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Volume 10, Issue 3 March 11 – April 7, 2016

INSIDE

Carpe diem

THIS ISSUE

Seizing opportunity when it comes his way

COMMUNITY It’s magic

Ken Williams Editor

Alexan Fashion Valley project tweaked

teve Abbo is a businessman driven to success. At age 17, and barely old enough to drive, the teenager from an Iraqi-American family talked his way into winning the bid to start a valet service at Sycuan Casino. Supreme Valet Service was born, and it still operates around San Diego as an amenity at clubs, restaurants and charity events. The valet service would later spawn another vehicle-related business, TLC Medical Transport, created to serve non-emergency situations. The transport business is still thriving today, he said. Abbo traces his business acumen to his father, and he anticipates that his 17-year-old son will follow in his footsteps. “My family has been in the retail business for years, and so has my partner’s family,” Abbo said. “In fact, my dad and his dad were business partners.” Almost three years ago Abbo and his business partner, Andy Hirmez of San Marcos-

Ken Williams

See ABBO page 18

Find this hidden gem in Old Town. Page 4

DINING Bar hopping

The grand opening of iFLY San Diego was March 4 at 2385 Camino Del Rio North in Mission Valley. (Photo by Jeff Clemetson)

iFLY takes flight

(Editor’s note: SDCNN editor Jeff Clemetson tries indoor skydiving for the first time. He shares his experience on Page 3.) Dr. Ink visits Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant. Page 10

FEATURE 75th Anniversary

Joseph Ciolino

rab your helmet and jumpsuit and prepare

for body flight, without ever having to jump out of an airplane. Indoor skydiving company iFLY San Diego held its grand opening in Mission Valley on March 4, and they did it with a bang. The Red Bull Air Force professional skydivers jumped out of a plane and

landed in the parking lot in front of invited guests, and then made their way inside the wind tunnel for a performance. The iFLY facility, located at 2385 Camino Del Rio North, is the third to open in Southern California. The other two are

See FLIGHT page 2

Editor Linda Vista kicks off year-long celebration. Page 16

GARDENING Spring fever

Add bold colors to your garden. Page 17

ALSO INSIDE Politics ...................................... 5 Opinion .................................... 6 Dining Out in San Diego .......... 8 Music Notes .............................. 11 Community Calendar ............... 15

Editorial / Letters (619) 961-1952 ken@sdcnn.com

Advertising (619) 961-1958 mike@sdcnn.com

www.sdcnn.com San Diego Community News Network

rchitects for the Alexan Fashion Valley luxury apartment complex have finetuned their drawings after getting feedback from the Mission Valley Planning Group’s Design Advisory Board (DAB). The project is proposed for a triangular-shaped piece of land along the curve of Camino de la Reina at the Avenida del Rio entrance to Fashion Valley Mall. The 4.92-acre property at 123 Camino de la Reina currently consists of four office buildings occupied by Mission Valley News and its parent company, San Diego Community News Network, as well as Mueller College, Southern States University, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, San Diego Children’s Choir, Cloud 9 SuperShuttle, the NAI

MARK YOUR CALENDARS An artist rendering of Alexan Fashion Valley multi-use luxury apartment complex, seen from entrance to the San Diego Union-Tribune property (Courtesy of Trammel Crow Residential)

San Diego commercial real estate company and other businesses. If the Alexan project is approved, the tenants will be required to move and the four buildings will be demolished. Typically, tenants are given a 90-day notice to vacate.

Property owner Trammell Crow Residential (TRC) returned to the DAB meeting on Feb. 29 for another informational presentation, and company officials said they hoped to start construction by August See ALEXAN page 19

•

Community clean-up and recycling event, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at Qualcomm Stadium, Southeast Parking Lot N1. Mission Valley Planning Group’s Design Advisory Board will meet at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, at the library. Mission Valley Planning Group will meet at noon Wednesday, April 6, at the library.■

• •

Mission Valley News

March 11 – April 7, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Stylish homes. Fetching parks.

Holding the ribbon is Alan Metni, CEO of SkyVenture International, parent company of iFLY San Diego. (Photo by Jeff Clemetson)

Flight, from page 1

What does it feel like to live in an award-winning home? It feels like the best of everything. It feels beautiful and intuitive. It feels like someone thought equally about what you want and what you need. It feels like Civita, an urban community recognized time and again for designing the most chic, most livable modern homes. And with the new 14-acre park opening next year, Civita offers high-style and open spaces, both inside and out.

APEX

Tri-Level Modern Living Home Design 2,092 to 2,229 SF 3 to 5 Bedrooms, up to 3.5 Baths Priced from the high $700,000s 760.710.9364

LUCENT

New Phase Release 1,464 SF Single-Level Flat 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2-car Garage Priced from the $600,000s 858.256.9021

FRAME & FOCUS Final Home – Frame Plan 1 Ready for Move-in

1,585 SF Attached Motor Court Home 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, 2-car Garage Priced at $640,229 858.256.0092

Civita Boulevard off Mission Center Road

civitalife.com

Civita is a master plan development of Quarry Falls, LLC. All information is accurate as of date of publication, but information and pricing is subject to change at any time.

in Hollywood and Ontario, and more are planned. People of all ages and flying experience can schedule indoor free-fall flights emulating the skydiving experience. So how does it work? The multimillion-dollar facility with an unusual design features a large wind tunnel housed with fans that draw air through the flight chamber, which is then pushed back down through the return air towers on the sides. The air is then turned from the towers into the bottom of the tunnel and back up toward the flight chamber through an inlet contractor reducing the air travel space by compressing and speeding up the air, allowing for a support of air-enabling flight, according to iFLY.com. Fliers must fill out a waiver before they enter into a room where they are greeted by their flight instructors, who are seasoned skydivers and have had extensive training in the flight tunnel. They watch a fiveminute video highlighting hand signals. After that, fliers are fitted with a helmet and flight suit. Hand signals are reviewed, and fliers enter the outer rim of the tunnel and await their turn to fly. Flights typically last about 60 seconds and are largely instructor-assisted, as it can be a bit difficult at first. Rookies typically start out on their “bellies” with their arms raised and elbows pointed out, while the instructor guides and ensures they maintain proper positioning. First-timers will experience wind speeds of 50 to 70 miles per hour, but this can be turned up for seasoned fliers. Safety is king. First-time or less-experienced fliers are monitored very closely by instructors throughout the flight’s duration. “Our instructors are IBA [International Bodyflight Association] certified and they train in all matters of safety,” said Krystal Castaneda, general manager of iFLY San Diego. “They make sure everyone is safe, that is the

main thing. They are in there with you the entire time.” More experienced fliers can prove they don’t need as much guidance from instructors, allowing them to be a little more hands-off. Fliers can also track their progress and advance through a progression system the more they fly. Fliers can sign up on tunnelflight.com and advance through levels approved by their instructor, and gain access to various perks the higher they advance, such as less-guided flight. “The more levels you gain and the more experience you gain, then the more people you can fly with and the more abilities you have,” said Brooke Sylvia, iFLY San Diego shift supervisor. Not only will fliers progress and gain experience, they will be burning calories as well. Flying is physically active because of the need to actively hold body positioning against wind. “I compare it to yoga,” Sylvia said. “You’re really engaging your body, holding still and strong and it’s very similar.” Dynamic flying is one of the most popular activities for competitive indoor skydiving. Teams of two or four compete by going around in a set pattern

for three laps and the team with the fastest time of the three laps combined wins the round, said Nick Flo, San Diego iFLY instructor. “There is also a freestyle round where it’s artistic, and four-way teams will fly a freestyle, artistic pattern where they will be judged by how it looks,” Flo said. The iFLY tunnel can also be used as a resource for teaching children. Castaneda said iFLY has a STEM education program bringing educators in to teach children about the science behind the laws of physics including wind speeds and drag. Want to fly? There are only a few restrictions. You must be age 3 or older and weigh less than 250 pounds. People who have experienced recent shoulder dislocations or have history of back, neck and heart issues should probably check with their doctor before attempting to fly, according to iFLY.com. Two 60-second flights cost $80, and visit iflyworld.com/san-diego for more information. —Joseph Ciolino is an intern with SDCNN and a senior majoring in journalism at San Diego State University.■

LOCAL NEWS 3 March 11 – April 7, 2016

sdcnn.com sdcnn.com

Mission Valley News

Flying away on a wing and a prayer Jeff Clemetson

hen I was 9 years old, my favorite TV show was “The Greatest American Hero.” The premise of the show went something like this: Aliens give a high school teacher a powerful suit that turns him into a superhero. But he loses the instruction manual on how to use it and so all his powers are performed with less than perfect finesse — especially the flying, which resulted in comical crashes and wobbly takeoffs. That’s a lot like how I felt in the iFLY San Diego indoor skydiving center in Mission Valley — like I lacked the knowledge of how to use my flying suit. It’s not that the pre-flight class with instructor Nick Flo was inadequate; it was that my body lacked the learned discipline to stay aloft within the wind tunnel. The first time I went in the wind tube, I spent the better half of the 2-minute experience on or near the floor, struggling to keep my body in the preferred position for maximum resistance. The iFLY instructors use a system of hand signals to direct you on how to position your legs and body: index and middle finger extended like a hippy peace sign means

SDCNN editor Jeff Clemetson “skydives” indoors under the watchful eye of instructor Nick Flo. (Courtesy of iFLY San Diego)

the instructor wants you to extend your legs; same two fingers bent like someone giving air quotes means to bend the legs; and extending the thumb and pinky out like a surfer giving the “hang loose” sign means to relax. The idea is that through straightening or bending the body, you can increase or decrease wind resistance and give you more or less altitude in the tunnel. Considering the number of times my belly bumped

the floor that first run, I felt that what I should really be decreasing is my calorie intake. Despite the fact that I didn’t fly with the cool ease of the instructors, who put on quite the aerial acrobatic demonstration before my flight, I couldn’t wait for my next chance to try it again. My next session started out a lot like the first, struggling to keep enough wind below me to hover above the floor. Just as I started to feel like I was get-

ting the hang of flying around the wind tunnel, it started raining from the ground up. Not real rain, since this is an indoor skydiving facility, but there were water drops coming from beneath me. Flo pulled me to the exit and the turbines that blast the air were shut down while a crew went to investigate what was going on. I could hear the instructors and machine operators bemoaning that this, of course, had to happen when

the press was there. They assured me that replicating skydiving in a thunderstorm was not a normal part of the experience and that these kinds of bugs would be worked out of the system by the time iFLY held its official opening. The water issue turned out to be nothing serious, so I got to go in the wind tube a third time. This time around, I managed to stay off the ground and was even able to fly over Flo’s reach. As I drifted back toward the ground, I suddenly felt Flo grab my suit and at the same time the operator increased the wind speed. He flew us to the top of the tunnel, spinning in circles on the way up and on the way down. We did this a few more times, spinning our way up and down the tunnel to the fluctuating speed of the wind. It was thrilling! And for those brief moments, I knew what it was like to fly with that instruction book. As I left the iFLY building on my way back to the office, I couldn’t help hearing the theme song to “The Greatest American Hero” in my head: “Believe it or not, I’m walking on air. I never thought I could feel so free-ee-ee …” —Write to Jeff Clemetson at jeff@sdcnn.com.■

