A Publication by Presidio Communications © MMXXIII PresidioSentinel com• “I Did It” Harvest for Hope Fundraiser Italian Garden Casino Experience1 2 6 Digital Copy No on Measure “C” 13 September|2022Serving the Heart of San Diego Carissa Moore is a surf champion that will be competing at the upcoming 16th NissanAnnualSuper Girl Surf Pro Event See story on page 3 Carissa Moore 16th NissanAnnualSuper Girl Surf Pro Event 16th NissanAnnualSuper Girl Surf Pro Event
The City of San Diego even honored her with her own Gina Champion-Cain Day. She cooked dinner for her husband, Steve, walked the dogs on the beach, and was a role model for young women. But in reality, her empire was a house of cards funded with money from a financial fraud.
By Patty Ducey-Brooks
For those of us who knew Gina Champion-Cain, a Mission Hills resident, and the owner of numerous San Diego restaurants, two local markets and vacation properties, it’s still difficult to understand what motivated her to earn the title as the “mastermind behind the largest woman-led Ponzi scheme in US history—$400 million, plus or minus.”Tohelp explain the details of this long and well-orchestrated process, two local authors collaborated to share the story and her motivation.NeilSenturia is a San Diego entrepreneur and venture capitalist who writes a weekly award-winning business column for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has known Gina Champion-Cain for more than 20 years.
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“I Did It” is the story of Gina ChampionCain. This real-life story includes a multitude of participants, banks, hedge funds, egomaniacs, and small-time crooks, all fueled by greed, stupidity, and a keen desire to look the other way.And even when they were looking in the right direction, all of these people and entities saw nothing. Champion-Cain was the Penn and Teller of misdirection, acting with caring behavior to other people (while bilking her investors), creating philanthropic endeavors and single-handedly pursuing her dream of building an empire, taking it public, and cashing out all the investors.
In August 2019, Champion-Cain’s sevenyear program of selling phony liquor license loans came to an end when the SEC, the US Attorney’s Office, and the FBI filed suit and shut it down. In San Diego, Champion-Cain, then fifty-four, was an icon. To the outside world, this beautiful, charismatic woman looked as if she had succeeded in a male-dominated, good-old-boys club—building an empire that included real estate, restaurants, and retail; she was a guest economics commentator for the San Diego Union-Tribune; and she served on prestigious corporate and nonprofit boards.
“I Did It” - The Story of Gina Champion-Cain Novel Implant to Heal Knee Ligament Tears
I feel sorry for the people who invested in her liquor license adventure, yet, I wonder, how could they not have known. Because it really never made sense.
Gina Champion-Cain received numerous accolades for her business empire and accomplishments.
Barbara Bry is an entrepreneur who was a business writer for the Sacramento Bee and the Los Angeles Times and has served on the San Diego City Council. She has a Harvard MBA and is the founder of three organizations that empower women.
The book makes it clear that Champion-Cain admits her guilt, though she does question why anyone would have invested in her “get rich scheme.”
After reading the book I am still shocked and amazed with the fact that Champion-Cain, who always appeared to be in total control of her life, was running a pyramid scheme that was surely destined to fail. Even though I ate at her establishments, and promoted her businesses, I always believed something was amiss. Unfortunately, my gut instincts were correct.
I have learned that Gina Champion-Cain will not receive any money from the sales of theThebook.book does include interviews with people who were impacted by the scam, and Gina Champion-Cain tells how it all began and unravels.
Harvest for Hope event helps children fighting cancer receive the life-saving medical treatments they need to survive.
Multi-Arts Programs Receive Funding for Summer Camps
“For 19 years, Harvest for Hope has provided the opportunity for community organizations and members to become involved in a Coasterra Restaurant, located at 880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego CA 92101 is the site of the 19th Annual Harvest for Hope event. powerful local cause,” says Diane Nares, Co-founder of the Emilio Nares Foundation. “We are endlessly grateful for all of the Emilio Nares Foundation donors who have supported our programs through difficult times and continue to give back to the families of children battling cancer.”Afterco-founders
This past summer the San Diego Foundation awarded the VAPA Foundation $900,000 to deliver an enriching expanded learning program for San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) students as part of Level Up San Diego Summer 2022. As part of the award, the VAPA Foundation hired local arts organizations to offer summer camps at 12 schools across the City of San Diego. VAPA camps consisted of multi-arts programs that were available throughout the SDUSD district and allowed students to discover, experience and learn many types of art and design. From dance, set and costume design, and digital animation to painting, or creating their very own musical, VAPA campers built their day based on the subjects that interest them. There were a total of 966 registered students, (including In Play and paper registrations), with a total of 12 participating schools, including Hamilton ES, Perkins K-8, Zamorano ES, Pacific Beach Elementary, Hickman Elementary, Sequioa Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Webster Elementary, Wilson Middle School, Marshall Middle School, Madison High School, Lincoln High School, and 17 art organizations, including ArtReach San Diego, Center for World Music, Classics 4 Kids, Malashock Dance, San Diego Youth Symphony, and The Old Globe.
The San Diego Youth Symphony was one of the recipients of the VAPA Foundation funding.
Richard and Diane Nares’ son Emilio lost his brave battle with cancer at only five years old, they felt inspired to help other families in remembrance of Emilio’s legacy. The Emilio Nares Foundation recognizes that not all children with cancer have access to transportation services that get them to the life-saving appointments they need to beat their battle with cancer. Harvest for Hope is only one of the ways the Emilio Nares Foundation gives families the gift of hope through providing free transportation to medical treatments for underserved children with cancer. Since 2003, the Emilio Nares Foundation’s flagship program, Ride with Emilio, has travelled over 1.2 million miles to safely transport children to their medical treatments. Altogether, ENF has served over 600,000 families in Southern California and continues to support children fighting cancer and their families through fundraisers like Harvest for Hope. “Harvest for Hope has always been such a powerful way to bring together the community and give back to those that need it most,” says Karen Terra, CEO and President of the Emilio Nares Foundation. “The Emilio Nares Foundation, with the help of local organizations, is proud to provide over 3,500 rides annually to underserved children fighting cancer. Together we are able to create hope for so many families.”
Annual Harvest for Hope
The annual Harvest for Hope event gives the local community the opportunity to help children fighting cancer receive the life-saving medical treatments they need to survive. Since 2003, Harvest for Hope has raised over 3.2 million dollars for primarily low-income and underserved children battling cancer and their families in Southern California. This year’s goal is to raise $300,000 for the Emilio Nares Foundation which will give back to those struggling most in the Southern California community.
To learn more about the Emilio Nares Foundation, visit ENFHope.org or follow us on Instagram @ENF_Hope, Twitter @ENFHope and Facebook @ EmilioNaresFoundation.
Fundraiser Benefits Children Battling Cancer
The Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF), a nonprofit that helps families navigate their child’s journey through cancer, will celebrate the 19th annual Harvest for Hope fundraiser event at 2 p.m., Sunday, September 18 at Coasterra Restaurant, located at 880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego CA 92101. ENF invites the community to join them for an afternoon filled with signature food from local San Diego chefs, fine wine and spirits, craft beer tasting and live entertainment from art entertainer, Amy Burkman, and saxophonist, Brian Pierini. The event will feature food and spirits from more than 25 participating local businesses and all proceeds will go to help ENF continue to provide free services to children battling cancer.
