Serving San Diego’s Premier Urban Communities for 21 Years sdnorthparknews.com
Vol. 21 No. 5 May 2013
Innovative Cinema Debuts in North Park Media Arts San Diego opens screening room for local, foreign and independent films BY CECILIA BUCKNER
Gloria Might Have Played Key Role in Move That Cost the City $500,000 Councilman calls campaign accusation ‘gutter politics’ BY ANDREW KEATTS | VOICE OF SAN DIEGO
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP) will receive more than $500,000 from taxpayers because a jury found late last year that the city unfairly rejected its expansion project. The school’s lawyers won their case by arguing City Councilman Todd Gloria improperly pressured city staff into changing a vital report on the project four years ago. That change cleared the way for the City Council to reject the school’s plans. Gloria denies any wrongdoing, but there is significant evidence to suggest he tampered in the planning process. In 2007, OLP asked the city to approve its plans to expand its classroom and parking facilities to better serve its over-capacity enrollment. The council eventually voted to reject the project. Before the council killed the project, SEE GLORIA, Page 5
Ethan van Thillo, founder of the Media Arts Center San Diego, sits in one of the comfortable seats at the center’s new cinema.
Until now, the primary focus of the Media Arts Center San Diego Digital Gym in North Park was to provide programs for the community that teach filmmaking and video skills. Offering such programs as the Teen Producers Project — involving teens in the filming of documentaries, the nonprofit producer of the annual San Diego Latino Film Festival recently added another element to its venue — a 49-seat film screening cinema. The theater aspect of the center made its debut in March, while the film festival was getting underway. The cinema features foreign, locally produced and independent films that never made it to the big screen. “I Am Not a Hipster,” a film by San Diego State grad Destin Daniel Cretton, which was primarily shot in San Diego, was one of the first films to be screened at the cinema. The hour and a half film follows the life of a sorrowful singer/songwriter confronted with
the death of his mother and shows how music and family played a role in his healing. “They’re filling an extremely important role in the art community,” Cretton said about MACSD. “They’re able to play movies there that you wouldn’t get to see anywhere else. Their seats are really comfy too.” MACSD moved to the vacant, graffiti-ridden, former auto parts site on 30th and El Cajon Boulevard from a Craftsman home in Golden Hill about two years ago. The neighborhood was still transforming itself from an area known for crime and prostitution, to an area known for restaurants, coffee shops, home brew supplies and now a new movie theater/technology space, according to Ethan van Thillo, executive director and founder of the center. Thanks to volunteers and supporters, the 30th and El Cajon Boulevard
The Media Arts Center San Diego Digital Gym is at 2921 El Cajon Blvd.
SEE CINEMA, Page 7
Astronomers Discover Two Habitable Zone ‘Super Earths’ What can artists create from an old encyclopedia? Tish McAllise Sjoberg, owner of Expressive Arts San Diego (above), and a group of other artists have created an assortment of weird and whimsical art pieces out of an old encyclopedia set that was donated to the gallery. They are on exhibit until June 8.
A team of astronomers, including two from SDSU, have discovered two Earth-like planets with the potential to support life. A team of astronomers, including two from San Diego State University, announced the discovery of a five-planet system with two super-Earth-sized planets in the “habitable zone.” The detection was made using NASA’s Kepler space telescope, which launched in 2009, on a mission to find Earth-like planets.
Story on Page 10. SEE EARTHS, Page 14
An artist’s rendition of the Kepler-62f exoplanet, the most Earth-like planet found to date on the Kepler mission. Credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech.
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(619) 889-5420 | www.aftonmiller.com | amiller786@aol.com
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4 | sdnorthparknews.com | May 2013
Ask Dr. Z (Editor’s Note: South Park’s Dr. Tara Zandvliet -Dr. Z — answers common — and not so common — health questions for our readers.) Q. What sunscreen should I use on my children? On me? I recommend sunscreen whenever you will be out in the sun more than 15 minutes. Be sure to put a lot on at least 15 minutes before you go out, and reapply every hour or two, and anytime you come out of the water. That includes those that say “waterproof” or “sweat resistant.” Avoid ingredients like Retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, and “nanoparticles.” Use ones with zinc oxide or titanium oxide, and avobenzene. Get an SPF 15 to 30 to protect against cancer — anything over that is overkill. And watch the expiration date — they really mean it. Do not use sunscreen in an infant less than 6 months old. They absorb too much of it, and they need to stay completely out of the sun. Lightweight long sleeve footies and a hat work really well, and a sun umbrella or sun shade for the park or beach. And that’s a good idea for the rest of us too! Q. What is heat exhaustion? How is it different from heat stroke? Both are brought on by being in very hot circumstances or doing strenuous exercise in the heat. Heat stroke has the neurologic symptoms like passing out, having a seizure, getting confused, etc. Their temperature often reaches over 104 degrees F, and they have vomiting, diarrhea, and stop sweating. They often shiver, even though they are extremely hot. This is a medical emergency that should involve calling 911. Heat exhaustion is still very severe, but does not involve the neurologic problems. They may have the shivers, diarrhea, vomiting, profuse sweating, increased temperature, headache, muscle cramps and dizziness. Prompt medical attention, cooling down, rest, and rehydration are needed. People are predisposed if they have trouble sweating, are not conditioned to work or exercise in the heat, the elderly and the young, and people taking certain medicines — water pills, stimulants (including energy drinks), blood pressure pills, anti-depressants, or heart medication. So when it first starts getting warm, go slow on the exercise and time out in the sun. Go for a few hours to the beach instead of the whole day, or decrease the intensity of your run or the length of your bike ride. Pour water over yourself to cool off, especially if you don’t sweat well, take breaks in the shade, and hydrate well! Q. Can you ever drink too much water? Yep! If you drink a lot of pure water, and don’t eat much, you can lower the salt level in your body to a dangerous level and have seizures, brain damage and death. Babies whose formulas are mixed with too much water or are given too much of the herbal colic remedies of Manzanilla tea (Chamomille) often succumb. Athletes in marathons, long bike rides or triathlons are at risk because of the copious hydration (good job — see previous question), but paucity of eating to supply the salt over the long event. You don’t need to always drink sports drinks (too much sugar), but do eat some pretzels or beef jerky here and there with it. Dr. Tara Zandvliet welcomes your questions. Send them to questions@southparkdoctor.com. She practices at 2991 Kalmia St. Phone: (619) 929-0032.