Mission Valley News

March 11 – April 7, 2016

COMMUNITY

It’s magic: Old Town’s best-kept secret Tori Hahn

mong the colorful galleries, mariachi bands and Mexican restaurants that line the streets of Old Town lies the well-hidden Red Spade Theater, tucked away on Congress Street between a wine bar and a jewelry store. Sebastian Figueroa, who goes by his stage name of Sebastian, opened the Red Spade Theater almost five years ago to create a cozy venue for magic. The show’s title, “Intimate Miracles,” epitomizes the theater’s ambiance. The small room with just 28 seats welcomes its audience with dim lighting, dark red walls and soft jazz music. Dan Thomas opened the show with a card trick and a round of jokes that warmed up the crowd to the theater’s conversational tone. “The Red Spade Theater is here for the preservation of magic and up-close magic,” Thomas said. Sebastian took the stage — or more accurately, a spot at the front of the room — after Thomas. Throughout his performance, Sebastian regularly engaged the spectators. He often asked them to join him

Sebastian performs magic Friday and Saturday nights at Red Spade Theater in Old Town. (Photo by Darrell Alonzi)

on stage to help with the illusions, to which the audience members hesitantly left their seats and their dates’ sides to participate. The magician used a combination of playing cards, music, coins, dice and plastic balls to make the audience

fall under his spell. Viewers became so involved that by the end of the show they openly voiced their incredulity at Sebastian’s tricks. The onlookers craned their necks so they wouldn’t miss a moment in the 90-minute performance.

Sebastian picked up magic as a hobby 24 years ago. It wasn’t until somebody told him he was proficient enough to perform for money that he decided to turn it into a career. He blended his favorite type of magic, sleight-of-hand magic, with storytelling to create the

intimate atmosphere at the Red Spade Theater. “I figured you could go to Vegas and see big illusions, you could turn on the TV and see big illusions, but there’s not a venue for close-up-style magic,” he said. “There’s nothing like it in Southern California.” Sebastian’s favorite part about performing at the Old Town theater is being able to share his love of magic with his audience. But, like all magicians, Sebastian refused to reveal his secrets. Sebastian performs “Intimate Miracles” at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays to audience members 16 and older. Tickets can be purchased online through the theater’s website, redspadetheater.com, for $34. For children 5 and older, the theater brings in a guest magician to perform one Sunday every month. “Family Magic Show” tickets are priced $14 — $18. —Tori Hahn is an intern with SDCNN and a senior majoring in journalism at San Diego State University.■

An audience member is amazed at a magic trick achieved by Sebastian. (Photo by Rynne Griggs)

POLITICS

March 11 – April 7, 2016 Mission Valley News

sdcnn.com

Congressional Watch Andy Cohen Welcome to the heart of primary season and a brave(?) new world where reality TV has utterly hijacked what most Americans until now had considered to be a fairly serious endeavor; running to be the next president of the United States. If you were asked a year ago, would you have predicted that Bernie Sanders, the Independent senator from Vermont, would be giving former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heartburn? And NO ONE would have seriously postulated that Donald Trump would be this close to wrapping up the Republican nomination for POTUS as we headed into Super Tuesday. Yet that’s exactly where we are. An avowed “Democratic Socialist” is making waves on the Democratic side of the race and an apparently proud xenophobic, narcissistic billionaire racist is running away with the Republican nomination. Make no mistake about it: Donald Trump is a bigot of the highest order. How else can one explain his refusal to denounce the support of the Ku Klux Klan and that organization’s former Grand Wizard David Duke? Yeah, I know, Trump eventually did dismiss the KKK and their former leader, but only after a full day of waffling and insisting he didn’t know anything about the Klan, and that he had to do some research on the group, and that he didn’t know who David Duke was. Don’t buy the bull puckey: The Donald knew exactly who David Duke and the KKK were, despite his insistence to the contrary. There’s this thing called video, after all. Seriously Donald? You don’t know what the Ku Klux Klan is? Yet all of the outlandish, despicable, and outright disturbing things that Trump has said on the campaign trail apparently doesn’t bother at least one local member of Congress: Duncan Hunter (R-50). The vaping congressman threw his support behind Donald Trump in a San Diego Union Tribune op-ed, after having previously backed former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who dropped out of the race. “In the national game of politics, he’s got a winning message and the backbone to see it through,” Hunter wrote. “With the stakes so high, a Trump presidency stands to provide the right leadership to unleash the power of the U.S. economy, secure the borders, and revitalize the armed forces,” he said. Hunter also noted that a Trump presidency is “not an idea fancied by some Republicans, but they’ll need to get over it and determine what about Trump is attractive to them and what about Trump has gener-

Rep. Susan Davis, D-53 2700 Adams Ave. #102 San Diego, CA 92116 Local: 619-280-5353 Washington: 202-225-2040 house.gov/susandavis Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-50 1611 N. Magnolia Ave. #310 El Cajon, CA 92019 619-448-5201 202-225-5672 hunter.house.gov Rep. Darrell Issa, R-49 1800 Thibodo Road #310 Vista, CA 92081 760-599-5000 202-225-3906 issa.house.gov Rep. Scott Peters, D-52 4350 Executive Dr. #105 San Diego, CA 92122 858-455-5550 202-225-0508 scottpeters.house.gov Rep. Juan Vargas, D-51 333 F St. #A Chula Vista, CA 91910 619-422-5963 202-225-8045 vargas.house.gov ated so much support among voters.” So, in other words, if you like policy screeds that entail in totality “something terrific”; an anti-Hispanic message; an anti-black message that has earned the full-throated support of white nationalist groups; blatant disregard for the First Amendment and freedom of religion; misogyny; a campaign a middle school playground would cringe at; then yes, Donald Trump is your man. Being president of the United States is a serious job, and apparently Duncan Hunter thinks a reality TV star who has debased the entire campaign by tacitly inciting violence against anyone who disagrees with him is a serious candidate. Last month, President Obama forwarded a plan to Congress that would once and for all close the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The plan would consider 13 different sites within the United States to take in the remaining detainees. The detention center has been a source of consternation since popping onto the national radar shortly after the terror-

ist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and has been a major recruiting tool for terrorist organizations around the world. Meanwhile, thousands of terrorists are currently incarcerated in facilities throughout the U.S. without incident. Darrell Issa (R-49) compared any potential order by Obama to close the facility to the Trail of Tears, the forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation in the 1830s to Oklahoma, in which 4,000 people died. “It’s an old example,” Issa told Fox News, “but Andy Jackson, the founder of the Democratic Party, in the Trail of Tears defied the Supreme Court and marched Native Americans to their death.” So closing a detention center that houses roughly 100 “enemy combatants” is somehow comparable to the tragic and unfortunate treatment of Native Americans over 180 years ago? I’m not seeing it. On the other side of the aisle, meanwhile, Susan Davis (D- 53) noted in a press release that “with about 2,000 personnel watching over 91 detainees, Guantanamo is a fiscally irresponsible approach to this issue and it will cost significantly more over the long term to keep detainees there than transfer them to a U.S. facility. Furthermore, our judicial system has a proven record of trying and incarcerating terrorists, with over 500 terrorists currently being held in U.S. prisons. “Congress should lift the restrictions that have prevented the president from closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay,” Davis said. Scott Peters (D-52) visited Flint, Michigan, the city whose water supply has been poisoned for the past two years due to a fiscally motivated decision at the state level to switch supply sources from the Detroit water system — which gets its water from Lake Erie — to the Flint River, which is notoriously polluted. The corrosive water ate away at the protective lining of the lead pipes in the Flint water system, causing high levels of toxic lead to poison the city’s entire water supply. Peters, a native of the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Michigan, and a former environmental law attorney, was a co-sponsor of a bill, along with Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) whose district includes Flint, that strengthened EPA requirements to notify residents when concentrations of lead in drinking water exceeds safe levels. —Andy Cohen is a local freelance writer. Reach him at ac76@ sbcglobal.net.■

Notes from Toni Toni G.

Atkins Sometimes it feels like the past two years went by in a blur. Other times, they felt like a lifetime. On March 7, I handed the keys to the Speaker’s office over to Anthony Rendon, and I became Speaker Emeritus, a title I’ll carry until my days in the Assembly are over this December. As Mr. Rendon and I have worked together on a smooth transition for the past couple of months, I’ve begun to reflect on my wild ride as speaker, and I can’t help but smile while thinking about the things my colleagues and I accomplished. When I became Speaker in 2014, I made a point of making the Assembly more democratic by empowering individual members and giving committee chairs more autonomy. I think that helps create a truly representative government that better matches California’s rich diversity. The budgets we passed were on time and well balanced, strengthening our rainy-day reserves and paying down debt while at the same time repairing the social safety net that was damaged during the recession. We pumped billions of dollars back into public schools and hundreds of millions back into higher education, while continuing to fund the Middle Class Scholarship and ensuring that our universities return their focus to California students. We created the first-ever state Earned Income Tax Credit to help struggling families make ends meet and the Housing Support Program to help them avoid homelessness. And we allocated $100 million to fund affordable housing. We helped disadvantaged communities overcome environmental troubles and create more sustainable neighborhoods through our cap-and-trade program and other legislation, and we strengthened the state’s already world-leading climate change laws. We passed a comprehensive water bond and a groundwatermanagement plan to combat the prolonged drought. We boosted our economy in part by passing bills that help our film and aerospace industries compete with those in other states. We made our residential- and foster-care systems better and safer to improve the lives of the youth, elderly and disabled Californians who rely on our help. We protected public school children from infectious disease, and we gave terminally ill patients the option to end their lives with dignity on their own terms. We overhauled our system of regulating and licensing medical marijuana, ending 20 years of chaos. We helped the Coastal Commission enforce the law that allows the public unfettered access to our beaches. And we dramatically increased the number of slots for families who need

preschool and child care. And I am very proud that some of the successes we had were bills that I wrote, including bills that: give transgender people control over the identity reflected on their death certificates; provide more help to victims of domestic abuse; strengthen the ban on the sale of elephant ivory; assist local fishermen in marketing their catch to the public; and helping reduce prison recidivism by better prioritizing housing assistance, drug and alcohol treatment, and mental-healthcare for former inmates. There’s still work left to do, of course, such as finding a permanent source of funding for affordable housing to help solve our statewide housing crisis, fixing our ailing transportation system, repealing the punitive maximum family grant in our CalWORKS program, and budgeting for an inevitable rise in the minimum wage. All that is in addition to my and my colleagues’ focus this year on fighting the evil of human trafficking. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to be the first Speaker from San Diego and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve San Diegans, and all Californians, in the years to come. Extras: Congratulations to my mentor, former state Senator Christine Kehoe — she will be inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame this month. She has done great work both for our city and our state. I’m so proud of her both for what she’s done and the work she continues to do … Free installation of smoke alarms is available for seniors via the Burn Institute, which offers the Senior Smoke Alarm Program. To see if you qualify, call the Burn Institute at 858-541-2277, ext. 18, or email smokealarm@burninstitute.org ... The state’s traffic ticket amnesty program can cut fines by up to 80 percent for some motorists facing financial hardship. They qualify if their ticket payments were due on or before Jan. 1, 2013 and they have not made a payment since Sept. 30, 2015. The website courts.ca.gov has more information. —Toni G. Atkins is the Speaker-emeritus of the California State Assembly. For more information, visit her website, asmdc.org/speaker or follow her on Twitter, @toniatkins.■