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The event is part of the Super Girl Series, a mission-based platform that includes four women’s action sports, esports and lifestyle events designed to promote female empowerment, inclusion and equality. Each of the Super Girl events are centered around providing athletic, social, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for young women in traditionally male-dominated industries. “We are thrilled to have such an exciting and diverse lineup of activities at the event in addition to world-class surfing,” said Rick Bratman, CEO of ASA Entertainment, the event’s producer. “To have artists like The Offspring, Smash Mouth, Hoobastank, The Expendables and Kira Kosarin performing and using their voices to help promote Super Girl’s empowerment platform is absolutely incredible. On the surfing side, the Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro powered by Celsius is not only a showcase for the top-ranked surfers in the world, but also a springboard to help launch surf careers and provide unmatched mentorship between pros and newcomers.”Theevent is supported by Nissan, in conjunction with its California Nissan Dealers, Celsius, the U.S. Air Force, White Claw, Jolyn, Frontwave Credit Union, the Mission Pacific Hotel, Visit Oceanside, Blenders Eyewear, Locals Only Vodka, Pura Vida, Perfect Hydration, Soapy Joe’s, Logitech, Sierra Nevada, Sambazon, Grocery Outlet, Javi’s Ranch Water, Remedy Kombucha, Pacifico and the U.S. Marines.
The event will be televised throughout November and December on Bally Sports and will be streamed live on September 17 - 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. via 15 digital partners, including at www.supergirlsurfpro.com/ and twitch.tv/supergirlseries. For more information on the concert lineup, surfing, classes, schedules, esports and more, visit www.supergirlsurfpro.com. To connect via social media, follow @SupergirlPro on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Kira Kosarin will perform at the 16th Annual Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro event.
The event is proud to announce a multi-year extension of its Title Partnership with Nissan and the addition of Celsius as its new Presenting Partner.“Nissan is committed to the Super Girl Pro Series of surf and gamer events and its mission to celebrate female strength and empowerment,” said Shawn Mirabal, regional vice president, Nissan North America. “The series offers athletic, cultural, educational, business and social opportunities to young women in areas where they have been traditionally underrepresented. We look forward to continuing our support as title sponsor of Super Girl Pro Series for many years.”
In addition to the world-class surfing, the event features an actionpacked Festival Village with 15 live concerts and family-friendly activities; the annual Super Girl Gamer esports tournament; an all-female DJ
16th Annual Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro WSL Contest & Festival Event
The event will run daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18. Access to the surfing, concerts, esports, panels, classes, speaking engagements and all elements are free to attend.
Some of the biggest names in women’s surfing are expected to attend, including surfing icon Bethany Hamilton and former Super Girl Champions Carissa Moore, Caroline Marks, Lakey Peterson, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Coco Ho, Sage Erickson, Courtney Conlogue, Caitlin Simmers (Oceanside), Alyssa Spencer (Carlsbad) and Samantha Sibley (San Clemente).
QS3000 Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro powered by Celsius will celebrate its 16th year at the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, Calif., September 16-18, 2022. The nationally televised event is the largest female surf contest in the world, with more than 90 of the world’s top pros scheduled to compete. Admission to the event is free.
ASA Entertainment announced today that the World Surf League (WSL)
As an exciting addition to the surf lineup, the event will also feature an elite-level women’s longboarding competition with 48 of the top female pros and up-and-coming stars. World Champions Honolua Blomfield, Summer Romero, Soleil Errico and Jen Smith will headline the field alongside 2021 Super Girl Longboarding Champion, Kirra Seale.
Tia Blanco is shown with some of her fans. Competition; a women’s beach soccer tournament; free classes in fitness, yoga, Zumba, Pilates, wellness and dance; female comediennes; celebrity speakers; panel discussions promoting female leadership and sustainability; a female art exhibition; social influencers; autograph signings; a beer garden and food court; a military appreciation program; and a mentorship event for young surfers with 5-time World Champion Carissa Moore and her Moore Aloha Foundation.
The Nissan Concert Series will include 15 artists performing full live concerts, including superstar acts like The Offspring, Smash Mouth, Hoobastank, The Expendables and Kira Kosarin. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Here are some other basic questions you should consider. Is the coverage still appropriate? If your family is still expanding, you might want to consider increasing your life insurance coverage, because each of those little mouths will need a lot of feeding, and the loss of a primary breadwinner will be especially
Most of the time, you’ll probably decide that your insurance coverage is adequate for your needs. If you noted a change to any of the questions above, it might be a good idea to follow up with your financial advisor to see what, if any, changes need to be made. I would recommend an advisor who doesn’t earn a living by selling life insurance, since the only way they get paid is to sell you a new policy. It’s hard to be objective about life insurance when that’s your main source ofYouincome.might decide that you need the insurance for estate planning purposes, for example to pay the tax bill on a large asset like a home or business. Keep in mind that the current exemption for estate taxes is about $24 million for a married couple, dropping to about $12 million in 2026. Most people won’t need to worry about estate taxes, but life insurance can be an important tool if you’re fortunate enough to have a larger estate. If you are getting close to retirement, you’ll definitely want to review your life insurance coverage and the premiums you’re paying for it. An objective, fee-only financial advisor can help you determine whether or not your coverage makes sense and whether you need to make a change. This column is prepared by Rick Brooks, CFA®, CFP®. Brooks is director/investment management with Blankinship & Foster, LLC, a financial coach specializing in financial health for physicians and people in or preparing for retirement. Brooks can be reached at (858) 755-5166, or by email at rbrooks@bfadvisors. com. Brooks and his family live in Mission Hills. Measure ‘C’ will be on the ballot in November. It will allow the lifting of the decades’ long height restriction in the Midway District. If this restriction is lifted, then City Hall has basically allowed for a wholesale lifting of all building regulations; allowing for-profit developers to build high rises extending downtown to Mission Bay. By lifting the height limit (with no cap so buildings can rise to the moon), then upon build out, the public vistas that we take for granted riding down the 5 freeway or any public hillside street (like Laurel, Paul Jones, or Bandini Street) will be gone, replaced by a wall of buildings. Access to the beaches and bays will be cut off due to traffic.The‘Yes on C’ group is throwing a firebomb into the crowd of the No on Measure C supporters so we will scatter and run and not get our message out. We must stop our infighting and dwelling on the No on Measure C messengers and focus on the Sadly,message!thisissue that should be a district only issue for Midway to decide it’s future is being brought citywide so that Midway’s influence is diluted. This is where different messengers come in. Carl DeMaio is not running for political office, but he is popular among the more conservative highway 15 corridor that he has represented in the past. Carl DeMaio is speaking the same message of ‘No on measure C’ to his base who will be voting on this measure. So, let’s move on from the discussion about the messenger and let’s unify behind the message No to lifting the height limit in the Midway District. Let’s not give the Yes on C group a win. Because if this measure passes as a result of our stumbling on the issue of the messenger, we won’t remember the messenger(s) but will be frustrated that we didn’t get the message against this measure out to the public.