May 2013 | sdnorthparknews.com | 5
GLORIA CONTINUED FROM Page 1
Gloria met with a city staffer involved in the city’s formal review of the school’s proposal. That same staffer instructed the author of a key report to change its conclusion to better reflect Gloria’s position on the project. Gloria used the changed report to justify rejecting the project, reciting its new conclusion nearly verbatim to his council colleagues, who then voted against the expansion. Presented with this evidence, a district court judge ruled last year there was sufficient evidence for the case to go before a jury. The judge specifically cited Gloria’s involvement, and the pressure placed on city staff to change the project’s official report. Five months later, a jury found the city treated the school unfairly, and awarded the school $1.1 million in damages. In February, the school and council agreed to settle for $500,000 plus the cost to relocate the homes. The city agreed not to appeal the verdict. Amplifying the verdict was an accusation about why Gloria may have inserted himself in the process: The school’s attorneys claimed in court that the councilman killed the project to satisfy a neighborhood group that later helped pay back debt from his 2008 election campaign. Gloria says that’s nonsense. He may have taken money from the group that opposed the project, but he also took donations from Our Lady of Peace supporters, he said. “It All Looked Pretty Disgusting”
“I live in a 300-square-foot studio apartment,” Gloria said. “If I’m on the take, I’m not doing it right.” Our Lady of Peace’s case was based on a critical change made to a city report on its expansion project. In early 2009, the council held two meetings to discuss the school’s planned expansion. A staff report provided to the council at the first meeting said the project fit within North Park’s community plan, a document drawn up by community members to guide neighborhood development. But a month later, the staff’s conclusion had been changed to say it was inconsistent with the community plan. Staff reports provide the council informational background on any item. The council sometimes votes against the city staff’s official recommendation, but in land use cases like this, council members legally must base their vote on a specific fact provided in the item’s supporting materials. They can’t arbitrarily rule for or against something. Between the council meetings, two key things happened: Gloria met with a staffer charged with collecting city reports on the project, and that same staffer instructed a colleague to change a report’s conclusion to better align with Gloria’s preference, according to court documents. That wasn’t simply a coincidence, claimed the school’s attorneys. They say Gloria told city staff to change the determination, and then used the change to justify denying the project. “Only after the planner changed the report did Todd have an in to deny the project,” said Dan Dalton, lead lawyer for Our Lady of Peace. “The jury saw that, and it all looked pretty disgusting.” Consistency Is Key
Since it was first discussed in 2006, Our Lady of Peace’s expansion project had been a contentious issue in the neighborhood surrounding the school, an area between University Heights and Normal Heights that’s adopted the
moniker “BeHi” for “Between Heights.” The final plan called for removing two historic, Spanish eclectic-style homes the school owned to build a large classroom building and parking garage. In September 2008, the local community planning group voted against the project, but that vote was just a recommendation to the Planning Commission, a citywide body that votes on changes to San Diego’s land use policies. Almost a month later, the project won unanimous approval from the Planning Commission. Because the project was deemed consistent with the community plan, the Planning Commission, rather than the council, had final say on approving the project. But when neighbors appealed the Planning Commission’s decision, the project went to the council for a final decision. The council heard the appeal in January 2009. The hearing lasted more than five hours. Ardent supporters and opponents in council chambers showed support during public comments by waving their arms above their heads, rather than through applause, on the request of then-Council President Ben Hueso, who thought it would speed up the proceedings. At the council hearing, Gloria, who had been elected a few months earlier to represent the council district in which the school is located, made a motion to reject the construction proposal. He based his move on the fact that North Park’s community plan called for the preservation of historic resources. An environmental report on the project said relocating or demolishing the homes would irreparably damage their historic character. Gloria said those facts proved the project contradicted the community plan, which says preserving historic resources should be a priority. ThenCouncilwoman Donna Frye strongly opposed the project, too. It was obvious, she said, that the project wasn't consistent with the community plan. But the staff report said otherwise. While it noted the historical resources issue, the original version of the report said those concerns were essentially trumped by other benefits the project would bring to the community. That made things tricky for the council members who opposed the school’s plans. They couldn’t just deem the project inconsistent with the community plan — they needed a staff report backing up that conclusion. And killing the project based on such an inconsistency, rather than some other reason, was the best way to shield the council from lawsuits going forward, legal experts said. Cory Briggs, an attorney who often sues over land use deals, said a city is in a much stronger position if it can point to a report saying a project violates a community plan. “You always want to be in front of the judge saying, ‘They got it right’ … rather than saying, ‘They got it wrong, and here’s why.’” At that first hearing, the council voted to continue the discussion a month later. Between the two hearings, Gloria met with the city staffer in charge of managing the city’s reports on the project, Michelle Sokolowski. In court and again in a recent interview, Gloria said the meeting was a follow-up to the discussion at the first hearing and that he didn’t remember what he and Sokolowski talked about. Sokolowski didn’t respond to a request for comment. Also in the period between the two hearings, Sokolowski instructed a colleague, city planner Marlon Pangilinan,
to change his report stating the school’s project was consistent with the community plan. In a Feb. 9 email, Pangilinan wrote to Sokolowski, “Let me know if you this is sufficient (sic). I figure that you can still use the language in the finding all the way up to the very last paragraph where it says the project would not affect the (community plan), and just add this paragraph.” The new paragraph included in the email concludes that removing the historic homes would adversely affect the community plan's objectives for preserving architectural variety. Sokolowski, the city staffer who had met with Gloria, forwarded the new conclusion to the city attorney’s office. She told them city staff had prepared a conclusion allowing for the denial of the construction. According to court documents, Pangilinan said this was the only time he could recall in his 10 years with the city that he’s been asked to change one of his conclusions. He also said his opinion on the project never changed, but that he wrote the new conclusion because Sokolowski told him to. Elected representatives aren’t barred from asking city staff to change a report. But Kelly Broughton, head of the city’s development services department, said in his deposition that doing so would violate the department’s internal procedures and training practices. “My experience with the department has always been that management, my managers from when I first started with the city, and I’ve maintained the same position, that it’s inappropriate for decision-makers to talk with staff about development projects going through process if it’s a project that will be before them at some point in time,” Broughton said, according to court documents. At the beginning of the second council hearing, Gloria made the same motion to kill the project he had tried to make at the first hearing. He supported it by reading, nearly word for word, the new determination in the staff report that Pangilinan had been asked to write. “Based upon these findings and the findings of the information contained in the staff report, I move that the (construction project) be denied,” Gloria said. The council rejected the project on a 5-3 vote. Our Lady of Peace sued the city over the rejection, under a federal law that restricts how cities can apply land use regulations on religious entities. The school alleged the decision put an unreasonable burden on its ability to pursue its religious mission. U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo ruled there was substantial evidence to send the case before a jury. Her ruling pointed specifically to the city staffer being told to rewrite his conclusion on the project, and Gloria’s meeting with city staff before the council ultimately rejected the plan. “Plaintiff has presented evidence that, among other things … the city planner was pressured to draft ‘reverse findings’ so that a report would say that the plan was not consistent with the neighborhood plan, something he testified he had never been requested to do,” Bencivengo wrote. She wrote that “city staff met with Councilman Gloria, who allegedly lead [sic] the charge to deny OLP’s permits, in the interim period between the Planning Commission's decision to grant OLP its required permits and the City Council’s hearing where they ultimately denied the permits.” A jury ruled six months ago in favor of Our Lady of Peace, and awarded the school $1.1 million in damages. Then, earlier this year, the council
voted to settle for $500,000 plus the cost of relocating the two historic homes. The city also agreed not to pursue an appeal. Gloria denies ever telling anyone to change a report. “The nefarious suggestion of what was going on ignores that we were ready to make the decision at the first hearing,” he said. “I know how the plaintiff’s attorneys tried to portray it, but that wasn’t right at all,” he said. He also said the city was prepared for a lawsuit from historical preservationists if it allowed the project to go forward. “There was no way we were getting out of that case without getting sued by someone,” Gloria said.
A historic Spanish-electic style home at 2746 Copley Ave. will be relocated as a result of a settlement between the city and the Academy of Our Lady of Peace.
“Gutter Politics”
Attorneys for Our Lady of Peace didn’t just tell the court that Gloria improperly influenced the process. They also tried to explain why he did it. After the council’s vote to reject the project, Our Lady of Peace argued, Gloria accepted donations from project opponents that helped pay off debt from his 2008 campaign. Gloria told U-T San Diego in June 2009 that a lobbyist hired by project opponents, Jim Bartell, of Bartell & Associates, had held a fundraiser for him. The fundraising still hasn’t shown up on any campaign finance reports, either because it didn’t meet the threshold for disclosure, or because it was improperly filed. Bartell didn’t respond to requests for comment. Gloria scoffed at the idea that campaign funds had anything to do with his opposition to the project. He called the accusation “gutter politics,” and said it ignores the fact that he's also accepted donations from Our Lady of Peace supporters who liked the expansion project. “They definitely made a point of this, and I found it very unfair,” he said.
The city of San Diego must pay to relocate a historic home at 2544 Collier Ave. after settling a lawsuit with the Academy of Our Lady of Peace.
Posted April 16, 2013, by Voice of San The Academy of Our Lady of Peace Diego.
