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LOCAL LIFESTYLE PUBLICATION | VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 9

BE OUR GUEST Dr. Timothy Garofolo Is Redefining the Patient Experience

Dr. Timothy Garofolo, Founder of The Dentistry Collective

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Be Our Guest

Dr. Timothy Garofolo – Founder of The Dentistry Collective – Redefines The Patient Experience

By Ron Donoho es, of course Dr. Timothy Garofolo has a great smile! He’s a dentist. More definitively, he’s the founder and CEO of The Dentistry Collective in Rancho Bernardo. It’s a thriving practice and patient referrals are numerous. Business is going well, and he is looking to eventually expand to all four corners of San Diego County. Dr. Garofolo says there have been some difficult days along the way, but there’s plenty for this 43-year-old to smile about. Today, Dr. Garofolo’s place of work looks less like a dentist’s office and more like a 5-star resort. In fact, he calls it “a high-end model where you don’t have to pay high-end prices.”

Dr. Garofolo is a native Nebraskan all the way. He received his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. Following graduation, he was accepted into a residency program at the San Francisco Veterans’ Hospital.

It was in his work with the veterans that he developed an affinity for our nation’s service members, a sizable demographic in San Diego. It inspired Dr. Garofolo to create “Smiles for Veteran’s Day,” a program in which he and his team volunteer for a full day to work on the dental needs of men and women who have served our country, at no cost to them. “Some of the people we’ve seen through ‘Smiles for Veterans Day’ don’t have any other option for treatment, and it feels great to be part of such a good cause,” says Dr. Garofolo.

The program came to fruition three years ago. Patients are brought in from various organizations such as the San Diego VA Hospital and the Wounded Warriors Project. This day of giving back now occurs annually on the first Saturday after Veterans Day.

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Dr. Timothy Garofolo, DDS

2019 Smiles for Veterans Event

In its first year, Dr. Garofolo estimated they performed more than $17,000 worth of dental procedures. The number doubled to $38,000 the next year and jumped up to $52,000 in 2019. The event included cleanings, root canals, and crowns for 52 patients.

“When I was at the VA Hospital, I was just 25 years old. I had the opportunity to become proficient in all

specialties of dentistry since we had specialists all under one roof in our clinic.” he says. “I also saw how important dentistry is to people. In order for vets to get dental coverage, they have to be one hundred percent service connected disabled. This means those who aren’t considered “disabled” enough, won’t receive dental benefits from the VA, which leaves them with very few options.”

The stories he hears on the “Smiles for Veterans Day” are incredibly moving. Garofolo adds, “Some are homeless or living in cars. One veteran told me about getting a DUI, and how he was taking his life back six years later. He was shaking his head about being here in our office because he got pulled over at the exit right by our office – where he’d gotten that DUI.” Born and Bred in Nebraska Dr. Garofolo’s parents, both public school educators in

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the Omaha Public Schools system, in Omaha, Nebraska, had a strong work ethic and emphasized giving back to the community. Ron Garofolo was a high school architectural drafting teacher with a policy of never giving a grade higher than an A-. His reasoning was that students could always strive for more and never be complacent. Pam Garofolo was an elementary school principal who knew the first and last names of every student in every grade (which was around 500 students). Her motto for facing problems was “It’s time to put our big-girl/boy pants on!”

One of Omaha’s most famous residents is Warren Buffett. (Dr. Garofolo once landscaped Buffett’s neighbor’s yard.) The legendary business magnate and investor is highly visible in his hometown. In 1988, he founded the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award given to Omaha Public School teachers annually. Ron Garofolo was one of the first teachers to receive this

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Dr. Garofolo recalls, “They had a private dinner and ceremony for all the winners. Each teacher was awarded ten thousand dollars that was to be used for something other than their classroom.”

Dr. Garofolo recounts that at the awards ceremony, Buffett asked each of the winners to say what he or she would do with the cash prize. “Some said they were going to buy cars, go on trips and things like that.

When it got to be my dad’s turn, he said ‘I’m going to put braces on my kid’s teeth.’ That really showed what a selfless man my dad is.”

The braces were an obvious need, and not just because he would later go on to become a dentist. Dr. Garofolo said, using a Nebraska expression, that “I could have eaten corn through a fence.”

The fact that Dr. Garofolo became a dentist, however, was a bit of a shocker to his mother. In Dr. Garofolo’s self-published book, “The Dental Black Book,” he writes: “I had a paralyzing fear of dentists that was probably passed to me by my highly dental-phobic mother. As a child, I was kicked out of several practices for thrashing, kicking and screaming.”

It’s all about doing the little things for our patients – who we actually refer to as guests. Dr. Garofolo He never forgot how much he hated and feared going to the dentist as a kid and quietly vowed to create a better experience for his guests.

Getting the Practice Off the Ground Dr. Garofolo readily admits he was no Warren Buffett when it came to the business side of running a dental practice.

After arriving in San Diego, he started working as an associate in a large, corporate dental office. He quickly realized corporate offices were not where he wanted to practice. “Corporate dentistry was void of any kind of meaningful doctor-patient relationship,” he says.

“It’s all about add-ons and making patients pay more.

The corporate model devalues what my staff and I try

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The Design Studio

to focus on which is adding far more value than the patient is paying for.”

After working in several individual dental offices, Dr. Garofolo could see the differences in the practices. He learned there must be a process in place and saw that the way you treat your team is how your team treats patients.

Ultimately, Dr. Garofolo decided to purchase an existing practice. Shortly after signing the lease, the landlord announced he was doubling the rent for the next year. The landlord then sued him when he moved to a new location. Already highly leveraged, he had to short sell his condo to pay legal fees.

At the same time, he also had to take time off to recover from surgery on two herniated discs. Against doctor’s orders, he quickly went back to work, doing his job despite experiencing daily physical pain and being under the cloud of financial ruin. There was one month, Garofolo remembers, when he had to sell a coin collection to make rent.

One More Shot at Success Dr. Garofolo won the lawsuit four and a half years later, but at a steep cost. Facing possible bankruptcy in the fall of 2015, Dr. Garofolo summoned the fortitude to give his practice one more push. Aiming to reach a higher bar (Dad’s advice) he put on his big boy pants (Mom’s advice) and underwent a top-to-bottom attitude adjustment.

Dr. Garofolo made the decision to stop hiring staff members and to start hiring team members. More importantly, he refocused the practice on giving patients the best possible experience.

“The better we treated our guests and the more focused we were on their needs, the more loyal and supportive they became,” Dr. Garofolo says. “Guests started telling family and friends about what a great practice we were. That was the turning point. It was a lesson on which we’ve continued to build.”

Sit in one of the chairs at The Dentistry Collective and gaze out at the view of a green grassy lawn that leads to an idyllic pond setting. It eases the mood

h Working at The Dentistry Collective is more than just your average 9-5 job. There is something so amazingly different about the culture and the dynamic of this company. I have always been a person that loves giving back to the community, but never have I been a part of an organization that is so willing to donate this much. I work with the best team, we have amazing patients and Dr. Garofolo is an amazing boss and mentor. I feel so lucky to call The Dentistry Collective my home and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Michelle, Marketing Manager

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TOP RATED SAN DIEGO DENTIST

Take a look to see what others have to say about The Dentistry Collective

The Reception Area of The Dentistry Collective.

FIVE-STAR

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for whatever service you’re there for: preventative dentistry, tooth extractions, implants, root canal therapy or same-day dental crowns.

Indeed, the practice is a rarity because they design and mill their own crowns using in-house CEREC technology, which means you can leave the office with a crown permanently cemented in a single visit. No going home with temporaries and having to come back yet again when the crown comes back from an outside lab. Plus, any adjustments can be made on the spot.

“It’s all about doing the little things for our patients – who we actually refer to as guests, Dr. Garofolo says. “We treat them as if they are guests at our home.” Anybody can choose from a list of amenities that includes soft blankets, neck pillows, warm towels, headphones, bottled water, hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate), ibuprofen, decongestants and lip balm.

There is even an office mascot – a French bulldog named Barnaby. He’s a certified Emotional Support Animal. Barnaby recently replaced Garofolo’s late longtime furry mascot, Karter, who had helped him through the dark days of building the business.

It’s also standard procedure for Dr. Garofolo and his staff to call guests after treatment to make sure

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they’re recovering well.

Dr. Garofolo believes all dentists should treat every guest like they would treat their own family. In fact, these days his own dental-phobic mom flies to San Diego from Nebraska twice a year to get her checkups and work done. And it’s not just his mom. One of Dr. Garofolo’s lengthier Yelp reviews comes from a woman who flies from Charlotte, North Carolina, to visit The Dentistry Collective whenever she needs to go to the dentist.

While that’s unusual, after seeing how different The Dentistry Collective is from all the dental offices most people have ever experienced, it’s not too surprising, And apparently, many others agree. Dr. Garofolo’s practice has more than 190 Google Reviews and 125 Yelp Reviews with a perfect 5.0 rating on both platforms, making them the highest-rated dental practice in San Diego.

For the Garofolo family, it seems dentistry has come full circle with a happy resolution and a bright and shiny future.

For more information or to schedule your next exam, go to thedentistrycollective.com or call (858) 257-3413.

They are “in network” with just about any insurance plan you might have, and they recently launched their own private membership plans to help San Diegans who don’t have or recently lost their dental insurance.

Tell them you read about them here and get a $100 in-office credit for your first reservation!

Barnaby, The Dentistry Collective Mascot

I absolutely love The Dentistry Collective. Dr. Garofolo is amazing!

His chair side manner is so nice to experience. He is friendly, funny and kind. You can tell by his work he is so meticulous. I love that part especially.

I need a lot of work done but I left the office not feeling overwhelmed. He gives you a plan that works for you so that is very encouraging. I have been to many dentists in my life and this office has by far exceeded any other I’ve been to.

I have to say it almost felt like a spa experience!! And that’s saying a lot about a dentist office...

Colleen

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The Comfort Menu at The Dentistry Collective.

EXPERIENCE THE REDEFINED DENTAL VISIT

100 In-Office Credit

$

New Guest Special

Call Today For Your Reservation

858-257-3413

www.TheDentistryCollective.com

Expires 12/31/2020

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What Is The Dentistry Collective Doing Now?

Patient Coordinators ready to schedule your reservation!

COVID-19 Protocols: At The Dentistry Collective, we have gone above and beyond the mandatory protocols and guidelines required by the CDC. Safety has always been a top priority at The Dentistry Collective! These are some of the COVID-19 protocols we have implemented. ● It is mandatory for all of our team members to wear masks and gloves. ● We are taking the temperatures of our team members & guests when they arrive for their reservations. ● Guests will be instructed to text/call once they have arrived at our designated parking spaces and a team member will be assigned to each guest to take their temperature, make sure forms are completed, and given masks (if needed), hand sanitizer, and gloves before entering the office. ● Prior to any treatment, guests will be asked to rinse/swish with a solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and Chlorhexidine for one minute to reduce the amount of possible germs in the oral cavity. ● To limit the amount of contact, all forms such as treatment plans and receipts will be emailed, if possible, to the patient. Also, credit cards will be automatically entered by the front office team to limit exposure. ● During treatment, aerosol spray will be reduced as much as possible by using the DryShield high powered evacuation system which reduces over 90% of all aerosols. ● Surfaces & treatment rooms, as always, are sanitized between guests.

