NORTH PARK NEWS, JULY 2016

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Serving San Diego’s Premier Urban Communities for 25 Years Vol. 25 No. 7 July 2016

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DRESSING THE ABODE

WHAT’S INSIDE?

North Park homeowners get fancy and quirky with their homescapes

Planning North Park’s Future After months of hearings and amendments, the updated North Park Community Plan is entering its final phases. While the update provides long-term guidance on zoning, parking and historic district designation, there are still challenges straining the community. PG. 2

New Local Business in Bloom North Park plants a new business in its quaint artistic neighborhood.

Native Poppy and Communal Coffee recently opened on University Avenue adjacent to the North Park Nursery. It’s an innovative business concept — a coffee shop that specializes in hybrid infusions that shares a space with a flower shop. PG. 12 Can you count the flags planted at this patriotic house at 3628 Alabama Street?

North Park homeowners have a keen eye when dressing up the front of their homes, like the ones who imbedded a retaining wall on Arizona Street with shells and tiles to form a mermaid-under-the-sea motif. Or the owners on Alabama Street who decorated the outside of their house with American flags. Keep your eye out for these and others, all described by Susan Taylor on PAGE 10 LEFT: A wide-eyed owl keeps watch over this house at 3711 29th St.

Pet Health Food Store Now Open Tori Rosay, owner of pet health food store Dexter’s Deli, says many people treat their dogs like a garbage disposal, feeding them nutrient-poor, processed food. Not her customers, though. PG. 13

CONTACT US RIGHT: Colorful seascape retaining wall at 3506 Arizona St. remodeling project.

EDITORIAL/LETTERS

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

Planning North Park’s Future Homelessness challenges planning group as Community Plan Update enters final stages

BY ANDREW DYER

After months of hearings and amendments, the updated North Park Community Plan is entering its final phases. While the update provides long-term guidance on zoning, parking and historic district designation, there are still challenges straining the community in the form of homelessness and near-homelessness.

The Draft Program Environmental Impact Report, one of the last hurdles before approval, is undergoing a 45-day public review period ending on July 28. The North Park Planning Committee (NPCC) will again revisit the plan before moving it on to the Planning Commission and City Council in November.

NPCC chair Vicki Granowitz said the committee has played a vital part in shaping the look of the neighborhood today and is thinking longterm with this update.

“We’re a walkable, bikeable community,” she said. “We really need ways for people to be multi-modal.”

Granowitz said new thinking about urban design and transportation influenced the update, but that diverting from car-centric 20th century planning is not easy.

“We’ve endorsed cycle tracks for a variety of areas and they’re in the works,” she said. “SANDAG will be bringing projects to us improving the Upas bikeway and Georgia Street.

Change is happening and some peo-

Vicki Granowitz, chair of the North Park Planning Committee, said it has played a vital role in shaping the look of North Park today.

ple are excited about it, other people just can’t imagine life without cars.

It’s an interesting, exciting time for North Park.”

Other improvements spearheaded by the NPPC are small but impactful improvements to streets, specifically street parking.

“We’ve been involved in approving hundreds of parking spaces to be converted from parallel to head-in between El Cajon and University,” Granowitz said. “We got a green parking space taken out on Upas and 30th. Traffic flows more evenly now.”

Development in North Park is influence by the NPPC and residents have long been vocal advocates for preserving the character of their neighborhood. Granowitz said she has been involved with several battles

with developers over the years, like in the mid-1990s when there was talk of converting the Lafayette Hotel into a homeless shelter.

“People got up in arms over that,” she said. “We stopped them from tearing down the Georgia Street Bridge. We stopped this transitional housing thing. We stopped a Food4-Less from going in on University Avenue. We did all that before social media.”

These fights, Granowitz said, sent San Diego developers a message: “You don’t mess around with North Park.”

Homelessness is a more complex issue. In the 20 years since the fight over the future of the Lafayette Hotel, Granowitz said the homeless problem has gotten worse.

“Exponentially worse,” she said.

Large homeless populations downtown are pushing some into surrounding neighborhoods and North Park is not as equipped to handle them.

“Parks are really being impacted,” Granowitz said. “We used to be able to put the sprinklers on at night and give our parks a break. The homeless would have to go someplace else. But with water rationing we don’t turn them on as a strategy.”

One issue that many city officials like Granowitz point to is good Samaritans who feed the homeless.

“We want (them) to get fed (and)

There have been several battles over the years, like in the mid-1990s when there was talk of converting the Lafayette Hotel into a homeless shelter.

there are appropriate feeding programs,” she said. “Right now people go out and just drop off food which often ends up creating trash. There’s plenty of food available.”

Granowitz said she would like to see more done but there was not enough money. “If we had more funds we could do something like the Alpha Project to actually meet and get to know our homeless,” she said. “But all of that takes money and North Park is not CDBG eligible.”

The Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) is a federal program that allocates money to low-income areas to help house and provide services to vulnerable populations. North Park does not meet requirements for the program, Granowitz said.

“Our income levels are higher than what would make us really eligible,” she said. “There’s pockets that do meet requirements but when you put that against other areas it is unlikely

we would become eligible.”

Near-homelessness is another problem bearing down on many in the community.

“We have an aging population of seniors who are not just food insecure, they’re home insecure,” Granowitz said. “(We) are looking at what we can do to make sure those folks don’t end up on the street.”

North Park, while experiencing challenges often associated with lowincome areas, does not qualify for programs designed to address those issues.

“It’s a very perplexing problem,” Granowitz said.

There is still time for the public to provide input on the community plan update. Draft plan documents are available on the committee’s website, northparkplanning.org, and the committee meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm at North Park Christian Fellowship (2901 North Park Way).

American Master Takes Up Residency Hyacinthe Baron opens North Park artist studio Celebrating her 80th birthday, a few weeks ago, artist Hyacinthe Baron announced her creative residency at The Studio Door in North Park where she plans to focus on her final body of work that she hopes will continue to define her legacy.

For more than 70 years, Hyacinthe Baron has worn the mantle of being a creative.

Sculptor, writer, fashion designer, poet, teacher, interior designer, print maker and painter are just a few of the titles applied to her talents.

“I’m thrilled to have the energy and a space outside my home to work in. Creativity knows no age and imagination knows no time restrictions,” said Hyacinthe.

In addition to creating new works, Hyacinthe is looking forward to sharing her insights by scheduling a free lecture on Saturday, July 16 to explore the process of revealing untapped creativity as outline in her best selling book “Seeking the Silent Stranger.” She hopes that individuals who do not consider themselves artists will feel free to participate as she feels that everyone can benefit by looking within and being creative.

To attend, send a RSVP to ForAllWeKnow@TheStudioDoor.com to reserve a seat.

In the late ’60s, Hyacinthe lived in Greenwich Village, New York City and shared the moment with her New York School contemporaries Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. Her Marcel Duchamp claimed, “The genius is evident.