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Weigh in on the City Budget
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT TODD GLORIA Spring in San Diego means great weather, the start of the baseball season, and the development of next year’s city budget. As the Budget and Finance Committee Chair, I ask for your input throughout the budget review process, which is in full swing at the beginning of May. On April 15, the mayor released his proposed budget. It’s now in the City Council’s hands, and we’ll spend considerable time and energy delving into its details through mid-May.
The full calendar of departmental budget hearings can be found online: http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd 3/pdf/news/2013/newsrelease130403.pd f. At each hearing, department budgets will be explained and examined, and neighbors like you will have the opportunity to both learn more about how funds are used and to share thoughts on your preferences and priorities. Though I am still going through the proposed budget myself, there are some promising inclusions and some concerning aspects, too. Over my first four years as your councilmember, I worked tremendously hard to help improve the city’s finances. Through fiscal restraint, partnership with our employees, and implementing efficiencies and reforms, we went from having a deficit of almost $200 million in late 2008 to having a small surplus earlier this fiscal year. Largely due to the approval of Proposition B by voters in 2012, which caused an increase in our pension payment, the city again faces a deficit of approximate-
ly $40 million. While the economy has improved somewhat, never is the right time to make financial commitments without identifying the ongoing funds needed to pay for them. As we more closely review the mayor’s proposal for the FY 14 budget, your participation is critical so we continue making smart decisions about
spending our limited resources in ways that best serve San Diegans.
Councilman Gloria can be reached at ToddGloria@sandiego.gov; (619) 2366633; 202 C Street, MS 10A, San Diego, CA 92101; and on Facebook and Twitter. Visit his website at sandiego.gov/cd3.
The North Park Maintenance Assessment District Committee normally meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of every other month at North Park Community Adult Center, 2719 Howard Ave.
Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at the Balboa Golf Course clubhouse, 2600 Golf Course Drive. For information, call (619) 533-5284.
The North Park Planning Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at North Park Christian Fellowship, 2901 North Park Way. The committee is an advisory group to the city on North Park land use, including the general plan, infrastructure and denThe North Park Redevelopment Pro- sity. For information, visit northparkject Area Committee meets at 6 p.m. planning.org. the second Tuesday of the month at the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. The North Park Community AssociaMeetings focus on redevelopment pro- tion meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the fourth jects in construction or planning. For Wednesday of each month at the information, visit sandiego.gov/redevel- Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. The opment-agency. Community Association provides a forum for issues and concerns about The North Park Main Street board public safety, education, land use, pubmeets at 7 a.m. the second Wednesday lic facilities and services, commercial of the month at its storefront office, revitalization, community image and 3076 University Ave. North Park Main cultural activities. For more informaStreet has more than 250 members, pri- tion, visit www.northparksd.org. marily businesses paying annual assessments in the city-authorized North Park The North Park Historical Society BID. For information, call 294-2501. meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the third
Chairman/CEO Bob Page BobPage@sandiegometro.com Publisher Rebeca Page RebecaPage@sandiegometro.com
Art Director Chris Baker kurisub@gmail.com Advertising Sales Ada Laura Duff (858) 442-7766 adaduff@gmail.com ------------------------------
Thursday of each month. The Historical Society conducts research and educational outreach in order to facilitate preservation of North Park's cultural and architectural history. For more information, visit www.northparkhistory.org.
munity Center, 4649 Hawley Blvd. For time, place and more information, call (619) 282-7329 or visit adamsaveonline.com.
The Kensington/Talmadge Planning Group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at KensingThe South Park Business Group ton Community Church, 4773 Marlmeets on the last Wednesday of each borough Drive. For information, call month at 8:30 a.m. at Alchemy Restau- 287-3157. rant, 30th & Beech. The SPBG is comprised of business owners with store- The Lions Club of North Park meets for fronts and service businesses located in lunch every Wednesday from noon to South Park. The organization produces 1:30 p.m. at the club, 3927 Utah St. the quarterly South Park Walkabouts Prospective members are welcome to and the annual Old House Fair. For enjoy their first lunch on the club. For more information, call (619) 233-6679 information, call (619) 692-0540. or email PBG@lucyslist.net. Uptown Rotary welcomes prospective The University Heights Community members at its 7 a.m. Thursday breakAssociation meets at 7 p.m. the first fasts at Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café, Thursday of the month in the auditori- 3172 Fifth Ave. For more, call (619) 500um of Birney Elementary School, 4345 3229 or visit sdurotary.org. Campus Ave. For information, call 297The North Park Recreation Council 3166. meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Monday of The Adams Avenue Business Associ- every other month at North Park Recreation board of directors normally ation Center, 4044 Idaho St. For informeets at 7:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of mation, call 235-1152. the month at the Normal Heights Com-
Writers/Columnists Todd Gloria Ann Jarmusch Jennifer Kester Donna Marganella Bart Mendoza Katelyn O’Riordan Sandy Pasqua David Raines Delle Willett
Photography Manny Cruz Sande Lollis Letters/Opinion Pieces North Park News encourage letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please address correspondence to Manny@sandiegometro.com or mail to Manny Cruz. Please include a phone number, address and name for verification purposes; no anonymous letters will be printed. We reserve the right to edit letters and editorials for brevity and accuracy. Story ideas/Press Releases Do you have an idea for an article you would like to see covered in this newspaper? We welcome your ideas, calendar item listings and press releases. For breaking news, please call us at (619) 287-1865. For all other news items, please email Manny@sandiegometro.com.
ADDRESS PO Box 3679, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 PHONE (858) 461-4484
Garden Tour to Cover the ‘Eastern Prospects’ The San Diego Floral Association will present its annual “garden tour with a difference” May 18 covering the gardens of Burlingame and North Park. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Neighborhoods east of Balboa Park provide a different perspective on our city and on the park itself,” says the association. “You will have the opportunity to explore eight gardens in these charming and historic neighborhoods.” Vendors in a garden marketplace on the day of the tour will offer arts and crafts. Tickets are $20 ($25 day of the tour) and will
Serving San Diego’s Premier Bungalow Communities
Editor Manny Cruz Manny@sandiegometro.com
Community and Board Meetings Greater Golden Hill Community Development Corp. The CDC normally meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at the SDYS Golden Hill Center, 2220 Broadway. For information, call (619) 696-9992.
www.sdnorthparknews.com
be available at local San Diego nurseries and online through the Floral Association website: www.sdfloral.org. The point of origin of the tour will be included with the ticket purchase. “San Diego Floral is pleased to again join with award-winning plant breeder Jim Zemcik as he brings a new geranium hybrid to market. ‘Linda Anne’ will be introduced in an exclusive first sale during the ‘Eastern Prospects’ garden tour,” the association said.
North Park News distributes copies monthly to residents and businesses of North Park, South Park, Golden Hill and Normal Heights. The entire contents of North Park News is copyrighted, 2012, by REP Publishing, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
28th Street fountain.