The Presidio Sentinel is a monthly publication that is distributed by the first of each month to households in Mission Hills, Bankers Hill points in Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, Point Loma, Old Town, Little Italy, Downtown, Hillcrest, Kensington, University Heights, Mission Valley and Linda Vista
Let’s Unite in the message to defeat Measure ‘C’. Thank you, mortensen@sqre.comLisa No on Measure ‘C’
Seriously, when is the last time you reviewed your life insurance? I don’t mean the letter you get (and probably throw away) from your insurance agent every year asking if you need more. I mean really sitting down and thinking about the life insurance you have, why you have it and what you are paying for it. Questions to Ask It’s a really good idea to take your insurance policies out, dust them off and review them annually. The starting point for your annual insurance review should be “Why do I have life insurance in the first place?” Is the insurance there to provide income replacement if you’re not around to provide for your family? Is it to pay for estate taxes when you pass away? These are valid reasons, but they also change over time. You need a lot more income replacement early in your working life than you do heading into retirement. Your next question should be “Can I afford the coverage I have?”
Phyllis Kamatoy-Zawacki Graphic Designer o n t r i bu t i n g W ri te r s
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Let’s raise our voices against lifting the height limit and to walling off the access to beaches and bays (as well as creating further gridlock on our freeways and public streets).
C
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By Rick Brooks
What to Look for in your Annual Life Insurance Review hard on them and the survivors. On the other hand, if your kids are all out of college or working, you may be able to reduce your coverage. How much insurance are you actually paying for? This isn’t as simple as it sounds. Your insurance is the death benefit minus the cash value (if your policy has one). If you have a big cash value relative to the death benefit, you may not actually have much insurance, so why keep paying premiums? Cash value in an insurance policy has many uses, but if you’re using it as a savings account for future non-insurance spending, there are much more efficient (and cheaper) ways to accomplish this. How old is your policy? Every few years, insurance companies change how they price their life insurance policies. If you are still insurable and have an older policy, you might be able to find more or cheaper insurance. It definitely pays to shop around. Are you considering retirement? If your retirement is fully funded, you may not need your life insurance anymore, since the main reason to have it is to replace your income in the event of a premature death.
Phyllis
The Answers You Need to Hear
By Lisa Mortensen
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Meet Angel and June. These beautiful, one-year old kitties would love to be adopted together and are ready to meet their new family. Angel is a bit of a shy girl, and is looking for a calm, quiet home where she can come out of her shell at her own pace (which shouldn’t take too long). She’s a big fan of yummy foods and treats and loves taking cozy naps in dark dens. Angel isn’t the biggest fan of being picked up, but does enjoy walking alongside you and affectionately rubbing against your legs. June isn’t a big fan of being handled or touched too much either, but still prefers company and wants to be around you. She’s a bit mellow, so give her a nice den and some patience and she’ll be your best friend in no time. If you think Angel and June are the girls for you, grab some carriers and come to Oceanside for a friendly visit. Angel and June are currently residing at the Oceanside Campus of the San Diego Humane Society, located at 572 Airport Road in Oceanside. For more information, call (619) 299-7012 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www. sdhumane.org” www.sdhumane.org.
food
Critically Orangutan Thriving at the San Diego Zoo
drugs
Kaja, now seven months old, was born Jan. 4 to 35-year-old Indah. He was named for an island in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, where rehabilitated orangutans are cared for prior to their reintroduction to native habitats. This youngster is the first orangutan born at the Zoo since 2014, when Indah gave birth to her daughter Aisha. Almost immediately after giving birth, Indah started experiencing severe complications and was placed under the care of the Zoo’s wildlife health team. The team reached out to community-based experts, including neonatal anesthesiologists and OB-GYN specialists, and together they determined the older orangutan was experiencing excessive bleeding and had severe anemia. Indah’s treatment required several weeks of medication; but eventually, she made a full recovery, and the wildlife team began the work of reconnecting mom and baby.
Endangered
SPCA
Wildlife care team members at the San Diego Zoo recently celebrated two of the Zoo’s prominent primate residents: Kaja, a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan infant; and his mother, Indah. Following major health complications that left Indah hospitalized after giving birth, wildlife care specialists jumped in to care for Kaja and help nurture him during the critical early weeks of his life. Due to quick intervention, both mother and infant are now doing well, and have since been reunited.
Not to be combined with any other offer. Not good for boarding, bathing, grooming, pet and and non—prescription Expires 09.30.2022
Kaja and Indah shared a tight bond as mom and son.
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“Orangutans are a well-known species, so it may surprise many to hear that there is a possibility they could all be gone in the near future,” said Misha Body, director of wildlife care at the San Diego Zoo. “Wildlife births like Kaja’s are always exciting events, but seeing a new animal come into the world takes on a weightier meaning, as each new life signifies hope. And hope is a very precious thing in the realm of saving wildlife, because it can help sustain us as we continue our vital work.”
Boof currently resides at the San Diego Campus of the San Diego Humane Society, located at 5485 Gaines Street. For more information, call (619) 2997012 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.sdhumane.org” www.sdhumane.org.
Boof Angel and June help us find a home
Boof is a very special pup looking for a forever family. This handsome, two-year old, American pit bull terrier is a shy sweetheart who will need to find a home that is committed to helping him build his confidence. Boof’s next human should have experience with positive reinforcement training and shy/fearful dogs. He’d prefer a quiet home with no other animals, no children, and a securely enclosed yard. Boof will thrive in an environment where he’s allowed to settle in at his own pace and where his boundaries are respected. Once Boof is feeling at home, his goofy and loving personality will be on full display. Are you ready to give Boof all the tasty treats and love he deserves?
“It was a slow process that required a lot of patience and attentiveness, but the reward was great in the end,” said Dean Gibson, curator of primates at the San Diego Zoo. “After returning from the hospital, it took weeks for Indah to start interacting with Kaja. But once they began spending time together, their bond grew rapidly—and now, they’re nearly inseparable. It warms my heart to see Indah back in the role of mom, because she does it so well.” Wildlife care specialists have also introduced Kaja to the rest of the orangutan group and have started to familiarize him with the two siamangs that share the habitat. Zoo guests can visit the orangutans throughout the day in the Lost Forest. On days when Kaja and Indah choose to explore the habitat, guests may get a glimpse of the duo—usually early in the morning.Sumatran and Bornean orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The decline in their population is due to illegal wildlife trafficking and habitat loss from rampant deforestation, which forces them into closer contact with people.
David Garcia, DVM • Craig Kinshella, DVM
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 PresidioSentinel .com • 5Animal News
Little Italy will be active with casino activities.
Transforms Little Italy’s
“We can’t wait for everyone to join us and enjoy our first-ever Casino di Piazza”, said Chris Gomez, district manager of the Little Italy Association. “Every detail has been carefully curated to give guests the most authentic Italian garden casino experience. Upon arrival guests will be transported to the beautiful manicured gardens of Milan with the alluring greenery lined walls and classic Italian statues throughout Casino di Piazza. It’s going to be a spectacular night we know everyone will enjoy!”
Guests are expected to dress to impress for Casino di Piazza in Little Italy.