Mission Valley News

March 11 – April 7, 2016

OPINION

sdcnn.com

123 Camino de la Reina. Suite 202 East San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 519-7775 MissionValleyNews.com Twitter: @MissionVllyNews EDITOR Ken Williams (619) 961-1952 Ken@sdcnn.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Todd Kammer (619) 961-1965 graphics2@sdcnn.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jeff Clemetson, x119 Morgan M. Hurley, x110

PRODUCTION ARTISTS Design2Pro

COPY EDITOR Dustin Lothspeich WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA Jen Van Tieghem, x118 jen@sdcnn.com

GUEST EDITORIALS

Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone approved Scott

Sherman

Recently, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved an Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone, a program that will help expand community access to fresh produce through a property tax incentive for urban agriculture on vacant, blighted land. County Supervisor Ron Roberts and myself advocated for the new program.

The program will provide communities throughout the entire city an economic tool to incentivize the development of community gardens on eyesore properties. An Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone reduces the property tax of a participating parcel owner in exchange for a minimum five-year contract for the usage of the site for urban agriculture. The new measure is made possible as a result of State Assembly Bill 551 introduced by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D), which was

signed into law during the 2013 state legislative session. I appreciate the support of my council colleagues for approving my measure that will incentivize the development of urban agriculture in all San Diego neighborhoods as well as give residents and property owners an additional tool to transform blighted property in their communities. The new development will also help further our mission of developing and maintaining an equitable, healthy, and sustainable food

system in San Diego. Once the measure is approved by the county government in the next couple months, our office will be looking for empty lots in the community and property owners that may be interested in the new program. If residents may know of locations for a potential community garden, please contact my office at 619-2366677 or email ScottSherman@ sandiego.gov. —Scott Sherman represents District 7 on the San Diego City Council.■

Fighting for a fair share of homeless resources Scott Peters San Diego’s Downtown has grown into a thriving center for arts, business, tourism and urban living. Ask any resident or business owner what challenges remain, and most will cite homelessness. San Diego’s Regional Continuum of Care Council, led by Councilmember Todd Gloria, has brought together community leaders and service providers to distribute resources and get people off the streets and into permanent housing. In the San Diego way, we have been cooperative and innovative in our approach. For instance, the San Diego Downtown Partnership’s Clean & Safe Program has assisted more than 1,700 people with housing and supportive services. The problem may seem daunting, but San Diego has taken important steps to improve lives through affordable housing and increased ac-

cess to healthcare and other services. But we’ve done this without our fair share of federal resources. In 2014, while we had the fifth largest homeless population in the country, San Diego received the 23rd highest level of federal homelessness funding. Just think of what we might accomplish if we received funding support more commensurate with our homeless population? Currently, the formula that determines how federal homelessness resources are allocated is related more to the age of a community’s housing stock than to the size of its homeless population. Just after coming to Congress in 2013, I reached out to then-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shaun Donovan to ask that he make this fairer. I made the same request to Secretary Julian Castro when he took over, and brought him to San Diego to see the progress we’ve made. We toured the Churchill Hotel,

which is being renovated to provide permanent housing for the homeless, including dedicated units for homeless veterans. During his visit, he announced that he would start the process for revising the funding formula this spring. Other western cities such as Las Vegas, Seattle, Houston, and Denver also receive a disproportionately low amount of federal funding given their homeless populations. Earlier this month, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted my amendment to the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act to require HUD to reopen the formula. Secretary Castro supports my work to build Congressional consensus around this priority, and assured me again this month that the formula would be reopened this spring. My staff is working with the Continuum of Care to ensure that San Diego submits its comments and applications for future funding in the most strategic and

effective way possible. I’m proud of my work at the City Council and the Port Commission on the ballpark, the Downtown library, the North Embarcadero, the Old Police Headquarters, and for the betterment of Downtown’s many neighborhoods. And I will keep working for more progress on homelessness. For years, my staff and I have participated in the Point in Time Count, where hundreds of San Diegans volunteer at 4 a.m. to seek out men, women and families living on the street to gather census data, and to interview them to learn how they got there and might be helped. I’ve also participated many times in Operation Stand Down, where veterans in need can access a range of services. From these experiences we see first-hand that our homeless population is not homogenous; it is made up of people from all walks of life See PETERS page 7

CONTRIBUTORS Toni G. Atkins Charlene Baldridge Joseph Ciolino Jeff Clemetson Andy Cohen David Dixon Dr. Ink Tori Hahn Gary Jones Erica Moe Margie M. Palmer Scott Peters Sari Reis Frank Sabatini Jr. Scott Sherman Jen Van Tieghem Lucia Viti WEB DESIGNER Kim Espinoza kim@kespinoza.com ACCOUNTING Priscilla Umel-Martinez (619) 961-1962 accounting@sdcnn.com

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Mike Rosensteel (619) 961-1958 mike@sdcnn.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Lisa Hamel (619) 961-1957 lisahamel@sdcnn.com Andrew Bagley, x106 True Flores, (619) 454-0115 Sloan Gomez, x104 SENIOR INTERN Jacob Rosenfarb EDITORIAL INTERNS Joseph Ciolino Tori Hahn PUBLISHER David Mannis (619) 961-1951 david@sdcnn.com PUBLISHER EMERITUS Jim Madaffer

OPINIONS/LETTERS: Mission Valley News encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please email submissions to editor@sdcnn.com and include your phone number and address for verification. We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and accuracy. Letters and guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or staff. SUBMISSIONS/NEWS TIPS: Send press releases, tips, photos or story ideas to editor@sdcnn.com. For breaking news and investigative story ideas contact the editor by phone or email. DISTRIBUTION: Mission Valley News is distributed free the second Friday of every month. COPYRIGHT 2016. All rights reserved.

FEATURE

March 11 – April 7, 2016 Mission Valley News

sdcnn.com

Robotic coding skills propel Parker students into space Special to Mission Valley News

About Francis Parker School Established in 1912, Francis Parker School offers a college-preparatory education for students in junior kindergarten to Grade 12. The Lower School is housed on the historic Mission Hills Campus with the Middle and Upper Schools on the Linda Vista Campus.

Francis Parker School’s Zero Robotics team has made it to outer space. The team — comprised of 10 sophomores, two juniors and two seniors — completed its best season yet in the annual Zero Robotics High School Tournament. Preliminary rounds are conducted in virtual environments with the finalists earning a spot in the finals held aboard the International Space Station. That’s right — The International Space Station. Parker has entered teams in every competition for the past several years. But this was the first time that the Parker students reached the finals, allowing them to write code to program miniature satellites called SPHERES (an acronym for Synchro-

nized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites) into performing various tasks aboard the International Space Station. “I’m very proud of the job our team did this year. It’s kind of awesome,” said team advisor Michael Maunu, who also teaches Upper School mathematics and AP computer science at Parker. “We have a very strong computer programming curriculum with a lot of offerings that other schools don’t have, and our performance at the Zero Robot-

ics competition is just one more validation of that fact,” he said. The competition was inspired by astronaut Greg Chamitoff and the MIT Space Systems Laboratory. His goal was to open research on the International Space Station to middle school and high school students. Zero Robotics says its goal is “to build critical engineering skills for students, such as problem solving, design thought process, operations training, and teamwork.”

Members of the Parker Zero Robotics team: l Ashkon Aghassi (Class

of 2018)

l Troy Appel (Class of 2018) l Ryan Austin (Class of 2018) l Peter Bullard (Class of 2017) l Ben Clark (Class of 2017) l Nicolas Contreras (Class

of 2018)

l Ben Dorsey (Class of 2018) l Nicole Keeney (Class of 2016) l Alex Kramer (Class of 2016) l Andrew Lezny (Class of 2018)

l Jeremy McCulloch

(Class of 2018)

l AJ Nawrocki (Class of 2018) l Kiran Rhodes (Class of 2018) l Sunshine Schneider

(Class of 2018)

The Parker Zero Robotics team (also named Team 2485) placed fifth in the nation – and 12th in the world – during the first phase of the competition. At the end of the second phase, Parker was selected to join an alliance that included teams from Charlottesville, Virginia, and Piraeus, Greece.That sent the team to the International Space Station for the Jan. 25 final round, which was refereed by astronauts aboard the space craft. Among 27 alliances worldwide, Parker’s finished in fourth place. “The competition challenges students to become problem solvers in whatever they do while also perhaps planting the seeds of preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers,” Maunu said.■

PETERS, from page 6 who, for one reason or another, faced a life-changing event that they couldn’t overcome, whether that be a lost job, medical bills they couldn’t afford, an addiction or a personal tragedy they couldn’t move beyond. There is no one solution to end homelessness. It is about permanent housing, yes, but it is also about employment, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and giving people a chance to get back on their feet and have a stable home from which to rebuild their lives. Providing this kind of comprehensive support requires the engagement of an entire community, and I will continue to work for the solution. —Congressman Scott Peters serves the 52nd District of California, which covers much of central San Diego County including Poway, Coronado, and large portions of thecity of San Diego. He is also a former environmental attorney,City Council president, and chairman of the Port Commission.■

Mission Valley News

March 11 – April 7, 2016

DINING

dding to the roster of incoming tenants to Liberty Station are Nekter Juice Bar, a national chain, and Dirty Birds, a homegrown eatery rooted in Pacific Beach that specializes in chicken wings and craft beer. Both are due to take residence on the property this summer. In the meantime, look for March-April openings at Liberty Station of Fireside by the Patio, Liberty Public Market and Buona Forchetta, as well as Breakfast Republic in late spring. libertystation.com.

The “S&P” plate for brunch at Vinavanti Urban Winter (Photo by Heather Newman)

Brunch service was recently introduced at Vinavanti Urban Winery in Hillcrest. The menu was conceived by winemaker Eric Van Drunen and general manager Adrienne Goppold. Their dishes include a charcuterie plate; orange French toast with maple brandy sauce and almond cream; and the “S&P,” which is housecured salmon accompanied by a curry potato pancake. In addition, all sparkling wines are $5 off. Brunch is served inside the winery and on the patio from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. 1477 University Ave., 619-484-6282, vinavantiurbanwinery.com.

