Mission Times Courier - February 2014 by Mission Publishing Group LLC

On the Internet at www.MIssIOnTIMesCOurIer.com

February 2014

Volume XX – number 2

Mayoral candidates discuss local issues ahead of Feb. 11 election By Jeremy Ogul Mission Times Courier

T David Alvarez

Kevin Faulconer

he next mayor of San Diego will have the power to make important decisions on some of the most pressing issues in City Council District 7, including the future of Qualcomm Stadium, public access at Mission Trails Regional Park, homelessness and the availability of

high-paying jobs and affordable housing. Candidates David Alvarez and Kevin Faulconer, both members of the San Diego City Council, discussed their positions on these issues in interviews with Mission Times Courier staff earlier this month. Recreational trails Neither candidate was very See CANDIDATES page 20

ANGRY MOUNTAIN BIKERS PROTEST AT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK By Doug Curlee Editor

Mountain bikers claim they’re being shut out of trails, decisions

undreds of trail riders, equestrians and trail walkers gathered at the Visitor Center at Mission Trails Regional Park on Jan. 11, claiming they are being forced out of one of the region’s prime recreation spots in the wake of demand letters from state and federal regulators. Some 500 of them took part in a three-hour protest ride through the park’s trails system, to express their anger at what they see as an effort to restrict humans’ rights there in favor of making the recreation area into something of a wildlife preserve. All this arose out of letters from Department of Fish and Wildlife officials citing what they called unauthorized trails

DROUGHT MAY NOT AFFECT US TOO MUCH 500 mountain bikers of all ages gathered at Mission Trails Regional Park Photo by David Keen

being created and ridden in the park, and specifically in the East Elliott area, which is not yet part of the park, but is slated to become part of it. The state and federal officials visited the park last June, and found what they called unacceptable trails too close to sensitive and endangered species. The

letters called for the city to shut down of a number of trails in the East Elliott area and the rest of the park ecosystem. The officials said the trails must be closed and “successfully restored” to their original condition as part of the legally required update to the Mission See BIKERS page 4

County leaders release new and improved emergency preparedness app By Jeremy Ogul Mission Valley News

ounty officials hope a major upgrade to the official mobile app for emergency preparedness in San Diego will encourage more local residents to download the app and take a few minutes to plan for an emergency. The new version of the SD Emergency app, developed by the County of San Diego, makes it easier to share emergency preparedness plans with family members and neighbors and to back up those plans to the cloud. The county has also added push notifications and improved the

app’s reliability on numerous hand out free two-person campAndroid mobile device models. ing tents to the first 3,000 people To encourage people to down- who download the app and regisload the app and prepare for an emergency, the county will See EMERGENCY page 14

Water Agencies say there’s enough in storage- for now By Doug Curlee Editor

ov. Jerry Brown’s drought proclamation brought into sharp focus the situation the now-official drought has put much of California in. His plea that Californians conserve at least 20 percent more than they already are hit nerves here in Southern California, where conservation has been more or less a way of life for several years. It brought about worries of mandatory water rationing, and sky-high water rates. Fortunately for San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the picture is not nearly so gloomy. Our reservoirs are in pretty good shape, at least for this year. “Because dry spells are part of living in California, our region has invested heavily infrastruc ture, conservation and new water supplies to protect our economy and quality of life,” says San Diego County Water Authority Chairman Tom Wornham. “We are in better shape than we were See WATER page 18

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

SMALL THEATRE MAKES LARGE IMPACT ON THE LIVE STAGE

Local Theater Brings Female Productions to Life By David Rozul Contributor

reat things can be found in unexpected places. Tucked between a tanning salon and a health services center in Rolando lies the home of a small theater company working to shatter gender stereotypes through their work. Bringing underrepresented female playwright productions to the stage, the woman-driven MOXIE Theatre aims to change the way people think about female characters, in not just theater but literature. “We are trying to expose our audiences to characters that do not fit neatly into stereotypes,” said Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, co-founder and artistic director of the professional nonprofit MOXIE Theatre. “We want to shatter the stereotypes of what people think of when they think of a woman’s work.” Since taking residence in its intimate, 132-seat theater on the north edge of San Diego’s Rolando neighborhood in 2009, the MOXIE Theatre has produced numerous plays through its mission to create more diverse and honest images of women. “It’s great to feel like we are people’s home theater, Sonnenberg said. “There is a shared fellowship and community that I love in the work that we do.” The MOXIE Theatre was the brainchild of a group of actresses and directors that had worked together years prior. With similar values and a diversity of offerings, the group founded the theater in 2005, driven to see women’s work become mainstream and to distinguish themselves by producing plays with “moxie.” “Moxie is courage, it’s ‘the play that can never be done’, or ‘it’s the too-hard-to-do play,” Sonnenberg said. “It defines our