Put Your Listing in Front of 35,000 Potential Customers Show Your Advertising Here! For more Information: Call 619-296-8731
Casino di Piazza’s General Admission is $65 and includes entry into the event, one (1) drink ticket and light hors d’oeuvres, while VIP entry is $125 and includes entry into the event, four (4) drink tickets as well as access to Vici Lounge offering upscale cocktails and the exclusive VIP experience.Formore information on the Little Italy Association, its programs, and events, please visit www.CasinoDiPiazza.com.
Piazza della Famiglia Into an Italian Garden Casino Experience
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 • PresidioSentinel .com 6 CasinoLifestylediPiazza
Dress to impress for the Little Italy Association’s inaugural Casino di Piazza, an Italian garden casino experience from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, September 16 in partnership with Vici Luxury Rentals. Located in the Piazza della Famiglia in the heart of Little Italy, the evening will feature craft cocktails provided by the Little Italy Food Hall, light hors d’oeuvres, Blackjack, Craps and Roulette under the stars. General Admission is $65 and VIP is $125. Proceeds from Casino di Piazza will benefit the Little Italy Association’s continued beautification and maintenance of the Piazza della Famiglia.
First, I am not a doctor. Therefore, what I write may or may not be true for you. These are my personal observations of aging, which I find a fascinating topic. We are all unique and our bodies react differently based on genetics and lifestyle factors. With that thought, I find it interesting that I have never liked having irises in my home. They are so hideous when they die. Fortunately, humans do not appear to rot as dying irises do. This is a blessing. However, I do not think we age gradually. I remember the first time I noticed signs of my body changing. I was in my early thirties and was walking from the parking lot at the Unitarian PreSchool to my son’s classroom. Suddenly, my jeans, which had been snug around my hips, were no longer snug there; they were snug at the tops of my thighs. Sure enough, when I saw myself in a mirror, my butt had sunk. I asked a doctor about this. His explanation was that the skin’s elasticity was like that in a rubber band. It loosens suddenly, not little by little. This happens to our faces as well. One goes to bed with firm skin. One awakens with a couple of lines, perhaps at the corners of the eyes or at the corners of the lips. As time goes on, more lines appear. Why do women get more of these “lines” than men? Is it the massage of shaving? You almost never see men as wrinkled as women. It isn’t fair. For those of us who smoked, we get pucker lines around the mouth. I suppose anyone who is a habitual straw drinker might get the same lines. Even men get these lines, but they are far less obvious than on a Thesewoman.lines on our faces do show our age. But they also show the history of our lives, a tapestry, if you will, of joy and sorrow on our faces.Gravity acts upon our bodies. Both men and women observe this at various intervals of their life. Everything eventually sags unless you pay someone to lift it for you. As much as I would love to have my neck back, I’m going to stick with collapsed vertebrae which leave my head sitting on my shoulders. I once had a swan-like neck. Hair changes, too. As we age, some of us lose our thick, luscious locks. Women can do comb-overs more easily than men because we can put a French twist over a thinning spot. It is lovely realizing that with age comes freedom from shaving legs and underarms. These hairs thin, and I suppose if we live long enough, they disappear entirely. Sadly, this is not true for facial hair. One day I noticed my eyebrows, previously fairly sparse, suddenly resembled Andy Rooney’s from 60 Minutes. Plucking them seemed sad as I haven’t many eyebrows. Then I noticed I was getting a mustache. I tried bleaching it; I wasn’t happy with the results. Waxing it was painful. I turned to tweezers. This takes forever. And with every year, the hairs grow darker in more areas. If I were to let them grow, I could have a handlebar mustache with a soul patch under my lower lip. A friend told me about a gadget that sounds like an electric razor, but, it plucks multiple hairs at once. It hurts a little, but it does pull those little whiskers out by the roots! Other dreary aspects of aging have painful aspects. Arthritis hurts. When cartilage wears away, bone rubbing bone is not fun. Fortunately, most of us can get replacement parts. With good medical insurance, it is cheaper than replacing major parts of a car! I have a fake hip which I adore. Its only drawback is that it doesn’t lift and swing backward which makes dismounting from a horse rather difficult. Nevertheless, an extra tall mounting block (or a sturdy picnic table) has solved this problem for me. I am very fortunate. I am basically healthy, so I am able to enjoy my days relatively free of pain (except for my back which always hurts, but I try to ignore it). I can still eat what I like although most of those foods cause weight gain which is another aspect of age I dislike. I know old people who have lost their appetites; they actually stop eating the second they become full. Unfortunately, this has failed to happen in my case; I can eat until I pass out, blissfully full and happy. . . until I get on a scale or try to button my slacks.
Some of the Less Attractive Aspects of Age
Personally, I believe in watching one’s body age as if you are watching a “National Geographic” special. Each little change is nature unfolding. They may not be pretty, but not all of life is. And frankly, it is interesting to see what happens to us. You get to realize it is science and accept it as such. As our first meeting back from the summer break, we are excited to be hosting a Mission Hills Garden Club Seed Swap. To prepare for our fall/winter gardens, we are encouraging Mission Hills gardeners to bring packets of seeds, extra seedlings, cuttings of plants, fertilizer, compost tea, gardening supplies, reference books, and homesteading supplies to swap with other gardeners during this fun, casual event. The Club will be setting up tables around the church hall and participants can display their swap items on the tables for folks to look at, ask questions, receive guidance, and swap items. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, September 22 at Mission Hills Church of Christ, located at 4070 Jackdaw Street in Mission Hills. This event is free to attend and is open to members, plus nonmembers. To better plan for the types of items, varieties, and quantity of items being brought to the swap, we would like to encourage you to fill out the form on the registration page on our website to let us know what you plan to bring to the seed swap: missionhillsgardenclub.org.
Iris plants have a unique look and aging process.
By Barb Strona
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 PresidioSentinel .com • 7Lifestyle
The 10th Annual Taste of Mission Hills will take place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. showcasing our neighborhood’s delectable “taste” offerings. US Bank, Mission Hills is this year’s title sponsor. It is because of their generous sponsorship that we are able to grow the event while offering affordable ticket prices of $35 for advance purchase tickets. Colorful “taste” banners will be installed and flying on lamp posts throughout Mission Hills beginning September 1, as a reminder of this local favorite event. Please save the October 12 date, buy a few tickets and invite your friends too. We are happy to announce that tickets to the 10th Annual Taste of Mission Hills will again include three free Old Town Trolleys, thanks to Taste Trolley sponsors John Ealy at Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar and Hailey and Merritte Powell at La Puerta Mission Hills. The trolleys will deliver tasters to within steps of all participating “taste” venues. The three trolleys will cover the more than five-mile “taste” route from West Lewis Street to Fort Stockton Drive to Goldfinch Street and West Washington Street, and onto Reynard Way and India Street. Cardellino and Lazy Acres return this year as Good Neighbor sponsors, with overall support for this year’s event. As we go to print, the list of participating venues in this year’s “taste” is still growing and will be announced the second week of September on our social media platforms. The names, and addresses for each participating venue will be listed on posters displayed in Mission Hills’ businesses. Advance purchase tickets are $35 each. Only 600 tickets will be sold, so buy your tickets early at one of the following locations: DixiePops, 301 West Washington Street; U S Bank, Mission Hills Branch at 610 West Washington Street; Backbone Floral at 910 Fort Stockton Drive; and Lewis + Fay Collective, at 1620 West Lewis Street. Pop-up ticket sales will occur at Lazy Acres and will be announced on Mission Hills BID’s social media. Tickets may be purchased at all locations with a credit card or cash. Tickets will also be available online. Check missionhillsbid.com/taste for more information. Day of ticket purchase is $40. Will call, for same day purchases and reserved ticket pick up, will again be located at Lazy Acres. Please save the date and join neighbors and friends at the 10th Annual Taste of Mission Hills on October 12, 2022. It is bound to be the biggest and best ever.
