Culture Shock San Diego Magazine

CULTURE SHOCK d i e g o

MAY 2017

NORTH PARK

SAn

LITTLE ITALY

BARRIO LOGAN

KEARNY MESA

GOLDEN HILL

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

We are Culture Shock. Our mission statement is as follows:

“San Diego is one of America’s most multifaceted cities steeped in the culture of the people residing there. Culture Shock Magazine looks through the eyes of locals to gain a more holistic view of the diverse communities while keeping a wide lense of the city at large.” This is something the talented individuals of our magazine believe in. This issue discusses the progressive techniques of a local surfboard shaper, unsung heroes like Judy Forman, and what it means to be in community with one another through art, despite unwelcomed construction. But more importantly, Culture Shock talks about people.

We believe in people. We believe in coming together so that when

we go into the field, we surround ourselves with a better place. I live by wanting to write words that prepare, activate and propel and that is what we have done with Culture Shock. They are lofty goals but the concept is simple. Prepare someone with accurate and detailed information before they head out into the world for the day. Our goal is to inspire someone to go somewhere new or see something they haven’t seen before. We want to propel someone to take a more engaged interest in their community and the people that make it up. This is our mission. This is why we write. This is Culture Shock Magazine.

Jesse Oleson

Editor-in-Chief

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JESSE OLESON Editor

Proudest Moment Becoming one with my inner dictator and realizing I can do everything and nothing with that new development Second Favorite Color Lack of color, AKA onyx Bucket List Item Play Helen Keller as my debut role in a Broadway production Best Place He’s Traveled Tijuana Worst Place He’s Traveled Tijuana WANTED for being power-hungry REWARD one fully-completed magazine

About

JOE CARLISLE Ad Director

Favorite Topic to Ponder What to take a healthy bite of Bucket List Item To sail the ocean blue Least Favorite Ice Cream Flavor I’m lactose intolerant, but I love all ice cream equally Favorite Lame Superpower Ability to turn carbonated drinks flat and back WANTED for taking someone else’s perfect wave REWARD five and a half California burritos

LIZZY KIM

Circulation Director Favorite Topic to Rant About Intricacies of unicorn-cat world domination Least Favorite Animal Anything that’s not a unicorn-cat Worst Place You’ve Traveled Any place I went with Grace Liestman Favorite Mashed Potato Topping Grilled cheese

WANTED world-famous cat burglar REWARD an endless supply of catnip

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Sta ff

BRIANNA LEWIS Art Director

Favorite Boba Place Tea N More Favorite Lame Superpower Virtually limitless gelato-eating capacity Most Valuable Item Owned Fujifilm instant camera Best Unexpected Skill Parallel parking WANTED alleged spy, known for hiding messages in magazines REWARD a 1000 piece puzzle with only 999 pieces

GRACE LIESTMAN

Social Media Director and Photo Editor Best Unexpected Skill Following Lizzy Kim wherever she goes Most Embarrassing Moment Getting stuck working on a magazine Most Likely Thing to Get Arrested For Trespassing for these articles Favorite Person Heath Ledger

th e

WANTED for taking too close up a picture of Queen Elizabeth REWARD all-you-can-eat gelato

NATALIE ROSEN

Copyeditor and Head of Audience Devlopment Karaoke Song “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield Bucket List Item Being a crazy cat lady with a minivan Worst Place She’s Traveled Roswell, New Mexico Favorite Obscure Movie Troll 2

WANTED for loving the Beatles too much REWARD a yellow submarine

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CONTENTS 6 One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure

10 Little Italy Little Splurge

16 30th Street Runs Deep

18 A Convoy of Boba

KEARNY MESA

NATALIE ROSEN

21 Home Away From Home

24 Barrio Logan in Color

26 Judy the Beauty on Duty

JESSE OLESON

GRACE LIESTMAN

JESSE OLESON

28 Take a Healthy Bite of This!

JOE CARLISLE

30 Creating Community Among the Concrete

32 A Thursday in North Park

35 Can You Escape?

BRIANNA LEWIS

BARIO LOGAN

LIZZY KIM

NORTH PARK

GOLDEN HILL

BRIANNA LEWIS

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LITTLE ITALY

12 Slowing Down in a Big City

JOE CARLISLE

GRACE LIESTMAN

LIZZY KIM

NATALIE ROSEN 5

One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure

E

ach year, thousands of surfboards fill our landfills from either a recent run of swell or too many years of affectionately beating a favorite surfboard up to the point where it has been loved a little too much.

After years of good sessions and bad sessions, from laughs shared with friends or words lashed towards unkind strangers these boards have just as much personality and character as their owners.

Recently, surfboard shapers have taken it upon themselves to rescue those loved pieces of foam and glass from the grave and resurrect old forgotten boards to give them a second life. Inspired by the garage shapers of the 1960s, modern day shapers are using cheap, old, and deformed foam blanks, and anything they could get their hands on like scrap lumber for stringers and cast-off aerospace materials to practice and shape their craft in a cost efficient way.

Events are being put on to encourage the progression of upcycling old materials into objects of higher quality value and to inspire young and old aspiring shapers to enter into the surfing industry in their own unique way that tells their life stories and brings character into their boards.

Companies such as Vissla annually hold the “Creators

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BY JOE CARLISLE

and Innovators Upcycle Contest” to bring awareness to the art of upcycling and to gather artists from around the world to share their craft and spark creative thinking of how to create surfing craft out of everyday household items.

Shapers are able to create boards out of old film canisters, scrap timber from old houses and agave plants that utilize both the root and sap of the plant to create both the base of the board and the binding resin. These methods are eco-friendly and utilize materials that would have otherwise gone to landfills and disrupted the natural flow of our environment, effectively turning unused and overlooked trash into artful treasure that both surfers and non-surfers can enjoy.

Surfboard shapers such as Reeco Surfboards from Point Loma, California are just one example of the pioneers leading the charge of upcycling old surfboard materials into new high-performance boards. They are able to source their materials from surfboard repair shops from all around San Diego to create a new board out parts of different boards to create one Frankenstein board, that has just as much performance and loving character as the boards that were salvaged to create it.