Duck confit poutine to join menu at Pardon My French Bar & Kitchen, which has replaced Heat Bar & Kitchen (Courtesy of Delfe Group)

As of March 2, Heat Bar & Kitchen in Hillcrest became Pardon My French Bar & Kitchen, a new venture by Eric Fillion and his wife, Lindsey. The couple recently purchased Heat from Sam Khorish and Pasqual Courtin, who opened the radiantly lit restaurant a few years ago after operating Urban Grind in the same space. “We love this place so much that we’re going to make only minor changes with the community in mind,” said Fillion, who plans on adding a “European vibe” through music, art, a boutique wine list, and a few French dishes that will include Croquemonsieur (and Madame) sandwiches and duck confit poutine. The Fillions have been active in the art world for the past several years in their efforts to spotlight various artists through social events at local hotels and restaurants. 3797 Park Blvd., 619-546-4328.

A sister restaurant to Manhattan of La Jolla opened recently in front of the Embassy Suites by Hilton at 601 Pacific Highway. Co-owner Brian O’Donnell says New York West is an informal version of his fine-dining La Jolla steakhouse and focuses on casual Italian dishes and New York-style thin-crust pizza. Complete with a full cocktail bar and 20 beer taps, the space’s Big Apple theme is still shaping up as O’Donnell plans on decorating further with black-and-white photographs of New York buildings and celebrities. 619-819-7091; nywsd.com.

Pizza at New York West restaurant (Photo by J.T. Meadows)

Barbecue with traditional fixings (Courtesy of Bugsy’s BBQ)

Smoked turkey legs, St. Louis-style ribs and candied sweet potatoes are among the down-home dishes that have arrived to the Gaslamp Quarter, via the new Bugsy’s BBQ. Helming the menu is Pitmaster Jacob Greene, an expert in regional barbecue who has worked in restaurants throughout the country specializing in smoked meats. House-made pies are also in the offing. The restaurant, which was previously home to Urban Bar and Lounge, features an Old West theme boasting large flat screens and a full bar slinging unique cocktails such as smoked brisket martinis and the bourbon-based Lucky Luciano with pineapple juice and smoked lemon. 827 Fifth Ave., 619-2358700, bugsysbbqsd.com.

Busalacchi Restaurants has closed its 12-year-old Po Pazzo in Little Italy to make way for Barbusa, which will replace traditional Italian dishes with “modern Sicilian” cuisine. The menu is still in the works, and the re-branded endeavor is slated to open sometime in May. 1917 India St., busalacchirestaurants.com. —Frank Sabatini Jr can be reached at fsabatini@san.rr.com. ■

Come join us St. Patrick's Day for our drink specials & Corned Beef & Cabbage! 6110 Friars Rd. #108 San Diego, CA 92108

619.542.1786

DINING

March 11 – April 7, 2016 Mission Valley News

sdcnn.com

Pass the feijoada

Brazil by the Bay 3770 Hancock St. (Midway District) 619-692-1410 brazilbythebay.com Prices: Appetizers and salads, $3 to $9; sandwiches, $7 to $10; entrees, $11.50 to $16.99

Frank

Sabatini Jr.

espite the suggestion of a waterfront location, there is no bay in sight at Brazil by the Bay. What you see instead while savoring dishes that are as common to Brazilians as meatloaf is to Americans, are low-rise industrial structures and the rear parking lot of the Valley View Casino Center. This is Hancock Street, an unglamorous loop of automotive shops and home-supply outlets that happens to also squeeze in a café and two breweries, not to mention a Thai massage parlor. Brazil by the Bay took residence here 12 years ago after operating as Brazil on the Hill for a short time at the corner of University and Third avenues in Hillcrest. High rent squeezed it out, but the move didn’t kill its following of expats and curious locals. The restaurant adjoins a small store, which carries dry and frozen groceries imported from Brazil — cookies, juices, acai berries, cheese rolls, etc. An interior doorway connects to a casual dining area with a modest-size bar and limited seating that extends to an outdoor patio. Beware of the malaguetas. They’re the bird’s eye red chili peppers used widely throughout Brazil in sauces and stews. On a couple of visits, our waitress brought them to the table as a condiment. Packed in vinegar, they offer a fantastic fruity flavor that turns wildly dangerous when eating more than a speck. Their capsicum levels may easily rival those found in Thai chilies. The peppers lend necessary zing to appetizers such as kibe, a deep-fried log of ground beef, wheat, onions and herbs that’s sold commonly on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. The coxinha, too, is otherwise bland. The soft, fried dough ball is filled

with chicken, cream cheese, tomatoes and onions. Beyond its velvety interior, I found it underwhelming without the added heat. As for the side of potato sticks we ordered with the coxinha, we assumed they were something house-made, but they turned out to be the ones my mother used to buy in a can. Flakier and plumper are the pastels, another doughbased starter encasing beef or chicken, or a combination of cheese and guava, which the menu lists as “Romeo & Juliet.” For good reason, the pastels tend to sell out quickly on most days. Most of the dishes are authentically Brazilian, with the exception of Caesar salad, burgers, and a tri-tip sandwich I recently ordered that was as satisfying as any assembled in an American kitchen. Served on a good French roll, the tender chunks of steak were shrouded in caramelized onions, portabella mushrooms and Jack cheese. Although if you’re looking for the top national dish of Brazil, the feijoada offers a sexy mix of pork, beef and black beans in a thick stew served alongside rice and farofa, a fine manioc flour that looks and tastes like dried breadcrumbs. Brazilians sprinkle it onto pieces of cooked meat as sort of a last-minute breading. It’s flavorless, but adds sumptuous texture. I’ve had the feijoada twice here, and it’s been consistently comforting with its subtle smoky flavor complemented by customary orange slices and braised collard greens. Priced at $16.99, the meal ranks among the priciest on the menu unless opting for the $60 Brazilian-style tri-tip for four, which is brought to the table on a hot grill with roasted garlic. Traditional Brazilian meat skewers, however, are missing from the menu. Our waitress on my last visit shrugged when I asked why, as if to say, “This isn’t Rei Do Gado,” the churrascaria in the Gaslamp

Steak sandwich (All photos by Frank Sabatini Jr.)

Coxinha and potato sticks

Stew with rice

Quarter where patrons are served continuous trains of skewers until signaling their servers to stop. Brazil by the Bay isn’t that, if only because of its humble confines and its intent on serving food common to Brazilian households. As I’ve witnessed each time, customers from the mother country fill the tables, conversing often in Portuguese with the endearing wait staff. For the cultural experience alone, I can live without the meats on sticks while extinguishing the burn from the malaguetas with a cold Brazilian Xingu beer. —Frank Sabatini Jr. is the author of “Secret San Diego” (ECW Press), and began his local writing career more than two decades ago as a staffer for the former San Diego Tribune. You can reach him at fsabatini@ san.rr.com.■

10 Mission Valley News

DINING

March 11 – April 7, 2016

The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant 2660 Calhoun St. (Old Town) 619-297-1874

The historic Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant in Old Town proves to be a great place for happy hour. (Photos by Dr. Ink)

Bar hopping within a single address Come On Get Happy! D r. I n k

The saloon at the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant in Old Town is always a big draw for me with its ornate, wooden bar shelves, striped wallpaper and 19th-century relics strewn throughout the room. It’s a place where you can easily imagine regional travelers parking their stagecoaches outside and poking in for a whiskey when the hotel served as a crash pad for them. The property is rife with history. What started out as a

the saloon’s lone bar customer that day, I was less interested in fiddling with my cell phone than I was in rubbing elbows with fellow drinkers. So I moved to the courtyard bar. There, a small gaggle of locals and tourists provided a social outlet as I switched to a margarita, which also usually sells for $8, but drops to $5 during happy hour. The friendly bartender, clad in a black vest and dress slacks, concocted the cocktail in two fast steps by shooting up a shot of Milagro Tequila with margarita mix dispensed from a soda gun.

modest adobe home built in the early-1800s by pioneer Juan Lorenzo Bandini eventually expanded a few decades later under a different owner, at which point it came to include a billiards room, barbershop and the saloon, as well as a second level for guest rooms. Today especially, it’s a fine place to drink and eat, thanks to an additional courtyard bar added some decades ago, and the subsequent renovations that were made throughout the structure. On a recent happy-hour visit, I started at the saloon with a glass of cabernet sauvignon by Sawbuck. It’s the house wine discounted from $8 to $4. But as

(above) Chips and dip; (below) Margarita

oldtowncosmopolitan.com

Skeptical at first where the mix originates, he assured it’s house-made, and that it isn’t too sweet or overly tart. He was right. It didn’t taste harsh like the lip-puckering commercial stuff used often in other places. And the smooth Milagro with its herbal notes made it all the better. On a previous visit, I soaked up a good deal of Stone IPA ($4 during happy hour) with a memorable burger and fries ($7). This time, the artichokemushroom dip with house-made chips called. Priced at $5, it was as rich as the burger with plenty of chips piled alongside a mini casserole of chunky artichoke hearts, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes, all buried beneath a sturdy layer of baked cheese. Tasty, but perhaps too much of a buzz kill when you’re drinking responsibly. Other food and drink deals include bacon-bourbon wontons, three-cheese quesadillas, and well drinks for $5 — not bad for a popular San Diego landmark that envelopes you with architectural details from a bygone era.■

Happy Hour: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

RATINGS

DRINKS:

The house margarita uses smooth twice-distilled Milagro Tequila, which gives the drink a spicier flavor than most. Beer is limited to four taps, a mix of crafts and domestics, and wine is limited to only a few Sawbuck varietals.

FOOD: The kitchen puts out juicy, meaty burgers, although in a more recent visit, the artichokemushroom dip with housemade potato chips proved tasty and filling.

VALUE: Prices on most drinks and noshes during happy hour drop down by $3 on average, and without any reductions in their volumes.

SERVICE: Professionally attired staffers are quick to greet you at the entrance and at the bars.

ATMOSPHERE: Choose between two bars: the indoor saloon that transports you to the mid-1800s, or the outdoor bar lounge set within a flora-filled courtyard with rusticstyle bar stools and love seats.

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619-298-3576

FITNESS / MUSIC 11 March 11 – April 7, 2016

sdcnn.com

Mission Valley News

Dinner, from page 13

JAZZ

Mirror, mirror on the wall Erica Moe Many of us are in search of the elusive six-pack abs. We crunch, we twist, we buy potions and programs. But what, exactly, makes that six-pack so well-defined? The segmented, rippled effect comes from a strong, white tendon sheath covering the abdominal muscles. Trouble is, there’s usually a layer of fat that hides those washboardlike abs! Research shows that six weeks of abdominal exercises alone, five days per week, did not decrease bodyweight, body fat, or abdominal circumference. However, it did increase abdominal muscular endurance. While a regular core workout alone will not yield a toned tummy, core work accompanied by a proper diet and cardio exercise may do the trick. Sure, we want to look great, but core workouts should be about more than physical appearance. A strong core can improve posture, increase balance and reduce the risk of falls by creating a stable center of gravity. Other benefits: increased athletic performance and reduced back pain.

