KEN-TAL NEWS
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Vol.1 No. 7 - January 2016
HOLIDAY LIGHTS WERE TWINKLING AT THE 2ND ANNUAL KENSINGTON HOLIDAY BIKE RIDE
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n December 9th, Kensington residents decorated their bikes with lights and took to the streets to cruise Kensington at night and view homes decked out in holiday lights and finery. The ride ended at our Kensington Ascent Real Estate office with wassail and apple cider! We had such a nice time, we are already looking forward to next year’s ride!
Megan’s Message
ANGELS WERE HEARD ON HIGH AT THE 10TH ANNUAL CAROLING AT THE CIRCLE IN TALMADGE!
Megan Beauvais, Realtor® CalBRE #01426805 Ascent Real Estate
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un was had by all at the 10th annual Caroling at the Circle in Talmadge. Friends and neighbors young and young at heart came out to take part in this special holiday community event. We even had an early visit from Santa himself! Thank you Talmadge residents for a great night of caroling fun!
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ow that the holidays are behind us, many are readying their homes to put on the market in the early spring. I thought it apt to discuss some do’s and don’ts with regard to home projects and what will impact your sale the most. If you plan on living in your home for a while yet, but ultimately want to sell, be sure to keep your own enjoyment in mind. I can’t tell you how many people I meet who complete renovations on their home just prior to selling it that have been on a “to do” list for years. Enjoy the fruits of your labor if you can, before you share it with the next homeowner. That said, unless you never plan on selling, remember to take into consideration design choices and how they will impact the future sale. If you don’t mind repainting neutrally over a floor-ceiling mural you created in your daughter’s room, then have at it. Be mindful of tile design, or anything that is more permanent and difficult to re-do later. There are always specific upgrades that impact the value and desirability of any given home. In Kensington and Talmadge in particular, there are a few items not mentioned below to key in to that definitely impact your value and ease of the sale. These items include foundation repairs, drainage upgrades, sewer line upgrades/repairs, and electrical upgrades. These items almost always come up throughout the course of most sales I work with as many of the homes still operate with original components, so if you have it within your financial reach to address these issues while you are enjoying your home, the more prepared you will be to maximize your return when you ultimately go to sell – and you won’t be hit with a huge bill when prepping the home, nor will you experience a significant hit in price. If you would like referrals for contractors to address any structural or cosmetic component to your home, or to have a professional opinion of what would be a good design upgrade for a future resale, please feel free to contact me any time. I would be happy to come by your home to give you my thoughts and referrals – pressure free. Here’s to a prosperous 2016 for all!
THANK YOU RESIDENTS FOR MAKING THE TALMADGE FOOD DRIVE A HUGE SUCCESS!
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en-Tal residents were able to drop off an abundance of food drive donations from the ANNUAL TALMADGE FOOD DRIVE to the Kroc Center Salvation Army! They were once again so grateful for all your generosity. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers who spent their Saturday mornings at the traffic circle collecting donations from residents. It’s because of you that this program is such a huge success year after year!
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or the start of the new year it is my pleasure to introduce Donna & Tim Gonser of Kensington! The Gonsers were introduced to Kensington by former resident and co-worker, Susan Penman. Knowing that they would love the area, Susan was determined to get Donna and Tim to move to Kensington. When they first came to San Diego, the Gonsers lived in Coronado and wanted a similar lifestyle in a central locale where they could, “… walk to a coffee shop, walk to a breakfast place…” and wanted, “…to live in an area where neighbors got to know their neighbors…” They found that to be true in Kensington. It is in fact one of their favorite aspects of living in the community, they know their neighbors and everyone looks out for one another. The Gonsers share their home with two Irish Setters and three cats and are big advocates of animals. In their professional lives both work in
the hospitality industry. Donna is the General Manager for Fairbanks Ranch Country Club and works for the Bay Club out of San Francisco. The Bay Club Company builds sports resorts. Donna describes what they do as building resorts without the guestrooms. All the fun stuff you do on a vacation-spa, kids camp, swimming, golf, tennis, Food & Beverage [restaurants & bars] as well as execute meetings and special events (think weddings in a beautiful environment). In Donna’s words, “…the best part of being a member is that at the end of the day, you get to sleep in your own bed-every day is a vacation day when you are a member.” Tim has been in the Hospitality industry for 30+ years and is President of Gonser Hospitality Groupe. The Gonser Hospitality Groupe provides consulting services to trend setting and traditional restaurant and hospitality organizations that need professional support services. Their clients include restaurants, hotels & resorts, entertainment venues, real estate developers and civic development organizations. In their free time, Tim has gotten into woodworking and according to Donna has become a “DIY expert.” Recently he remodeled their kitchen (which I can personally attest is gorgeous) and took on the job of rebuilding their backyard deck that overlooks the canyon. Donna enjoys spending time gardening in their gorgeous backyard as well as crocheting, quilting and sewing. The next time you see the Gonsers enjoying their morning coffee in the heart of Kensington or out walking with their dogs be sure and stop and say Hello!
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| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP
North Park Entrepreneur Encourages Everyone to Live a Great Story BY COLETTE MAUZERALLE
With his possessions stuffed into a 30-liter backpack, Zach Horvath’s plane touched down at Lindbergh Field. It was August 2013, and as he stood at the curb he unpacked a disassembled bicycle he had carried on the plane, assembled it, then rode to what would become his first apartment in Normal Heights. Though alone in an unfamiliar city, in less one year, 25-year-old Horvath would launch the inspirational North Park-based company, Live a Great Story. Live a Great Story is a social movement-meets-apparel company encouraging people to “live a great story” through the pursuit of their interests and goals. To complement its line of tees and tanks, Live a Great
Zach Horvath, Live a Great Story founder.
Story shares influential individual’s remarkable stories through personalized videos, podcasts and blog posts on its website. Ten percent of product sales go to the company’s “Story Fund” for reinvesting in inspiring stories — whether it’s an individual working to better the community, a nonprofit or a small business with innovative ideas. “The phrase ‘Live a Great Story’ comes from Donald Miller’s book, ‘A Million Miles and a Thousand Years,’” says Horvath. “I read the book and it really affected me, so I went traveling and met all these people on the road, and I realized that everyone has their own story.” Born in North Carolina, Horvath spent his childhood on the East Coast before moving to Budapest, Hungary and later Austin, Texas. He
attended one year of college, but felt he could learn more in the real world. Within his first year of abandoning the traditional system he opted into a six-month entrepreneurial boot camp program, read 50 books and began a coaching program to help peers discover their life’s passion. As he helped others find their purpose, he also found his; when the idea for Live a Great Story came along, it was as if lightning had struck. Horvath launched Live a Great Story in May 2014, and the company has become much more than its line of apparel. Its message has inspired people around the world, and as a result of its popularity more than 400 street reminders, essentially public murals reading “Live a Great Story,” exist in cities around the nation, including one on the west side of The Observatory North Park. Even celebrities have organically backed the brand; the Padres’ Matt Kemp Instagrammed a Live a Great Story street reminder in Downtown San Diego in summer 2014. In February 2015, actress Reese Witherspoon took her photo in front of a street reminder in New Orleans, and Grammy-nominated singer Jhene Aiko shared an Instagram photo of the brand in May 2015. With a strong interest in its communities, Live a Great Story has also had a presence at public events like
the nationally-acclaimed Lightning in a Bottle Festival in Monterey County, the Progression Music Series in New Orleans and the Art Around Adams street festival in San Diego. It also had a presence at the recently opened Tabletop Commons board game bar on University Avenue on
July 2. “I want to look back and know that I inspired people to do whatever it is they want to do,” says Horvath. “I just want to share great stories.” Shop Live a Great Story online at www.liveagreatstory.me and connect on Instagram at @LiveaGreatStory.