Reeco Surfbaords is a surfboard company that uses old materials and re-uses them to build new surfboards instead of letting them take up space in a landfill. Reeco Surfboards is truly taking the old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and applying it to the surfing industry.

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Marc, one of the lead shapers of Reeco Surfboards, believes that, “There’s no such thing as waste or trash; there’s just resources we are too dumb or lazy to use. That’s it in a nutshell.”

After going to Reeco’s tiny two-room shaping bay, I was able to dive deeper into the inner workings of Marc’s mind and discover why he became so involved with creating upcycled surfboards.

What do you look for in a board to give it personality? “Every board you upcycle has personality, whether I want it there or not. It’s not like getting a fresh piece of foam and deciding on anything you want. Sometimes there’s a chunk taken out in a weird place, or it’s thin or low-rockered. You just kind have to go with it and make the most functional, aesthetically-pleasing board. Each board is like jazz: You kinda just have to feel your way around while you’re doing it. However, as general rule of thumb, I like to show the imperfection but not too much and in a controlled way so it doesn’t just look like pieced together trash, which technically it is.”

Do the materials you use affect your process when building a board? “We use junk materials, and sometimes it’s hard to see the difference between our boards and another board, but that’s what I’m trying to do. I just want the junk to look like any other pretty-looking board. Using these materials lends itself to some weird shapes. They’re usually, pretty flat-rockered, but I try to

just leave as much foam as I can because a lot of times it can be a pretty small piece, so I end up with a lot of short, fat, low-rockered weird little Simmons-type boards.”

What does the future of upcycling boards mean to you? Do you try to use anything you can get your hands on? “So I collect. Every time you glass a board, there’s always a little excess resin in the cup, but if you just dump it in something and make fins out of the excess resin, you save so much and use more in your shop, rather then just letting it go to a landfill. I started making fins out of old stringer pieces. I also save all my cloth scraps to make fins out of them.

I really try to not throw anything away.

I think the ideal would be working with more eco-friendly materials; that’s the true goal. But as long as there’s junk to be used, I’ll keep using it.”

What would you want to do to take it to the next level for recycling? “The big picture next level isn’t really upcycling or recycling; it’s building with different materials. I want to see boards that are built with compostable foam and entropy resins so there wouldn’t really be a need to upcycle the foam, because you could just compost it. If that happens industry-wide, I would dust off and gladly walk away.”

As surfers, we are closely connected with nature. We should seek out alternative and eco-friendly methods to manufacture the crafts that allow us to be in such close connection to the Earth every time we paddle out.

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By Brianna Lewis

Besides pizza and pasta, one of Italy’s greatest gifts to the world is its dolce.

And when searching for a sweet treat in San Diego, there’s no better place to go than Little Italy.

From authentic gelato crafted with traditional methods to customizable meringues steamed with dry ice before your eyes, there is a dessert for everyone looking to splurge a little. Here are five of Little Italy’s best dessert cafés to stop by for the perfect treat, morning or night…

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Pappalecco

Hands-down Little Italy’s most famous gelato shop, Pappalecco takes its customers across the globe with its authentic desserts and coffee. Although the space is somewhat small, the flavor is huge and the faces are friendly. Their gelato is made with only five basic ingredients, and in addition to traditional flavors like pistachio and hazelnut, they serve unique flavors like their signature pappalecco (chocolate-amaretto) or the seasonal pumpkin-nutellawalnut. And don’t stop at just the gelato! Pappalecco also offers gourmet coffee, cheap panini, pizza, wine and other classic Italian delicacies.

1602 State St (619) 238-4590 pappalecco.com

Le Parfait Paris

Italy is not the only country whose authentic desserts has infiltrated San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.

A small kiosk nestled inside James Coffee Company, Le Parfait Paris offers authentic French pastries such as croissants, quiche and $2 macaroons that go perfectly with an espresso.

2355 India St (619) 245-4457 leparfaitparis.com

Devil’s Dozen

Although Devil’s Donut is a fairly recent newcomer to Little Italy’s dessert scene, it’s already made a name for itself. Its donut selection is made up of mostly classic flavors with a few creative additions like Tres Leches ($3) or the $5 Breakfast Sandwich (bacon and eggs between two halves of an unglazed donut). Grab a couple extra donuts to reward yourself for finding a parking spot and stay to enjoy your treats on their beautiful upstairs patio.

2001 Kettner Blvd (619) 780-0914 devils-dozen.com

Extraordinary Desserts

Don’t forget your camera when stopping by this famous San Diegan dessert shop. Extraordinary Desserts has a large sitdown warehouse space with plentiful seating and even more plentiful desserts of all shapes and sizes, including many gluten-free options, as well as savory dishes to go before. Since they offer more than just ordinary desserts, prices are a little higher, but there aren’t many other places you can get luxurious, beautifully-plated, and flower-petal-adorned treats that have been featured on stages such as Buzzfeed and the Food Network.

1430 Union St (619) 294-7001 extraordinarydesserts.com

iDessert

If none of the previously mentioned desserts suit your fancy, head over to iDessert, where customers use iPads to create their own customized treats. You choose the flavors of crust, gelato and cream for a base price of $4.95, then add cake, sauce, fruit or crunch for $1 each. It’s worth every penny to watch your own personal dessert be steamed by dry ice. An extra bonus is that it’s gluten-free-friendly 1608 India St (619) 544-1033 idessert.com

LITTLE ITALY 11

Slowing Down in a Big City:

The Farmers Market Life

BY LIZZY KIM

L

iving in a big city like San Diego has its benefits: diverse culture, great food and constant choices for events to go to. One downside? An apparent sense of anonymity. It’s easy to walk through the streets, head down and busy schedule in mind, but what about all the people around us?

There must be a way to find that sense of community prevalent in small towns.

Cue the farmers market. Talk to vendors and frequent farmers market attendees and they’ll tell you how they value the community and environment above all else. There’s a different feeling to the market: that

Roanna Canete baking for her company Coronado’s Gluten Pantry 12 CULTURE SHOCK SAN DIEGO

life has slowed down and people are approachable again. Walk through the lit up tents full of light conversation and fragrant food, and find yourself transported. On either side there may be obvious signs of industrialization, but that disappears every Thursday in North Park. Suddenly, attendees discover the story and get to put a face—a full person—to the products they purchase.

