • Use best management practices (BMPs) for erosion control, storm drain inlet protection and restoration of disturbed areas to their original condition; • Resurface/ Slurry streets impacted by its construction activities; • Install new curb ramps that will improve mobility access for people with physical disabilities; and • It supports the City’s sustainability

and climate action goals of reducing the City’s carbon footprint, increasing efficiencies, improving the quality of life and making best use of taxpayer funds. Project Schedule Completion of Project Design: November 2019* Construction: June 2020 – January 2022* Project Budget The project’s planning, design, and construction budget is $3,500,000.* * Construction schedule and project budget are subject to change. For questions about this project: Call: 619-533-4207 Email:engineering@sandiego.gov

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Last month, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and San Diego Association of Governments Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata met at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to sign the Navy Old Town Campus Revitalization Agreement. “This new agreement is built on San Diego’s strong naval heritage,” Mayor Faulconer said. “The fact that it was signed by the Acting Secretary of the Navy inside the Pentagon sends the undeniable message that there is momentum and energy in both Washington, D.C. and San Diego to do something truly special with this property. It marks a huge next step in revitalizing this area into a civic asset that serves the U.S. Navy, the community and our regional transportation network.” This agreement signifies that SANDAG and the U.S. Navy will collaborate exclusively to explore solutions for redeveloping the Navy Old Town Campus (OTC). “The return of great power competition demands that we invest in cutting edge cyber capabilities to stay ahead, and San Diego provides the right access to talent and technology to accelerate the adoption of new concepts. This project will help defend our nation and fuel the partnership and investment that has always made San Diego a great Navy community,” said Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly. The U.S. Navy and SANDAG are planning to revitalize the 72-acre OTC property, including the design of new state-of-the-art facilities for the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), which are central to the Navy’s cyber security mission. Modernizing the NAVWAR facilities is critical to the ongoing national security of the country, and the Navy’s ability to be at the forefront of cyber warfare. “This agreement gives SANDAG the

opportunity to work exclusively with the Navy to potentially develop a central mobility hub that would provide critical transit to the airport and connect all modes of regional transit,” said SANDAG Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata. “A collaboration of this magnitude could solidify the Navy’s future – and their strategically critical cybersecurity mission – in San Diego for generations to come.” Additional development opportunities could also include plans for a central mobility hub, a multi-modal transportation center connecting all current and future regional public transportation networks and provide direct transit access to San Diego International Airport. Airport connectivity has long posed a challenge to the San Diego region and will continue to do so as the airport grows to accommodate forecasted passenger increases. A 2019 report published by the SANDAG Airport Connectivity Subcommittee positioned the OTC site as an optimal location for establishing a direct point of access to the airport. In addition to improved NAVWAR facilities and regional transportation, the revitalization of the OTC property may also allow for mixed-use retail, commercial, and residential development. In September 2019, SANDAG and the U.S. Navy signed an agreement to lay the foundation for initial collaboration between the two agencies in developing preliminary concepts for the OTC revitalization. The new agreement allows for further discussion on the revitalization project including the implementation of a term sheet and the possible transfer of property. More information on the Navy OTC Revitalization project and plans for airport connectivity can be found at sandag.org/airport and NAVWAR-Revitalization.com.

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4 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

Presidential Primary Election, March 3, 2020 Propositions, Statutes and Initiatives

Do You Need Help Voting?

by Michael Dwyer

San Diego County General Plan

by Michael Dwyer

There are 5 propositions, statutes or initiatives in the March 2020 Primary Election. Here are the titles. Please review them prior to voting, so you can make an informed decision.

City of San Diego • Measure C Initiative Measure – Hotel visitor tax increase for Convention Center expansion, homelessness programs, street repairs • Measure D Charter amendments regarding Audit Committee and selection and term of City Auditor

State of California Prop 13 Authorizes bonds for facility repair, construction, and modernization at public preschools, K-12 schools, Community Colleges, and Universities. Legislative Statute County of San Diego • Measure A Amendments to the San Diego County General Plan • Measure B Newland Sierra Amendments to the

For more information, such as the full text, funding and pros and cons of each measure, go to https://votersedge.org/ca and enter your address to see your ballot. Click on “Measures” at the top of the page to bring up a list of the above measures. Click on each one to show much more detail.

Important Dates in February February 3rd First day mail-in ballots sent out, also first day to bring your completed mail-in ballot to the ROV office February 18th Best deadline for registering to vote/re-registering February 24th First day to drop off mail-in ballots at 61 locations (addresses posted to sdvote.com later) February 29th to March 3rd ROV office and 4 satellite locations open for early on-site registration and voting

Public Information and Passport Services Counter Now Open Downtown The Public Information and Passport Services Counter will serve as a full-service resource center, providing services to not only members of the public but other City departments. This resource center will offer the following services to members of the public: • City services and department directory information • Passport Application Processing • City Council Meeting Information • Public Notary Services • Appeals Processing • City Documents online & microfiche research Additionally, services offered to City

departments will include: • Processing over-the-counter City documents research requests • Processing of Council Actions (e.g. maps, deeds, agreements, etc.) • Checking out / Checking in City records will now be offered in this resource center These changes are being done to create efficiencies within the department and streamline interaction with the public and other City departments while making the best use of our resources and space. City Administration Building 202 C Street, Lobby San Diego, CA 92101

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On Tuesday, March 3, 2020 there will be a Presidential Primary Election. San Diego city voters can vote for President, many Federal, state, county and local offices, as well as 5 propositions. (See separate article regarding these measures.) You should have received your sample ballot (mailed January 23) and your mail-in ballot (mailed February 3). If not, soon. Remember that are almost 2 million to send out, so it takes a few days to arrive. You should also receive a booklet from the Secretary of State regarding a state-wide proposition. The Registrar of Voters (ROV) is trying to make it easy to vote. Here are some ways they are achieving this: • If you vote by mail, the return envelope is now postage paid. • If you have issues reading an English ballot, it is also available in 4 other languages. Just ask the poll worker for your preferred language or call the ROV office if voting by mail. • If you have difficulty seeing the ballot, you can ask the poll worker to set up a touch-screen ballot-marking-device for you, where you can increase the font size, change the contrast and even have it read the ballot to you. When finished, it will print your ballot, which you can then carry to the ballot box and cast it. • You can view instructions and a short video on how to use the ballot-marking-device at https://www.sdvote.com/content/rov/en/o utreach/bmd.html • There are other accessibility options available from the ballot-marking-device. Just ask the poll worker. • You can view additional accessible options at https://www.sdvote.com/content/rov/en/o utreach/accessible_voting.html • Poll workers have a magnifying sheet if you need one to better read the paper ballot. • If you can drive to your poll location, but cannot enter, call the ROV in advance of election day to request a poll worker

bring the ballot to your car so you can mark it curbside. • If you are in hospital or a senior living community on election day and cannot drive to a poll location, the ROV has made arrangements with most hospitals and senior living communities to provide assistance in bringing a ballot to you. • If you would like to re-register, because you moved last year or want to vote for a different Presidential party, or have questions about the election process, you can meet a representative of the Registrar of Voters just prior to the February 6 General meeting of the Clairemont Town Council. That would be 6 pm in the Clairemont High School cafeteria. The cafeteria is at the north end of the campus, on Modoc Street, across from Del Taco. Parking is available on the street. • You need to register, or re-register by February 18 for best results. If you miss this date, not to worry. You can register and vote up to and including election day at any poll location, but it will be easier for you to do these at the ROV office or any of four new satellite locations throughout the county. This is because they are equipped with touch-screen ballot-marking-devices that have available all ballots used in the county, in all languages. • The ROV offices and the four satellite voting locations will be open for early voting on February 29 thru election day, March 3. Addresses will be available closer to election day. If you have questions about voting procedures or accessible options you can call the ROV office at 1-858-565-5800, preferably before election day, as the wait times will be longer then. Be sure to check your voter registration status at https://sdvote.com and click “Check Your Voter Registration” on the right side. Enter some personal data to view your address and party affiliation. Compiled with grateful assistance of staff at the Registrar of Voters

