ADAMS AVENUE NEWS, MARCH 2016

ADAMS AVENUE NEWS A Positive Community Newspaper Created by Locals, for Locals, Supporting Local Businesses

Vol. 25 No. 3 March 2016

MidCityNewspaperGroup.com

PUPS IN THE PARK Ward Canyon Dog Park ceremoniously opened It was a long time coming, but residents, pooches and neighborhood visitors finally have a dog park that everyone can enjoy.

The Ward Canyon Dog Park, a project spearheaded by the Normal Heights Community Association, had its formal opening on Feb. 13. Read Susan Taylor’s account on PAGE 10

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Running for Business Chad Crawford and Greg Lemon took advantage of a $25,000 startup loan from Accion San Diego to launch their Milestone Running business on El Cajon Boulevard. The business has taken of running, so to speak. Page 7

OLP Champions Congratulate the Our Lady of Peace Mock Trial Team. It won the San Diego County High School Mock Trial Competition championship on Feb. 27. Now it’s on to Sacramento for the California competition. PAGE 4 Councilman Todd Gloria gets help cutting the ribbon for the grand opening from Ronald Ferrero-Pham, president of the Normal Heights Community Association, Herman Parker, Park and Recreation Department director, and Michele Chicarelli, Park and Recreation area manager.

(Photo by Jim Childers)

Film Commission Ripe for Reboot Normal Heights resident Mike Harris writes an opinion piece on the economic value of bringing the film industry back to San Diego.

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CONTACT US EDITORIAL/LETTERS

Manny Cruz manny@sandiegometro.com ADVERTISING

Brad Weber Dogs and their owners get a feel for the new Ward Canyon Dog Park.

(Photo by Jim Childers)

ReachLocal@MidCityNewspaperGroup.com

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| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

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MOVIES

WINNIE’S

PICKS!

I do hope many of you are enjoying my picks as much as I enjoy telling you about them.

THE INTERN – Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway star in this fun movie that everyone

will enjoy. De Niro is retired and is bored. He applies for an intern position with a clothing company. Anne is the owner and is not impressed by De Niro at first, but then sees the wisdom and experience he has to offer. Anne’s little daughter in the film is adorable.

A BALLERINA’S TALE – The incredible rise of Misty Copeland. History was made

when she became the first African American woman to be named the principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater. A real success story. Extremely inspirational and a tale of perseverance.

BRIDGE OF SPIES — One of my favorites. Tom Hanks! This man is such a good actor.

One of the best films of last year and you do not want to miss seeing this one. Tom Hanks plays a lawyer representing a Russian spy (Mark Rylance). Both men play their parts so well. So much of the film is about waiting for a phone call and waiting for the car on the other side of the bridge. I loved this movie!

SPOTLIGHT — Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Liv Schreiber and Rachel McAdams are

the team at the Boston Globe who delve into the scandal of allegations of child abuse within the Catholic Archdiocese. A powerful drama. This is a movie you must see. It shows you the working of a large newspaper firm.

PARDON – This is based on a true story about a murder in 1935 in Louisiana. Only one

woman has been executed in the state. A small gem you need to take a look at. I cannot believe we can send people to the electric chair with so little evidence.

SECRET IN THEIR EYES — Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts star in

this suspense about justice and revenge. It keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. Jess (Julia Roberts) is torn apart by the murder of her daughter. This movie is a sleeper with a great ending.

See you next month or maybe at the video store.

Winnie

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | MARCH 2016 |

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| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

OLP Mock Trial Team Wins County Championship Team to vie for California championship on March 18 The Academy of Our Lady of Peace all-girls Mock Trial Team won first place in the San Diego County High School Mock Trial Competition Championship on Feb. 27.

The OLP team is the only all-girls team to compete in the San Diego County competition. In just five short years, the OLP team has moved up the ranks and secured this triumphant win out of 25 competing high schools.

Higgs Fletcher & Mack’s Jim Eischen and Scott Ingold coached the girls to victory.

Another member of the firm, Michelle Maisto, came on board as a coach this year and was instrumental in preparing the team for a scrimmage with The Bishop’s School and La Jolla High School in January.

“In only five years our all-girls’ OLP Mock Trial team has risen to the 1st Place position,” said Lauren Lek, OLP’s Head of School. “They are extraordinary leaders who worked collaboratively as a team to secure this tremendous victory.”

This year, more than 500 students participated in the countywide competition.

On Friday, March 18, the OLP stu-

dents will be representing San Diego County in the California State Mock Trial Championship in Sacramento.

All 19 members of the team will be traveling to the state capital for the competition.

The California Mock Trial Program is a statewide academic competition in which high school students compete at the county, state, and national level. This year, participation in the San Diego Countywide competition reached over 500 students. The trial itself is a simulation of a criminal case, in which students portray each of the principals in the array of courtroom participants.

Student teams study a hypothetical criminal case, conduct legal research, and receive guidance from volunteer attorney coaches in courtroom procedures and trial preparation. Students participate as lawyers, witnesses, court clerks, and bailiffs, thus acquiring a working knowledge of our judicial system.

The Mock Trial Competition encourages young people to develop their analytical abilities and communications skills while gaining increased self confidence.

The OLP Mock Trial Team

The team poses in court chambers.

Lend a Hand to Sponsor Fundraising Event to Help Deanne Cervantes On Sunday, March 20, the Friends of Deanne Cervantes will get together at Rebecca’s Coffee House in South Park to celebrate a member of the public school community who needs help. Lend a Hand to Help Deanne offers an afternoon of music, food and coffee for a cause.

Deanne Cervantes has been a part of the McKinley Elementary community and other San Diego Unified schools as a librarian, volunteer, and involved parent with her daughters Rachel and Danielle. She has touched the lives of thousands of children and shared her love of books with them to create life-long readers.

On Nov. 27, 2015, Deanne was out walking her dogs after celebrating Thanksgiving with her husband at their home in Baja when the cliff she was standing on gave way and she fell more than 20 feet onto the rocky shore below. Deanne has a broken back as well as many other injuries, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. The Lend a Hand to Help Deanne event at Rebecca’s is to raise funds to help Deanne and her family cope with this tragedy and make their home in North Park wheelchair accessible so Deanne can return home where she belongs.

The family would like to purchase a wheelchair accessible van as well.

Renovations have already begun on a wheelchair ramp and other household remodels, including making her bath-

room accessible.

Donations may be made at: GoFundMe.com/deannerecoveryfund.

The March 20 event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St. San Diego, CA 92104.

The Marcia Forman Band and Jupiter 3 will perform, as well as students from Deanne’s schools.

Suggested donation at the door is $5 per person. There will be an opportunity drawing and auction items donated by local businesses in support of Deanne’s recovery.

About Deanne Cervantes Deanne has made great progress in her recovery. She is learning to maneuver in a wheelchair and accomplishing everyday tasks. In fact she has been released from rehab and made it home. She is active on Facebook and enjoys visits from many family and friends. Deanne’s greatest love besides her husband Steve and her two daughters is literature. Deanne has a passion for books and shares it with our community. She enjoys nothing so much as finding the right book for a child.

Too many children to count have become lifelong learners with a helping hand from Deanne. Deanne is currently the librarian at Adams Elementary in Normal Heights.

Donations may be made at: GoFundMe.com/deannerecoveryfund.

Deanne Cervantes with daughters Rachael and Danielle and husband Steve.