The vendors are approachable and willing to give you as much information as you want about their product. Cindy Christ of Following Seasons Botanicals finds herself giving a

lot of education about her oils and loves the feeling of becoming “one-on-one, casual friends” with her customers. She emphasized her feeling that people are at the farmers market because they want to be. People treat farmers markets as an adventure and a fun thing to do with friends rather than just an errand.

Roanna Canete’s (owner of Coronado’s Gluten Free Pantry) favorite part of the farmers market is the interaction with strangers.

She explained how, “we are in an individualistic society and this is a way that we hang out with strangers.”

It’s a unique experience that

feels comforting.

Heritage Family Farm’s Carmello Martinez, who has been selling at this market since 2009, said his favorite part is that “it’s a weekly thing that builds friendships.” There’s something about a farmers market that slows people down. Life is no longer about getting the next thing done or being the most efficient: it can be about enjoying the little things and supporting local businesses or maybe even just finding something unique. Sometimes, it even means making a new friend.

For Brianna Martin, a farmers market regular, her favorite part is the envi-

ronment. Specifically that, “no one ever seems to be in a bad mood at the farmers market,” and that “every time [she] has gone [she] only see[s] people laughing and smiling.” There’s a culture there that welcomes curiosity and as many questions as you can think up.

Interviewing vendors was met with enthusiastic responses and long answers.

Many offered their emails, in case anything needed expanding or clarification. The people here are willing to talk and welcome company.

Also, their passion for their products shines through more than anything.

Farmers markets also

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provide a lower risk opportunity for people to test or grow their business. Canete explained that, for her, the farmers market provides the “lowest risk for me in the gluten-free market. For me not to have a storefront and to sell and get immediate feedback.” She went on to tell me that the most important thing for her is to have that feedback and that, when someone tries her product, she immediately knows what they think about it, even if they don’t say anything. This unique opportunity allows her to adapt her business quickly.

Grocery stores don’t get this chance. If big name products go through a focus group process, the change would take much longer to implement.

Martin sees the purpose of the farmers market “as a place where small businesses can get their name out there and grow. I also see it

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Above: Cindy Christ of Folowing Seasons Botanicals at her farmers market table. Below: Fresh fruit at the market. as a place where consumers can buy products that they wouldn’t necessarily be able to buy anywhere else.”

Christ describes her business as “farm to skin,”

meaning that she sources directly from local farms.

Her oils come from a local organic oil farm, and she has another place that grows herbs for her. All ingredi-

ents are directly sourced by her, so she knows exactly where they’ve been and has created a relationship with the farmers. Not only that, she’s helping support other small local entrepreneurs with her business.

Christ loves to teach her customers about her products and their uses.

It creates a “connection to community and connects them to me and my business.” Martinez, who used to have a farm stand instead, switched over to a farmers market format because it’s a “fun, easier place to sell since people are already informed about quality.” Canete pointed out that it’s “not cool to talk to barista at Starbucks for 10 minutes … [but having] a conversation builds trust and connection.”

People keep coming to farmers markets because they feel the uniqueness of the setting and crave the feeling of a real connection.

This is why the tradition has continued to thrive, no matter what’s happening outside it.

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A Street with a Long History that Lasts

30TH STREET RUNS DEEP

BY JESSE OLESON

T

he quaint and quiet neighborhood of South Park sits east of Balboa Park and north of Golden Hill. Nestled in these seemingly hushed streets lie some of the oldest properties in all of San Diego.

South Park was established as a subdivision of San Diego in 1870, but it wasn’t until 1905 that neighborhood development began. Originally built to attract upper-class individuals who did not want to live in the city, many South Park properties were first built upon over a century ago.

One of the qualities that make San Diego unique is its ability to stay modern while remaining rooted in the past. And South Park is a glowing example of this. It’s teeming with homes that perfectly juxtapose the past with the present.

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Selwyn House 1428 30th St.

E.L. Scofield House 1620 30th St.

Marrs/Ferguson House 1435 30th St.

Hamilton’s Tavern 1521 30th St.

The plot of land that the Selwyn house was built on was bought by Adolph Bosch, who completed construction a month later in the craftsman style in February of 1912. Bosch and his wife also owned the house just south of this one. Bosch died in 1914, and the deed was bought by Marguerite Selwyn, whose husband was a manager at a local butcher shop.

This home was built in the year 1911 by the Pacific Building Co. The house was built with eight bedrooms, which was much larger than most houses of that time.

This house was built in the craftsman style, which was popular at the time.

Craftsman houses can be identified by the extension of the roof over the porch and the pillars that come down from it. E.L. Scofield was the owner who hired the developer.

In 1922, Edward Marrs developed this property after the deed was passed to him after his parents’ death.

He hired Charles Henry Tifal to build the house and make upgrades. The outside scenery hasn’t changed much except this Craftsman has now been repurposed to become a law firm called For Purpose Law Group.

Houses are not the only history that can be found on 30th Street. Hamilton’s Tavern, last named Sparky’s, is the owner of the oldest wine and liquor license in San Diego topping the charts at over 75 years.

Hamilton’s Tavern was named to honor Herman Hamilton, a WWII Marine, a long-time San Diego local, and self-proclaimed mayor of 30th Street.

Whether it is a home or a bar, 30th Street establishments leave those visiting with an odd sense of satisfaction, knowing that the people here are real and the places are fixtures that aren’t going anywhere.

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A C o n v o y of B o

b y N ata l

M

y first experience with boba milk tea involved trying to hide my discomfort while slurping the black tapioca pearls up through an extra wide straw. A friend from Korea had purchased the milk tea for me, and I didn’t want to be rude. But a few tapioca pearls and many sips later, I was hooked. Since moving to San Diego almost four years ago, I’ve been happy to learn there are plenty of places to get your boba fix, especially if you drive up to Kearny Mesa’s Convoy Street. Since the number of cafés in this boba convoy can be overwhelming, here are the top three worth trying.