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The Clairemont Times • February 2020 • 5

Clairemont Woman’s Club by Marge Weber

Welcome February... a busy month with Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, George and Abe’s birthday, Leap Year Day and the Clairemont Woman’s Club 66th year of serving the community. We will have a birthday cake to celebrate. You may ask how we serve the community. We give scholarships to Clairemont and Madison High Schools. We support Meals on Wheels, the Storefront for homeless kids, Box Tops for Education to local schools, and the Cleveland National Forest right behind San Diego. We help local agencies with a major fundraiser each year. In the past, we have had fundraisers for the Boys and Girls Club here in Clairemont, Salvation Army Camperships for local children, ARTS and the Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station right here in San Diego. In fact, this year’s fundraiser will be for the Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station again whose aim is to help returning veterans ease back into civilian life. “Lunch and Laughter” will be held Saturday, March 28th between 11:30 and 3p.m. at the Comedy

Club, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. There will be 3 comedians, basket raffles and a buffet lunch. Tickets are $45 to purchase yours, call Bea at 858 272 1821. Mark this on your calendar as a worthwhile activity to support and have an enjoyable afternoon with your friends and family. At our January meeting, Speaker Bob Chapman of the N. Clairemont Library, spoke on “Beginning Genealogy” and introduced us to books and materials obtainable at the libraries to help in researching ancestors. Our February meeting will celebrate our 66th year as a volunteer organization in our community. We will enjoy the aforementioned birthday cake and some fun and games..... a regular birthday party! You are welcome to join us. Directions below For more information about CWC, visit our website at www.ClairemontWomansClub.com or “like” us on Facebook. You may also call Jackie at (858) 273-7664. Directions: Balboa Community Church at 6555 Balboa Ave. 92111. Please park around the corner in the church parking lot off Mt. Albertine. Entrance to our meeting is under the stairwell.

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6 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

Squaremont By Bill Swank

Pictured: Bill Swank outside the Buena Vista Garden Apartments on Cowley Way in 1955, with East Clairemont off in the distance.

Keeping Big Band Music Alive Before there was Elvis, Bobbysoxers in the early 1940s were screaming for Frank Sinatra. World War II was raging, but on the Homefront, it was the era of Big Band music and ration books. On January 19, 2020, at Dizzy’s in Arias Hall behind the Musicians’ Association building on Morena Boulevard, 80-year-old band leader Rey Vinole turned over his baton to Ray Fisher to ensure the Big Band jazz sound will survive in San Diego. That is a figure of speech, because Vinole doesn’t use a baton. He looks and moves more like a third base coach giving signals to his team. Ever upbeat, 92-year-old Johnny Pernicano arrived early with all the

enthusiasm of a 1940s Bobbysoxer. For over 60 years at his pizza house between Pacific Beach and La Jolla, Johnny’s smiling presence was found on the piano bench as he tickled the ivory for his customers. “I love the Big Bands. I love Rey. I can’t wait for the concert to start,” said Pernicano who insists that he sat front row in the Mission Bay High School auditorium for a Count Basie concert arranged by Vinole. In the 1950s, Rey Vinole wrestled and played baseball at Mission Bay High School, but music was his first love. During his opening remarks at the concert, he mentioned fellow Mission Bay classmates who gained fame as musicians including Frank Zappa and Clairemont’s Ron Bushy. After graduation, Vinole joined the Navy and played in the Navy Band. “It was the best educational experience I ever had,” he told the crowd. Supported by his wife, Caroline, Vinole went to the University of Arizona and eventually returned to Mission Bay as the band leader in 1976. Teachers who remembered him shook their heads. He shook his head right back at them. “I didn’t have good grades in high school,” he laughed. The house was packed at Dizzy’s. Mission Bay alumnus and current California State Board for Equalization member Mike Schaefer was prominently seated in the front row. Vinole shared warm and personal

classic vintage look of a Vegas lounge crooner. When asked to describe his outfit, Brook Eldridge, an East County dilettante, interrupted, “He’s Sinatra, ‘55.” Cohen sheepishly smiled and said, “I’ll go with that.” Vinole lamented the growing prominence of synthesizers, which has eliminated jobs for musicians. He also predicted A.I. (artificial intelligence) will drastically change the sound of music in the future. The teachers shook their heads. Ray Vinole explains Is A.I. really capable of creating the reception when he returned to Mission Bay High the complex, often improvised (photo by Bill Swank) School as band director in 1976. arrangements of the Big Band era? Could artificial intelligence ever stories about the various musicians in the write lyrics like, “Mairzy doats and dozy band. The keyboard player is blind and doats and liddle lamzy divey A kiddley sang “All of me.” She also performed her own version of Ella Fitzgerald scat singing. divey too, wouldn’t you?” or later, “Who Nobody on the stage was having more fun put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp Who put the ram in the rama lama than her. ding dong?” The saxophone soloist has survived In a serious vein, A.I. never could three serious throat cancer operations that produce standards like “In the Mood,” resulted in the loss of teeth and jawbone. “Night and Day,” “Begin the Beguine,” Every time, he came back to play. “Sentimental Journey,” “All of me,” It was difficult to get the names of “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Take the A band members, because they barely know Train” or “Stardust.” one another. It’s the music that brings Beautiful, beautiful music was born them together. It is music that gives them during the Big Band era. expression. Thank you, Rey Vinole, for preserving During intermission, drummer Alden it. Thank you, Art Fisher, for keeping it Merrill introduced his wife to Vinole. She alive. thanked the band leader for giving her husband the opportunity to play with a Email: Bill@ClairemontTimes.com group of talented musicians. To read all the Squaremont columns, visit: http://clairemonttimes.com/category/squaremont/ Barry Allen Cohen has fashioned the