Rachel’s Women’s Center: The Dentistry Collective started First Fridays, where the first Friday of every quarter Dr. Garofolo and his team make an impact in the community. For the first quarter of 2020, The Dentistry Collective chose to bring their dental services to Rachel’s Women’s Center.

Rachel’s Women’s Center is a drop in day shelter for women experiencing homelessness located in San Diego, CA. The Dentistry Collective gave smile makeovers to three women from the center.

Mobile Check-In

Membership Plans: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected hundreds of thousands of residents in San Diego personally, professionally, and economically in many challenging ways.

Dr. Timothy Garofolo and his team at The Dentistry Collective recognized early on that there was a need for a program that would allow individuals to stay current with their dental care without breaking the bank. Dr. Garofolo and his team wanted to do their part to help people in the San Diego community who have lost their dental benefits.

The Membership Plans that The Dentistry Collective created are customizable based on the patient’s specific needs. The patients have the option to pay for the plan annually or monthly which allows flexibility depending on budget.

Since the plans are based on a patient’s needs Dr. Garofolo recommends that each patient schedules a comprehensive exam with one of the doctors and then they will help them choose the best plan that will meet their specific dental needs.

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Our Community Affiliates: • Wounded Warrior Project • VA San Diego • Veterans Of Foreign Wars • Salvation Army • San Diego Humane Society • Rachel’s Women’s Center • Toby Wells Foundation • Charity Water • ASPCA • Boys Town • Indigenous ReGeneration • National Wildlife Federation Call Today For Your Reservation 858-257-3413 www.TheDentistryCollective.com

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The Studio Door Now Open

Local art gallery continues to evolve with a variety of special exhibits that benefit local artists with local exhibitions and coronavirus protocols

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he Studio Door, art gallery in Hillcrest with artists studios, continues to keep its storefront open to the public with a range of fine art.

The gallery presents an exhibition of the Human Figure as Art with select works by artists Roy de Vries, Leah Sarah Bassett and Khalid Alkaaby. These artists offer three different realistic approaches to celebrate the human form. Roy de Vries explores the male body in surrender and repose. Leah Sarah Bassett dives into the mystery of mythological female characters of her own making. Khalid Alkaaby balances contemporary work with classical structure. A mature showing of work.

Additionally, the gallery has obtained a selection of 30 watercolors by Ally Benbrook. A familiar face in the local art community, Ally passed away last year from metastatic lung cancer. Though she didn’t start to paint until well after 50, she quickly developed her own style that was recognized as she was juried into countless exhibitions and with top awards, including Best in Show prize at the New York Arts League and the prestigious Shenzhen Biennial. Proceeds will benefit her family and the gallery.

Next Month, The Studio Door will showcase 20 local artists. This exhibition was created to replace the planned biennial 50 To Watch. One of the foundations of the gallery, the exhibition brings national attention to regional artists. With art galleries closing, temporarily and permanently, due to COVID-19, the program would have had a diminishing impact for San Diego’s art community. The gallery plans to bring it back in 2022.

Continuing a focus on local artists in October, The gallery will feature Natural Shift–Transformations in Clay/Paper/Tree. This collaborative exhibit has been a year in the making by artists Pierre Bounaud, Sue Britt, and Vanessa & Bruce Backer. “ This year has been quite a challenge for everyone. It was imperative to respond quickly to Coro-

navirus with ecommerce, gallery videos and safe access to the art. The Studio Door is not only a small business on its own but it is also a source of income for local artists,” said Patric Stillman, Owner. “With workshops, receptions and community events off the table, I’m thankful that we are still able to keep our storefront open to make art sales. For many of our artists and the gallery itself, its the only revenue stream that has kept us afloat.”

The Studio Door is located at 3867 Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from Noon–7 PM. Social distancing and masks are required.

Information on The Studio Door activities are distributed to the

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public through its social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter. For more information on The Studio Door, its program and

services, please visit www.thestudiodoor.com and sign up for the monthly newsletter at http:// eepurl.com/0q59H.

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Cas hCo Paw n Sho p Na me d One o f 20 20 To p Sho ps by Paw n Le a de r s Ma ga zi ne Local San Diego pawn shop recognized amongst one of the best pawn shops in the U.S. CashCo Pawn Shop, dedicated to serving the financial needs of the community through pawning, buying, selling and appraising, was recently named one of Pawn Leaders Magazine’s 2020 Top Shops. The Top Shops list recognizes 20 pawn shops throughout the U.S. that have made an impact on the pawnbroking industry.

Pawn Leaders Magazine serves the largest audience in the pawn industry and highlights leadership, strategy and marketing

within the industry. Readers voted for the best pawn shops for the first annual Top Shops list.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as one of the best pawn shops in the country,” said Moris Adato, president of CashCo Pawn Shop and member of the California Pawnbrokers Association board of directors.

“By continuing to provide access to cash through pawn loans, we aim to help alleviate some of the financial burdens both consum-

ers and small business owners are currently facing.”

CashCo Pawn has been a trusted source for short- and long-term financing in San Diego for over 18 years. CashCo Pawn currently has two locations in San Diego and is the first certified “green” pawn shop in America.

For more information, visit CashCoPawn. com

About CashCo Pawn Shop CashCo Pawn Shop provides financial services that help lift financial burdens through unparalleled customer service and community involvement. As the leading San Diego County pawn shop, CashCo Pawn Shop serves the financial needs of the community through pawning, buying, selling and appraising. For more information, visit CashCoPawn.com

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Comforting Broken Hearts Marcella’s Story

Neighborhood Publications Reaching Over 125,000 San Diego Area Mailboxes Per Month!

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Our advertisers have found that when a resident reaches into their mailbox and discovers a large size, full-color publication with the name of their community prominently displayed and local information on the cover, they take it into their home, open it, and actually read it–taking notice of and supporting the participating local businesses inside. If you are looking to build your brand, grow your business and become a household name, Local Umbrella Media has you covered.

In 1999 I became pregnant with my fourth child. We were elated! However, when I was six months along, doctors told my husband and I that our baby had a life-limiting disease and if we were lucky enough to make it to term, he would most likely die during the birth. The best-case scenario was that he would be born alive but would die shortly thereafter.

Blessedly, on April 11, 1999, we gave birth to our beautiful baby boy, George. Shortly after birth, he died peacefully in my arms. It was incredibly hard, but we felt so blessed to have been able to hold him, kiss him, hug him, look into his big blue eyes, and tell him that we loved him.

During my grief process I experienced acute aching in my heart and a real physical aching in my arms.

During this time, I learned about Takotsubo Syndrome, or Broken Heart Syndrome, a physical condition often brought about due to extreme emotional loss. I discovered that holding a weighted potted plant my father handed to me helped ease my physical pain. It was a miracle.

In an effort to reach out to those in similar situations, we invented The Comfort Cub, a specially weighted therapeutic teddy bear. Over time, we have discovered the healing abilities of the Comfort Cub go beyond the loss of an infant. We now help those who have suffered the loss of a loved one including the loss of a beloved pet who has become part of the family.

If you would like to support the work of The Comfort Cub, please consider making a donation. Visit https:// www.The ComfortCub.org To learn more about Marcella’s tips for moms who want to make a positive impact in the world, visit MomsTown.com

©2020 COPYRIGHT BY INSPIRED MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Local Umbrella Media Newspaper Publications are printed monthly and distributed freely throughout San Diego County. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Local Umbrella Media is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented in the newspaper. Local Umbrella Media Newspaper Publications are produces and published by Local Umbrella Media, and no part of this

publication bay be reproduced or transmitted without permission of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER: Paid advertisements contained herein are not endorsed or recommended by publisher; therefore, publisher shall not be held liable for business practices of advertisers. Publisher not liable for images accepted in good faith.

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Annual Starry Starry Night Benefiting Voices for Children Is Going Virtual

Event Celebrates Nonprofit’s 40th Anniversary of Service to Youth in San Diego County Foster Care

Starry Starry Night, one of San Diego’s premier fundraising events, is moving to a virtual format in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020, and will benefit Voices for Children (VFC), a local nonprofit organization which transforms the lives of children in foster care by providing them with volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASAs advocate for foster children in the courtroom, at school, and in the community to ensure their needs are prioritized. The live-stream program will feature a celebration of VFC’s CASA of the Year, impact stories from the organization’s CASA program, a live auction, and virtual paddle raise. There is no cost to register, and attendance is open to the entire community.

Since its inception in 2002, Starry Starry Night has grown from an intimate event in a private home to one of the most anticipated events in our community. Last year’s gala grossed more than $1 million. As this event transitions to an online format, its purpose remains the same: to raise crucial funds to provide foster youth in San Diego County with a trusted advocate.

The evening will begin with a 7:00 p.m. preevent show including special performances by the the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra and the San Diego Children’s Choir, followed by a compelling program at 7:30 p.m.

Voices for Children is offering a variety of opportunities for attendees to participate in and support the event. Attendees can purchase a Gala-on-the-Go box, which includes champagne, event branded cocktail napkins, an event guide, and more to help celebrate in style. Customizable catering packages are available through Waters Fine Foods & Catering, and a percentage of food and beverage purchases will be donated back to Voices for Children. An opportunity drawing, live auction, and paddle raise will all provide support to the organization’s CASA program. For those unable to attend, community members can make a direct donation or pledge toward Starry Starry Night, which will help recruit and train more volunteers to advocate on behalf of youth in foster care.

Although the event is free, registration is required. The community is encouraged to register today at www.voicesforchildrenSSN. org.

Event Sponsors: George Lai and the Lily Lai Foundation, Annette and Daniel Bradbury, Genentech, MG Properties Group, Qual-

comm, The Rose Foundation, Capstone Advisors, Bill and Dorian Sailer, The San Diego Foundation, Alphacore Wealth Advisory, Finch Thornton & Baird, LLP, Perkins Coie, Sempra Energy, Silvergate Bank, California Bank & Trust, City National Bank, Coastal Payroll, Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors, Kaiser Permanente, Paul Plevin Sullivan & Connaughton LLP, bkm OfficeWorks, Briefcase Studios, Cadence, Glendalough Distillery, Joy Culture Events, Las Patronas, McCulley Design Lab, We Drink Bubbles, Giving Back Magazine, KPBS, and Ranch & Coast Magazine.

The Starry Starry Night Honorary Committee includes Mac and Casey Armstrong, Kathryn Ashworth, Esq., and the Hon. Thomas Ashworth III (Ret.), Bruce and Gail Bailey, Mary and Rolf Benirschke, David Bialis and Diana Breister, Sue and Mike Bieker, Robert Borthwick and Lee Parnell, Annette and Daniel Bradbury, Patty and Marc Brutten, Nancy and David Doyle, Gina and Ray Ellis, Lisette and Mick Farrell, Cambra and Randy Finch, AnneElise and Andrew Goetz, The Hon. Susan D. Huguenor (Ret.) and Thomas Huguenor, Yolanda and Jimmy Janacek, Erbin and Melissa Keith, Linda and Dick Kintz, George Lai, Marina Marrelli and Bob Anslow, Andrea and Greg Moser, Jennifer and Tim O’Connell, Nancy and Michael Pfeiffer, Kristi and Dick Pfister, Lauree and Monte Sahba, Bill and

Dorian Sailer, Sheryl and Bob Scarano, Karen and Mike Stone, Katie and Dan Sullivan, Jill Skrezyna and Alex Sun, Haeyoung Kong Tang, Dr. Alice Mo and Ted Tchang, Lise Wilson and Steven Strauss, Julie and Dale Yahnke, and Lany and Alex Zikakis For more information about Starry Starry Night, to become a sponsor, or to join the Honorary Committee, please contact events@speakupnow.org or 858-5982271.

ABOUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN Founded in 1980, Voices for Children (VFC) transforms the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties by providing them with trained, volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASA volunteers advocate for a foster child or sibling group in Court, school, and in the community to ensure their needs are met. VFC believes that every child deserves a safe and permanent home, striving to provide a CASA volunteer to every child in the foster care system who needs one. Last year, VFC CASAs and staff advocated on behalf of more than 2,600 foster children across San Diego and Riverside Counties. For more information, visit www.speakupnow.org.

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“OK, Karen.”

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Where Entrepreneur Meets Advocate

arens get a bad rap these days, so we thought we’d shine a light on a good one. We met up with Clean Beauty Advocate, Karen Friend Smith–entrepreneur and long-time resident–to learn more about the clean beauty movement and how it’s making waves from San Diego to Sacramento.

So, what ’s your story?

I have been a serial entrepreneur from the moment I graduated from college. I love starting businesses and helping other small businesses succeed. This passion is what led me to build a publishing company here in San Diego that created community newspapers and magazines (a lot like this one) for many years.

There are so many great stories behind every local business.

How did you get involved in advocacy and the clean beauty movement?

About six years ago, someone came to me to advertise her new business with Beautycounter–a clean beauty brand based out of Santa Monica. The company name said it all. They were ‘countering’ the beauty industry by increasing awareness about harmful ingredients and how what we put on our skin matters for our health.

This caught my eye because I had been on a health journey myself. My husband and two daughters had recently made some major changes in our

lifestyle–starting with our food (shifting away from processed foods to more whole foods).

From there, we moved into changing our cleaning products. Reducing the plastic in our house. Using glass for food storage. Swapping out our cookware for cleaner options.

But, at the time, I had never stopped to think about our personal care products–like skincare, lotions, makeup, deodorant, haircare. Learning about Beautycounter started me down that rabbit hole. As a mother of two girls, I started to realize we used more products than I thought.

Turns out the average woman uses about 12 products every day and this translates into well over 100 different chemicals.

I was really shocked to see how many harmful ingredients are in these products–ingredients that are directly linked to infertility, endocrine issues, allergies and cancer. I had no idea we hadn’t updated legislation on ingredient safety for these products here in the U.S. since 1938! Needless to say, the more I learned, the more I had to get involved–not only in sharing this information with others so they can choose safer products, but also helping advocate for change.

California Bills Signal Nationwide Change Last summer, I had the opportunity to join Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Women’s Voices for the Earth, Black Women

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for Wellness and Beautycounter in Sacramento to lobby for a bill that would provide more transparency and empower consumers to choose safer products.

After multiple attempts, it has been exciting to see the progress made since then.

Two bills just passed here in California–the Safer Fragrance bill (SB 312) and the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (AB 2762). These bills are the biggest step forward in this industry in over 80 years!

And, even though these are California laws, they affect more than just residents here. Companies are not going to want to make two versions of the same product. So, they will likely default to making the one that is allowed in California–which means safer products in all 50 states.

Does Advocacy Really Work?

Advocacy is key! I’ve witnessed it the last few years. We are making big strides and the industry is taking notice. Beautycounter was named the Most Innovative Beauty Brand of the Year by Fast Company in 2020, the #1 Trending Beauty Brand in 2018 by Refinery 29, has been featured in everything from Forbes to Vogue to the New York Times and has won multiple product awards from Allure, Glamour and Cosmopolitan, among others.

It’s been so fulfilling to be part of meaningful change–building a business that is both financially rewarding and has such significant social impact. We are growing fast and looking for more voices to add to our movement.

If you’ve thought about starting your own business or maybe just a side hustle, Beautycounter is a great place to make that happen. There’s tremendous opportunity and flexibility for anyone who wants to jump in and get involved. Reach out and I’ll get some information to you.

Want to Learn More?

Start by choosing safer products.

Local Umbrella Media is partnering with Beautycounter to support the clean beauty movement and to help you make some clean swaps. Visit us at https:// www.beautycounter.com/bradweber to get 10% off your first order and to learn more about how to get involved.

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

11

Tapping Away Your Troubles Hafez- “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being”

S

ooze Flery is an Emotional Wellness Coach and Wellpreneur. Her practice; Heart Centered Living, focuses on helping individuals who are held back by their negative emotions.

Sooze explains that she “ works with people to dig deep and explore their emotions, while opening their heart to love and forgiveness.” She says, “We all carry the pain of unresolved trauma, limiting beliefs and toxic relationships, which can produce negative thoughts causing a disruption to the bodies energy and nervous system. Talking and tapping helps to clear blocked energy and bring the body back to its natural state of rest.” Her practice’s goal is to guide clients in discovering the power they already have in healing and centering themselves through the practice of Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping.

Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping or EFT is often referred to as psychological acupuncture without the needles. It’s an amalgamation of acupuncture, traditional Chinese Medicine, acupressure and modern psychology that combines both cognitive and somatic elements in its therapy.

EFT focuses on the body’s energy pathways, known as meridians.

These ‘energy highways’ carry vitality throughout the body. Each meridian and its coordinating partner have acupuncture points dotted along their channels. In traditional Chinese medicine, the energy that flows through these pathways is known as qi. If qi is stagnate or blocked it causes an imbalance in the body that can result in a myriad of symptoms, both physical and psychological in nature. Its movement can be restored using various types of pressure at points along the meridians.

EFT is a technique that involves using the fingertips to softly tap on the meridian points of the head, torso and hand while visualizing and vocalizing the specific issue you seek to address. By voicing the negative thoughts while tapping the affected meridian, the body is able to clear the blocked energy in the system and “restore balance for optimum health.” Once the blocked energy is cleared, the parasympathetic nervous system can resume

normal functioning and alert the brain to turn off the fight or flight response to stress, thus eliminating the negative feeling associated with that event. Each time you recall the disruptive event the emotional distress and physical discomfort associated with it will gradually dissipate.

Sooze Flery is a native born Californian and has lived in San Diego for the past 22 years. She has a Master of Science degree in Human Services and Community Psychology and is a student in “A Course in Miracles.” Sooze believes it is her natural sense of intuition and her ability to truly listen to people’s needs that enables her to excel at her calling as an Emotional Wellness Coach. She says, “Mindfulness is so important right now and that {individuals} need to be aware of what it is they’re feeling and then be able to let it go.” She hopes that when

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clients visit Heart Centered Living for a few sessions, she is able to “to listen and let them know they have the skills and the strength to be able to do the work. [I’m] just

guiding them to get to the place they want to be.”

Making the decision to come in for an appointment at any new office is often one filled with anxiety. Knowing what the visit will consist of often helps quell those worrisome emotions. Sooze’s technique is centered on the theory of “Talk it Out, Tap it Out and Work it Out”.

Pre visit: When you first call the clinic, you’ll receive a pre-intake form to fill out so the Sooze can get an idea of what is happening in your life and get a bit of a background on you and your concerns.

Talk It Out: When you arrive for your session, you’ll discuss the issue at hand along with where you’d like to be at this point in your life. You’ll identify what specific concerns or issues you’d like to address through EFT. Tap It Out: Next she will tap on various meridian points of the head, upper torso, and hands while you vocalize and repeat a phrase that refers to the problem you’re addressing.

This reminder phrase helps you remain engaged as she uses a tapping sequence on various acupoints until your level of distress with the feeling decreases.

Work It Out: Following the somatic tapping therapy, you’ll work to develop an action plan to continue to maintain your physical and emotional balance and learn how to use EFT at home.

This technique has been used in a variety of situations such as removing negative emotions, reducing pain, reducing food cravings, repairing relationships and reframing the way an individual perceives themselves. Most individuals can achieve emotional well-being and healing after only one to three sessions. Sooze shares the idea that, “We have the ability to control our thoughts; our angst, anxiety, and worry and we have the ability to let them go.”

To find out more about EFT and Heart Centered Living you can visit the website at www.heartcenteredlive.com or call the office at 619-985-3595.

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12 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

RAY SHAY 10-97 IN KENOSHA, WISCONSIN

RAY SHAY BROKER I OWNER

Kenosha, WI

DRE 01946504

CAUTION - This story has some sensitive material that some readers may find upsetting.

Most of the wood barriers were painted with some type of support for “Black Lives Matter” but what was different here in Kenosha is that many of them had pictures of families drawn on the wood or the words, ”family living upstairs.” I paused as I wondered what it must be like to tuck your children into their beds at night while worrying that rioters may throw a firebomb into the business below your home?

After spending a day and evening reporting on the protests at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, I changed my plans and travelled to Kenosha, Wisconsin. It had surprisingly become our nation’s latest hot spot for civil unrest and rioting following a police shooting.

I had never been to Milwaukee previously, but if the impression I received from the young women helping me with my rental car at the airport was any indication of the people of the midwest, I was glad I came. Her name was Mary and she had a bright and engaging smile as if she was destined for the front of a Wheaties’ Cereal Box. When I told her where I was going, she proudly announced with that smile, “Kenosha is my hometown!”

I decided to go with a full-size SUV and additional auto insurance since Kenosha was still smoldering from the previous evening’s riots and arson attacks. The extreme level of violence had led the Governor of Wisconsin, Tony Evers, to activate the National Guard.

As I lugged my heavy gear through the crowded hotel lobby my Iphone as well as all the cell phones in that lobby suddenly began emitting an eerie beeping sound. We then heard the stern and detached sound of a male voice announcing a mandatory curfew was going into effect in Kenosha County in fifteen minutes. All residents were ordered to shelter in place and not leave their homes.

Looking at the faces of the people around me, it kind of freaked everyone out, but no one said anything.

It made me think about how cops frequently use humor to deal with tragedy or if they are facing what appears to be insurmountable odds. Despite thinking of a joke at that moment, I bit my tongue because the lobby occupants would have likely not found it very funny. My mom would have laughed because she always told me and my six siblings, “sometimes you just can’t cry, so you need to find a way to laugh.”

As I left the hotel lobby a few hours later, multiple national news agencies with their film crews began walking in. I had my press identification tag hanging around my neck when I asked, “Where are you guys going, it’s early?” One of the reporters replied, “It seems pretty quiet out there.” As he turned his eyes away from my gaze, I sensed we both knew the truth. It was going to be a long and violent night in Kenosha, Wisconsin but the national news media was not going to be there.

As I approached the courthouse I could see what appeared to be a caravan of cars, likely from out of town. One car in line had a stocky white male about twenty years old standing up through the sunroof yelling repeatedly with his arms in the air, “We’re back, we’re back!” It was followed by what I can only describe as a sinister laugh. I felt like I was walking into Gotham City.

RNC - Charlotte, NC

Kenosha, WI

As I prepared to leave the parking lot, I asked Mary where I should stop for lunch in Kenosha? She immediately gushed, “You have to go to Sazzy B’s! It is the best food ever. I used to work there and you will love it, I promise!”