Zach Horvath (right) and crew preparing a t-shirt.
HEALTH
How to Lose Fat and Gain Muscle-Fast BY MARTIN ALONZO-CNC, TMB1, CHEK PRACTITIONER.
Have you been, or are you, struggling to make gains in your strength and conditioning program? I have been working with people for nearly 10 years on achieving their personal goals- and i understand that there are many potential roadblocks that can limit you in achieving the body, health, and vitality that you want. Here are my simple and highly effective tips to get the body you want and increase your vitality and wellbeing. Program Design
Your exercise program needs to match your goals. If your goal is to lose 10lbs, for example, then your program needs to match this with the appropriate scheme of reps, sets, tempos, rest time, exercise time, etc. A fat-lose program will be vastly different then a program to build muscle. Another example of proper program designing is getting someone to build strength and not grow (hypertrophy) muscle. This is extremely important when your dealing with athletes or clients that cannot or do not want to gain weight by packing on muscle-but need to gain strength. Proper program design poses more challenges when someone is an experienced exerciser or athlete and needs to break a plateau. A plateau is when you stop making progress and overcoming this requires a mixture of science and commitment. Having the correct and most effective plan of action in any exercise program will cut down on frustration and insure that your goals will be achieved. Healthy Digestive System
The only way you will be able to breakdown foods and assimilate nutrients from your foods is if your GI tract is healthy and functioning strongly. A Healthy digestive system is vital to changing your body composition. Lack of nutrient absorption placates nutrient deficiencies that lead into weight gain, muscle wasting, poor vitality, and stressed immune function. Digestive issues can occur at any age; people 50 years of age and greater have a substantially greater risk do to the nature of aging and immune system strength. Rehabbing a dysfunctional digestive system can be involved‌the good news is is that most everyone with digestive issues can completely rehab it back to healthy at any age. Stress is the biggest offender to the GI tract, and the one thing that can be completely self managed. If you feel your having a difficult time digesting your food, remember to slow down and make meal time a time where you do nothing else other then relax with yourself or others and simply eat and enjoy.
Eat High Quality Foods and Eat for Your Metabolic Type
You are literally what we eat. What you put in your mouth will end up becoming you- so, the building materials that you use will dictate how well you will grow and change. Beyond that is what types and quantities of building materials, i.e. foods, supplements will be needed to allow you to achieve your goals. We are all very unique metabolically; metabolisms are pre-engineered; specific foods create specific hormone responses, so because of this, we all follow a metabolic blueprint that is unique to us that has been passed down by our ancestry. An aboriginal native american living inland vs an aboriginal native american living coastal would have a completely different diet based on their food availability in that environment. The inland natives would prefer land animals- like Bison- compared to seafoods from their coastal counterparts. This type of food preference shows today in what people naturally gravitate towards (excluding processed foods since those are chemically manipulated to create addiction and cravings). Understanding what foods your body prefers can be tricky since most everyones bloodline is mixed. One way to do this on your own is to simply journal using a food- rotation diet. Pick one type of protein and either an above or below ground veggie and fruit (if you eat fruit) for that day. Eat only that type of protein for the day and then switch proteins the next day. Write down how you feel energetically, emotionally, and any other symptoms you may feel with that particular meat, veggie, and fruit for that day. You will start to see a pattern, and then you will be able to easily eliminate food sources that do not agree with you. This is also a great way to find out potentially food intolerances you may have. Different goals require different nutrients and amounts of nutrients. Building muscle vs losing body fat would mean needing two different nutritional game plans. Start with the basics of eating the highest quality foods that yield the most available nutrients. Get to know your body better by practicing a food rotation diet for 7 days. You will be amazed at what you discover and how much better and more energetic you feel. Partner Training! $45.00 for one hour of private training
Martin Alonzo is a Certified Nutritionist, CHEK Practitioner, strength and conditioning and corrective exercise specialist. He owns a private personal training business in Kensington and can be reached @ 619-284-2510, or email: martin@performcenter.com
MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |
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COMMUNITY
| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP
COMING&GOING BY CANDICE WOO | FOUNDING EDITOR, EATER SAN DIEGO
Twisted Taps Coming to El Cajon Boulevard
Santee-based Twisted Manzanita, which opened its first satellite tasting room in Pacific Beach last fall, is expanding and evolving with a new concept, called Twisted Taps, that will land on El Cajon Boulevard this October. Taking over a former barbecue joint across the boulevard from The Lafayette Hotel, Twisted Taps will be a showcase for their beers as well as a full-fledged restaurant. Brewery investor Sher Cox, business partner of Twisted Manzanita president and CEO Jeff Trevaskis, is leading the new project; Cox tells Eater that they chose to land this first Twisted Taps in a relatively beer-unsaturated neighborhood and hope expand the concept into other craft beer-needy areas in San Diego and beyond. Location Matters’ Mike Spilky, who facilitated the lease, said, “Twisted Taps is an extraordinarily exciting addition at a transitional time in this corridor of El Cajon Boulevard. The area is seeing a huge influx of great multi-family residential development that will only help their customer base and with Gilly’s Bar, a great long-standing cocktail lounge next door, the nightlife in this area will be awesome.” The 1,525-square-foot space is being completely remodeled to include an extended patio and a roll-up door that opens into an airy dining room that Cox says will be decorated in a warm color scheme with a rustic and indus-
Future site of Twisted Taps.
trial design that includes iron-edged tables, Edison bulbs, and weathered wood. There will be six TVs and a 24tap bar pouring Manzanita's beers as well as house-brewed beer from Fat Cat Beer Company. Twisted Taps will also serve wine and sake-based cocktails. A kitchen revamp includes a new smoker that'll house-smoke meats for sandwiches or as toppings for flatbreads baked in their new pizza oven. The lunch and dinner menu, which will incorporate beer into some recipes, also includes elevated takes on pub fare, from nachos and wings to messy fries, plus salads, deviled eggs and housemade jerky. Cox says that the brewery, which is distributing its beer across the U.S. and internationally, is hoping to double its production capacity; they're also planning on a refresh of the Pacific Beach tasting room which will change the layout of the space. Twisted Taps, 2302 El Cajon Blvd.