Tea N More

BEST PRICES / PLACE TO HANG OUT WHY GO: Fun atmosphere, prices, snacks, board games, game machines AMBIANCE: Great for hanging out. They have couches, pop music, manga, magazines, board games, Japanese photo booths, claw games/prize machines.

RECOMMENDED DRINKS: Horchata smoothie, chai milk tea, Earl Grey rose milk tea FOOD: Has a full food menu, and the food is pretty tasty (especially curry popcorn chicken).

TIPS: Fairly quiet in the afternoon and gets louder as the night goes on. It’s interesting to come in on a Friday night and observe the diverse clientele: gamers, families, teenagers, couples on dates, groups, people of all ages.

WALLET DAMAGE: Better prices compared to most of the other shops on Convoy: $3.50 for a regular size flavored milk tea with boba PARKING SITUATION: Bad HOURS: Open til 12am on weeknights, 1am on weekends 7380 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Ste 120 / (858) 571-2926 18 CULTURE SHOCK SAN DIEGO

Infini Tea

BEST MENU / REAL FOOD WHY GO: Menu, study vibes, food quality, ice milk with pudding, honey boba AMBIANCE: Quieter and good for studying, especially if you come during the slower afternoon hours). A couple couches and small selection of board games.

oba

lie Rosen

RECOMMENDED DRINKS: Caramel ice milk (possibly my favorite boba drink EVER…), mango slush FOOD: Full menu, best selection of food and drinks out of the three (try the popcorn chicken, pineapple fried rice).

TIPS: Not as good for large groups because you have to deal with the check/split the bill; also, the servers might move you along a little faster than they would if you were at a quick-service café. From the food menu, try the popcorn chicken or pineapple fried rice.

WALLET DAMAGE: $4.00 for a regular size milk tea with boba PARKING SITUATION: Worse HOURS: Open til 12am on weeknights, 1am on weekends 4690 Convoy St, Ste 111 / (858) 268-8836

BOBA noun: small, usually black pearls of tapioca used in beverages, which are generally consumed through a large straw.

Up2You

BEST DESSERT / DECOR WHY GO: Honey toast, gourmet desserts, black sugar milk tea, trendy decor AMBIANCE: Brick walls, murals, and fun light fixtures hanging from the ceiling make the place feel very hip and trendy. Small selection of board games adds homeyness.

RECOMMENDED DRINKS: Black sugar milk tea, taro slush FOOD: Nonexistent, unless you count dessert. Their menu boasts a good selection of coffee, other desserts (crepes, affogato).

TIPS: The Kearny Mesa location (there’s a second one in Clairemont) is very small and crowded at all times of the day, but it’s worth braving the crowds for honey toast: a thick, lightly toasted slice of bread topped with your choice of various fruit, sauces, candies, and ice creams. You pay by the topping, so it’s easy to rack up the bill in your quest to build the perfect toast.

WALLET DAMAGE: $4.25 for a regular size milk tea with boba PARKING SITUATION: Worst (good luck) HOURS: Open til 12am on weeknights, 1:30am on weekends 70 Vickers St, Ste 101 / (619) 663-6388 / up2youcafé.com KEARNY MESA 19

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Home Away From Home Little Italy Through the Eyes of an Italian Immigrant

By Brianna Lewis

F

or 92 years, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church has stood on the corner of State Street and Date Street in San Diego’s Little Italy. Relatively unknown to outsiders, this beautiful church has been the social and spiritual center for the Italian population in the neighborhood for decades.

I visited Our Lady of the Rosary one beautiful Sunday morning and right away I could see that it is a special place. Not only is the interior of the building absolutely gorgeous, with stained glass windows and frescoes of saints looking down at you from the ceiling, but the

body of attendees included people of all ethnicities, young and old. I saw that the Italian community in Little Italy is still strong as I walked out the doors after mass and immediately heard loud exclamations in Italian as families and friends greeted each other.

The day I visited the church happened to be St. Joseph’s Feast Day, which meant that the church was having a bake sale in the parish hall next door. It was there where I met Rosa Crivello, the treasurer of the St. Joseph Society at the church and a 64-year resident of San Diego. She immediately

opened up to me about her story of coming to the San Diego from Sicily when she was 7 years old and living here ever since.

Young Rosa Crivello came to the United States in the early 1950s from Aspra, Sicily on a boat with her mother, father and three brothers. They arrived in New York first, where they were amazed by all of the tall buildings, then they made their way by train to San Diego, staying with family in Milwaukee along the way.

In San Diego her mother’s family, who had already completed five years of residency, was waiting.

When asked what she thought of America at first, Crivello exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, I hated it here. Because [Aspra] was a little town that was my whole world. I had my little friends, I was very close to my grandmother...

I had never been on a ship.

The only thing I knew were rowboats... When we got here, the first question I asked my mother was, ‘OK, when are we going back?’ It was very, very hard.”

The reason Crivello’s parents came was to give better opportunities to their children. For years her dad worked as a dishwasher and her mom worked as a LITTLE ITALY 21

seamstress. As tears came to her eyes she recalled, “It was a big sacrifice because they had a home, but they did it for us. And they were right, you know: In America everything is possible. Because after six years they were able to buy a home, we all went to college... the American dream was achievable, and it still is.”

One thing that made life in America a little more like home was the community of Little Italy. She described how “everybody knew everybody... nobody locked their doors.” Many of the Italian immigrants didn’t even speak English at first because they didn’t need to.

They did all of their shopping, working, and socializing in the Little Italy area.

A 1930s tuna cannery in San Diego

As a child, Crivello learned English through being at school. She adjusted rather quickly. “I was in the second grade, and I felt the kids were making fun of me because I didn’t understand what they were saying... I went home the day after my grandmother registered all four of us and I said to her, ‘If you want me to go back to school, you need to buy me American clothes. I want the 22 CULTURE SHOCK SAN DIEGO

Rosa Crivello's hometown of Aspra, Sicily

two-tone shoes, the dresses with the slips under them, and my ponytail has to swing.’”