BUSINESS

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | MARCH 2016 |

Independent Businesses Report Growing Sales and Hiring

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BY OLIVIA LAVECCHIA INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL-SELF-RELIANCE

Survey shows community pharmacies offer not only superior service, but lower prices A large national survey has found that public support for independent businesses led to brisk sales and a sharp increase in hiring in 2015, but biased policies and other obstacles are limiting their success.

Independent businesses experienced healthy sales growth in 2015, buoyed by their strong community ties and growing public awareness of the benefits of locally owned businesses, according to a large national survey.

The Independent Business Survey, which is conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in partnership with the Advocates for Independent Business and is now in its ninth year, gathered data from over 3,200 independent businesses. The respondents reported brisk sales in 2015, with revenue growing an average of 6.6 percent. Among independent retailers, who comprised just under half of survey respondents, revenue increased 4.7 percent in 2015, including a 3.1 percent gain during the holiday season. These figures contrast sharply with the performance of many national retail chains, and overall holiday retail sales, which rose just 1.6 percent in December according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

This growth led to a significant increase in hiring. Overall employment at the independent businesses surveyed expanded by 5.6 percent in 2015, with more than 30 percent of respondents

reporting the addition of at least one employee.

Local First initiatives are part of what’s strengthening independent businesses, the survey found. Twothirds of respondents in cities with an active Local First, or “buy local,” campaign said that the initiative is having a noticeable positive impact on their business, citing benefits such as new customers and increased loyalty among existing customers.

About one-third of businesses in Local First cities also said that the initiative had led them to become more engaged in advocating on public policy issues, and 44 percent said that the campaign had made elected officials more aware and supportive of independent businesses.

That’s significant because the survey also found that independent businesses are facing a number of challenges, many related to public policy.

One obstacle is a lack of credit for businesses seeking to grow. The survey found that one in three independent businesses that applied for a bank loan in the last two years failed to secure one. That figure was 54 percent among minority-owned businesses, and 41 percent among young firms, whose expansion has historically been a key source of net job growth.

Competition from large Internet companies is also a top challenge, par-

Small Business Economic Survey Entrepreneurs more pessimistic about national business climate than last year, but stay hopeful for their own businesses Union Bank’s annual Small Business Economic Survey shows San Diego County small business owners are more pessimistic about the national economy in 2016 than last year, yet remain hopeful about the future of their own businesses.

Overall, more than two-thirds of San Diego small business owners (68 percent) report that the national economy is headed in the wrong direction, a 23 percentage point increase over 2015.

Nearly two-thirds also believe the state and local economies have worsened, a 20-point increase. However, when asked about their own businesses, 87 percent said they believe they are headed in the right direction.

San Diego small business owners are generally negative about the business climate for small businesses in 2016: 40 percent said the business climate has worsened, 31 percent said it has stayed the same, and 29 percent said it has improved, the 2016 survey showed.

Forty-five of San Diego County business owners reported that they are either unprepared or admittedly do not know if they are prepared enough for interest rate changes. A plurality of small business owners said they are working the same number of hours in early 2016 as they did during the same time last year.

Forty-four percent said they were work-

ing the same number of hours per week, 42 percent said they were working “somewhat or a lot more” and 14 percent said they were working “somewhat or a lot less,” the data showed.

“The feelings of uncertainty about the national economy reflected in the survey results are somewhat consistent with what we’re seeing among small business owners who are encouraged about the future of their businesses and cautiously expanding and increasing staffing,” said Union Bank Managing Director Todd Hollander, head of business banking. “Our clients are working smarter to sustain their businesses and many continue to seek capital, but they are closely monitoring interest rates and are concerned about interest rate changes and other government implications during this election year.”

Access to Credit, Spending

San Diego small business owners are less likely than business owners overall to apply and be approved for credit. In 2015, 13 percent of San Diego business owners applied for loans or access to credit, with 70 percent who were approved for credit, a 13-point increase over last year but still lower than the full sample of business owners surveyed (79 percent approval rate).

Overall, San Diego small business

ticularly for independent retailers, 70 percent of whom ranked it as very significant to their business. Another leading obstacle is the fact that large competitors can use their market power to secure better pricing and terms from suppliers. On the policy side of these challenges, majorities of the businesses surveyed said they would support legislation to cap the dollar value of the economic development tax breaks that companies are eligible to receive, and that they think regulators should more

vigorously enforce antitrust laws against dominant companies.

The rising cost of commercial rent is another difficulty facing many independent businesses. Among retailers who lease their locations, 59 percent reported being worried about the increasing cost of rent. The steep swipe fees set by credit card companies are also a challenge. A large majority of retailers favored government action to cap credit card swipe fees, as the E.U., Australia, and other countries have done.

“While these obstacles are certainly formidable, independent businesses have seen a remarkable increase in public awareness and support in recent years,” said Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

“In our survey, many expressed a determination to build on the momentum of the ‘buy local’ movement to press for policies that will give small, local businesses a better opportunity to compete and thrive.”

owners are spending conservatively in 2016: 73 percent said they will keep capital expenditures the same, 18 percent said they would decrease spending and 9 percent said they would increase spending.

“Access to credit and alternative financing remain top priorities for entrepreneurs,” said Kirsten (Didi) Hakes, head of the SBA Lending group at Union Bank. “The survey results reflect that more minority business owners are experiencing higher than average approval rates, and that is encouraging and consistent with the interest we continue to receive in the bank’s lending programs, such as Business Diversity Lending and Community-Based Financing, which help provide loan opportunities to women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses.”

had decreased. Nearly three in four San Diego business owners said the Affordable Care Act had not impacted employment at their companies.

A large majority of San Diego County business owners are not making efforts to support policies advancing equal pay or targeting employees across generations, the survey also showed.

Two-thirds of San Diego business owners said they had made “no conscious effort” to support equal pay policies in their businesses, nine points higher than national numbers. Twenty-three percent of San Diego business owners conducted periodic wage assessments; 18 percent created a clearly defined pay structure; and 16 percent made efforts to increase transparency.

Even larger percentages of San Diego small business owners said they had not made efforts to attract and retain employees across generations, from Millennials to Baby Boomers.

More than two-thirds of San Diego business owners said they made “no conscious effort” to attract or retain Millennial workers, and 71 percent made no efforts to retain their Gen X or Baby Boomers employees, according to the survey.

Nearly half, 48 percent, of San Diego business owners said they are “not at all concerned” about the wave of Baby Boomers reaching retirement and the subsequent impact on their staffing.

“These results showing little concern surrounding generational staffing are not completely aligned with what our clients are telling us,” said Hollander.

“Many clients are focused on attracting, training and maintaining talented millennials while maximizing experienced, proven employees who have decades of experience to help streamline staff transitions of retiring workers.

The skills gap also remains a growing issue in a variety of industries.”

The survey showed that the historic California drought seems to have primarily impacted local California business, especially those in the Central Valley and Central Coast. Nine in 10 San Diego business owners said the drought has not impacted their business.

Top Election Year Issues

San Diego small business owners named the Affordable Care Act the election issue of most concern for their businesses, with a majority saying health care changes have increased their business costs.