be open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. Madison brings upscale dining, modern design, curated music, and creative cocktails to the dynamic dining scene of Park Boulevard. Previously occupied by the Lei Lounge, the 3,000square-foot space has been transformed to take guests to a place of instant relaxation, pulling inspiration from mid-century modern and Italian design traditions. Guests can enter the progressive space through the main door that leads into the sophisticated bar lounge, or through a private tunnel on the side of the building that enters into the main dining room. The cedardominated space features dramatically high-vaulted ceilings with sky views, intricate wood joinery, colorful geometric inlaid panels, and rope installations. The menu, designed by Executive Consulting Chef Mario Cassineri, is inspired by Mediterranean and Southern California cuisine and features a strong emphasis on fresh flavors and local ingredients. In addition, Madison’s beverage program will include eight signature cocktails, five reimagined classics, a selection of local craft beers, and a tailored wine program. Keeping true to its local roots, curated sounds by M-Theory Music will be projected through a top-of-theline sound system. The new restaurant and bar is a collaboration of familiar restaurant industry faces, such as
Madison Officially Opened in University Heights
Madison quietly opened its doors to guests on New Year’s Eve and now will
Madison. (Photo by Keri Bridgwater)
Mario Cassineri of BiCE San Diego, to those better known for their design and cultural endeavors, including Jeffrey Fink, owner of M-Theory Music and managing partner of FLUXX, and ARCHISECTS, the industrial firm behind FLUXX’s rotating themes. Madison Restaurant and Bar, 4622 Park Blvd., between Madison and Sad Drumbeat Goodbye to Brabant Bar & Care Adams avenues. Two years after first debuting its BelKindred: Worth the Wait gian and Belgian-inspired beer and cuisine in South Park, Brabant Bar & Cafe has closed. The neighborhood hangout was launched in fall 2013. Owner Adam Parker took to Facebook to make the following announcement: “It is with a heavy heart but heads held high that we announced Brabant Bar & Cafe will close its doors on Wednesday, Dec. 30. We are blessed to have been welcomed by the great neighborKindred. (Photo by Lyudmila Zotova) hood of South Park, and are constantly Kindred, South Park’s newest restau- humbled by our repeat customers, new rant and cocktail bar, is now open after friends, and the accolades we have a year in the making. It’s in the former stumbled into along the way. It is with Alchemy space. the greatest pride that we have served The restaurant is the brainchild of fine Belgian ales in the proper way Kory Stetina, who founded the vegan alongside our traditional and inspired pop-up LOVELIKEBEER. For his first Belgian cuisine ... Belgian-style beer restaurant project, Stetina and Belgian cuisine are together one chose Arsalun Tafazoli (CH Projects) of the most magical and rewarding and Paul Basile (BASILE Studio) as his experiences you could ever hope to partners. A 35-foot marble bar domi- enjoy, and it has been our great privinates the room, where seating ranges lege to serve them since 2013. We have from communal tables to bar-height savored each sip, are grateful for every booths and a cozy connecting set of toast, and hope nothing but the best tete-a-tete tables. for our beloved neighborhood of The Basile-designed space contrasts South Park. Warmest Regards —The dark and light, soft and hard; steel Brabant Family. cathedral-esque flip doors are balanced by an LED-lighted mirrored Hawthorn Coffee Arrives on ceiling while the looming ink-black Adams Avenue Hawthorn Coffee, a fresh “third sculpture of the restaurant's totem, a four-eyed wolf with snake horns, is wave” coffee concept, has arrived flanked by walls bedecked in delicate at 3019 Adams Ave. Founded by coffee pink toile. And there is humor at play; connoisseurs Kevin Redmond and his look closer at the pattern of the wall son, Dylan, the shop’s coffee program covering and find satanic versions of is being led by Joshua and Hannah Rainbow Brite, while the restrooms are Bonner, who operated the local Ladies and Gentleman Coffee Roasters. The hung with cat portraits. Stetina brought over executive chef couple’s roastery is now call Foxy CofJeremy Scullin, from Philly vegan stal- fee Co., which Hawthorn is featuring wart Vedge, to helm a menu that aims along with Flying Goat Coffee from to be hearty and satisfying while bring- Sonoma County. A full line of espresso drinks is ing fine dining technique to the table; there’s grain-free beet risotto, seared offered, plus pour overs and Chemex cauliflower steaks, pistachio-crusted brews; Hawthorn says it has also taken tofu and housemade farinata flatbread care to dial in its batch brews for qualtopped with aji amarillo aioli, crispy ity and consistency, plus convenience. trumpet mushrooms and house salsa Organic tea is sourced from Mad verde. A weekend brunch includes Monk Tea Shop in OB and there’s an almond granola with cashew cream array of craft beverages on tap, from and fried potato bread with smoked cold brew to bubbly shrubs from North County’s Nostrum and a date jam, mango and mint. David Kinsey (Sycamore Den, Craft sparkling tisane made with the fruit of & Commerce) leads a bar program the coffee cherry. Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., whose drinks are crafted like any fine cocktail parlor, just without the use of Hawthorn Coffee is currently offering eggs, dairy or honey; the menu will a selection of snacks and pastries from change three times a year, but remain local baked goods experts Bread & Cie focused on the wonderful world of and Black Magic Bakery. Hawthorn Coffee, 3019 Adams Ave. amari herbal liqueurs. Starting in January, Kindred will launch “Permanent Vacation,” weekly tiki Thursdays that will feature dedicated cocktails and theme-appropriate food; it will also be the only night of the week when the bar deviates from its all-metal soundtrack. Kindred, 1503 30th St. Kindred. (Photo by Lyudmila Zotova)
BUSINESS
Amazon’s Hidden Costs Amazon is rapidly expanding its online empire, but behind the conveniences that the company offers are a lot of hidden costs.The Advocates for Independent Business put together an infographic that shows how shopping at Amazon compares with shopping at local businesses in its impact on jobs, taxes, the local economy, and community.
MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |
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Small Business is on the Rise BY DONNA DAVIS | U.S. SBA REGION 9 ADMINISTRATOR
Reversing a downward trend, small businesses in our communities are on the rise. This is great economic news since small businesses create nearly two out of three net, new jobs and account for almost half of America’s private nonfarm GDP. Besides being the engines of our economy, they are the unique fabric of our local communities. The economy added 211,000 jobs in November, marking the strongest three years of job creation since 2000 with 8.1 million jobs added. Our businesses have now added 13.7 million jobs over 69 straight months, extending the longest streak on record. These records are possible thanks to America’s small businesses. Last year SBA achieved record lending of $23.5 billion under our flagship 7(a) loan program, with loans up 18 percent for women, 23 percent for minorities, and 101 percent for veterans. We’ve eliminated borrower and bank fees on small-dollar loans, so more Main Street entrepreneurs can get the working capital they need to hire and grow. Recently, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation published a Main Street Entrepreneurship Index. It compares entrepreneurship rates among different demographic groups in all 50 states and America’s 40 largest metro hubs. The Kauffman Index allows us to see which cities and states have fostered the right conditions for growth. According to the Kauffman Index, small business activity is on the rise in 49 of the 50 U.S. states and 38 of the top 40 largest metropolitan areas this year. Efforts like the Kauffman Index provide a roadmap for state and local officials seeking to foster a climate for small business growth. Other valuable takeaways in this report: •Businesses owned by women, minorities, and immigrants are increasing; •The number of small business owners with college degrees is also increasing, from 34 percent in 1997 to 39 percent today; •Despite the dynamic leadership potential of our millennials and veterans, young entrepreneurs (ages 2034) and veteran-owned firms are actually declining. Several specific SBA initiatives target areas of concern identified by the Kauffman Index. SBA launched the My Brother’s Keeper Millennials Initiative to promote youth entrepreneurship in the nation’s underserved communities. We are partnering with community colleges to expose young
people to innovative pathways to start a business, and we’re promoting a Business Smart toolkit to train nonprofits and faith-based organizations to teach financial literacy. SBA’s Boots to Business initiative gives post-9/11 transitioning service members a tutorial on the basics of business ownership. The program is now active at more than 180 military installations worldwide and has introduced 32,000 service members and spouses to potential careers in entrepreneurship as they rejoin the civilian workforce. We also launched Boots to Business: Reboot to open up this innovative curriculum to veterans of every era. SBA is partnering with cities on Startup in a Day to create an easy-touse online tool that allows entrepreneurs to apply for all licenses and permits needed to start a business in less than a day. Helping more Americans start and grow Main Street businesses is a core mission of the U.S. Small Business Administration. We hope you reach out to your local SBA office to jumpstart and scale up your small business. Check out sba.gov/local for your nearest SBA local office. Veteran-Owned Small Businesses to Get Competitive Edge in County Contracts
If you own a small business or you’re a veteran who owns a business and you want a contract with the county of San Diego, you’ll have an edge thanks to a change in Board of Supervisors policy. The board voted Tuesday to allow competitive procurements of up to $100,000 to be set aside exclusively for certified small and veteran-owned businesses. The county currently has two programs for disabled veteran-owned businesses. This new policy change creates a program for the two additional types of businesses. The idea is to promote broader veteran participation in county contracts in recognition of their sacrifices in serving our country, as well as boost small business. The policy change means these businesses will have a greater likelihood of success when it comes to competing for a set-aside contract. It may also prompt more businesses to get their certifications from the State of California and/or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The county’s Department of Purchasing and Contracting will put the new program into effect later next year.