Advance Health Care Directive by Chris O’Connell

Last month working away I receive an email from my wife Renee. Bam. A 15-page Advance Health Care Directive. Totally out of the blue. We have always talked about the life and death decisions, but have never formally acted upon our wishes. Me, being the clown I can be, of course, I have to put a comical spin on it. “Renee, if I go first sell the house, downsize, find a nice rich young man, move into a little condo by the water.” I continue in my sarcastic tone, “I will never, ever marry again, I am a one timer-only timer, I would never put myself through the torture again or

subject another woman to the agony of my odd ways.” I am of course joking and she gets it/me. Her reply, giving it right back to me is always, “Yeah, ok sounds good to me ... that actually sounds great!” In all seriousness, this is a discussion to have and more importantly to take action. As I said we have always talked about our final wishes but never acted upon them or documented them formally until now. We have since both filled out and printed the simple form which Renee found at www.PrepareForYourCare.org and will provide this to our Primary Care Doctors as part of our future wishes. Good luck. Email:chris@clairemonttimes.com

Potholes in your Neighborhood? Report the Street & Cross Street to City of San Diego Streets & Potholes Division

619 527 7500

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The Clairemont Times • February 2020 • 7

Religious Directory

News Around Town by Chris O’Connell

With the New Year came the return of community meetings. I attended a few Clairemont Community Planning Group Meetings in January here is a brief summary. The Sprouts/Pep Boys Plaza is in the process of expanding no shovels in the ground yet, but the plan is for one new building on the corner of Genesee Ave & Derrick Dr. The proposed building would be separated by a breezeway where on either side could be 2 business suites or 1 on either side. The preliminary idea proposed is a fast casual restaurant with outdoor dining (no drive thru) something similar to a Habit Burger type of eatery. A business on the other side might be a cellular story type of operation. Again, no leases have been signed those were just examples for comparison. There is talk about potentially reducing Clairemont Dr to one lane in either direction from roughly Balboa Ave to maybe Iroquois Ave. This would potentially happen after the Pure Water project is completed, when the repaving occurs the City would possibly restripe to include bike lanes. This is a couple years down the line, however the City is floating

the idea. With restriping there could be a loss of 5 – 43 parking spaces along Clairemont Dr. This item will be heard again at future CCPG meetings. Residents on Chateau Dr came before the CCPG to propose a Stop sign at Lyric Lane. The residents cited excessive speeding, collisions and a tragic loss of life accident. A project manager for the Miramar Landfill provided information about a proposal of raising the height limit of the pile. The landfill is scheduled to close in 2024 however, with the ask to increase 25’ this would prolong the days open potentially another 4 years in 2028. The height is capped at 485’ mean sea level the ask is to increase the height to 510 mean sea level. No action was taken by the CCPG as this was informational only. To read more about the process, visit the City of San Diego website pertaining to this project. The link provided here is a shortner to make it easier: https://clmttimes.news/landfill To keep up to date on Community Meetings I try and post the agendas on www.ClairemontTimes.com as well on social media channels. Email: chris@clairemonttimes.com

GREAT WINDOWS MAKE GREAT ROOMS

SHUTTERS DRAPERIES VERTICALS WOVEN WOODS ROMAN SHADES SOLAR SHADES CELLULAR SHADES SILHOUETTES WOOD BLINDS MOTORIZATION DESIGN SERVICES

4292 Balboa Ave., San Diego CA 92117 • (858) 273-5140 www.canyonview.org • www.facebook.com/canyonviewchurch

Clairemont Lutheran Church www.clairemontlc.org 4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117 Sunday Worship Times 8:30, 10:00 (English) & 11:30 am (Spanish) Sunday School for kids 9:45am Holy Cross Lutheran Church 3450 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117 Church (858) 273-2886 Visit our website www.holycrossword.org for additional worship times and special events. Sunday Worship 9:00 am Word and Sacrament Wednesday 7:00pm Northminster Presbyterian Church Sunday Worship Time 10:00a.m. 4324 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92117 www.northminstersandiego.com 858 490-3995 Northminster Preschool 858 270-3760

St. Catherine Labouré Catholic Church www.stcatherinelaboure.net 4124 Mt. Abraham Ave., San Diego, CA 92111 Phone (858) 277-3133 Weekend Mass Times Saturday 5:30pm Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00am, 1pm/Spanish St. David’s Episcopal Church & Preschool www.saintdavidschurch.com 5050 Milton Street, San Diego CA 92110 Sunday Worship Times: 8:00am Holy Communion Rite I (Traditional) 10:30am Holy Communion Rite II (Contemporary) Weekday Worship: 12 p.m. Tues: Holy Eucharist: Rite II (Public Service of Healing) Last Sat of the month at 6:00 p.m. Alive at St. David’s: Non-Traditional, Contemporary Worship Experience St. Mark’s United Methodist Church www.stmarksumcsd.org 3502 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117 Phone: (858) 273-1480 Sunday worship: 9:30 a.m.

FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATES

858.272.7810

Sundays: Bible Classes 9:00 am Worship 10:00 am Wednesdays: 6:00 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Bible study (all ages)

For information on advertising your place of worship in the Religious Directory please call or email Chris O’Connell, Publisher (858) 752-9779 chris@clairemonttimes.com

Since 1981

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8 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

A Padres Column by Major Garrett

Scandal-free Worries by Major Garrett

When Major League Baseball looks more corrupt than Washington something is seriously wrong. It gets worse. The sign-stealing scandal has, for the first time in my life, made me feel sorry for the Dodgers. I didn’t think that was possible. I don’t know if we know everything about the depth of the Houston Astros’ deceit. Our new outfielder Tommy Pham wondered on Twitter ( check his feed @TphamLV ) about buzzers in Astro uniforms that could signal pitches more effectively than the banging of a trash can lid. Ask yourself: if you had already crossed the Rubicon and committed to this ghastly level of cheating, which would you prefer, a buzzer or a can lid? MLB says it found no evidence of uniform-sewn buzzers. But fans will wonder. This video does not help. Note how Jose Altuve covers up and no one peels off his jersey? Altuve even appears to wave to his teammates as he approaches the plate - as if to say, leave the jersey alone. Proof? Hardly. Suspicious? Maybe. Odd? Definitely. Some will say it is nothing - an innocent but wholly incongruent post-game gesture. My children had a way to describe such things: weak sauce. Even if there were no buzzers, this stinks. As several pitchers have said, they would rather throw to a player on steroids than a player who knows what pitch is coming. Trust me, pitchers REALLY don’t like throwing to juiced batters. Sign stealing is worse. It is a systematic effort to disembowel the game - to turn every pitch and the subsequent action into a ruthless con. Tolerance factor: zero. Parish status: check back in a decade. The scandal cost three teams their managers. In mid-January. Staggering. I wonder. Had he been on the market, would Jayce Tingler have been a serious contender to lead the Astros, Mets or Red Sox? I doubt it. Tingler appears to be a unique Padres/A.J. Preller obsession. I remain dubious. Jim Bowden, current

