North Park News, January 2016 by SD METRO

Serving San Diego’s Premier Urban Communities for 25 Years MidCityNewspaperGroup.com

NORTH PARK PROBLEM SOLVERS

Vol. 25 No. 1 January 2016

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Take A Virtual Tour The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park is now offering an interactive, personally-guided tour of its facility for people who are unable to visit in person or who just want to stay home and watch. PAGE 6

The Savory Su-Mei Yu

Despite its hip image, North Park does have its problems — homelessness, graffiti, threatened habitat, to name a few. But a group of dedicated citizens and officials are working to solve the thorny issues. Read Susan Taylor’s story on PAGE 12

Su-Mei Yu cooks up delicious meals at her Mission Hills restaurants — Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken and Saffron Noodles & Sate — which have become favorites of San Diego diners. Su-Mei learned the art of cooking from her mother, Lee Kwei Chi. PAGE 7

Bone Up on Health and Beauty North Park food expert Quinn Farrar Wilson recently released her book on bone broth — that’s right, bone broth — a delicious stock that has been used in cultures around the world for centuries. PAGE 23

Eric Bowlby, executive director of San Diego Canyonlands, cites the human impact on San Diego’s canyonlands, particularly since Florida Canyon sits so close to Downtown, absorbing many of the homeless people seeking a place Trash left by the homeless. away from the urban center.

Manny Cruz manny@sandiegometro.com Tomas Herrera-Mishler, director and chief executive officer of the Balboa Park Conservancy, can take visitors on tour of the park to see much of its beauty and some of its drawbacks.

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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.

COMMUNITY

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |

ING LIST W E N

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The ‘Live a Great Story’ sign on the side of the North Park Theatre. (Photo: Colette Mauzeralle)

2557 J St, Grant Hill, San Diego 92102 Duplex property with two 3 BR/1 BA units Sold for $457,680

Ask Dr. Z January is cervical heatlh awareness month and Birth Defects awareness month. I’m going to touch on these two topics for a moment as we head into 2016. Birth defects are still happening, and some are preventable. I always recommend a pre-conception physical to identify problems like low thyroid, kidney disease, and anemia to help give your future child a leg up in the world. When pregnant, the most important things to work on is getting the things you and the baby need, and avoiding the things that are harmful. That means eating lots of vegetables, taking a folate supplement (to prevent spina bifida), taking a prenatal vitamin with iron, and sleeping a lot. Exercise should be continued but at a lower intensity and duration. Keep the heart rate under 140, which is the baby’s heart rate generally. Use a heart rate monitor if you can. In the second trimester, take fish oils to help brain development. Try to avoid stress, sick people, and dangerous situations. Do not eat raw foods unless washed, and no uncooked meats/fish including sushi, raw milk (including goat)or dairy products, soft cheeses (listeria). Don’t change the cat litter (toxoplasmosis). Avoid smoking, even vaping, nicotine in any form, alcohol, drugs including marijuana, and pretty much all medication, even over the counter stuff, unless specifically approved by your midwife. These can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, facial defects, limb problems and brain damage in the baby. Make sure you have had the MMR shot and are immune to Rubella prior to getting pregnant. Rubella causes horrible facial and cardiac defects, and is still reported

G ISTIN L W NE

in the U.S. Men, you need a preconception physical as well, as influences in the three months prior to conception can affect your son or daughter; everything from birth defects to cancer risks. These include chemical exposures, smoking, drug use including marijuana, and illnesses like thyroid disease. For cervical health, I want to remind women that a pap smear is the only real way to ensure that you are cervical cancer free. The HPV vaccine can prevent the type of cervical cancer caused by HPV, but not the type that occurs randomly, so you still need a pap smear. New recommendations give us a break, though. Starting at 21 years old, sexually active or virgin, you get a yearly pap smear. After three normal pap smears, you can go in every three years. If you are changing partners, or have many partners, we recommend continuing with yearly tests. Once you are 65, ditch the pap. However, you still need yearly breast and ovary exams, so it doesn’t change the mechanics of what the doctor does much, just the labs we do. Make 2016 your year for health — make a resolution to go for your pap test, get a physical, check your thyroid or whatever your concerns. Add a resolution to get healthier — try organic (even if it is only every other shopping trip) start yoga twice a week, go to the gym or take up a new sport. Start slow, be consistent, and have fun! Dr. Tara Zandvliet welcomes your questions. Send them to questions@ southparkdoctor.com. She practices at 2991 Kalmia St. Phone: (619) 9290032.