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| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP
ADAMS AVENUE NEWS northparknews.biz/digital MidCityNewspaperGroup.com Serving San Diego’s Premier Mid City Communities Chairman/CEO Bob Page BobPage@sandiegometro.com Publisher Rebeca Page RebecaPage@sandiegometro.com Associate Publisher Brad Weber ReachLocals@ MidCityNewspaperGroup.com Editor Manny Cruz Manny@sandiegometro.com Art Director Chris Baker cbaker@sandiegometro.com Marketing/Advertising Brad Weber ReachLocals@ MidCityNewspaperGroup.com -----------------------------Writers/Columnists Bart Mendoza Delle Willett Anna Lee Fleming Sara Wacker Media Consultant Tom Shess
The San Diego Air & Space Museum has started offering virtual tours of the facility.
Take A Virtual Tour of the Air & Space Museum From your home or anywhere in the world Visitors from around the world can now take interactive personally-guided tours of the San Diego Air & Space Museum from the comfort of their own homes through the BEAM Virtual Tour Program, which enables both school groups and people who are physically unable to visit the museum to take tours through the use of a computer and Internet connection. The museum launched the BEAM program to broaden access for previously underserved segments of the population. A large number of people who, for a variety of reasons — geographic, economic, inability to leave their host institution, learners with special needs, hospitalized, bedridden — will benefit greatly from having interactive access to the Museum and its collections. Virtual visitors engage with museum exhibits in real-time with a fully interactive tool that moves, sees, and speaks on command through a motorized stand. A 17-
inch flat screen monitor displays the user’s face. The robot is controlled by the user (or the user’s assistant) from a remote location on any PC or laptop using directional keys or via mouse point-and-click. A main video feed shows the BEAM’s surroundings and allows the user to interact with others and travel through a wide-angle camera with zoom capability, a microphone that cancels echo and reduces background noise, and a powerful builtin speaker. What differentiates this program from audio tours and virtual tours is the BEAM technology allows for an independent and interactive experience through a self-determined path. Virtual visitors are able to interact with an in-house guide or docent as they explore the galleries, seeing artifacts as clearly as if they were at the museum. Comments and questions from offsite visitors can be relayed and responded to immediately. Expert explanations assist in the virtual visitor’s
Social Media Ali Hunt Photography Manny Cruz Sande Lollis Jim Childers 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.
A portion of a video describing how the virtual tour program works.
understanding and personal interpretation. The museum received a 21st Century Solutions grant from the NBC Universal Foundation to support the program. The funding from the grant enabled the museum to launch the free program for people with disabilities which prevent them from physically visiting the museum.
BEAM virtual tours of the San Diego Air & Space Museum began this month. Tours are one hour and are offered one day a week on a firstcome, first-serve basis, through reservations only. Visit http://sandiegoairandspace.org/visit /beam-tour-program to register. The BEAM virtual presence device is manufactured by Suitable Technologies.
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. The entire contents of North Park News is copyrighted, 2015, by REP Publishing, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
FOOD & DRINK
MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |
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The Savory Su-Mei Yu
Popular restaurateur and chef cooks from the heart In Chinese culture it’s tradition that daughters of well-to-do families don’t cook. Cooking is done by servants. However, in the Yu family, which fled from China to Thailand, misfortune trumped tradition and SuMei Yu’s mother, Lee Kwei Chi, cooked for her family and to support her family. “She was a fantastic cook, gifted with the ‘tongue,’ which enabled her to identify ingredients and flavorings and duplicate the dishes she tasted,” said Su-Mei Yu, who was welcomed with her sister and brother into the kitchen to observe and learn about traditional cooking. They watched their mother every step of the way, making noodles from scratch, killing chickens, crabs and fish, and they listened as she
explained each process. But they never touched. Lee Kwei Chi knew it was important for her children to be educated in food, because it’s tied to its culture, people and traditions. “In addition to being an amazing cook, my mother was a fantastic storyteller. We learned so much about food and culture from her. She told us legends, stories, gossip — whether or not they were true — it was all great fun. None of our friends ever got to be in the kitchen,” said Su-Mei. She did get some occasional hands-on experience when her mother cooked for a big feast or banquet like on the Chinese New Year. In October 1985, when Su-Mei opened her tiny 700-square-foot
KPBS ‘Savor San Diego’ show, filmed at Olivewood Gardens.
restaurant on India Street in Mission Hills, Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken, she knew enough about Thai food to know that she needed to learn more. So she rallied her friends and family in Thailand to find families who would accept her into their humble homes to learn how to cook dishes that have been passed down through the generations and that she couldn’t have learned from recipes. In Thailand, to have a stranger come into your home to learn is taboo, especially if you own a restaurant. “It was a humbling process. Learning how to cook Pad Thai took me two weeks. I was scared to death that I might ruin it,” she said. Su-Mei later expanded the Saf-
BY DELLE WILLETT
fron brand with Saffron Noodles & Sate, a comfortable eatery with indoor and outdoor seating. Located next to each other, both restaurants have become San Diego favorites. Over time, Saffron has introduced hundreds of dishes, some traditional and others based on the Thai philosophy of healthful eating. Said Su-Mei, “I follow the belief that we should eat foods to maintain balance within ourselves and with Mother Nature’s seasonal changes. I am proud to have contributed to the wellness of generations of customers.” If a dish seems like a lot to remember, Su-Mei explained, that’s because it is: like all traditional Thai cuisine, each dish is designed to create a balance within the body
The 30th anniversary of Saffron was celebrated the week of Oct. 19.
between all four essential elements — earth, water, wind, and fire. Su-Mei believes that, in this country, we take better care of our cars and our computer systems then we do of our bodies, which she thinks we take for granted, and for which we are ultimately entirely responsible. To cook and eat healthy, Su-Mei’s recommendations are simple: get specialty spices at 99 Ranch; eat as locally and seasonally as possible; and shop religiously at a farmers market. Above all else, Su-Mei said, “respect Mother Nature and your own body, the ultimate goals of Thai cooking.” Since opening Saffron 30 years ago, the now nationally recognized restaurateur, cookbook author and television host is one of the San Diego food scene’s most accomplished and colorful characters. Her cookbooks include “Asian Grilling,” “Cracking the Coconut” and “The Elements of Life: A Contemporary Guide to Thai Recipes and Traditions for Healthier Living.” She has been featured on numerous television programs including Martha Stewart,” “Good Morning America” and the “Today Show” as well as in notable publications such as Food & Wine Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and the New York Times. Of all the chefs she’s cooked with, her favorite is Martha Stewart. “I cooked with her more than any SEE SAFFRON, Page 8
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SAFFRON CONTINUED FROM Page 7
other chef. She’s fabulous, always extremely courteous and friendly, always prepared,” she said. Su-Mei’s popular KPBS television program, “Savor San Diego,” was created in 2012 and is now in its third season. The program highlights San Diego’s unique culinary treasures and the fascinating people and places SuMei encounters in our local food community. While Su-Mei doesn’t go to cooking schools herself, three years ago she founded a cooking school in the northern part of Thailand to teach children and their families the real traditional culture of Thai cooking. She goes back every year. The Chinese character for Su-Mei includes bamboo, a symbol of resilience and strength, and a plum flower, a symbol of spring beauty. Her story of coming to the United States and achieving a graduate-level education, all on scholarships, raising a daughter solo, and her 30-year-success as a restauranteur shows that her name suits her well. She is resilient, she is strong and she is beautiful,
inside and out. When Su-Mei was 12 she announced to her parents that she wanted to move to the United States. Her parents approved of the move as long as there would be no cost involved and she went to an all-girls school. Getting to the U.S. without spending any money is very hard to do. After working every angle with friends, acquaintances and family, SuMei found a church-affiliated girl’s boarding school in Kentucky and went on a full scholarship at age 15, along with her “Cousin Susie,” who was appointed by Su-Mei’s mother to be her companion. On arrival, she saw that Kentucky wasn’t the place for her and she immediately started planning her way out to California. In Thailand, Su-Mei was a ninth grader; when she arrived at the Kentucky school she convinced the teacher that she should be an 11th grader, proving that she knew enough math and science to be at that level — even though she couldn’t speak English, did not know anything about American history or literature. Ultimately, she got a BA from Chapman College in Orange County
Su-Mei Yu with her daugher, Angela, and sister Marian Yu in Thailand.