Fifty-two percent of San Diego small business owners said the Affordable Care Act would most impact their business, followed by immigration laws (26 percent); equal pay (12 percent); and foreign trade (10 percent). When asked about the impact of the health care changes, 58 percent said their costs had either somewhat or greatly increased, 31 percent said costs had not changed, and 11 percent said their costs

Planning the Future: Ownership Structure

The proportion of San Diego County business owners planning changes to ownership structure declined slightly over 2015 levels. Among those planning to make a change, selling and making an acquisition emerged as the top options. Within five years, 28 percent said they planned to make a change in their business ownership.

“This is consistent with many of our Baby Boomer clients who are beginning to explore next steps, which may mean selling their business,” Hakes said. “If selling is in the cards, they will need to be as proactive as they have been in running their business. We recommend putting in place an exit strategy two to five years ahead of the event. It is also important to understand that running a business and selling a business take different skills.”

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TRANSPORTATION

| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

SR-15 Commuter Bikeway Groundbreaking Stirs Excitement The bikeway will allow cyclists and walkers to travel both directions on a paved and striped path, protected from traffic by a concrete barrier.

BY SUSAN TAYLOR

Get behind the wheel and head north on State Route (Interstate) 15 from any central San Diego community. Mission Valley beckons, with its shopping, entertainment and dining possibilities, and your car speeds along. Other vehicles merge on or exit.

Overhead signs divert drivers to other connections, the beach or East County.

Passengers gaze out at the swaying trees and seemingly off-course seagulls overhead; they are passive participants in a typical “driving experience,” the rationale behind freeways--to move traffic at high speeds, without interruption, to some final parking place.

At best, efficient feats of engineering.

At worst, frustrating and even dangerous pockets of gridlock.

Imagine the same route minus vehicles and you understand the reason for the construction of the new SR-15 Commuter Bikeway. Special lanes are being built to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to utilize this stretch of freeway, starting at Adams Avenue in Kensington going north to Camino del Rio South, to travel the one-mile trip to the businesses in Mission Valley between Fairmount to the east and Texas Street to the west.

In fact, prior to the building of the Commuter Bikeway, the only connections from Mid-City to Mission Valley were on these high-speed and steeply graded roads.

On March 1, at Ward Canyon Park, SANDAG, Caltrans, and city of San Diego officials, as well as community activists and neighborhood residents, celebrated the groundbreaking of the construction of the Commuter Bikeway.The public was invited to hear about the future Bikeway, which will allow cyclists and walkers to travel both directions on a paved and striped path, protected from traffic by a concrete barrier.

Paid for with federal, Caltrans, local, and Transnet funds, the conversion will provide safe travel for people on bicycles and on foot along lanes 12 feet wide, striped for two-way traffic, and protected by concrete barriers. The bike path will have state-of-the-art LED lighting, landscaping, and wider cut out areas for passing and rest stops.

The enhancements to the existing SR-15 freeway are of high priority as part of Riding to 2050, the San Diego Regional Bike Plan adopted by the SANDAG Board of Directors in May 2010, and also incorporated into the city of San Diego Bicycle Master Plan and the Mid-cities Communities Plan, making good on a $14 million promise to convert existing pavement to bicycle and pedestrian lanes. Moreover, the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy, with the same intent, was laid out in October 2011.

Laurie Berman, district director of Caltrans District 11, said that the project is a good model for existing and future freeways to have multi-modal transportation choices. Maintenance of the Commuter Bikeway will be financed by a regional one-half cent tax for transportation administered by SANDAG. An Advisory Committee of Pedestrians and Bike riders has already been meeting quarterly since October to consider creative ways to pay for upkeep, such as the new Adopt-aBikepath program.

San Diego City Council President Pro Tem and 9th District Councilmember Marti Emerald congratulated SANDAG and Caltrans for implementing the plans. Emerald chairs the Public Safety and Liveable Neighborhoods Committee and has long been an advocate for sustainable infrastructure in San Diego. She said she realized the project was going ahead when she noticed some eucalyptus trees on the east side of SR-15 being cut down. The vegetation will be replanted once the bikeway is constructed. As for pedaling or trekking back up the hill, she added that people could always “grab a bus,” possibly one of the Rapid Transit improvements along the same freeway.

The SR-15 Commuter Bikeway is of special interest to communities such as Kensington, Normal Heights, and City Heights. Just recently, the Ward Canyon Dog Park was inaugurated, another promise fulfilled to area residents.

Also in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony were San Diego

Councilwoman Marti Emerald addresses the audience at the commuter bikeway groundbreaking. (Photo by Jim Childers)

County Supervisor Ron Roberts, city Councilwoman Marti Emerald and Laurie Berman, district director of Caltrans District 11, uncover a large photo of the planned SR-15 Commuter Bikeway at the March 1 groundbreaking. (Photo by Jim Childers)

County Supervisor Ron Roberts, Councilman Todd Gloria and Ricardo Flores, who lives in Kensington, and is running for the San Diego Council seat in the 9th District. Chris Ward, candidate for Council in the 3rd District, remarked that he was happy to see a safe bike alternative, one that he might feel comfortable riding on himself with his 2-year-old daughter in tow.

Samantha Ollinger, executive director of BikeSD, was “excited that it’s actually happening … to be able to access the attractions north of SR-8 and connect Mid-City communities,” as promised 30 years ago. With her was Rebecca Rusk, who has been a bike commuter since “before there were helmets.” She feels that the project is “a great idea.”

Representing the City Heights Community Development Corporation was Randy Van Vleck, who called the SR-15 Commuter Bikeway “transformative,” and pointed out that it is actually shorter than driving this same route. Also happy to see the construction start was Jim Baross, president of

the California Association of Bicycling Organizations He, like other Normal Heights residents at Ward Canyon Park that day, welcomed the transportation alternative.

The SR-15 Commuter Bikeway is actually just one of six planned segments in the overall San Diego Regional Plan. On March 9, an open house to discuss another section, the Landis Avenue segment, was to be held at Cherokee Point Elementary. With construction to begin in September 2017, this bike route, estimated at $1.4 million, will include three major transit corridors, two parks, and a skate plaza. It will begin in Kensington and go south along Terrace Drive and Central Avenue to Landis Street. North it will travel 2.2 miles along Landis between Alabama Street and Chamoune, linking North Park and City Heights. Streetside improvements will beautify the area and reduce noise.

One more piece to the SR-15 freeway makeover is the construction of the SR-15 Mid-City Rapid Transit Stations Project. Slated for completion in 2017, this will build San Diego’s first

County Supervisor Ron Roberts was one of several government officials attending the event. (Photo by Jim Childers)

freeway-level transit stations and transit-only lanes using lanes existing within the freeway median. The stations will ensure more on-time bus rides and extend from just north of Interstate 805 to just south of Interstate 8.

Expect ramp closures which may occur along Adams Avenue between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, and between 7 p.m. Thursdays and 5 a.m. Fridays. Other effects may be dust, lights, and noise. Commuters may already have seen work being done for the elevator structure south of University Avenue that will give riders at street level access to the freewaylevel stations. For safety reasons, most construction will be done at night.

Getting from here to there on the SR-15 Commuter Bikeway is touted to be “more pleasant for everyone — people who walk, bike, work, and live there.” That, and the other future transportation projects, will bring convenient choices to Mid-City communities and contribute to the health of citizens and our climate.

Councilman Todd Gloria speaks with a constituent. (Photo by Jim Childers)

BUSINESS

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | MARCH 2016 |

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Accion Reports Record Loan Production Microlender also reports expansion, new staff and new board members Local microlender Accion last year had the highest year of production since its inception in 1994 with 329 loans disbursed in San Diego and Imperial counties to nearly 400 business owners for a total of more than $3.4 million.