All about technique

Correct technique for core work is important. Research supports a traditional crunch (performed with proper form) as the most effective exercise. Body position and slow, controlled movements are key. You don’t need equipment, unless it adds enjoyment (and, therefore, adherence) to the workout. Include a variety of exercises focusing on flexion, rota-

tion and lateral flexion. Traditional crunch (flexion): Lay on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip width apart. Slowly lift shoulders off the floor by shortening the distance between your rib cage and hips in an accordion fashion while exhaling. Inhale as you slowly lower the shoulders. Hands can rest on your chest, at your temple or support your neck. Bicycle (rotation): Lay on your back, position hands lightly behind ears, with elbows flared out. Lift shoulders off the mat and rotate to bring left knee to right shoulder/elbow, and extend right leg off the floor. Alternate between opposite elbow/knee touches with other leg extended. Alternating heel touches (lateral flexion): Start with traditional crunch position and raise shoulders off the mat. Keep hands by your side and touch right hand to right heel, and then left hand to left heel. Continue to alternate from side to side.

Dispelling common myths

Multiple studies support the findings that: l The upper and lower ab-

dominals cannot be separated. l There is no difference in muscle contraction with hands behind the head or folded across the chest. l Exhaling during the lifting phase can increase the abdominal contractions. l Yoga and Pilates classes can be a great place to receive a solid core workout, since many of the poses have been proven to be effective.

Try something new

Enjoy working your core with the new strength equipment at the YMCA, including the Cybex Eagle line, Total Gym Elevate line, and Queenax, or see the group exercise class descriptions to see which classes are labeled with the Core Stability tag, CS. —Erica Moe is an ACSM certified exercise physiologist who writes on behalf of the Mission Valley YMCA, where she is a fitness director.■

Thursday and Fridays: Antonio Fe at the Cosmo in The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel. Free. 6 p.m. 2660 Calhoun St., Old Town. OldTownCosmopolitan.com. Fridays: Jazz Happy Hour at Handlery Hotel’s 950 Lounge. Free. 5 p.m. 950 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley. SD.Handlery.com. Saturdays: Douglas Kvandal with the LiveJazz! Quartet at the Amigo Spot at Kings Inn. Free. 7 p.m. 1333 Hotel Circle South, Mission Valley. KingsInnSanDiego.com.

CLASSICAL March 20: San Diego Harp Society at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Auditorium. Free. 3 – 4 p.m. 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. MTRP.org. March 23: La Jolla Music Society presents Montreal Symphony Orchestra at Copley Symphony Hall. $30+. 8 p.m. 750 B St., Downtown. Visit SanDiegoSymphony.org and ljms.org. April 1: Midori plays Tchaikovsky at Copley Symphony Hall. $20+. 8 p.m. 750 B St., Downtown. Visit SanDiegoSymphony.org.

ALTERNATIVE/ROCK March 15: Magma with Helen Money at Brick by Brick. $25+. 8 p.m. 1130 Buenos Ave., Linda Vista. Visit brickbybrick.com. March 19: The Reflectors at Pal Joey’s. Free. 9 p.m. 5147 Waring Road, Allied Gardens. PalJoeysOnline.com. March 24: Citizen, Turnover, Sorority Noise and Milk Teeth at Lampost Warehouse. $15 in advance; $18 at the door. 6 p.m. 5444 Napa St., Linda Vista. facebook.com/lamppostcafe March 24: Peter Bolland performing Bruce Springsteen songs at Vision Center for Spiritual Living. $15. 7 p.m. 6154 Mission Gorge Road, Suite 100, Grantville. FolkeyMonkey.com.0,25

POP Tuesdays: Suzanne Shea and Bob Wade at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 5987 El Cajon Blvd., College Area. BistroSixtySD.com. Fridays: Nathan Welden at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 p.m. 5987 El Cajon Blvd., College Area. BistroSixtySD.com. March 25: SWIMM, The Verigolds, The Gloomies and Pearl Charles at The Music Box. $8 in advance; $10 day of show. 9 p.m. 1337 India St., Little Italy. Visit MusicBoxSD.com.

OTHER Wednesdays: Blues Jam at Proud Mary’s Southern Bar and Grill in the Ramada Conference Center. Free. 6:30 p.m. 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, Kearny Mesa. ProudMarysSD.com. Sundays: Jazz 88.3 Blues Brunch at Proud Mary’s Southern Bar and Grill in the Ramada Conference Center. Free. 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 5550 Kearny Mesa Road, Kearny Mesa. ProudMarysSD.com. March 20: Peter Sprague (guitar) at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Auditorium. Free. 3 – 4 p.m. 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. MTRP.org. March 24: Sue Palmer CD release show at Tio Leo’s Lounge. Price TBD. 8 p.m. 5302 Napa St., Linda Vista. TioLeos.com. —Compiled by Jen Van Tieghem. Bands, venues and music lovers: please send music calendar listings to jen@sdcnn.com.■

12 Mission Valley News March 11 – April 7, 2016 Actress identifies with humorous but empathetic script David Dixon A singing and dancing comedy about losing weight has become a surprise hit. Productions of “WaistWatchers the Musical!” have been staged since 2007 and a new one is now running at the Lyceum Space at Horton Plaza. In Miss Cook’s Women’s Gym, a fitness instructor, Carla (Yvonne Brown), tries to help three of her clients get into shape and live a healthier lifestyle. She learns about the intimate private lives of the gym members. Carla finds out that Cindy (Brandi Lacy), Connie (Danielle Levin), and Cheryl (Kathy Sanders) are going through issues involving sex, work, and marriage. The main performers know the material inside and out since they starred in a recent run at Phoenix’s Herberger Theater Center. A Coronado resident, Sanders grew close to the ensemble during her stint in Arizona. “The relationships featured onstage are similar to the ones we have in real life,” she said. “We did become like a family.” Sanders admitted that there are some parallels between the actresses and the roles that

they play. “Our characters are sort of similar to us in real life,” she said. “We made the characters more into ourselves.” Directing this highly identifiable story is John Anderson, the production manager of the San Diego Repertory Theatre. Anderson has directed plays in the past, but “WaistWatchers” is the first musical that Anderson has ever staged. The most difficult aspect of directing a musical, for Anderson, is making sure that the music sounds as good as possible in the theatre. “The most important [element] in a musical is that the melodies are perfect,” he said. “My work became easier when the musical director started working with the cast members on the tunes.” In trying to make the protagonists feel real, Anderson has included a theme featured in some of the previous tales he has directed. “I wanted to create a place where they don’t have to pretend to each other at all,” he said. “Miss Cook’s gym is their clubhouse and Fortress of Solitude.” As the bond between the four women grows, parodies of popular songs from artists such as ABBA and Britney

THEATER

(l to r) Brandi Lacy, Yvonne Brown, Kathy Sanders and Danielle Levin in "WaistWatchers, the Musicial!" (Photo by Steve Carr)

Spears are performed by the various characters. Titles such as “Botox Queen,” “Big Balls Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “I Went to the Buffet Line” are indicators of the tongue-incheek tone during the 90-minute one-act. Many reviewers have compared Alan Jacobson’s script with “Menopause The Musical,” since that show also featured parody songs, a female cast and irreverent humor. Sanders said familiarity with well-known tunes such as “Maria” from “West Side Story” and “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” from “Man of La Mancha” really adds to the humor. “People just start cracking up as soon as they recognize the music and how

the words are altered,” she said. “There is a lot of cleverness in the lyrics.” Besides the jokes, Sanders enjoys the way that theatregoers can connect with the plot. “There is something in there for everyone to relate to,” she said. “It’s basically four people discussing topics that are talked about on a daily basis.” Anderson said the primary reason the laughfilled evening has been so popular is because it has such a lighthearted approach while remaining empathetic. “It is a joyful experience for 90 minutes,” he said. “Viewers will see themselves, as well as loved ones, in the narrative.” Whether going

out with a big group of friends or just looking for a fun date night, this comical event should be one of the funnier times spent at a gym. Don’t be surprised if it becomes tempting to sing along with the four friends. “WaistWatchers, the Musical!” will be playing at the Lyceum Space, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown, through March 27. For tickets or more information, visit sdrep.org or call 619544-1000. —A fan of film and theater from a very young age, David Dixon has written reviews and features for various print and online publications. You can reach him at daviddixon0202@ gmail.com.■

THEATER

March 11 – April 7, 2016 Mission Valley News

sdcnn.com

(l to r) Allison Minick and Kern McFadden in a scene from North Coast Repertory's "Now You See It."

“Now You See It”

by Georges Feydeau Translated by Kenneth McLeish Directed by Bruce Turk Wednesdays through Sundays Through March 27 North Coast Repertory 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive (Solana Beach) Tickets $43 – $50 northcoastrep.org 858-481-1055 David McBean and Allison Minick face a moment of truth. (All photos by Aaron Rumley)

A farce is a farce is a farce Charlene

Baldridge Farce. Usually. Has. High absurdity content. The U.S. premiere of Kenneth McLeish’s (1940-1997) English translation of Georges Feydeau’s “Now You See It,” is no exception. Farce is beloved at North Coast Repertory Theatre (NCRT), where it plays through March 27 in a splendid looking production directed by Bruce Turk. A San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Award-winner for his portrayal of Leontes in “The Winter’s Tale” (2005), Turk is remembered for 14 additional Shakespeare roles during the Old Globe Shakespeare Festival and also for his more recent staging of “Faded Glory” and “Freud’s Last Session” at NCRT. In Turk’s staging, McLeish’s translation places “Now You See It” in Great Britain around 1910. Thus the characters are English citizens instead of French. Turk’s eye for casting is as impeccable as his acting acumen. Kern McFadden portrays Summersby, a philandering husband who berates his attractive wife (attractive Allison Minick as Marie-Louise) for suspecting him of cheating. A splendid woman in every way, she is absolutely right: Her first husband (now deceased) had the round heels as well and broke her heart. During the heartbreak phase of her first marriage, MarieLouise and husband No. 1 lived in India, and during her initial marital disillusionment she almost succumbed to the ardent Shaftesbury-Phipps (David McBean). Having found out only now of her bereavement (news traveled slow in those days, apparently), he has traveled to England to claim her, only to find her remarried and in a similar situation as before. Hail-fellow-well-met, Sum-

mersby seizes the opportunity to further distract Marie-Louise (he already employs the science of hypnotism) and invites Shaftesbury-Phipps to live in the couple’s summerhouse. Privy to all these shenanigans is the thoroughly incompetent, alcoholic, household factotum, Oriole (John Greenleaf, an adept physical comedian, who loses his shoe hilariously to the family dog in the first scene). The further human complication is Summersby’s current inamorata, (the unseen) wife of the formidable, always-readyto-make-a-deal wine merchant, Vole (Ruff Yeager), who discovers his wife in a trance and threatens to dismember Summersby. Vole is more concerned with his reputation than he is by the infidelity. Casting is particularly brilliant here, for Yeager’s initial entrance capitalizes on his immensity – a colossal sight gag. My favorite moment of calm amid chaos is Oriole making his mistress comfortable after she’s been put to “sleep” — he places a Caruso aria on the wind-up phonograph (sound designer Melanie Chen) and lovingly covers her with a blanket, knowing its likely to be a long evening. Marty Burnett creates a scrumptious, detailed English country home. Anastasia Pautova presents a parade of period style, with Marie-Louise’s frock and its permutations taking the cake for beauty and McBean’s for foppishness. Her attire for Yeager and Greenleaf are a hoot as well. Matthew Novotny’s lighting captures summer in the country, and Peter Herman’s wigs are as always, top drawer. As to why farce is so beloved at North Coast Rep in particular, that’s a discussion for another day. Why this one seems some-

what unsatisfying despite having landed so squarely in the casting, direction and finely turned production departments, is puzzling. Perhaps it’s because “Now You See It” has fewer characters than other Feydeau farces. Perhaps it’s because unlike most farces, the subject matter is