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 • PresidioSentinel .com 8 Lifestyle By Dixie Hall, President Mission Hills BID and Owner of DixiePops
Throughout the year we often hear from visitors and locals about what they really love to do in Mission Hills; stroll along the streets, return to favorite independent retailers and shops, and stop at cafes and restaurants in a toney setting. It is this sidewalk and street vibrancy that brings Mission Hills to life. At the monthly meetings of the Mission Hills BID our board of directors focus on promotions, design, economic development, and parking to ensure this experience continues to thrive. If you have suggestions for improvement, please let us know at MissionHillsBID@gmail.com.
The Mission Hills BID is grateful for the generosity of this year’s venue participants offering “tastes” and to the generous sponsors who support our mission to promote Mission Hills’ neighborhood of businesses.Thanksfor reading the monthly column of the Mission Hills Business Improvement District. Please share it with a friend. For questions, comments, and suggestions please contact Susan McNeil Schreyer, executive director, at MissionHillsBID@gmail.com.
It’s that time of year again for the most delicious fundraiser. This favorite community event is our hallmark fundraising activity which provides the financial resources to carry out the work of promoting our businesses as a regional destination, improving the design elements throughout our business core, and pursuing economic development opportunities for every business owner during the rest of the year – all designed to enrich the daily experiences of everyone who spends time in Mission Hills.
Summer Vibe to Autumn Vibrance
We hope you are enjoying the final stretch of summer. On most any given day during the last three months our sidewalks and businesses have been buzzing. Visitors from near and far, local San Diegans, and Mission Hills’ neighbors have packed our destination restaurants, bars, coffee shops and more. Many discovered hidden treasures in the hills on West Lewis Street while others enjoyed Friday night Concerts in Pioneer Park and dining on Fort Stockton Drive, Goldfinch Street, West Washington and on India Street’s International Restaurant Row. We thank each one of you for continuing to include our Mission Hills’ small businesses in your plans. And for the last week-end of summer, culminating with Labor Day on Monday, September 5, please remember that these same businesses are here to help you enjoy well-deserved Labor Day picnics and parties as we say a fond farewell to a warmer than usual summer and look forward to the autumn months and holidays ahead.
Speaking of community vibrancy, Mission Hills’ business owners and residents are invited to attend the BID’s quarterly Mixer from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, September 21 at The Meatery, 902 West University Avenue. Owner Nick Fiorentino will be on hand to share the fine art of incorporating Wagyu beef and Kobe beef and more into your culinary repertoire. During the mixer, US Bank will offer a presentation about accessing capital, with an emphasis on business needs. And, as always, the generous donations of gifts from Mission Hills business owners will create a robust raffle. Please RSVP to MissionHillsBID@gmail.com and join us on September 21.
Delicious and filling meals are on the menu for San Diego Restaurant Week.
San Diego Restaurant Week, presented by the California Restaurant Association, returns to wow diners with over 100 restaurants across 30plus neighborhoods for eight days of dining from Sunday, September 25, 2022, through Sunday, October 2, 2022. As the Fall season returns, San Diego Restaurant Week invites diners from throughout the County to connect, reflect, and savor delicious meals curated by the regions’ collection of inventive chefs. A culinary melting pot, these eight days of dining truly have something to offer for anyone looking for a great meal with a great savings. Diners can enjoy a variety of diverse menus featuring special prix-fixe pricing throughout the county. Guests can enjoy two-course lunches and three-course dinners for starting at just $20 dependent on the restaurant’s price points. Guests will be delighted to find new restaurant participation with an improved pricing system, with easy-to-understand price points starting at $20 and increasing in $10 increments. This savory fall dining extravaganza offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy tried and true favorites, top restaurants, and budding culinary talents at a tantalizing price point! With over one hundred restaurants offering a feast for the senses it can be difficult to narrow down a final location (or eight) to enjoy. San Diego Restaurant week makes it easy to decide the ideal brunch, lunch, or dinner option with website filters for neighborhood, cuisine, dining options, and price point. Guests are invited to inspire their tastebuds by browsing menus for all participating restaurants which are available in advance at SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com. The website is a great tool to search by neighborhood, price point, and cuisine to narrow down final selections. Reservations are not required to participate in this foodie-favorite week but are highly recommended!
The first-ever Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party™ will descend on San Diego September 24 and 25 in the second stop on the show’s West Coast tour at Pechanga Arena (formally known as the San Diego Sports Arena), located at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. San Diego, CA. The thrilling new experience brings audiences the only opportunity to watch their favorite Hot Wheels® Monster Trucks – Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, Boneshaker™, Bigfoot®, and more, plus making its Monster Truck debut is the all-new Gunkster™.
The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour entertains fans in numerous and exciting ways. feature a dazzling dance party, spectacular laser light shows, and Hot Wheels toy giveaways. Plus, a special appearance from the careating, fire-breathing transforming robot MEGASAURUS, and the electrifying high-flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, Freestyle Motocross! Special kids pricing is available for all shows
providing a great value for the whole family! In addition to the Glow Party, fans can also buy tickets to the Crash Zone Pre-Show Party held 2-1/2 hours before every performance. The unique experience provides fans access to the competition floor to see the outrageous designs and epic size of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks up close. Each pass includes an autograph card plus a souvenir pass and lanyard exclusive to Crash Zone attendees. For more information on the all-new Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live ™ Glow Party ™ and for tickets please visit event/pechanga-arena/.hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com/https://
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 PresidioSentinel .com • 9Local News
From Cali Baja fusion to five-star dining, casual comfort food, freshly caught seafood, locally grown produce and everything in between, San Diego’s chefs are cooking up some of the best food found anywhere and San Diego Restaurant Week offers the opportunity to enjoy these culinary treasures at a tremendous value.Enjoy casual dining in a variety of attractive settings.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ Glow Party™
Fans of all ages will be dazzled as they watch the iconic Hot Wheels Monster Trucks light up the floor in this one-of-a-kind, highenergy Glow Party™ experience in outrageous monster trucks competitions and battles. Don’t miss the only opportunity to watch your favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks. Crash zone starts at 11 a.m., and show time at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, September 24. Show time starts at 1:30 p.m., and crash time at noon, Sunday, September 25.
The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour entertains fans in numerous and exciting ways. Event performances will also
Eight Delicious Days of Dining, Connection, and Great Memories
For more information on San Diego Junior Theatre’s upcoming season of productions and to purchase tickets, please visit juniortheatre.com.