May 2013 | sdnorthparknews.com | 7
CINEMA CONTINUED FROM Page 1
center location was part of that transformation. “We’ve slowly been able to create a vibrant community technology space where all ages can learn new skills and technologies, where you can buy techie gifts for the ‘nerd’ of the family . . . buy some snacks . . . ,” and now, says van Thillo, “See some great independent/foreign films.” Van Thillo’s confident the intimate, unique environment of the venue, coupled with the exclusivity of the viewing material, will contribute to the success of the center. The cinema now brings what the media technology hub has to offer full circle — from filmmaking to the final product, while providing reasonably priced technological education to the community. “Our son had an awesome time par-
ticipating in the center’s Spring Camp sessions,” said East Village resident Yessica Diaz Roman. Marcus Roman, 7, learned to direct and produce short films utilizing sophisticated editing and production techniques. “And he had lots of fun!” said Roman. “The best part for us as parents was participating in the screening where we had a chance to see the final production.” Every year, more than 120 volunteers assist with the center’s services and programs. A North Park resident, van Thillo’s family roots are in Belgium where his father was born. Art and music had a consistent presence in the family home. The son of a bilingual school teacher, van Thillo grew up speaking Spanish with his mother’s students, traveling to Mexico and playing Cumbia music. “So, understanding arts/culture and celebrating the diversity of our community has always been a part of who I am
. . . ,” he said. Van Thillo also played the violin, but his passion for organizing and promoting education and social change, with media as the messenger, controlled the direction of his life and career. Much of the media at the center focuses on social issues — issues related to the environment, labor and gang culture, among others. General admission is $10.50 and students, seniors and members of the cinema are admitted for $8.50. “Wanting to give to the community and provide leadership opportunities to media students, be more of a positive to the neighborhood — that’s my motivation for operating the center,” said van Thillo. For more on the Media Arts Center San Diego Digital Gym, located at 2921 El Cajon Blvd., including updated film schedules and programs and services, visit mediaartscenter.org or call (619) 230-1938.
UPCOMING SCREENINGS: May 3-9: “La Rafle” (France) May 7, 9, 11, 12: “The World Before Her” (India) May 10-16: “Aqui y Alla” (Mexico/Spain) May 14, 16, 18, 19: “Fruit Hunters” May 17-23: “The Brass Teapot” (tentative) May 21, 23, 25, 26: “Charge” May 28, 30, June 1, 2: “Ping Pong”
‘The Brass Teapot’ May 17-23 (tentative). Sales from the concession stand help support the center.
Bill Pullman in ‘The Fruit Hunters’ May 14, 16, 18, 19. Ethan van Thillo, Media Arts Center San Diego executive director, in a center classroom.
The Media Arts Center provides a training ground for students interested in the visual arts.
8 | sdnorthparknews.com | May 2013
Interiors, Hand-Made Woodwork Featured in The Old House Fair 2013 Tour
PHOTOS BY BONNIE NICHOLLS
Featured in this Craftsman living room are beautiful gumwood paneling and moulding, an original brick fireplace and tile hearth. The fireplace is framed by intricately-designed built-ins that include a secretary desk.
This home’s interior features many original elements including two-inch oak plank floors, sash windows, double-grooved plate rails,and tall baseboards. The keyhole passage into the dining room reveals a built-in with geometric posts and diamond-paned leaded glass doors.
Visitors to the 2013 Old House Fair on June 15 will again have the opportunity to visit five historic homes on the event’s Historic Home Tour. The Craftsman, Spanish Revival and Bungalow Court homes on this tour feature classic architectural and interior features of special interest. “In the United States the Arts and Crafts style incorporated locally handcrafted wood, glass, and metal work, creating objects that were both simple and elegant,” according to a Wikipedia description of the early 20th century styles that are prevalent in South Park. At each home, docents will provide guided information about interior highlights as tourgoers wander through the houses. Among the special interior elements they will point out are those pictured here.
Tickets to the Historic Home Tour 2013 will be available at the Ticket Booth at 30th and Beech streets on the day of the Old House Fair (Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), or for advance purchase online at www.theoldhousefair.com. Although all the homes are within walking distance, a shuttle will be available for transportation to the furthest address, Custom wood cabinetry like this built-in breakfront built in 1913 are original to many South Park homes. which Tickets to the Historic Home Tour 2013 will be available at the Ticket Booth at 30th & Beech Street on the day of the Old House Fair (Saturday June 15th, from 10am to 4pm), or for advance purchase online at theoldhousefair.com. Although all the homes are within walking distance, a shuttle will be available for transportation to the furthest address.
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This antique icebox is visible at a pre-World War I Craftsman Bungalow on the 2013 Old House Fair home tour.
May 2013 | sdnorthparknews.com | 9
‘Tis The Spring Season: Events in South Park
Hand-crafted glass doors such as these are characteristic of the Craftsman style.
This time of year it seems as if there is always something happening in South Park. In the historic neighborhood nestled between adjacent North Park and Golden Hill, visitors and residents will enjoy a variety of Spring events, from the “Pet Whisperer” to the 15th annual Old House Fair. Here’s a sampling from the South Park calendar:
Warrior Pose Event at Ginseng Yoga – May 5 Deep Yoga founder Bhava Ram visits San Diego to launch his memoir, Warrior Pose, at Ginseng Yoga on Sunday, May 5, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Ginseng’s schedule also includes upcoming workshops as well as ongoing classes. For info, visit www.ginsengsandiego.com
Historic Garden Tour – Sat. May 18 The San Diego Floral Association’s Annual Historic Garden Tour will explore gardens in the “Eastern Prospects,” along the eastern edge of Balboa Park, including homes in South Park, Burlingame and North Park. 10am to 4pm. Tickets are available in advance at www.sdfloral.org, or at the festivities at Bird Park on the day of the event. South Bark Dog Wash Events The neighborhood’s popular pet care place has special events throughout the month, including Labs and Lagers Happy Hour on May 15, Animal Communicator Terri Steuben on May 18, and Lionel’s Legacy Rescue Event on May 19. Info on these and other events (including adoption visits almost every weekend), specials such as 50% Off Fridays, puppy classes, nail-trimming days, and more are posted regularly on www.southbarkdogwash.com, and www.Facebook.com/southbark.
15th Annual Old House Fair (free) – Sat. June 15 Thousands of locals and visitors descend on South Park for this popular street festival and home tour, which celebrates the special life of old homes and historic neighborhoods. With music, food, exhibitors, pet adoptions, kids’ crafts, artisans and home restoration and repair experts, there’s something for everyone in the family too enjoy. The free festival closes off the intersection of 30th & Beech on the southern end of South Park, and is the starting point for tours galore throughout the day. Tours include the popular Historic Home Tour, where you get to visit five
Bike Local Sundays – May 19 in South Park Organized by the San Diego County Bike Coalition, “Bike Local Sundays” events promote cycling and San Diego’s neighborhoods. The third-Sunday schedule for 2013 features South Park on May 19th. Participants will enjoy discounts, specials and festivities at neighborhood eateries and shops.
beautiful homes, tour their interiors with docent guides, and learn about the neighborhoods Craftsman and Spanish Revival architecture. Tickets for this tour are $25, and are available online at www.theoldhousefair.com. A narrated Trolley Tour ($5) is also available to take you through the neighborhood each hour, and Urban Safaris offers its popular walking tour during the afternoon. New this year at the Old House Fair will be Vintage Row, a festive area where vintage vendors, antique dealers and local shops will offer design finds, vintage and rescued furnishings, clothing, and jewelry. Summer of Love Walkabout – July 20 Get your tie-dye and love beads ready for the South Park “Summer of Love” Walkabout on Saturday night, July 20th. More info on what’s happening always available on www.southparkscene.com
CicloSDias – Aug. 11 San Diego’s streets will become an urban park for walkers, cyclists, joggers, pets and people. 10am to 2pm. Selected streets will be closed to vehicles (from Barrio Logan through South Park and up to North Park) for safe and festive wandering. More info at www.ciclosdias.com. There are plenty of events expected in the fall and holiday seasons as well, including the New Belgium Tour de Fat on Sept. 28 (with the costumed bike parade from Golden Hill Park through South Park and back), the Artoberfest Walkabout on Oct. 5, South Park’s Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 1, and the Holiday Walkabout on Dec. 7. More information on all events is posted on www.facebook.com/southparkbiz.
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E N C Y C L O P E D I A A RT Gallery owner Tish McAllise Sjoberg challenged artists to create art out of an old set of encyclopedias
Sharon Tittle named her creation ‘One Flew Over the Kookoo’s Nest.’