MLB Network analyst and former GM of the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, recently predicted Tingler’s firing in May “with the team sitting in last place, 12 games out.” Bowden then predicted Bruce Bochy’s return and a winning 2020 record. Bowden’s column of 2020 predictions is half serious/half satire. The “Ting” dinging read serious to me. Nothing worries me more than our new, untested “I have managed a lot of games in my mind” skipper. Now. What about Mookie? What about Starling? The Padres have been in talks with the Red Sox about acquiring All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts. To make this fantasy all the more alluring, the imagined deal would allow the off-loading of Wil Myers and the $61 million albatross that is his remaining contract. Too good to be true? Probably. But the Padres have stockpiled prospects and they can’t ALL make the 40-man or 26-man roster. Betts would be a $27 million one-year rental (he is free-agent eligible in 2021 and would command $330 million-plus) with electrifying upside. Betts in a lineup with Profar, Pham, FTJ, Manny and Hosmer would mean speed and line drives from both sides of the plate. Real offense. Every inning. Notice I did not mention recently acquired Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Trent Grisham. He could be bait. How many front-line prospects is it worth to entice the BoSox? Not MacKenzie Gore. Not CJ Abrams. Not Luis Patino. And, considering current catching issues, I would dangle Luis Campusano only if it meant no carrying costs for Myers. The Sox would have to take all $61 million. As I write this, the speculation engine is at full throttle. Scenarios are more numerous than Spring Training sprinkler heads. By the time this is printed, Betts could be a Padre. Or it could be a hot stove dust devil, spun furiously on misinformed or marginally informed hot air before collapsing without a trace. Starling Marte could be the fallback. Padre trades tend to be of the fallback variety. As fallbacks and the Padres go, Marte would be first rate. Solid defender, doubles machine, base-stealing threat with plus power. He’s not Betts but almost no one outside of Mike Trout or Anthony Rendon is. The Pirates sound finicky and disinterested. That might be a ploy. Truth be told, no MLB team can ignore our prospects. If we talk, everyone must listen. But I would feel much, much better if the GM doing the talking - and upon whose judgment we all must depend hadn’t put the fate of the 2020 roster (whatever its ultimate composition) into the hands of Jayce “I’m going to make mistakes” Tingler. Note: Bolds are hyperlinked, visit www.ClairemontTimes.com to read the digital hyperlinked version of this column

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What’s New at Seaport Village As part of the Port of San Diego’s continued efforts to revitalize Seaport Village, the Board of Port Commissioners approved two new leases for the shopping, dining and entertainment center located on

The Lighthouse District at Seaport Village

the Embarcadero along San Diego Bay. Grain & Grit Collective, the San Diego-based hospitality group behind Carnitas’ Snack Shack, Little Italy Food Hall, and Not Not Tacos, will introduce their second concept in collaboration with Sam “the Cooking Guy” Zien, who is widely recognized for his televised cooking show “Sam the Cooking Guy,” online show “STCGO,” and numerous cookbooks. Anticipated to open in summer 2020, the yet-to-be-named restaurant will be in the Lighthouse District of Seaport Village and will provide entertainment and special events in the adjacent courtyard and surrounding walkway for the enjoyment of guests and the general public. Activities and events will include family-friendly gaming, live music, art nights, food and wine tastings, movie nights, cooking demos, and more. “The success of Grain & Grit Collective combined with the popularity of ‘Sam the Cooking Guy’ has the potential to transform and enhance the experience for Seaport Village visitors and tenants,” said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “We are feeling a fresh energy with several new shops already open and a variety of site enhancements, entertainment, and events. These new tenants, plus others also coming soon, will bring even more excitement.” “We are thrilled to once again be teaming up with Sam; this time to create a food and entertainment destination unlike any other! We are honored to be able to contribute to the revitalization of the iconic Seaport Village and are very excited to introduce a dynamic gathering place for the San Diego community and visitors alike,” said Mike DiNorscia, CEO of Grain & Grit Collective. The Board also approved a lease for Seaport Market, a convenience store that will offer snacks, prepared salads and sandwiches, wine, beer, and more – with free delivery to nearby hotels and marinas. The market will be operated by Traveler’s Convenience, LLC, which owns several other convenience stores throughout San Diego, including the Harbor Market located

on Pacific Highway next to the Intercontinental Hotel. Seaport Market will also be in Seaport Village’s Lighthouse District. “We’re excited to bring our convenience store concept to Seaport Village. We’ve had great success with our Harbor Market and look forward to serving Seaport Village guests, bayfront visitors, and area residents, as well as building relationships with our neighboring (photo courtesy of Port of San Diego) shops and restaurants,” said Steve Abbo, Seaport Market. New shops already open at Seaport Village are: • Something Sweet – this confectionary offers a splendid assortment of treats and candies; • Introstem – specializes in luxury skin care products; and • Vino Stoppers – a novelty gift store offering a selection of wine stoppers. Other new food and beverage offerings coming soon are: • Mike Hess Brewing – one of San Diego’s first craft breweries; • Mr. Moto Pizza – one of San Diego’s favorite pizza restaurants, serving up New York-style pizza either by the slice or an entire pie; • Spill the Beans – a specialty coffee and bagel shop; and • San Pasqual Wine Tasting Room (expansion) – San Pasqual Winery is a small, family-owned winery located in La Mesa. Additionally, the Port and its partners continue to activate Seaport Village and make various site enhancements and operational improvements. Highlights include: • Free live music daily in the Carousel District and on Sundays in the Lighthouse District; • Seaport Sessions, a speaker series and mixer held every third Thursday of the month in the Lighthouse District; • Studio by the Bay Family Days, in collaboration with The New Children’s Museum, features art making, free monthly workshops and play-based experiences for children and families; • Seaport Studio is where weekly podcasts are recorded and made available on iTunes. Seaport Studio features topics ranging from local arts & culture and San Diego history to marine ecology, blue tech innovation, and more; and • Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., features fresh caught seafood and aqua-farmed seaweed direct from local fishermen and aquafarmers. Full details for the above events and offerings are available at seaportvillage.com.

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The Clairemont Times • February 2020 • 9

Is the SDSU Proposal for the Mission Valley Stadium Site at Fair Market Value? Opinion: Louis Rodolico

I for one was all for the SDSU West Initiative Measure G on the 2018 city ballot. See https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/file s/ballot_argument_-_yes_on_measure_g_f inal.pdf Where SDSU would purchase the Mission Valley Stadium site “at fair market value”. Ballot abstract: “The precise sale price is subject to future negotiation and is currently unknown”. Union Tribune October 28, 2019: “In an effort to address the city’s biggest concerns, the university is now willing to pay around $87.7 million for 135 acres of land” ($650,000 per acre). See: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com /business/growth-development/story/2019 -10-28/sdsu-improves-offer-for-mission-va lley-stadium-site $650,000 an acre is low since most land in the San Diego City limits goes from 2 million to 4 million an acre. An $850,000 home on a quarter acre lot has a half million dollar land value which pencils out to 2 million per acre. There are million dollar homes with eighth acre lots all over the city, which is about 4 million per acre. For comparison, there’s the Angel’s Stadium analysis. Voice of Orange County December 18, 2019: “The $325 million starting price tag for Angel Stadium could be low compared to land next to the stadium parking lot that sold for nearly double the per-acre price at ($4.2 million an acre) See: https://voiceofoc.org/2019/12/is-325million-starting-price-for-angel-stadium-fa ir-nearby-land-sales-indicate-differently/ Why is the San Diego Mission Valley land cost for SDSU one sixth the value of land adjacent to Angel’s stadium? For starters; all negotiations were subject to non-disclosure agreements, which invites suspicion and seldom works out well for taxpayers. We saw it with the Regents Road Bridge https://clairemonttimes.com/universities-u nfinished-roads-and-missing-train-station/ and more recently with Pure Water. Pure Water used; non-disclosure agreements and a time pressure hustle much like we are seeing now with the Mission Valley transaction. We ended up with a Pure Water sewer main alignment that benefits; labor, material suppliers and maintenance companies but is a clear cheat for taxpayers and utility customers. See: https://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/201 9/03/07/opinion-pure-water-project-stinks -and-added-costs-are-white-collar-crime/ So who is qualified to be at these secret Mission Valley meetings? Lobbyists, environmentalists, local movers/shakers and representatives of the two parties, I suppose. I am hearing “Lou you are speculating” No kidding, with all these