10450 Paseo de Linda, 4S Ranch, San Diego 92127 4 BR/ 3 1/2 BA plus Casita Approx 3,000 SF $869,000 G STIN I L NEW

2832 Beech St, South Park, San Diego 92102 Meticulously restored 3 BR/ 3 BA historic home. $1,295,000 G ISTIN L W NE

1115 S. Mollison, El Cajon 92020 Jewel of El Cajon! 4 BR/ 3.5 BA estate home with guest apartment & pool. $1,079,500 D!

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1105 Solana Avenue, Del Mar, 92014 Fabulous single story 5 BR/ 3 BA ranch-style home. $1,995,000

1608 Maria Ave., Spring Valley Sold for $460,000

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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 |

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.

| 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 |

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

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |

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

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

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 |

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

COVER STORY

NORTH PARK PROBLEM SOLVERS Solutions offered for some of the neighborhood’s recurring issues North Park: Precious and Problematic. Realtors see it as hip and desirable, residents find it friendly and open-minded, retailers view it as trendy and popular. But does North Park have its share of problems, too? Areas of specific concern are Morley Field, Florida Canyon and Balboa Park proper. Homelessness, graffiti, illegal parking, restoration of habitat, and problems resulting from deferred maintenance are just some of the recognized issues. Working to improve the area are groups like Citizens’ Patrol North Park, San Diego Canyonlands, the Balboa Park Conservancy, City Councilman Todd Gloria, and the North Park Community Association. Each has priorities, each is civic-minded, wanting to make North Park and its adjacent parkland safe, healthy, green and attractive. Alan Bennett is the coordinator of Citizens’ Patrol North Park. He says that CPNP is the “eyes and ears” of law enforcement in North Park. It patrols streets, alleys and by-ways and reports suspicious behavior, illegal parking, graffiti, and burned out street lights. He invites people in North Park to go on a ride-along drive “for an hour or a day.” The volunteer group spends most Fridays driving to and walking through the Old Trolley Barn Park in Normal Heights, North Park Community Park, and especially Florida Canyon, looking under bushes and scouring ravines, bagging up trash and belongings left behind by transients. In Bennett’s view, the park staff is doing the best it can with limited resources, but he speaks of the City Council policy toward our open space as “benign neglect,” resulting in the “warehousing” of the homeless to parkland. Bennett worries about the people bedded down in creek beds where heavy rains could be life-threatening. He turns over confiscated sleeping bags and leftover clothing to the city Parks Administration Office where they can be claimed. A self-avowed “plant steward,” Bennett is able to indentify numerous native and invasive plant species, and he is distraught over the negative impact of “encampments” on roots and soil. Campfires and human waste in the park and graffiti on the restrooms in the area of the tennis courts are other issues. (To learn more about the official plan to preserve hundreds of acres set aside for public parkland, contact Bennett at: alanbennett@hotmail.com.) Eric Bowlby, executive director of San Diego Canyonlands (SDCanyonlands.org), cites the human impact on San Diego’s canyonlands, particularly since Florida Canyon, just west of Morley Field and east of the zoo, sits so close to Downtown, absorbing many of the homeless people seeking a place away from the urban center. The situation means that human waste is contaminating the water and soil, and trash, clothing and bedding are strewn about. San Diego Canyonlands notifies the city’s Environmental Services Department, which in turn informs the individuals that a cleanup will occur and also provides them with important information about shelter resources that are available. A priority for Canyonlands is the restoration

While Councilman Todd Gloria maintains that being homeless is not in itself a crime, he asks the public to inform the city of any illegal activity such as graffiti and illegal parking.