She also recalled, “I promised myself that I was going to be fluent in English by the time [the next term] started.” She did this through hours of reading at the library, flashcards with her siblings, and through having encouraging teachers. Eventually, she said, “I could read so well that I was always the narrator for the plays. And I loved to read.

Because my teacher told me that if you can read, you can do anything.”

Another stronghold in Rosa Crivello’s life was her church. Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church has been in Little Italy for even longer than she has. It was built in the 1920s by Italian tuna fishermen who contributed money to it from every catch they brought in.

The church has long been an Italian National Catholic Parish and the centerpiece of the neighborhood.

One of the greatest challenges to the church came in the 60s when Interstate 5 came through and uprooted tons of Sicilian families through eminent domain.

“Because they were ignorant of the American laws, they took whatever the government gave them for their homes... So a lot of them

went into Mission Hills (where Crivello lives now), a lot of them moved to El Cajon. So after a while, our church because everybody moved away was not prospering and it was almost going to close. But little by little it came back. And now, with all the condominiums in Little Italy, we’re thriving.”

Crivello has been involved in her community in many ways throughout her lifetime, from being part of her children’s schools’ PTAs to being treasurer of three different societies at the church. Her involvement with St. Joseph’s has lasted 40 years, and she sees it as a way to come together as a family to celebrate and give whatever money they make to continue the tradition of feeding the poor.

Rosa Crivello doesn’t plan

on ever leaving San Diego.

She hasn’t moved away yet, and all of her children and her 14 grandchildren are here. Her life in Little Italy has changed drastically over the years, but the neighborhood has always been the home base for the Italian community.

I definitely felt like I had tasted a little of the Italian culture as I walked away with a sense of being welcome and with a stomach full of scrumptious Italian pasta and donuts, not to mention cannoli and pizza for later. The church embodies the Italian culture’s unity and faith, and I can understand why Crivello has never wanted to leave. In her words, “the main focus [of Little Italy] is the church; that’s never changed.”

Inside Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

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Barrio Logan In Color What happened when I spent a day in one of San Diego’s most culturally rich neighborhoods

By Grace Liestman

I

t’s a Saturday afternoon, and I’m absolutely starving. As a creature of habit—who possibly appreciates tradition a little too much—I consider my usual lunch spots. The Mission in North Park, Bread and Cie in Hillcrest, Con Pane in Liberty Station… all wonderfully delicious and tempting, but I’m feeling adventurous today. I had recently heard from a friend that Barrio Logan is a great culture-rich neighborhood filled with art and good food, so I decide that I’ll spend my Saturday exploring the area.

Chicano Park

Por Vida

While I had only recently heard the name Barrio Logan, I was privy to various comments about Chicano Park, primarily due to the event put on once a year in April called Chicano Park Day—a celebration with traditional art and dance, music, food and craft vendors. So, naturally, my first stop was the park. Located between Logan Avenue and National Avenue, a concrete bridge clothed in vibrant murals that express Mexican and Chicano identity extends over the park. I found myself standing before the colorful stone, completely in awe over the intricate detailing and profound commentaries on Chicano history.

After admiring the incredible art, I decide to wander down Logan Avenue in search of a café that could quench my coffee addiction. I soon came across Por Vida, which conveniently sits near the start of Logan Avenue. With succulents lining the tables, an abstract portrait of Frida Kahlo and the words POR VIDA painted across a colorful wall, the café absolutely mirrors the Barrio Logan vibe. The décor is only half the experience, though. Their menu features items like horchata cold brew and Mexican hot chocolate—with all of their coffee locally roasted and fair trade.

2146 Logan Avenue, phone number (619) 307-3233.

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Did you know...

• Previously known as East End, this colorful and culture-rich neighborhood’s name was changed to Logan Heights in 1905.

• Around 1910, the Mexican Revolution sparked an increase in Mexican refugee migration to Logan Heights.

• The Coronado Bay Bridge, which extends over Chicano Park, was opened in 1969.

• Artist Salvador Torres is considered to be the individual who constructed the dream of Chicano Park.

• On April 22nd, 1970, bulldozers appeared on site of the now Chicano Park to prepare construction for a California Highway Patrol Station. Local residents came to the site and formed a human chain around the bulldozers, stopping construction.

Salud!

!

It was at that point in the afternoon when I had done enough walking to build up an appetite. Lucky for me, on that same street a few minutes down from Por Vida, lies the Mexican eatery Salud!. Home to award-winning tacos and a wide variety of craft beers, the eatery has a casual atmosphere with bitchin food. And, for those of us who are in search of good taco Tuesday spots, Salud offers a special of three tacos for five dollars on Tuesdays. Though it’s hard to not overindulge with tacos, try to leave a little room so you can try their churros and ice cream—you won’t regret it.

2196 Logan Avenue, phone number (619) 255-3856.

Bathroom Break?

After sitting a while and sipping on my latte at Por Vida, I ask an employee where the closest restroom is. “There’s one outside around the corner, down the alley and to the left!” the barista tells me. Following his directions, I pass through a slender door down what looks like an alleyway covered in greenery. To my surprise, the alley opens up into a small courtyard where a DJ plays electronic music. Then, to my left, a few stairs lead up to a small store filled with records and vintage clothing. What was going to be a five-minute bathroom break turned into a 25-minute browse and hang with musicians and neighborhood locals. These unusual but utterly delightful quarks make Barrio Logan the unique and lively location it’s known to be.

BARRIO LOGAN 25

Judy The Beauty On Duty

by Jesse Oleson

J

udith Forman, or Judy the Beauty on Duty as she is also known, has been a figurehead in the community for decades. The owner of the Big Kitchen Café in Golden Hill, she is known for being a friend, mother figure and leader to all she comes in contact with. She has fought for the rights of many different minority groups and in 2011 was inducted into the Women’s Museum of California Hall of Fame for her lifelong work and loving heart. After going to college in Michigan, and then working as a social worker in Detroit, she made her way to San Diego. Her philosophy in life is seen through her actions of being a constant aid to those in need and always having the courage to be there when others are not. Between running a restaurant and all of her other involvements, she made time to catch up with us.