Within an hour of the stand-off in front of the Courthouse between Police and BLM protestors, it turned violent. We were all soon immersed in clouds of chemical agents as large rocks bounced off armored police rescue vehicles and rained down on both Police and National Guard troops forming a line with their shields and batons. In an effort to disperse the violent crowd, low lethal munitions and sound diversionary devices were soon added to the mix of chemical agents.

Less than 30 minutes later, I arrived at Mary’s hometown where I saw business after business destroyed and the smell of smoke hanging in the late afternoon air. I stopped in front of the County Courthouse which seems to be the consistent magnet for rioting in America these days. Three extremely large trash trucks with their burned-out chassis were crippled and were lying flat on the dark oil stained roadway. They were silent testimony to the riots that had embroiled this small town.

As the sun began to dip further to the west more people began arriving and I realized I needed to find a hotel before nightfall. As I drove in downtown Kenosha I was confronted with the same sights and sounds I had witnessed in both Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. Residents were hurriedly cutting into large sheets of plywood and then desperately attaching the protective layer of wood to their businesses in hopes they would not be the next victims.

?

E M O H A G R SELLIN

-7355 9 4 4 FINDING O 8 5 8 LTORS AT

NITIES. REA Y A OPPORTU E H M S O T H T C E ARK CONTA OUT OFF M ND ASK AB A

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Like residents of Seattle Washington, Kenosha Wisconsin, is an “open carry” state and anyone can carry a loaded firearm in public. I saw multiple people with fully loaded high-powered rifles attached to slings hanging from their shoulders. I even saw a group of local high school kids about my youngest son Ryan’s age sneaking around as one of them nervously said to another, “Dude, you brought out the AR?” The child with the assault rifle responded, “Heck ya!” The four boys giggled as they jumped over some bushes and ran between two homes as if they were playing army or hide and seek.

I then witnessed a mob of rioters light on fire the contents in a large rolling metal trash can and push it towards the police officers. When a local business owner walked over and used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames it enraged the mob further. The rioters then turned their attention to a small business and began spray painting their beliefs on the building and attempting to breach the protective plywood barriers. The police then deployed chemical agents and flash bangs as they again ordered them to disperse.

With the CS gas still floating in the air around us, a young man wearing a green baseball cap on backwards and carrying a slung rifle from his shoulders and a red first aid kit attached to his chest asked many of us in the crowd, “Anyone need medical assistance?”

I did not see anyone accept his offer to help as he continued walking past me to my left.

At that moment, I had no idea his name was Kyle Rittenhouse or within the next few minutes he would be involved in a shooting that would leave two men in the mob dead, and a third one seriously injured.

I did not see the actual confrontation that would make international news when Kyle Rittenhouse began firing his assault weapon. Without a doubt we all heard the unmistakable sounds of the multiple 223 high powered rounds leaving the barrel of his rifle. As in most shooting situations, the rioters and onlookers panicked and ran away yelling in multiple directions.

VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 13

In the pandemonium immediately following the shooting, police officers who moments earlier were being assaulted with rocks and verbal threats of death from the rioters yelled out warnings for people to leave as they rushed in to help the shooting victims. It sounds counterintuitive, but I saw yet again the silent heroism of law enforcement officers as they ran towards the gunfire, while everyone else ran away.

As things stabilized I moved towards the crime scene and recorded the burning of a car and talked to people who had witnessed the shooting. As the flames died down, I started my long solemn trek back to my small hotel room.

Alone in my thoughts and my sweat-drenched clothing that smelled of tear gas, I kept reflecting on what I had witnessed in this small quaint town on the pristine banks of Lake Michigan. I still don’t even know what made me stop at about 3 AM in front of a boarded-up business in downtown Kenosha. I only recall whispering to myself on that empty city street, “Oh my gosh!” That is when I looked up and recognized the name, “Sazzy B” was peaking over at me from above two large sheets of plywood.

I immediately thought of Mary’s smile and hoped she would not be working when I returned my rental car. I knew she would likely learn soon enough from maybe her mom, dad, or a high school classmate about the double murder that had just irrevocably stained her small home town. I also realized it would likely be a very long time before I could enjoy an amazing meal at Mary’s favorite restaurant in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Editor’s note Ray Shay is a retired police lieutenant and former SWAT Commanding Officer with the San Diego Police Department. As an independent journalist and civil disturbance expert, he travels to locations around the world to see what is occurring. 10-97 is the California law enforcement radio code for “arrived on the scene.” _______________________________________________________________________________

Feel free to follow my Youtube Channel RayShay1097, Twitter @rayshay1097, or click on my videos or blog on my website www.rayshay1097.com

How do you Brokers “Ray, go to riots and still Corner : sell real estate?”

That is a very fair question. Let me start by saying my first priority are my three sons and helping them to find their way and being the best men that they can be. My second is continuing to build an amazing real estate company that excels at representing our friends, as each of you are not just clients. Lastly, my third goal is to give back to the country that I love.

I should have probably mentioned the subject of, “God” somewhere in the above paragraph, but honestly, we still have a few things to work out.

I recently received a text from an agent about a home we had in escrow while I was in Portland, Oregon.

I simply stepped around the corner of a building and peered through my fogged gas mask to answer his question via text. When I did speak to the agent later we both laughed, because he thought I was joking when I said I was at a riot.

In summary, critical incidents are my golf, my hiking, and my way of giving back to America. I know it is a lofty and unusual goal, but my parents always taught me to, “Dream Big.”

When I was a cop for 24 years myself and my fellow officers always pursued the truth. It is in my DNA. When I found there was a lack of balance in the news reporting I was seeing on television, I challenged myself to do something about it. So my hobby is being an Independent Citizen Journalist.

______________________________________________________________

With independent journalism being my #3 goal you probably wonder how it impacts my other goals. It is kind of funny. I am at ease moving in and out of ongoing civil disturbances since I have been attending them for close to forty years. In those brief few hours that I am reporting on my website, www.rayshay1097.com ,Twitter @rayshay1097, Facebook, Ray Shay On Scene, or youtube @Ray Shay 1097, I am still very available.

Have a great day and thanks for taking the time to read our Community Hub® newspaper .

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Ryan Shay helping out

PS - “10-97” is the County of San Diego’s Law Enforcement’s radio code that is broadcast when emergency responders arrive at a critical incident.

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14 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

Art Is Education: The ArtReach Mission

H

ello Friends! Schools are back in session and Distance Learning programs are ready: A dedicated team of Teaching Artists. Engaging lessons adapted for synchronous or asynchronous learning. Artist kits with brand new supplies.

Distance mural opportunities.

Virtual culminating events.

While we continue to pivot and adjust to this new normal, we look forward to the challenge of finding new ways to support the social emotional health and learning through intentional artistic engagement with our young artists.

You make this possible. Your generosity and continued support put fine arts supplies and deeply engaging art lessons directly into the hands of children and teens across San Diego County.

Creative brains convened this month to paint an incredible commission for the rooftop deck of a new USD off-campus student housing apartment called the carl. This mural, designed by

ArtReach Mural Teaching Artist, Hanna Gundrum, is a mix of geometric shapes and patterns with plant and wave-y feels.

After a painting hiatus, we can again work in small groups,

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safely at a distance, masked and outside. It felt so great to paint with the #artreachmuralprogram again, listen to music, and focus on clean edges, patterned backgrounds, and filling large shapes with bold and beautiful colors.

This project also had our first ever Mural Artist Apprentice, high-school senior, Anjolie Serna De Leon! She helped with every step of the process - all the way to sealing the mural and loading the many supplies up and down

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4 flights of stairs.

Check out the ArtReach Virtual Classroom series on IGTV! ArtReach Teaching Artists created virtual art lessons that you and your young artists can follow along to right at home! Each art lesson is unique and creative in its own way, challenging you to try new techniques or even create your own art materials. These videos can be accessed at any time, so take a peek, grab your supplies, press play, and make some art!

Our partners at YMCA Youth

& Family Services offer sliding scale counseling services and we are happy to announce that this now includes behavioral consultation services for children and families. Their services are tailored to each family and we hope that this extra support can bring families some much needed relief during this time. If your family is feeling is in need of counseling services to help you cope with current life challenges, we highly recommend this helpful resource for you and your children.

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Email counselingservices@ymca. org and use subject the line “Behavior Consultation.�

ArtHub Art Lessons The ArtHub, a student collective at Del Norte High School, has opened up their Fall registration for FREE online art lessons over Zoom for children ages 7-13. The new Fall term provides even more classes and more mediums for students to explore. They are hoping to reach as many children as possible, so please help us share this great art opportunity and sign up your young

VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 15

artists!

ArtReach believes that all children, regardless of zip code or socioeconomic status, benefit from the opportunity to practice creative thinking and creative doing. We exist to increase access to visual arts education by connecting students at K-12 schools throughout San Diego County with practicing artists.

We focus on providing free workshops to students at schools that meet need criteria and have no or scant visual arts education resources.

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16 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

YOUR 92127 COMMUNITY EXPERTS

TM

SOLD 4S RANCH STYLE

ADDRESS

BED

BATH

EST SF

DAYS ON MARKET

SOLD PRICE

Summit

ATT

17161 Alva Rd #1913

1

1

745

4

$343,000

9/15/20

Summit

ATT

17161 Alva Rd #2738

2

2

899

114

$399,000

9/4/20

ATT

17059 Calle Trevino# 5

9/8/20

NEIGBORHOODS

Gianni Ravenna San Moritz

DATE

2

3

1389

9

$589,000

Townhouse 16933 New Rochelle Way Unit 72

2

3

1484

4

$619,000

9/3/20

Townhouse

10553 Zenor Lane #55

3

4

1498

5

$639,000

9/8/20

Gianni

Townhouse

17034 Calle Trevino #6

3

3

1389

15

$615,000

9/4/20

San Moritz

Townhouse

16942 Vasquez Way, #102

3

4

1498

5

$652,000

9/4/20

Gianni

Townhouse

17022 Calle Trevino #12

3

4

1460

12

$630,000

9/22/20

San Moritz

Townhouse

10505 Zenor Ln Unit 66

3

4

1498

5

$635,000

9/15/20

Tanglewood

DET

10003 Fieldthorn St.

3

3

1410

6

$756,000

9/18/20

Amante

DET

10510 Hollingsworth Way

3

3

1873

75

$765,000

8/28/20

Veridian

Townhouse

16410 Veridian Cir.

3

3

2086

3

$799,000

9/1/20

Veridian

ATT

16065 Veridian Cir.

3

3

2086

10

$828,888

9/15/20

Veridian

Townhouse

16263 Veridian Cir.

4

3

2295

18

$860,000

9/17/20

Veridian

Townhouse

16169 Veridian Cir.

4

3

2542

43

$928,888

9/18/20

Veridian

Townhouse

16137 Veridian Cir.

5

3

2295

2

$960,000

9/11/20

Chanteclair

DET

16388 Calloway Dr.

4

3

2317

2

$965,000

9/21/20

Rosemary Lane

DET

16836 Silver Crest Dr.

4

3

2455

8

$1,025,000

9/2/20

Cedar Creek

DET

10277 Prairie Fawn Dr.

4

3

2712

33

$970,000

9/11/20

Bernardo Point

DET

17176 Patina St.

4

3

2505

8

$1,045,000

9/22/20

Copper Wood

DET

16390 Los Rosales St.

5

3

2692

60

$1,050,000

9/4/20

Palomino

DET

17110 Monterey Ridge Way

5

3

2901

6

$1,143,450

8/31/20

Cedar Creek

DET

10126 Prairie Fawn Dr.

3

3

2714

5

$1,090,000

9/14/20

Travata

DET

10217 Sienna Ridge Pl.

4

5

3552

3

$1,250,000

8/25/20

Providence

DET

9774 Fox Valley Ct.

4

4

3683

9

$1,290,000

9/14/20

Silvercrest

DET

10226 Camino San Thomas

5

5

3729

27

$1,285,000

8/31/20

Avery Lane

DET

16222 Cayenne Ridge Rd.

5

5

3733

8

$1,300,000

8/27/20

Ryland Heritage

DET

9972 Falcon Bluff St.

5

5

4006

1

$1,410,000

9/18/20

Talvera

DET

9672 Deer Trail Dr.

4

4

3451

4

$1,500,000

9/4/20

Palomino

DET

15346 Palomino Mesa Rd.

5

4

4550

23

$1,470,000

9/18/20

Call Today For your FREE Home Market Valuation Sold properties taken from Sandicor from 8/24/2020 to 9/24/2020 and may represent listings from other brokerages. Information accurate but not guaranteed.