(l to r) The cast: David McBean, Kern McFadden, Allison Minick, Ruff Yeager, and John Greenleaf

darker and more threatening than usual. Or perhaps, as they say, too much thinking precludes complete satisfaction.

—Charlene Baldridge has been writing about the arts since 1979. You can follow her blog at charlenebaldridge.com or reach her at charb81@gmail.com.■

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14 Mission Valley News

March 11 – April 7, 2016

PETS

Are dogs and cats intuitive?

Sari

Reis I recently went to meet a new client who had told me on the phone that his dog was a rescue and was quite timid around new people. When I met her, Lola appeared somewhat shy. I spoke to her softly and with his permission, offered her some treats. She took them out of my hand, ate them, and came back for more. Her dad was astonished.

A few moments later, a beautiful black cat came over and started rubbing against my leg. I said hello and let him sniff my hand. He continued to sniff my leg and hang around. Again the dad was super surprised. “Merlot is terrified of strangers,” he said. “I can’t believe this.” This happens to me a lot. Clients wonder why their shy, furry kids take to me so quickly. There are a few explanations but I believe dogs and cats are intuitive. They can innately sense, on a cellular level, that I am not a threat and they can

feel safe around me. Clients have told me I probably won’t see their cats at all during their absence due to their timid nature. Nine times out of 10, the kitty is my new best friend by the second visit. I think cats and dogs just “get” that I am OK. This happens to a lot of people who share my passion for animals. Have you ever had someone tell you your dog ran to the door or window to greet you several minutes before your car even entered your street? Or how about the cats and dogs that go missing for various lengths of time and still find their way back home. They must have some sort of internal compass that leads them back home. Besides responding positively to people whose energy they feel comfortable and safe around, dogs and cats can turn into Cujo if the person they encounter is, in their perception, undesirable. I have on several occasions walked dogs who are super friendly to just about everyone they encounter, and then for some reason, start growling at a complete stranger approaching or passing by I can see no apparent reason for this reaction, and believe it is their intuitive nature tell-

A cat and dog nap together. (Photo by Arantz via Wikimedia Commons)

ing them this person is not to be trusted. Through my years of pet sitting and being a pet parent, I have learned there are certain human behaviors that make animals uncomfortable. One is staring them in the eye. To dogs and cats, this is considered an aggressive act. Perhaps the approaching strangers are doing that. I can’t say for sure, but

I know people, myself included, who often will say “If my dog/ cat doesn’t like someone, there is probably a good reason and I don’t like them either.” —Sari Reis is a Certified Humane Education Specialist and the owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting Services. Reach her at 760-644-0289 or missionvalleypetsitting.com.■

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LIBRARY EVENTS / CALENDAR 15

‘Ask the Lawyer’ free legal clinic First Tuesday of the month, 6 p.m. Join attorney Mark Miller the first Tuesday of every month to talk about your legal issues and learn about your options. No appointment is necessary; just show up with your questions. Assemblymember Weber’s mobile office Second Tuesday of the month, 6 – 7:30 p.m. and third Monday of the month, 10 a.m. – noon Connect with Assemblymember Shirley Weber’s staff in your community, get help with any problems you are having with public agencies, ask questions about legislation and learn about state and local services. Issues that staff can assist with include renters and homeowners assistance programs, property tax issues, consumer complaints, unemployment and disability insurance. No need to make an appointment; just stop in. Baby signs storytime Second and fourth Mondays, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Parents often wonder, “What is my baby thinking?” There is a way to find out: Teaching your baby some basic signs using American Sign Language will fill the gap. Communication is said to be the foundation of a solid relationship; learning to sign with your baby will build that bond early and provide you a bridge from infancy to childhood. Friends of the Library cooperative book sale Saturday, March 26 Stock up on books and support the library! Friends of the Library meeting Third Wednesday, 6 p.m. Monthly meeting of the group. Knit-a-Bit and Crochet Circle Second and fourth Wednesdays, 12:30 – 2 p.m. Bring your own knit or crochet project to work on while spending time with others who share your talent. Library Book Club Third Tuesday of the month, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Monthly meeting to discuss the latest book selection. March: “Angle of Repose” by Wallace Stegner; April: “A Paris Apartment” by Michelle Gable. ‘The 39 Steps’ March 23, 6 p.m. Monthly film screening at the library. This month features “The 39 Steps.” Preschool storytime and craft Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. [Note: No storytime/craft on March 31] Preschoolers are invited to a storytime followed by a fun craft. Tax Clinic Tuesdays, 1 – 7 p.m. Free tax-filing assistance for seniors and low-income residents. Program conducted by SAY San Diego through April 12. Make reservations at 858565-4148, extension 280. Toddler storytime Fridays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Storytime designed for toddlers featuring songs, rhymes, and finger plays. Yoga for adults and teens Tuesdays, 6 – 7 p.m. Are you looking for a workout program that’s easy to learn, requires little or no equipment and soothes your soul while toning your body? If strengthening your cardiovascular system, toning and stretching your muscles and improving your mental fitness are on your to-do list, then yoga is for you. Zumba Basic Mondays, 4 – 5 p.m. Join the Zumba craze. Find out what makes this fun workout such a hit. A towel and bottled water are recommended for Zumba sessions. Zumba Gold Fridays, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Zumba Gold is a lower impact version of our Zumba Basic class on Mondays, but just as fun. The moves have been carefully designed to be easy to follow by participants of any size or age. Note: The library will be closed March 31 in observance of Cesar Chavez Day. ■

March 11 – April 7, 2016

Linda Vista Planning Group general meeting Monday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. This is an open meeting of the Linda Vista Planning Group. The public is encouraged to attend. Elections will be held. Visit lindavista.org/lvpg. Crafts for kids Tuesdays, 4 – 5 p.m. Stretch your imagination and create fabulous crafts. The craft is different every week. Do your homework next line library Mondays and Thursdays, 3 – 6 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3 – 7 p.m. You’ve got homework? Linda Vista Branch Library has help. Students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade can receive free personalized assistance. Friends of the Linda Vista Library meeting First Saturday of the month, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy snacks, coffee, juice and lively discussion. Help the library by becoming a “friend.” Hatha yoga for adults First Thursday of the month, 11 a.m. – noon

Aryn Rannazzisi leads a gently paced class combining breath work and postures to promote strength, flexibility and balance. This all-levels class will include inversions, backbends and sun salutations. Please bring a mat or large towel and a hand towel or strap to class. Hopscotch tiny tots Tuesdays, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Join Miss Kim for a fantastically fun program containing crafts, music and stories for babies and toddlers. Lego Time Fridays, 4 – 5 p.m. Kids: build, build, build to your heart’s content! Skyscrapers, automobiles, airplanes, spaceships: create these and more! Learn basic building science while having loads of fun! Morning storytime next line Kathie Mondays, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Children and their families are invited to join us for stories, rhymes and songs. Patio Pix Wednesday, March 2, 6 – 8 p.m. Watch a family film outside on the library’s patio (weather permitting).

Community Calendar ‘Fleet Night of Science’ Friday, March 11

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (1875 El Prado, Balboa Park) will wrap up a week of events coinciding with the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering tonight. The “Fleet Night of Science” will have a superheroes theme and take a look at the science behind their super powers. Ticket holders will have access to all of the Fleet’s exhibits. There will be food and drinks (including cocktails) available for purchase as well. This event will take place from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. and is 21-andup. Visit bit.ly/21SRdlQ for more information and tickets.

Annual Kyoto Prize Symposium Thursday, March 17

The University of San Diego will host John Neumeier, the 2015 recipient of the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy at the school’s Shiley Theatre (5998 Alcala Park, Linda Vista). Neumeier is the preeminent artistic director and choreographer of Germany’s Hamburg Ballet. During the symposium – being held from 10:30 a.m. – noon – he will share his choreographic approach and lead four of the ballet’s principal dancers through demonstrations of his talents. In addition to that presentation, there will be a 90-minute series of ballet vignettes called “Shakespeare Danced” performed in the Shiley Theatre at 2:15 p.m. The events are free and open to the public but reservations are required. Visit kyotoprizeusa.com for more information and to make a reservation.

‘Growing Perfect Tomatoes’ class Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20

For these free gardening classes, Armstrong Garden Centers will give information on growing juicy tomatoes. Armstrong has a wide selection of tomato plants, which are easy to grow and perfect for beginning gardeners. The

Mission Valley News

Story time with Mr. Luan Fridays, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Energetic story time that is fun, interactive and educational. The session will include singing and maybe a little dancing. Tai Chi Mondays and Thursdays, 10 – 11 a.m. Improve your balance and mobility with slow, controlled movement! Note: The library will be closed March 31 in observance of Cesar Chavez Day. Linda Vista Branch Library is located at 2160 Ulric St. The library is open Monday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Sunday. For more information, visit lindavistalibrary.org or facebook. com/lvlibrary.■

Mission Valley/Grantville store is located at 10320 Friars Road; there are several other San Diego Armstrong locations. This session starts at 9 a.m. Visit ArmstrongGarden.com for more information.

Linda Vista 75th anniversary kick-off event Sunday, March 20

The first of several events to celebrate Linda Vista’s 75th anniversary will be held at the Linda Vista Shopping Center (6900 Linda Vista Road) from 2 – 4 p.m. There will be historic photos to view, food to enjoy, music and other festivities. County Supervisor Ron Roberts is slated to make an appearance as well. Visit on.fb.me/1TET49q for information on this and other anniversary festivities.