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JO: Can you speak into the backstory behind the naming of Golden Hill and South Park?

Jesse Oleson: How long have you been a member of the Golden Hill community?

Judith Forman: I moved into the Golden Hill community Oct. 24, 1979, having followed a friend out from Detroit. I have lived on Hawthorne and Dale, 29th and A, 31st and Cedar, and Dale and Fir. My café, the Big Kitchen, is located at 30th and Grape Street. I have owned the Big Kitchen since June 18, 1980. The building was built in 1926 as a horse carriage business. In 1934, it was changed into a restaurant called The Best Café!

When I moved into this wonderful area, it was known as Golden Hill, from Juniper to 94th and 34th to 19th.

JF: In the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, the American cities experienced ‘white flight’ to the suburbs leaving the Golden Hill area owned by absentee landlords. The 80 percent of the rental properties were rented by low-income families, students and the very talented, due to low rents and the fact that our culture has never honored or paid the actors, artists or musicians, what they deserve. The crime rate was higher on the slope, causing the property values to be lower than 30th Street corridor.

The real estate interests and property owners living in the area wanted to rename the 30th corridor South Park so it would be seen as a separate entity; in reality, they wanted to be seen as a whiter neighborhood so the property appeared to be worth more.

It was another one of those times in San Diego when many areas were changing names to sound more inviting to investors.

JO: And what was your reaction to this?

JF: I fought the change…having declared myself the self appointed mayor of Golden Hill in the early 80’s when the SDYCS (San Diego Youth and Community Services) was the only organization providing the attention and assistance to poorer families and children challenged by an unfair economic system in the neighborhood.

Having been a social worker, community activist and civil rights activist in Detroit, where I worked as a probation officer, I was very familiar with the issues of the inner city and wasn’t afraid to jump in.

JO: In what ways have you contributed to your community?

which was first located in Golden Hill!

We helped start the Dog Owners Of Grape Street [DOGS]. We organized to provide one of the first leash-free dog zones in the whole country!

We worked closely with the LGBT community then working for equality.

During the AIDS crisis, we provided food and comfort when families and churches turned their backs. Whenever a community member needed help, the Big Kitchen Community of Golden Hill would come together to assist.

You can change a name, but you cannot change the spirit of a community. You can get more money for real estate, but you cannot change the core of the residents.

Investors come and go; communities stay and blossom.

Did you know?

Whoopi Goldberg got her start in acting while working at Big Kitchen Café, through the prompting of Forman.

JF: I worked with the gang members and hired many of them. A group of us started the Golden Hill Community Development Corporation at the Big Kitchen. I ran the after-school program at Brooklyn Elementary, now Einstein, for seven years. We helped start the Fern Street Circus and helped start the Women’s History Museum, GOLDEN HILL 27

Take a Healthy Bite Of This!

BY JOE CARLISLE

S

ure, there might be a Roberto’s Taco Shop on every corner, but you don’t have to settle for the greasy tacos; there are plenty of tasty food options that are healthy for you too. Here are nine healthy lunch choices to try next time you’re in Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, or Pacific Beach.

OB People’s Organic Food Market OCEAN BEACH

A health food store that caters to the vegetarian/ vegan community of Ocean Beach, it provides healthy food products and an upstairs deli. The deli makes fresh food throughout the day using all-organic ingredients that will healthfully fill you up for a cheap price.

Dish to try: The Almond Kale Supreme Salad is a local favorite, made with kale, chopped almonds, avocado and almond butter.

4765 Voltaire St.

Little Lion Café

Plant Power Fast Food

The Menu Restaurant

This is a tiny street corner café owned by the three granddaughters of Don Coulon, the man behind the groundbreaking Belgian Lion Restaurant that used to be in Ocean Beach many years ago. The café is dedicated to serving fresh, local and high-quality food, making it a perfect spot to stop on your way to beautiful Sunset Cliffs.

This corner restaurant is a healthy approach to disrupt the stereotype of fast food. Plant Power’s mission statement is “there’s a better way, and we’d like to offer you some new choices: burgers, fries, wraps, tacos, salads, shakes, smoothies and other tasty treats made entirely without the use of animal products, GMOs or artificial ingredients, and served to you in 100 percent biodegradable materials.”

The Menu has been a Pacific Beach landmark since 1976, serving hearty breakfasts made with fresh ingredients to sandy and hungry customers.

OCEAN BEACH

Dish to try: The Local Avocado Toast is a beautiful slice of La Brea Bakery baguette, topped with creamy avocado and dressed with shaved vegetables and herbs to make an edible art piece.

1424 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

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OCEAN BEACH

Dish to try: The Jumbo Veggie Wrap made with spinach, avocado, cashew hummus, mustard, tomato, carrots, sprouts, bell pepper and cucumber in a wholewheat tortilla.

2204 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

PACIFIC BEACH

Dish to try: Vegetarian Egg White Omelette made from three egg whites, cheese and veggies, with an optional side of half of a grapefruit or half of a cantaloupe.

3784 Ingraham St.

Lanna Thai Cuisine

Java Earth Café

Lanna Thai Cuisine offers light, fresh and healthy Thai food with homemade recipes passed from generation to generation. Lanna Thai Cuisine offers Thai food from different regions of Thailand, using the freshest ingredients and finest spices.

This café is a trendy, light and airy café that dishes up delicious coffee and healthy food options. They are conveniently located near the beach and have outdoor seating so you can work on your tan and eat delicious food at the same time.

PACIFIC BEACH

Dish to try: Chicken Supreme, a dish made with a grilled marinated chicken breast, spinach, carrot and broccoli, then topped with a mild curried peanut sauce.

PACIFIC BEACH

Dish to try: Vegan Bagel, a freshly-toasted bagel with hummus, roasted red peppers, cucumber, tomato, onion and spinach.

4978 Cass St.

4501 Mission Bay Dr.

Rosaria Pizza

MISSION BEACH

Rum Jungle Café

Swell Coffee Co. Mission Beach

The Rum Jungle Café is a small, family owned café, believes in the healing power of food and natural medicine. The ingredients should reflect the various countries and cultures around us. Our primary focus is to bring you a diverse selection of flavors, and mix them to create a perfect meal or snack that is packed with essential nutrients.

