July 9, 2010
On the Internet at www.MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.com
Volume XVI – Number VI
Former Mission Trails Little Leaguer Picked In MLB Draft
Local Scouts To Attend National Jamboree, Celebrate 100th Anniversary Of Scouting
San Carlos Teen Surprised With Dream Call
By Ryan Mortensen National Jamboree Hometown News Correspondent In 1910, an American businessman wandered lost on the foggy streets of London, England until a boy found him and helped him get to his destination. When the businessman offered the boy money for his deed, he declined saying, "I'm just doing my good turn for the day." The man was stunned by the boy's polite nature and asked locals until he discovered that the boy was one of Britain's Boy Scouts. The businessman took the idea back to America where he later founded what was to become the Boy Scouts of America. For 100 years, scouts have grown continually spreading to every state in America, providing millions of hours of cheerful community service to a host of local and national agencies. To celebrate 100 years of service, the BSA is holding a 100th anniversary celebration jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia with over 45,000 scouts and adult scouters expected to be in attendance. Fort A.P. Hill will be transformed into the seventh largest city in the state for the event. More than 30 local scouts Ryan Mortensen will depart for Fort A.P. Hill this month as part of the Troop 701 contingent for this 10-day anniversary celebration. The Scouts of Troop 701 have spent the past several months preparing for their crosscountry expedition, with a series of fundraisers to help offset the cost of the trip. Participants have also attended a series of lectures from emergency first aid and CPR to the proper method for escaping from a city bus. Should the time come, the scouts of Troop 701 will be able to handle most emergencies that could present themselves during the jamboree. As July 26th, the first day of the jamboree, draws closer, Troop 701 will be prepared
By Jeff Barnes
Kevin Kleis, Jr. dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player since he started playing on the Mission Trails Little League at the age of seven. Little did the 18-year-old know that after playing just 3 1/3 innings in high Pitcher, Kevin school and pitching for Kleis, Jr. was one year at a commupicked in the nity college, he would MLB draft by get the chance to play the Pittsburgh Major League Baseball. Pirates after his The young, aspirfreshman year ing pitcher was working at Grossmont out at home the first Community week of June when he College. got the call of his life.
An MLB scout with the Pittsburgh Pirates called to let Kevin know he was drafted in the 27th round, pick #807. "I was so excited, it felt surreal" Kevin said. "After I got the call, it really opened my eyes." Kevin's mom was at work when she learned the exciting news. "All of a sudden my phone started ringing. It kept ringing," Lynne Kleis said. "Everyone was calling me - I couldn't believe it." It has taken Kevin years of determination, focus and hard work to earn an MLB draft pick. As a little leaguer, Kevin pitched and played first base. His hard work earned him a spot on the San Diego Stars travel team. Kevin made two trips to Cooperstown, NY to play at Dreams Park, and he also played in a tournament in Hawaii. continued on page 12
Flower Baskets Enhance Local Streetscape The hanging flower baskets, a beautification project that has been in progress since 2008, has come into completion in 2010. In March of 2008, the College Area Business Improvement District's (BID) Design Committee brainstormed projects they could implement to improve the appearance of the District. The idea that received the most attention was that of installing hanging flower baskets throughout the District. The goal was to install 22 hanging baskets in a pilot Flower Baskets hanging from area of the Enhanced Maintenance Assessment District a street pole in front of The EMAD): College Ave. and El Cajon Blvd intersection. Egyptian Team Room on The Committee referenced other BID's that had College Avenue. similar projects and concluded that the best plan of action was to hire a landscape architect to design the baskets, and hire someone to produce/maintain the baskets. After receiving multiple proposals, the Committee joined with David Reed Landscape continued on page 11
City Of San Diego To Change Trash Schedules ‘A New Way of Doing Business’ to Save Taxpayers $4.4 Million Starting the week of July save the City $4.4 million and reduce the 12th, the City of San Diego's workforce by 40 positions. Environmental Services De"This is a new way of doing business partment (ESD) will implefor us as we continue to look for ways to ment new, more efficient streamline our operations and reduce the routes for trash, recycling and yard waste cost to taxpayers without compromising the collection services. quality of service that residents expect from The redesigned routes require drivers us," ESD Director Chris Gonaver said. to work 10-hour shifts each day, which will Trash, recycling and some yard waste
Eagle Scout To Serve As Hometown News Correspondent
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Kroc Community Center Celebrates Eight Years Facility Serves As 'Flagship And Model' For Other Facilities Nationwide By Jeff Barnes When The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Rolando was dedicated eight years ago, Mrs. Kroc said she hoped the center would serve tens of thousands of people each year. In just eight years, the innovative community center has served more than 7 million people. Captain John Van Cleef said the facility couldn't be happier to have met and exceeded Mrs. Kroc's dream and vision in such a tremendous way. "It's nice to know that it's been that kind of place in the community where people are coming and responding to what the dream and vision of this place is all about," Van Cleef said. "We're providing programs, which are really opportunities that meet the needs of our community." The Kroc Center offers a variety of programs year round including day camps, swimming lessons, a ropes course and rock wall, ice skating, sports, dance, cheer, cooking, stomp and theatre. The day camp program is very popular in the summer months, with up to 350 kids attending each day. Van Cleef said the facility's programs are made possible by an incredible staff and continued on page 13
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Radio Talk Show Host Mark Larson To Headline Navajo Canyon Republican Women Meeting By Judy McCarty Popular radio talk show host Mark Larson will highlight a "Meet, Greet and Eat" evening hosted by Navajo Canyon Republican Women for their members, guests and Republican candidates on Tuesday evening, July 20th, at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church at 6556 Park Ridge Blvd. in San Carlos. Cost is $5 to cover the cost of the buffet, including wine. Spouses are welcome. Please e-mail mcatesfamily@cox.net or call (619) 6972235 for reservations. Mark Larson's San Diego program airs on 1170 AM KCBQ weekdays from 7:00-9:00 a.m. Larson is known for his humor and insight on current political issues, which is what he will be sharing. Mark Larson continued on page 10
Summer day camps at The Kroc Center attract up to 350 youth each day.