From an anonymous mom: “My nephew was over last night and he is 11. He was doing homework and asked me about the people involved in the Kennedy assassination. I told him to go grab the K encyclopedia, and he looked at me as if I was speaking greek. I told him it was a book with information on many different historical events, and he said ‘I don't wanna look in a book, just let me get on your computer.’ Sign of the times, I guess.”
honored information texts aren’t finding creative uses in ways not imagined by their publishers. Take Tish McAllise Sjoberg, for example. Not long ago, the Stewart Calhoun hangs his creation from the ceiling. owner of Expressive Arts San Diego received a set of encyclopedias as a donation, intending to use them in her “Image library” to be cut up for collage and mixed media uses. But once she realized how much space that would take up, she changed directions. Her need to get rid of the “dinosaurs,” as she calls them, and the fascination with how
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While many Internet-savvy youngsters of today don’t have much use for the encyclopedia, that’s not to say those time-
SEE ART, Page 11
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May 2013 | sdnorthparknews.com | 11
Eider de Mello’s tall contraption is dominated by a birdcage.
Tish McAllise Sjoberg with her encyclopedia art.
set to more than 25 artists. She told them: “Create something out of it or with it: altered books, sculptures, colCONTINUED FROM Page 9 lage. Use the pages, use the cover, cut it the information world has changed, up, mulch it, paint it, write in it — do was the inspiration for an exhibit that something creative with it! You will she has named the “Old People’s have the chance to make something Google: The Encyclopedia Project.” with encyclopedia leftovers.” “As I thumbed through the books, I The artists took Sjoberg’s advice to was struck by the fact that when grow- heart, fashioning all sorts of artistic creing up, these books were the go-to ations out of the pages of the encycloplace for information — the same set, pedia. for 10 to 15 years,” says Sjoberg. “And Stewart Calhoun, for example, took they were probably outdated before pages from an encyclopedia book, they even hit the presses. Compare this twisted them into different shapes, to today’s world where, with a few fin- hooked them together and hung the ger strokes, breaking information is resulting appendage from the ceiling. available to us.” Sjoberg created her own piece of art “For those of us who used them, ency- with the use of a female clothes clopedias are also filled with memories dummy, outfitting it with a dress made from childhood — looking things up from encyclopedia pages. for school reports, getting information These and other creations by the artists that could decide who won a bet or just are viewable at Expressive Arts San looking at the pictures of birds, human Diego at 32nd and Thorn streets anatomy or insects,” says Sjoberg. “Print through June 8 during regular business encyclopedias, though still being pubhours, or by appointment (619-251lished, are more a piece of history than 8474). an everyday tool like they were. Stu“Come see how these books have been dents 20 and younger may have never repurposed into art,” Sjoberg says. used an encyclopedia.” “Join us — and you get to make art, For her exhibition, Sjoberg distributed too. You will have the chance to make volumes of the donated encyclopedia something with encyclopedia leftovers.”
ART
Participating Artists (partial list): Peter Shea Stewart Calhoon Suzy Gray Pamela Underwood Deborah Ogburn Catherine Zanghi Patricia Stutzka Roc Morin Sharon Tittle Scott Krawitz Eider Fiedler Carmen Costello Tish McAllise Sjoberg Nancy Huber
Colleen Tounend Genevieve Thiel Carol Ashton Colleen Veltz Diane Owens Delen Kitchen Grace Ann Piano Jorge Moreno Katherine Michele Lyons Alyssa Vallecorsa Students from Cathedral High School
Sherri Raum with her ‘T of Life.’
Brad Lawley’s creation from two encyclopedia books has a curious computer look to it.
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May 2013 | sdnorthparknews.com | 13
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Coronado Museum Of History And Art “Hotel del Coronado Tour”: The Coronado Museum of History and Art offers a one-hour, docent-led tour of the Hotel del Coroado and its history. It is the only tour to go inside the hotel. Make reservations through the Coronado Visitors Center by calling (619) 437-8788. The fee is $15. Tours run Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. “Promenade Through the Past”: Departs from the lobby of the Museum of History and Art, 1100 Orange Ave, Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Learn about some of Coronado’s famous buildings and architectural sites, including Tent City resort. Tour fee includes “Promenade through the Past – A Walking Tour Guidebook of Coronado” and covers admission into the Museum of History and Art. $10. (619) 4378788. Reservations Required. Hebbard and Gill, with Gill as the lead designer, to design a large, boxy red brick house that broke with the English Arts and Crafts cottage style in favor of the more modern streamlined style of its neighbor, the Marston house. Mead and Requa designed a stripped-down, geometric home inspired by Pueblo architecture for Lorenze and Miriam Barney in 1913. It stands next to the house Lorenze’s parents had commissioned two years earlier from Pacific Building Company, a San Diego design and construction firm staffed by Gill’s former draftsmen Gamble House Ongoing, Pasadena The David B. Gamble House, constructed in 1908, is an internationally recognized masterpiece of the turn-of-the-century Arts & Crafts movement in America. It is the most complete and original example of the work of architects Charles and Henry Greene and a National Historic Landmark. One-hour guided tours Thursday-Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Closed national holidays. General admission: $8; Students/65+: $5; Children under 12 with an adult, free. Group tours available by reservation. For information call (626) 793-3334. Museum Of Art Ongoing, Long Beach The museum home includes a splendid, imposing example of the Craftsman bungalow. Built in 1912 as the summer home of heiress Elizabeth Milbank Anderson, it has the natural materials and rugged texture of wood shingles and clinker brick. The prominent gables and projecting rafter beams, like the rest of the main house and carriage house, retain their original integrity. The style is echoed by similar homes in the nearby Bluff Park Historic District. 2300 E. Ocean Blvd. (562) 439-2119. Stanley Ranch Museum Ongoing, Garden Grove A California bungalow built in 1916 is one focal point of this two-acre property, home to some of Garden Grove’s oldest homes and business buildings. Phone the Garden Grove Historical Society at (714) 530-8871.
Lummis Home Museum Ongoing, Highland Park The arroyo-stone home built by Charles Fletcher Lummis, founder of the Southwest Museum, is a state historic monument listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 200 E. Ave. 43. FridaySunday, noon-4 p.m. Free; donations accepted. For information, call (323) 2220546.
Judson Studios Ongoing, Los Angeles The Judson Studios served as the turn-ofthe-century core of the Arroyo Craftsman movement, located at 200 S. Ave. 66. For more information, call (800) 4458376 or click on judsonstudios.com.
Heritage Village Tour Ongoing, Claremont Lanterman House Tour The first Saturday of each month. The 1 Ongoing, La Canada 3/4 hour walk begins at 10 a.m. in front of The Craftsman-style house, built in 1914 the Historic Claremont Metrolink Depot, by Arthur Haley, was the region’s first 200 W. First St. (Walk is canceled if it’s concrete residence. Located at 4420 Enci- raining at 8 a.m.) Call (909) 621-8871. nas Dr., it is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the first and third Sundays of the month, from 1-4 p.m. Adults, $3; stu- Riordan Mansion Park dents, $1; under 12, free. For more infor- Ongoing, Flagstaff, Ariz. mation, call (818) 790-1421. One of Arizona’s best examples of Craftsman architecture, the mansion was Homestead Museum designed by Charles Whittlesey and built Ongoing, City Of Industry as a duplex. Original furnishings, includDocumenting a century of Southern Cal- ing pieces by Ellis, Stickley and Tiffany ifornia history, the six-acre museum fea- Studios, are found at the house museum. tures the Workman House, La Casa Guided, handicapped-accessible tours are Nueva and El Campo Santo cemetery; held daily. The house is located at 409 15415 E. Don Julian Road. Tuesday Riordan Road. Further details are availthrough Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. (626) 968- able at (520) 779-4395. 8492. L.A. Art Deco Tours Ongoing, Los Angeles Tours of downtown Los Angeles are led on Saturdays; $5 admission. For reservations, call (213) 623-CITY.