Dollar amount of loans disbursed was up more than 20 percent in 2015 compared to $2.8 million in 2014.

Loan issuance was also up 25 percent compared to 262 in 2014. The organization’s active portfolio also surpassed $5 million dollars for the first time.

“We continue to be a vital resource for small businesses to access funding and business support services such as one-on-one coaching and workshops,” said Accion CEO Elizabeth Schott.

“Our loans empower start-up and existing entrepreneurs to create jobs in our community, increase their incomes, and contribute to the strength of our regional economy.”

On average, active Accion loan clients maintain and/or generate almost 1,000 jobs in the region.

In July, the organization expanded by servicing entrepreneurs in neighboring Imperial County. Of the 329 loans disbursed in 2015, 13 of those loans went to support Imperial County business owners.

Accion also hired its first remote business development officer, El Centro resident Diana Moreno-Inman.

Moreno-Inman has over 15 years of experience in the business development, marketing and banking industries with a passion for financial literacy.

“After 21 years of serving entrepreneurs in San Diego, we developed a strategic plan that was focused on efficient growth to meet the rising demand for services,” said Schott. “We

were able to exceed the goals we set for the region by disbursing more than $110,000 to Imperial Valley business owners in the second half of the year.”

Accion added San Bernardino and Riverside counties to its service areas in January.

Accion will work to service small business owners in these new counties using remote technology and staff from its regional office in San Diego, with plans to hire two business development officers to be based in each county in the coming months. Currently, the organization is working collaboratively with various community partners on the ground, such as the Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers, SCORE and economic development offices, which provide technical assistance and support services to business owners.

“Though we have expanded our service area, we remain committed to further growing and serving more San Diego-based businesses as well as offering support to these new regions,” said Schott.

Accion also added two new board members Lea Freeman, a venture capital associate at Qualcomm Ventures, and Joon Han, a longtime Accion volunteer and strategy specialist at Better San Diego.

Freeman serves as a financial analyst with Qualcomm Ventures and primarily assists in financial modelling, due diligence and tracking analysis for prospective and current investments.

Han is an accomplished serial entrepreneur and is a key strategic advisor to numerous social entrepreneurs throughout the year. He is also a TedX speaker, podcaster and author of the book “Get Ahead by Giving Back.”

they both preferred to be involved Elizabeth Schott began leading with a store that emphasized comAccion San Diego in 2009. It is a munity, health and quality customer nonprofit micro-lender that in 2009 service over profit. had a staff of seven and a loan port“Greg and I wanted to make it our folio of $2.6 million. Under her lead- own thing,” said Chad. “And grow it ership, Accion now has a staff of 15 how we want to grow it, as a comand the portfolio has surmunity based-enterprise passed the $5 million mark. rather than a sales-based Today, Accion serves enterprise.” more than 3,000 aspiring The community has and existing small business clearly taken notice of the owners, providing 1,000 of business, located at 2545 them with educational El Cajon Blvd. The store training or access to small resembles a sitcom set as loans ranging from $300 to much as it does a shoe Accion CEO $50,000. The almost 600 store, with a revolving cast Elizabeth Schott entrepreneurs in Accion’s of local characters coming client portfolio use their Accion in to shop or just shoot the breeze loans to start or grow their business with the ever-affable Chad and Greg. and better provide for their families, The Milestone hang-out crowd while also boosting the regional are often left talking among themeconomy and creating or sustaining selves, however, as customers fremore than 1,200 jobs in the San quently cycle in and out, each receivDiego region. Schott is a founding ing the full treatment from Chad or member of the San Diego Founda- Greg. First they undergo a “gait analtion Civic Leadership Fund Steering ysis,” which involves running on a Committee, founder and core leader treadmill in the store while Greg or of the San Diego Microfinance Chad films the way the potential Alliance and Summit, the Torrey customer’s feet land. Then, using Pines Bank Advisory Board, the their knowledge of exercise physiolComerica Advisory Committee and ogy gained from years working in supports charities focused on breast the industry, they assess the way a cancer awareness and research. customer’s foot rolls and use that assessment to recommend shoes Accion Client Spotlight: that fit the customer’s specific needs.

Running Hard with Milestone This first-class service comes with Running By Oren Rosenberg both current style running shoes, as Chad Crawford and Greg Lemon well as heavily-discounted styles have hardly had time to catch their from last year. Greg and Chad are breath, as business has been so hectic acutely aware that some customers at Milestone Running. They formed may have more limited means. the idea for their business while “We try to keep other brands or working together in a Los Angeles styles in stock that are a bit less area running store. Looking around, expensive so that everyone has access they saw a sales and commission- to a comparable level of quality in focused industry and decided that terms of shoe,” said Greg. “We even Accion’s Growth

Chad Crawford and Greg Lemon, owners of Milestone Running in North Park, obtained a $25,000 start-up loan from Accion.

keep shoes on sale on purpose.”

None of this would be possible, they said, without their $25,000 startup loan from Accion, which allowed them to build an inventory and design a retail location that would be pleasing both for customers and for the local running community.

Since receiving the loan in 2013, Milestone has almost tripled their sales, allowing them to reinvest earnings into more inventory to meet their growing demand. With this strategy, Greg and Chad are confident that they will continue to draw market share away from their competitors.

While their increase in sales is impressive, the numbers fail to fully capture the buzz Milestone Running is creating in their community.

Through working with like-minded organizations like the San Diego Track Club, as well as through their weekly Wednesday group runs that start in front of the store, Milestone Running’s impact reaches far beyond their bottom line.

They hope one day to expand to another location, but for now, Chad and Greg are focused on grassroots, word-of-mouth marketing and community involvement, which they believe will ensure the long-run success and viability of Milestone Running.

Small Business Groups React to Study Showing State Tax Incentives Favor Large Companies Advocates for Independent Business (AIB), a coalition of 15 national organizations representing small businesses, welcomed the release of new data showing conclusively that state economic development incentives overwhelmingly favor big business.

The study, Shortchanging Small Business, produced by the research group Good Jobs First, examined subsidy awards in 14 states and found that 90 percent of the $3.2 billion in incentives awarded went to large firms.

“It’s stunning to see just how much state economic development programs are biased against locally owned businesses,” said Stacy Mitchell, coordinator of AIB. “We know from extensive research that small businesses, especially new and growing firms, often deliver out-sized benefits to local economies. Yet, state governments are putting these businesses at a competitive disadvantage by steering billions

of dollars in public subsidies to their big corporate competitors. We hope this report will be a wake-up call for state lawmakers.”

Of the thousands of subsidy awards that Good Jobs First analyzed, all were granted by programs that are accessible, at least on paper, to both small and large companies. In practice, however, the study confirms that these programs are biased toward big business.

As a policy solution, the report recommends that states reform their incentive rules by tightening eligibility to exclude large recipients and by implementing safeguards such as dollar caps per deal and per company. The report also notes that big tax breaks often mean little to small businesses, and that the savings from these reforms would be best spent funding public goods like infrastructure and education that benefit all employers.

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OPINION

| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

San Diego’s Film Commission Ripe for a Reboot As San Diego considers reopening its local film office, which closed in 2013 amid huge staff cuts at the city’s Tourism Authority, the surrounding discussions have ranged from a film shoot’s marketing value for San Diego to the different roles local residents could play as extras.