Alan Bennett of Citizens’ Patrol North Park talks with reporter Susan Taylor during a tour of the neighborhood. (Photo by Jim Childers)

Eric Bowlby, executive director of San Diego Canyonlands.

BY SUSAN TAYLOR

of wildlife habitat; this may include the closing of renegade trails that defragment natural areas and threaten species. More than any other county in the United States, San Diego County has the most endangered species, according to Bowlby. Tomas Herrera-Mishler, director and chief executive officer of the Balboa Park Conservancy, speaks with optimism and enthusiasm about current and future projects in Balboa Park. He recently convened a community conversation with some 150 individuals representing 84 stakeholder groups concerned about the park to share their vision and values. The consensus was that park accessibility is of the highest priority. Ideally, patrons could share in the park experience on foot, by bicycle, or by car, however, traffic gridlock and parking problems are the reality. One positive change is that the Plaza de Panama, the quadrant central to the park, is now a mostly pedestrian-only zone. During December Nights, families could be seen enjoying the expansive space, illuminated by the glow of exterior lighting on the Museum of Art. A relatively inexpensive addition of planters, tables, and umbrellas in the plaza, secured through a grant from Southwest Airlines, has further improved the venue. Next up is restoration of the historic Botanical Building and grounds. Unreflective of its original design, the building has termites, and the indoor irrigation system is faulty. Deferred maintenance issues such as this are representative of the challenges facing the Conservancy. Herrera-Mishler added that another building — the Bud Kearns Pool building, was at risk, but a move to preserve it for historical designation would help bolster the former WPA project. Balboa Park is America’s busiest urban park. It predates the establishment of the nation’s national parks, and will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2018. The Balboa Park Conservancy supports the goals of the city of San Diego’s master plan, which calls for horticultural sustainability and expansion, and increased positive recreational experiences. North Park residents are, in fact, encouraged to familiarize themselves with the master plan, and the precise plan, which addresses deficiencies in the East Mesa — the area from Park Boulevard east to 28th Street. Although this land was set aside more than a century ago, only half is built, and in the parts undeveloped are the visually jarring truck parking lot and Pershing Street, a “traffic sewer,” dumping cars into Downtown. These aspects detract from the character of the park, affect property values, impede the circulation of people and automobiles, and overall present the East Mesa as an underperforming asset. Another problem is the lack of any gateway signage and landscape enhancements which could scenically invite the public into the park. To address these issues and find solutions, Herrera-Mishler strives to build personal relationships with corporations, private investors, and the people of North Park to embrace the idea of a more satisfying, historically authentic, plant-rich, and people-friendly Balboa Park. By contacting the Conservancy Office SEE PROBLEMS, Page 13

COVER STORY

PROBLEMS CONTINUED FROM Page 12

(info@balboapark.org) or by calling (619) 331-1930, one-hour tours can be arranged. Enthusiastically, the Conservancy director looks to a partnership with the San Diego Foundation, the city of San Diego and other funding sources to generate the financial means to alleviate the problems and enhance the attributes of Balboa Park for the enjoyment of neighborhood and distant visitors. Despite advancements in finding housing for the homeless, Todd Gloria’s office reports that North Park remains “severely impacted.” Since being elected 18 months ago as chair of the Regional Continuum of Care Council, Gloria has made a commitment to finding solutions. After housing is provided, more services can be accessed, and fewer people will be on the streets and in the parks, he says. While Gloria maintains that being homeless is not in itself a crime, he asks the public to inform the city of any illegal activity such as graffiti and illegal parking. North Park Community Association President Edwin Lohr said citizens are dissuaded from giving food or money directly to homeless people. Instead, people can give donations

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |

directly to established shelters and therefore benefit more needy people. Lohr mentions that just as North Park is a destination for restaurant patrons and entertainment seekers, those who go without are aware of it as a “food-rich environment.” He says that among homeless people he has encountered, most want to be left alone. One creative suggestion is to utilize shipping containers, divided into cubicles, as temporary shelters. Obviously, it will take time, money, and effort to see the community solve its problems, but the stakeholders mentioned here and other concerned North Park residents and businesses can contribute by volunteering, giving donations, and working together. What North Park benefits from are conservationists, caring citizens and committed officials. The animals and plants of our North Park environs are depicted in San Diego Canyonlands’ field guide. Preservation of Balboa Park is overseen by the Balboa Park Conservancy and the North Park Community Association. These are watchful eyes and helpful hands. The community can and should participate to make North Park a better place to live, work, and play.