Hemlock Society of San Diego meeting Sunday, March 20

The next meeting of this group will include a panel of professionals who work in memory care facilities designed to care for people with various kinds of dementia. They will discuss end-of-life choices in such facilities and the passage of the End of Life Option Act. The meeting is free and open to the public. It will be held from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Event Center (1895 Camino Del Rio South, Mission Valley). Visit hemlocksocietysandiego.org for more information.

Film and discussion with Ralph DeLauro: ‘I’ll See You in My Dreams’ Monday, March 21

San Diego Oasis presents this film class at their location in Mission Valley (Third floor of Macy’s 1702 Camino del Rio North) starting at 1 p.m. The film stars Blythe Danner as a widow and former singer who gets a second act when she begins relationships with two very different men (Martin Starr and Sam Elliott). The class fee is $10. Visit oasisnet.org for more information.■

16 Mission Valley News

LOCAL NEWS

March 11 – April 7, 2016

Linda Vista celebrates 75th Anniversary Margie M. Palmer The Linda Vista 75th Anniversary celebration will kick off on Sunday, March 20; those involved with putting on the event say they couldn’t be more excited to commemorate the community’s rich and vibrant history. The celebration will continue with more events scheduled in the coming months. Linda Vista was initially founded as a temporary suburb of San Diego, springing up during the World War II era when the federal government began to build housing for defense workers employed in San Diego’s aircraft plants and shipyards. At the time it was built, Linda Vista was the largest single defense housing project in the U.S. and the world’s largest low-income housing development with a projected 13,000 residents. This model city was made up of “cracker box” houses, with mostly 3,000 units remaining today along with the original building housing Skateworld. In 1954, the Federal Public Housing Administration sold the houses for private ownership, according to Linda Vista officials. The government also built one of the nation’s first planned shopping

centers as a means of providing retail facilities for local residents. Because it was such a big deal in its time, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt dedicated the shopping center in 1942 with lots of hoopla and fanfare. The original shopping center was demolished in 1972 and replaced with the current Linda Vista Shopping Center. In the 1970s and 1980s, Linda Vista became a destination community for Pan Asian immigrants fleeing the Vietnam War. Linda Vista continues to celebrate its ethnic pride each year with the Multi-Cultural Fair, which brings Linda Vista’s melting pot to life. Carrie Bienert, the Linda Vista 75th Anniversary chairperson, said that after 75 years of the community being established, it’s wonderful to be able to recognize its history. “It’s a really unique area because it was really established for the workers who came to San Diego to build ships and airplanes,” Bienert said. And while the kick-off event will include a number of familyfriendly activities, what she’s most looking forward to is the community members who will be presenting oral histories. “I think it will be full of interesting tales of what happened during that time,” Bienert said, adding that a display board with decades-old photos will also be on display. Some photos were collected from the

By the year • 1941: Skateworld (original building) is meeting place and storage for ammunition during World War II.

• 1941: Kearny Junior/ Senior High School opens as Montgomery Middle School, moves in 1956 to Linda Vista Road

• 1942: Linda Vista Library In the 1940s, the federal government begins building 13,000 “cracker box” houses in Linda Vista, the largest single defense housing project in the U.S. at the time. (Facebook)

San Diego History Museum; others were available through the San Diego Library. “The library had a collection of big, huge, framed pictures that were initially located hung at the Linda Vista McDonalds franchise when that first opened,” Bienert said. “They were there for years and years before the library got them. When [the franchise owner] sold the business, she donated them.” The kick-off event will take place from 2 — 4 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the Linda Vista Shopping Center. San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts will be speaking at the event, and is among those

who hold the community close to their heart. “When I was a young boy, Linda Vista was where my family settled and where I grew up,” Roberts said. “While much has changed in the 60 years since, the community remains a wonderful neighborhood, close to everything but with a distinctive character and feel all its own. One of my brothers still lives there and Linda Vista has never stopped feeling like home.” —Margie M. Palmer is a San Diego-based freelance writer who has been racking up bylines in a myriad of news publications for the past 10 years. You can reach her at margiep@alumni.pitt.edu.■

Sudoku

opens; rebuilt in 1987, winning architectural awards for Rob Wellington Quigley

• 1952: University of San Diego opens as College of Women; 1954 adds College of Men; 1972 adds School of Law • 1978: Bayside Community Center relocates to Linda Vista, providing community social services

• 1964: San Diego Mesa College opens

• 1971: Frances Parker High School moves to Linda Vista

Solutions on page 18

Rules

Crossword

PLUMBING LAWYER

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Solutions on page 18

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LOCAL NEWS 17 March 11 – April 7, 2016

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Mission Valley News

Get your garden 'party ready' for spring with a pop of color Gary Jones Spring is the best time of year for a garden party. Outdoors, there are layers of fresh, bright green foliage, vibrant colors and mild temperatures. The holidays encourage us — Purim, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day are all ideal outdoor spring celebrations. How do you make sure your garden is party-ready? First, you will want to do some after-winter tidying up. Spend a pleasant afternoon in early March removing any dead or damaged branches on shrubs and trees. It is a good time to do some plant shaping, too. You will also want to trim last year’s growth of perennial flowers. Simply cut back the stems to just above new spring growth. If you have lost plants after last fall’s warm weather, replace them. Now is also a good time to remove tired old plants that aren’t healthy. You will be amazed how much this can improve the look of a garden. Next, decide where your garden needs color. Plant these areas with bright annuals. They acclimate very quickly and provide instant color. It is best to plant warm-season flowers now. They will take occasional spring heat waves and will bloom through the summer. Top choices for spring and summer flowers are petunia, impatiens, begonias of all types, New Guinea impatiens, cosmos, marigold, lobelia, ageratum, foxglove, marguerite, roses and many others. Don’t hesitate to visit your neighborhood garden center for inspiration. Add pots of flowers in areas that can’t be planted — patios, decks, balconies and courtyards. Pots overflowing with colorful plants soften bare walls and walkways and will provide privacy. If desired, an entire enclosed garden can be created with plants in containers. For your spring garden party, you will need outdoor furniture, of course. Don’t forget places to dine as well as areas to sit and relax. Today’s garden furniture is sturdy,

weather-resistant and every bit as comfortable and beautiful as indoor furniture. It may be time for a furniture update. A quick way to refresh furniture for spring is to add lots of colorful pillows. Don’t forget to

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repeat or complement the colors of flowers you have planted. Lastly, don’t forget about outdoor décor. Door wreaths, lanterns, table decorations, water features, candles and vases filled with cut flowers will

all contribute to your spring garden party. If you take photos of your spring garden party, feel free to share them with us. We might include some of them in an upcoming issue of Mission Valley News.

—Gary Jones is Chief Horticulturist at Armstrong Garden Centers, which has locations on Friars Road and Morena Boulevard. Email your drought and gardening questions to growingdialogue@armstronggarden.com.■

18 Mission Valley News

March 11 – April 7, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Sunday Celebrations - 10:00 am Wednesdays with Jacob Glass - 7:00 pm Thursday Night Vision/ Folkey Monkey - 7:00 pm

An architectural rendering for Crust Kitchen and TravelMart, expected to open in June at 1201 Hotel Circle South (Courtesy of Steve Abbo)

Abbo, from page 1

PUZZLE ANSWERS FROM PAGE 16 SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

based Goodfellas Investments, acquired Valley Liquor & Mini-Mart at 875 Hotel Circle South in Mission Valley. They remodeled the interior and got rid of the dirty magazines and the “bum wine” and “rot-gut liquor” to chase away an “unsavory element,” Abbo said. And they added items that tourists requested the most: T-shirts, souvenirs, health and beauty products, prepared food, and healthy snacks. But last year they learned that their landlord, the owner of Mission Valley Resort Hotel, had proposed plans before the Mission Valley Planning Group to bulldoze the 18-acre property and build a massive eight-building complex called the Morris Cerullo International Legacy Center. As a result, the business partners are expecting to eventually get a 90-day notice to vacate the premises. They plan to keep Valley Liquor & Mini-Mart as long as they can, but their lease has expired and they are now on a month-to-month arrangement. The business employs eight people. Abbo, by the way, is a member of the Mission Valley Planning Group and must recuse himself from any discussions about the Legacy Center to avoid any potential conflict of interest. That project is still pending before the local planning group. Abbo and Hirmez are not standing still, though. They jumped at the opportunity to lease a vacant building at 1201 Hotel Circle South that formerly housed Albie’s Beef Inn and Adam’s Steak ‘N Egg. The two iconic Mission Valley restaurants closed last December when their owners could not strike deals to renegotiate their leases with San Diego Historic Properties CEO Cathy Herrick, who had purchased the Travelodge hotel and was planning a multimillion-dollar makeover. That face-lift is currently underway. The partners have signed leases that total up to 28 years, Abbo said. On Feb. 26, Abbo stood inside the gutted building and shared his vision for his new enterprises. The 6,300-square-foot building would essentially be halved into two separate businesses, each with soaring ceilings and exposed rafters after workers removed the old ceilings.

An architectural drawing of the exterior of the building shows a lot of windows facing Hotel Circle South and the freeway. Steel signs with cut letters would identify the two businesses that will share the building. Painting corrugated steel distinguishes Crust Kitchen from the TravelMart, which has painted wooden slates. The concept is modern, simple and clean.

Crust Kitchen concept

The space where Adam’s Steak ‘N Egg once occupied will become Crust Kitchen, with breakfast, lunch and dinner being served cafeteriastyle. An outdoor seating area will occupy a patio on the east side of the building. “You will grab a tray when you come in,” Abbo said. “We will offer a breakfast menu, pizza, sandwiches made to order, a carving station, scoop salads, side dishes and a dessert station. We will serve fresh juices, but we won’t have a drink fountain.” Seating up to 86 people, Crust Kitchen will also offer wine as well as local craft beer on tap. He hopes the 3,200-square-foot restaurant will attract locals as well as tourists. Abbo said the restaurant will likely employ 20 to 30 people. Abbo sees great opportunity as Hotel Circle, both on the north and south sides, are undergoing massive makeovers. The demise of Adam’s Steak ‘N Egg and Albie’s Beef Inn means that the Crust Kitchen will have little competition on that end of Hotel Circle North.