The Moxie Theater in San Diego’s Rolando neighborhood

Delicia Turner Sonnenberg (left) directing a rehearsal for an upcoming production work in terms of style or choice of style.” Primary producing female playwright productions, the theater aims to break away from what most people would expect from female playwrights work and showcases underrepresented woman roles. “We want to expose women in their fullness, and challenge the idea that a woman’s work is only concerned about a woman’s relationship to a man,” Sonnenberg said. “I don’t want to tell the story of a woman defined by a boyfriend or husband that left her; there are a million stories like that. I want to tell the story of the woman who aspires to be the best horse jockey in the world and then becomes a horse.” In exposing audiences to productions that have strong women roles, the MOXIE Theatre faces the constant challenge to accurately communicate what it

means to be a female-driven theater. “The assumption always is that because we are a woman-driven theater, we don’t want men there. That’s not true,” Sonnenberg said. “The idea that the celebration of being a female is somehow the rejection of maleness is wrong and we don’t believe that.” “We want to prove that plays written by women, or produced by women, or driven by women can be successful.” In producing its plays the MOXIE Theatre contributes to the development of successful women in the community. The theater gives opportunities to female artists, designers, technicians and actresses to take part in productions and places an importance on providing mentorship to the next generation of artists. Sonnenberg is confident that through its work, the MOXIE Theatre will continue to make its mark on San Diego’s live theater community. “Theater has the power to change people’s lives and if not their lives their perceptions,” Sonnenberg said. “Since the time we started until now, there has been a lot more women’s work on the stages of San Diego.” “I like to think that’s because we exist, because we shine a light on what plays are written by women.” The MOXIE Theatre’s next production, Crumbs From The Table Of Joy, will play from Jan. 24 through March 2, 2014; with opening night on Saturday, Feb. 1. For more information or tickets go to www.moxietheatre.com.

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

Greener grass coming to neighborhood parks By Jeremy Ogul Mission Times Courier

City workers will be giving a facelift to the grass playing fields at six parks in San Carlos, Allied Gardens and Del Cerro this year. City Councilmember Scott Sherman on Jan. 22 announced a $50,419 grant to rehabilitate the turf in six neighborhood parks around the district, many of which are covered with wide swaths of dead grass or mere dirt where the grass once grew. In addition to improving the look of things, the project to aerate, re-seed and fertilize the fields should also cut down on some unnecessary injuries, such as broken wrists and sprained ankles, that children may have suffered from tripping on the uneven surfaces, Sherman said. The turf is in such poor shape because the city imposed severe budget cuts on park maintenance over the last decade, said Kathy Ruiz, deputy director of the city’s Park and Recreation Department. The city has not paid for regular fertilization or aeration since the mid-2000s, though private groups and neighborhood recreation councils have occasionally raised money to pay for fertilizer themselves. While it used to happen every few years, at least a decade has passed since the city invested in rehabilitating the fields at neighborhood parks in San Carlos and Allied Gardens, Ruiz said. The funding is only available now because Sherman was able to maintain a surplus in his city council office budget, which pays for everything from Council District 7 staff salaries to ink and toner for the office’s printers. Each city council office gets an annual budget of just over $1 million, said Barrett Tetlow, Sherman’s chief of staff. If they don’t spend all the money, the city allows the councilmember to spend the surplus on projects in

the community. Sherman asked leaders from the neighborhood councils for a list of the top needs in the area. They agreed that spending the money on turf rehabilitation would benefit the greatest number of residents. More than 4,000 kids participate in organized sports in the greater Navajo area, and many more people use the fields for informal play, said Jay Wilson.