Edwin Lohr, president of the North Park Community Association, says North Park is considered a ‘foodrich environment’ by the less fortunate.

View of Balboa Park greenery. (Photo by Jim Childers)

Material left behind by the homeless. (Photo by Jim Childers)

Another view of Balboa Park. (Photo by Jim Childers)

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time! Proceeds benefit neighborhood troops America’s youngest entrepreneurs will launch their seasonal business on Sunday, Jan. 24. Every penny of proceeds from the 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Program will stay here in San Diego to fund troop activities, events, camps, volunteer training and financial aid for nearly 40,000 girl and adult members. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the world’s largest girl-led business, teaching girls important lessons about goal setting, decisionmaking, money management, people skills and business ethics. Many successful women say they developed these aptitudes, along with selfconfidence, while selling cookies. Local cookie entrepreneurs include the Girl Scouts of North Park, Kensington, Mission Hills, South Park, University Heights and surrounding communities comprising Girl Scouts San Diego’s Park Hills Service Unit (volunteer support cluster). Girl Scouts from the area include Brownie Troop 4035 and Cadette Troop 4339. Last year, they pooled their cookie proceeds to help the San Diego House Rabbit Society, San Diego’s first all-bunny animal rescue center. During the 2016 season, the Brownies will use cookie dollars for additional community service work, including a storm drain stenciling project, as well as for an outing to Knott’s Berry Farm. The Cadette troop members are especially excited about the cookie season, as they plan to invest most of their earnings in a five-day trip to New York City, where they will sightsee and visit Girl Scouts’ national headquarters. The middle schoolers will also hold a Girl Scout bridging ceremony in Central Park to mark their progression to the Senior

level of Girl Scouts. In addition, the girls will fund expenses related for their Silver Award (the highest Cadette honor) projects — which will help support the rabbit society, a Mexican orphanage, and a new stop sign for a high-traffic downtown intersection. This year, fans of America’s favorite cookies will celebrate the return of a favorite variety. By popular demand, Savannah Smiles will return to the cookie line-up. These zesty lemon confections dusted with powdered sugar were last sold in San Diego in 2014. And, for the second year, Girl Scouts may choose to supplement their door-to-door and both sales by marketing from personalized cookie web pages.

When the Digital Cookie 1.0 online platform launched last year, cookie orders were shipped directly to customers. A new 2.0 upgrade will allow customers to opt for the girl to deliver the order. Parents must approve the web pages and each delivery request. Digital Cookie 2.0 will also provide girls with more ways to learn with new business tools and activities … and more fun with cookie-related games, quizzes, and videos. Through Operation Thin Mint, a local service project that started in 2002, customers can donate cookies to deployed U.S. military troops. Since the program began in 2002, San Diegans have sent more than 2.5 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies, accompanied by countless notes

Kaia, Reese, Kiley and Maya of Brownie Troop 4035 used cookie earnings to support the San Diego House Rabbit Society.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Hope the Paper Keeps Coming in the Mailbox

Dear Editor, I just found a moment to write to you about receiving the holiday issue in my mailbox. This is the first time that this has ever happened. What a nice surprise. I read it from the cover until there was nothing left to read. In 2009, I was finally able to buy something. I bought in North Park and am thrilled to see all the positive changes happening in the last few

of support, to deployed military troops. In addition to Savannah Smiles, this year’s cookie offerings include returning favorites Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, Tagalongs and Rah-Rah Raisins. Glutenfree Toffee-tastics are available again on a limited basis through a pilot program. New Girl Scouts and adult volunteers are welcome to join the cookie action, as well as participate in Girl Scouting adventures year-round. To sign up, go to sdgirlscouts.org/membership, or contact Christa Browning at cbrowning@sdgirlscouts.org or (619) 610-0706. For general information, visit the Girl Scouts San Diego website, sdgirlscouts.org.