Boettcher Mansion of Lookout Mountain Ongoing, Golden, Colo. Tour a 1917 Arts & Crafts mansion, a 10,000-square-foot summer home built by Charles Boettcher, famous Colorado entrepreneur. Dramatic cathedral ceilings
with carved beams, massive stone walk-in fireplace, some original hardware and lighting. See permanent exhibit of early mansion photos and original blueprints, including an ink-on-linen drawing. Open all year, generally Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday varies. On 110 forested acres with views of the Continental Divide and the Colorado plains. Twenty minutes from Denver. Free for touring. Call (303) 526-0855. Moss Mansion Ongoing, Billings, Mont. Nearly unchanged since 1903, Moss Mansion, designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, can be found on the National Register of Historical Places. Visitors will find original furniture, Oriental carpets, handmade light fixtures, and a variety of design styles inside the mansion. Contact
(406) 256-5100. Kell House Ongoing, Wichita Falls, Texas Frank Kell built one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Wichita Falls, the red-brick neoclassic Kell House in 1909. It features distinctive architecture, original family furnishings, textiles, decorative arts and early-20th-century costumes. Exhibitions change in April and September. Ask for directions to the Southland and Floral Heights bungalow neighborhoods when you visit. The Kell House is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Adults, $3; children 12 and under, $1. For information, call (940) 723-2712.
SEE EVENTS, Page 14
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EVENTS
Unity Temple Ongoing, Oak Park, Ill. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the CONTINUED FROM Page 13 temple is open weekdays, 1-4 p.m., with weekend guided tours. Call (708) 383Van Briggle Pottery 8873. More Craftsman gems are evident Ongoing, Colorado Springs Nearly unchanged since 1903, Moss Man- throughout Chicagoland neighborhoods sion, designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, can be found on the National Reg- Johnson Wax Co. Building ister of Historical Places. Visitors will find Ongoing, Racine, Wis. original furniture, Oriental carpets, hand- Reservations are required for tours, held made light fixtures, and a variety of Fridays only, of the Frank Lloyd Wrightdesign styles inside the mansion. Contact designed building. Call (262) 260-2000 for information. (406) Frank Lloyd Wright Home And Studio Ongoing, Oak Park, Ill. These 45-minute guided tours of the restored Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio are offered year-round at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 951 Chicago, Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 848-1976.
Bryn Athyn Cathedral Ongoing, Bryn Athyn, Pa. Guided tours of the center of the Swedenborgian community. Specialty tours by request. The cathedral was built between 1919-1927 using a purist idea of the Arts & Crafts Artisan Guild System. Some of the original guild shops are still in use and continue to house craftsmen. This building and its environment are unique
EARTHS CONTINUED FROM Page 1
“These two planets are the most Earth-like we have found to date. They are similar in both size and temperature to our planet,” said William Welsh, professor of astronomy at SDSU and co-author of the study published today in the journal Science. The habitable zone The habitable zone is a region around a star where liquid water could theoretically exist on a planet’s surface. Since water is a requirement for life as we know it, planets in the habitable zone are particularly interesting to astronomers. “The composition of the planets is not known, but it is possible they are rocky. If so, and if liquid water is present, there’s a chance these planets could harbor life,” said Welsh. At only 60 percent and 40 percent larger than the Earth, these two super-Earth planets are the smallest planets yet discovered in the habitable zone.” The planetary system, known as Kepler-62, contains five planets, ranging from 0.54 to 1.95 times the size of the Earth. The innermost planet orbits its star every 5.7 days, while the outer one takes 267 days to complete one orbit. The star itself is smaller and fainter than Earth’s sun with 69 percent of the sun’s mass, 64 percent of the sun’s radius, and only 21 percent of the sun’s brightness. “Since Kepler-62’s star is only a fifth as luminous as our sun, the planets in its habitable zone have to orbit much closer to it, resulting in a much shorter year. For the two planets in
among Arts & Crafts communities in that the religious beliefs of the Swedenborgian community were blended with the Arts & Crafts ideology. Tours for individuals are free. Tours for large groups $2 per person. Contact the cathedral between the hours of 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at (215) 947-0266. Gustav Stickley Exhibit Ongoing, Syracuse, N.Y. A small ongoing exhibit of Gustav Stickley and the Arts & Crafts era. Showing period examples of his work along with his peers. At the Everson Museum, corner of Harrison and State streets. Call (315) 447-6064. Guggenheim Museum Ongoing, New York Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (212) 423-3500 for more.
the habitable zone, Kepler-62e and Kepler-62f, this is 122 and 267 days,” said co-author Jerome Orosz, associate professor at SDSU. 1,200 light years away The new planetary system is located 1,200 light-years away, in the constellation Lyra. Its age is estimated at approximately 7 billion years, somewhat older than the solar system. SDSU’s contribution Welsh and Orosz have been working on the Kepler mission since 2008, contributing their expertise to the discovery of dozens of new planets. “The Kepler mission continues to be a great success,” said Orosz who analyzed data from the Kepler telescope to help rule out false positives and confirm that these really are planets. Welsh worked on estimating the planets’ temperatures and whether they are in the habitable zone. “All five planets are smaller than twice the size of the Earth, and one is even the size of Mars. This is an absolute gem of a planetary system,” said Welsh. More information The investigation of Kepler-62 was led by William J. Borucki, at NASA Ames Research Center. More than 40 researchers in the United States and Europe contributed to the research. The full paper, “Kepler-62: A five-planet system with planets of 1.4 and 1.6 Earth radii in the Habitable Zone” by W.J. Borucki, et al. is published online in Science Express. Funding for this work was provided in part by NASA and the National Science Foundation.
A comparison of the five planets of the Kepler-62 system with our own terrestrial planets. Much like our Solar system, Kepler-62 has two planets in the habitable zone: Kepler-62e and Kepler-62f. Credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech.
May 2013 | sdnorthparknews.com | 15
‘Be a Good Little Widow’ to Open at Old Globe A bittersweet look at the messy parts of life
Kelsey Kurz appears as Brad in ‘Be a Good Little Widow.”
Ben Graney appears as Craig.
Hal Brooks directs ‘Be a Good Little Widow.’
Melody thought being a young wife was hard — until she became a widow. Luckily her mother-in-law Hope is an expert in the field. As she navigates the prickly terrain of pressed black dresses, well-meant advice and inappropriate outbursts, she stumbles toward understanding what it means to find someone through losing them. A bittersweet look at the messy parts of life, “Be a Good Little Widow,” running May 11 through June 9 at the Old Globe, contemplates how grief, devotion and hope can persevere within us all. The production will run in the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way. “Be a Good Little Widow” was written by playwright Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Hal Brooks.
“One of this theater’s most important jobs is to introduce San Diego audiences to the voices that will shape the next period in the American theater, and Bekah’s is surely one of those,” said Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “’Be a Good Little Widow’ is a gentle work, humane and intimate, and I marvel at how its light touch delivers such a moving evening in the theater.” Christine Estabrook (Hope) originated roles in the Off Broadway productions of Christopher Durang’s “Baby with the Bathwater,” Craig Lucas’s “Blue Window” and Deborah Eisenberg’s “Pastorale,” for which she won an Obie Award. Ben Graney (Craig) has appeared on Broadway in “War Horse” (Lincoln Center Theatre) and Off Broadway in “When the Rain Stops Falling” directed by David Cromer (Lincoln Center Theatre), and The Netflix Plays (Ars Nova).
Kelsey Kurz (Brad) has previously been seen at the Globe in “Nobody Loves You” and Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show.” He has appeared on Broadway and Off Broadway in “The Merchant of Venice” (The Public Theater), “Davy & Stu” (The Ensemble Studio Theatre) and “I Coulda Been a Kennedy” (2006 New York International Fringe Festival). Zoë Winters (Melody) has appeared Off Broadway in “4000 Miles” (LCT3 at The Duke, Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater) and “Love Song” (59E59 Theaters). Her other New York credits include “Hater” (Ohio Theatre), “The Eyes of Others” (New Ohio Theatre) and two productions of short stories that she wrote and performed, “Swimming Legs” and “Not At The Dinner Table.”