Ray Shay REALTOR®

BROKER ASSOCIATE CALDRE#01354548 Ray@ShayRealtors.com Ray.ShayRealtors.com

DIRECT 858.449.4970

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OFFICE 858.449.7355

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

YOUR 92127 COMMUNITY EXPERTS

TM

SOLD GATED COMMUNITIES

NEIGBORHOODS STYLE

ADDRESS

BEDS BATHS EST SF

DAYS ON MARKET SOLD PRICES

DATE

Crosby

DET

16922 Blue Shadows

3

4

5,028

63

$1,398,000.00

Crosby

DET

16930 Blue Shadows

3

4

5,858

24

$1,425,000.00 9/21/20

9/11/20

Avaron

DET

8131 Lazy River Road

5

5

3,585

6

$1,500,000.00 9/18/20

Lakes

DET

16384 Sunny Summit Dr

4

5

4,323

103

$1,603,900.00 8/26/20

Avaron

DET

15575 Rising River Pl

4

5

3,951

12

$1,622,000.00 8/31/20

Crosby

DET

16991 Going My Way

4

4

4,214

19

$1,630,000.00 9/10/20

Santaluz

DET

7841 Caminito Camelia

4

4

3,873

22

$1,725,000.00 9/15/20

Avaron

DET

15605 Hayden Lake Place

5

5

4,689

8

$1,750,000.00 9/18/20

Savenna

DET

17247 Tallow Tree Lane

5

6

5,450

94

$1,787,500.00 8/31/20

Santaluz

DET

7986 Entrade De Luz E.

2

3

2,300

4

$1,770,000.00 9/10/20

Salviatti

DET

17169 Castello Circle

5

6

4,618

5

$1,915,000.00 9/16/20

Avaron

DET

15618 Jube Wright

6

5

4,895

151

$1,935,000.00 9/18/20

Savenna

DET

1724 Holly Leaf Court

5

6

4,790

0

$2,250,000.00

Santaluz

DET

7724 Briza Placida

5

6

4,735

11

$2,400,000.00 8/28/20

9/11/20

Santaluz

DET

7986 Doug Hill

5

8

5,816

236

$2,725,000.00

9/11/20

Santaluz

DET

8420 Santaluz Village Green East

4

6

6,535

32

$3,350,000.00 9/18/20

Santaluz

DET

8396 Santaluz Village Green East

6

7

6,844

197

$3,675,000.00

9/8/20

Santaluz

DET

7832 Santaluz Inlet

5

6

5,853

14

$3,700,000.00

9/1/20

SOLD DEL SUR NEIGBORHOODS

STYLE

ADDRESS

BEDS BATHS EST SF

Garretson

Townhouse

15977 Parkview Loop

3

3

1,641

DAYS ON MARKET SOLD PRICES

42

$705,000

DATE 9/17/20

Garretson

Townhouse

16645 Gail Loop

3

3

1,628

7

$721,000

9/11/20

Mandolin #1

Townhouse

8442 Christopher Ridge Ter

3

3

2,302

19

$790,000

8/27/20

Garretson

Townhouse

15979 Parkview Loop

4

3

1,867

64

$815,000

9/2/20

Bridgewalk

DET

16008 Tierney Glen

3

3

1,930

4

$860,000

9/2/20

Bridgewalk

DET

8465 Kern Crescent

3

3

1,961

9

$888,000

9/2/20

Carlton

DET

15875 Paseo Montenero

4

3

2,165

7

$945,000

9/23/20

Pasado

DET

8489 Spreckels Lane

4

3

2,165

8

$955,000

8/26/20

Cassero

DET

15736 Paeso Del Sur

4

3

2,570

4

$965,999

8/26/20

Alcala

DET

16601 Nicole Ridge Road

4

3

2,494

57

$955,500

9/11/20

Carleton

DET

16040 Oxford Hill

5

3

2,741

4

$1,153,000

8/25/20

Carleton

DET

15888 Via Montenero

5

3

3,059

0

$1,235,000

9/2/20

Sentinels

DET

15692 Beltaire Lane

3

4

3,105

27

$1,293,200

9/14/20

Auberge

DET

7936 Lusardi Creek Lane

3

3

1,843

7

$1,350,000

9/14/20

Velencia

DET

8470 Warden Lane

6

4

3,495

42

$1,380,000

9/8/20

Sentinels

DET

15622 S. Chevy Chase

4

5

3,219

10

$1,605,000

9/23/20

Sentinels

DET

15659 S. Chevy Chase

4

4

3,558

0

$1,590,000

9/2/20

Avondale

DET

15964 Sinclair Sreet

4

5

3,884

4

$1,695,000

9/14/20

Marston

DET

15585 Potomac Ridge Rd

5

6

4,658

39

$2,300,000

9/15/20

Ray Shay REALTOR®

BROKER ASSOCIATE CALDRE#01354548 Ray@ShayRealtors.com Ray.ShayRealtors.com

DIRECT 858.449.4970

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17

Stay Safe, San Diego

18 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

SHAY AFTER DARK WITH TINA ANIMAE

TRAVELING WITH TROY

Hidden Gems of Mexico I usually come on here to help inspire which is ultimately my passion but today I’m focusing on advising because there’s so much information out there about where to go, what to do and how to get there.

First off, here is a list of places according to CNN that are available to travel to as a US citizen: Albania, Belarus, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Zambia. *Info subject to change

It’s hard not to get cabin fever while staying at home. With the recent re-opening ofvsome local businesses, the Shay Team decided to enlist our downtown expert Randy Koch to find a restaurant that serves great food, great service, and great ambiance. After a short car ride, we arrived at ANIMAE restaurant.

ANIMAE is an elegant yet casual restaurant. It’s like Crazy Rich Asians meets Mad Men. They offer outdoor seating where you are surrounded by water and plants. However, they’re indoor seating is also open and allows for plenty of space in between tables.

ANIMAE’s theme is eclectic West Coast cuisine, layered with Asian influences. A fusion of unexpected flavors come together to create something unique and incredibly delicious. Everything we ate was as surprising as it was enjoyable. The service was great and our server had helpful recommendations. We ordered a few smallplates to share: Lemongrass Pork Sausage, Grilled Sea Bass and also their famous A5 Wagyu, Snow Crab Aged, double marinated and seared. Last but not the least, we ended our night with their famous dessert- Toasted Jasmine and vanilla rice ice cream. Big shout out to the bar tenders for making us beautiful cocktails all night. Their take on an old fashion was my favorite.

ANIMAE’s Service, food, drinks, ambiance - everything hit the mark, just imagine Din Tai Fung with an American twist that’s 2-3 times better. It made our night extra special because we got to catch up in person with our good friends whom we normally only see on Zoom now.

ANIMAE is on 969 Pacific Highway, located at the ground floor of the Pacific Gate by BOS residential tower.

Please find more information here: https://www.animaesd.com/

Here are a few places that you’re allowed to travel to with restrictions as a US citizen: Bermuda (negative COVID-19 test result within 5 days + $75 fee), Ireland (self isolate for 14 days), Tanzania (COVID-19 test upon arrival). There are still so many other destinations available to travel too but just reference credible sites. *Info subject to change.

By Troy Shay

CalDRE#02081818

Direct: (858)449-0335

Now most people from San Diego, at least according to all of my friends and family, consider the best place to visit is good old Mexico which doesn’t surprise me at all. I mean flying to Cabo San Lucas is only a two-hour flight and nonstop on one of my favorite airlines, Alaska.

But if you’re trying to explore your horizons, here is a list of places that you may not have thought of going to. Punta Mita, which is a 30-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta, has great surf, elegant hotels, wonderful food, and endless things to do.

Cozumel is another wonderful option with some of the clearest water in all of Mexico and is located on an island. It has some incredible scenery and is perfect for any snorkeling or scuba divers. Cozumel has the reputation of being a place to unplug and simply relax. There’s also plenty to see and do in Cozumel aside from the beach. The city of San Miguel has a laid-back vibe, and there are stunning stretches of untouched nature to be found along the eastern and southern shores. Another imperative factor is asking what the safety is like and according to many websites, there is low crime rates and has a level 2 threat ranking from the US State Department — which covers the state of Quintana Roo (where Cozumel is located) — is the same as France, Italy, and the U.K. Lastly, a big question that is always asked is if you can use US dollars in Cozumel and the answer is YES. The fun doesn’t stop there, La Paz is next on our list which, fun fact, is the capital and largest city in Baja California Sur. La Paz is much less touristy and seems to offer a more authentic experience with the same or if not better beaches compared to Cabo San Lucas.

The beach is warm and clear and lots of great food, what else can you ask for.

Have you heard of Puerto Escondido or also known as the “surfer heaven” on the stunning Oaxaca’s Coast? It is a hidden gem in most people’s books because you will pay far less for food, hotels, and transportation here than in other more popular Mexico beach destinations. Zicatela is arguably the most famous destination in Puerto Escondido. In fact, it’s one of the most famous surf spots in all of Mexico. Even if you’re not a huge surfer fan, it would no doubt be the place to experience the definition of tranquility. I mean check out this place called “Hotel Escondido”, it looks like an absolute dream to be in a remote location surrounded by a desert and then walk a few steps to meet the ocean.

I think I just convinced myself to book a flight right now…

I realized I didn’t dive into many other destinations on my list but due to Mexico’s quite relaxed restrictions, it seems to be the most feasible for your average traveler looking for a getaway. As things constantly change every day, make sure to diligently look into all the places you’re going to in regards to the health measures they are taking, the restrictions travelers have, and even more importantly, the safety of the destination you are planning on heading to. Thank you again for all your support and I hope to hear more about everyone’s experiences traveling to their favorite destinations.

Tina Wu Realtor® CalDRE #02970656

Direct: (760) 473-8649 For more travel tips, Follow my blog for all my adventures around the globe and any cool tips that may come in handy, especially when it comes to saving money. www.troyjamesshay.com

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LOCAL REAL ESTATE ADVISOR TU NGUYGEN Virtual Learning Frustrations:

If you’re reading this article, most likely your children are in the Poway Unified School District (PUSD). So how are things going with your children’s virtual learning and you working from home at the same time? Before the pandemic, it sounds like an ideal situation for many parents. Now that we’re knee deep into it, just how frustrated are you with trying to manage your job and homeschooling your children at the same time? I can only speak for our family; it has been very hectic and difficult, especially when we have a first grader. He’s constantly asking for help while we’re both trying to work.