years. Can’t wait to see the renovations that Grasshopper Development will be making to the O’Connor Church Goods store. It is just down the street from me. The makeover sounds pretty impressive. I didn’t realize until I read the different articles of how much business I do in North Park. Some of my favorites are North Park Produce with the owner never too tired to say hello when you can clearly see she is exhausted. It is always a pleasure to go to Hunt and Gather. Owners Zoe and Lee are always ready to help with fabulous one of a kind vintage clothes or that long sought over record. The jewelry is

all hand done by local artists too. The Soda Bar and Hideout are great hangout places. The Redwing is always great on a Saturday night for karaoke. Be warned it is a kaleidoscope of characters but, always a friendly, happy place. Cheap drinks too! Rudford’s and Ranchos Cocinas are always great for inexpensive delicious dishes. I could go on and on but, just glad to see all the great changes in North Park. Welcome to all the new businesses that have moved into the neighborhoods. Welcome home! Jorge Malone North Park

Girl Scout Cookies on Tap Craft beer will be the beverage of choice for dunking during Cookies on Tap, the second-annual collaboration between Mike Hess Brewing and Girl Scouts San Diego. Adults are invited to enjoy this unique beer and cookie fest during National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (Friday-Sunday, Feb. 2628). Held at Mike Hess Brewing tasting rooms in North Park, Miramar and Oceanside. Cookies on Tap will raise funds and awareness for Girl Scout leadership programs and the financial assistance that keeps the organization available and affordable for every girl. Girl Scouts San Diego will receive a portion of the proceeds from every cookie pairing flight (five 5.5 oz. beers and five corresponding Girl Scout cookies) sold. Cookies on Tap proceeds will also support Operation Thin Mint, a local Girl Scout program that sends “a taste of home and a note to show we care” to deployed military troops. Mike Hess Brewing is located at 3812 Grim Ave. in North Park, 7955 Silverton Ave. in Miramar, and 4893 Voltaire St. in Ocean Beach. For details, visit www.mikehessbrewing.com or call (619) 255-7136. For details, go to sdgirlscouts.org/ cookiesontap

MTS Ramps Up Wheelchair and Priority Seating Enforcement Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) riders may now face steep fines if they refuse to vacate priority seating designated for the disabled and seniors (65+) based on a new state law and a new MTS ordinance amendment approved by the MTS Board of Directors. The new ordinance will take effect on Feb. 13. With the board’s action to amend MTS Ordinance No. 13, refusal by a rider to vacate priority seating and wheelchair areas for persons with disabilities and the elderly upon request may result in a citation and the following fines: • $25 for first offense • $50 for second offense • $100 for third and subsequent offenses

All of these fines are subject to significant court administrative fees. “This new policy gives our operators and security personnel another tool to help our passengers with limited mobility,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski. “Previously we were only allowed to request that passengers vacate their seat. We could not enforce or compel a person to move. Now we have that authority.” All Trolley and bus vehicles have multiple areas designated for the disabled and seniors. These seats and areas are marked clearly with blue signs and are located near entry/exit points.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |

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.”

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

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 |

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.

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

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MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |

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.