Su-Mei Yu with Martha Stewart.
and a master’s degree in social work from San Diego State University in 1969, all on scholarships and work/study programs. Honoring her mother’s caveat —no cost involved. Having experienced numerous career changes leading up to being a restauranteur, Su-Mei, 70, says at this point in her life she would like to do more writing and more meditative work “for the betterment of the world.” Su-Mei was blessed personally by the Dalai Lama several years ago by chance “and it changed my life. I have since devoted my life to study, practice, contemplating, and meditating the Dharma, hoping that I shall learn to be loving and compassionate as is His Holiness, not only for myself, but for all sentient beings.” A La Jolla resident, Su-Mei is recording her earlier years, her mother’s stories, some of the recipes, very old folklore, and the philosophy and concept of Thai food, “just in case someone in the future wants and needs this information.” An immigrant herself, and an American citizen since the early 70s, Su-Mei is saddened when she watches the immigration crisis in the news. “I understand that in the modern world we have territories, that there’s a legal way to come to this country. At the same time there are all these unforeseeable situations in the world that involve human beings who are desperate. They just want to do what is best for themselves and their families,” she said. And she asked, “What do you do? I mean, is it really that hard to help them? To open the door? What if it happens to you? Then what?” Her suggestion is: Thanksgiving is coming up: open your homes. Open your hearts. And if you can’t do anything because you feel squirmy about having a stranger in your home, send money. DO something as a way to give thanks that you can sit down and have turkey because a lot of people can’t. Su-Mei Yu celebrated the 30th anniversary of her restaurant the week of Oct. 19.
In front of Saffron.
Green Curry
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By Bart Mendoza January 28 Wanda Jackson, at 78, Still Packs a Sonic Punch Rockabilly fans won’t want to miss an appearance by country music icon Wanda Jackson at the Casbah Jan. 28. At 78, Jackson still puts on a terrific show, with an incredible backlog of songs she’s recorded since 1954. Most recently she’s worked with such noted producers as Jack White and Justin Townes Earle, but as good as those new discs are, it’s Jackson’s early rock ‘n’ roll discs that keep her concerts packed, with songs such as “Fujiyama Mama” and especially her signature tune, “Let’s Have A Party,” still retaining a sonic punch after more than five decades. www.casbahmusic.com
February 6 The Magic of Jazz Flute Legend Tim Weisberg Jazz flute legend Tim Weisberg returns to Dizzy’s on Feb. 6. Weisberg has been a long-time area favorite, but making this show extra special, he will be debuting his brand new album, “Another Byte,” his first in nearly two decades. The CD was recorded completely live in front of an audience with no overdubs or retakes, showcasing nine terrific cover versions of songs ranging from Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” to Dan Fogelberg’s “Twins Theme.” If you’re new to Weisberg’s sound, the album is a terrific taster, giving the listener an insight into his music. But seeing him and his crack band play these tunes live is where the magic is. www.crocesparkwest.com
February 14 P.O.D. As Explosive As Ever One of San Diego’s biggest hard rock bands, P.O.D. returns with a special show at the House of Blues on Feb. 14. Touring behind their latest recording, “The Awakening,” the band’s first concept album, fans will find their music as explosive as ever, with plenty of anthemic hard rock, such as lead single, “This Goes Out To You.” With a string of classics such as “Youth of A Nation” and “Boom” to their credit, anyone who needs a dose of loud, hookfilled rock ‘n’ roll won’t want to miss this show from our hometown heroes. www.houseofblues.com/sandiego
February 14 Rebecca Jade’s Music Harkens Back to ’70s Soul Anyone looking for a Valentine’s Day offering with a bit of groove and danceability will want to check out Rebecca Jade, performing at the Kona Kai Resort on Feb. 14. Jade has a wonderful voice that harkens back to the heyday of the ’70s-era soul, as heard on her recent self-titled, album with her band, The Cold Fact. Making a Jade performance special is the fact that although she plays terrific covers, her original material, such as funky single, “Cuts Like A Winter,” is of such a high standard, they are virtually cut from the same cloth as the music of her heroes. www.resortkonakai.com
February 6
February 19
Blues and Rock Master Jorma Kaukonen
Tiffany Jane & The Kicks Headline Special Showcase
While his name may not be quite a household word, there is no doubt that Jorma Kaukonen is one of the most important guitarists to emerge from the 1960s. Appearing at the Music Box on Feb. 6, Kaukonen is a lynchpin of the 1960’s Bay Area music community. He has worked with everyone from Janis Joplin to the Chesterfield Kings and still performs on occasion with his band Hot Tuna. However, it’s his pioneering fretwork with The Jefferson Airplane 1965-1996 that would be familiar to most, his stellar playing across such classic albums as “Surrealistic Pillow,” ensuring his legend. For this show, Kaukonen is in solo acoustic mode, giving audiences a wonderful opportunity to hear this blues and rock master in stripped down and intimate mode. www.musicboxsd.com
On Feb. 19, Little Italy’s 98 Bottles will be the site of a special showcase spotlighting a variety of local arts and culture including music, painting, photography, dance and more. Music will be provided by chanteuse Tiffany Jane & her band The Kicks, a terrific combo that can play modern tunes by everyone from Bruno Mars to Sam Smith, while interjecting their own excellent material such as the self-descriptive, “I’ve Got Soul.” Tiffany Jane’s music will provide the perfect soundtrack for what is hoped to be the first of many such events celebrating local artists across different media. www.98bottlessd.com
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TOURISM
2015 BIG YEAR FOR SAN DIEGO TOURISM ECONOMY Officials predict another record year The San Diego Tourism Authority is projecting a record year for tourism in in San Diego in 2015 — $9.9 billion in visitor spending, 34 million visitors and $266 million in transient occupancy tax contributions to San Diego County city governments. The region is on pace to surpass last year’s totals in all of those categories, officials said. “While San Diego has long been a popular travel destination, the region’s appeal to travelers from around the world continues to grow and strengthen,” said Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. “In ever-increasing numbers, visitors are taking notice of all that San Diego has to offer, from our iconic attractions and world-class museums to our diverse neighborhood experiences and our innovative spirit that creates a dynamic business climate." The record numbers close out a successful year for San Diego’s tourism sector, according to officials. In July, the SDTA announced that convention bookings during fiscal
year 2015 reached a 10-year high with 1 million room nights booked. In February, the SDTA released a new $8.9 million multi-platform advertising campaign, which included television, print, online and billboard advertising. 2015 also saw the expansion of San Diego’s international presence. Earlier this year, the SDTA retained marketing representation in Australia, complementing international marketing efforts already underway in the U.K., Germany, China, Japan, Mexico and Canada. Also this year, San Diego was one of only four cities worldwide to be named a “World’s Smart City” by the National Geographic Channel. “We’re very encouraged by the growth of San Diego’s tourism economy over the past couple of years,” said Terzi. “And every San Diegan has a stake in the success of this important industry. Our ability to attract more travelers benefits the entire region through increased spending at our business establishments and more hotel tax revenue that the city can use for police, fire
and other important services.” The San Diego Tourism Authority, formerly the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, was established in 1954 to foster the growth of the tourism economy in San Diego through aggressive sales and marketing efforts. It is a private, nonprofit entity that is funded primarily through the San Diego Tourism Marketing District. Projected 2015 San Diego Tourism Numbers:
Tourists flock to the Lafayette Hotel in North Park to see the swimming pool designed by Johnny Weissmuller aka ‘Tarzan.’