Hyacinthe is a great draughtsman and a master of the arts. With a few strokes, she gives life and emotion to drawing.”

Duchamp is commonly regarded, along with Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, as one of the three artists who helped define the revolutionary developments in the plastic arts, responsible for significant developments in painting and sculpture.

In spite of the times, which did not often afford the same opportunities for female artists, Hyacinthe gained international success with her Motherhood, Childhood and Sisterhood artworks. Ahead of her time, Hyacinthe pre-dated the women’s movement of the ’60s by painting beautiful, proud and independent women. By the ’70s, she was the first woman to have an art gallery on New York’s prestigious Madison Avenue and her work was accepted into the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.

Outliving many of her collectors, her list of patrons is a who’s who of celebrities of the last century, including Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Joan

Crawford Jane Russell, Martha Raye, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Lena Horne, Christian Dior, Oscar De La Renta, and Malcolm Forbes, among others.

With a passion to share her gift, her influence has been felt on generations of artists, including John Lennon, who stated, “Hyacinthe’s ability to draw has been an inspiration to me while working on my ‘Bag One’ Suite of lithographs.” Bag One Portfolio was originally a wedding gift to Yoko Ono, which caused an international sensation for its graphic contents.

Located along the 30th Street corridor in North Park, The Studio Door (3750 30th St.) showcases working artist studios and a visual arts gallery that rotates exhibits monthly. Director, Patric Stillman was named Mentor of the Year by Professional Artist Magazine earlier this year for his work with visual artists.

In addition to Hyacinthe Baron’s lecture, July will kick off a free Art History Lecture Series with Irish artist Stephen Morris and be exhibiting the works of eight local arts organizations in the gallery. To learn more about Hyacinthe and The Studio Door, visit www.thestudiodoor.com or visit the gallery during open hours (Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 7 p.m., Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

Local Arts Organizations Showcased in New Exhibit The Studio Door reveals the diversity of work being created by San Diego artists Paintings, sculptures, quilts and ceramics by local arts organizations will be on exhibition as part of The Studio Door Regional Multimedia Invitational in North Park at 3750 30th St. The exhibition runs through July 31.

Exhibiting artists were choose from each organization’s members.

Participating arts organizations include San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild, San Diego Watercolor Society, Visions Art Museum: Contemporary Quilts + Textiles, Foothills Art Association, Chula Vista Art Guild, Clay Artists of San Diego and North County Sculpture Salon.

The exhibition is open free to the public and works are available for sale. “It’s interesting to see where local artists focus their talents and skills. When these different mediums are displayed alongside of each other, it allows us to connect with each other as we explore thoughts that we

don’t entertain during our normal day,” said Patric Stillman, director. “I am always fascinated to hear how people respond the work. The Studio Door is proud to showcase the creativity being generated by San Diego’s arts community.”

The Studio Door houses working artist studios and a visual arts gallery that rotates exhibits monthly. Director Stillman was named Mentor of the Year by Professional Artist Magazine earlier this year for his work with local artists.

In addition to The Studio Door Regional Multimedia Invitational, July will kick off a free art lectures with American Master Hyacinthe Baron and Irish artist Stephen Morris. To learn more about the Invitational and The Studio Door, visit www.thestudiodoor.com or visit the gallery during open hours Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

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ING LIST W E N

3659 Florida Street, North Park, San Diego 92104 Detached Home All new construction 2 BR/ 2 BA $559,000 !

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2 unit property overlooking Balboa Park 1339-1345 28th St, San Diego 92102 Sold at $772,000 Represented the Buyer !

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‘Flotsam and Jetsam’ by Carol Mansfield.

11860 Fuerte Drive, El Cajon 92020 4 BR/ 3 Ba Spacious Home Sold at $585,000 Represented the Buyer

13765 Ruette le Parc, Del Mar 92014 Del Mar 2 BR/ 2 Ba Condo west of Hwy 5 Sold at $445,000

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

CITY

‘Get It Done’ App Allows City Residents to Easily Report Problems and Request Services You can download the app at sandiego.gov As part of his effort to make city government more efficient and accessible for all San Diego residents, Mayor Kevin Faulconer introduced an innovative pilot project and mobile app called Get It Done San Diego that allows San Diegans to easily report problems and request improvements for their neighborhoods.

“Our city government should be just as innovative as people we serve and it has always been our goal to improve customer service. If we have mobile apps that can check email, check the weather and check in our flights, we should have a mobile app that helps residents check on street repairs,” said Faulconer.

With Get It Done, which is available for iPhone and Android users, people can report nonemergency problems to the city through the new mobile app and web portal at www.sandiego.gov. The Get It Done app also allows San Diego residents to track the progress of a complaint and increase efficiency for both residents and City crews.

To report a problem, people can now take and upload photos related to over 20 non-emergency problems with roads, street lights, traffic signals and more. The Get It Done app uses GPS information embedded within photos to automatically update the address and location of problems. After uploading the photo, the app user simply has to identify a few details about the problem and click submit.

The Get It Done app will help improve three important functions of city government:

1. It makes it easier to report problems.

According to a recent city survey, 83 percent of respondents stated that they did not want to call the city government to report a problem.

The new Get It Done app eliminates the need to call the city for various problems, by allowing residents to address issues online, which was the preferred method of 50 percent of survey respondents. The app also allows residents to report problems with their name or anonymously.

2. Get It Done allows residents to better track progress. The app makes it easier for residents to find out what is happening with a city project in their neighborhood. This system allows residents to check the status of projects in real time and view information on their “favorite” issues throughout the city.

3. Get It Done increases efficiency for residents and city workers. The app allows users to upload a picture which contains location data using GPS. This allows the city to process information much faster because it links the user to City crews. Similar to the way most private businesses run, the app uses a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software system that directly links reports to a work order system. The systems connects all reports about the same problem into one group and creates a single report so that every individual is notified about the progress of an issue.

Page from the city of San Diego website.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

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BUSINESS

| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

San Diego Ranked 7th on List Of Top Cities for Small Business Small Business Trends recently conducted a study of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners to discover the types of business owners drawn to various US cities.

With 33,386 small businesses, San Diego ranked No. 7 on the list of top cities for small business entrepreneurs.

Certain cities in the United States are more popular with small business entrepreneurs than others — and here at Small Business Trends we set out to identify them. And as we identified them we uncovered numerous possible reasons why these are the top cities for small business entrepreneurs.

Some cities offer business friendly

tax structures or other incentives.

Some cities, due to their large population centers, have access to larger pools of customers and employees.

Some cities have greater networking resources leading to greater potential business opportunities. Other cities have significant numbers of incubators and accelerators making them great cities to launch a startup.

Then there are cities that have a plethora of amenities, entertainment, cultural and lifestyle attractions. And still others do a great job meeting the needs of small business entrepreneurs through business support services and infrastructure.