secret meetings speculation is what we are left with. There is no empirical verification of what is going on at these meetings. Since most cities were reduced to one major newspaper in the 1980’s there has been less in-depth fourth estate analysis. I recently filed a Freedom of Information Request concerning the 2019 negotiations whereby I received an outdated 2017 report indicating a 508 million dollar value for the land with deductions bringing the land value down to 74 million. Through mysterious machinations these secret negotiations somehow dropped SDSU’s offer to 14 1/2% of the land value. I can find about 26 million in legitimate deductions for things like stadium demolition (See Chart Link). It’s a repeating pattern in San Diego and other one paper towns; private negotiations directed by influential non-elected lobbyists and money brokers. Resulting in a chronic transfer of wealth driving up municipal debts. Between; Federal, State and Local governments each citizen is $70,000 in debt. Did taxpayers pay all this money for elections and council chambers only to have the people’s business negotiated time and time again in private board rooms? The biggest CEQA hurdle will be approval for a new stadium, but that hurdle could be mitigated by modifying the existing lower tier of stands. This would accommodate a FIFA 120 yard by 80 yard soccer playing field, avoiding both a CEQA hassle and stadium demolition costs, greening the project. Like the other big money projects we are not getting real time information and often these secret meetings deliver their conclusions/ultimatums when it is too late to act. Lobbyists and influence peddlers smell the big money that can be wrenched from taxpayers with the stadium transaction. Lobbyists have consistently demonstrated that their money and influence will have the final say. After all Prop B was overturned and Prop A was neutered, will Prop G follow suite? Our elected representatives live in fear of upsetting lobbyists who steer elections. To the bane of taxpayers council succumbs to lobbyist’s hustles and rubber stamps these big money projects. Like most, I support SDSU developing the Mission Valley Stadium site. With its $290 million endowment SDSU has options and could lease. The city could provide a 17% discount on the land essentially gifting the 30 acre campus green space and its development. It will be one of the most beautiful campuses on the west coast. SDSU has been a longstanding San Diego partner and there is considerable goodwill. If we are going to satisfy proposition G, and demonstrate that we

are a sober democracy, then the land at the Mission Valley Stadium site must be negotiated in the open and, if sold, be at fair market value.

vis-FINAL.pdf

2017 Report: https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/06/Qualcomm-2017-Appraisal-Da

2018 Full Ballot: https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/no vember_2018_-_sample_ballot_0.pdf

Report Chart Link: http://www.louisrodolico.com/uploads/7/5/2/2/ 75221087/sdsu-1_orig.jpg

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10 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

Community Meetings Open to the Public (Locations & Times Subject to Change)

Clairemont Town Council 2/6/20 (1st Thursday) 6:30pm Clairemont High School 4150 Ute Dr. 92117 Clairemont Community Planning Group 2/18/20 (3rd Tuesday) 6:00pm Alcott Elementary 4680 Hidalgo Ave. 92117 Linda Vista Town Council 2/20/20 (3rd Thursday) 6:00pm Revere Center 6735 Gifford Way, 92111 Linda Vista Planning Group 2/24/20 (4th Monday) 5:30pm Linda Vista Library 2160 Ulric St. 92111

The Price of Convenience by Stephen Mergener

Zero Waste San Diego, a 501c3 organization that has been promoting and facilitating sustainability for more than a decade, is hosting its 7th Annual Zero Waste Symposium: The Price of Convenience, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the County of San Diego’s County Operations Center (COC), 5520 Overland Dr., San Diego, CA 92123. This year’s focus will be the dramatic economic, environmental and social impacts associated with consumer convenience and throwaway dynamic that permeates American culture, with leading industry experts highlighting the importance and challenges to reversing these trends, as well as opportunities for job creation, entrepreneurship, stabilized local economies and improved air, water and soil. In exchange for convenience, industry and consumers create substantial excess materials with limited or no available end-user markets, and an increasingly high percentage of these items, such as plastic bags, straws, cups and packaging, end up in rivers and oceans. Topics covered in the symposium include “Current and Future State of Wasting,” “Microplastics in the Human Food Chain,” “Handling Single-use Packaging,” “Who’s Responsible for Clean-up?” and “Market Options and Availability for Diverted Materials,” among many others. On November 15, 2019, the industry-backed “America Recycles Day” engaged people across the country to participate in clean-up activities and

pledging to recycle more. But more importantly, many of the organizations and individuals involved strongly encouraged manufacturers to reduce the production of single-use plastics and redesign products and packages to be reusable, repairable and recyclable, specifically targeting brands found at the beach and river cleanups. Symposium speakers will explain how a market focus on convenience has led to this onslaught of materials negatively impacting the earth’s oceans and the world’s food chain, and reveal how the true cost of convenience may not be the bargain promoted by industry and perceived by consumers. The symposium will include discussions on how communities and businesses throughout the world are benefitting from implementation of zero waste principles. Local and state governments are adopting zero waste plans too, incorporating education and training, landfill diversion, alternative delivery systems such as refill and reuse, organizing for improved product redesign, establishing business product stewardship guidelines, and implementing bans on a wide range of single-use disposables. Zero Waste San Diego facilitates implementation policies and plans that support job creation, economic growth, and improvement of the environment through phasing out waste and furthering strategic, long-term sustainable resource management. For more information on the symposium and/or Zero Waste San Diego visit: www.ZeroWasteSanDiego.org

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The Clairemont Times • February 2020 • 11

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Challenge Continued from page 1

