March 16 2012
On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com
Volume VI – Number 3
Election Mission Valley
Brian Bilbray
Deathsquad
looks forward to representing the newly re-drawn congressional district 52
DEMONGODS
by Vince Meehan
all photos by EberlyPhoto.com
LA's Deathsquad Demongods come to Kensington with their extreme version of theatrical hard rock. by Elle Winsett
A
-
re they metalcore, hardcore, or hair metal? Who are the Deathsquad Demongods? These Los Angeles musicians dub themselves “Demoncore,” a hybrid mix of heavy metal and industrial music, with a heavy dose of Texas Chainsaw Massacre imagery thrown in. And when they strapped on spiked shoulder pads before hitting the stage at the Kensington Club, it became clearer as to just what these guys are all about. I had the opportunity to chat with lead singer/guitarist Stevie Peavey and the band before their raucous set and discovered that the Demongods started out as more of a tribute to a Norwegian band with a huge cult following called “Turbo Negro.” Peavey describes Turbo Negro as “deathpunk” with a penchant for tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The Demongods are looking emulate that bizarre atmosphere while infusing hard rock and classic metal into one rockin’ show. Aside from Turbo Negro, their biggest influences include bands that they describe as “in your face” or “over the top,” such as Alice Cooper, GWAR and Judas Priest. Peavey lists Judas Priest’s singer Rob Halford as one of his biggest influences. I tried to gauge just how seriously these guys take themselves, and I’m still not sure I know the answer. Peavey says it is actually liberating to write his low brow lyrics because he doesn’t have to
Congressman Brian Bilbray is the incumbent aiming to get re-elected to the 52nd Congressional District. Because his area has been redistricted, political insiders consider this race to be wide open. But the redrawn boundaries of District 52 now include most of the coast of San Diego and up into Rancho Bernardo as well. This affluent chunk of San Diego County is traditionally very conservative and very Republican. In truth, this district may not at all as vulnerable as the Democratic Party would have voters think. As for Bilbray, he intends to run on his record as opposed to making this into a blue/red thing. “Hey, if this doesn’t work out, I’ve still got four surfboards! I’ll be okay,” says Bilbray with a chuckle. The Mission Valley News spoke with Bilbray about the upcoming elections and his campaign for the seat. As for being seated in a district that the Democratic National Party has targeted as a “red to blue” zone to be captured, Bilbray shrugs off the notion. “Hey, when you are as outspoken as I am on key issues, whatever district I run for becomes the target. The target follows me!”
See DEMONGODS, page 11
See BILBRAY page 4
Eye Gnat Hearing Rescheduled by Vince Meehan A hearing on whether or not to label the Eye Gnat as a vector previously scheduled for February. 29 has been rescheduled for March 28. Due to time constraints involving the date of the previously scheduled hearing concerning Eye Gnats and the status of organic farming in San Diego County, the Mission Valley News decided to run a story about the matter in our February issue. Several readers responded to the article, concerned that we had not contacted the county or residents about the problem. This article is a continuation of the story with comments from county officials included.
Residents of both Jacumba and Escondido have voiced complaints to the county concerning the proliferation of Eye Gnats around the Bornt Organic Farm in Jacumba, as well as the Be Wise Organic Farm in Escondido. Produce farms usually control gnats and other pests by spraying pesticides, but organic farms cater to a growing consumer base who prefer not to consume sprayed produce. This has created a situation where annoyed residents are at odds with farmers, and congruently, the aficionados of organically grown produce. A County hearing has be
The insect in question: the Eye Gnat. -photo courtesy of sdcounty.ca.gov
See GNATS, page 12
An important decision concerning Balboa Park is coming Page 6
Where can you find fresh home-made spinach pasta in Old Town? Page 6
Go along as the police raid the San Diego River bed Page 3
Page 2
MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Viv
An Easter Chocolate Affair at the Maritime Museum The Maritime Museum of San Diego will host a Chocolate Festival, a special tasting and educational showcase featuring food, wine, and of course, a variety of sweet chocolate treats. This delicious event corresponds with the opening a new exhibit at the museum that traces the history of chocolate and how it came to America. The Chocolate Festival happens on Sunday, April 8 from 11 a.m. - 4p.m. at the Maritime Museum of San Diego at 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101. The event is free with museum admission.
ON FILM Seaport Village will host the
by Vivian Nguyen
THE LORAX
The Lorax It is alarming how fast the world has gotten. Everyday our noses are glued to our phones, our fingers to our keyboards, and our noses stuck in an iPad. At the rate technology is moving today, it would not be surprising at all if everything we ever needed could be available at the tips of our fingers if we just said the word. With all these electronic devices, it’s hard to find the time to pause and take a breath of fresh air, or to go to the beach without constantly checking our iPhone to check up on our apps or whether or not that certain person has texted. Who has the time to watch the sunset or sit underneath a tree anymore? We have important stuff to do, like go home and eat a microwave dinner in front of our laptop while we catch up on our TV shows and browse Facebook and Twitter. Nature has been conveniently allowed to live wherever we desire to plant it to best suit our needs—like in pots in our apartment balconies, or as ground covering in our front lawn. But what would happen if that were all suddenly to disappear? How would you react if you were to step out of your home one day and found a plastic tree in your front yard that lit up with different shades in accordance to the season? Or if the grass you usually walked on was just rubber turf? Would you recognize the difference, or appreciate the convenience? Such is the world that people of Thneedville. For most people, the plastic trees and bottled air are all they’ve ever known. And because there are no trees or plants to speak of, fresh air is high in demand, something which the big guy in town, O’Hare (Rob Riggle), is sure to provide for a price. But this changes when a young boy named Ted (Zac Efron) tries to impress his crush, Audrey (Taylor Swift) by trying to acquire the one thing she wants more than anything—a real tree. See VIV, page 15
Sixth Annual Spring Busker Festival, March 24 & 25.
What is a Busker Festival? This celebration brings colorful street performers like sword swallowers, jugglers on unicycles, escape artists and comedic stuntmen to the cobblestone streets of downtown’s Seaport Village. While Busker Festivals seem to be very prevalent in the British Commonwealth states, this is the only one which takes place in the U.S. “We see festivals like ours overseas, but not enough in the states,” said Seaport Village General Manager Terry Hall. “We are proud to be the only Busker festivals in California and across the country for the matter.”
SIMON FASHION NOW HOSTS A FASHION SHOW IN FASHION VALLEY
Simon Fashion Now will host a free event featuring fashion shows, live music and giveaways. This is in celebration of its renovation, and everybody is invited. On Friday, April 27, the fabulously fashionable weekend will kick-off with a Renovation Celebration breakfast and business-focused fashion show followed by Trends & Friends Night, a free evening of fashion, cocktails and bites. The Renovation Celebration will continue on Sat. April 28 with additional runway shows, live music and Style Stops. In addition to all of the action around the center, participating retailers at Fashion Valley will offer in-store promotions and special discounts. Select students from San Diego’s Fashion Careers College will also showcase their student collections in their very own runway show during Simon Fashion Now. Runway Giveaways will also be handed out throughout the weekend. In conjunction with the event, one lucky shopper will win a grand prize $2, 500 shopping spree to help them renovate their wardrobe.
OLD TOWN ACADEMY’S 1ST ANNUAL WINE AND DINE EVENT Old Town Academy Foundation will host its 1st Annual Wine & Dine to support the new Old Town Academy, a new K-8 Charter School in San Diego. The event is Sat. April 21, 6 - 10 pm, with a VIP Event from 5-6pm at 2120 San Diego Avenue in Old Town The OTA Wine and Dine will offer some of the most exclusive wines in North America for taste and sale. Beer from two top southern California breweries, food from 12 of San Diego’s popular restaurants, olive oil tasting, coffee, dessert and other culinary items will be served under two big-top tents featuring live music. For info call 619-574-6225 or go to: OTAfoundation.org
Opens first San Diego boutique in Fashion Valley
Salvatore Ferragamo, the leading Italian purveyor of luxury fashion, will open the first boutique in San Diego, California at the prestigious Fashion Valley in this April. The San Diego location will showcase the brand’s premier ready to wear collections (women’s and men’s) as well as shoes, handbags, luggage, belts, bijoux, silks, perfumes, eyewear, and small leather goods. This marks the first time that the runway Ready-to-Wear collection designed by new Creative Director, Massimiliano Giornetti, will be available in San Diego. His new and exciting take on the Ferragamo history and DNA continues with the Spring Summer 2012 collections that will be highlighted in this stunning boutique.
MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Page 3
ON PATROL
DISTRICT 52
DEBATE
GOES UPSCALE
Scott Peters, Lori Saldaña, and John Stahl.
with the Riverbed Enforcement Team
PART 1 of a two-part series
by Vince Meehan
Last month, the Mission Valley News reported on the San Diego Police Department’s Riverbed Enforcement team. These members of the Eastern Division patrol the San Diego Riverbed and make contact with the extensive homeless population. The team offers help to those who accept it, and arrest those in violation of court orders or warrants. They used to do this once a week, however, due to a lack of funding, the patrols now average once a month. The city does not have enough money to fund the patrols and there seems to be no relief in sight. So the next time you hear somebody suggesting that we spend millions on a new library, convention center, stadium, or parking structure, remind them that are police are not being properly funded, and that we still do not have a permanent fire station in Mission Valley. I am usually dead asleep at 4:30 am, so I do not know what goes on at that ungodly hour. But I do now because that is when I had to hop in my car for the drive over to Eastern Division by Montgomery Field. I live in Santee, so my pre-dawn experience included an ignored infant screaming bloody murder in the dead of night while a carload of well dressed partiers did lines of tweak under the lit domelight of a Toyota Corolla in the parking space next to mine. Who knew? Sgt. Tim Underwood is the team leader and heads the pre-mission briefing at Eastern Division. He lays out the tactics that they will use on the sweep, the locations they will hit, as well as briefs the team on new intel regarding certain “frequent flyers” as Underwood puts it. This term describes the homeless in Mission Valley who they run into on a regular basis. There is another Sergeant on the team, he is Bill Brown and his job is to wait 10 seconds, then repeat whatever Underwood said and take credit for it. This is all in good fun of course. On the outside, Brown the by far the biggest and scariest of the bunch. But in fact, he is an honest and funny guy. However, he is also admittedly the clumsiest as well. This will prove true later in the day. After our briefing, I rode to our first target along with Officer Manny Escalante who like many in law enforcement, lives in Temecula. He explained to me that he absolutely loves his job and loves working with the team as well. He told me that he enjoys working graveyard shifts because the lack of traffic on the streets makes getting around so much easier. Escalante is not a shy guy, but compared to Brown he seemed quiet as a church mouse. To be fair, that is only due to the fact that Brown is the type of guy who likes to chime in on everything. Escalante is a thinking officer, you can tell by the look on his face that he is always sizing up the situation and taking mental notes. He doesn’t talk loud and is very polite, but when he does speak up, it’s always something important.
(left) The team starts early to get a jump on the illegal campers under the I-15 bridge which crosses the San Diego River in Mission Valley. (top) Expect the unexpected, including this urban cabana complete with grill. (bottom) Piles of debris are typical in most camping areas. -All photos by Vince Meehan
Our first stop is the bridge that carries I-15 over Mission Valley and the river. I’ve driven over this bridge countless times and never realized just how large it is. There are 5 or 6 large caverns formed by the spans that are each as large as a warehouse. Without a word, the team forms into several packs that take separate routes, but converge on the target area in a pincher movement. In this case, the target is a row of Coleman tents erected up against the retaining wall underneath the bridge. This is the moment where if anything was to go wrong, it would. At this time, the team is on high alert, ready to tap into their training on a heartbeat if needed. Using hand signals, the team position themselves in front of the sealed tents, then announce their presence in unison while rattling the tents with their flashlights. This was scary because people begin rustling inside the tents, but you have no idea whether they are putting on their pants, or reaching for a weapon. The team knows this as well, and only waits two or three seconds before they begin to unzip the tents to see what is going on inside. It was pitch dark when we rolled up to this camp, so seeing what is scattered about is not easy. But after a while the dawn starts to break and that makes identifying things a lot easier. The ground under this bridge is completely void of plant life, almost as if it had been sprayed. Underwood tells me that Caltrans will bulldoze this area every other month, but the homeless still return. The smell of See SWEEP page 14
by Vince Meehan
IF
there is any doubt that the dynamic of the upcoming elections will change dramatically due to the redrawing of our districts, the location of one of the first debates was telling. Four candidates for the 52nd Congressional District attended a debate held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course Country Club in front of the Conservative Order of Good Government (COGG), based in North County. The audience was affluent and well positioned in social status. In attendance were incumbent Brian Bilbray, Unified Port of San Diego Commissioner and ex-city councilman Scott Peters, former California State Assembly member Lori Saldaña and John Stahl. Each introduced themselves to the senior crowd with a brief statement explaining why they would make the best candidate for congress. Bilbray started by pointing out his track record of “getting things done.” An example was bringing the America’s Cup race to San Diego even though it was technically in violation of the “Jones Act” or “Merchant Marine Act of 1920,” which outlaws foreign captains to sail foreign ships in U.S. ports. Bilbray pointed out the irony of having it take an act of Congress to have a sailing race in San Diego. He also pointed out that borrowing 43 percent of every dollar represented in our national budget is unsustainable and must be reigned in. John Stahl was next and highlighted his experience in the private sector in negotiating contracts around the world. His goal is to balance the budget in three to five years, and See DEBATE page 4
Is there an App for that? Cybercop!
SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
Dear Ask the Cop: I’ve been wondering how I can see crime activity near my home and if I can be alerted when something happens near my home or my child’s school. Does such a program exist? How can I use the computer to get the information? -An Alert Resident
The Crime Statistics and Maps section of the SDPD website at www.sandiego.gov/police contains the following crime data and a link to the San Diego County’s Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS) website: Numbers of FBI-index crimes (major types of violent and property crimes that affect the general public) and crime rates by neighborhood in the present year. Numbers of index crimes and crime rates by neighborhood by year for the past three years. Numbers of index crimes and crime rates for the whole city by year since 1950.
Dear Alert Resident: Thank you for your inquiry. Several programs exist to monitor criminal activity and to provide statistical data for a smaller area than an entire police division or department. Please take advantage of these no-cost resources for residents of San Diego.
See COP, page 9
Page 4 Debate, from page 3 wean the United States off of OPEC oil by the end of the decade. Lori Saldaña said she grew up in a military family and intends to take care of veterans. She also pointed out that her priority is education, especially concerning the G.I. bill for vets, and spoke of her commitment to protect Medicare and Social Security. Last up was Scott Peters, who stood up and asked for a show of hands saying, “How many of you are happy with Congress right now?” The audience had a good laugh with that as no one raised a hand. Peters pointed out his strong work ethic learned at an early age, and his experience at the San Diego City Council in getting Highway 56 completed as well as working across party lines to finance Petco Park and the Convention Center. After the intros, a moderator asked the candidates written questions from the audience that had been collected in advance. This disappointed a few audience members who were expecting a debate among the candidates as opposed to a Q-&-A session. The first question asked the candidates for examples of past success and Bilbray cited his involvement in getting cruise ships to San Diego in the ‘90s. Stahl pointed out that while at TRW, he doubled the number of employees, and Saldaña brought up her passing of Assembly Bill 1103, which dealt with energy efficiency. Peters explained how he reconfigured the Bird Rock area of La Jolla to be more efficient. The conservative crowd tossed a few hot topics at the candidates such as where they stood on immigration. Stahl said he would not stand for driver’s licenses for illegal aliens and stood by E-Verify as a tool to manage worker fraud. Saldaña asked for further funding to support the border, and to fix the immigration process, which she said was too slow. Peters said he intends to increase security at the border while cracking down on businesses that hire illegal aliens. He also said the United States needs to help Mexico
MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012 fix the income disparity that exists between the two countries so that its citizens will not feel compelled to leave. Bilbray’s plan is to eliminate any magnets that draw illegal immigrants such as jobs or benefits, and use E-Verify. Another question asked the candidates if they supported the bailout of the big banks. Stahl gave a vehement “No!” while Bilray agreed, saying that after the bailout, there was no reform as promised. After Peters asked, “Who went to jail?” the crowd cheered. He added that the bailout money never went to the small businesses or homeowners that it was intended to help and that a bailout must never again be an option. Saldaña was the only one who did not come out against it. She avoided the subject, but eventually said she believed things would have been worse had we not bailed out the banks. At one point, the candidates were asked what could be done to lower gas prices. The entire hall erupted in robust laughter, which took a while to recede. Another COGG member asked the candidates what they would do to end the stalemate that exists in Washington. Saldaña didn’t answer the question, but instead spoke of education. Peters said he intends to take his local record of working bi-partisan to congress while Bilbray went off on a tangent concerning borrowing money from China. Stahl said he would hold monthly town-hall meetings as a way to keep in touch with his constituents. During their closing statements, Peters said he intends to run on his record, and that Bilbray has not done enough to be re-elected. He also vowed to avoid special interests. Saldaña reiterated her military family background, proposed tech jobs as our future and discussed how she worked at a federal level. Stahl told the audience he’d like to see Congress lead by example by taking a 15 percent pay cut and reducing the number of staff, which now sits at 22 aides per congressman. Bilbray pointed out that he was instrumental in stopping President George W. Bush’s amnesty program and would like to see promedical industries supported in San Diego.
Bilbray, from page 1 As for his chances for getting re-elected, Bilbray seems confident of his success. “Look, in this election, I’ve got people on either side of me, both far to the left, or far to the right,” he says. “As for me, if you look at my record, I’m pretty neutral as far as extremes go.” Bilbray has been very vocal, however, on hot-box issues such as illegal immigration. Bilbray insists that he has no problem with immigration itself or the Mexican people. In fact, he says he spends a lot of vacation time in Latin America. But he is concerned with the lawlessness that illegal immigration fosters, and the federal government’s unwillingness to do anything about it. Bilbray started his career as a lifeguard in Imperial Beach and saw for himself the tragic results of illegal border crossings. “As a lifeguard, I fished both dead and live bodies out of the water. I saw firsthand the human cost of Washington’s failure. And this is not a Democrat or Republican thing, because no matter who is in the Oval Office, this problem is repeatedly ignored,” says Bilbray. “And don’t think that the drug violence in Mexico and illegal trafficking are two separate issues, because they are connected with the immigrants often being exploited by the cartels as ‘mules’ to run the drugs into the U.S.” Bilbray says that implementing the use of E-Verify universally is the first step in stopping the flow of illegal workers across the border. “We’ve got to stop creating magnets for illegal immigrants to cross over the border, or reward them with benefits and programs,” Bilbray says. “And for God’s sake, at least companies should be required to use E-Verify if they want to get business deductions from the government.” But Bilbray’s biggest pet peeve is the obstructionism by the federal and state governments regarding job growth. Bilbray says in many cases, the federal government makes it basically illegal to create jobs. “You don’t know how many times I’ve heard from my business owner constituents how they wish the government would just get out of their way and let them succeed,” says Bilbray. “We’ve been waiting for years and years for the green light to build the Jonas Salk School in Mira Mesa. This would create jobs, as well as help overcrowding in schools. But it’s wrapped up in environmental regulations. I hear all the time about pharmaceutical companies who are trying to develop life-saving drugs, but are held up by government regulations. This is the stuff that makes me shake my head.” Bilbray says many companies who outsource work, do so to escape stifling U.S. regulations. “I don’t blame them sometimes,” says Bilbray. “Callaway Golf is a good example of company that got chased overseas. The taxes imposed on the parts they needed, actually cost more than the clubs were worth! And this happens all the time.” He also says if the government wants to repair the damage it has done to our economy, it must be willing to waive the taxes imposed on repatriating money that has been made overseas. Bilbray says that the government has been lukewarm to the idea because it would have no control over that money once it came back. Bilbray believes his reputation of getting things done will pay off in the election. “In Washington, there are two types of politicians. Those who make speeches, and those who get things done,” says Bilbray, who adds that he has worked across party lines, as well as across state and federal departments to get things done. “The city and the port know my record for getting results, that’s why they always come to me!”
Because this wasn’t a true debate, no candidate emerged a clear winner. The individual candidates did a very good job, however, at showcasing their strategies and records, as well as their accomplishments in both the private and public sectors. Many insiders expected this debate to be a wild shootout high in drama, but that did not play out. Instead, it served as a dress rehearsal to a campaign that promises to heat up as the election gets closer.
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
The future of Balboa Park
to cross the Cabrillo Bridge and enter the Prado as they do now. The cars would then be diverted south at the main square (Plaza de Panama) and follow the existing road. He says that this makes sense because it is the simplest and least expensive plan of the two. He says that building an 800-spot parking garage to make up for the 60-70 existing spots that would be removed does not make any sense. “Technically, my plan could be implemented with simple traffic cones,” says Coons. “But with the addition of aesthetic landscaping to compliment the rerouting of traffic, the project could be done for under a million dollars.” Coons contends that the additional 60-70 spaces can be made up by re-striping existing lots and moving a few dumpsters here and there. And this would eliminate any need for the Centennial Bridge. Says Coons, “My plan would cost around a million dollars, while the new garage and bridge is estimated to cost around $40 million. Which makes more sense?”
By Vince Meehan
Opponents of the Plaza de Panama plan are concerned that by having paid parking introduced to Balboa Park, a proverbial bottle has been uncorked, allowing a genie to escape.
Before the days of Photoshop or AutoCAD, artists painted renditions of proposed projects. This is a colorized version of a painting depicting the vision of Balboa Park as a hilltop Spanish village. -courtesy of SOHO
B
alboa Park was created for the 1915 Panama–California Exposition and later hosted the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. 2015 will mark the centennial of the National Historic Landmark, and efforts are underway to return the park to the pedestrian friendly scene that the original planners had envisioned back at the turn of the20th century. Because Balboa Park is managed and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Diego, any plans to revamp it will ultimately have to be approved by the City Council. At this time there are two separate visions for the future of Balboa Park. While the focus of both plans facilitates the removal of auto traffic from the main plaza in order to restore the park to its original design, it’s how that is done that separates the supporters into two factions. By eliminating the parking spaces from the main square of the Prado, extra parking must be provided to make up the difference. One plan allows for an 800-space parking structure to be built just south of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. In addition, a new adjunct off the Cabrillo Bridge is proposed to reroute cars around the south side of the Plaza de California, site of the California Tower, to the new parking structure. This new structure is being called the “Centennial Bridge”, and has become a focal point in the two competing plans for Balboa Park. Bruce Coons is the Executive Director of the Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO), and is an outspoken critic of the Centennial Bridge. He considers it to be an eyesore as well as unnecessary. His alternative plan is to allow cars
David Marshall is the president of Heritage Architecture & Planning which serves as architectural and historical consultants to the Plaza de Panama plan supported by philanthropist Irwin Jacobs and Mayor Jerry Sanders. This is the plan that includes the new bridge and garage. Jacobs intends to raise $25 Million in private funds to help bring the plan to fruition. Marshall shares a passion for preserving heritage in San Diego and especially Balboa Park, and actually worked with Coons at SOHO by serving as president. At Heritage, Marshall has been involved in restoring many of Balboa Park’s iconic buildings, and sees the Plaza de Panama plan as the best way to move Balboa Park into the future. Marshall says that having cars continue to drive into the Prado would make restoring the Plaza de California to its original design as a square impossible, and that’s why the Centennial Bridge is necessary. Marshall says that it is his desire is to restore Balboa Park’s squares to the tranquil resting areas that that they were originally designed to be. Says Marshall, “Some of the squares have not been utilized See PARK page 10
The Old Town
Alternatives
Not in the mood for Mexican when you are in Old Town? No worries, there are other places to grab a bite that don't have mariachis Mark Pillica runs the 25 Forty Bistro & Bakehouse on Congress Street in Old Town. His passion for food runs deep and he loves working in his European style bistro. "I always wanted a restaurant that looked like a house, I love this place!" says Picilla. "Lot's of people told me that trying to run a bistro in Old Town wouldn't last six weeks. But two years later, here I am!" Mark went to Italy at 18 and spent the next 15 years cooking with the masters including the Venice School of Pastries. Mark enjoys the European tradition of serving seasonal food, depending on what time of year it is. Says Picilla, "I'll serve gnocchi with different sauces, spinach in the summer, pumpkin in the fall, and pesto in the winter. Traditionally, I wouldn't use tomatoes in the winter, but here in San Diego, people demand it. Picilla loves to mix up recipes with exciting ingredients like allspice, and also likes to experiment by fusing European and Asian influences. Mark makes his own pasta on the premises and includes ingredients like spinach to make unique and flavorful pastas. Everything is home made at the bistro and Mark is especially proud of his pastries. Well he better be after going to Venice! He enjoys coming up with yummy flavors like banana, dulce leche, nutella, oreo, and even maple which his patrons like because it reminds
(far left) The outdoor dining area is a favorite part of the dining experience especially at night. (above) Mark Pillica will celebrate his two year anniversary March 19. -photos by Vince Meehan
them of eating pancakes. Mark also likes to switch up the normally accepted pairings of wine and food. He also is always on the lookout for new and exciting wines from around the world. There is a large blackboard on the wall of the main room with a map of the world drawn on it. He will mark that map with the location of a new wine he was discovered. Food is a tradition in Mark's family, his dad runs Luigi's by the Beach in Mission Beach. Mark also attended hotel management school which helped him attain the hospitality skills needed to run a restaurant. See CAFES page 16
Pastors Clarence & Dion Hunter
JOIN US SATURDAYS AT 4PM – Worship Services CONNECT - With God and others GROW - In relationship with God and others SERVE - God by serving others
Meeting at: Sheraton San Diego Mission Valley 1433 Camino Del Rio South San Diego, CA (Event Rooms) www.antiochchristanchurches.net
MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
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GINA’S
Valley Views
READ US ONLINE AT: www.MissionValleyNewscom
By Gina Cord, founder of Mission Valley News
Sudberry Properties’ Circa 37 Apartments in Civita Framing is nearly complete and construction has started on exterior finishes and drywall for the first phases of Circa 37, a neighborhood of luxuriously appointed apartment homes in the 230-acre, master-planned community of Civita in Mission Valley. Circa 37 is located near the intersection of Friars and Mission Center roads, on the site of a 75-year-old sand and gravel quarry. Leasing agreements are beginning to be signed and it is anticipated that move-ins will begin in the latter part of April. Arbor Day (April 27th) will be celebrated, as it was last year with the planting of a huge tree located near the Circa 37 apartments. Named for the year mining operations commenced, Circa 37 will feature 306 apartments in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations, ranging from 630 to 1,400 square feet. The centerpiece of the community will be a resort-style, 10,000-square-foot recreation center with a rooftop terrace, Jr. Olympic-size saltwater pool, spa, lounge area, business center and lush landscaping. Sudberry Properties’ development team includes architects McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Irvine; Rick Engineering Company, San Diego; Wermers Multi-Family Construction, San Diego; and landscape architects Lifescapes International, Irvine, and Schmidt Design Group, San Diego. The Civita project has been awarded regional and national recognition for its sustainability, smart growth, and environmental leadership, including the 2009 California State Governor’s Award for Environmental and Economic Leadership (GEELA), California’s highest environmental honor. www.civitalife.com
Artist rendering of the Club House and Pool at Sudberry Properties’ Circa 37 Apartments in Civita.
Mission Valley Planning Group Since the Annual elections were held in March for the Mission Valley Planning Group, there are openings on the Board due to the fact that four great members (all of whom have served over 15 years) have termed-out. Newest members of the board are Alex Plishner, representing Shea Homes and Brittany Ruggels, Land Planner. There are several seats that are yet to be filled. However, two have already indicated their desire See Gina page 8
VIETNAMESE CUISINE BY LISA COX
BÁNH MÌ
Bánh Mì or Bánh Mỳ (pronounced Bun Me) is a Vietnamese term meaning bread without any fillings. It is commonly used to refer to a Vietnamese meat-filled sandwich consisting of grilled pork or chicken, spreadable pork liver pâté, fresh cucumber slices, cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and shredded pickled carrots and daikon. Bánh Mì is typically made with a soft French baguette. When making your own Bánh Mì, I would recommend purchasing the baguette from an Asian market or bakery, as these baguettes tend to be more light and airy than the baguettes found in most markets. To prepare your own Bánh Mì, you will need: (1) baguettes (see above); (2) seasoned pork (6 oz. ground pork, 1 tsp. veg. oil, 1 tbsp. finely chopped onion, 1 tbsp. roast pork seasoning mix (found in Asian markets), and a pinch of garlic powder and See LISA page 12
Not valid on March 17
• lncludes Mashed Potatoes, Veggies & Dinner Roll
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Ani DiFranco
Gina, from page 7 to serve on the board after they have completed the requirement of attending two meetings. They are Perry Dealy, representing the San Diego Union- Tribune, and Carlos Barragon, General Manager of Ben Bridge Jewelers in Fashion Valley. Anyone desiring to be considered for the Board who is a resident, company owner, or taxpayer in Mission Valley and has attended two meetings, should contact, Lisa Gualco, Out-going Membership Chair at lgualco@pmrg.com
Mission Valley Rotary Club celebrates 107th Anniversary
WHAT'S UP By Elle Winsett
WHO'S HOT AND COMING TO TOWN?
HOUSE OF BLUES March 16th - Black Milk with Cut Throat Logic Detroit hip hop with an older sound. If you like Ice-T and Jay Z, you’ll like these guys! March 20th - Ani DiFranco Grammy award winning folk rock that is bound to charm and relax. March 21st Young Jeezy Hardcore hip hop. Not for the faint of heart. March 23rd - The Ting Tings Indie pop dance punk! Fun to bounce to and definitely catchy. March 27th - Tyga Dirty rap with a very slight reggae flavor. Well known for the recent single "Rack City". March 28th - Pink Floyd Experience Relive Pink Floyd’s The Wall and other albums at the House of Blues.
Dead Meadow
THE CASBAH March 16th - Dead Meadow Psychedelic hard rock with Lovecraftian themes and groovy guitars. If you like MGMT and Pink Floyd, you’ll like Dead Meadow. April 8th - Bowerbirds Indie folk from North Carolina. If you like The Mountain Goats and Joanna Newsom, Bowerbirds are for you!
BELLY UP TAVERN March 16th - The English Beat 2 Tone Ska revival band known as just ‘The Beat’ in England. March 19th - Kaiser Chiefs Post punk revival band also from England. Best known for their song ‘Ruby’. March 28th - Galactic Funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans. Performing with the Rebirth Brass Band! You’ll feel like you’re right in the French Quarter! SOMA March 23rd - Sleeping with Sirens Post hardcore screamo/pop rock. For the younger crowd, hipper crowd. BALBOA THEATER April 12th - Tim Minchin Australian born, English bred... Minchin combines masterful musicianship with biting humor.
Photo by Club member Richard Trefflich
President Lydia Stewart is shown with the beautiful cake presented to Mission Valley Rotary Club at the Trellises Restaurant of the Town & Country Hotel, the Club’s weekly meeting venue at noon every Thursday. To celebrate the 107th Anniversary of the founding of Rotary International in Chicago, Illinois, the manager of The Trellises, Robin Davis, gifted the Club with the cake and a champagne toast for the celebration. We welcome What’s News and Who’s News in Mission Valley. Please contact Gina Cord at 619.683.2434 or cordgina@gmail.com
Palm Sunday • April 1
8, 9:30, 11 a.m. • Palm Processional • Chancel and Children’s Choirs 9:30 a.m. • The Water’s Edge contemporary service in The Cove
Wednesday Vespers • April 4
5:30 p.m. • Music for meditation at 5:15 p.m.
Holy Thursday • April 5
7:30 p.m. • Communion, Draping of the Cross The Lenten Sketches by joseph martin Contemporary Singers, church orchestra and organ
Good Friday • April 6
12:10 p.m. • Music for meditation at 11:45 a.m. The Chancel Choir, soloist and organ
Saturday Great Sabbath Lovefeast • April 7
Saturday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. • www.fumcsd.org/GreatSabbath
Easter Sunday • April 8
8, 9:30, 11 a.m. • The Chancel Choir, brass quartet, timpani and organ 9:30 a.m. • The Water’s Edge contemporary service in The Cove 10:30 to 11 a.m. • Family Easter Fair in the amphitheater Sleeping With Sirens
4TH AND B March 22nd - Soulfly Nu Metal that infuses heavy metal with world and tribal music. April 3rd - Sleigh Bells Noise pop musical duo from New York! If you like Deerhoof and the Ting Tings, you’ll like Sleigh Bells. April 7th - E-40 Classy hip hop and R&B. Best known for ‘U and Dat’. VALLEY VIEW CASINO March 16th - Steve Angello and Steve Aoki Dance worthy electro and house music. Prepare for a DANCE PARTY. April 10th - Kelly Clarkson Grrl power pop rock from American Idol’s first season winner.
New Life FIRST CHURCH FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of SAN DIEGO
2111 C a m i n o d e l R i o s . i n m i ss i o n va l l e y • 619. 297. 436 6 • W W W. Fu m c S d. o r G
MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
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Old Town's COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL Hires New Team Members
Barry and Becky Nelson are the newest team members at the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant. Barry is the new front-of-the-house manager and Becky divides her time between banquet, sales, marketing, wait staff and saloon bar-keep. Originally from Arizona, Becky and Barry have worked as a co-management team the last five years. The couple is excited to work in the unique and historical environment of Old Town. As for dressing the part of an 19th century innkeeper, Barry shrugs it off. As he puts it, "Hey, I'm from Arizona, I've been dressing like this all my life!"
Cop, from page 3 SDPD’S top 10 most-wanted list. The ARJIS website contains index-crime data for the past 9 years from which tables of crimes can be generated by time period and city. And for the City of San Diego, tables can be generated for beats, command areas, service areas, council districts, and neighborhoods.
CRIME MAPPING (WWW.CRIMEMAPPING.COM) The site allows users to view crime activity near their home, near their work, or even near their child’s school. People can view crime activity on the map as well as create simple reports and charts. CrimeMapping.com also includes an email based crime alert service that allows users to subscribe to receive reports via email regarding crime near their location of choice. There is no charge to view the maps, charts, reports, or to receive the Crime Alerts. CrimeMapping.com offers an overview of designated crimes within San Diego’s city limits. Information shown is for the past ninety days and is updated one time each day. Note that this is a representation of crime and is not all-inclusive. At least 80 percent of the total incidents can be geographically represented on the map. Parcel specific information is not provided.
REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS Information on registered sex offenders is available on California’s Megan’s Law website at www.meganslaw.ca.gov. You can search by name, address, city, ZIP code, county, parks, and schools, and obtain a map of approximate offender locations, or a list of offender names. The latter also provides pictures and personal profile information on the offenders. Although this information is updated frequently, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Offenders may have moved and failed to notify local law enforcement agencies as required by law; thus, the locations of offenders without established addresses are not included. And remember that not all sex offenders have been caught and convicted, and that most sex offenses are committed by family, friends, or acquaintances of the victim. You can also click on the links on the left of the home page to learn how to protect yourself and your family, facts about sex offenders, and sex offender registration requirements in California, and to obtain answers to frequently asked questions. Additional information about sex offenders can be obtained at SDPD headquarters at 1400 E St. between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This database can be viewed by any California resident 18 years of age or older who has a California Drivers License or a Military ID, and no felony convictions. It can also be viewed by a minor accompanied by a parent or guardian. The database can be searched by ZIP code, county, or offender’s name. It contains the registrant’s picture, violations committed, tattoos, aliases, and the ZIP code of his/her residence.
NIXLE COMMUNITY INFORMATION SHARING This free service allows the public to subscribe to and receive text and/or email messages with timely and credible information of crime, safety, traffic and community issues. To subscribe to this service, log on at www.nixle.com and follow the instructions. You can also go directly to Nixle’s website and see the latest alert and advisory messages, and community news by entering an address in the Navigate and Discover box and selecting a city or agency. Sincerely, Officer Edward Zwibel SDPD Community Relations Officer Officer Edward Zwibel is the Community Relations Officer of the Eastern Division which serves the neighborhoods of Allied Gardens, Birdland, College East, College West, Del Cerro, Grantville, Kearny Mesa, Lake Murray, Mission Valley East, Qualcomm, San Carlos, Serra Mesa and Tierrasanta. Eastern Division serves a population of 123,503 people and encompasses 44.2 square miles.
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Call (858) 248-4058 GEMS& JEWELS By Enhancery Jewelers, Kathleen White, Graduate Gemologist, GIA JEWELRY STYLE LEADERS FOR 2012 – LONG NECKLACES AND WIDE CUFF BRACELETS This season, dramatic is the word that best describes the newest extra-long necklaces and high powered cuff bracelets. Both styles add a look of excitement to anything you wear. And they both come in a wide variety of elegant materials at surprisingly affordable prices. Long, single strand necklaces from 30 inches, 45 inches, or even 120 inches are much in demand today because of their great versatility. They can be worn singly, or wrapped several times around the neck to create a group of different lengths. Available this season in a remarkable selection of eye-catching styles, wide cuffs are a fashion favorite in both sterling silver and rose or yellow gold. These include three dimensional detailing, open work and filigree designs, engraving, and textured finishes .You can also choose elegant styles incorporating brightly colored gems. MARCH BIRTHSTONE – AQUAMARINE AND BLOODSTONE If you were born in March you have two gemstone options. Both gems are precious and rich in historic lore. Aquamarine, a form of greenish blue beryl, is clear and sparkling as seawater and was a talisman for early sailors. Ancient bloodstone is dark green and named for the bright flashes of red jasper that dots its surface. It has been a long time favorite for men’s rings. Both gems represent courage for the March born. Call Enhancery Jewelers at (619)282-3900 for answers to any gem and jewelry questions you may have. Enhancery Jewelers is located in the Chili’s Shopping Center at 4242 Camino del Rio N.#17 (at I-8 & Mission Gorge). Open Tues.-Fri., 10-6pm; Sat. 10-4pm. Martin and Kathleen White have owned Enhancery Jewelers for over thirty years. They specialize in diamond and gemstone jewelry, custom design, appraisals, jewelry and watch repairs Visit us on the web at www.enhancery.com or follow us on Facebook Advertisement
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Park, from page 6 in that fashion for years because traffic has not allowed it. I’d really like to see that returned.” Their concern is that this would lead to $22 parking rates as well as paving the way for further capitalization of the park. Marshall counters that the parking rates will be dictated by the city, and that target is $5 for 5 hours. He bases this scenario on a similar project recently built in Golden Gate Park which charges $3.25. Marshall adds that this money will be used to repay a City bond, which will be issued to cover the remaining $15 million needed to complete the project. Bruce Coons says that he has the support of many homeowners and community planning groups in the area who are in favor of making the park pedestrian friendly, but do not think spending millions of dollars at this time is prudent given our budget shortfalls . Not only that, but he thinks we are running out of time. Says Coons about Jacob’s plan, “I’m concerned that after all the studies and discussions are over, there will be no time to complete a plan of that scope. It would be a shame to have the park in a construction shambles for the Centennial. My plan is easier, quicker, less expensive and eliminates the need for a garage or the bridge. We would be done in time for sure.”
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The City Council is expected to vote on this issue sometime mid-year. Irwin Jacobs’ plan can be seen at : http://www.balboapark.org/plaza-de-panama/project Bruce Coon’s plan can be seen at: http://sohosandiego.org/main/paaplazadepanama3.htm
1. An artists rendering of what the Plaza de California would look like if vehicles were removed from the mix.
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2. Bruce Coon's plan diverts traffic to the right at the Plaza de Panama along existing roadway. 3. Irwin Jacob's plan diverts traffic to the right at the main gate of the Plaza de California, then across a proposed bridge and eventually to the parking structure.
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Demongods, from page 1 try and change the world. He doesn’t spend hours rewriting lyrics to try and create a masterpiece, instead he writes what comes to his mind and moves on. That’s not to say he doesn’t try to be clever. “Sometimes it’s a lot harder to be slyly smart than it is to be earnest,” Peavey said. “It’s not easy to do what the Ramones did and write a song about sniffing glue.” He adds, “It’s definitely not necessarily comedic rock, we’ll go the extra mile.” The Demongods don’t stress out on looking cool or making sure the pyro effects work correctly – for them, it’s about writing songs and doing what they want to do. This band is definitely a redemptive experience for Peavey, who was playing with the band Van Stone before forming Deathsquad Demongods about a year ago. Van Stone is another band that blurs the lines between serious and satire. This band is one part Motorhead and two parts Spinal Tap. Says Peavey about his stint in Van Stone: “I got hired to play lead guitar, and then they didn’t let me play lead! They had a lead singer, lead bassist, and a lead/lead guitar, so I was left with nothing. The singer had all sorts of drug issues, got shot, had broken bones, and I couldn’t just wait around for him to get his act together, so I started Demongods as sort of a segue away from Van Stone.” Peavey hit the ground running by quickly writing a batch of songs and the first song, “Everyone’s Favorite Guy,” was soon recorded. As is typical in Rock N Roll, people have come and gone since the beginning of the band. “Pretty much every guy (from the original line-up) has left and new guys have replaced them, but now we’ve got a band that’s more cohesive,” Peavey says. The most recent additions to the band’s line
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up are Jerry Geronimo on the drums (who joined up only a few months ago) and the hot cat from Japan, guitar ace Nobuaki Hayashi. The one who has managed to stay the longest with the band is bassist Chris Mancini, who shares some insight into just how things happen when they write and play together. “The coolest thing about this band is that everything happens naturally,” says Mancini. “Nothing’s forced and it’s fun! Basically, we just like what we hear and what we feel.” Peavey and the guys went on to tell me about their new video coming out, a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max themed fantasy filmed in Palmdale for their song “Apocalypse Joe.” Between the concerts, videos and writing, the guys are busy as ever. Despite this, they are still connected to the music club scene. The guys live in the Hollywood Hills, but like to hang out downtown where the music clubs are “more real.” While they joke that their attitudes are a little more high class than what Van Stone had to offer, they’re still attracted to the raw feel of playing the clubs and connecting to audiences on a basic level, spiky shoulder pads or not. “It’s really hard to ride that fine line of pushing your show over the top and trying to do something different,” Mancini says. “There’s an unspoken direction that we just naturally fall into.” According to Peavey, heavy metal songwriting is all very basic. “There are two things I write about, the first is leading the armies of hell, and the second is dealing with your bitchy ex-girlfriend,” Peavey says. “It sounds like they’re different, but in a lot of ways they are the same. Either way it’s a struggle, and I think people can identify!” Singing about what people know is what makes the Demongods easy to relate to, even if their lyrics are soaked in playfulness, metaphors and epic stories about the armies of hell. For the Demongods, the show is a way to accentuate the music. Watch the newc video for Apocalypse Joe, out now on Youtube at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mAApcl5AE and the Deathsquad Demongods Facebook page. Be sure and like the page!
THE MISSION VALLEY PLANNING GROUP NEEDS CANDIDATES!
The MVPG Board represents the General Members of the Mission Valley Planning Group and is an all-volunteer group. Its primary purpose is to advise the City Council, Planning Commission and other governmental agencies as may be appropriate in the initial preparation, adoption of, implementation of, or amendment to the general or community plan as it pertains to the area or areas of influence of Mission Valley. Currently Five Vacancies exist in the following classifications: Class I: Property owner, who is an individual identified as the sole or partial owner of record, or their designee, of a real property (either developed or undeveloped) within the community planning area. Term expires March 2016 Class II: Person (including residents or persons representing business entities) paying property taxes on any parcel of real property in the community planning area. Term expires March 2016 Class III: Resident, who is an individual, whose primary address is an address in the community planning area (either an owner or renter). Term Expires March 2016 Class IV: Local business person (including persons representing business entities), who is a local business owner, operator or designee, with a business address in the community at which employees or operators of the business are located. Term expires March 2016 The Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Noon, in the Community Room of the Mission Valley Library at 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, CA 92108. Next meeting is WEDNESDAY April 4, 2012 and is open to the public. Anyone interested being considered for election to fill a vacancy must be an eligible general member and have attended at least two (2) meetings of the Board’s last twelve (12) meetings. For further information, please contact Lisa M. Gualco @ (619) 543-8111 x102 or lgualco@pmrg.com Candidates must live, pay property taxes, or own a business within the MVPG boundaries. The natural valley walls serve as the North and South boundaries except for west of 163 where Friars Rd. serves as the Northern Boundary.
Page 12 Gnats, from page 1 scheduled for March 28 to determine what action should be taken concerning the Eye Gnats. Mission Valley News spoke with Jack Miller, the Director of the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health about the eye gnat problem. Miller is the official who will decide which action will ultimately be needed if the county decides to categorize the gnats as “Vectors”. Miller said that the Eye Gnats are attracted to the eyes and mouths of animals because they need mucus to reproduce. He also said that while eye gnats proliferate in farms that do not use pesticides, there are measures that can be taken to control the gnats without using poison. Miller explained that the Eye Gnats often multiply in fields that have been “turned under”, a farming term which means that crops are plowed underneath the dirt after the vegetables have been harvested. This creates a compost that Eye Gnat larvae thrive on. Miller noted that an organic farm in Jacumba successfully reduced their number of Eye Gnats by letting their crops die and dry out before plowing them under. Another tactic is to surround the organic crops with a “barrier crop” such as alfalfa. This crop can be sprayed with pesticides which will kill the gnats because they are attracted to alfalfa. Miller expressed a strong desire to resolve the Eye Gnat problem by voluntary cooperation with the organic farmers. But he also noted that if the Gnat Fly is indeed classified as a vector, and these voluntary measures did not reduce the gnats to acceptable numbers, then the final measure would be the use of pesticides. This is all reliant on the Eye Gnat being officially designated as a vector threat. Currently, the Eye Gnat is simply designated as a nuisance and a cause of considerable annoyance. A vector is the term used to describe a pest that is a direct threat to human health. Contact with vermin can “vector” a disease to humans, and these pests are dealt with at a separate level. Diseases like Hantavirus can be spread by rodents, while Malaria and West Nile Virus can be spread by mosquitoes. Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by ticks, but is not seen as much in California as it is back east. This health risk earns these pests the title of vectors, and are then dealt with accordingly. In an effort to gauge the amount of harm humans are exposed to by the Eye Gnats, Mission Valley News contacted Eric Paysen who is a resident entomologist at Lloyd’s Pest Control in San Diego. Paysen was surprised to hear about Eye Gnats here in California. “I grew up in South Carolina, so I’m very familiar with Eye Gnats, we have tons of them back home.” said Paysen. But since I moved out here, I really haven’t come across any.” Paysen earned a PHD in entomology (study of insects) at Clemson University and told Mission Valley news that he didn’t consider the Eye Gnat to be a threat to humans. “They don’t bite, so I certainly don’t see them as a health threat,” he stated. Paysen explained that back home, the Eye Gnat larva feed on decomposing plant and animal matter that covers the ground. He added that the larva become gnats and usually swarm for a couple of weeks during the summer. “We considered them a nuisance as opposed to a pest,” said Paysen, “Back home, people don’t give Eye Gnats a second thought because we have real threats like Black Flies. These things are mean and nasty and bite people in large numbers. Their mouths have mandibles that look like blades, they numb your skin, then cut you open to sponge up the blood!” Paysen said that the Eye Gnats would bother people for a few weeks, then go away. But he added that every seven years or so, the population of Eye Gnats would explode one summer as is common with many species of flies. Mission Valley News spoke with Supervisor Diane Jacob about the possibility of categorizing these Eye Gnats as vectors. Jacobs is the supervisor of the 2nd county district which includes Jacumba where Eye Gnats are a problem. She said that the Bornt
Lisa, from page 7 ground black pepper); (3) mayonnaise or spreadable pork liver pâté, (4) 8 thin slices of Vietnamese-style pork roll (chua lua) (optional); (5) 8 thin slices Vietnamese-style salami (optional); (6) 4 tsp. soy sauce; (7) 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs; (8) 1/4 of a med. English cucumber (cut lengthwise, not round, 4 slices); (9) fresh ground black pepper, (10) jalapeno (thinly sliced), and (11) pickled carrots and daikon (see recipe below). Prepare your pickled carrots and daikon ahead of time, as it will take three to five days for pickling. To prepare the carrots and daikon, take 1/2 lb. carrots and 1/2 lb. daikon and shred (each separately, not together) in a food processor. Once carrots and daikon are shredded, add them to a jar with a lid. Mix together 3 cups warm water, 3 tbsp. distilled or rice vinegar, 2-3 tbsp. sugar (depending on how sweet you want the recipe), and 2 tbsp. salt until dissolved. Add liquid mixture to carrots and daikon. Let marinate for three to five days or until you have the level of desired sourness. To prepare the seasoned pork, heat oil in a pan and add onions (stir until soft). Add the pork, seasoning, garlic, and pepper. Cook until just cooked thorough (2 to 3 mins.) and then remove from heat and set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice the baguettes open lengthwise and slather the inside with the mayonnaise or spreadable pork liver pâté. Arrange the baguettes on a cookie sheet and bake until they are hot and crusty (5 mins.) Remove from oven and immediately fill with seasoned pork, 2 slices of the pork roll and salami (optional), 1 tsp. soy sauce, 1/2 tsp. cilantro, 1 cucumber slice, pickled carrots and daikon, ground pepper, and jalapenos. Enjoy!
MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012 organic farm in Jacumba has been identified as the source of the gnat infestation. She also said that the Bornt Farm have not been good neighbors in that they have not been cooperative in taking measures to control the pests. Jacobs said that while she is a strong supporter of organic farming, she is concerned for the quality of life for the citizens in her district. She added that the children of Jacumba cannot eat lunch without being swarmed by the gnats, and that is unacceptable. Jacob said that if the county’s attorneys feel that it is necessary and that it would help, then she supports the classifying of the Eye Gnats as a vector. “What else can we do?” said Jacob. “We’ve been trying to arrive at a solution for years, but the Bornt Farm has not been a good neighbor.” She added that if classifying the gnats as a vector enables the county to enforce measures to control them, then it is necessary. Jacob is hoping to be able to balance the situation in a way that is acceptable to both sides, but added that the county would need some sort of leverage in order to get the Bornt Farm to comply, and that classifying the gnats as vectors would achieve that. Mission Valley News attempted to contact Supervisor Pam Slater-Price about the Eye Gnats in her Escondido district, but she was unavailable for comment. In the interim, Be Wise Farm general manager Bill Brammer is voluntarily adapting his farming techniques to try and control the Eye Gnats. Brammer told Mission Valley News that he is refitting his plowing machinery to leave the crops untouched so they can dry out. Brammer said that the burying of tomato plants accelerated Eye Gnat growth, so he is stopping that practice. He is also distributing 2000 Eye Gnat traps across the property in an effort to limit any spread. However, he noted that he has not been contacted by the county to discuss his new measures. There will be an event called the San Diego County Eye Gnat Research and Education Symposium taking place at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido on March 22 starting at 7:30 a.m. in the main conference center. This is being sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension, San Diego County Department of Environmental Health, and the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside. Various speakers will address the issues concerning Eye Gnats here in San Diego as well as around the world, including Director Jack Miller. This is open to the public and there is no cost to register. This symposium is highly recommended by the Mission Valley News to anyone who wishes to weigh in on the Eye Gnat issue before it comes to a vote. Knowledge is power. Go to: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/pests/pdf/Eye_Gnats/Eye_Gnat_ Symposium_2012.pdf to download the agenda and that will include information on how to register. In our next issue, the Mission Valley News goes to Jacumba. Mission Valley News is owned by Mission Publishing Group, LLC and Robin Munro Madaffer serves as the LLC’s managing member. Ms. Madaffer represents an Organic Farm that would be affected by the County’s proposed ordinance.
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Page 13
Readers Write Eye Gnats
Mission Valley Branch Library Zumba® Fitness at the Mission Valley Branch Library Fridays 1:30 - 2:30 pm When participants see a Zumba class in action, they can't wait to join in. Classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before you know it, you're getting fit and energized! There's no other fitness class like a Zumba® Fitness-Party. It's easy to do, effective and invigorating! Classes are free and for adults and teens (13+) Sumi-E and Japanese Classical Art Class Wednesdays 3 - 5pm Learn the Japanese style of ink and brush painting. Expand your appreciation of classical Japanese art. Beginners are welcome. The instruction is geared for 55+. This class is being conducted by the San Diego Community College Continuing Education Center. For more information please call the Mid-City campus at 619-388-4500. (Adults) BabySigns Storytime (Infants - 2 yrs.) Tues. March 20 3:30 Parents often wonder, "What's my baby thinking?" There is a way to find out, by teaching your baby some basic signs using American Sign Language. Communication is said to be the foundation of a solid relationship; learning to sign with your baby will build that bond early and provide you a bridge from infancy to childhood. Preschool Story & Craft Time Thursdays at 10:30 am Come listen to some stories and then create a fun craft! Toddler Story Time (Infants - 2 yrs.) Fridays at 10:30 am Singing, Rhyming, and Bubbles!
The Mission Valley Planning Group meets at the Mission Valley Library on the first Wednesday of every month at Noon. This is a public forum and your chance to voice your opinion. No decisions get to the city council without going through the Mission Valley Planning Group first. The meeting is held in the community room and is accessed from the outside patio on the North side of the building.
They found that the gnats WERE NOT coming from the golf course, or the winery, or Kit Carson Park, or Lake Hodges, or the Pinery or the mudflats. He found that the ONLY area that was generating mass quantities of eye gnats was Be Wise Ranch. Mr. Brammer didn’t mention that. There are many other farms and organic farms in San Diego County, but Be Wise is one of only two that have generated this level of complaints about eye gnats. Mr. Brammer didn’t mention that either. Also, in a conference call that the Eye Gnat Intervention Working Group (Mr. Brammer was a member of this group) had with the people from the Coachella Valley, we learned that their problem was mostly with flies, not eye gnats. In addition, the farms with this problem were not close to residential areas. The fly problem was limited to the farm areas, not homes. The one thing I didn’t see from Mr. Brammer in your article was any sense of compassion for the thousands and thousands of people who are suffering both physically and financially from the eye gnats generated at his farm. Passage of this ordinance gives plenty of protection to the organic farmer. It also will make county funds available for needed research in this area that will help to keep organic farming without harming the surrounding neighbors. The residents in south Escondido have suffered long enough and deserve to have this problem addressed quickly and at great magnitude. They didn’t cause the problem, contrary to what Mr. Brammer would have you believe. We understand that those who enjoy organic foods don’t want to be impacted and pay higher prices that Mr. Brammer might pass on to them. We only ask that they be sympathetic to the problems that we face almost daily during the summer so they can have organic foods. Undoubtedly, they would feel differently if they lived in our neighborhoods and had to put up with the eye gnats. Many of our residents are worried about their jobs and their property values. We can’t afford a public relations firm like Be Wise Ranch. Our goal is not to shut down organic farms, only to get the level of eye gnats down to where it was 10 years ago. I would encourage you to call the County to get their side of the issue. Sincerely, Dr. Lawrence L. Michel
Dear Mr. Meehan, Regarding your newspaper article, “County Aims to shut down Organic Farms” As a member of the Eye Gnat Intervention Working Group, I listened to many reports and we had hours of discussion on how best to control the rampant increase in eye gnats over the past 5 years. Since I have lived close to Be Wise Ranch near the San Pasqual Valley for over 10 years I will be commenting on that area. I must say that, reading your article, I was shocked at how “one-sided” it was. Firstly, the heading “County Aims to Shut down Organic Farms”, in my opinion, is totally misleading and inflammatory. I don’t recall talking to a single person in my neighborhood, or anyone at the county, who WANTS to shut down organic farming! Who gave you that idea? Did you talk to the county? I know that Be Wise has hired a public relations firm (at great expense presumably) so I can only assume that is where you received your information. From reading your article, I’m not even sure that you read the proposed ordinance. If you read the ordinance (even the Be Wise attorney agreed), you will find that the great majority of the ordinance is aimed at PROTECTING the farmer. There are many, many avenues for appeal if the farmer disagrees with decisions made. While the Director may make certain abatement orders in cases of noncompliance, they can still appeal to the Eye Gnat Abatement Appeals Board (some of these members are farmers). For Mr. Brammer to state that these decisions are “in the hands of a single individual with no agricultural or farming expertise” is simply not true. Now, on to the information that was totally missing from your article and the information that Mr. Brammer didn’t give you. Why did the supervisors feel that this ordinance was necessary? They didn’t arbitrarily decide that they were out to “shut down organic farms” as was suggested. About 5 years ago, we, the residents in south Escondido, noticed that the levels of eye gnats were increasing dramatically, especially in the hotter summer months. We couldn’t be out in our yards without getting a face full of eye gnats. Outdoor activities ceased. No barbecues, no outdoor parties. Over the past 5 years we have seen our property values diminish disproportionately as real estate agents have to disclose that we have a problem with insects. Schools have to occasionally keep children inside when eye gnat activity is at its peak. That’s when we began to complain to the county. At first, we thought the eye gnats could be coming from the Vineyard Golf Course or Orfila Winery. That is when the County and their expert, Dr. Jim Bethke, started doing their research.
I picked up the February 17th edition of Mission Valley News at Oggi’s in Mission Valley. I read your article about the proposed change in law that would effectively close down organic farms in San Diego county. Thank you very much for doing your important work. I would not have known of this pending action if it was not for your newspaper and your article. Tom Fryzel
The Mission Valley News encourages comments from all our readers, this community newspaper serves as your voice as well as your source of local news. All letters may be edited for clarity and length. Send your comments to: letters@missionvalleynews.com
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Sweep, from page 3 human feces is not overwhelming, but definitely there. Most camps have a designated “restroom area” which in this case was the next cavern over. Once you know what to look for, you can identify that area fairly easily. You will see a roll of toilet paper on the ground surrounded by multiple smaller wads. You do not want to be in that area. The rousted campers begin to fumble out of the tents presenting whatever ID they possess. They squint into the police flashlights but inherently know that cooperation with the officers is the fasted way to make them go away. These guys are a lot younger than I expected to find down here, most are in their early 20s. Underwood told me earlier that “bad life decisions” were the main factor in ending up homeless under a bridge. This usually involved alcohol, drugs, or both, and I tried to figure out which one of these caused these young guys to end up down here. It wasn’t obvious to me, but several officers suspected herion due to their subdued demeanor. Most of the homeless we came across in Mission Valley lived in large Coleman tents that looked quite comfortable. Many had large cabinets, tables, or even mattresses and dressers inside them. Underwood pointed out that this indicated that the structures were by no means temporary, but instead intended to be semi-permanent. This mindset is what the team has to go up against in dealing with the problem. Said Underwood, “By seeing these camps for yourself, it’s quite apparent that these residents intend to stay put and not move on.” He added that many homeless gravitate back to the same spot after being told to leave. The residents of Mission Valley want the homeless removed and their trash cleaned up. However, these homeless are still citizens with rights and as police officers, the very people they are sworn to protect. “That puts us in a very unusual position, “ says Underwood. “We need to enforce the law, but we need to protect their rights as well.” On first contact, the officers will hand out flyers from the Homeless Outreach Team, (HOT) an agency whose job is to help transition homeless people to normal lives. The homeless are told of the HOT team and given the opportunity to call an 800 number to receive help. All the homeless promise to call, but very few do, so a second flyer usually comes with a stern lecture. The next time they are contacted results in a citation for illegal lodging. Whether the homeless pay this ticket or not is not the real issue, instead it starts a paper trail which results in an eventual court order barring the person from the cited area. If they ignore that court order, and many do, then they are arrested and go to jail. Depending on the mental state of the campers, the homeless sites come in two categories. This first and more common is the complete rat’s nest of a mess that the homeless live among. If a person is extra crazy, he is banished from the homeless village and forced to camp off by himself in a pile of debris that includes hundreds of empty Starbucks cups, children’s clothes, and street signs. The other is still filthy and smelly, but somewhat orderly in nature and a smaller pile of debris. Somehow being homeless instills a need to hoard stuff that makes no sense. Many of the homeless have bikes, which makes sense, but also scattered around are random things like art supplies, electronic devices and plastic flowers. One item that I saw everywhere was hundreds of fashionable, high-end women’s shoes. They were everywhere, scattered in the mud. Everywhere. At this camp everybody was given HOT fliers, one “frequent flyer” was cited, and one teen-aged runaway girl was arrested. She and her boyfriend lived in a cabana that he had somehow obtained and surrounded with bamboo wall mats to create a transient Shangri-La. Her boyfriend explained that her warrant was for domestic abuse due to a fight she had with her ex-boyfriend. He also mentioned that he had “taken her away” from her ex and that they were an item now. The girl was young and healthy and had no
(clockwise from bottom left) Sgt. Underwood inspects empty wire insulation. Ofc. Arguellas questions a camper. This camp had an adequate supply of condiments. Sgt. Brown takes the high ground to keep on eye on his team as they search a camp under a bridge.
business living under a bridge like a troll. It made me sad to think that this guy’s cabana hut in the dirt was deemed upscale enough to leave her ex for. Our next stop was a small access bridge that leads into Qualcomm Stadium. Underneath this bridge was a neat and orderly camp which included a propane grill and an extensive spice rack. These gentlemen were older and grizzled, much like the stereotypical image of the transient I expected to see. The youth of the previous campers caught me off guard. These guys did not have tents, and instead slept out in the open on makeshift beds they had built under this bridge. These beds were arranged side by side in a neat row and they laid on their backs like a group of vampires. However, there was one youth among them that had a court order which banned him from being in the area. Officer Escalante cuffed him and questioned him while another called in to dispatch to confirm the order. In the meantime, the suspect began to argue the semantics of exactly where he was prohibited from being which clearly began to annoy the usually subdued Escalante. Eventually, the call came back as positive, and Escalante escorted the suspect back to the car where they arranged a beat officer to transport him to jail. Underwood pulled me aside and showed me a pile of empty wire insulation that he found on the outskirts of the camp. He told me that the homeless steal copper wire from construction sites and sell it back to recyclers. He said it is common to find these piles of insulation around the camps. “If you have wire on your jobsite, and you do not put it away, it will be taken,” Said Underwood. “That’s for sure!” Part 2 in our next issue includes guinea pigs, drug dealers and stripper poles in the riverbed. Find out just how much damage has been done to the river, and whether you should continue to give money to people in the road median with cardboard signs.
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
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“Your clothes should be tight enough to show you're a woman, but loose enough to show you're a lady.” -Marlyn Monroe 7
3
OK, every time you think it's time to put away those boots for the year, the weather switches and the boots return. As much as you'd think people would have tired of the trend, stretch pants and boots are the order of the day. At least until the sun comes back to stay. 1) A rough & tumble look for the men is fun. 2) These vintage-style lunch boxes have been a favorite carry all accessory for girls for years. 3) This Ramones inspired dress is a perfect match for a new style of necklace that drapes over your shoulder as well. 4) Boots have not yet gone away for the summer, but you only have a few more weeks to sport them. Stretchpants and boots have been the defacto outfit at the mall. 5) This sheer see-thru chiffon outfit will be the hottest look this year. Trust me on this!. 6) A little bit naught, a little bit nice. These eyewear frames have been a hit since the '70s. A classic that never goes away. 7) Bracelets adorned with skulls or other gothic imagery are all the rage at the rage! Luigi Vera is the owner of Luigi Vera clothing boutique in Hillcrest. For more on Luigi and his boutique, go to: www.luigivera.blogspot.com
Viv, from page 2
BODY & SOUL By Lauren Westerfield, RYT
Spring cleaning: detoxify and rejuvenate with gentle yoga Spring is here, and with it the season for purging winter dust and clutter in our homes, bodies, minds and spirits. Throwing open windows and doors while cleaning out cupboards and closets is a healthy regimen that refreshes the home and encourages renewal; and with a few simple, gentle yoga poses, you can emulate the rejuvenating power of spring cleaning for the body and soul – and seize spring’s opportunities with a new sense of calm and well-being. Yoga asanas have the power to stretch, soothe and strengthen the body; but they can also be extremely effective therapeutic tools. When it comes to detoxifying from the inside out, deep breaths and gentle twists can work wonders. To perform a simple variation of Bharadvaja’s twist, a classic seated pose to benefit the abdominal organs, improve digestion and increase vitality, begin by sitting cross-legged on the floor and breathing deeply. As you inhale, lift up through your chest to lengthen your torso; then, exhale and twist your torso to the right, keeping your belly soft and allowing your neck and then your head to follow as you gaze over your right shoulder. Breathe deeply, deepening the twist slightly with each exhalation. Hold for several breaths and then release as you exhale and return to center. Repeat on the left. .
But no one knows where the trees have gone… except for the Once-ler (Ed Helms), a strange being that lives miles away from Thneedville. After seeking him, Ted learns the true reason as to why all the trees – along with the guardian of the forest, the Lorax – disappeared. In the end, it’s up to Ted to carry through the last hope to save the town of Thneedville and to restore the nature back to its natural beauty while trying to keep O’Hare and his greedy men at bay. “The Lorax” is riddled with beautiful, vibrant colors and a wonderful array of talented voice actors. The scenes are whimsical and the trees are so Suess-like and beautiful that it’s not hard to imagine what it would be like standing in the meadow and staring up at them. The musical numbers and creatures are charming, and the intent of the movie is crystal clear: Keep our planet clean and remember to stop and enjoy the simple, beautiful things that life naturally provides for us. Though the message is controversial, the younger crowd will barely catch this – children will most likely be too enamored with the small, wide-eyed creatures and delightful orange peanut-looking Lorax to care for the hidden objective in the movie. But the movie provokes thought, and the older audience is left pondering over the striking similarities between Thneedville and the world we know today – sure, we don’t have disco-lit trees or bottled air, but our need to expand our cities and build on the technology that already seems to do everything is only growing by the minute. “The Lorax” points out what our future may look like if we don’t stop and appreciate the simple joys we have in life, technology and electricity aside. The movie pushes its audience to take action, because even the smallest person can make a difference. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax.
All films are screened at UltarStar theatres at the Hazard Center in Mission Valley
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MissionValleyNews.com — March 16, 2012
Local Music Local Love
with Jen Van Tieghem
Cafes, from page 6
The Living Room
Another alternative to Mexican fare in Old Town is The Living Room. Like the 25 Forty Bistro, this cafe is a converted house that has lot's of charm. There are four Living Rooms in San Diego including Point Loma, La Jolla, and SDSU, but this cafe is the only one that has a full menu. The cafe draws in a lot of people at night due to its beautifully lit patio. The menu includes 10 different burgers as well as Mahi-Mahi, Quiche Lorrane and curry chicken. The Living Room features a full selection of wine and beer, and serves a margarita which is very popular with the tourists. A full breakfast menu is available including pancakes and waffles and the cafe opens at 7 am for the early birds. The Living room features live music on Friday and Saturday nights and of course, has a full selection of coffee as well. So if you find yourself in Old Town, but are in the mood for something that is not stuffed into a tortilla, you've got two great places where you can order something different and chill out on the deck. The Living Room is located across the street from the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 2541 San Diego Ave. The 25Forty bistro is located at 2540 Congress St in Old Town.
If you like your rock music raw, deep, poetic and heavy, then you need to get an earful of The Heavy Guilt. Influenced by everything from folk to psychedelic rock to blues, this well-crafted ensemble delivers its eclectic sound with devotion and authenticity. The rich sound of The Heavy Guilt ranges from soulful blues-tinged tunes to funky jazz influenced tracks and full-blown rock anthems. Al Howard (percussion, lyrics) and Josh Rice (keyboards) created the Guilt out of the ashes of previous projects and a combined passion for music. First-time singer Erik Canzona (vocals, guitar) was added The Heavy Guilt to put a voice to Howard’s stunning and poetic lyrics and with that, their unique sound was born. With the ability to deliver hushed, delicate lines, then belt out gritty pure rock and roll with equal parts power and poise, Erik’s voice lays the foundation for the band’s sound. Jazz virtuosos Jason Littlefield (bass) and Sean Martin (guitar) bring years of experience to the stage, layering depth and detail to each song. And the music of The Heavy Guilt is anchored by Jenny Merullo (drums, vocals), who can hit hard, add a gentle beat when needed, and even blend backing harmonies delicately into the mix. With two records completed and a constant mix of new music being created, The Heavy Guilt is poised to make a name for itself. By playing a variety of venues several nights a week, the group stays in San Diego’s musical spotlight and fans have a hard time forgetting its sound. Keep an eye on vocalist Al Howard, the self-proclaimed “wild card” of the group. He likes to wail on the tambourine or self-made instruments like his “stomp boxes.” The authenticity of his passion is refreshing. From the frail and tender tunes like “Fallen” and “Wyoming” to heavy-hitting, foot-stomping songs “Through the Tangles” and “The Cost” this band showcases a wide range of styles. These guys and gal are the ones to watch as they polish their sound and master their craft. The Heavy Guilt plays at Soda Bar on Friday, March 30, so be sure and catch the magic that is created when this sextet brings their unique sound to the stage. For more upcoming shows and information, check out TheHeavyGuilt.com. Jen Van Tieghem is a staff writer who spends her time dancing like a fool while covering the San Diego music scene in all its glory on SoundsInSanDiego.com.
Physical Rehabilitation Services Close to Home
Why travel far away when the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute offers easy access combined with exceptional inpatient and outpatient physical rehabilitation in your neighborhood.
Getting You… Back To Work Back To Play Back To Life! The treatment team directed by a physiatrist, evaluates each patient’s needs and develops an individualized treatment plan. Patients may be referred by their primary physician or specialist. Most insurance plans, worker’s compensation and Medicare are accepted.
Inpatient: 619-229-7380 / Outpatient: 619-229-7216
6655 Alvarado Road, San Diego 92120
www.AlvaradoHospital.com/rehab
800-ALVARADO