San Diego

With 33,386 small businesses, the eighth most populous city ranks seventh on our list of top cities for small business entrepreneurs. San Diego draws in entrepreneurs from a variety of industries, including aerospace, maritime, cybersecurity and manufacturing.

Some of the city’s small business amenities include research, advocacy and similar support programs. It also offers programs to help small businesses get funding through loans and bonds.

Financing Partners Accion and Pacific Western Bank collaborate to help small business owners get access to financing Accion, a nonprofit microlender with a 21-year history in San Diego, has received a $250,000 investment from Pacific Western Bank. The funds provided by Pacific Western Bank were disbursed to Accion in late 2015 and were approved as a qualified investment by the California Organized Investment Network Tax Credit Program from the California Department of Insurance.

Accion will lend the investment dollars, which were provided at zero percent interest over a fiveyear term, to underserved small business owners in Southern California, increasing these business owners’ access to capital.

“Our mission is to provide businesses with access to capital and the support they need to start or grow their businesses, serving as a true partner in enabling them to create powerful positive social and economic change,” said Accion CEO Elizabeth Schott.

“These funds will be essential in supporting our clients that wouldn’t otherwise be able to get the much-needed funding for their business.”

Pacific Western also provided a $15,000 grant to Accion. The funds will help Accion deploy the investment dollars, directly to underserved business owners across Southern California.

This fund has been used to help borrowers like Lisa Carroll. Lisa began working as an accountant nearly 20 years ago after receiving an accounting degree. She worked

Elizabeth Schott, CEO of Accion.

for some time at a CPA firm, but decided to start her own business in 2001 to allow for a flexible schedule to care for her son. Lisa started Number Crunching Inc., a home-based bookkeeping business providing accounting services other small business. Currently, Lisa has about 50 clients, and demand is continuing to grow.

In order to serve more clients, Lisa was in need of equipment upgrades for increased storage capacity and online security to handle sensitive client information. Accion was able to approve Lisa for a $10,000 loan for equipment upgrades to grow her clientele base.

“I was able to receive the capital I needed to take my business to the next level,” said Lisa. “Thanks to Accion I was able to hire two subcontractors, so that I can service more clients and grow the revenue for my business.”

The tax credit program provides tax credits to investors and helps CDFIs raise funds for projects that create social and environmental benefit in California.

Without the program, many of these community development projects would not be funded.

Each year the Department of Insurance may award up to $10 million in tax credits to support $50 million in capital from insurance companies and other investors for community development. Investors earn a tax credit worth 20 percent of their investment.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

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INTRODUCING THE CLEA HOUSE STUNNING ARCHITECTURE IN MISSION HILLS While Mission Hills is home to an abundance of historic homes in a variety of styles like Craftsman and Mission Revival, the neighborhood can also boast of homes like the Clea House.

Designed, engineered and built by boutique San Diego firm Nakhshab Development & Design, the new LEED Gold-certified Clea House, although just minutes from Downtown San Diego, is set on a serene Mission Hills canyon slope. This mid-century modern-inspired single-family home complements its surroundings and preserves the property’s existing terrain with a seamless cantilever design. Elegantly perched on a three-story access column that encases an elevator, a stairway and one “bonus” room per floor, the nearly 4,000 square-foot Clea House functions primarily as a singlelevel residence with large, open spaces that beautifully blend the indoors with the outdoors.

Architect and NDD principal Soheil Nakhshab defied the challenge of the property’s steep lot by rising above it with the use of innovative engineering and architecture that he says enable the house to appear to “float over the slope.” The home’s unique concrete structure, simple lines and minimalist approach all lend to its distinctive modern aesthetic.

Upon entering the home, residents have the choice of ascending the stairway, taking the elevator to the main floor or stopping at any of three multiple-use “bonus rooms,” each complete with full bath and shower. This stack of rooms adds to the versatile appeal of Clea House while underscoring its ability to serve a multi-generational family and provide residents the ability to age-in-place. The bonus rooms can function as a variety of auxiliary spaces such as a home office accessible to clients without having to enter the main living area, yoga studio, home theater, music room or extra bedrooms.

An elevator allows direct-access to the home’s primary living areas, creating greater accessibility to its elderly residents. The main floor offers an abundance of light and space and includes a large entertaining room for both family and guests, and is a focal point for panoramic views out a front wall of windows that spans almost the entire length of the home. Sleek teak cabinetry surrounds a seven-foot long custom metal crafted fireplace providing generous storage and added warmth to the living room. The same cabinetry is employed in the adjoining kitchen and cleverly implemented to conceal most of the appliances, creating continuity between the two spaces and adding to the home's minimalist aesthetic. A massive Carrara marble island provides a large workspace and an elegant and inviting bridge between the SEE CLEA, Page 8

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

CLEA

CONTINUED FROM Page 7

kitchen, living room and dining room.

The backside of Clea House spills out onto a large patio nestled into the hillside through another glass wall, this time a 20-foot wide Fleetwood sliding glass door that tucks away into the walls when open. Stairs from the patio lead up to a large rooftop deck on which residents enjoy the beautiful San Diego climate and peaceful canyon setting. An array of 25 discreet solar panels are cleverly integrated into the rooftop design to provide an annual 11,200 kWh of power. “We receive more solar credits than we use so our electric bill is non-existent,� says Soheil.

Below, a rooftop garden on the garage provides added visual interest and continues the natural landscape of the canyon through the property.

The second half of the main floor is composed of three one-bedroom suites situated around a separate and more intimate gathering room. As elsewhere in Clea House, the details impress: flush doors with hidden frames, elegant fixtures and finishes, and bathrooms with motion sensors to light middle-night visits. Instead of bathtubs, Nakhshab decided to build oversized showers, and the one in the master bath features an impressive 10-foot wide enclosure that includes his and her dual showers on both sides.

In line with the NDD's green design philosophy, sustainable measures are used throughout the home to the standard of LEED Gold including drought tolerant landscaping, nontoxic pest control, water efficient fixtures and fittings, high efficiency LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, solar PV, and environmentally preferable products.

This NDD signature home offers the minimalist but luxurious and sustainable design for which the firm's team is famous.

The Clea House is at 540 Otsego Drive.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

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By Bart Mendoza July — August Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos on Tap The Wednesday Jazz Jams at Panama 66 have been moved indoors for the summer. The Young Lions Jazz Series, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. will continue on the patio, but the jam, hosted by trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, will now instead take place in the 300-capacity San Diego Museum of Art’s Copley Auditorium, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available, with the performances a must for any fan of jazz. A rotating cast of world- class musicians takes part each week, but Castellanos alone would be worth the trip to Balboa Park. www.panama66.blogspot.com Ratt Juan Croucier on the left

Gilbert Castellanos 2

August 13 It’s Bassist Juan Croucier’s Turn

July 20 Help Celebrate Jeff Bloom’s 50th

Jeff Bloom

On July 20, guitarist Jeff Bloom celebrates his 50th birthday with a special free, all ages performance at the Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market.