Annual Visitors: 34.2 million Annual Visitor Spending: $9.9 billion Hotel Room Nights Sold: 16.9 million Annual Hotel Tax Revenue: $266 million
Tourist visitors to Adams Avenue are likely to see ‘Bartleby,’ the mascot of the Adams Avenue Bookstore.
San Diegans Working in Tourism: 173,000
Balboa Park is a favorite destination for tourists visiting San Diego.
The Mission Hills Historic District is a favorite tourist attraction.
Old Town’s shops and restaurants beckon tourists from all over the country and around the world.
Locals take their tourist friends to South Park’s quarterly Walkabouts sponsored by the South Park Business Group. This year’s Walkabouts: March 19, July 9, Oct. 8 and Dec. 3.
MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |
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COMMUNITY
| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP
Quality work for your bang-up job Carillo’s Auto Body puts broken things right When you’re in a car accident, your greatest hope is that no one is injured. The second thing you want is for your car to look and drive like it did before the accident. If anyone can make that happen, it’s Carillo’s Auto Body, a family business celebrating its 35th anniversary on Adams Avenue. Founder Tony Carillo has loved working on cars from the time he was 13 years old when he became an apprentice for his neighbor, an auto mechanic in Mexico. From there, he went onto work at another shop in Orange County, then joined the U.S Army where he did mechanical work on tanks and Jeeps. “I’ve pretty much seen everything that can happen,” Carillo says, describing military trucks that rolled over, and a more recent job. “We’re doing a repair now on a Mercedes Benz that was in a freeway accident and the hood, frame rails, headlights, and mechanicals are all crushed,” he says. “There’s a lot of technology because this is a smart-car, but we are going to make sure it’s put back together to factory specifications… It’s going to be safe, something I would feel comfortable putting myself and my family into. That feels really good to be able to do for people.” Family is a key value for Carillo as he discusses the important role his brothers Marcos and Vidal play in the success of the business. Marcos is the lead technician and Vidal is the lead painter. Carillo’s three sons, Tony, David, and Daniel, own a shop together in Allied Gardens. “I love working with family because even though everyone has strong opinions, it’s always because they care and that their name is on the door too,” he says. Carillo’s Auto Body is a member of the Better Business Bureau, and California Auto Body Association where Tony served as president. A lifetime member of the Automobile Association of America, Carillo’s has received the Triple-A Award for Best Auto Body Repair Shop. Accolades aside, Carillo says one of the most gratifying parts of his business is that he builds long-term relationships with his customers and the community. “I have customers whose parents brought their cars to me when they were teens and now they’re parents of teens who come to the shop,” he says. “It’s a great feeling to work with three generations because it tells me people know I’m giving them the best quality service at a reasonable price.” Carillo says some customers have called his cellphone at night from the site of an accident. “When you’re in an accident it’s a crucial time and you need to be there to help them
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JENNIFER COBURN
The Carillo Auto Body team. Can you spot Tony Carillo?
right there and then, not in two days. It’s a stressful time, so if I can give people peace of mind and send a tow truck to help them out, I’m glad I can do that.” Carillo owns a second location in La Mesa, but says he’s staying put on Adams Avenue where he has been an active part of the community for 35 years. Carrillo’s Auto Body supports local breast cancer events, Little
League, the Adams Avenue Business Association, and other nonprofits. “I like the changes that have transpired on the avenue over the years,” Carillo says, “We are still a quaint older neighborhood with all of the character and charm, but now people are out taking walks and it feels like a safe, cozy place. I consider this my neighborhood because I’ve spent the majority of my life here.”
Carillo’s Auto Body is celebrating its 35th year on Adams Avenue.
Tony Carillo has loved working on cars from the time he was 13 years old when he became an apprentice for his neighbor, an auto mechanic in Mexico.
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Important Dog Park Update
Over the summer The Adams Rec Council voted to approve the Normal Heights Interim Dog Park! Modifications to original plans include an increased setback, changes to fencing material and height, the addition of trash bins and baggy dispensers, upgrades to the mulch ground cover, and seating. We've made amazing progress, and anticipate the Dog Park to officially open in the next 30 days. We'll continue to keep you posted!
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KEN DAVENPORT: HELPING NONPROFITS PROSPER More than 120 organizations assisted Ken Davenport is at his best when he’s building something, whether it’s a Lego project with his son, handcrafted wood furniture for the office, or nonprofit organizations that serve San Diego. “I really like the formation process and seeing things come to fruition,” says Davenport, CEO of the nonprofit Mission Edge San Diego. In the four years since Davenport, and several other business-minded philanthropists, launched Mission Edge, he’s had the chance to build not only his organization, but also support more than 120 other San Diego nonprofits including Feeding America San Diego, the Timken Museum of Art, San Diego Junior Theatre, Zero8Hundred, and Miracle Babies, among many others. “Most nonprofits are great at serving the community, but struggle with the business side of things. Some organizations just need a little help in accounting,” says Davenport. “Others need a more comprehensive support package. We’ve had clients tell us that we saved them a ton of time and money, or that we’ve really helped them scale.”
BY JENNIFER COBURN
Davenport says that in his work with nonprofits through Social Venture Partners he saw too many organizations whose resources were being diverted away from their mission. “I’ve seen an executive director spend literally dozens of hours responding to a claim of wrongful termination of an employee, something that could have been avoided with some simple HR advice,” says Davenport. “But nobody at the organization had the expertise. What we are doing is allowing organizations to become more efficient by outsourcing certain business operations, while providing the expertise to help them avoid costly mistakes. We consider it a huge success when nonprofits can do their work more effectively and spend more time working on their core mission and passion.” The son of a Korean War veteran, Davenport has always appreciated the importance of serving, though it wasn’t until relatively recently that he found his opportunity to give back. Mission Edge is his first foray into the social sector, after a career as an entrepreneur and technology executive. “I realized that serving can take many forms, and for me, using
my business experience to help nonprofits be more effective can have a bigger impact than if I just donated my time,” he says. Though he does volunteer his time as well, particularly in support of veterans and the military community. Davenport serves on the board of the Travis Manion Foundation, an organization dedicated to assisting veterans and families of the fallen by empowering them to move forward and inspire the next generation of leaders. “Veterans have a sense of dedication and purpose, and that sense of mission is very valuable,” he says. “I really enjoy helping veterans understand how their skills are transferable and marketable in today’s civilian job market.” This past summer, Davenport joined his 84-year-old father on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. As he traveled with 120 World War II and Korean War veterans, his dedication to serving veterans grew. “I was sitting on the bus with guys in their 90s telling me about their missions flying bombers over Germany, and realizing that this great generation is passing,” says Davenport. “But we have
our own ‘greatest generation’ in those who have served since 9/11, and It’s become important to me to help where I can. They’ve bravely served us – it’s the least we can do to help them as they come back to the civilian world.” In Davenport’s spare time, he enjoys spending time with his 9-year-old son Gabe, a budding military buff. “He’s been interested in airplanes and military stuff since he could talk,” he says. “Gabe is now really into using his Lego set to do World War II mock-ups and battles. Last week, we did Omaha Beach on D-Day. It was pretty incredible.” A Do-It-Yourself carpenter, Davenport is also teaching his son how to re-purpose materials and create something new and beautiful. He made a wood sign and four redwood tables from scraps from an old deck, then wired them for electricity, and they are now being used in the Mission Edge offices. “I’ve always been pretty handy,” he says. “I’m kind of a start-up guy.”