The real value of a film shoot runs much deeper.

More than marketing and permit fees, bringing the film industry back to San Diego is about putting San Diegans to work in skilled positions that pay well. Even a simple commercial shoot would put a dozen technicians to work. These are long days at good wages. When that commercial leaves the city, those wages don’t. Those technicians buy their groceries and gas right here in town.

The same thing happens on a grander scale with a feature film or series.

Case in point: “Terriers,” a 13episode FX series shot in San Diego in 2010 that wasn’t renewed and few likely remember. Considered a failure by Hollywood standards, “Terriers” generated about $16 million in local spending, according to the mayor’s office.

Here’s the breakdown: nearly $1 million on rent paid to local property owners, more than $500,000 for hotel stays; almost $400,000 for food and $10.5 million on local wages.

San Diego can regularly generate that kind of money and much more because it happens to have some of the most effective tools for budget

predictability in the business: local labor talent, diverse locations and predictable, temperate weather.

The predictable weather is hugely important — and something that other trendy places like Portland and San Antonio can’t offer — because it adds up to consecutive shooting days. And consecutive shooting days add up to budget control. The varied locations found in San Diego, from our many distinct neighborhoods and businesses to the parks and beaches and even the military, also aid productions. Dramatic shifts in scenery can be accomplished in days, or even hours, rather than weeks or months.

Another big payoff is the crew. The larger a production’s crew is local, the lower the total labor cost. It’s always going to be less expensive for employees to sleep in their own beds versus a hotel in any business, and

film is no different. Hiring more locals just makes good business sense, more so when those dramatic shifts in scenery don’t require a new local crew. Those same dramatic shifts in scenery and reliable local crew also support a filmmaker’s need for flexibility, another huge value to filming in San Diego.

What San Diego doesn’t have, however, is a connector between all these benefits and production companies worldwide. This is where the film commission comes in.

The film commissions in various cities offer a variety of services to the production company, but the one common thread is permitting. San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas and Atlanta all issue permits for film production directly through their respective film offices. Ease of permitting becomes more vital when locations change. An effective film

office makes the initial permitting process easier, and it makes changes easier by directly coordinating with the film.

Right now in San Diego, a film production applies for a permit in the same office that the typical San Diegan would go to for permission to throw a block party. This is an invitation for problems — both with the production companies that don’t want to deal with bureaucrats who don’t understand the film business and with residents who have no say in the process.

Film offices staffed with people who understand how the business works can avoid these problems and develop a set of reasonable standards. Once developed and approved, the standards will be made readily available to the production company, even before first contact.

The film agrees to the conditions, the permit is issued, either by dedicated permitting officials or, better yet, by members of the film office.

To get a sense of what San Diego is missing out on, let’s go up the road to Portland, Ore., where the hit network series “Grimm” recently celebrated filming its 100th episode.

Years ago, Oregon set up an incentive program similar to what’s currently in place in California. Portland took that and created the Portland Film Office. When “Grimm” showed up in 2010, the Portland Film Office was there to help. Conservative estimates show over $250 million in direct spending going to Portland’s

‘UPRISING: Songs of Change’

Grammys and won two, for “Best Female Vocalist” and “Best Engineered Album,” respectively. In all Janis Ian has been nominated for 10 Grammys in eight different categories over a 50-year period. Her most recent Grammy nomination was this year in the “Best Spoken Word” category for the audiobook “Patience & Sarah.” This classic piece of historical fiction about two gay women “with a happy ending,” first self-published in 1969, was funded

by Ian and her wife, and co-narrated by actress Jean Smart.

Music and lyrics are about life experiences and, as Ian’s life has been full and colorful, so have her songs, as evidenced by her multiple awards, Grammy and Dove Award nominations and commendations.

Her songs have been recorded by singers as diverse as Cher, John Mellencamp, Celine Dion, Hugh Masakela, Nana Mouskouri, Charlie Daniels and Roberta Flack. Always one to follow her heart and her beliefs, Ian was one of the first celebrities to come out publicly. She and her partner of 27 years were formally married in Canada in 2003, the only place where gay marriage was legal at the time. Her roller coaster ride has taken her to Nashville, her home since 1988, where she continues to expand as

an artist, most recently narrating Olympic medalist Ginny Gilder’s autobiography and writing “Godzilla haiku” for her self-curated Facebook page.

This year, the fundraising concert will honor the influence and importance of music in social movements and life experiences in a celebration of triumph over adversity. With their voices and passion, the women of the San Diego Women’s Chorus will sing stories of empowerment and hope birthed around the world, from Germany to New York, Liberia to Louisiana, and Mexico to Massachusetts.

“The music for ‘UPRISING’ comes from our human need to wrestle with cultural and life-changing events through deep artistic experiences,” said Kathleen Hansen, artistic director of the San Diego Women’s Chorus. “The songs we’ll be singing are part of, or grew out of, protest and peace movements from throughout history and from around the globe — the Civil Rights era in America, the AIDS crisis in South Africa, the Holocaust, civil wars, the plight of refugees. Music has the power to connect people through times of turmoil and uncertainty, it can unite us emotionally and empower us socially and politically.”

‘Terriers,’ a TV series created by Ted Griffin that aired on FX from Sept. 8 to Dec. 1, in 2010, starred Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James, and was filmed in San Diego. (Photo: FX)

May concert with Janis Ian to raise funds for Lesbian Health Initiative and San Diego Women’s Chorus

This year marks 50 years since Ian recorded her first album, ‘Janis Ian,’ which featured the song ‘Society’s Child.’

San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, one of the largest LGBT organizations in the United States, and the San Diego Women’s Chorus will present “UPRISING: Songs of Change” on Sunday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego.

The concert will feature the 85voice San Diego Women’s Chorus and welcome special guest, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, Janis Ian as the event’s VIP performer. This concert marks the third year of collaboration between the two nonprofits to raise funds for SDHDF’s Lesbian Health Initiative and SDWC. This year marks 50 years since Ian recorded her first album, “Janis Ian,” which featured the song “Society’s Child” and got her first Grammy nomination for “Best Folk Album.”

It also marks 40 years since the 1976 Grammys, when “At Seventeen” and “Between the Lines” were up for five

BY MIKE HARRIS NORMAL HEIGHTS RESIDENT

economy thanks to the show, according to the Portland Business Journal.

When you include indirect spending, some estimates from the governor’s office have the total contribution of “Grimm” at over $750 million. This is just five years later.

Grimm also provides 332 full-time jobs to Oregonians, the majority living right there in Portland. Granted, 100 episodes is pretty long and rare for a show these days. “Terriers,” however, has clearly taught us that a series doesn’t need to be a raging success to create a substantial positive impact on the economics of a community. What does have to happen is the film has to get here.

California’s incentive program set aside $330 million in tax credits for filming in California for the next three fiscal years. What’s important is when the film has to apply. With no local film office, San Diego is in line to pick up nothing. There is not a single series, cable or network, considering San Diego for its shoot.

This is decidedly not the case for San Francisco, Santa Barbara or even Santa Clarita, each of which has a film office staffed with full-time employees dedicated to making filming in their region as simple as possible.