More than 4,000 kids participate in organized sports in the greater Navajo area. That created a challenge for the neighborhood: Find a way to schedule the field closures, up to eight weeks each, while minimizing the disruption to the many youth sports leagues and school classes that depend on the fields. Sherman asked for everyone in the neighborhood to cooperate with the closure schedule so that the new turf has time to take root. The fields at Lake Murray Community Park, near Murray Park Drive, and Princess Del

Cerro Neighborhood Park, near Wenrich Drive, will be closed for all of February and March, approximately. At Allied Gardens Community Park, the Skunk Hollow fields will be closed in April and May. The “peanut” portion of the fields, adjacent to Greenbrier Avenue and Glenroy Street, will be closed in May and June. The fields at the San Carlos Recreation Center will be closed in July and August, approximately. The lower field at Lewis Middle School will be closed in May and June. Rehabilitating the turf on those fields is just the beginning of what the parks in the area truly need, said Wilson, who is president of the Del Cerro Action Council. “We need more fields,” Wilson said, pointing out that on some weekends, fields are used hours on end with back-to-back youth sports games. “There’s only so much grass you can use [right now].” There are some areas where grass turf could be installed on land that is now covered with decomposed granite, but that is not likely to happen soon, Wilson said. Still, “this is a huge first step,” Wilson said. “People are going to see the benefit.”

LOCAL News

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LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

Bikers, from page 1

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Trails Regional Park plan. The actual wording in the letters read, “the unauthorized construction and use of trails should be immediately addressed and effectively controlled prior to moving forward with plans to redesign or construct new trails.” Doug Johnson of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association says the people who actually use the trails are seldom if ever heard on these matters. “There aren’t any bikers or other actual users of the trails on the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation board. There’s no real input from us in the decision-making process here,” Johnson said. Chris Zirkle, the Deputy Director of the city’s Park and Recreation Department’s Open Space division, says, “We are not closing trails since the City has never officially opened and/or authorized the trails.” (Zirkle had previously declined to talk about the issue with the Mission Times Courier, referring us to the Interim Mayor’s office, which did not Photos by David Keen recreation users, making them respond to our request.) “There is a process in place wonder who’s really in charge at to create legitimate trails and the park. Mission Trails Regional Park that process is underway via an update to the Mission Trails was originally conceived and creRegional Park plan,” Zirkle said ated as a recreation area of the in a comment published in the City of San Diego, and is still San Diego Reader. “This update administered and policed by the would incorporate the East City. Park users are concerned Elliott area into Mission Trails that state and federal regulators Regional Park and revise the are trying to move people more entire Trails Plan for the park.” or less out of the park in favor of Mike MacGregor, president of plants and animals. They worry that the city is the mountain biking association, says, “We’re advocating for all losing control of the park assets trails users whether they have to what are essentially outside shoes, hooves or wheels. This agencies at higher levels of is about access to recreational government. They cite as reason for that areas.” belief the four-page letter from The state and federal letters have raised concern across all the state and federal agencies segments of the the outdoor that addressed areas far afield

of the mountain bike, equestrian and hiking trails. Among those areas are the Fortuna Mountain/Mission Gorge areas, restricting what they called human impact to the Cowles Mountain area, and the Lake Murray areas. All of their recommendations would have the effect of severely curtailing human access to many areas of the park. The concern is that Mission Trails Regional Park is slowly being forced to abandon what most considered the original concept of the park, which was a park for the people, in favor of becoming a more inaccessible-to people- wildlife preserve.

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5 LOCAL News NAVAJO CANYON REPUBLICAN WOMEN Kiwanis Club thanks community for READY FOR BUSY NEW YEAR successful Christmas tree fundraiser

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

ByJohn Peterson for the Mission Times Courier

By Judy McCarty Public Relations The new year will be filled with local, state and national elections, and Navajo Canyon Republican Women are ready. NCRWF members are already at work supporting Keven Falconer in the Feb. 11 Mayoral election in the city of San Diego. The Gubernatorial primary is June 3, followed by general elections in the fall. The club’s regular meeting schedule continues with their Feb. 11 meeting at The Brigantine with our featured speaker sharing election day activities. Check-in time is 10:30 am for the 11 am meeting; a full-course luncheon is served at noon, followed by the speaker. Cost is $20 and reservations are required. Please RSVP to NCRWF99@gmail.com or call Kit at 619-286-2835.