Bloom has been a mainstay of the area’s clubs since the early 1980s, playing with a succession of popular band’s including Army of Love, The Spider Monkeys and most recently, Stone Horse. For this show Bloom will call upon his many musical friends to sit in, with awardwinning guitarist/sitar player Greg Vaughn among those confirmed at press time. Mixing a set of originals with rock and reggae classics, Bloom’s birthday celebration offers up something for just about every musical taste in the terrific beachside setting of OB. www.oceanbeachsandiego.com/attractions/annual-events/farmers-market-wednesdays

Only one San Diego band was ever featured on TV’s legendary tell-all show “Behind The Music” — Ratt. Various members have toured with their versions of the band since its initial split in the early ’90s, and on Aug. 13 at Brick by Brick, it’s bassist Juan Croucier’s turn. Though Croucier was only a backup singer during the band’s 1981-1991 arena-filling heyday, here he sings lead, turning in credible versions of all the hits, including “Round and Round” and “Lay It Down.” While there won’t be much new in the set, die-hard fans will enjoy a chance to hear these songs one more time from an original source. www.brickbybrick.com

July 29 Popular Kneehighs Keep the Albums Coming Rock influenced hip hoppers The Kneehighs host a CD release show for their latest album, “We Put The Fun In Dysfunction,” at the Casbah on July 29. The bar was set high by their previous effort, “Rise and Shine,” which took home the 2007 San Diego Music Award for “Best Hip Hop Album.” But “WPTFID” is another winner, full of great hard groove-edged tracks such as “I Swear I’m Never Drinking Again” and soul tinged “Future Speak.” Both are standouts amid the dozen tracks here —clear indicators of why, after more than a decade performing in the area, the Kneehighs remain one of San Diego’s most popular bands. www.casbahmusic.com The Kneehighs.

Rhett Miller

Karma Police

August 10

August 14

Benefit Concert for Guitarist Michael Fortuna

A Rare Appearance by Rhett Miller

San Diego’s musicians are always among the first to pitch in whenever needed, so it’s only natural that when one of their own is in need, a multitude of the area’s best will gather for a benefit concert. Such will be the case on Aug. 10 at the Music Box when many of the country’s top tribute bands gather to raise money for guitarist Michael Fortuna, who was injured in a traffic accident last month. Fortuna, best known as frontman for the Radiohead tribute act Karma Police and guitarist in Oasis tribute Foasis, has racked up extensive medical bills in his recovery, but hopefully this concert, featuring Strange Love (Depeche Mode), The Cured (The Cure), Light My Fire (The Doors) and more will help defray expenses. This is a wonderful opportunity to do a good deed and take in a great night of music at the same time. www.musicboxsd.com

Former Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller performs at the Soda Bar on Aug. 14. One of the most respected singer-songwriters of the past 20 years, Miller normally plays much bigger venues than this, making it a mandatory show for any of his legion of fans. His most recent album, “The Traveler,” continues Miller’s fine tradition of Americana, but whatever he ends up playing at this intimate concert will thrill anyone lucky enough to be in attendance. www.sodabarmusic.com

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

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

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BY SUSAN TAYLOR PHOTOS BY JIM CHILDERS

Homeowners have some novel ideas for outfitting the outside of their houses Take a stroll along any North Park street and you may notice a particularly beautiful house, sometimes right next to one in disrepair. Pretty normal. It’s worth keeping an eye out for the stand-outs — those houses that have such unusual, artistic, eccentric, even, exteriors that you have to wonder what inspired such novelty.

The retail sector of North Park also has its share of attention-getting signs and walls. Here we take a look at and learn about the stunning exteriors that make you stop and ponder.

One notable residence is almost completely obscured by towering palm trees and gnarly cacti. The vegetation, much of it planted 20 years ago, wraps around the property and causes many walkers to stop and take photos, and unfortunately, plant samples as well. Next to that is a small house with an entertaining retaining wall imbedded with shells and tiles to form a mermaid-underthe-sea motif. Incongruously, several skeletons in various poses hang off the edges of the roof. Not just leftovers from a past Halloween, the bony assemblages hang there all year round, and lately even a few more have appeared. The story behind these remains a secret.

Then there is the VERY purple house on Ray Street. Maybe it was just easier to direct people to their house by saying “We’re the purple house on the corner of Landis and Ray,” but Don and Debbie Leichtling painted their 1928 “lavender cottage” some 20 years ago. Although one neighbor said it was too bright, others love it. It’s actually quite a pretty color, named Winsome by paint

The house at 3711 29th St. has an eye-popping front yard covered with potted plants and a mass of whirligigs, spinning in the breeze.

manufacturer Dunn Edwards, and to this day it draws a crowd. During the recent Rock n’ Roll Marathon, runners stopped for selfies. It has been the background for videos, and is the subject of a painting in an art show at the North Park Library.

In contrast, a large teal sphere sits on the front lawn. It resembles an exercise ball, but is, in fact, a compost collector. Unfortunately, passers-by have, on occasion, started to unhinge it, and Don has had to pick up the pieces strewn on Ray Street and beyond. Having a unique exterior doesn’t come without some negative consequences.

29th Street has an eye-popping

front yard covered with potted plants which act as a wall between the property and sidewalk. Inside of the pots stand a mass of whirligigs, spinning in the breeze, each different and dizzyingly interesting. Some are handcrafted, and others were bought and then altered.

The homeowner is a former dentist, and his office was on 30th Street, behind his house. At that time, the whirligigs, his passion and art, adorned the roof. Now at ground level, some of the more than 30 vanes have disappeared or been broken, as when some bar patrons started a ruckus among the collection.

So this neighbor at 3711 29th St. keeps busy making repairs and decorating, to the delight of passing children and photographers.

Holiday or not, the front yard of Glen and Josefina Butner’s house at

3628 Alabama St., is a popular exterior known to many, kids included.

Parents have told the couple that their children ask them to drive by to, literally, see what’s up? For almost 12 years, the exterior has been elaborately decorated on Halloween and at Christmas, but other times the yard may have as many as 30 Mexican flags standing tall, as drivers shout “Viva Mexico” and honk their horns. Glenn finds it amusing.

When he flys the flags of Spain, Mexico, and the United States together he is reminding people that all three have flown over our country at some point in history.

Josefina, now an American citizen, was born in Mexicali, Mexico, and married Glenn after she came to this country. They brought back flags from Germany during their travels there, and Glenn can recog-

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

Skeletons in various poses hang off the edges of the roof at 3506 Arizona St. Not just leftovers from a past Halloween, the bony assemblages hang there all year round.

nize his German heritage by displaying the colors of that country. No doubt the tradition will continue, as people contribute decorations, as happened recently around St. Patrick’s Day. Glen and Josefina were able to add a little Luck O’ the Irish to their exterior, thanks to those neighbors.