Making Streets Safer in 4S Ranch

VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 19

by Girl Scout Troop 2357

Have you ever noticed cars not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign?

We are Girl Scout Troop 2357 and we do. Our troop consists of nine, fifth grade girls. We wanted to make our neighborhood safer for pedestrians, so we decided to count how many cars stopped, did rolling stops, and did not stop at four intersections on the North side of 4S Ranch and inform the public about our findings. Along with the data, we sent out an anonymous survey to drivers in 4S Ranch to see what people thought that they did at stop signs. The research was done between January and February 2020 at 4S Ranch Parkway and Monterey Ridge Drive, Camino San Thomas and Campania Avenue, Ralph’s Ranch Road and Camino San Thomas, and Ralphs Ranch Road and Albert Avenue. So, if you saw some girls out at an intersection with a clipboard taking notes, you most likely saw us collecting data. We decided to start the research because when we were walking to school, we noticed that an alarming amount of cars weren’t coming to a complete stop at stop signs.

Of the 10,983 cars we observed, 38% of people stopped, 13% did not stop, and 49% of people did a rolling stop. Most people rolled through the intersection, but there were also people that did good stops. When we saw a no stop, sometimes they were speeding through the stop sign. From our survey question, “Why do you make rolling stops at stop signs?” people said, “Not patient enough” and “There are no other cars in the intersection”. Deputy Chad Miskulin of the San Diego County Sheriff Department told us that the law states that a car must come to a complete stop before the white line (the limit line) at stop signs, and then take turns to go. Sadly most people do not follow the rules of the road, and disobey traffic laws. If a deputy was put at one of the intersections we collected data at, they would hand out many tickets to people speeding, or not stopping at a stop sign.

In October, many children will return to school for in-person learning, but that’s only 2 ½ hours for their entire school day. Not every family has the luxury of picking up their children from school right in the middle of a workday, every day. Parents rely on schools to watch and educate their children during the day while they’re at work, and many parents have to pay to have their children in the ESS or Boys & Girls Club afterschool programs.

There’s a reason why they exist. Did PUSD really think this through when they came up with the 2 ½-hour school day schedule?

If retail and grocery store employees are able to work and interact with hundreds of “different” people throughout the day while using protective equipment and exercising safety measures, why aren’t our teachers allowed to be back in the classrooms with the “same” group of children day in and day out? I know many teachers cannot wait to be back in the classrooms with their students, but it’s not their decision. If I sound a bit frustrated, that’s because I am and I know many of you are as well. What’s your thought on this?

Tu Nguyen Realtor® CalDRE #01358370

Direct: (619) 889-5777

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We also used Troop money to purchase yard signs to encourage people to come to a complete stop at the same intersections. We met with the 4S Ranch HOA to get approval to place these signs. We placed the signs at the four intersections in August 2020. Many of the signs were either completely removed, or moved to other places in the neighborhood, so it was difficult to collect data to see if they worked. The data we collected with the signs did show that 10% more cars stopped and less cars rolled or failed to stop at the intersections once the signs were in place. From the 810 cars we observed, 48% stopped, 45% made a rolling stop, and 6% did not stop. The driving patterns in the neighborhood have changed since COVID-19 as well, which could have also added to the change.

Our data shows that lots of people do rolling stops in 4S Ranch, and that is a bit scary for the people crossing the street. And that can get you in serious trouble like paying a fine of $238 plus any court costs and assessments. But still, don’t you think we should not make these rolling stops to make the neighborhood safer? We think the first step to getting a safer neighborhood is for drivers to actually stop at the stop signs. @LocalUmbrellaMedia Advertise? Press@LocalUmbrella.com

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 21

Santa Barbara

A Welcome Distraction From 2020

Soothe your soul at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Bacara; have some fun in the Funk Zone

By Ron Donoho Any hotel stay is an ideal opportunity to chillax at the pool. Especially in Santa Barbara during the unrelenting year that is 2020.

It’s late July and I’m swimming laps in the adults-only spa pool at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara. The sky is cloudless. Water temperature in the cross-shaped, saline pool couldn’t be more ideal.

A swimming pool is a swimming pool. Yet, I can close one eye, focus on the piped in music of Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra, and instinctively recognize this as a Ritz-Carlton pool. Ritz amenities are pristine, clubby, ele-

moguls like Oprah and Warren Buffett have mansions, second homes and yachts spread all over the county, from Goleta to Montecito.

This just in: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just moved into Montecito! Ahem. Still, Santa Barbara is chill. Even tightly wound Angelenos are apt to drop Hollywood pretension when stopping in for a weekend getaway.

Jules and I have sailed and hiked here.

Shopped and dined. Drank fine wine. This visit, we want to survey the State Street main drag. And I want to introduce my wife to the Funk Zone.

Due to COVID-19 safety restrictions on indoor

ra. The resort is built on a beautiful, coastal stretch of Goleta, about 12 miles from downtown.

We are satisfied with safety precautions— like self-parking and checking in at a plastic-shielded front desk. Nearly every traveler, and all hotel staffers, are masked and conscientiously practicing social distancing.

Our one-bedroom suite at Bacara is fully loaded. It has a living room area and a bedroom commanded by a classic four-post bed.

There are two full bathrooms, fireplace and a sizeable patio offering a romantic ocean view.

Our Bacara suite is a classy respite firewalled

gant and upscale. Small details matter. This pool goes to 11.

The spa pool is farther from my ocean-view suite than the larger, family-friendly main pool.

I didn’t trek halfway across the property’s 78acre, grassy grounds to avoid kids. Actually, the main pool, with its postcard-like funnel view of the Pacific Ocean, and more up-tempo music soundtrack, is an attraction. I do want to make the scene. However, COVID-19.

The main pool is cleared to be disinfected three times a day. You have to register in advance for a chaise lounge. I’m essentially passing time at the spa pool until my reservation at the main pool.

At the appointed afternoon time slot, I stand in an appropriately social-distanced line, have my temperature taken and am led by a pool attendant to the sunny chaise of my choice.

It all works out for the best. The spa pool was conducive for a little exercise. At the main pool, it’s time for sun bathing and metaphysical reflection—to unwind, enjoy and temporarily slip out of the societal omnipresence of corona.

dining, parts of State Street have been converted to a pedestrian promenade. Restaurants, and bars partnering with eateries, have expanded seating onto sidewalks and streets.

State Street actually looks festive—detailed attention has gone into sprucing up the outdoor dining areas with leafy plants and string lighting.

One block of Victoria Street has been closed as a “Restaurant Row.” It includes popular restaurants bouchon Santa Barbara, Olio e Limone Ristorante, Scarlett Begonia and the entirety of the Santa Barbara Public Market.

My wife goes gaga over the Funk Zone. It’s an up-and-coming section of downtown between the ocean and Highway 101. It used to lean industrial. Now it’s contemporary and artsy—filled with boutique wine-tasting rooms, cafes and art galleries.

Outdoor dining “parklets” are buzzing in the Funk Zone. In particular, the converted parking lot between the Lucky Penny and The Lark restaurants is doing a steady business by pulling in family diners.

A fun aspect of the Funk Zone is that it continues to evolve. I was here just two years ago. Though acting as a tour guide to my wife, there are storefronts and additions to an Urban Wine Trail that are new to me.

from the rest of the world. It’s a well-appointed cloud; a safety bubble that also happens to offer high-end Mediterranean-style décor.

We’re scheduled for dinner at the resort’s contemporary steakhouse. All dining at Angel Oak is on the outdoor patio that overlooks the ocean. Instead of paper menus, guests are instructed at the host stand how to download menus to phones.

We’re sated by herb-butter-topped filet with seasonal summer veggies, and a pan-seared bass atop potato puree with wild mushrooms.

My wife and I order a chocolate-mocha dessert to go.

Finishing dessert in the room during hotel stays has become a dining tradition. Tonight, we’ll call it “something sweet in the suite.”

We take the chocolate-mocha cake out onto our suite patio. There’s a cool summer breeze.

It’s dark, but swirls of light bob on ocean waves. High tide has arrived so the beach below has disappeared. The sound of the surf caressing the shoreline sounds like an ethereal backbeat to a soothing lullaby.

Dessert on the balcony becomes a glorious reality, defined only by the moment. I’m baking this memory into my brain and plan to recall it, as necessary, over the remainder of 2020. J&J Ron Donoho is a San Diego-based freelance writer whose travel stories appear on JunketsAndJaunts.com.

Downtown Santa Barbara My wife and I have road-tripped to Santa Barbara from San Diego half a dozen times over the years. Amtrak is also a convenient way to arrive, and Alaska Air is actually adding new direct flights later this year.

Santa Barbara is a status-imbued region that holds cultural cachet. Celebs and business

Back to Bacara After getting Funkified in downtown Santa Barbara, it’s back to The Ritz-Carlton Baca-

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22 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

PAPAR A ZZI --------------

Happy Birthday Brandy!!

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Artist Couple

VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 23

Meet JoAnn and Bob Mogg, San Diego Oasis members and donors since 2016, who have taken over 400 classes, most of them together.

T

like being on a “land cruise” with so much to do and great food.

hey tell us they think aging is an opportunity to pursue things you never had time to investigate. Since retiring a few years ago, their stress levels are down and they believe it’s important to continue learning, to find new interests and to manage your health. Bob says, “When you decide to retire, you have to determine whether you can afford it and what you want to do to enjoy it.” Favorite classes? They love Peter Bolland and Mark Carlson’s lectures, as well as Amy O’Connor’s craft classes because they say she teaches crafts “that anyone can do.”

JoAnn, a native Californian and Bob, who hails from Minnesota, met when they attended UC Davis. She calls it cosmic destiny. They went to see a Harold & Maude movie that explored aging issues and realized they had similar interests. They eloped to

designs. Becoming involved with costume-related conventions and fairs, he designed costumes for the Renaissance Faire, Steampunk Convention, Clan Maclaren Society of North America, and Comic-Con in San Diego.

He teaches costume design online and provides tips for being involved in the costume design world on his blog called TheIronTailor.blogspot.com. Bob believes that costume design intersects with technology, politics and social change in the world.

In one experience, Bob worked

When JoAnn’s mom decided to be closer to them, they suggested she try Casa de las Campanas in Rancho Bernardo. They liked it so much, Bob moved his parents there. They both say that is where they will move when they are ready because it feels

With the Covid “home arrest,” they say they have had a lot of time for crafts, costuming, and Oasis Zoom classes! “It’s nice to be able to learn about metaphysics, from the comfort of your couch. For some reason, it is easier to contemplate Eastern Philosophy with a good supply of snacks on hand!” says Bob. “We’ve embraced Zoom meetings so much that we use them not only for Oasis classes, but also for catching up with friends, and I’ve even started a Dungeons & Dragons group via Zoom, and have used Zoom to do our annual Costuming Panel for Comic-Con, which was part of this year’s Virtual Comic-Con in July!”

They are loving every minute of their retirement, and we are grateful to have them as part of our Oasis Family as donors, as students and as ambassadors.

GUITAR ART AUCTION BENEFITING ARTREACH

Lake Tahoe the day before graduation and have been together ever since. JoAnn had a career with JP Morgan Chase, starting in subprime loans where people called her the “fixer.” Bob says, “She could nice you to death,” as she had to deal with various people in situations where she had to coordinate with people she had never met and find a way to get things done. He is an engineer by training, a historian by education, a teacher by experience, a costumer by preference.