Canyon as these are the parks closest to you. I call it, The 10-Minute Challenge. All you will need is a trip to a park, a stopwatch or phone with timer and the ability to sit still for 10 minutes and do absolutely nothing. That last part is the hardest of the whole challenge, but it’s worth it. To do this, I recommend you hike a short distance into a park, preferably as far from a road as you can so as not to hear the absolute deafening noise of cars and construction encroaching on your experience. Find any spot you like to have a seat, whether it’s a bench, against a tree, by a stream, in the shade or exposed to the sun, just somewhere you want to spend 10 minutes. Get comfortable and set your timer for 10 minutes. Start the timer, close your eyes and just start listening. At first you might not notice much and random thoughts will be distracting your challenge, but as each minute passes you will notice the noises of all the life around you start to get louder and creep in closer as they forget you as a large mammal has just crossed into their realm. You will definitely hear a plethora of birds and their many different songs, the lizards as they scuttle over dry leaves

and twigs, bugs flying all about, hummingbirds zipping and diving through the air, a rabbit hopping around looking for food, the breeze being broken by the branches and leaves of the plants around you, maybe water babbling over rocks and whatever else passes into the space of your audible range. You might even start to smell the different aromas of the canyon, especially if you happen by an area populated by the local sages. It’s really quite amazing to hear the life go on around you as if you weren’t even there. After the timer goes off 10 minutes later, which may feel like it took an hour to get through, open your eyes, but don’t move. Take another couple of minutes to let the color and shapes of everything around you flood in and put shape to everything you just heard. There is so much life in our Open Space which stopped noticing you while you noticed it. This challenge may sound quite easy, but I assure you it will be harder to get through 10 minutes of eyes closed silence than you might think. That said, it is highly worth it and at bare minimum a new way to appreciate the amazing diversity of nature in your neighborhood. So get out there and challenge yourself to notice what is in the park. For more information call or stop by the Tecolote Nature Center.

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Tecolote Nature Center

5180 Tecolote Road San Diego, CA 92110 • 858-581-9944 Park Ranger Office 858-581-9961 Monday – Closed, Tuesday –Saturday 9:00-4:00, Sunday 9:00-2:00

Saturday, February 15 9:00-11:00 a.m. Weed Warriors Help is needed in the restoration and revegetation areas. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. No flip flops please. Bring sun protection and a refillable water bottle. * Arrive early to get a good parking spot. Wednesday, February 19 1:30-3:00 Art & Activities for Kids- Free! All about birds! Learn about our feathered friends and meet an animal ambassador from Project Wildlife. Get crafty and creative! Beginning February 22 Intermediate Bird Identification Course For information on the course and to enroll go to www.sandiegoriver.org or call Phil Pryde 619-465-9492 *Registration required. Saturday, February 22 8:00 a.m. Audubon Society Birding Walk All skill levels welcome! Audubon volunteers on hand to guide you. Canyon Compadres Volunteer Group 9:00– 11:00 a.m. Two Wednesday per month Make new friends while helping to keep our canyons clean. Call Ranger Cameron for dates and locations. 858-581-9961 * Inclement weather may cancel activities Many volunteer opportunities available! Sign up at www.sandiego.gov/volunteer-program Like us on Facebook/Friends of Tecolote Canyon www.friendsoftecolotecanyon.org

Advertise Your Business on www.ClairemontTimes.com We have dozens of digital ad formats including: Social Media Integrated Ads, Rotating Cube Ads, Real Estate Showcase Ads, Post It Note Ads, Flipper Ads, Video Ads & More Call (858) 752-9779 or email: Chris@ClairemontTimes.com

To Read Two Articles by Susan Lewitt related to Ballot Measures in the upcoming March 3rd Election visit ClairemontTimes.com Random Acts of Greenness: YES on A! SOS (Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside) Random Acts of Greenness: NO on B! Newland Sierra

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12 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

Possible Solutions When an Individual with Health Problems is Having Difficulty Handling His or Her Financial Affairs

The Clairemont Times PO Box 17671 San Diego, CA 92177 (858) 752-9779 Founding Publisher: Chris O’Connell Advertising (858) 752-9779 Graphic Designer: Elaine Hall Contributors: Michael Dwyer Allura Garis Major Garrett Susan Lewitt Owen Megura Lauren & Josh Rains Louis Rodolico Robert Ross Tanya Sawhney Bill Swank Marge Weber Intern: Owen Megura

by Dick McEntyre and Chris von der Lieth, Attorneys at Law

When an individual’s health is declining, and that individual is having difficulty handling his or her own financial affairs, here are a few ways to enable a third party to step in and help that person: 1. One option is for the individual to grant a power of attorney to a selected third party (“agent”) to handle his or her financial affairs. The document can grant sweeping powers or may give only a limited power. It should also be a “durable” power of attorney, which means

that it will remain in effect even if and after the individual granting the power has become incompetent (if that were to occur). 2. A second option is where the individual has created a revocable living trust, funded the trust with assets, and is serving as its trustee (in effect, the trust’s manager). When he or she begins to “slip,” he or she can resign such trusteeship, thereby turning over all trustee duties to the successor trustee which had been appointed under the trust instrument. This successor Trustee would then immediately be able to take over handling the financial affairs of the trust. 3. A third option with respect to financial accounts is for the individual to create a joint account with another trusted individual where each has checkwriting ability, enabling the trusted person to write checks from such account to pay expenses on behalf of the individual needing assistance. 4. As a last resort, a concerned third

What Does the 2020 Appropriations Act Do for You?

The Clairemont Times P.O. Box 17671, San Diego, CA 92177 or chris@clairemonttimes.com Copyright ©2011-20 The Clairemont Times/McSierra Publishing. Reuse of material from this edition or past editions is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher. The opinions in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Clairemont Times/McSierra Publishing but instead, of each individual author/contributor. The Clairemont Times is proud to partner and contribute with:

As has recently been considered “the norm”. Congress has recently passed the 2020 Appropriations Act which has recently reinstated certain tax provisions that had previously expired. Below you may find a few provisions that could possibly require an amended tax return so that you can enjoy the benefit of the change. • Income due to Cancellation of Debt due to foreclosure or short sale of a principal residence expired at the end of 2017 but now has been extended through 2020. • Mortgage Insurance Premiums were previously deductible on Schedule A as an itemized deduction for tax years 2007 through 2017. The premiums must have been paid in connection with acquisition debt. The Extender Act reinstated the

Richard F. McEntyre practices law in the area of estate planning and administration, having served the San Diego community as a lawyer for over 40 years. Chris von der Lieth is Dick’s associate lawyer, having worked with Dick for over 6 years. Affordable rates. Highest quality services. House calls available. Our office is conveniently located at 2615 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 101 (Telephone (619) 221-0279); www.richardfmcentyre.com.

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The above statements are not to be taken as legal advice for the reader’s particular situation.

Berg Taxes Bob Berg

by Bob Berg

party might initiate a proceeding to have a conservator (overseer) of the estate appointed by the court to handle the needy individual’s financial affairs. This is not usually the best option, because, for this to occur, the individual would have to be declared incompetent by the court. This could be trying for the individual, and would be very expensive; further, all of the work of the conservator would be subject to court supervision.

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5252 Balboa Ave, Suite 501 San Diego, CA 92117 deduction for tax years 2018 through 2020. • Medical Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Limits for individuals that could claim itemized deductions for unreimbursed medical expenses to the extent that such expenses exceeded 7.5 percent of AGI will maintain that same threshold through 2020. It was expected to have a threshold of 10 percent for tax years 2019 and 2020, but it will remain at 7.5 percent. • After December 31, 2019 there is no

longer a maximum age for making traditional IRA contributions. The prior limit was age 70 ½. Additionally, the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age has been increased to age 72 for distributions required to be made after December 31, 2019. If any of these changes or others mentioned in the Appropriations Act could possibly affect you or may cause you to consider amending a prior year return, suggest contacting your tax advisor for clarification.