Swell Coffee Co. in Mission Beach fuels the community with locally-crafted coffee and fresh food. The menu features high-quality breakfast and lunch options, often created with locally-sourced ingredients. It’s the optimal morning stop for barefoot locals and travelers indulging in a pre-surf coffee and the casual breakfast for families on summer vacation.

MISSION BEACH

Dish to try: “Chicken Hummus Pita” a wrap with: Chicken, hummus, lettuce, and tomato served on Greek pita bread.

4150 Mission Blvd.

MISSION BEACH

Dish to try: Organic Acai Bowl, served with guarana, seasonal fruits, shredded coconut and granola.

3833 Mission Blvd.

Rosaria Pizza is a local pizzeria committed to making their customers happy with the best-tasting pizza in San Diego.

Rosaria Pizza prides themselves in serving the Mission Beach community and its visitors.

Dish to try: Margarita Pizza, with basil, fresh garlic, tomatoes and feta cheese.

3741 Mission Blvd.

OB/PB/MB 29

ART CULTURE IN BARR

creating community among the concrete

IO LOGAN

By Grace Liestman

T

he art scene in Barrio Logan—among other things—sets the neighborhood apart from other districts in San Diego.

After construction of the Coronado Bridge began in 1967, a devastated community reclaimed the park by covering the pillars in large, colorful murals. The murals primarily portray the history and struggles of Mexican-Americans. The site, now known as Chicano Park, holds annual festivals celebrating the community with live music, food and dancing.

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The art doesn’t stop at Chicano Park, though.

Abandoned buildings and warehouses have been renovated and turned into urban venues for music performances and art shows.

Bread & Salt, a former commercial bakery building, is now utilized by various artists wanting to display their art in a unique and funky setting. La Bodega, a warehouse that was once the Bank of Italy, is now home to 30 different studios for both struggling and experienced artists.

The art in Barrio Logan

is not just for the artists.

Both Bread & Salt and La Bodega serve as social hubs, bringing the community together during events and art shows. This sense of community sets apart Barrio Logan from many other San Diego districts.

Barista Manuel Medina, or “Manny,” works at two different coffee shops: Por Vida in Barrio Logan and West Bean in Liberty Public Market. Medina feels that both shops have their own attractive qualities, but the different locations create different atmospheres. “I

think the main difference between the two shops is the customer base. Here [West Bean] it’s a lot of tourists, people you’re not going to see again. Over there [Por Vida] it’s a lot of regulars, people coming by every day.

Barrio has that sense of community.”

Medina says a big part of the community vibe, and also one of his favorite things about Barrio, is the art scene. “I like to go to the galleries and just walk around. You could literally spend an entire day in Barrio Logan. Go get coffee

in the morning, get lunch at Salud and just walk around and see all the art and galleries.”

Murals also play a large role in Logan’s history and its art scene. On the side of the La Bodega Gallery, a large mural titled “Freedom/Captivity” is displayed.

Artist Aaron Glasson and Celeste Byers painted this three-part mural to bring attention to the issue of marine mammal captivity.

In the middle of the mural, a whale sits in a tank with two dollar signs on either side of it. To the right, the word FREEDOM is printed

on the tail of a whale. To the left, a man sits on a dolphin, with the phrase “For Your Pleasure” surrounding the scene.

The murals in Barrio do not just add character to the neighborhood; they also provide purpose and initiate change. “[Murals] have the potential to communicate with masses of people. It feels like you are doing something for the people rather than yourself,” says artist Aaron Glasson. “I’d like to think I’m using my voice as a person and artist to speak out against injustices.” A couple days after

Glasson and Byers finished painting the mural, Gov. Brown signed legislation banning orca breeding and performances in California.

On the surface, the art in Barrio Logan consists of vibrant, colorful and attractive pieces that brighten up the neighborhood. On a deeper level, the art culture gives people the freedom to express their opinions on controversial topics or depict a poignant moment in history. It is not just self expression for the artist, but a way to connect with the community.

“It feels good when the community likes it and embraces it [the art]. It can feel like you’re adding to and are therefore part of the community, even for just a short time,” says Glasson.

GOLDEN HILL 31

A Thursday in North Park

BY LIZZY KIM

W

ant to spend a day in North Park and don’t even know where to start? It might only be three square miles, but this San Diego neighborhood has a lot to offer—from art and food to gifts and coffee. Here’s my day in North Park …

1:30 p.m.

Pigment 3801 30th St.

10:40 a.m.

Hunt and Gather 2871 University Ave.

Great for a cute gift for a friend, Pigment carries every cute thing you never thought about needing but suddenly want one in every color. The store carries plants, kid’s clothes, jewelry, and even marshmallows.

The stock is always changing and there are even workshops like floral watercolor and calligraphy.

This store carries used and vintage men’s and women’s clothing. Come here for unique finds and even art and music. It even has jewelry from local artists who also sell at the farmers market (more on that later).

The decor is modern and the clothing unique.

10:00 a.m.

Holsem Coffee 2911 University Ave. Known for fair trade coffee and unique cold brews like Banana Bread and Lemon Meringue, Holsem Coffee is the place to get your caffeine fix before a day of exploring.

Looking for a hot drink? Try the Baklava. If you don’t like more bitter drinks, ask them to add their housemade hazelnut milk. Linger a bit to read a book or just peoplewatch. If you’re feeling some food, try one of their fresh pastries or sandwiches.

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12:00 p.m.

Swami’s 2920 University Ave. Looking for filling and unique breakfast food?

Swami’s is the best. It has a self-serve coffee bar with a range of coffees, from the typical to flavors like blueberry. The Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros are great, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Pitaya Pancakes.

6:05 p.m.

3:05 p.m.

Visual 3776 30th St.

After all that, it’s time to drive home, maybe to make some dessert with ingredients you bought at the farmers market, or to start a good read. Whatever you do, make sure to take a look at the beautiful San Diego sunset as you drive to your destination.