His mother taught his sisters to sew, so when he was able to take over his mother’s 1942 sewing machine, he rewired it and used it to create period costumes, competing in contests for his

ONLINE AUCTION OCTOBER 1 - NOVEMBER 8 on a British royalty outfit for two months. The day before they were to present the outfit, he decided to design something for his dog, a pit bull. Hence, a doggie pram for the Dickens Festival that became a big hit.

JoAnn and Bob have both witnessed the impacts and opportunities of aging well first hand.

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Register to bid online now:

charityauction.bid/artreachguitars Take home one of 31 artfully transformed, playable guitars while supporting free visual arts education programs for San Diego youth.

Follow us for updates on the auction @ArtReachSD

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24 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

This is an example of a moveable tiny home sold by Zen Tiny Homes in Encinitas. These units are now legal in San Diego if rented for at least 30 days.

(Courtesy of Zen Tiny Homes)

Who Wins When San Diego Adds Granny Flats And Tiny Homes?

Residents Or Tourists?

by Cody Dulaney | inewssource an Diego continues to encourage adding small units to single-family properties in a push to increase the affordable housing stock, but where city officials struggle is in keeping these units from becoming short-term vacation rentals.

Even with the steps they are now taking, they won’t catch those who operate underground and rent in areas where short-term rentals are restricted.

The need for this kind of housing is great.

A report last year from the California Housing Partnership says San Diego County needs more than 136,000 affordable rental units — which is considered $1,600 or less a month for one person — to meet the current demand.

S

Why this matters How to fix San Diego’s shortage of affordable housing is a problem that has dogged city leaders for years. Tiny homes and granny flats are seen as tools to increase affordability for San Diegans.

To bridge that gap and increase affordable housing, the city’s elected leaders have made it easier and cheaper for property owners to add granny flats to their lots. In return, the owners who received permits after

John Thickstun

Gary London

2017 have to rent them for 30 days or more.

They can’t be used as short-term rentals.

And now, the city is allowing property owners to park a tiny home on wheels in their yards. The City Council voted unanimously this month to legalize these movable tiny homes, and Mayor Kevin Faulconer approved it. As with granny flats, the tiny homes aren’t to become short-term rentals.

An inewsource investigation in January found the city wasn’t doing much of anything to make sure granny flats — officially called accessory dwelling units or companion units — weren’t being rented out on Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rental websites.

Our investigation involved comparing two sets of city data — tax certificates that allow someone to rent a property for less than 30

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Stay Safe, San Diego days and granny flat permits issued after 2017.

What inewsource uncovered was the two departments responsible for keeping this public data weren’t sharing the information with each other, so neither knew that several owners who got financial breaks to build granny flats as new affordable housing had converted them to short-term rentals.

In February, after our story published, the City Treasurer’s Office began sharing a monthly list of addresses that can be rented for less than 30 days with Development Services, which issues granny flat permits.

That allows them to catch those who might be violating the rental law.

So far, code enforcement has opened cases against about 30 property owners, city spokesperson Scott Robinson said. The list includes some inewsource identified.

Code enforcement’s goal is gaining compliance, Robinson said, so staff first tries to work with the property owners. If unsuccessful, they could be assessed daily fines of up to $10,000 for a maximum of $400,000.

the unit is booked every day for a month.

That compares to an average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Diego of $1,795, according to Zumper, a San Francisco-based apartment listing marketplace.

City Attorney Mara Elliott has said short-term rentals are illegal in San Diego’s residential zones, but city officials don’t enforce that.

Two San Diego real estate experts, Norm Miller and Gary London, say granny flats and tiny homes do provide a benefit by adding to the region’s housing supply. The units also increase affordability — for the property owner with additional income and for the tenant with relatively low rents for small spaces.

A granny flat built at this Normal Heights home, shown here on Jan. 22, 2020, also has a certificate to rent it for less than 30 days.

(Zoë Meyers/ inewsource)

Short-term rentals lucrative for owners This system, however, does little to catch property owners who might be illegally operating short-term rentals, which includes everything from granny flats issued permits since 2017 to some apartment buildings.

As of July, the City Treasurer’s Office maintains a list of 6,669 active tax certificates for properties that are rented for less than 30 days and pay a daily transient occupancy tax — or room tax. These could be a Best Western motel or a granny flat in someone’s backyard.

But nearly 9,200 San Diego addresses were posted on Airbnb with less than 30 days as a minimum stay, according to data collected in mid-June by Inside Airbnb, a tech start-up that gathers information from Airbnb listings.

Although Airbnb collects room taxes from guests and pays the city in a lump sum, the city doesn’t check if those units are allowed to be used as short-term rentals.

John Thickstun, a board member from Save San Diego Neighborhoods, is shown in this undated photo. (Courtesy of John Thickstun) Save San Diego Neighborhoods, which lobbies for vacation rental regulations, is skeptical that granny flats and moveable tiny homes will make any sizable difference in the city’s housing shortage. These units will wind up benefitting tourists on vacation more than San Diegans looking for affordable housing, said John Thickstun, a board member with the group.

“If (property owners) can make two or three times as much money renting it out as a short-term vacation rental, that’s what they’re going to do. And when you have a city run by people that don’t enforce the law, this is what happens,” Thickstun said.

Inside Airbnb’s data shows an average night’s stay for a San Diego unit with one bed costs $138, which adds up to $4,140 if

VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 25

The City Council also has failed at attempts to impose strict regulations on short-term rentals.

Today, the city sets no restrictions on how long a primary dwelling in a single-family residential zone can be rented, but those in multi-family zones are limited to a minimum of seven days. Meanwhile, granny flats permitted since 2017 and moveable tiny homes on single-family lots have a 30-day minimum.

Caution urged against overregulation Councilmember Scott Sherman was behind the city allowing tiny homes on wheels and including them with laws regulating granny flats. He also thinks the city can keep them from being turned into short-term rentals.

During the council meeting when the tiny homes were approved, Sherman called them a “small bite of a large elephant” when it comes to increasing the affordable housing stock in San Diego.

Sherman has said the city’s lack of regulation on short-term rentals has made San Diego the “wild, wild West.”

Even so, he told inewsource in an email: “Moveable tiny homes are a great option that naturally increases affordable housing at no cost to taxpayers and I am confident the Mayor and city staff can effectively enforce the ordinance.”

Faulconer declined to comment on what more the city can do to prevent housing intended for San Diegans from becoming rooms for tourists.

But whether people should be allowed to turn them into short-term rentals comes down to property rights, said Miller, a University of San Diego real estate finance professor. People should not be prevented from renting out units on their property just because neighbors object.

“At the same time, we do need more housing, so I can see putting some minimum rental terms on the units,” he said in an email.

London, a real estate analyst with London Moeder Advisors, said he believes the vast majority of people who have these units rent to long-term tenants, so he doesn’t see the need for restrictions on short-term rentals.

“I think we have to tread very carefully in overregulating (granny flats) for short-term vacation rentals, because there’s a lot of good that comes from them as well,” London said. Vacation platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo benefit the economy and don’t significantly impact the hotel sector, he said.

And unlike apartment developments, London said, adding these types of units to existing lots is rarely seen or felt by neighbors because they’re in people’s backyards.

If there are problems with loud partying or parking violations, he said, “perhaps we need to concentrate our efforts in better enforcing the rules that are already on the books.” inewsource intern Sofía Mejías-Pascoe contributed to this story.

inewsource is a nonprofit, independently fundednewsroom that produces impactful investigative and accountability journalism in San Diego County. Learn more at inewsource.org.

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26 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

Advocating For Hospitalized Loved Ones During COVID-19

By Kie Copenhaver MA, RHIA, CSA, RCFE

Sitting bedside and visiting with a loved one while they are hospitalized or in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) has been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many patients are having to navigate the healthcare continuum without the comfort of a loved one or family member physically with them.

This lack of real-time patient support, comfort and advocacy is raising concern and may be resulting in negative health outcomes.

Here are two important ways you can remain in touch and stay informed of your loved one’s plan of care during COVID-19: Phone calls are vital – at least daily and more than once a day, based on your loved one’s health condition and situation. If your loved one is unable to communicate (e.g., stroke, coma, respirator), ask for the case manager or social worker assigned to their case.

Video chats when and where possible – FaceTime on iPhones, Google Chat, Skype, Zoom video chats and even Marco Polo (which allows you to send and receive video clips) allows you to see and hear your loved one. If the patient does not have the technology necessary or the ability to work the technology, ask the social worker/case manager if they can provide it and assist your

son when calling.

Appoint one person to be the “point person” for the hospital or SNF to communicate with. Multiple calls to the healthcare facility by numerous family members or friends will only confuse the situation and potentially create a “he said” “she said” environment.

loved one in using it.

Here is information you will want to gather if your loved goes into the hospital or SNF: What room number and/or bed is your loved one currently in?

What is the direct phone number for your loved one’s room (or bed, if more than one patient to a room)?

Julie Derry MBA, CSA

Who is the attending physician?

Who is the case manager, social worker or discharge/ transition planner assigned to your loved one’s case?

If this person changes daily (which does happen), ask for the main phone number for the Social Work/Case Management department so you can speak directly to a per-

Kie Copenhaver

MA, RHIA, CSA, RCFE

Create a binder where you can document the important things: diagnoses, dates, times, any procedures and conversations; make notes, create reminders and keep track of any additional and pertinent information regarding your loved one’s care.

Keep this handy when speaking to anyone at the hospital or SNF. Request a daily call from someone – either the attending physician or social worker/ case manager – providing that “point person” a regular update. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Your hospitalized loved ones do not have to be alone during this time of no-visitation policies. A phone call does wonders to shift the mood; a video chat can lift both the sender and receiver’s spirits, allowing you to see how your loved one is doing while away from you.

With a few additional logistics and a comprehensive plan to stay in touch and informed, your loved one will hopefully be discharged in no time!

We assist seniors in finding independent living, assisted living, memory care and in-home care to fit their unique care needs.

619-378-6895

We are a FREE community service.

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Stay Safe, San Diego

R&G Salumeria Wine Bar

Urban Living San Diego

with Team-Koch

Meet family partners Roberto Ciacciofera and Giuseppe Gagliano of the new founded R&G Salumeria Wine Bar in Little Italy. With deep roots in southern Sicily, Roberto & Giuseppe with their families Immigrated to San Diego.

VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 27

DA MOLE REPORT

R&G Salumeria Wine Bar will be a spirited bar, restaurant, and gathering place which features an extensive Italian tapas menu and salumeria, which offers a wide assortment of unique cured Italian meats and cheeses.

Hey Boss, Word on the street is a Costco might be coming to the 4S Ranch Area, Just South of Santaluz. We are pretty bummed beacuse that is Guido’s favorite open area to tunnel.

The Poway Unified School District board voted 4-0 to use the land orginally zoned for a middle school into a mixed-use retail, restaurant, and housing complex, plus a warehouse.

Their talented culinary team prepares a variety of Italian specialties using quality pasta, market fresh fish, free-range poultry, and allnatural meat and chops.

Wines poured by the glass, with varietals from Italy and beyond.

Come eat, drink, and enjoy your experience at R&G Salumeria Wine Bar and say hello to the Famiglia! Tell them Randy sent you.