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

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

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

BUSINESS

Thorn Street Brewery Expands into Barrio Logan The popular brewer needs more space to keep up with demand Dennis O’Connor, co-founder of Thorn Street Brewery (TSB) opened his North Park neighborhood brewery a few years ago as part of living the American dream: create a popular and successful craft beer brewing operation. Fast forward to what has evolved in 2016 as a classic case of being careful what you wish for. Now, O’Connor’s 32nd & Thorn site is too small to keep up with the big demand for its beer. Recent decisions to solve this hoppy dilemma have TSB expanding to a second location in Barrio Logan in 2016. “If there is a local brewing company that embodies the neighborhood brewery model, it’s Thorn Street. Brewery,” said Brandon Hernandez, a contributing writer with West Coaster craft beer magazine. “Even before it opened, denizens of its namesake community were excited for its arrival. And since the doors swung ajar, North Parkers have frequented the cozy, split level spot, making it the social hub its owners had hoped for when putting together its business plan.” The operative word “cozy” will

soon give way to bigger space. Thorn Street has taken over a 10,500-squarefoot warehouse space at 1741 National Ave. Formerly the site of the former San Diego Public Market project, it will play home to a brewery and tasting room keeping its current name. Once open, TSB’s brew crew will produce 5,000 barrels per year, but the space will allow for enough fermentation vessels to amount to 30,000 barrels annually. Plans are to have Thorn Street’s Barrio operation up and running sometime this year. Up until now, O’Connor’s operation has had to contract brew outside its North Park digs to meet customer demand, so this next chapter should solve such problems in a more economical manner. In coming to Barrio Logan, O’Connor said his team hopes to replicate the effect Thorn Street had on its section of North Park by “cleaning and brightening up” a street that could use a bit of invigoration. They would see it as a positive if another business with additional block-building appeal took interest in the identical warehouse space next-door to Thorn Brewing as they

The San Diego Public Market before it closed. The building at 1741 National Ave. in Barrio Logan will be the new home of Thorn Street Brewery’s second location.

would enjoy having a quality tenant to team with. There is also the possibility they may take possession of that space as well, with far-off plans to perhaps install a bottle shop, restaurant and/or retail components. In the past two years, Barrio Logan

has welcomed a pair of brewery tasting rooms for Border X Brewing Company and Iron Fist Brewing Company. Both fit into a budding artisanal community that would appear to be aiding significantly in the resurrection of a community that

had fallen out of favor with San Diego’s general population, providing fun reasons to visit and rediscover the area. Source: West Coaster is a media partner with Mid City Newspaper Group publishers of this newspaper.

FOOD & DRINK

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JANUARY 2016 |

Bone Up on Health and Beauty in the New Year North Park food expert releases bone broth cookbook What do Gwyneth Paltrow, Kobe Bryant, and Salma Hayek all have in common? For one, they’re A-List celebrities who don’t ever have to settle for anything less than the best in health care, food, and personal care. Not so coincidentally, the trio joins also a long lost of high-profile actors and athletes who swear by the health and beauty benefits of bone broth. Bone broth?! That’s right, bone broth. While bone broth might sound like something from a witch’s cauldron, it’s actually a delicious stock that has been used in cultures around the world for centuries. Its healing properties have been touted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Time. The brew has been featured on “Good Morning America” and the “Today Show.” Now it’s making local headlines as North Park food expert Quinn Farrar Wilson recently released “BONE BROTH:101 Essential Recipes & Age-Old Remedies to Heal Your Body.” The book features methods for making bone broth — and recipes that incorporate the stock, such as Apple Butter and Ale Pork Ribs with Sweet Potatoes, Strawberry-Spiced Glazed Carrots, and Autumnal Pork Stew. It even features desserts like brownies, berry cobbler, and sweet potato pie made with bone broth.

“Bone broth is nature’s ultimate superfood rich in protein, amino acids, magnesium, and calcium,” says Farrar Wilson as she pulls roasted organic grass-fed beef bones from her oven and lets them cool before she puts them in her slow cooker to make a new batch of bone broth. “Kobe Bryant started using bone broth after what could have been a career-ending set of injuries,” she says of the Los Angeles Laker’s star’s ruptured

Beef Bone Broth Recipe Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo Makes 4 to 6 quarts Prep time: 1 hour / Cook time: Stovetop: 24 to 36 hours, Slow Cooker: 24 to 36 hours, Pressure Cooker: 2 hours (plus 24 hours cooling time) This classic bone broth uses knuckle and marrowbones; their collagen and fat help yield a rich-textured and nourishing liquid. The carrot, onion, and fennel all add a hint of sweetness, while celery and garlic help balance the flavors and add depth. Adding more vegetables or bones will create a more complex flavor. 3 pounds mixed beef knuckle and marrowbones 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 2 celery stalks, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1/2 white onion, sliced 1/2 medium fennel bulb, cored and sliced 1 garlic clove, cut in half

