DREAMING OF THE MAGIC KINGDOM: Youth soccer champions hope to fund a trip to Disneyland. Page 9
REPAIR WORK CONTINUES: Photographer catches a setting sun as floating crane ends a day on Mission Bay. Page 5 Thursday, January 7, 2010
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Local leaders share expectations for 2010 BY NANTHONY GENTILE BEACH &BAY PRESS
going to get started to oversee that process and be a watchdog on all of the important environmental issues and public recreation issues at Mission Bay Park.”
A new year traditionally calls for new resolutions and desires, including wishes for the community. A handful of community leaders were asked what they would like to hap- Mission Beach pen locally in 2010 and what Town Council they know is going to happen President William Gardner in the coming year:
More the merrier
City Council District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer
Crown Point pavilion “We’ve been working with the Crown Point and Pacific Beach neighbors, and the Rotary Club to try and get the opening of a new Crown Point pavilion, which are multiple picnic structures that allow families and small groups to enjoy that park of Mission Bay. Some of these structures are falling apart and we’re working to replace those and get those up by Memorial Day this year. Our neighbors and residents are going to be able to enjoy a great place to go picnic on Mission Bay Park this summer.”
New park committee
“We would like to see more participation by the residents – the people who work down here and live d ow n h e r e. You don’t have to be an owner down here to participate in the To w n Council. You William always want Gardner more people to participate – diverse ideas from everybody. The more people there, the more ideas.”
Paving the boulevard “We’re supposed to see the paving of Mission Boulevard from the roller coaster south. That was supposed to be done this month and it was put off until next month. The city is going to be doing that.”
“The beginning of our new Blue can do Mission Bay Park Committee “We’re going to be getting and the fact that revenues gen- blue cans from the city for erated from leases will now recycling. We’re having a stay in Mission Bay Park for the meeting in the middle of Janbenefit of public uses. This month, our new committee is SEE LEADERS, Page 6
New year, new laws A crackdown on trans fats, restrictions on video screens in vehicles, extension of the ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ law and help avoiding mail scams for property owners. BY ANTHONY GENTILE | BEACH &BAY PRESS
A ban on trans fat at restaurants highlights a host of new state laws ringing in 2010. County health inspectors started enforcing the ban Jan. 1 on the artificial fats deemed harmful to the body — particularly at fast-food restaurants. “This law is all about public health. Hopefully people can make good decisions to lead a happy and healthy life,” said Ric Encarnacion, environmental health specialist for San Diego County. Effective Jan. 1, food establishments cannot use oils, margarines, shortenings or serve foods that contain trans fat, with the exception of deep-fried donuts. On Jan. 1, 2011, the ban will expand to include all foods. “When there is no way to make a decision because the food is presented on a plate, the restaurant has to use food or food ingredients that do not contain trans fats,” Encarnacion said. “The impact to the consumer is hopefully a more healthy meal.” The aim of the new law is to protect consumers from eating trans fat when a meal’s nutrition facts are not readily available. It does not apply to any food being sold in its original manufacturer packaging, which already provides its nutritional information.
“Food being sold in the original sealed package made by the manufacturer are exempt because a person can make that decision by looking at the nutrition fact panel,” Encarnacion said. According to Encarnacion, consumption of trans fat has been linked to heart disease. He said the mechanism behind the artificial fats raises bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) levels while lowering levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) — a combination health experts consider detrimental. Penalties for eateries violating the new law will result in fines ranging from $25 to $1,000, depending on the severity of the violation. San Diego County Department of Environmental Health’s field staff will look for the trans fats during their normal inspections. “Manufacturers and retailers are cooperating very greatly with the health department to provide good meals for their consumers and to allow consumers to make an informed decision,” Encarnacion said.
Ban on trans fats at restaurants
Restrictions on video screens in vehicles
Help for property owners to avoid mail scams
SEE NEW LAWS, Page 6
Plans are in the works for ‘January Blues’ in Mission Beach BY ANTHONY GENTILE | BEACH &BAY PRESS
A party to celebrate Mission Beach is in the planning stages. The event, called January Blues, is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 30. “Everything is sort of unofficial at this point, but I feel like it’s going to happen,” said Sally Aderton, local real estate agent and planner for January Blues. “It’s going to take about two weeks to get the approval process from the city.” If the permits are approved – including shutting down Mission Boulevard from Santa Clara Place to San Rafael Place on Jan. 30 –
North Mission Beach will host a parade and street fair for part of the day. Aderton said the idea is to build community spirit and showcase businesses in the area. “January Blues is about our deep blue sea – the Pacific Ocean and our beautiful Mission Bay,” Aderton said. “We’re going to be celebrating the fact that we’re a strip of sand between these two heavenly bodies of water that bring a lot of joy to people’s lives.” The proposal for January Blues includes a walking parade from the Giant Dipper roller coaster to Pacific Beach Drive and back, a sea life cos-
tume competition and a street fair afterward. “The idea is that this will be our inaugural event and every year maybe we can build on it,” Aderton said. “We can use it as a device to pull people to Mission Beach.” Aderton said the idea came from boys at Rubicon Deli, who wanted to have a party to celebrate Mission Beach. After some brainstorming, Aderton came up with the title and the water theme. “The idea of these boys was to create a party for Mission Beach to help bring good energy back to the beach, to celebrate the wonderful communi-
ty that we have,” Aderton said. While Aderton has been the planning mastermind for the proposed event, she is still looking for someone to chair it. She is also looking for volunteers to help assist in the setup and take down of the event, and local merchants who wish to donate goods as prizes for the costume competition. “If somebody wants to flex their organization muscle and organize this event, the rewards will come back 10,000-fold,” Aderton said. For more information about the proposed January Blues or to volSally Aderton is planning an event to unteer for the event, e-mail Adercelebrate the ocean, Mission Bay and life in Mission Beach. ton at sally@amsisd.com.