‘Be a Good Little Widow’ was written by playwright Bekah Brunstetter.
Christine Estabrook (left) appears as Hope and Zoë Winters as Melody in the West Coast premiere of Bekah Brunstetter’s ‘Be a Good Little Widow,’ directed by Hal Brooks. Photo by Snaps Studio.
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Floral Association Spotlights ‘Faux bois’ Artist San Diego Floral Association will introduce artist and craftsman Terence Eagan at its annual dinner and lecture June 18 at 6 p.m. in Casa del Prado Building 101. Eagan has fine tuned a technique called faux bois, a unique and useful procedure that both creates garden art and preserves it in settings with concrete and sculpture. He has found an important niche at the Huntington Gardens. Here he is making possible the restoration and preservation of deteriorating garden settings that have been cherished for 100 years. He will share the history of the development of the unique skill and how he found a place with the Huntington’s team that was engaged in the restoration of the Japanese Gardens that turned 100 in 2012. The restoration project with the use of Eagan’s faux bois is expected to live on for perhaps another century. Admission is $20. For information, call (619) 232-5762.
Space Day Features Astronaut and Hands-On Activities The San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Space Day celebration is set to launch on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Space Day features demonstrations, giveaways and hands-on activities with local and national space experts. Visitors also have the chance to meet and talk to Garrett Reisman, an astronaut who flew on the space shuttle, lived on the space station and has walked in space. Garrett plans to share stories about space exploration. Space Day is free for children 17 and under (with paid adult admission). Admission is discounted for adults with a coupon available on the museum’s website: sandiegoairandspace.org. Invited presenters include NASA, Sally Ride Science, San Diego Space Society, JPL, The Mars Society, SETI, San Diego Astronomy Society, UCSD EarthKAM, UCSD MoonKAM, The Planetary Society, UCSD Near-Space Balloon Team, Virgin Galactic, Aerospace Legacy Foundation, Astronaut Teacher Alliance and others. Activities include: driving a Mars Rover; building and flying paper rockets; talking to space experts; and designing your own space patch. The museum’s Space Galleries are also open for viewing throughout the event, including a flown Apollo spacecraft, moon rocks and space suits.
At the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena in March 2010, Terrance Egan began restoring the tree-like concrete structures that support the Wisteria and Roses forming arbors over the walkways.
The Log from the Sea of Cortez: Marine Life Images by Raúl Gonzalez Photos inspired by John Steinbeck’s 1941 book and scientific study of the Gulf of California in new exhibition opening May 7 at theNAT The San Diego Natural History Museum presents a new photography exhibition featuring nature photographer Raúl Gonzalez’s latest works in the museum’s fourth floor Ordover Gallery. “The Log from the Sea of Cortez: Marine Life Images by Raúl Gonzalez” will focus on the marine life in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, which is a major research and conservation area of the Natural History Museum. The exhibition, which opens May 7 and will be on view at the museum until Sept. 10, is included with general museum admission. The exhibition is produced in collaboration with National Geographic and sponsored by Sony Electronics Inc. Sixty plates will illustrate the magnificent marine life that John Steinbeck and naturalist Edward Ricketts chronicled during their historic journey there in 1940. Steinbeck’s book of the excursion, “The Log from the Sea of Cortez,” remains a tribute to Baja California and an important scientific study of marine biodiversity that is used by travelers and biologists alike. Gonzalez’s works have also appeared in National Geographic, Nature and other publications. The exhibition is produced in collaboration with National Geographic and sponsored by Sony Electronics Inc. Gonzalez exclusively uses Sony equipment for his photography. More about Gonzalez’s project, The Log from the Sea of Cortez, can be found at www.raulgonzalez.com.mx/logblog2.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin in Special Book-Signing The San Diego Air & Space Museum on May 22 is offering a special after-hours opportunity to meet Buzz Aldrin who, together with Neil Armstrong, became the first person to land on the moon on the Apollo 11 lunar mission. Aldrin and co-author Leonard David will be signing their new book, “Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration.” Copies of Aldrin’s children’s book, “Look to the Stars,” will also be available for purchase. The event, which lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. requires an advanced online ticket and book purchase. Only books purchased online through the museum will be signed. Tickets are $29, which includes museum admission. “Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration” – Price $26. Buzz Aldrin speaks out as an advocate for the continuing quest to push the boundaries of the universe as we know it. In the book, Aldrin plots out the path he proposes: taking humans to Mars by 2035. “Look To the Stars” (children’s book) – Price $18. As one of a handful of astronauts to have walked on the moon, Aldrin introduces us to the pioneers of space. From Copernicus to the Wright brothers, from the Apollo program to dreams of future travel, he reminds us that humankind has always looked to the stars. Leonard David is a space journalist who has reported on space activities for 45 years.
Champion for the North Park Arts District Amy Paul’s paintings are thoughtful and inspire quiet moments
Paul says she is ‘inspired by the beauty of old palettes and their reflection of other paintings.’
Amy Paul, San Diego native and North Park leader, is a champion for the North Park Arts District. A force on the Ray Street scene, Amy has three spaces in the area — her working studio on the third floor of the Groth building, her signature
gallery Pigment on 30th Street and the Pigment Workshop where all the woodwork is executed on Ray Street. She is committed to North Park and has helped to enhance the art scene since 1998. Unlike most artists who have difficulties with the busi-
ness side of the career, Amy has embraced it and unites her talents and drive to be a successful artist, teacher and business woman. Amy’ art is multi-media. She creates on canvas, paper and wood. Her imagery is inspired by the simplicities
BY PRUDENCE HORNE
of nature and the mendacity of everyday — for example a shadow stretching under a bending branch or graphic city silhouettes against the sky. The paintings are thoughtful and still, they inspire quiet moments and reflections from within. She often works in a series. “Succulent Silhouettes” are four panels depicting various native plants and they are painted on wood with a resin finish. The elegant imagery of plant silhouettes is painted in subtle colors and the minimalized shapes create unique negative spaces. The city scenes in the “Ant Farm” series have a feel of older photos taken from a one-shot Polaroid camera, they reflect a time gone by but the slick finish gives a contemporary flair. The four panels also are reminiscent of old negatives, a quick sequence of shots capturing a silent moment. Pigment displays a wide variety of Amy’s graceful and chic paintings. The relocation and expansion Pigment is Amy’s latest project, the new location is 3801 30th St. in the old Pacific Drapery building. The 3,000foot storefront doubles the square footage and triples the floor space. The fresh face of Pigment will change the landscape of the corner and add an exciting energy to the Arts District. Similar to the current Pigment, the gallery will display and sell work from
local vendors and artisans. Pigment holds a unique collection of jewelry, bags and children’s accessories. There are terrariums ready to take home as well as the materials and set up to create your own hanging garden. There are eclectic cookbooks, leather goods and kitchen wears such as mushroom cocktail glasses. Amy’s newest art work will debut at the Pigment grand opening in early June. This work is a bit of a departure and change of direction artistically, her inspiration comes from the beauty of old palettes and scrap papers. The imagery is still organic, the subject matter being clouds, but the process is different in that she cuts up the old palettes and pieces them together in a collage. Amy states that she is “inspired by the beauty of old palettes and their reflection of other paintings.” The final paintings have a modern Seurat feel. A community which supports the arts is an enriched community. Amy Paul has been a great contributor to North Park and she continues to lead the way. The new Pigment will have a soft opening in May and the grand opening will be in June. Come celebrate the arts. (The websites: artbyamypaul.com and shoppigment.com.)