If you’re looking for local contemporary art and maybe even some supplies for your own creative endeavors, come to Visual. They also have monthly events to promote emerging arts.

2:12 p.m.

Verbatim Books 3793 30th St. Verbatim Books is the perfect place to pick up a book you haven’t heard of before, or to buy a classic you’ve been meaning to tackle for cheap. This used book store has a large variety and friendly staff, along with books from local authors. Watch out for the moving bookcase in the back, though; it hides a door to the backrooms.

4:37 p.m.

Farmers Market North Park Way & 30th Street The farmers market is held every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. Show up a little later, and you can sample and snack your way through and then choose a stand for dinner. Feel like Mexican?

It has that. What about Korean? Also there. And there’s nothing better than free samples. There’s also even a little trailer that sells clothes that you can try on right there. I’d recommend ending the day by trying out the garlic dips with pita chips and buying some fresh flowers to take home.

NORTH PARK 33

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Photo from House of Hints, San Diego’s original escape room.

Can You Escape?

Whether you and your friends successfully escape the room or not, you’ll definitely escape having a boring Friday night.

By Natalie Rosen

W

The Unlockables creates a mock news spread for every group that completes an escape mission, whether they succeed or not.

ould you pay money to be kidnapped, locked in a small dark room with a select few of your close friends, and forced to rely on your communication and problem-solving skills to find a way to escape?

Edwin Tactay would.

Tactay, who owns Unlockables, one of San Diego’s most popular escape rooms, got hooked on the new trend in April 2016 when he made his first escape. He was instantly transfixed and managed to complete 50 escape rooms by the end of 2016. But he didn’t stop there: This year, he teamed up with a group of friends he often played with and started creating his own escape room.

“We’re gamers and nerds ourselves … we built ours based on what we thought an escape room should be like, since at that point we had done over 70,” Tactay said. So they created their room by imagining one that they, as an experienced team of escape room players, would want to play.

Escape rooms, which are interactive entertainment experiences in which players must work together to escape from a scenario by working together and solving puzzles in a limited amount of time, were first invented in Asia.

“In Asia, particularly in China and Japan, where they play a lot of video games and everybody plays these puzzle games and whatnot, people had this weird idea, ‘Why don’t you KEARNY MESA 35

make it into reality?’ Think of a theme, put it into a room, and have people go at it, like a real-life video game,” said April Cartel, one of Tactay’s staff members and teammates.

Once the trend ignited in Asia, it moved westward to Europe, Canada and the United States. Escape rooms first appeared on the East Coast of the U.S., and within the past year have started to gain popularity in the Western states.

San Diego is home to about a dozen. House of Hints, which opened up only two years ago, is the city’s oldest and is ranked by USA Today as one of the top 10 in the country.

Both The Unlockables and House of Hints are in Kearny Mesa, along with two other escape rooms: 3rd Day Escape and the Entrapment. In fact, a Yelp search with the keyword, “Things to Do,” in Kearny Mesa yields all four escape rooms as the top four results.

All have five-star overall ratings and have received glowing reviews. It looks like Kearny Mesa Bowl, Boomers and the KTV bars finally have some competition for business from people looking for something fun to do after chowing down on delicious ramen, dim sum, poke or bahn mi.

Other than all the great food, why Kearny Mesa? Cartel attributes it to the centralized location and relative proximity to downtown. The confined, indoor nature of escape rooms lends itself well to the industrial strip mall model, which abounds in the Kearny Mesa area, especially around Convoy Street where all the restaurants are. It also makes sense that businesses inspired by what’s succeeded in Asia would flock to the part of San Diego with the highest concentration of established businesses directly from Asia.

The sudden popularity and rapid proliferation of 36 CULTURE SHOCK SAN DIEGO

escape rooms begs the obvious economic question: Is this trend sustainable, or will many lesser escape rooms go the way most froyo shops did back in 2010? Maybe, but according to Tactay, there’s a little more nuance and mutual support here.

“All the games are pretty much one-offs. We trade rooms with other owners so we can play them all. It’s a very good community; we all help each other out.”

Tactay has even designed a brochure that lists all the other escape room games in San Diego and shows their locations on a map to help him and other owners with cross-promotion. He keeps a stack of them on his receptionist’s desk so that whenever players have a good experience and want to know where else they can go to try a different game, he can easily direct them to other owners, who he sees more as friends than as competitors.

Since an individual escape room doesn’t usually get much return business, they would rather work together and promote the industry as a whole Still, Tactay is confident his escape room has some unique key elements that set it apart from the crowd: The Unlockables is one of the only escape rooms in the world that keeps a complete statistics sheet.

Tactay said their overall success rate is 57.5 percent, and they also keep track of their success rate for more specific groups based on gender, number of players, and skill level.

“We’re known for our storyline and set design. You guys are the characters in the story here. I worked in TV for 15 years and have three Emmys,” Tactay said, gesturing to the three trophies sitting on the table behind the receptionist’s desk.

The Unlockables currently has three separate rooms within their facility: The Escape

House of Hints doesn’t want to give too much away, but they provide their visitors with a few helpful clues.

(which is a basic practice room for one to two people so they can start getting an idea of how to play), the Informant (a sitting duck game) and a secret agent spy game. Tactay and his staff are currently designing a new room they’re going to add to their business, but they are limited in how much they can say to people who haven’t played yet­–too much information would ruin the mystery and the surprise.

After talking to Tactay for a few minutes, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that success of The Unlockables is greatly influenced by his friendliness and general enthusiasm for the work he’s doing. To him, it isn’t work; it’s pure joy, but that doesn’t stop him from taking his business seriously. He loves finding new escape rooms to play, interacting with guests, managing the stat sheet and learning about interpersonal dynamics while watching different groups play.

“Watching the games is just as fun as playing the games. I’ve seen the weirdest things. You also get to see people’s logic on certain things.”

With the novelty and excitement of escape rooms and the friendly, personable culture they promote, it’s getting easier to see why people would voluntarily pay to have themselves locked into a room... again and again and again.

Edwin Tactay, owner of The Unlockables, gives guests an introductory speech.

There are always more rooms to escape!

KEARNY MESA 37

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