The diversity of exteriors in the neighborhood is best appreciated from the sidewalk. Walking the dog, strolling the baby, or power walking are enriched by the diversity of

neighborhood exteriors. North Park residents can paint and adorn their houses in almost any way, unlike in residential areas restricted by the rules of a homeowners association.

Vivid expression is displayed on the exterior facades and signs in the commercial section of North Park, too. Take Crazee Burger on Lincoln Avenue, known for its exotic carnivorous fare. The north facing wall mural depicts a giant “hamburger” bun, lettuce and tomato included, layered with camel, alligator, bison,

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Don and Debbie Leichtling painted their 1928 ‘lavender cottage’ at 3703 Ray St.some 20 years ago.

Although one neighbor said it was too bright, others love itDuring the recent Rock n’ Roll Marathon, runners stopped for selfies. The large teal sphere on the front lawn resembles an exercise ball, but is, in fact, a compost collector.

moose, rattlesnake, chicken, duck, and other meats that can be ordered off the menu.

University Avenue, for all its commercial storefronts, is actually rather monochromatic — mostly brown or white buildings, faded paint or peeling paint. Some exceptions are the familiar red and white logo of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel Sanders smiling down, and the more vibrant scarlet- hued Beauty Supply on the corner of 29th Street.

Although Animal House, a pet store

on University, has closed its doors, the striking and colorful mural on its east wall lives on.

Carnitas Snack Shop on University has an oversized wood and metal pig on the roof, signaling some serious pork plates. Up the hill on University, the west facing wall of Safehouse, a craft beer and Japanese food spot, is painted in bright colors , a mural worth gazing at. Similarly, the restaurant that used to be Wang’s beckons with its own bright wall art. More subtle are the dainty panels atop the

North Park Parking Garage. Look to the very top tier to see a child on a scooter, dogs, a cat playing a violin, and other happy paintings that set the tone for an enjoyable afternoon in North Park.

These are just a few of the visual delights on our streets and boulevards. Take time to notice and smile at the houses, yards, and businesses that add personality to North Park, and possibly get inspired to find an exterior expression to call your own.

Dino stuck in a pipe. 3711 29th St.

Wall art at the former Animal House Pet Shop on University Avenue.

Carnitas Snack Shop on University has an oversized wood and metal pig on the roof, signaling some serious pork plates.

The Beauty Supply Warehouse at 29th and University pops with color.

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

New Local Businesses in Bloom! Native Poppy and Communal Coffee

BY NICOLE LEWIS

North Park plants a new business in its quaint artistic neighborhood.

Native Poppy and Communal Coffee recently opened on University Avenue at Texas Street, adjacent to the North Park Nursery. It’s an innovative business concept — a coffee shop that specializes in hybrid infusions that shares a space with a flower shop.

Bouquets, Beverages and Coffee Shop Edibles

Natalie Gill, owner of Native Poppy, and Jen Byard, owner of Communal Coffee, knew exactly what they were doing when they decided on a location for their vibrant and unique collaboration. The two have known each other for just a year but were both working towards the same goal for quite some time.

Byard pictured an archetypal warm, relaxed coffee shop collective in a shared space with another business owner. Gill aspired to find a place that would accommodate her already thriving floral business. When crafting the menu, Byard fashioned a few beverages that would pair nicely with Native Poppy. Among the offerings are iced hibiscus mint tea, a refreshing blend of hibiscus, rose hips and mint; lavender grey, earl grey tossed with organic lavender petals; and one of the best sellers — the honey lavender latte. Communal Coffee shares a long counter with the Native Poppy Stem Bar where customers can order bouquets while enjoying beverages and coffee edibles.

Flower Child

Natalie Gill was born and raised in Northern California. “When I was a child in the hills of Northern California, I loved picking weeds with my mother. I think the weeds were called scarlet pimpernel. I loved them because they were wild and free,” says Gill. “Come to think of it, I was always a flower child.”

As Gill began curating a bouquet of anomalous flowers for a customer, she spoke about her journey and how it led her to start Native Poppy. At age 25, she was dissatisfied with her life after college at UCSD. She worked random jobs and floral design was just a hobby. “I never thought that I would find success through a hobby. I figured in order to be successful I had to wear a pencil skirt, have a professional job, be a lawyer or something like that,” says Gill. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would find success in pretty, wild flowers.”

“Pretty. Wild. Flowers” is the tagline for her business. Gil came up with the name Native Poppy because she grew up in California. The poppy is the state flower of California, and she enjoys picking native flowers for her flower bunches.

When Gill first started out, she picked flowers from people’s gardens and anywhere they grew wild, locally.

She even bought flowers at Trader Joe’s and created bouquets for her friends and first clients. Her business grew rapidly, and she advanced to

Native Poppy Stem Bar. (Photo: Nicole Lewis)

designing flower arrangements for weddings. Gill knew she was onto something and decided to move back home to study under a floral designer.

She quickly learned the flower trade and returned to San Diego to start her own business.

Gill finds the beauty in the oddity.

Native Poppy bouquets have a distinct look with a perfect blend of the conventional flowers such as roses, peonies and dahlias intermixed with atypical native flowers often mistaken for weeds such as king protea cabbage.

She also incorporates gorgeous fillers with strange names like the scabiosa, a perennial genus of the honeysuckle family.

Coffee Cooperative

Jen Byard is originally from Seattle, Wash., “the land of coffee,” says Byard with pride. She is a business-minded Renaissance woman who runs Makers Arcade fair and Urban Craft Camp for adults. When coming up with the concept for Communal Coffee she drew from her nonprofit organization and community-oriented background. “I love the coffee culture and how it brings people together. It creates such community,” says Byard.

“I have a passion for art and design so it felt natural to combine all of those things into my coffee business.”

Communal Coffee is more like a coffee co-op infused with community, art and beverages crafted with inspired ingredients.

When you walk up to the location, to the left is the North Park Nursery which is populous with eclectic potted botanicals with sprinkles of little statues of the Buddha and Ganesha throughout the space. There are also outdoor tables where customers can sit and experience the beauty of flowers and plants. To the right is Communal Coffee with more tables and unique garden beds that are tastefully designed with succulents, herbs and wild grass. The exterior design is exquisitely executed, which prepares patrons for a stimulating and organic experience once inside the coffee shop. The inside of Communal Coffee is painted white with a few accent walls water-colored with cacti. The whole interior is minimalism meets macrobiotic.

On a recent Saturday morning both

Native Poppy Floral Design. (Photo: Nicole Lewis)

businesses were buzzing with customers. North Park resident, barista Maria Gilbert, loves working nearby.

“I walk to work every day,” says Gilbert. “Most mornings, I serve coffee to my neighbors, literally.” Gilbert says the best-selling items on the menu are the avocado toast, the banana latte and, of course, the lavender honey latte which is a “perfect balance of expresso, milk and sweet.”