Ratatouille

BY JENNIFER COBURN

Achilles tendon and fractured knee. “He credits bone broth as an important factor in his recovery.” Bone broth has also been shown to heal leaky gut syndrome, help with insomnia and anxiety, and alleviate a host of other health issues, says Farrar Quinn. Actor Salma Hayek says she began drinking the nutritious superfood to combat body aches and found that it greatly relieved her back pain. And Gwyneth Paltrow raves about the health and beauty benefits of bone broth: “Bone broth has been called Nature’s Botox because it helps keep up collagen levels that start to decline once we hit 30. It contains key elements like collagen, gelatin, glycine, and proline which gives our skin everything it needs to stay glowing and healthy. Bone broth has been shown to reduce cellulite and wrinkles, strengthen hair and nails, and reduce acne-causing inflammation.” As Farrar Wilson’s broth begins to simmer, a rich aroma fills her kitchen. “Nutritionists have known about bone broth for centuries,” says Farrar Wilson. It gained popularity last year when two key elements came into play. Gwyneth Paltrow featured bone broth on her health and beauty blog, Goop. Next, upon the release of his broth cookbook, Marco Canora, executive chef of New York’s natural food restaurant Hearth, opened

small side window serving nothing but bone broth. The window, called Brodo (meaning broth in Italian), was featured in The New York Times, and soon had lines forming around the corner. Farrar Wilson has has been a bone broth devotee long before it was popular, though. She has run Balanced and Bright Bone Broth, a North Park-based business that has been creating homemade bone broth for nearly three years. She first heard about bone broth from a colleague who attended a health and nutrition conference where bone broth was served in lieu of coffee. “It sounded strange to me at first,” says Farrar Wilson, “but the more I thought about it, the more I was intrigued so I began researching bone broth and its long tradition as a healing remedy.” She became convinced of its restorative effects when she started experiencing the benefits herself. “I suffered excruciating bone pain for many years from a childhood skiing accident and when I started taking bone broth, I found great relief,” she says. “My stomach problems were gone in a few months as well. And I also noticed that my hair, skin, and nails looked amazing!” “BONE BROTH” was released on Jan. 15 (Sonoma Press, $16.99) and is available everywhere books are sold.

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Put the frozen or thawed knuckle and marrowbones in a deep baking dish lined with oiled aluminum foil. Roast the bones until they are a deep, dark brown color, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

for 24 to 36 hours. Pressure Cooker: Bring the pressure cooker to high heat, and then lower the heat once it has reached between 10 and 15 psi. Cook for 2 hours. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions, and never leave a pressure cooker unattended.

Transfer the bones to a large stockpot, slow cooker, or pressure cooker. Fill the vessel with filtered water, enough to completely cover the bones, and add the apple cider vinegar. Allow the bones to sit in the water and vinegar for 15 minutes. Add all the remaining ingredients to the vessel, and follow one of these cooking methods:

When the broth is done, it will be a rich, dark brown color. Use tongs to carefully remove the bones from the broth, and discard (or reserve to use again). Use a spider strainer to remove the vegetables, and discard. Let the broth cool for 1 hour.

Slow Cooker: Turn the slow cooker to the low setting and cook for 24 to 36 hours. Stovetop: Bring the broth to a low simmer over medium heat, making sure to never reach the point of boiling. Aim for a slow movement in the broth, with small to medium bubbles rising from the bottom. Cook

Seasonal Frittata

Set a large fine-mesh strainer over a storage container or jar. Carefully pour the cooled broth into the container. Cover the container and transfer it to the refrigerator for 24 hours. Remove the lid, discard the fat layer from the stock or reserve for rendering and use as desired.

North Park author and businesswoman Quinn Farrar Wilson.

| JANUARY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP