HELP FOR HAITI: Youngsters raise money for earthquake victims by selling lemonade and cookies. Page 3
APRODISIAC COOKING: The Opera Singing Chef brings Aphrodisiac Cooking class to the Pacific Beach Women’s Club. Page 7
Thursday, January 21, 2010
www.beachandbaypress.com STORM WATCH
Rains turn roads into raging rivers Precipitation expected to taper off Saturday BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | BEACH & BAY PRESS The rainstorms that have battered the coast will continue for the rest of the week but precipitation should taper off by Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Another large storm with heavy rainfall, possible thunderstorms and 25 mph winds is expected this afternoon, and a rainstorm, possible hail and 20 mph winds are expected Friday morning. Gusty winds may hit 40 mph.
“We encourage everyone to take a quick look around their property and put their lids back on their trash cans so that debris doesn’t flow out and clog drains,” said Bill Harris, spokesman for the San Diego Storm Water Department. “Make sure wood chips and mulch aren’t flowing out of the yard.” Mission Boulevard and low-lying alleys flooded as usual from the storms, and SEE STORM, Page 6
A fallen tree blocks a sidewalk and the southbound lane of Cass Street near Loring Street on Jan. 19.
NOT RECOMMENDED — Thrillseekers play a dangerous game of car surfing on a flooded Mission Boulevard near Brighton Court in South Mission Beach on the afternoon of Jan. 19 following a storm. One sits atop the hood of a vehicle and another is pulled along while the driver roars through the water.
PAUL HANSEN | BEACH & BAY PRESS
SEBASTIAN RUIZ | BEACH & BAY PRESS
January Blues is taking shape
The
Santa Fe Street
Mission Beach celebration is being planned for Jan. 30 BY ANTHONY GENTILE | BEACH & BAY PRESS
commercial district
can’t hear or see each other.” Santa Fe Street is also accessible by turning from East Mission Bay Drive on to Damon Avenue, which dead ends with a collection of signs pointing either left or right to various businesses along the road. With only two entry points, Santa Fe Street is not the most accessible street in the area. “People always say it’s hard to find,” said Mark Tollison, owner of Fitness Mart, located at 5555 Santa Fe St. They simply went ape to help make it easier for customers to find Fitness Mart. The specialty fitness equipment and retail store stands out, thanks to a 30-foot inflatable gorilla tethered to the roof. Next door, Playground Warehouse, 5555 Santa Fe St., resorts to a similar strategy for exposure by putting its products on top of the building. Playground Warehouse is a unique family-owned business, selling
A party to celebrate the spirit of Mission Beach and help its local businesses was started as a wishful idea and is now closer to becoming a reality. January Blues is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30, and is becoming more feasible as the date nears. “Come play with us. Come celebrate the beauty of where we play and work, and the privilege we have to be here,” said Sally Aderton, co-chair of the event and a real estate agent with AMSI, located on Salem Court. January Blues will be a day-long party from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will begin with a walking sea life themed-parade on the boardwalk and west sidewalks of Mission Boulevard. A costume competition is planned, as well as an art and music festival in the parking lot of the Wavehouse in Belmont Park. “We’re gathering people for the community, by the community, with the community,” Aderton said. The Mission Beach Town Council heard the pitch for January Blues at its Jan. 13 meeting, but ultimately did not give its approval. Despite that, Aderton said she has met with city special events administrator Cindy Kodama and will be able to meet the necessary requirements in time for the event. The January Blues plan met opposition when it required the closure of Mission Boulevard during
SEE STREET, Page 4
SEE BLUES, Page 3
Lisa Alexander, HR/accounting manager at Playground Warehouse, enjoys the slide on a structure that is part of the Sky Top series by Woodplay.
PAUL HANSEN | BEACH & BAY PRESS
A hidden home to unique businesses BY ANTHONY GENTILE | BEACH & BAY PRESS Tucked away between the freeway and the train tracks in east Pacific Beach, Santa Fe Street is a relatively hidden business district. A number of unique, local businesses dot this area that is easier to see than to get to. “All these businesses are pretty hidden,” said Angela Williams, who works at FonJon Pet Care Center, 5050 Santa Fe St. “There’s a lot down here that I think is very useful that people don’t know about.” On the south end of the street – accessible going west on Balboa Avenue – Fon-Jon offers lodging for dogs and cats, doggie day care and dog bathing. Not to worry, felines and pups don’t lodge together. “The dogs seem to like the cats more than the cats like the dogs,” Williams said. “They’re pretty separated – they
Mark Tollison uses a 30-foot gorilla to call attention to Fitness Mart. Below, Tollison demonstrates one of the store’s many exercise machines. PAUL HANSEN | BEACH & BAY PRESS