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Cabinets get a period look from the use of quarter-sawn oak and traditional joinery.
REVIVAL MOTIFS FOR AN OPEN-PLAN KITCHEN BY PATRICIA POORE ARTS & CRAFTS HOMES AND THE REVIVAL
With the renovation of this undistinguished 1950s house, the new kitchen with Arts & Crafts motifs grew to become the heart of the home. Remodeling the kitchen was a major project in this owner’s upgrade of a Long Island house built in the 1950s. The old kitchen was dated and confused: Colonial Revival mouldings on stock golden-oak cabinets, a tiny island with clipped corners, low-end laminate countertops and white appliances, all with a smattering of generic wallpaper. Homeowner Robert Jackman hatched the overall design and suggested many of the details. “I went to college in Southern California,” Jackman says, “and fell in love with the Greene & Greene houses in Pasadena. Over time, I became more and more a student of the Arts & Crafts movement.” Jackman and his wife, Naomi, knew they’d look to the Arts & Crafts vocabulary for the renovation. He chose traditional wood species: quarter-sawn white oak, American cherry. This is new work, frankly embracing a professional-style range and a large, built-in refrigerator. (All appliances are by Sub-Zero and Wolf.) The design uses motifs of the past; the range is built into a hearth-like niche, for example, and a colonnade divides the room. The period-inspired kitchen features framed white-oak cabinetry, a wide-plank wood floor, and banquette seating that evokes a breakfast nook. Lighting is transitional, alluding to the gaslight and early-electric eras. “Because of my work in cabinetmaking, I was fussy about joinery,” Jackman says, “insisting on traditional mortise-andtenon and dovetail joints.” He himself built some key pieces, including the kitchen table, several doors, even the basement staircase. The center island features a 2½-inch-thick end-grain countertop in a checkerboard pattern (alternating walnut and maple) with a Vertical panels around the stove are pullout spice racks.
SEE KITCHEN, Page 17
Cabinets get a period look from the use of quarter-sawn oak and traditional joinery; each door has a framed, solid wood center panel, another traditional detail.
MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |
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KITCHEN CONTINUED FROM Page 16
mahogany border. The prep area near the stove is a “pizza station” featuring a low-height marble slab for kneading dough. The use of copper in the room — for the stove backsplash, the farmhouse sink, a breadbox — looks back to its predominance in art metalwork. The golden chartreuse wall paint is right out of the bungalow era. A Zoned Floor Plan
During the full-out renovation of the undistinguished 1950s house, the kitchen grew to become the heart of the home. Its careful layout, though, breaks it into various work and living spaces, giving the room a human scale not seen in most open-plan kitchens. The working corner of the kitchen moves from range to baking (or pizza prep) area to pantry and fridge. The breakfast nook, set near a large window, is cozily tucked into a colonnade. Here, a separate bank of storage cabinets takes the place of a sideboard. The unusual placement of the center island allows for wide corridors, creating a smooth traffic flow unimpeded by right angles and tight corners In the Language of Craftsman
Cabinets get a period look from the use of quartersawn oak and traditional joinery; each door has a framed, solid wood center panel, another traditional detail. Colonnades create an open feel while providing separate rooms, as in period bungalows. The styleneutral range is built into a hearth-like niche with a “mantel” shelf. Banquette seating suggests an old-fashioned breakfast nook. Wide-plank flooring was laid in various widths. (Narrow strip floors came later.) Hardware and lighting fixtures are period reproductions. The kitchen table and banquette overlook the backyard.
Arts & Crafts Homes and the Revival. artsandcraftshomes.com
The center island was placed cater-corner to perimeter cabinets, assuring wide passages. (All photos by Ric Marder)
Cool Carrara marble, traditional for baking stations, is used for the pizza-making countertop.
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Culture Report: The (Risky?) Business of Opening a Bookstore
Greg Theilmann and Justine Epstein, owners of Verbatim Books. (Photo by Kinsee Morlan) BY KINSEE MORLAN
Justine Epstein and Greg Theilmann don’t flinch in the face of the inevitable question that friends, family members and just about anyone who knows they’re opening a bookstore in North Park ask; some version of, But why are you opening a brick-and-mortar bookstore now when everything’s gone digital? “It does seem strange,” said Epstein. “There are a lot of options now, especially with consuming media in general.” Epstein and Theilmann co-own Verbatim Books. The new bookstore, located on the corner of 30th Street and North Park Way, is stocked with mostly used books, plus a few new ones by San Diego authors. It’s set to officially open in mid-January. Epstein worked at a used bookstore in Hillcrest for a decade before striking out on her own. She said the old shop where she worked made it through the economic slump and even saw business boom after 2013. She’s confident the usedbookstore formula is far from broken. If someone’s looking for a new book and knows the title, she said an e-reader is probably the best bet. But for people who only know they want to read something interesting — a book that’s stood the test of time — she said there’s no online replacement that can compare to walking up and down the aisles of a used bookstore and talking to the knowledgeable book nerds who staff the place. “Kindle and Amazon, they’re really great if you know exactly what you want, but I find it difficult to browse or find something you might not have known you wanted,” she said. “And I think people are sick of buying something and not really
having it, not being able to share it with other people and their friends, at least legally.” The serendipity of discovery and the share-ability of physical books are two arguments Theilmann uses, too, when explaining the “Why now?” question. Plus, he said, there are all sorts of other reasons people are still buying books.
“Even if they’re doing something as pretentious as putting it on their shelves so people can see it,” he said. “Everyone does that.” Epstein and Theilmann said they don’t expect the bookstore to last forever, but it feels right for right now. “There are a lot of things (about a bookstore) that are appealing or
even charming maybe,” Epstein said. “It is a bit old-fashioned in a lot of ways. I don’t think we expect to be in business for the next 50 years, but I think there is a niche market here, especially in North Park, and people like us have responded well to the idea of keeping that alive, at least for a little while longer.” The Culture Report is Voice of
San Diego’s weekly collection of the region’s cultural news. This article originally appeared in Voice of San Diego. Kinsee Morlan is the Engagement Editor at Voice of San Diego and author of the Culture Report. Contact her directly at kinsee.morlan@voiceofsandiego.org. Reprinted with permission.
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COMMUNITY
Mission to Serve UC San Diego’s Veteran of the Year finds life’s work in helping others Jan Noz, this year’s UC San Diego Veteran of the Year recipient, served her country as a member of the United States Air Force; now, she serves the university as a senior disability specialist in the Office for Students with Disabilities. In this role, Noz helps students — including veterans — understand and overcome difficult circumstances, so that they can attain their career and educational goals.