POLICE BLOTTER Vehicle Theft 5500 Chateau Dr. 7300 Ronson Rd. 8000 Armour St. 7400 Clairemont Mesa Blvd 4000 Mt Alifan 7800 Ostrow St 4600 Pocahontas Ave. 3000 Cowley Way 7900 Canary Way 7800 Balboa Ave 5100 Arvinals Ave

8000 Armour St. Vehicle Break-In 5000 Barstow St. 5100 Lehrer Dr. 5100 Biltmore St. 5500 Copley Dr. 5200 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 6000 Dirac St. 7300 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 7200 Eckstrom Ave 7000 Arillo St. 4900 Millwood Rd.

4300 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Commercial Burglary 7500 Dagget St. 6900 Linda Vista Rd. 7800 Balboa Ave. 5600 Balboa Ave. 4700 Convoy St. Vandalism 4800 Shawline St. 4000 Mount Blackburn VE. 5100 Conrad Ave. 3700 Convoy St.

7600 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Battery 4700 Mount Aetna Dr. 5900 Balboa Ave. 8100 Mercury Ct. 5500 Balboa Ave. 4600 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Fraud 5800 Copley Dr. 3400 Mount Ariane Dr. 3900 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. 3600 Antiem St.

Residential Burglary 3100 Clairemont Dr. 4300 Mount Abernathy Ave. Assault 4800 Cole St. “If you do not report it or call us, in our mind it did not happen” San Diego Police Officer Call 911 to report an emergency Non Emergency 24 hours (619)-531-2000 www.sandiego.gov/police Compiled from info at www.CrimeMapping.com

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The Clairemont Times • February 2020 • 13

LIBRARY EVENTS ALL SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCHES CLOSED: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17th FOR PRESIDENT’S DAY NORTH CLAIREMONT BRANCH 4616 CLAIREMONT DR. 92117 (858) 581-9931

Little Ones Preschool Storytime Tuesdays 11:30am & Fridays 10:30am Fun preschool stories &with Miss Joyce with simple craft afterwards. Fridays at 10:30am. Join us for songs, games, and stories. Children and their chaperones are invited to stay and play after story time! Sunset Storytime Wednesdays 2/5 & 2/12 6:30pm Join us for Sunset Storytime! Bring a blanket and settle into the evening with songs, games, and stories. All families are encouraged to attend! Sign Language Storytime Thursdays 2/6 & 2/20 10:30 Children and their caregivers can learn ASL sign language while hearing great stories! Presented by Jennifer Duncan. Baby & Toddler Storytime with Stay & Play 2/13 & 2/27 10:30am Miss Joyce leads a fun story time with stories, songs and play! Kids & Teens Game Time Thursdays 3pm Break out the board games for a little tabletop fun! Kids Craft Club Thursdays 4pm Craft time has something new every time! Adults Literary Book Club 2/5 6pm The Book Club will be discussing, “Last Year of the War” by Susan Meissner Tech Fridays 2/14 & 2/28 3pm Need help setting up that new tablet? Got stuck on borrowing an eBook? Bring your questions and devices to the Clairemont Library. Help provided for laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Clairemont Friends Celebration 2/19 6pm Come join the Clairemont Friends of the Library in a celebration highlighting Friends activities in 2019 and looking ahead to the challenges of 2020. There will be music, food, and door prizes for all attending. This is your opportunity to ask questions and give input as our library moves into the new decade. Your presence is needed. Friends Free Concert Series: Mando Basso with Auni 2/26 6pm The Friends of the Clairemont Library present a monthly free concert featuring talented local musicians.Gunnar Biggs/bass and Bill Bradbury/mandolin will perform original, compositions, Irish and Mouveau Americana, joined by singer/songwriter Auni performing original compositions.

BALBOA BRANCH 4255 MT. ABERNATHY AVE, 92117 (858) 573-1390

We continue to offer our wonderful selection of events throughout the year for the community. Experience fun and educational programs for all ages. We look forward to seeing you! Special Programs Special Wee Reads Storytime with a Miniature Horse 2/14 10:30am Come and enjoy this special storytime at the library, followed by a meet and greet with a miniature horse. This special event is being presented by Heart and Hooves Therapy, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and adults by using miniature horses to offer a different kind of therapy. (Birth - 5 yrs.) ***ALTERNATIVE DATE IN CASE OF RAIN: 2/21*** Special Clairemont Community Event! Balboa Book Discussion Club 2/18 11:45am “Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization and the Decline of Civic Life” by Eric Klinenberg Read it and then join us for a lively and thoughtful discussion! Klinenberg argues that the future of democratic societies rests not simply on shared values, but also on shared spaces, especially libraries where crucial connections are formed, as well as parks, churches and schools. Check out a copy of this engrossing, timely & hopeful read and come and share your thoughts about the shared spaces in our Clairemont community. Ongoing 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten! A Literacy Program for Pre-readers! Yes, this is possible to accomplish by reading one book a day to be finished in 3 years! Keep a log and earn rewards! Contact library staff for more information. Children’s and Teen’s Programs Lego Club Mondays, except 2/17, 4– 5:00pm Build your LEGO masterpiece. We supply the LEGO’s & you supply the imagination! (Pre-K – 6th grade) Paws to Read 2/11 6pm Children are invited to read stories to adorable Love on a Leash therapy dogs. They love listening to stories - read by You! (Pre-K – 4th grade) Pajama Signing Storytime 2/25 6pm Visit the library in your comfy pajamas while Miss Jennifer uses and teaches sign language to enhance the reading of beloved children’s picture books. Includes bubble time too! (Birth – 5 yrs.) Homework Help Wednesdays, except 2/5, 2-4pm New hours! Bring your homework questions and our volunteer can assist you. (K – 8th grade) Great Read-Alouds Wednesdays 6pm Enjoy listening to entertaining stories