*** Our satellite club, Downtown Republican Women, will welcome Ruth Weiss and Rachel Meyer who will talk about the need for voter identification and the new proposed law. The meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 pm at The Athens Market, at First and F streets downtown. Cost is $15. The restaurant’s regular hors d’oeuvres buffet will be served along with a no-host bar. RSVP to dmcrsd@gmail.com. Downtown Republican Women meet every third Thursday of the month and all Republicans are welcome. *** Navajo Canyon RWF, a Diamond Award winning club is very active in supporting political campaigns, the military and the community. In 2010, our club earned SDCFRW awards for most political volunteer hours and most community service hours.

The Kiwanis Club of GrantvilleAllied Gardens would like to publicly thank the Navajo Community for its wonderful support of our annual Christmas tree sales lot. This was our 26th year of selling Christmas trees as our annual fundraiser. Even with a down economy and lots of competition we were able to sell out our inventory of trees and even have a couple of days to rest up before Christmas! We started selling Christmas trees in 1988 when we placed our first order (with much trepidation) for 110 trees. This year we had three shipments of trees totaling 1032 trees – what a difference – and we owe it all to the terrific support we get from our community. We opened the lot on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and on December 22nd we had 19 trees left. We loaded them in a truck and took them to Miramar Air Station to donate to the Marines. That evening we celebrated our success at the now empty tree lot! I wish I could tell you how many times I heard a customer on the tree lot say, “We always buy our tree from Kiwanis because all the money goes back to the community.” And, that is true. Kiwanians donate their time and

The Kiwanis Club’s annual Christmas tree fundraiser energy as do other volunteers such as members of Key Club, Circle K and Builders Club. On busy weekends we even had volunteers from New Entra Casa, a home for female ex-offenders trying to turn their lives around. It is their way of thanking us for all the support we provide them throughout the year. We want you to know how much we do appreciate your support. Without you we could not support our youth organizations: Patrick Henry High Key Club, SDSU Circle K, Lewis Middle Builders Club and the K Kids at Hearst Elementary. Without you we could not support Allied Gardens Little League, Cub Scout Pack 928, Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, AGCC Holiday Festival, cook-outs for students at Lewis Middle School, Foster Elementary, BenchleyWeinberger Elementary, Gage

Elementary, Harvey Academic Awards at Lewis Middle School, Student of the Month awards for students from Patrick Henry High, Lewis Middle and Hearst Elementary. Without you we could not give scholarships to deserving students from Patrick Henry High Key Club and SDSU Circle K. Thanks to your support we were able to donate and maintain the Community Flagpole and to display the American flags along Waring Road on national and patriotic holidays. Your support of our Christmas tree sales fundraiser allowed us to start SpringFest and to sponsor the Kiwanis Parade each year. I could go on but you get the idea, it is you, our customers, who really make these things happen and we applaud and thank you. Together, we are making our community a better place to live!

COUNCIL News

Del Cerro Action Council By Jay Wilson President The Del Cerro Nextdoor program continues to grow in our community. The Nextdoor program was brought to San Diego by San Diego Police Officer Ed Zwibel and he continues to urge everyone to become involved. Officer Zwibel was our Community Relations Officer and is now the Community Relations Coordinator/ M e d i a Relations, and Public Information Officer for the entire San Diego Police Department. The Del Cerro Nextdoor site is sddelcerro. nextdoor.com. There are several ways to register and it is a very secure site. Take a few minutes and check it out. Our very capable Police Community Relations Officer is now Adam McElroy. His email address is amcelroy@pd.sandiego.gov. Our thanks to Councilmember Scott Sherman for allocating $50,000 for the renovation of

six of our parks and youth sports fields in the Navajo Community. The condition of the fields has been a serious problem for a long time. I have lived in the Navajo Community since 1969 and this is the first time I can remember that improving the condition of the fields has taken such a priority. Liz Saidkhanian from Councilmember Sherman’s office is the Council Representative for Grantville and Allied Gardens; she chaired the committee that worked with Angelina Black, the Park and Recreation Area Manager for the Navajo Community, and representatives from the organized youth sports programs to bring this project to fruition. This was definitely a cooperative effort on behalf of everyone involved as this means moving teams around to different practice fields and everyone pitching in to make this happen. Selection of the six fields was based on safety and use. Portable fencing will be erected around the fields where it is required. It is imperative everyone remain off of the fields until the renovation is complete and the new grass fields are officially reopened. Although we need the rain, if our unseason-

According to Community Relations Officer Adam McElroy, crime in our area continues to be very low.