“The San Diego Women’s Chorus is all about the power of music and the power of women,” said Heather Robert, board president, SDWC. “Our music is our activism and this concert is a tribute to the activists of the past and an appeal to the activist impulse of the present. Our hope is that, after the audience listens to these songs about women and men from history who fought for freedom, equality, and dignity, they will be moved to rise up and push back against the injustices that remain today.”

A portion of the proceeds from the concert will directly benefit health care organizations who serve low-income lesbians and bisexuals throughout San Diego County.

There are several barriers that lesbians face when it comes to their health and health care. According to a 2005 LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) women’s needs assessment performed by the San Diego LGBT Community Center, barriers to care and services include: having no or inadequate health insurance, having low income, living in areas where there is a shortage of culturally competent health and social service providers, and cultural beliefs about healthcare and healthcare providers that reduce utilization of available services.

Mike Harris is a stagehand who lives in Normal Heights. Harris’ commentary appears in the Voice of San Diego (.voiceofsandiego.org)

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By Bart Mendoza Every Thursday Lafayette Hotel’s Mixtape Thursdays Showcase Anyone looking for a stylish weekday evening event should head to the historic Lafayette Hotel for Mixtape Thursdays music and art showcase. The free, all ages gathering runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with upcoming shows set to include artists, with their works, alongside solo performers such as Raelee Nikole (March 24) and Jessica Lerner (April 7), as well as bands like lounge combo Casino Royale with Normandie Wilson (April 21). Located in the lobby right next to the hotel’s famous swimming pool and pub, these shows are a great way to have a little fun on a weeknight and still make it in to work on time the next day. www.lafayettehotelsd.com Peter Murphy

Jessica Lerner

April 1 Cult Hero Peter Murphy in Acoustic Mode

March 23 Join Louis Brazier’s Birthday Celebration Longtime Lestat’s music manager and soundman Louis Brazier celebrates his birthday on March 23 with a rare performance from his band, Louie & The Koodies. A beloved fixture of San Diego’s arts community, Brazier works tirelessly to support local artists. He knows just about everybody, so expect a host of musical friends joining in on the onstage fun, with the selections for the night comprised of classic sing-along rock chestnuts. Stop by to say “Happy Birthday” and give thanks to Brazier for all he’s done to keep San Diego’s music scene so vibrant. www.lestats.com

Though Peter Murphy has never had a U.S. hit record, either with legendary ’80s-era goth band Bauhaus, his follow up, Dali’s Car or as a solo performer since 1986, there are few performers from the era as influential in both look and sound. Appearing at the Irenic on April 1, songs such as gloomy “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” have been required listening for generations of teenagers dressed in black, a cult hero who has been the inspiration for both a legion of bands in his musical wake and to several comics artists, such as Neil Gaiman, who used his image for a character in the book, “Sandman.” For this performance Murphy will be in stripped down acoustic mode, drawing material from his latest album, “Remixes From Lion,” as well as vintage favorites such as “Cuts You Up.” www.theirenic.com

Louis Brazier

March 26 Feline Fun With the Mittens

Mittens

What is it about cats that has so captured the public’s hearts? Anyone who enjoys our feline friends and really good girl group-inspired indie rock will want to take a listen to Mittens. The quartet is a self described “cat-pop” group, their music appealing to fans of Blondie, The Bangs or The Shangri-Las. Celebrating the release of their selftitled debut album, the band will perform at Bar Pink on March 26, part of a bill that includes Schizophonics and The Touchies. Mittens is a lot of fun and has a wealth of great tunes in their set list, such as chiming melodic rocker, “Heart of Me,” but the key to the band’s sound is the close harmony vocals of frontwomen Lia and Mona Mitten, which top the songs like sweet icing on a very good cake. www.barpink.com Dani Bell & The Tarantist

March 26 Not to Miss — San Diego Beatles Fair

Denny Laine

Beatles fans won’t want to miss the 14th annual San Diego Beatles Fair, taking place at Queen Bee on March 26. Starting at noon, there will be two stages of music this year, with a mainstage hosting such Fab Four-themed groups as The Rollers, The Baja Bugs and Nicolas Peters: Tribute to Ringo Starr as well as rising young troubadoue Cody Lovaas. Meanwhile, there will also be an acoustic stage with area singer-songwriters, including Sal Filipelli, Gabriela Aparicio and Skyler Lutes performing their take on Lennon-McCartney classics. However, the events’ highlight will be a rare appearance by Denny Laine, a founding member of both the Moody Blues and Paul McCartney’s other legendary band, Wings, singing all his hits, from “Go Now” to “Time To Hide.” This is the only Beatles themed event of its kind in California this year, classic rock and pop fans will enjoy every second. www.sandiegobeatlesfair.com.

April 1 Fast-Paced Music Showcase at the Music Box While it may sometimes seem that tribute bands and DJs have taken over much of the local music scene, proof positive that local, original music is alive and well can be seen in the success of local label The Redwoods and it’s Revue shows. Next taking place at the Music Box on April 1, these events are a fast-paced music showcases, using shared musicians, much like the Motown Revues, or perhaps Dick Clark All Star shows of the 1960s. This night will feature percussion /dance duo Dani Bell & The Tarantist, soul and funk combo Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact, indie folk quartet The Midnight Pine and ’60s-influenced garage pop chanteuse, Birdy Bardot — a great bill showing both the diversity of San Diego’s music as well as the camaraderie. www.musicboxs.com

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ADDRESS PO Box 3679, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 PHONE (858) 461-4484 North Park News distributes copies monthly to residents and businesses of North Park, South Park, Golden Hill and Normal Heights.

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A city of San Diego ribbon-cutting usually isn’t something to howl about, but this time there were plenty of eager dogs barking, scrambling, and sniffing about in the big and small dog off-leash play areas.

On Saturday, Feb. 13, people and their pooches turned out for the grand opening of Ward Canyon Dog Park in Normal Heights. District 3 Councilman Todd Gloria was there to start the ceremony by cutting the ribbon and congratulating the Normal Heights Community Association on its newest neighborhood asset.

Also in attendance were City Park and Recreation Director Herman Parker, Assistant Director Andy Field, members of Gloria’s staff, including Anthony Bernal, Adriana Martinez, Nick Serrano, and about 50 dogs and their humans.

Not a dog owner himself, but as one who loves dogs, Gloria helped get the funding for this improvement to the community park. No work had been done toward creating a dog park since it was first approved back in 2013, one of the “pet” projects desired by the quite active Normal Heights Community Association.

The total cost of the approved General Development Plan Amendment is estimated at $8 million, and would eventually include a community garden, parking, and realignment of the Interstate 15 on/off ramps, in addition to the dog park.

Gloria requested $1.2 million to design Phase 1, but when it was not included in the mayor’s budget, the

BY SUSAN TAYLOR PHOTOS BY JIM CHILDERS

The grand opening attracted a curious crowd of dogs and their owners.

City Council voted to allocate $100,000 for one part of the proposed plan, an interim dog park.

On this sunny and warm day, seeing the balloons and crowd, Jessica McCabe led her St. Bernard, Chubs,

over to the dog park to get a look.

They live in Talmadge and are happy to have a dog park closer to home than her usual destination of South Park.

Jessica wasn’t sure how Chubs

would like the synthetic groundcover, but she said it was better than the dirt surface at other areas which make for a grimy dog, especially one that is prone to drooling. She said she would bring Chubs there after work even though the area is unlit, because there would be time to play before it got dark.