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ELEGANT FESTIVITIES IN YOSEMITE The fabled Ahwahnee resort offers elegant events to showcase the holidays The idea of spending a few days in Yosemite in the middle of an ice-cold winter would most likely appeal only to the hardy few, but the fabled Ahwahnee resort might convince you otherwise. As autumn turns to winter, the Ahwahnee presents three incredibly elegant events to showcase the holidays. We chose to attend the 28th annual Yosemite’s Chef’s Holidays, an annual event which runs throughout January. There are eight sessions from which to choose, each one running over three days and featuring some of California’s most noted chefs. The Ahwahnee’s winter festivities begin
Dining at the Ahwahnee
in November by celebrating winemakers’ fall harvests. Winemakers from throughout Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast attend, conduct wine tastings and seminars and wrap it up with a divine fivecourse gala dinner. In December, the Bracebridge Dinner transforms the Ahwahnee into a 17th century English manor for a feast of food, song and mirth. The inspiration for this yuletide ceremony was Washington Irving’s Sketch Book that described Squire Bracebridge and English Christmas traditions of the period. The Bracebridge Dinner is an elegant and artistic four-hour pageant of classic
carols, Renaissance rituals and entertainment of the Middle Ages. More than 100 players create the roles of the Squire and his family, their sevvants, the Lord of Misrule, minstrels and other performers. The centerpiece of this revered event is a seven-course banquet of rich and wondrous dishes prepared by the Ahwahnee’s world-class culinary staff. The first of the eight Bracebridge Dinners scheduled for this December start on Friday, the 13th, concluding with the last dinner on Christmas evening. Five Christmas concerts are also scheduled over the same dates. But as the new year descends, the Ahwahnee turns January into the chef’s holidays. We were treated to watching three of Northern California’s top chefs, Douglas Keane of Cyrus in Healdsburg, Victor Scargle of Lucy in Yountville and Peter Armellino of Plumed Horse in Saratoga work their culinary wonders in the temporary kitchen workshop with the Ahwahnee had set up for them in the hotel’s lobby. Keane, who closed the award-winning Cyrus last fall, recently turned guest chef at Jardiniere in San Francisco, which is where he launched his career. In the meantime, he says he is spending more time with family and the dog rescue mission which he founded. SEE POLYNESIA, Page 18
By Bob Page
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The lobby of the Ahwahnee
YOSEMITE CONTINUED FROM Page 17
At the Ahwahnee, Keane’s creation was a lobster salad with daikon and ponzu. Scargle has been an integral player in the kitchens of Go Fish, Julia’s Kitchen at Copia, Jardiniere and Aqua, all in San Francisco with the exception of Copia, the wine, food and art museum in Napa which sadly didn’t pencil out for its owners. Scargle’s Lucy restaurant and bar, which is at the Bardessono Hotel & Spa in Yountville, prepared bagels for those in attendance. Armellino’s cavatelli pasta with wild mushrooms (porcini, chanterelles and black trumpets) was a great hit. Armellino, like Keane and Scargle, trained under Traci des Jardins after launching his career at the Gramercy Tavern and Gotham Bar & Grill in New York. Our three days concluded with a gala dinner in which the three visiting chefs, plus the Ahwahnee’s chef and staff, worked their culinary wonders. The five courses were complimented with wines from Cakebread, Treanna, Alexander Valley and Bridlewood. It’s never too late to book for the Chef’s Holidays in January 2014. This is an experience not to be missed. In the meantime, the National Park Service, which oversees Yosemite, has released plans to add campsites, improve the river ecosystem, upgrade roadways and parking by balancing the visitor experience while protecting the environment at the same time.
Chef Demonstration
The Ahwahnee Yosemite National Park, CA, 95389 (801) 559-5000 yoseres@dncinc.com Rates: $350 + (depending on dates)
The Lodge at Yosemite Falls 9006 Yosemite Lodge Drive Yosemite Village, CA, 95389 (801) 559-4884 yoseres@dncinc.com Rates: $150 + (depending on dates) Chef Demonstration
Chef Demonstration
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By Bart Mendoza
Songs to Touch Your Heart Strings or Uplift Spirits East Coast-based singer-songwriter Natalie Gelman performs at Lestat’s on May 17, 9 p.m. Her plaintive voice and heartfelt songs have earned her rave reviews in the likes of The New York Post, as well as comparisons to Sheryl Crow or Jewel, though in truth her music has more of a folk edge than either. The concert will double as a CD release party for Gelman’s brand new disc, “Streetlamp Musician.” Produced by Mark Needham (The Killers), the album shows Gelman to be a master at her craft. With a seemingly endless touring schedule and a selection of great songs that can touch your heart strings or uplift your spirits, it won’t be long before Gelman gets her share of the national spotlight. Natalie Gelman: Friday, May 17, at Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave. 9 p.m. All ages. Cover TBD. www.Lestats.com.
Cheesy Jokes and Original Music by Captured by Robots There are plenty of bands out there playing classic rock covers, but nothing will prepare you for Captured by Robots, performing at The Soda Bar on May 31, 8:30 p.m. Featuring just one human amongst a sea of crude robot musicians, the “band” performs slightly twisted versions of such evergreens as Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and Modern English’s “Melt With You.” Mixing comedy routines with music, the group’s frontman, “J-Bot” keeps things interesting, complete with banter among the machines, cheesy jokes and a few original songs, from the four albums they’ve released to date. You can rest assured this will be the most unique show of the month and possibly the year. Captured by Robots: Friday, May 31, at The Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd. 8:30 p.m. 21 and up. $10. www.sodabarmusic.com
Rendering of the USO building.
Music Befitting One of the Best Irish Pubs in Town Lexington Field unveils their latest album, “No Man’s War,” on May 28 with a special show at the Belly Up Tavern, but in the meantime, they’ll be playing at the rather more intimate Rosie O’Grady’s on May 18, 10 p.m. Originally performing more traditional Celtic folk-inspired music, Lexington Field’s music now slots in perfectly with that of punk-inspired groups such as The Pogues and Flogging Molly. With their uptempo, fiddle-led tunes and choice covers such as “Drunken Sailor,” Lexington Field are the perfect soundtrack for a Saturday night at one of the best Irish pubs in town. Lexington Field: Saturday, May 18, at Rosie O’Grady’s, 3402 Adams Ave. 10 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.rosieogradyspub.com
Fiery Guitar Playing Will Leave You Breathless
The Phantoms Sport a Revamped Lineup with Vets
Guitar aficionados won’t want to miss Incendio, who appear at AMSD Concerts on May 11, 7:30 p.m. Featuring three acoustic guitarists, plus a percussionist, the group self describes their music as “Latin Guitar World Fusion,” but they specialize in nylon-stringed Spanish guitar music, with virtuoso performances from all involved. Incendio means “fire” in Spanish and this guitar trio’s fiery playing will leave you breathless, with thrilling runs and intricate guitar picking that’s as impressive as it is melodic. The group has seven albums to date, all well worth hearing, but live is where the band is most impressive. Anyone who enjoys the sound of the guitar will love every second of this concert.
Garage rock fans won’t want to miss the Phantoms, who appear at Bar Pink on May 23, 10 p.m. Now sporting a revamped lineup comprised of music scene vets including bassist Chris Iandolo (Dizzy), drummer Jarrod Lucas (The Dragons), guitarist Xavier Anaya (The Baja Bugs) and frontman/ guitarist Victor Penalosa (The Melanies). The latter is possibly one of San Diego’s most underrated musicians, having played in such legendary international groups as The Flamin’ Groovies and The Zeros. Here, singing his own material, he just may be at his peak. If you enjoy music in the tradition of Badfinger, The Replacements and Cheap Trick, the Phantoms could quickly become your new favorite band.
Incendio: Saturday, May 11, at AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield St. 7: 30 p.m. All ages. $20-$47. www.amsdconcerts.com.
The Phantoms: Thursday May 23, at Bar Pink, 3829 30th St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. www.barpink.com
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