While in the military, Noz’s experience focused on managing warehouse inventory, which often included physical work, such as operating a forklift. Once she finished her service in the Air Force, she said she bounced around for a few years taking jobs to earn a paycheck, but had no direction. “My experience was in a very male-dominated field, so I had trouble finding a job after my service was
complete,” Noz said. “I struggled to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.” Noz’s experience of having little guidance during her transition out of the military is why the disability specialist is so passionate about what she does now. She feels privileged to have had the opportunity to help many people in transition or seeking a career change, including those with disabilities and students of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Today, Noz finds her work incredibly satisfying. “It gives me great pleasure to assist people and help them figure out what they want to do with their lives,” she said. Noz served in the Air Force from 1987 to 1991 and was an active duty service member during Operation Desert Storm. She joined the military to learn job skills, help pay for college and because it is part of her family legacy. Noz is proud to report that her family’s service covers all three branches of the military: her grandfather was in the Army during WWII; her uncle was in the Marines during the Vietnam era; and her husband served in the Navy. During Operation Desert Storm, Noz worked in logistics at Travis Air Force Base. Like many in the service during that time, Noz often worked 12-hour days. The long days required her to be away from her first son, who was an infant at the time. “It was difficult and did require sacrifice, but it’s what we signed up for,” she said. After the war, Noz transitioned out of the military and into civilian life –– a process which was abrupt. “My transition was pretty rough; it was not easy,” she said. “Things have changed since then, but for me it took place in just one afternoon when my papers were processed.” Noz added that transitioning out of the military can be difficult
because it is a huge lifestyle adjustment. “Most likely, there will be many that do not have a job lined up right away,” she said. “They are not going to be told what to do; they have to seek it out. They have to prepare. They have to develop a resume. It’s a very different lifestyle than when you are in the military.” Although it took years after Noz’s service was complete, she did find direction and a career pathway. A first-generation college graduate, she sought help from mentors, including one teacher she met while attending a California Community College. She later transferred to UC Berkeley and, upon graduation, started working at the campus as an academic adviser to students in the sociology department. Noz went on to earn a Master of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in career and adult development from the University of San Diego. After graduate school, she began her career first at private companies then at the Department of Veterans Affairs as a vocational rehabilitation and employment counselor. Helping veterans transition into civilian life became a key part of her work. In early 2013, she joined the staff at the UC San Diego Office for Students with Disabilities, where she often works with student veterans and students who are active duty military. As part of her role, she holds weekly office hours at the Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC). “It is really helpful for me to be in their space,” she said. “It helps me be present. They can ask questions, and I can build a rapport with them. That way, they don’t have to make an appointment at my office to seek services, as that process can be intimidating.” She says her career is incredibly satisfying because she gets to serve as a mentor to others, so that they can
find their own path in life. Noz does this in a variety of ways. “Sometimes it’s by asking the right questions, and sometimes it’s just listening,” she said. “Often, students are stuck, and I tell them: ‘I understand. I have been stuck before, too.’ ” Noz said that since the SVRC opened two years ago, she has seen the veteran community thrive at UC San Diego. Not only are veterans involved with the SVRC, but UC San Diego has a lot of active duty military in reserves that frequent the space. In addition, military supporters have gravitated to the center. Noz is an active member of UC San Diego’s Veterans Association, which is open to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. The organization raises awareness and promotes respect and appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the U.S. Armed Forces. “I learned after leaving the military that it’s important to have a community, and being involved with the Veterans Association is certainly beneficial for that very reason,” Noz said. “We’re involved in the UC San Diego community and the surrounding community. We contribute to the diversity of the campus.” Noz accepted her Veteran of the Year award at the 16th Annual UC San Diego Veterans Staff Association Veteran Recognition Ceremony on Nov. 5 at the UC San Diego Supercomputer Center Auditorium. “I have an overwhelming, awesome emotion of gratitude,” she said of accepting the award. “It gives me an opportunity to share what my mentors and others have shared with me along my life journey. It also helps me gain an understanding of what is needed and how I can continue to assist others and give back.”
Jan Noz is a senior disability specialist at UC San Diego. (Photo by Erika Johnson/University Communications)
MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |
New California Laws You Should Know About Jan. 1 will bring an abundance of new laws to California. From the way we work to the way we educate -- lawmakers thought of plenty of ways to change how Californians live. Here are five new laws you should know about.
school exit examination and on alternative pathways to satisfy specified high school graduation requirements.” Drive and vote
Anyone looking to get a driver’s license in California will automatically be registered to vote. Assembly Bill 1461 is applied to any qualified residents. Residents will also be registered to vote if they submit a change of address to the DMV or apply for an ID. Get those vaccinations
After a long battle, advocates for mandatory vaccinations saw a victory with the passage of Senate Bill 277. The law requires all California students attending public or private school to get vaccinated. Those seeking to be exempt will need approval from the state Department of Public Health. More cash needed for your ballot initiative Are you looking to get your idea on California’s next election ballot? Be prepared to pay more money. Assembly Bill 1100 changes the filing fee from $200 to $2,000. Supporters of the new law hope the increased fee will eliminate frivolous proposals. The possible end of the High School Exit Exam
No earbuds in the driver’s seat
There’s hope for students who fail the High School Exit Exam. Senate Bill 172 suspends the exam and removes it as a condition from graduation. The California Superintendent of Public Instruction is also required to convene an advisory panel “to provide recommendations to the superintendent on the continuation of the high
A new law will prevent drivers in California from wearing earbuds or headsets in both ears while on the road. But Senate Bill 491 does not apply to anyone operating authorized emergency vehicles.
Update on Deanne Cervantes After Deanne Cervantes, parent and librarian at McKinley Elementary School, suffered a broken back and multiple injuries in a Nov. 27 fall off a cliff in San Quentin, Mexico, her family put out a plea for donations through GoFundMe.com. One of her two daughters, Rachel Cervantes, has provided an
update on the fundraising effort: “After my mom Deanne Cervantes ended up at the ICU for a traumatic fall at her beloved ‘homeaway-from-home’ in San Quentin, Mexico, tremendous amounts of efforts have come forward from the community (and beyond) in order to help our family get together the funds to remodel our house in
order to be handicap-accessible for my now paralyzed mother.” “Having so many generous donations, as well as many loving people keeping my mom in their prayers, has relieved a lot of stress for my family and we can’t thank everyone enough for all their support.” “In terms of how my mom is doing, all things considered, she’s doing great! She has now moved to a rehab facility where she is being taught how to be self-sufficient with her diagnosis, and the progress she’s made is incredible! “She was in a wheelchair and speeding around the facility within the first week there! “ “It’s a lot for her to re-learn, but she is doing the absolute best and never complains, and we are all very proud of her progress. She can’t wait to come home, and with the help of the money being raised, it’ll be to a home fully equipped with everything she needs.” Donations may be made online at: GoFundMe.com/deannerecoveryfund. Steve and Deanne Cervantes
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2015 RealtorrÂŽ of the Year e r, awarded by the Greater San Diego Association of RealtorsÂŽ
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((619) 944 -2798 | Megan.B@cox.net 4134 Adams Avenue, Ste 105,SD 92116 www.MeganB.com DON’T JUST TAKE IT FROM ME...MY CLIENTS SAY IT BEST! “It is a big decision to purchase a home with i someone you have just met once, but if we had to do it again, we would repeat the experience without any hesitation. Megan made our house buying SURFHVV HIĂ€FLHQWO\ HDV\ :H DUH HDJHU WR UHFRPPHQG 0V %HDXYDLV WR RXU IULHQGV FROOHDJXHV DQG strangers when interest is shown in selling or buying a home.â€? - Drr. & Mrs. Frank Pallares
IN ESCROW 4519 49th St | Talmadge 4bd/2ba | 1,265 esf $559,000-579,000
SOLD 2609 Root St | Serra Mesa 3bd/2ba | 1,769 esf $585,000
SOLD 4533 Highla and Ave | Talmadge 3bd/2 2ba | 1,260 esf $ $589,000
SOLD 4475 Dale Ave #208 | La a Mesa 1bd/1ba | 673 esff $170,000
SOLD 3115 Dove St | Mission Hills 3bd/4ba | 2,223 esf $993,000
SOLD 4865 Winona Ave | Talmadge 3bd/2ba | 1,650 esf $850,000
SOLD 3940 Den nver Dr | La Mesa 3+bd/2.5ba | 2,077 esf $641,300 $
SOLD 5480 Pire Ave | Universiity City 3bd/3ba | 2,599 essf $1,050,000
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Š2014 Ascent A Real EstateŽ is a registered trademark licennsed to Ascent Real Estate, Inc. An Equal Housing/Equal Opportunity Company. Information deemed accurate but b not guaranteed. Buyer to verify all before closee of escrow. If your property is currently listed for sale, this is not intended as a solicitation. Sales may not represent all brokers.
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