Communing with Flowers

Flowers are mood enhancers.

Native Poppy is filled with colorful Coffee + Flowers. An invitation to take a seat. (Photo: Nicole Lewis) flowers inside buckets and glass vases.

One can spend hours in the flower shop enjoying the surroundings. During my Saturday visit at Communal Coffee and Native Poppy, I observed customers peacefully working on their lap-tops, ordering bouquets, ordering beverages, and making new friends.

Native Poppy not only sells flowers but also sells candles, books and crafts by local artists. North Park resident Cassandra Randazza sat down next to me at the Native Poppy Stem Bar, took a deep breath and exclaimed, “I love the smell of fresh flowers.” Immediately I agreed, and just like that, we were both chatting and communing Jen Byard (left) and Natalie Gill. (Photo: Native Poppy) amid the flowers.

Flowers are among nature’s most gorgeous masterpieces. For centuries people have given flowers to others as a gifts and tokens of affection. Many flowers have their own symbolism.

For instance, gardenias represent grace; red roses for passion and love; dahlias for creativity; jasmine for good luck; lavender for calmness; wisteria for gentleness; orchids for bliss; ranunculus for charm; and lilies for youth.

It is truly an exuberant experience when visiting Communal Coffee and Native Poppy.

Do not miss an opportunity to commune with Coffee and Flowers.

Communal Coffee is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (619) 363-7737.

Native Poppy is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (619) 535-0245.

They are located at 2335 University Ave. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming events and don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers!

Assistant Florist Megan Blancado holds a Native Poppy design. (Photo: Nicole Lewis)

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

Give a Dog a (Healthy) Bone!

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BY JENNIFER COBURN

Pet health food store opens new location in North Park

Dexster’s Pup Cakes.

If dogs are man’s best friend, it’s time we started feeding them like it.

Tori Rosay, owner of pet health food store Dexter’s Deli, says many people treat their dogs like a garbage disposal, feeding them nutrient-poor, processed food.

Not her customers, though.

For two decades, Rosay and her pack have been offering raw pet food through two North County locations.

In July, they’ll open their doors in North Park and offer holistic treats, including Healthy Hound biscuits and Bone Appetit baked goods. The 1,200square-foot store on North Park Way and 30th Street will also offer expert consultation on pet wellness and food preparation classes.

Dexter’s Deli isn’t simply about pampering one’s pet. Its focus is on optimizing health for dogs and cats, says Rosay with enthusiasm that is palpable.

She has seen firsthand what a difference a good diet can make in an animal’s life, and loves sharing the knowledge she has acquired over the years.

“Many times, we mistake health issues for behavioral problems,” she explains. “But a dog may be grumpy because he’s not feeling well.”

While she was living in St. Louis, Rosay’s Fox Terrier, Teddy, was experiencing skin allergies so she decided to start preparing natural foods for him.

“This was before the Internet,” so there wasn’t as much information available, but Rosay dug around and discovered a burgeoning movement of people committed to a raw diet for their pets.

“I have a background in human nutrition, and I know that if you give the body what it needs, it has the ability to heal itself,” she says. Teddy’s conditions improved immediately.

“Our passion is educating people

about how to think about nutrition beyond the pure marketing we’re being fed,” she says. “Some pet food labels say they are healthy, but they’re sneaking in the same garbage in as many others.

No processed pet food, dry or canned, has live enzymes and if animals don’t get those from their food, the body feeds on itself.”

Rosay says the lack of live enzymes, proper hydration, and sufficient nutrients in a pet’s diet is one of the reasons many pets suffer from diabetes, obesity, chronic allergies, and yeast infections.

“We are culturally conditioned to think an older dog has to be stinky and have bad teeth, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

One of the reasons Rosay chose North Park for the location of the third Dexter’s Deli is that she loves the community feel. She’s currently dating someone in the area and says every time she visits, she enjoys the vibe.

“People ride their bikes, there’s a thriving farmer’s market, and a real do-ityourself spirit” that is in tune with the mission of her business, she says. Rosay also says that she needed a more central location because so many of her customers travel a great distance to her Carlsbad and Del Mar stores. They’ve seen the difference in the health of their pets and see the drive from Coronado to Del Mar as a labor of love. Nonethe-

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Dexter’s Deli was the very first store in San Diego to sell natural foods for pets and has since helped pioneer the health food movement for pets in San Diego. She has been feeding her own pets a fresh raw food diet for 18 years and has a background in nutrition. Tory Rosay and Blueberry.

Along with owning Dexter’s Deli, Tori has a second full-time job at home with two young children. Tori follows a natural holistic lifestyle for herself, her family, and business.

less, they’ll appreciate the shorter com- anniversary of Dexter’s Deli — all three mute — and will have a chance to stores will offer special promotions check out all of the other cool offerings throughout July. in North Park.

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

Old House Fair A blend of old and new PHOTOS BY JIM CHILDERS

Visitors line up to visit the house at 1429 Dale St.

On the tour, the home at 1715 31st St.

The Old House Fair & Vintage Row returned to 30th & Beech Streets on June 18, where South Park’s blend of old and new was proudly on display for all to enjoy.

The event’s signature Historic Home Tour featured four residences built over 100 years ago, along with a fifth that’s nearly 85 years old. The free street fair offered the kind of festivity, food, drink and hip shopping that South Park has become famous for in the 21st century.

Produced by the South Park Business Group, the Old House Fair is an opportunity to celebrate the unique architecture and charms of older homes such as the Craftsman residences lining the neighborhood’s streets.

McKinley Elementary School’s booth.

Early arrivals.

MORE PHOTOS ON PG. 22

Christine Winter, left, and Maureen Ceccarelli at the Old House Fair information booth.

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

Finding The Right Craft Beer For You A Crash Course in Beer Tasting with Coronado Brewing Company’s BREWMASTER, RYAN BROOKS

CLASSIC SAN DIEGO STYLE FISH TACO A Local Favorite Beer Battered Fish Taco Recipe

I

PA, Stout, Pilsner, Lager, hops, and bitter are just a few beer terms you will hear tossed around the local bars of San Diego. With San Diego County becoming such a hot bed for craft beer drinkers, some people may be intimidated by such lingo.

Brewmaster Ryan Brooks from Coronado Brewing Company has some tips on finding the ideal beer style for you.

For many of us, the first style of beer we drink is of the lighter variety including Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Mexican Lagers such as Corona, Pacifico, Tecate. These lighter beers were important to my pallet training. There is nothing wrong with a mass produced lighter beer. This is an important step for new beer drinkers in learning what styles your pallet prefers.

The next step for the new craft beer drinker would be to experiment with all-malt versions of Lagers such as: Kirin, Kona Longboard, and Full Sail Session. All of these beers come from 100% malted barley and skip out on the corn, rice or sugar adjuncts that make a beer lighter in flavor and cheaper. This will help you understand some of the different tastes that beer styles have.