“Red Hot Mama” will take place at 7:30 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, September 19 and 20, at North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Tickets are $39. Call 858-Sharon McNight will star in “Red Hot Mama. San Diego Junior Theatre (SDJT)’s Artistic Director, Desha Crownover, will be departing her long-time position in the coming months to pursue new artistic endeavors. Crownover’s time with SDJT began over 25 years ago, first as a teaching artist and stage director. In 2007, she moved into the position of artistic director, which she has held intermittently ever since.
been an honor to share my passion for theatre education with
481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchase seats. Sharon McNight began her career in San Francisco and made her Broadway debut in 1989 in “Starmites,” creating the role of Diva, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. She is the recipient of the coveted Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut and has been honored with a Hirschfield drawing of her character. With six solo recordings to her credit, she has played venues from Moose Hall to Carnegie Hall, from Los Angeles to Berlin. She is the recipient of six San Francisco Cabaret Gold Awards, a MAC Award, a Bistro Award, and a New York Nightlife Award for Musical Comedy, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. Known as a vocal chameleon, her performances range from Broadway to blues to Mae West. Her CDs are available on her website at sharonmcnight.com.
Artistic Director Announces Departure from San Diego Junior Theatre
Crownover’s contributions during her tenure have had a major impact on the SDJT community and been critical to the growth and health of the organization. She established fruitful partnerships with Halau O Na Ali’i and Coronado Playhouse as well as the extremely successful and rewarding collaboration with Disney Theatricals that allowed JT to produce pilot productions of popular titles, such as “Newsies Jr,” and “Moana Jr,” prior to those shows being available for licensing to other schools and youth theatres. Crownover spearheaded and codified the establishment of SDJT’s core values of empathy, identity, resilience, community and responsibility – an integral part of Junior Theatre’s approach to education in both the classroom and the rehearsal room – and has been one of JT’s strongest advocates for equity, diversity and inclusion in season selection, hiring practices, casting decisions and project Crownoverdevelopment.shares,“Ithas
Currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the award-winning show “Red Hot Mama” was conceived and written by Sharon McNight based on the writings and music of Ms. Sophie Tucker. Sophie introduced many songs that are still being sung today, including: Gershwin’s “The Man I Love”, “He’s A Good Man to Have Around;” “After You’ve Gone;” A Good Man is Hard to Find” and her ever popular theme song, “Some of These Days.” Sophie’s classic sense of humor was considered ribald for its time and while many of her songs were slightly naughty, by today’s standards they’re simply great fun. She earned the nickname, “Red Hot Mama” when headlining at the world-famous Palace Theater and a fire erupted. Undeterred, Sophie remained onstage performing as the audience safely exited. This is musical theater you don’t want to miss.
innumerable students, artists and families for over two decades. I am so grateful to Junior Theatre, the staff and to the students and parents who have made this experience so very rich and rewarding.”
Executive Director, Jimmy Saba adds, “Whether in the casting process, choosing a season, participating in a staff retreat or giving a pre-show speech, Desha has remained a steadfast champion for the underdog, a voice for the meek and a cheerleader for anyone who needs a vote of confidence. Her warmth, sincerity and gentle manner have transformed some of the most terrified young souls into confident young actors and crew members. Desha’s investment in the program is substantial and that legacy will remain. Her work over the past two decades will reverberate for decades to come. As she moves onward to new projects and adventures, we support her in the same way she has supported so many during her tenure here. “You got this, Desha!””Thesearch for a new artistic director is currently underway and Crownover plans to stay through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition to her replacement. Crownover has lined up the creative teams for SDJT’s upcoming 75th Anniversary Season productions but looks forward to returning to direct future productions as her schedule allows.
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 • PresidioSentinel .com 10 Arts & Culture North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents “Red Hot Mama” Broker Associate, SFR • CalDRE #01347868 Historic and Architecural Specialist 858.405.5448SellWithDon.comDonSchmidtTraditional Western Medicine | Alternative Therapies, including Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Craniosacral Therapy, & Nutritional Wellness | Health Solutions for San Diegans Since 1994 Basic Health | 3330 Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest | Phone: 619.948.8590 Aches & Pains? Chronic Illness? Stress? Sheila Kendro, RN, L.Ac.
Artistic Director Desha Crownover will be departing after being with SDJT for over 25 years.
The Positive Movement Foundation, a local non-profit committed to supporting and empowering underserved and at-risk children and youth backed by Dan Fulkerson, Channel 933’s Geena the Latina, Alex Soria Rojas, Hailey Waitt, Omid Sabet and Erick Diaz, is thrilled to announce their 2nd Annual Cocktails for a Cause: A Tribute to the Roaring 20’s on Saturday, October 1 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., with an exclusive hour for VIP guests from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the La Jolla Estate of Joan Waitt. The evening under the stars will include craft cocktails, delectable bites, live entertainment, a live and silent auction, a unique Hot Air Balloon experience at dusk and more special surprises. General admission tickets start at $99 and VIP tickets begin at $299. Hosted tables for ten guests are also available for $10,000. “After raising $164,000 last year during the inaugural Cocktails for a Cause, we selected Bell Middle School as our sponsored school with a commitment to provide resources and funding for a minimum of two years,” said Omid Sabet, president and founder of the Positive Movement Foundation. “As we look forward to the upcoming calendar year, our goal is to expand the on-campus programs for the kids at Bell Middle to include unique after-school programs, clubs, and mentoring. With our 2nd Annual Cocktails for a Cause, we are looking to initiate a partnership and sponsorship of a second middle school in San Diego, where we can begin with some of the year one programs we have implemented at Bell Middle School.” During the Positive Movement Foundation’s first semester with Bell Middle School, they implemented both school and student programs. The school programs included $500 classroom wish list for each teacher, a $5,000 school needs wish list for general school needs, over $35K for teacher and school administration needs, over 100 soccer balls, monthly catered lunch by local restaurants for school staff, monthly staff appreciation events with team building exercises, games and meditation to increase staff morale, monthly gas gift card giveaways, private and free acupuncture sessions to help reduce stress and increase productivity, and monthly staff member of the month awards including gift cards and additional prizes. The student programs included a Fun Friday program consisting of a monthly catered lunch for all 800 students, as well as a local radio station partner playing live music, live contests and dance challenges for prizes, 50+ unique giveaways at each event from water bottles and soccer balls to tickets to local athletic events, interactive photobooth activations, specials guests like the San Diego Gulls and former San Diego Chargers players, and student of the month award presentations. For more information on the Positive Movement Foundation and its programs, visit www.ThePositiveMovement.org.
Board members of the Positive Movement Foundation are pleased to announce their 2nd Annual Cocktails for a Cause event.
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 PresidioSentinel .com • 11Arts & Culture 2nd Annual Cocktails for a Cause A Tribute to the Roaring 20’s
Villanueva has two degrees, one from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing, and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications. She publishes several successful magazines, including Giving Back Magazine. Villanueva
Scripps First in Region to Use Novel Implant to Heal Knee Ligament Tears
Patients with tears of their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) now have a new treatment option that can replace the need for ACL reconstruction surgery, as Scripps Clinic became the first in San Diego County to perform surgery using a new implantable device that enables the body to heal its own tornTheligament.device– called the Bridge Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR) implant – acts as a bridge to help the torn ends of the patient’s ACL heal back together. Surgeons inject the implant with the patient’s own blood and arthroscopically insert the device between the torn ACL segments, through a small surgicalDerivedincision.fromanimal collagen, the implant is designed to stabilize the ACL and encourage healing in the gap between the torn ends of the ligament to allow the formation of a clot, which is necessary to bind the ruptured ends together. The patient’s body absorbs the implant material within a few months, by which time new, healthy tissue has grown in its place. For many years, the surgical standard of care for a torn ACL has involved complete removal of the damaged ligament, followed by reconstruction with either an autograft (a healthy tendon harvested from another part of the patient’s body) or an allograft (a tendon harvested from a donor). ACL tears are not usually repaired using sutures to sew the ends back together, as this approach has generally been shown to fail overThetime.ACL is a band of tissue that runs diagonally through the center of the knee and plays a key role in keeping the knee stable when twisting or pivoting. Tears to the ACL typically do not heal on their own because the knee joint is surrounded by
“We are deeply blessed to have Danitza as our new board chair,” said Dr. Lauren Lek, Head of School. “For the past several years she has co-chaired the OLP Women’s Symposium, an event that brings together women leaders across various fields and is focused on giving the next generation of women leaders the inspiration to see new heights for their future. As a high school graduate from The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (1998) and the first woman from her family to graduate from college, she brings experience and empathy along with a commitment to the progress for this generation of our students.”
Academy of Our Lady of Peace Names New Chair of the Board of Directors
synovial fluid, which prevents healing. Active patients with complete ACL tears are often encouraged to consider surgery, due to knee instability that can limit sports and activity, as well as lead to future knee cartilage damage.
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 • PresidioSentinel .com 12 Local News
Danitza Villanueva was elected chair of the board of directors for Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP).
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP), the oldest all-girls’ high school in San Diego, has named Danitza Villanueva as chair of the board of directors. Born in San Diego, Villanueva spent her youth with family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends, and philanthropy to her business and community interests.
“Torn ACLs are among the most common knee injuries we see, so it’s exciting to offer a new approach that can fundamentally change the way we treat them,” said Tim Wang, M.D., who was the first Scripps Clinic orthopedic surgeon to perform the minimally invasive BEAR procedure at the new advanced ambulatory surgery center at Scripps Medical Center, Jefferson in Oceanside. “Benefits to this approach include being less invasive than traditional ACL reconstruction surgery, which can lead to faster recovery of muscle strength. “Most importantly, it does not require a second surgical site to harvest a healthy replacement tendon, or the use of a donor tendon,” Dr. Wang said. “The BEAR procedure can preserve more of the patient’s natural knee anatomy.” The BEAR implant is indicated for skeletally mature patients at least 14 years of age, with a complete rupture of the ACL. Patients must have an ACL stump attached to the tibia to allow for the restoration and the device must be implanted within 50 days of injury. The Food and Drug Administration cleared the device for use in patients in December 2020. It is the only implant cleared by the FDA for ACL restoration. Jenna Richardson of Oceanside was the first patient to undergo the BEAR ACL procedure in San Diego County. The medical sales representative stays active with surfing, skiing and other sports. So after she suffered a complete tear of her ACL while mountain biking over the summer, she searched for a treatment that could help her return to the activities she loves. “I’ve always been interested in cuttingedge technology, so when I tore my ACL I did a lot of research into the latest options that are now available,” Richardson said. “I was happy to learn Dr. Wang was starting to offer the BEAR technique close to home. I plan to enjoy my favorite sports for many years to come, so I like the idea of being able to heal my own anatomy and not having to take a graft from one of my other Nationwide,tendons.”there are currently fewer than 100 surgeons in 26 states performing the BEAR procedure. More information about the new procedure is available by calling 1-800-SCRIPPS (1-800-727-4777). was elected the youngest member to ever sit on the board of directors of the San Diego Opera, and through her leadership, the Opera performed the world’s first Mariachi opera, “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna,” with Mariachi Vargas Tecalitlán, to sold-out houses. In 2011, she was chosen to participate in the HOPE Leadership Institute, a select group of Latina leaders in the State of California. Through the HOPE Leadership Institute, Villanueva traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress and the Senate to advocate for Hispanics.Villanueva has partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, where she initiated and co-chaired their first yearly event for the Hispanic philanthropic community. She has been honored by Girl Scouts San Diego as a Community Partner for her outstanding support of Girl Scouting in the region.Most recently, The Salvation Army San Diego selected Villanueva as a 2020-2021 Woman of Dedication, honoring women who have exemplified outstanding leadership through their philanthropic efforts to empower their communities.Sheandher husband enjoy the region and can be often found horseback riding or hiking with their dog, Winky.
The Bridge Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR) implant – acts as a bridge to help the torn ends of the patient’s ACL heal back together.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, nearly 200,000 ACL reconstruction surgeries are performed in the United States each year.
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The issue of lifting the 30’ coastal height limit from the north end of the airport up to Interstate 8 is back on the ballot.InAugust 2020, San Diego city council placed on the ballot the measure to lift the 30’ height limit. Save Our Access spoke in opposition, stating that the city had not done an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as required by law. That gave us standing to sue the city. When they went ahead, Save Our Access sued. In December 2021, the judge in the case sided with Save Our Access and said the city needed to do an EIR. In addition, the judge specified that the EIR needed to study specific issues. The city then appealed the case. Then they submitted an incomplete and fast tracked supplemental EIR. Instead of following the judge’s direction, they only studied the height issues.Save Our Access is concerned about how many people the city plans to cram in the area and the impact it would have on beach and freeway traffic. In the city’s desired plans for the 76-acre NAVWAR site, the density is greater than Manhattan. If that density happened over the entire area, the population increase would be between 150,000 and 200,000. With both the state and city creating laws to upzone, a beach and freeway clogging forest of high-rises would be disastrous. At the beginning of August, the city again placed the height limit on the November ballot. Save Our Access again commented on this action and is bringing legal action contesting the city’s decision to move forward with an incomplete EIR which did not even cover all the points the judge laid out. Save Our Access sees retaining the 700 acres of historic public land in this area for creation of a bay-tobay Veterans Sports Park as optimal use of the land we own. This would increase coast and beach access. We see that the city’s plans to use all the public land to create a highrise mega city barricade would keep people from reaching and enjoying coastal parks and beaches.SaveOur Access is an allvolunteer 501c3 non-profit dedicated to increasing the public’s access to and enjoyment of San Diego’s coastal communities.
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 PresidioSentinel .com • 13Local News Part of The Brigantine Family of www.BrigantineRestaurants.comRestaurants 1604 West Lewis Street • San Diego • 92103 (619) 291-1622 Mon. Fri. 6:00 am 7:00 pm • Sat. 8:00 am 4:00 pm 2725 Shelter Island Dr. • 619.224.2871 • 2244 San Diego 619.298.9840Ave.2912 Shelter Island Dr. 619.224.2401 Mission Hills Oldest & Finest PLAN NOW! • 3 LOCATIONS No On Measure “C” It’s Bad for All San Diegans
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Tickets to the 52nd Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest are now on sale. Organizers of Southern California’s #1 Oktoberfest are ready to deliver another authentic Bavarian-style celebration for nine consecutive weekends September 10 to November 5. Ticket options range from general admission, preferred seating options, Sunday Family-Fun Packages, and Über Bürgermeister Party Packs. Other big news for Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is Frankenrebellen Express, a band direct from Bavaria, will perform two weekends in October.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest represents Southern California’s most authentic Oktoberfest, which is well-known as the closest thing to the original celebration in Munich, Germany. Just like the original, Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest starts its celebration in September and goes into October (due to popular demand, it now stretches into November).
Big Welcomes the of a Band from
Bear Lake Oktoberfest
The weekend festivities take place at Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Event times are Saturdays 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays 12 noon to 6 p.m.; and Fridays (October only) 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. “This marks the first time since 2019 that we were actually able to get a band direct from Germany to travel to the United States,” said Monica Marini, director of Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. “The Frankenrebellen Express will definitely bring the spirit of Munich’s Oktoberfest right here in Big Bear FrankenrebellenLake.”Express derives from the Franconia region of Bavaria. They’re slated to perform in Big Bear Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2 and the following weekend Friday through Sunday, October 7 through 9. They sing with thick German accents and deliver exuberant party music that’s driven by a hearty, rhythmic oompahpah sound. The other seven weekends are booked with Southern California’s top German-style bands, which includes Die Sauerkrauts, Hazelnuss Das Music, Da Stuben Buden, and Ladyhosen featuring international yodeling sensation Kathrin Jakob. These bands perform on the main stage inside the Big Bear Lake Convention Center. Each band is renowned to stir up good times with a mix of popular cover songs such as “Sweet Caroline,” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” original tunes, and of course traditional Bavarian sing-alongs like “EinProsit,” “Hands to Heaven,” and “Das Esellied” that are certain to bring plenty of smiles and cheers. A second stage located outside, in the High-Altitude Beer Garden, features a variety of regional bands that perform rock ‘n’ roll and country music. For the full entertainment lineup visit
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are flexible schedules with a minimum of 3 days per month service. Retired Senior Patrol Volunteers
on vacation as requested.
©A Publication of Presidio Communications • September 2022 • PresidioSentinel .com 14 Local News Put NameYourInFrontof 35,000 Customers!Potential
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BigBearEvents.com.
The San Diego Police Department’s please RSVP 619-692-4945 bzamost@pd.sandiego.gov or fully California There
By your participation, you join an important Team to assist with the following: ● Neighborhood safety and crime prevention programs ● Provide additional visibility in your neighborhoods. ● Assist officers with diverting traffic at accidents, crimes, and fire scenes ● Assist with disaster preparedness and homeland security efforts ● Visit elderly residents (as part of the “You Are Not Alone” program) ● Participate in community events ● Home security checks for
Frankenrebellen Express photo is courtesy of Dan McKernan /BigBearGuide.com
Western Division is seeking additional members for its Retired Senior Patrol Volunteer (RSVP) Team to serve the communities of Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Point Loma, Linda Vista, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Midway, Morena, Harbor-Airport, Liberty Station, and Roseville. To learn more,
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Volunteers must be at least 50 years of age, in good health, semi
“We have two stages of continuous live entertainment, which provides a lively atmosphere throughout the day,” added Marini. “We give our guests plenty of activities to partake in too, from ‘Ein Prosit’ toasts, kids’ games, a mechanical bull, log-sawing contests and various interactive group dances that everyone seems to enjoy such as the ‘Fliegerlied’ and ‘Chicken Dance.’”
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What really makes this Oktoberfest more special than others is Big Bear Lake is situated in an Alpine environment with evergreens trees, mountain vistas, and a town-square village. This environment naturally reflects the scenery and heritage of the Bavarian Alps of Germany. At 6,750’ altitude, it marks the highest altitude Oktoberfest in California, and second highest in the U.S. The food served at Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest respects German traditions to the tee, including grilled bratwursts and knockwurst sausages, fresh-made colossal pretzels, home-style sauerkraut, German potato salad served warm, Bavarianstyle potato dumplings, and apple strudel served with a warm vanilla sauce.BigBear Lake Oktoberfest even serves the very same beer poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest. There are two full-service bars located inside the Convention Center and three different beer gardens outside, including the Tiki Bar, which provides a variety of micro brews and craft beer, ideal for beer connoisseurs. This year’s event has limited capacity, and some dates are anticipated to sell out. Saturdays in October have set arrival entry time blocks to ensure everyone with a pre-purchased tickets get a speedy entrance into the event. Tickets are on a first come, first served basis, and guests are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase tickets online. Ticket options range from general admission, preferred seating options, Sunday Family-Fun Packages, and Über Bürgermeister Party Packs. Ticket prices for Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest vary per ticket type and per date. For complete details regarding tickets, pricing, and general information, log on to BigBearEvents.com, or call 909-585-3000.
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Since 1973, La Mesa Oktoberfest has been attracting attendees from across San Diego and Southern California for 3 FREE days of festive live music, including Oompa bands, tons of top-notch German food, and of course, steins filled to the brim with German & Craft beer! The Munich-inspired festivities will be returning to the La Mesa Village on Friday, September 30, Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2 as the quaint streets set the scene for the largest German celebration San Diego has to offer. Grab your steins and get ready to “Prost!” (Cheers!), because there is a libation to satisfy the taste of every Mann or Frau at this year’s Oktoberfest. Top off a perfect day soaking in the La Mesa sun with three fully loaded biergartens featuring non-stop performances by local and regional bands for young and old alike with German Polka bands, indie rock jams, brass musicians and more! A Biergarten Pass is only $5 (kids are free) and gives you access to all three unique gartens. Guests will want to come hungry and enjoy a wide variety of traditional German food, giant pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel, and other delicious delights in the food court. Gather up your brute and brawn for the Glucklich Games and battle it out in a series of ferocious games. Race down the street through a mini obstacle course while holding full steins at the Beer Stein Races. Face off to see who can roll their beer barrel the fastest from one end of the course to the other with the Beer Barrel Roll. Team up and grab each end of a keg, run around the cone, and then come back and pass it off to the next two players on your team with the Keg Haul Relay Race. Throw your partner over your shoulders and race through the custom course with the Partner Carrying Race. Prove which team is the strongest with a suspenseful game of Tug-O-War. After you have competed in the Glucklich Games, head over to Oktoberfest’s Craft Faire. The Craft Faire will feature artisanal vendors offering unique and handmade items. Lining the streets will be over 100+ vendors to shop at and enjoy traditional and nontraditional food including some unique vegan specials! If the above was not enough, Oktoberfest has even more to enjoy at this German paradise with the German Kinder Karneval, featuring a towering Ferris Wheel, rock-climbing wall, massive inflatable slides, interactive art, brat-eating competitions, scavenger hunts and Dachshundsmore. and all pets are welcome. Bring your funny friend to our 3-day Dackeldorf extravaganza and participate in our Wiener/ Dachshund dog races and fashion shows to win exciting prizes and medals.Always wanted to be a VIP? Upgrade your Oktoberfest experience with one of our La Mesa Lumber Hofbrauhaus Biergarten VIP Passes that provide special benefits and VIP treatments! Celebrating its 48th year, La Mesa Oktoberfest continues to top its traditions and present Bavarian festivities that San Diegans of all ages can partake in. For more information and to purchase VIP passes, visit www. LaMesaOktoberfest.org. Oktoberfest food and drinks will be available to guests during the three-day event.