“It seems safe,” said Armando Mendez of Lemon Grove. His boxer, Kobe, spends most days half indoors, and half outdoors, so having a place to run around and socialize with other dogs are reasons he will travel to Ward Canyon Park.

Normal Heights residents Jen Stanley and Jazvelyn Ruiz will be bringing dogs Doajjah and Spartacus to the dog park, but they will have to communicate through the chain link fence separating big dogs like rottweilers from dachshunds. Jazvelyn rides her bike and exercises her dog at the same time, so the short distance from her house is perfect.

“Leave Only Paw Prints” the sign reads above the poop bag dispenser.

It can be said that most people are conscientious, picking up trash and other items that could be harmful to dogs.

Some dog owners heeled at the sight of the groundcover, commenting that the wood chips were an “issue” for their pets, unnatural, and strange to the touch. The chips are actually not uncommon in city dog parks, and have the benefits of suppressing weeds, beautifying the landscape, and impose no risk if ingested.

Neighbors will also appreciate that SEE DOGS, Page 15

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odor and dust are reduced.

This reporter returned with her dog the day after the grand opening and, as promised, the gates were open. Bowls of water were provided for thirsty pups, and except for one other dog in the area, it didn’t appear to have attracted too many users.

The two dogs seemed fine with the size and surface, and, after getting to know each other in the usual doggie way, ran around a bit.

To access Ward Canyon Park, turn south on 39th Street off of Adams Avenue at the corner of the Community Policing office. Follow 39th Street a short block and the park can be seen straight ahead. Street parking is fairly plentiful and there is a small parking lot that faces the basketball courts.

39th Street also dead ends coming north from Madison Avenue. There is limited street parking there in front of the many apartment buildings, but a stone staircase draws you down into the park onto the winding concrete sidewalk, which leads in the direction of the dog park going east toward I15.

Amenities in Ward Canyon Park, in addition to the dog park, include covered picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, , a fenced athletic field, terraced concrete seating in the spacious grassy area, and lamp posts of a vintage design. Large trees of various kinds offer shade and beauty, and gentle hills invite lounging on the well-maintained lawn.

Truly a multi-use recreational facility, Ward Canyon Park is perfect for a family outing, a catered party, a pleasant stroll, or a place to let the dog get some exercise and face time with other dogs.

Diversity is part of the Normal Heights demographic, and it is common to hear a mix of Spanish, Arabic, and English. A longer run with the dog might include picking up a hamburger, pizza, ice cream, or coffee in either direction, heading toward Kensington or the business district in Normal Heights. Find this oasis just west of I-15 and enjoy everything it offers.

This pup appears to be taking a nap in the carryon pouch of its owner.

Councilman Todd Gloria addresses visitors to the dog park grand opening.

Dog park visitors listen to remarks at the grand opening.

Dogs and their owners enter the fenced dog park.

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Located in the Heart of the “Adams Avenue Village” | 3401 Adams Avenue, Suite A ƅŎĿěƖíLjěíƅƀƐ Î ƅŎĿěƖíLjěƐƀƀí Šü±ƻš È ƵƵƵţÆŅƻŸƋŅŞåƋÏţÏŅĵ Î ŞųĜĹƋ±ĹÚĵ±ĜĬÄÏŅƻţĹåƋ

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | MARCH 2016 |

Cannibals: Myth & Reality Everything you may not want to know about cannibalism “Cannibals: Myth & Reality,” the new exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Man, is a one-ofa-kind look at how and why humans have eaten humans — as ritual, as medicine, for survival, and more.

It’s the museum’s largest exhibit in three years. and replaces “Instruments of Torture,” which closedin January.

The new exhibit includes:

you can make better choices than the Donner Party did.

• A look at cannibalism in pop culture.

• Evidence of cannibalism in colonial America.

• The moving story of the Uruguayan rugby team that made the difficult choice of cannibalism after crashing in the Andes mountains.

• A look at cannibalism aboard drifting or • The horrifying cannibalism during the siege wrecked ships. Visitors can draw straws to find of Leningrad during World War II. out which of your group would have died so the others could live.

• Finally, figure out if you already do things that make you a cannibal, too.

• A close examination of how Columbus and other Europeans falsely called non-Europeans In this thoughtful one-of-a-kind exhibit, you’ll cannibals so that they would be justified in sub- discover that cannibals aren’t who you think jugating them and using them as slaves. they are. They’re warriors from many cultures, European kings and queens, American and • The use of the human body as medicine, European sailors, American colonists, accident including “corpse medicine” made from survivors, the sick, and more. ground-up mummies.

Step into the apothecary shop to find out how the human body has been used as • A video game in which you find out whether medicine.

Canine and human teeth necklace, early 20th century. Gift of DeWitt C. Drury. Objects like this were eagerly sought by European explorers and traders who began visiting New Guinea by the late 1800s. They also helped to solidify the reputation of this region as a wild and savage place with inhabitants that were uncivilized and likely cannibals. Necklaces like these were considered very valuable and occasionally used as a kind of currency.

Ceremonial Bowl, Aztec, 1350-1500 AD. Dr. Geoffrey A. Smith Collection. Human sacrifices served a critical role in Aztec culture, and were conducted according to a strict set of rules. People chosen for sacrifice were no longer considered human but instead as stand-ins for gods. Their blood sacrifice fulfilled a debt all people owed the gods for granting life and civilization. Knives like the stone one on display were used to ritually remove the heart. The ceremonial vessels are similar to ones used to hold hearts which were consumed by the most elite priests and members of the ruling family.

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| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

FFUN & GAMMES

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SENIORS

Senior Services Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia can be a daunting and exhausting task, even if a loved one has only mild to moderate memory impairment.

Are they going to wander? Can I meet their special needs? Where do they go when I’m at work or away for other tasks?

These are just some of the many worries and questions one has while caring for a memoryimpaired loved one. St. Paul’s Senior Services’ Senior Day Program is designed to take some of the stress and worry away from the caregivers, and provide engagement, stimulation and socialization for the individual with dementia.

The Senior Day Program, offered every Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Community Care Center in San Diego, provides families a safe option for care for loved ones with mild to moderate memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s or other related dementia. The program cares for the whole person: socially, physically, mentally and spiritually. This care includes activities such as arts (drawing, painting, music), storytelling, recreation (games, exercises, field trips), nature (animals, plants, gardening, nature walks), food (cooking, eating together), teaching, and conversation.

To ensure the seniors are getting the special attention and quality care needed, all St. Paul’s activity coordinators and caregivers are certified nursing assistants.

What makes St. Paul’s Senior Day Program unique is that it is an intergenerational program with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age who interact with the seniors several times each day. Studies have shown that the benefits of intergenerational programs include promoting acceptance and understanding, developing empathy and respect, and an increased sense of worth for both seniors and children.

“St. Paul’s is proud to offer one of the first intergenerational day care programs in Southern California, and the only intergenerational program in San Diego,” says Melissa Stintson, Senior Day supervisor. “Our intergenerational care brings together children and seniors to benefit the lives of both populations. Children learn to develop empathy and respect while our seniors develop an increased sense of self worth.

Many families report that their loved one comes home more engaged and he/she sleeps better at night as a result of spending a day with us.”

St. Paul’s Senior Day Program is very flexible as to how the family chooses the frequency a senior attends the program. They also have the option of attending a half day (up to 5 hours) or a full day, and both options include a hot lunch and morning and afternoon snacks.