One of the good things about craft beer is that you can buy the beer in single bottles, most likely in a 22-ounce bottle. Start off with a familiar style, lager,

pilsner, maybe even pale ale. Trying all the different styles of beer in a smaller portion will help you understand what your pallet can handle.

One of my favorite things to hear from a novice beer drinker is the brutal honesty of their tasting notes. I distinctly remember quotes of “it tastes like wet crackers” or “it smells like how a clear gummy bear tastes.” These are the best real tasting notes. Too many times beer drinkers get that wine snobbiness about them and use generic tasting words that are overused.

I’m a fan of honest tasting.

You love it or you hate it. There is no right or wrong answer, if you taste it, that flavor is there for you. Over time you will be able to pick up subtleties that in the beginning get over looked due to a flavor overload from more malt than usual or an increased in bitterness, hop aroma. I encourage all beer drinkers to not always write off a style or brand because of a bad experience. Our pallets are always changing and what you hated at one point can become your new favorite.

Take a chance and be open-minded. But most of all enjoy a beer.

There is no reason to be intimidated by craft beer.

One of the great things about craft beer is that there are so many different styles to choose from; it’s almost impossible not to find one that you enjoy.

About Ryan Brooks: Ryan Brooks began home brewing in 2008 and quickly became involved in the local craft beer scene. His first brewing job came a year later when he started to work for Black Market Brewing in Temecula. Brooks’ next opportunity came at a brewery all the way around the world. In 2011, Malt Shovel Brewing in Sydney, Australia offered him a position to brew with them. After his year in Australia, Brooks returned to Black Market and earned the title of Head Brewer. Coronado Brewing came calling in 2012 and named Brooks their new Brewmaster, and he has brewing for them ever since. Recently, Brooks achieved one of the most prestigious awards in the brewing industry, World Beer Cup Champions for mid-sized brewery and Brewmaster for Coronado.

1 12 0z of Easy Up 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon minced capers 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 tsp. dried dill weed 1 egg 1 tsp. ground cayenne pep 1 lb. cod fillets, cut into 2 to 3 oz portions 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 (12oz) pack corn tortillas 1/2 cup mayo 1/2 cabbage, shredded 1 lime, juiced 1 jalapeno, minced Directions: 1. To make beer batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Blend egg and beer, then quickly stir into the flour mixture (don't worry about a few lumps).

2. To make white sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together yogurt and mayonnaise. Gradually stir in fresh lime juice until consistency is slightly runny. Season with jalapeno, capers, oregano, cumin, dill, and cayenne.

3. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4. Dust fish pieces lightly with flour. Dip into beer batter, and fry until crisp and golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Lightly fry tortillas; not too crisp. To serve, place fried fish in a tortilla, and top with shredded cabbage, and white sauce.

Check out allrecipes.com for more details

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

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San Diego Becoming North America’s Bicycling Capital Report by San Diego Sport Innovators San Diego is becoming North America’s bicycling capital, where annual revenues from wholesale and retail sectors of the bicycling industry top $547 million, according to a report by San Diego Sport Innovators.

In the wholesale cycling and related manufacturing, there are currently more than 50 companies with annual revenues of $97.4 million, according to the report. The retail sector — bikes and related cycling gear — total $220 million per year generated by 227 independent bicycle dealers, with those IBDs employing an estimated 1,226 workers.

Other bike-related retail activity totals $230 million with $56 million in retail salaries and wages.

The report also focused on San Diego’s Cycling Consumer. Onethird of San Diego County residents or 1.1 million people currently participate in cycling. That’s a cycling population that exceeds the entire population of top cycling cities like Austin, Texas (885,400), Portland, Ore. (609,500) and Boulder, Colo.

(102,200). Additionally, 37 percent of San Diego cyclists or 470,000 identify themselves as “frequent/avid” cyclists; San Diego cyclists are 29 percent more likely to purchase a new bike in the next year than U.S. cyclists overall; and San Diego has experienced an 84 percent increase in the number of bicycle commuters since 2000.

The report pointed to San Diego demographics that support both cycling participation and industry growth. San Diego’s median household and per capita income is $63,996 and $31,043, respectively, versus the U.S. totals of $53,482 and $28,555. An important statistic to cycling growth is that San Diego’s 18-34 age group totals 27.4 percent of the population or No. 1 in the country.

San Diego continues to be a pioneering leader nationally with an emphasis on high-performance fitness; leading engineering of high performance machines; the birthplace and hotbed of Triathlon training; and a political will to get the population out of cars and onto bicycles, the report states. As of 2015, it said, San Diego County has approximately 1,340 miles of bikeway facilities, with the city of San Diego planning to more than double that number by 2030.

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

San Diego Automotive Museum Puts Cars from TV Shows in New Exhibit The San Diego Automotive Museum announces the opening of its new exhibit — “Star Cars....As Seen on TV!” The exhibit features cars from movies and TV and will run through Oct. 2.

The exhibit illustrates the impact cars have had on film and television over the years.

Featured vehicles include: 1958

Plymouth Fury (“Christine”), 1950 Studebaker (“Batman Forever”), 1979 Checker Cab (“Catch Me if You Can”), 1972 Honda 600 (“Almost Famous”), 1975 Grand Torino (“Starsky & Hutch”), 1964 Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, 1947 Ford Police Car (“The Magestic”), 1950 Mark V Jaguar (“New York Heartbeat”), 1970 Volkswagen (“Herbie the Love Bug”), 1991 Pon-

tiac Firebird (“Knight Rider”), 2001 Honda S200 (“2 Fast 2 Furious”), 1966 Ford Thunderbird (“Thelma & Louise”), 1978 Subaru (“The Conjuring”) and a 1966 Crown Imperial (“The Green Hornet”).

The exhibit also features a 1976 Harley Davidson owned and ridden

by Evel Knievel. Memorabilia from the films and TV shows enhance the exhibit offerings.

The museum will hold a film festival to celebrate the cars. “Thelma and Louise” will air on Friday, July 29. “Almost Famous” will air on Friday, Aug. 5, and “Christine” rounds out the series on Aug. 12. Admission is just $5 per film or the entire series is available for just $12. Call (619) 398-0301 for details and tickets.

These films are rated R, so no children.

From ‘Herbie the Love Bug.’

Car from ‘Batman Forever.’

The evil car from ‘Christine.’

Car featured in ‘2 Fast 2 Furious.’

Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission prices are: $9 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 and over), $5 students with ID, $4 children ages 6 – 15. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free of charge. The museum is free to all San Diego County residents and military with ID on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

MOPA Acquires Local Collection of Australian Photography

‘Untitled #20 by Bill Henson. ( Courtesy MOPA)

The Museum of Photographic Arts has established the Peter and Olivia Farrell Collection of Australian Photography in its permanent collection with the acquisition of 24 photographs and 100 photo books.