while practicing listening skills and celebrating the love of reading. (K – 2nd grade) Make a Project @ the Library w/ Miss Parween: Shoebox Foosball 2/19 3:30pm Create a special project at the library to take home and enjoy. All supplies provided. Sign up required. (3rd – 5th grade) Preschool Storytime and Craft 2/6 & 2/20 10am Listen to terrific stories and then create a story-based craft geared toward preparing preschoolers for Kindergarten success. Offered on the first and third Thursdays. (Preschool – 5 yrs.) Signing Storytime 2/13 & 2/27 10am Miss Jennifer uses sign language to enhance the reading of beloved children’s picture books. Includes sing-a-longs and bubble time too! (Birth – 5 yrs.) Wee Reads for Baby & Toddler 2/7, 14 & 21 10:30am Enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and playtime. (Birth – 5 yrs.) Drop in and Play 2/28 10:30am Enjoy playtime with babies and toddlers in a relaxed atmosphere while getting to know other families in the community. (Birth – 5 yrs.) Youth Book Discussion 2/7 3:45pm Read “Strange the Dreamer” by Laini Taylor and then join us for a lively book discussion. Copies available for checkout. Sign up required. (7th – 9th grade) Children’s Book Discussion 2/21 3:45pm Read “Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks” by Jason Reynolds and then join us for a lively book discussion. Copies available for checkout. Sign up required. (3rd – 6th grade) Kids’ Krafternoon Saturdays 1-2 pm Create your own fun craft at the library to take home and enjoy. (K – 4th grade) Adults’ Programs Healthy & Fit Adults 2/3 & 2/10 11:15am Join us for this educational and relaxing fitness program. Stitching Circle 2/4 & 2/11 2pm Bring your knitting, crocheting, and other stitching projects to the library. ESL - Adult Beginning English Wednesdays, 12-2pm English as a Second Language assistance geared toward newcomers learning English. Adult Quilling Class 2/12 6pm Quilling is the art of making cards and other unique items out of colored strips of paper. Learn how to quill with Chris and make a valentine card for someone special. All supplies provided. Sign-up required. Adult Writers Group Thursdays, except 2/13 1:45pm Participate in writing exercises designed to help call forth your talents. All library guests invited to our last February class on 2/27/2020 to listen to writing excerpts composed by our talented writing group students! Enjoy some light refreshments while you listen. We look forward to seeing you! Tech Tutoring Saturdays 12:30pm

One-on-One appointments for tech assistance now available every Saturday. Bring your own device. Sign-up required – call or come in. CLAIREMONT BRANCH 2920 BURGENER BLVD, 92110 (858) 581-9935

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14 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

Trees Continued from page 1

www.selectree.calpoly.edu/. Go to local nurseries to understand what is available. Drive out to Cuyamuca College’s Water Conservation Garden to learn about a variety of topics; it is loaded with examples of plant material and other informational tidbits. Resources like these will improve the tree selection process and help you make educated decisions. Now that you’ve selected the tree, you need to select a proper planting location. Consider the tree’s size in ten or twenty years. Make sure there is enough room for the canopy and roots to expand. There should be no power lines, lights, or security cameras that could conflict with the tree as it increases in size. Pay attention to how close the trunk is to nearby walkways, drain lines or underground utilities. Placing a tree trunk too close can cause problems and require future mitigation actions. You want room for the canopy and roots to expand; you do not want to create bigger problems down the road. Ok ... we’ve selected a great tree and a great planting spot. Now what? The next question is “how are you going to water the tree?” Landscape plants and mature trees have different water requirements. Landscape plants (including grass) need frequent, shallow watering to stay alive. Irrigation is applied multiple times per week for short durations, usually a few minutes and even a few times a day. When a tree sapling is newly planted, its water requirements are similar to a shrub, bush, or flower. Frequent and shallow applications of water are needed to keep the small, tender root system alive. After one or two years, however, a tree’s water requirements change. To make it simple, trees grow large and landscape plants grow small. As trees increase in size their water requirements become opposite that of plants. Once tree roots establish after the first year or two, they will need deeper and more infrequent irrigation. This translates leaving the water on for a longer period of time, allowing water to soak deeply (one or two feet) into the soil. Since plants and trees ultimately have different water needs, there should be physical separation between the two. In other words, don’t plant flowers or shrubs under trees because they need to be on different timers. Design a system that has its own dedicated valve for trees. This way you can program one timer to run according specifically to tree needs. Annual precipitation is infrequent, and it delivers water to deeper levels in the soil. Because of the long-term drought in California, trees have not been getting the amounts of water they need in general. Most irrigation systems are designed to water small landscape plants, not large trees. Be mindful of how you are going to deliver water to tree roots, especially as they increase in size. Lastly, irrigation systems typically use bubblers or other “heads” to emit water in a line. We suggest using soaker-hoses (or tubing) to deliver water slowly and deeply. These systems are easier to modify or adjust

as the roots and canopies expand. Consult with a Master Arborist or Registered Consulting Arborist to understand how these hoses should be adjusted under the canopy over time. Ok ... now that we’ve selected a tree and designed an appropriate irrigation system., it’s time to finally plant the tree! This is a very crucial step in any tree’s life… Inappropriate planting depth predisposes a tree to failure. Don’t plant a tree too deep. Dig a bowl, not a hole! Think shallow, wide, and with slanting sides. The planting pit should be six inches deep and three feet wide. Take the tree out of its nursery container. Identify the top root by sloughing away any top soil hiding it; also know the root flare, this is where the trunk transitions into the root system. Next, loosen matted or circling roots with your fingers. Roots should flow out and downward our of the soil plug, like long strands of hair out of a head. Once container defects have been corrected in the root system, measure the height of the remaining soil plug (from the bottom of the soil plug to the highest/top root). The depth of the planting hole should be one inch less than this measurement. At the center of the planting bowl, dig out enough soil to place the tree such that its top root is one inch above ground level. Carefully set the root mass in the planting bowl, making sure once again that root flare is an inch above grade. Then arrange any loose roots outwards like the spokes of a wheel; we want root growth to extend away from the trunk. Next is backfilling and watering. Do not worry about amending the soil. Our goal is to finish without further damaging roots or over-compacting the soil. Start backfilling by adding a third of the soil. Lightly tamp it down using one foot and some body weight. Add water using a five-gallon bucket. Then add the another third of soil (tamped down similarly) and second bucket of water. Finally, backfill the last third of soil (tamped down similarly) and add the third bucket of water. Once the hole is backfilled, add a three-inch layer of organic mulch (such as bark or wood chips) to the surface of the soil. The width of this “mulch ring” should be at least as wide as the planting bowl. Mulch protects roots, prevents weed/grass growth near the trunk, and enriches the soil. It is scientifically proven to be the best thing you can do for your properly planted and irrigated trees. Here are some of the resources we referred in the article: International Society of Arboriculture – www.isa-arbor.com Sunset Western Garden – www.sunsetwesterngardencollection.com/ USDA Planting Zones – www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ American Society of Consulting Arborists – www.asca-consultants.org Cal Poly Tree Selection – www.selectree.calpoly.edu/ If you would like additional information, you can check our website at www.treelifeconsulting.com or call Butch at 858-967-2420 or Brad at 619-818- 4013.

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My wife is pretty strict about not always feeding our dogs pills ie pharmaceuticals. Thankfully, our vet agrees and also provides us natural guidance. McCoy above in the middle is our run hard, play hard 90lb Alpha lab. He loves sleeping, playing and eating. At 11 years old he is getting more “moany” especially

when lying down. Sierra at 11 and a half is more like a finicky cat and moody. Buster well RIP Buster. The picture has some of the products we give to try and treat his moans. If severe limps or strains occur, we of course see the vet and use pain medication. Things like making golden paste, using VetCBD oil at times and monthly K9 Chiropractic treatment are a few of the ways we try to make McCoy as comfortable as possible. Hope this helps. This works for us, however, each situation is different discuss strategy with your veterinarian. If you have questions or suggestions, or need clarification by all means feel free to contact me. Email: Chris@ClairemontTimes.com

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The Clairemont Times • February 2020 • 15

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16 • The Clairemont Times • February 2020

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