Many families bring their loved one in on the way to work knowing their loved one is safe and well cared for in the secure environment.

For more information about St. Paul’s Senior Day Program and to set up a complimentary guest pass, you can call (619) 239-6900 or visit the website (www.stpaulseniors.org). The program is offered at St. Paul’s Community Care Center, 328 Maple St., San Diego.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | MARCH 2016 |

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Intergenerational program offers safe day services for senior care givers

The program brings together children and seniors to benefit the lives of both.

A senior carries on a conversation with a young guest.

Senior Day Hours and Pricing Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Half-Day: Up to 5 hours: $55. Daily rates include lunch for participants arriving at or before noon.

Full Day: Up to 10 hours: $80. Daily rate includes lunch.

A Senior Day Program group visits the San Diego Maritime Museum.

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DOWNTOWN

| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

New Signs Help Residents and Visitors Navigate Downtown Civic San Diego project cost $1.9 million Residents and visitors will have an easier time navigating Downtown San Diego by foot, car or bike after Civic San Diego installed more than 200 new wayfinding signs at a cost of $1.9 million.

Those unfamiliar with the neighborhood, or getting around on foot or by bike have long been faced with the challenge of reaching their destination using outdated signs originally designed for drivers, the agency said in announcing the project.

“At Civic San Diego, we seek creative ways to improve neighborhood infrastructure and the quality of life in our urban communities.

As our community grows and we continually attract more residents, businesses, and visitors Downtown, we saw an opportunity to not only meet the growth objectives of the

neighborhood, but also make it easier for everyone to navigate around this unique part of our city,” said Reese A. Jarrett, president of Civic San Diego. “Downtown has a wealth of history, attractions and businesses, and with our wayfinding project now complete, everyone, whether they’re walking, biking or driving can enjoy mobility with ease.”

The program was launched to replace aging signage throughout Downtown’s eight neighborhoods.

The completed project includes a new comprehensive pedestrian wayfinding, vehicular wayfinding, destination signage, Downtown gateway signage and kiosks with printed maps of Downtown.

The preferred design for the signage was selected through three public open houses and nearly 50

stakeholder interviews. Based on this community and stakeholder input the preferred design was chosen to create a consistent and new Downtown brand that could accommodate the character of its many unique districts, and enhance community interaction, resident socializing and business vitality.

Funding for the $1.9 million project was provided primarily through a reinvestment of dedicated parking-related revenue streams through the Downtown Community Parking District and a $335,000 grant from the San Diego Association of Governments.

Maintenance agreements were also established with the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Little Italy Association and San Diego Unified Port District to perform upkeep of the signs in their respective areas.

Kiosk in Marina District

Downtown Gateway 10th and Ash

Vehicular Sign F & 15th Before

Vehicular Sign F & 15th After East Village Compass at Petco Park

SPORTS

BATTER UP! Mid-City Little League ushers in new season The world has changed in dramatic ways over the last 67 years. And yet, Mid-City Little League has stood resolute against time, continuing to teach young men and women about the simple, remarkably unchanged pastime of baseball and the far more complicated and nuanced game of life.

Through the years, the basic guiding principles have remained the same, as set forth on the league’s website: “Mid-City Little League is singularly committed to the development of character and sportsmanship.

By providing the area’s youth with a safe, healthy, and accepting environment in which to learn the fundamentals of baseball, Mid-City Little League instills values that promote citizenship and community responsibility.”

The dedicated volunteers who run MCLL take very seriously the responsibilities this mission statement reflects. They passionately believe that what they are doing is a little bit about baseball and lot about life. They maintain the district's lowest registration fees and sponsor those players who are unable to afford the fees…or mitts…or pants…or cleats, or anything else, for that matter. This is a league that places a premium on inclusiveness, on creating a home where economic station, race, ethnicity, and baseball pedigree are of no consequence.

Everyone belongs; everyone matters.

On Opening Day March 5 hun-

dreds gathered to ring in a new baseball season. With a giant balloon arch, a manicured infield, and sponsor banners setting the stage, President Mark Rowland welcomed the crowd with words that stirred the souls of eager players and brought smiles to the faces of adults recalling their own formative years.

Parents proudly gazed at their sharp-looking children and wondered just how long those pants would remain free of grass stains. As the rich scent of nachos filled the air, coaches completed lineup cards for what promised to be adventure-filled and unpredictable first games. The mood was spectacularly festive. City Council President Pro Tem and District 9 Representative Marti Emerald was on hand to welcome the crowd, speak to the value of little league, and throw out the first pitch.

During an age of the selfie and “me”-dominated social media, where people often seek attention for themselves, it is wonderfully refreshing to see a group of people volunteering their time for no other reason than to lift the lives of others.

In 67 years, Mid-City Little League has never taken a team to Williamsport, Pa., for the Little League World Series. And that’s just fine by the MCLL volunteers. They will tell you that if they can touch, or inspire, or connect with one child through a simple game that has bound generations of Americans, all of their work will have been worth it.

DIVISIONS Tee Ball Tee Ball baseball is for boys and girls generally 5 to 6 years old (and some 4 year olds depending on their date of birth) who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. In Tee Ball, players hit a ball off a batting tee. Rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching. The primary goals of Tee Ball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of baseball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork.

CAPS The CAPS division is for boys and girls generally age 7 to 8. At the beginning of the season, the ball is pitched either by a coach or pitching machine. Later in the season, player pitching is incorporated.

Minors The Minors division is for boys and girls with less experience than players in the Majors division. Generally, Minors players are 9 to 10 years old. Players pitch to each other in the Minors division.

Majors The Majors division is for boys and girls with more experience than players in the Minors division. Generally, Majors players are 11 to 12 years old. Players pitch to each other in the Majors division.

Juniors The Junior division is for boys and girls ages 13-14, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches.

From the Juniors division, the team may enter the International Tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Junior League Baseball World Series, featuring teams from around the globe.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | MARCH 2016 |

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| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

Adam Day Receives Eight-Year Term On Cal State University Board of Trustees Kensington resident Adam Day, assistant tribal manager for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, has been reappointed to the California State University Board of Trustees by Gov. Jerry Brown. Day, 45, was appointed to an eight-year term. He was originally appointed to the board in 2014 to replace a board member who had died. The state Senate has confirmed his appointment.

Day is the son of Thomas Day, former president of San Diego State Uni-

versity.

Most recently, Day was chairman of the San Diego Citizens Stadium Advisory Group commissioned by Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Day was general manager at NCG Porter Novelli from 2000 to 2002, vice president at the Flannery Group from 1999 to 2000 and chief of staff in San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s Office from 1996 to 1999, where he was senior policy adviser from 1993 to 1995. Day served as

March h 5 - 31, 2016

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Soph h ie’ss Ga alllery

Both Sides, Now N

deputy chief of staff in the office of San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox from 1995 to 1996, was campaign manager for the Dianne Jacob for Supervisor campaign from 1992 to 1993, a policy adviser in the office of San Diego County Supervisor George Bailey from 1990 to 1992 and served as defense and foreign affairs legislative assistant in the office of U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson in 1990.

The compensation fot the position is $100 per diem.

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Sophie’s Kensington o Gallery 4186 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA C 92116 Ph: 619.654.3679 654.3679 Open: T Tuesday uesday - Saturday 12-5pm Closed Sundayy & Monday

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MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | MARCH 2016 |

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| MARCH 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

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