The acquisition is part of a larger initiative to expand MOPA’s permanent collection to include Pacific Rim artists and elevate Australian photography to a wider global audience while supporting photographers from that region.

“This is an ambitious endeavor

to better share the wonders of Australian photography with the public,” MOPA Executive Director Deborah Klochko said. “We’re not looking to re-create or redefine it.

We want to showcase it, while learning more about the phenomenal work being done.”

Sydney photography collector and dealer Josef Lebovic donated the photo books and supported Peter and Olivia Farrell in their decision to gift their representative collection of Australian photography to MOPA. In addition, the donation will establish an

acquisition fund for the ongoing purchase of contemporary Australian photography.

“As residents of San Diego, Olivia and I are delighted to be able to provide such excellent examples of both past and contemporary Australian photography,” Peter Farrell said. “We are sure MOPA visitors will delight in this collection.”

A range of artists are represented in the collection from early 20th century icons, such as Max Dupain, David Moore and Olive Cotton, to more recent work of

internationally known photographers like Tracey Moffat and Bill Henson. Henson’s photograph Untitled #20 (LMO SH177 N2A) is the first piece from the new acquisition to be included in an exhibition at MOPA. “Defying Darkness: Photography at Night” is on display through Oct. 2.

The upcoming 2018 exhibition and accompanying photo book will be one of the major projects Merry Foresta will undertake as MOPA’s first curator-at-large.

Foresta said she is interested in what kind of voice this work adds

to a global conversation about contemporary photography.

“Historically, institutions in Australia have energetically created a context for the understanding and appreciation of photography,” Foresta said. “We will have an opportunity to see the broad range of work offered by Australian artists. With its strong emphasis on engagement with new artists and audiences, MOPA offers an opportunity to experience new art and big ideas.”

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

F & GAMES FUN

© Barbara Fuscsick

NIK ON

CARTOON N CAPTION CON NTEST

GOT A CAPT TION FOR THIS CARTOON? Welcome to our monthl ly neighborhood cartoon caption contest!

See wha at you can come up with and let us know The winner receives a $50.00 gift certificate t at a local restaurant!

To enter, email entries to CartoonContest@MidCityNewspaperGr a oup.com

by Jul ly 31ST. Please remember to limit your submissions to three and please keep them brief.

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CLUES ACR ROSS O 1. Swedish rock group 5. Founder of Babism 8. 2 stripe Army rank (aabbr.) .

11. Of Salian Franks 13. Indicates near 14. Swiss riveer 155. Golden pothos 166. Ru uns PCs 177. E. Tuni u sian seaport 188. Cyprinid i fishes 200. Genus Ulmus 211. Stitched garment border 222. Takes e in as a part 255. Pierre is the capital 300. Brush upward 311. Moby’s author’s iniitials 322. Belg lgian fra r nc 344. Mongolian capital Ulan ___ 355. Computer code for lettterrs & numberrs 388. Iniitials of Wattson’s detective 399. Spanish be 411. Jaun ntier 433. Cormoran Strike’s 2nd novel 466. Wasted materrial 488. Bleat sound 499. Excess body weigght 500. Oraal polio vaccine 555. Rigs 566. Draaws wstrin i g 577. Baltic flatt-bottomed boat (alt. t sp.)

599. Double curve

660. Point mid dwa way between NE and E 661. Macker erel shark gen e us 662. Used to be Uni nited __ 663. Animal nesst 664. Abba __, Israeli politician C UES DOWN CL 1. Signing 2. Spoken in the Dalil reg egiion of Yunn u an 3. Worthless drrivel 4. Aboriggiinal race of Japan 5. Ado d rn 6. Greek god of ligght 7. Atomic #83 8. Eating houses 9. Baby buggy 1 Supervillain 10. i Luthor 1 Hansom 12.

1 Tenni 14. e s champion Arthur 1 Flank 19.

2 Sleep 23.

2 Richly patterned weave 24.

2 Hoagiies 25.

2 Moonfish 26.

2 Univeerrssiity of Santo Tomas 27.

2 Duo indicates 28.

2 Regardin 29. d g this point 3 Stand for coffin 32.

3 Not yie 33. i lding 3 Point mid 36. dwa way between S and SW 3 Data executive 37.

40. Changed gears 41. ___ Saau uer: Weapons co.

42. Brews 44. __ Maay, actres es 45. Shiny cotton textile 46. Cavvalry-sw word 47. Bullfig l ghting maneu uver e 48. Shopping containers 51. ÒPu uppy BowlÓ l nettwork listing 52. Hillside 53. Meetric i al foot 54. Dog in Peter Pan 55. Romaine letttuce 58. Irish Sea Isle

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MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

A Day of Arts and Leisure in Mexico City Contemporary art showcased in Museo Jumex Take a stroll in the famous Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City and visit Museo Jumex, which houses the largest private contemporary art collection in Latin America.

Opened in 2013 and designed by renowned British architect Sir David Chipperfield, the museum presents thought-provoking contemporary art shows as well as acclaimed international traveling exhibitions.

In addition to a rigorous visual arts program, Museo Jumex has become a key figure for the research and reflection of contemporary art in Mexico, hosting public and educational programs including different types of reading workshops, interactive events and other activities.

If you can make it there by September you’ll see Peter Fischli and David Weiss’s renowned exhibition, “How to Work Better,” which opened this June, bringing together more than 200 of their artists’ collaborative sculptures, videos, photographs and installations.

It follows the innovative and aweinspiring exhibition, “The Natural Order of Things,” which incorporated more than 100 works from Colección Jumex and served as a framework to present Chief Curator Julieta Gonzalez’s vision for the museum.

Her curatorial approach identifies culture, the built environment, information and technology, and the relationship between art and life, as key fields of agency in contemporary art. Gonzalez has been

a curator for museums across the world, including New York City, London and other parts of Latin America.

Later this year the highly anticipated exhibition of Canadian collective General Idea will open, presenting mixed medium works from October 2016 through February 2017.

When you’ve gotten your art fix for the day, be sure to stop at the museum’s bookstore housing oneof-a-kind publications and take a break at the café with a fresh cup of espresso.

Then you will find yourself in the beloved district of Polanco, where you can enjoy the cultural diversity and abundance of high-end stores and top-rated restaurants.

Museo Jumex, designed by renowned British architect Sir David Chipperfield, opened in 2013.

The museum presents thought-provoking contemporary art shows. (Photo by Moritz Bernoully)

One of the exhibits at Mexico City’s Museo Jumex. (Photo by Moritz Bernoully)

An evening vies of Museo Jumex.

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| JULY 2016 | MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP

On the tour, the home at 1715 31st St.

Old House Fair visitors register.

McKinley Elementary School art teacher Asley Bruce with sons Boston and Finley.

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MID CITY NEWSPAPER GROUP | JULY 2016 |

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