We’ve heard lots of parents and members of the cumminty are pretty upset. They are concerned about the traffic, overcrowding of schools in the future, and the possiblity of a jam during a wild fire evacuation. Guido heard that lots of people are pushing back hard.

That’s all for today boss, I’m out!

Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, al fresco dining style, indoor or take-out.

1445 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 546-7138 | www.RGwinebar.com

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Email Da Mole at DaMole@ShayRealtors.com BONUS - If we pick your hot tip for Da Mole report, you get a $20 gift card to Napizza! Ya boss!

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28 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

SEPTEMBER 2020

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SAN DIEGO

BY BART MENDOZA © MUSICSCENESD // MUSICSCENESD.COM

Battle of the Bands

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F

ounded in 2011 there is no doubt that Point Loma based Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego has had a huge impact on the area’s music scene. More than just a place to rehearse or record, it’s a one stop, housing video and audio studios, music school, musical repair shop and much more. While San Diego artists are a mainstay, it’s a world class operation, with many touring acts using it’s facilities, including The B-52’s, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Ace Frehley, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) and The Beach Boys. Recently Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego expanded it’s capabilities and will be hosting a Battle of the Bands to help get the word out.

“When Covid-19 hit we realized quickly we needed to get into streaming our bands so that they have an opportunity to still perform and get their art out to the world,” said Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego founder, Mark Langford. “We have invested heavily into hiring the finest techs to help build the best streaming service in San Diego. We were successful in acquiring the best professional equipment available and have designed multiple rooms that allow us to stream bands or other content back to back. It is really something special to have that capability.”

Bands entered in the contest will find a stage with multiple cameras for a unique video. “Each room is equipped with a sound system that connects to our main control room, has stage lights and a nice vibe to them,” Langford said.

The contest will run on concurrent Saturdays from October 10 through December 12. Langford sees the event as pragmatic. “We needed a way to get the word out and a Battle of the Bands seemed like a good idea to have to help with that. It will also just be a lot of fun!” He notes the contest is open to bands worldwide. “We are accepting bands from anywhere. All types too, such as original, tribute and cover bands.

All styles are welcome! We are hoping for a diverse pool of entrants.” Prizes include a virtual NYE headline spot, press and much more TBA, but “at the very least each band will get a live stream so they have a new video with the top video producer and sound man around,” Langford said. “So even if a band doesn’t care about winning, it’s something any band should participate in just to get a fresh video at a fraction of the cost it would normally be.”

The new upgrades in streaming, video and editing at Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego have been a massive undertaking, but Langford considers the changes needed and important in going forward. “We really have no choice, bands need an outlet to perform, people want music and we need to stay in business,” he said.

The venue will celebrate it’s first decade next year and Langford couldn’t be happier with Rock ‘n’ Roll san Diego’s progress. What’s he proudest of ? “Bringing our community together to create new art and fellowship is what really has been fulfilling for me,” he said. “New bands get formed often here at RRSD, its so cool to see the development as they get better and better. We have seen children come in never playing an instrument before and later they are in great bands performing awesome music,” Langford said good naturedly. www.rockandrollsandiego.com /LocalUmbrellaMedia

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 29

Kate Delos Santos Soul and R&B fans will want to hear Rancho Bernardo/4s Ranch based singer Kate Delos Santos, who debuts her album, Note to Self, this month.

Perhaps best known to date as singer with R&B band, decent people, Delos Santos has a sweet soul voice, with a wonderful knack for arranging backing vocals “I would describe my music as a fusion of R&B and Bedroom Pop,” Delos Santos said. “I’m inspired by Stevie Wonder, SZA, Amy Winehouse, and any ‘90s / early 2000 R&B like Aaliyah or Brandy!”

Santos has released five singles to date, performing at varied spots from Lestat’s Coffeehouse to Kate Sessions Park, all part of a life-long love of music. She gave her first public performance at the age of six. “I performed at my elementary school talent show,” she recalled. “I sang “Hopelessly Devoted to you” from the musical Grease. I was so nervous but everyone told me after I did a wonderful job. I’m pretty sure the performance lingers somewhere on Youtube,” Delos Santos joked.

Not long after Santos decided to learn an instrument. “I taught myself guitar in the 6th grade,” she recalled. “I’ve always wanted to become an amazing pianist, but I learned very quickly at a young age after taking piano lessons, that I didn’t have the patience. I can play some chords on the piano but never learned it fully because the teachers always bored me with music theory.”

While Delos Santos had a bit of help from her younger brother Chris, Note to Self is practically a one woman project. “David Olivo mixed the entire EP, but I pretty much wrote, recorded, and produced the entire project in my bedroom,” she said.

Delos Santos is looking forward to

e t No lf e S to

getting back onstage and future recording, but in the meantime she’s happy to simply be creating music. “I love how you’re able to feel emotions through sound,” she remarked. “Writing and creating music is such a cathartic activity and I am so blessed to have this outlet of expression.”

Note To Self is available on all Streaming platforms, more info at @katedelossantos Local News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

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30 VOL. 5 ISSUE 9

T

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twenty New Records!

here are plenty of musical duo’s out there, but nothing like Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra aka Michael Buchmiller, aka Professor B. Miller, and his robot, SPO20. A mixture of electronica, performance art and humor, each performance is a unique experience and a heck of a lot of fun.

The duo has embarked on a series of twenty themed EP’s to be released on limited edition vinyl over the next few years, complete with inspired videos and top-notch packaging. The latest in the series, Lost at Sea, comes in a laser-etched vinyl edition limited to 42 copies with the cover artwork etched into the disc.

Why a series of EP’s? “After the release of our last full-length record, Experiments with Auto-Croon (2014), I took about three years off from recording new music,” explained Buchmiller. “During that time, I wrote down a ton of ideas for song lyrics. Some were just song titles or enough to help me remember the idea. No music at that point.”

When he was ready to start working on new material again in 2017, he combed through my archive and noticed a lot of the ideas kind of fit within themes. “Initially I thought I should just pick the best song that deals

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with that theme, because it’d be weird to have two songs about the grocery store on one record,” he explained. “ Then I thought, maybe I got it backwards... maybe the whole album should be about the grocery store and I need a couple more songs to fill it out. And that’s how this project started.”

The next themed record, “Race to Space,” will be out by the end of the year. “We got noted astrophysicist Dr. David Collins writing the liner notes for it, and each copy will come with our version of a NASA mission patch,” Buchmiller explained. “It explores music genres tied to space ranging from orchestral string-based compositions and synth pop, to spacey dub. I’m not sure who else out there needed to hear a mash up of lines said by the robot, HAL 9000, from

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“2001: A Space Odyssey” with lyrics from Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al,” but your wait for “You Can Call Me HAL” is almost finally over,” be said good naturedly.

As for the EP format, Buchmiller jokes that it’s part of a plan. “I also like the idea that our first release was a massive five disc box set, then our next album was a regular full length, and now we’re working on EPs... it’s sort of the reverse trajectory of every other band. I guess our last release is going to have to be a demo tape.” The same sort of logic applies to the amount of EP’s to be released. “I like to set outlandish goals for myself. It keeps me focused and motivated,” he said. “ The robot’s name is SPO20, so it seemed fitting to shoot for twenty.

We’re not above novelty (we have a robot for a singer, after all), and it’s fun to tell people we are working on twenty records.” www.satanicpuppeteer.com

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 9 31

Local Music News Cathr yn Beek s has a third edition of her Listen Local Cook s books due out in November. Featuring recipes from San Diego musicians, submissions for the cookbook are open through the end of September. www.listenlocalradio. com/cookbook

Former Mount Carmel High School student Adam Lamber t has been singing with Queen for nearly a decade.

On October 2, the first ever album from the collaboration will be released, Live Around The World, featuring 20 tracks recorded on tour over the last six years.

The Sk yler Lutes Band just issued their Pacific Records debut, but the prolific performer already has a new album out on October 30. Titled Blue the album is a song by song recasting of the classic like titled album by Weezer.

Cindy Le e Be r r y hill has released a new two track single, “ Wok e Up Fr om A Dr eam” / “ Empe r or : Litt le Boot s ,” via Omnivore Records. The new recordings feature Be r r y hill, Re nat a Bratt on cello, violin, mandolin; Dav id Schwar t z on upright bass; Danny Frank e l on drums and percussion; and Deane Cote on pedal steel and mandolin.

Legendary bluegrass band The Dillards will release their first album in 25 years this month, Old Road New Again.

You are likely to know them best as The Darlin’ Family on “The Andy Griffith Show” – the new album includes a guest appearance from former Scottsville Squirrel Barker, Eagle and San Diegan, Bernie Leadon Jax x combo GTF has a new single, “Some Things Happen.”

Featuring 2020 SDMA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, guitarist Richard Livoni, the song recently entered the Smooth Jazz Charts at #2.

Actress and singer Cass andra Kubinsk i has released a cover of Jason Mraz’s “Back To Earth”

Moves Colle c tive frontman Tim Nor ton has a new solo EP, Live Vol. 1. “It’s all original tunes, the first being a track my father wrote back in the 80s, “Alpine Ride’ before I was even born.”

I revamped it from it’s original ‘Little Feat’ sound yet Pops still approves,” Norton said good naturedly. Ever prolific, Norton has also just released his second single of the year, “ Holding on to a Dr eam.” “It’s a far cry from my SDMA for best Americana, but I’m certainly enjoying this new direction towards indie rock, soul and psych bedroom pop, and it seems others are too,” he said.

Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland’s upcoming album, Be True To Yourself, includes guest appearances from Julian Lennon, Mick y Dolenz and former Chicago bassist / Point Loman Jason Scheff .

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edition, limited to a hand numbered 1,000.

New albums / EP’s include reggae combo New Leaf with Feels Like, The Original Star fires with Fly Me Away

A Beat le covers a classic San Diego band: The upcoming John Le nnon compilation, Gimme Some Truth, includes his version of the Rosie and the Originals 1960 classic “Angel Baby.”

Reggae Hit Masters new single is a remake of Hall & Oates classic “Maneater,” featuring musical cameos from Safet y Orange and 2020 San Diego Music Award “Best Pop” Winner, Jonny Tarr.

New singles out recently or soon include returning hitmakers The Monr oes with “Rosemary’s Daughter,” K halil Nas h’s “Saturn’s Ring” comes out in advance of a new EP due October 14, rockers Sor r y It ’s Ove r with “Ghost Inside,” Falling Doves with their Pacific records debut, “Be My Lover,” and Ke n Dow with a cover of “Eye in the Sky” featuring a guest appearance by his son Har ley on backing vocals.

Schizophonics have a new 7” vinyl single out featuring two cover songs, “Black to Comm” originally by the MC5, and “Remake Remodel” originally

by Rox y Music. It’s a limited

Ris ton Diggs latest album, The Second Coming, is being reissued on September 28th in a deluxe edition, featuring a new cover and six bonus tracks.

Writer / musician Mik e St ax is keeping busy! The Loons frontman / bassist has just published a new issue of Ugly Things (#54), easily one of the best music reads on the planet, while also working on various writing projects, including extensive liner notes for a Q65 box set, and upcoming archival releases by the Mis unde r s tood and the Be l fas t Gy ps ies . He also recently compiled an album of solo material by Ke it h Re l f of the Yar dbir ds , for European label Repertoire Records.

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