TravelMart concept

In the space where Albie’s Beef Inn used to be, Abbo plans to open a more upscale version of his Valley Liquor Mini-Mart. Although he initially called it Travelers Paradise on legal paperwork, Abbo plans to rename it TravelMart in time for a June opening. Abbo described the TravelMart concept as being similar to ABC stores in Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada. “We’re not going to be like 7-Eleven,” he said. “There’s nothing like this in San Diego right now, and we think there is a demand for this kind of store.” If their hunch is correct, they hope to build several more TravelMart stores, likely targeting Coronado and La Jolla. The 3,100-square-foot TravelMart would sell liquor, beer and wine; prepared food, including meals that only need

to be microwaved; packaged sandwiches; sodas, juices and milk. The key component will be San Diego souvenirs, such as T-shirts, beachwear, sandals and flip-flops. Abbo said he and his partner are teaming up with the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and hoping to bring about other tourism attractions such as SeaWorld, to sell tickets in a “one-stop shop” for tourists. Other hot sellers are expected to be health and beauty products, based on what’s popular at the Valley Liquor & Mini-Mart. “For us, there is more money in T-shirt and souvenir sales than in beer and wine,” Abbo said, who says he only stocks items that sell well. Abbo and Hirmez will also provide free shuttle service to hotel guests and residents within a 3-mile radius essentially from Old Town to Texas Street, from Friars Road to the northern side of Hillcrest and Mission Hills. “We want to help reduce the traffic footprint in Mission Valley,” Abbo said.

Seeking approval

On March 2, project spokesman John Haley made a 15-minute presentation to the Mission Valley Planning Group. An action item requested the planning group support the concept and the application for a Type 21 off-sale general liquor license to allow TravelMart to sell liquor for off-thepremises consumption. The action item passed with 11 members voting in favor, two voting against, one abstaining (Deborah Bossmeyer, who said Abbo’s landlord is a client) and one recusing (Jim Penner, who is involved in the Legacy Center project). —Ken Williams is editor of Mission Valley News and San Diego Uptown News and can be reached at ken@sdcnn.com or at 619-961-1952. Follow him on Twitter at @KenSanDiego, Instagram at @KenSD or Facebook at KenWilliamsSanDiego. ■

LOCAL NEWS 19 March 11 – April 7, 2016

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Alexan, from page 1 2017. The completion date is targeted for 2019. DAB members peppered the two TRC officials with questions, but overall seemed pleased with the changes. No vote was taken since it was not listed as an action item. The DesignARC LA architectural firm addressed previous concerns from DAB members, who had said that the building façade facing state Route 163 was “monotonous, with regard to massing, height, and color.” “We have now created movement along the freeway side,” said Alec Schiffer, TRC’s managing director of development. He said the architects accomplished that by alternating materials and balconies. The color palette was also adjusted, Schiffer said, to allow the Alexan complex “to fit in” with its prominent next-door neighbor, the five-story UnionTribune office at 350 Camino de la Reina. The iconic building — designed by Frank Hope & Associates, mixing redbrick with concrete to create a modern façade — will be vacated by the newspaper by late spring after the staff moves Downtown. The

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FUN FACTS

• Project: Alexan Fashion Valley • Size: 235,388 square feet • Apartment units: 284 • Apartment sizes: 556 (studio)

to 1,786 square feet (threebedrooms) • Apartment building: Six stories • Garage structure: Six stories • Multi-use building: Seven stories • Amenities: swimming pool, 8,500 square feet for fitness and meeting rooms • Features: 3,550-square-foot “destination” restaurant and 8,800 square feet of “top of the line” office space

property’s new owner, developer Casey Brown, has already began to demolish the fifth floor and plans to convert the building into “top of the line” offices with contemporary amenities. Brown has already gutted the printing and distribution building, and also plans to build luxury apartments facing the San Diego River. To create even more synergy with the U-T property, Schiffer said, Alexan’s architects will use walnut bark, burnt almond and matte as primary colors in addition to natural concrete and stucco. The entrance to Alexan’s seven-story mixed-use building, which would include a “destination restaurant” on the ground floor, will be opposite the main entrance to the U-T property. The six-story residential building, shaped irregularly

and featuring a large swimming pool, mostly fronts along Camino de la Reina. Schiffer said only few apartment units would face the freeway. The six-story parking structure will be constructed on the back of the property along the freeway, and will mostly be hidden from view from the street level. The garage’s façade will be painted solid metal panels. Schiffer said TRC expects to widen Camino de la Reina from the 163 overpass to the opposite end of the property. Brown will also be widening the opposite of the street. Because the northeast side of the Alexan property floods at the 163 overpass during major rainstorms, TRC plans to elevate the land by 30 feet to take the complex out of the flood plain. He said the flooding issue is why TRC decided to build an above-ground garage instead of providing underground parking. Plans are to make the buildings as green as possible. Solar hot water is being considered, although Schiffer said it would only partially power the entire complex. Heating and cooling units would be placed on the roof and shielded from public view. Xeriscape landscaping and its drought-resistant plants will be utilized. DAB members questioned the developer further about parking. Schiffer said the project meets all the

city standards. “The city requires 399 parking spots, and we have 408,” he said. “We have 67 commercial parking spots, the same as the city requires.” The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is in the process of being completed, and Schiffer said they have finished the greenhouse gas and traffic reports. When pressed to explain what a “destination restaurant” was, Schiffer pointed to Stella Public House at 1429 Island Avenue in Downtown, which describes itself as “farm to table pizza & craft beer love.” He also mentioned Underbelly, located on the northeast corner of Upas and 30th streets in North Park, a restaurant on the ground floor of The North Parker apartment complex designed by architect Jonathan Seagal. “I may be biased, but I think it’s the best project that will be built in Mission Valley, because of the challenges of the

Mission Valley News

shape of the lot. It’s a real cool design.” “Have you seen anything like this in Mission Valley?” he asked rhetorically. Reviewing the project, Schiffer said it has “great elevation” and “a lot of color.” He went even further, telling DAB members how proud he was. “I may be biased, but I think it’s the best project that will be built in Mission Valley, because of the challenges of the shape of the lot It’s a real cool design.” To read our January scoop about this project, go to bit.ly/1LCh6yT. —Ken Williams is editor of Mission Valley News and Uptown News and can be reached at ken@sdcnn.com or at 619-961-1952. Follow him on Twitter at KenSanDiego, Instagram account at KenSD or Facebook at KenWilliamsSanDiego. ■

20 Mission Valley News

March 11 – April 7, 2016

A full-service fitness shop Mission Gorge business provides more than weights and workouts Lucia Viti One Fit & Company is a onestop fitness shop that offers everyday folk a link into a lifestyle of health and wellness. Owned and operated by Brandon Carey, Florian Carr and Darrell Alonzi –– business aficionados, fitness enthusiasts and “gym-rat friends” –– the spacious Mission Gorge facility is not just a fitness company. The all-inclusive blueprint offers personal training, competitive coaching, nutritional counseling, meal plans, a variety of natural, raw, organic vitamins and supplements and quality fitness apparel. “One Fit & Company isn’t a gym,” said Carey, the CEO and co-founder. “We’re a lifestyle brand that can transform the lives of everyday people. We’re more than what we offer in personal training, nutritional counseling, supplementation and apparel. We empower, facilitate and cultivate positive change with expertise, technology, and quality supplemental products.” Tapping into unchartered territory, the trio designed the comprehensive model as an alternative to the norm within the realm of fitness, nutrition and supplementation. Fitness and nutritional services, meal plans and supplements are purchased online –– a la carte, bundled to taste or as comprehensive monthly packages. Everything is home delivered, although meals can be picked up at the warehouse. Personal training and competitive coaching sessions are outsourced through a network of private gyms and state-of-the-art studios affiliated with One Fit & Company. Sessions are scheduled based on a client’s availability and location. Nutritional needs and goals are discussed with a nutritionist and clients are invited on-site to meet the chef. “Our business model will impact the well-being of everyday people,” added Alonzi, the creative director. “I wholeheartedly believe that One Fit & Company will revolutionize the fitness industry. And while there are many pieces to the puzzle, we have the team, the knowledge and the dedication to make it work.” Everything is ordered online. Orders purchased within San Diego made prior to 6 p.m. are delivered on the same day. Orders received post-6 p.m. are delivered the following day. Clients are treated to freebies, samples, incentive awards and thank you notes. Carr, a supplement expert, noted the company’s 2,000-plus product line inclusive

(front row, l to r) One Fit & Company athletes Andrew Hall, Ryan Cruz, Katie Corio, Ryan Kilborne, Jose Moreno and Alan Joy; (back row, l to r) president Florian Carr, CEO Brandon Carey and athlete Damon Kvitz (all photos by Darrell Alonzi)

(l to r) One Fit & Company co-founders Florian Carr and Brandon Carey

of supplements, protein powders, vegan products, and organic and raw vitamins. Carr chooses his products through research, testing and a sheer passion for only the “clean and the best.” “We offer high-quality products including organic and vegan supplementation,” he said. “We’re extremely picky about everything that lines our shelves. We don’t work with any brands questioned by the FDA.” Carr, a former competitive marathon runner and bodybuilder stressed the importance of education in the prototype. “Our population often ignores the importance of education,” he said. “People assume that products work without identifying their personal needs. There is no easy way to a buffed body. There is no magic pill. That’s why we’re here.” The concept, born and bred out of frustration to change the fitness industry’s current paradigm gears itself to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Professional, competitive and seasoned athletes, yogis, weekend warriors, the novice, teens, tweens and those under 12 are welcomed. Nothing is out

of reach for establishing life-long guidelines of health and wellness. And gummy bears – yes, gummy bears – are offered to children in tow. “We’re not out to make a buck with little regard for quality, taste and most importantly, results,” Carey said. “One Fit & Company is a living breathing network of the best of the best. Customer care is our first prior ity.” The spacious urban warehouse in Grantville includes leased offices (a medical weightloss physician and licensed esthetician); a lounge facility, complete with a computer; Wi-Fi; a widescreen TV; and couches. Business meetings, nutritional counseling and personal training consultations are conducted in a comfortable, “no-pressure” setting. A projector and audio equipment is available for educational seminars and workshops, meetings, or a fun night of watching The Iron Generation. The San Diego Track Club and the San Diego Triathlon Club meet at the warehouse for coffee and camaraderie prior to workouts and competitions. “We’re your lifting power, your support group and your friend,” Carr said. “Our customers inspire everything we do. One Fit & Company has succeeded in creating a center that offers the information necessary to change your body without sacrificing price, time and most importantly, one’s health. Carey, Carr and Alonzi credit their team of passionate all-stars for launching the grassroots company into stardom. “One Fit & Company would not exist without the passion of its team players,” Alonzi said. “Our success is driven by our commitment to fitness.” “San Diego’s the perfect environment to spawn a neverending supply of health and fitness enthusiasts,” Carr said. “It’s also the perfect, synergistic home-base for One Fit & Company’s team of all-stars, be it in the gym, the kitchen, or on the track. People come here for a purpose, and we are the reason they come. One Fit & Company is all about the success of the individual, a service we are more than happy to provide.” For more information, visit onefitandcompany.com; stop by their Grantville location at 4667 Mission Gorge Place; or call 619988-0181. ––Contact Lucia Viti at luciaviti@roadrunner.com.■

Jose Moreno does chin-ups.

Alana Joy models the company’s athletic clothing line while lifting dumbells.