See DEL CERRO page 23

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

College Area Community Council and Planning Board By Rhea Kuhlman President We began 2014 with two important actions at our January meeting. After six months of planning and review, and following a presentation from City staffer Oscar Galvez, the College Area Community Planning Board approved by unanimous vote the final draft of the College Area Public Facilities Financing Plan. This is the first step in an approval process which will take about six months to finalize. The City Council’s Infrastructure Committee must now review and approve the plan, followed by review and approval by the full City Council. The new College Area PFFP would then go into effect 90 days after City Council approval, in the summer of 2014. As is true in other areas of the City, the College Area plan has not been updated for quite some time, in our case not since 1994, and much development has occurred in the intervening twenty years. It is also the case that the College Area is identified by the San Diego Association of Governments as a target for higher than average population growth over the next

twenty years, significantly exceeding average growth rates in San Diego County for the same time period. Development impact fees assessed in accordance with the new Public Facilities Financing Plan will allow us to improve

The College Area is identified as a target for higher than average population growth over the next twenty years. streets and intersections, develop parks and recreational facilities, and build an additional fire station to meet the needs created by this projected growth. The other major action at our January meeting involved approval of recommendations

for use of the so-called Dollar per Ticket fund. This fund, created as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in January of 1995 by San Diego State University, the City of San Diego, and the College Area Community Council, was established to mitigate impacts created by the construction of Cox (now Viejas) Arena. Over the years, the parties have approved various projects not strictly related to impact mitigation, but which were deemed to be mutually beneficial to San Diego State and the surrounding College Area. This tradition continues with the recommendations unanimously approved by the CACC board on January 8. The board proposes that funds be expended for: An acoustical study, to examine possible mitigation measures for noise impacts of SDSU sports events on the surrounding neighborhood. These sports events See COLLEGE AREA page 19

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By Anthony Wagner President In 1962, our 35th President John F. Kennedy proclaimed “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things. Not because they are easy, but because they are hard...” Within a decade, through Kennedy’s leadership, America achieved the unthinkable. You would think that our “hard” neighborhood problem, Kaiser’s expansive parking footprint, would be much easier to solve – or at least provide some relief, in less time than Kennedy took to take us to the moon. The Mission Times Courier last month labeled it a “street parking emergency.”

San Carlos Area Council News By Mickey Zeichick President The next San Carlos Area Council (SCAC) meeting will be Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 6 PM in the San Carlos Branch Library, 7265 Jackson Dr. (main library area). Our speaker will be Bob Yamada, San Diego County Water Authority’s Water Resources Manager. He is a Senior Engineer and is the Seawater-Desalination Program Manager. His topic will be the Seawater-Desalination Our speaker for our 2014 kickoff meeting was Jay Wilson, Executive Director of the Mission Trails Regional Park. Our scheduled speaker, Doug Curlee, emailed me that he had the flu and was losing his voice and could not make the meeting. While calling all of the “presenters” for the SCAC meeting I mentioned they had a little more time because we did not have a speaker. Jay Wilson volunteered to be our

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“Residents on Archwood Avenue, Crawford Street and Rainier Avenue — all just steps

away from the hospital property — have complained for years about their inability to find street parking in front of their own homes at certain hours of the day.” “The residents say they see Kaiser employees, contractors, patients and guests park their cars on the street instead of in Kaiser’s parking lots. That leaves little or no parking for guests of the residents, including their service providers such as gardeners See ALLIED GARDENS page 15

speaker at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday weeks that I would be losing afternoon and at 6:30 p.m. he was I could make $1100 for each of ready to go with a great power the 4 weeks. I told him I wasn’t point slide program. Slides that aware that I was about to lose any were taken that day! The audi- weeks because my husband and ence of course loves the Mission I 7 use our timeshare exchange Trails Regional Park and all the privilege. So I stood to make Park has to offer. Mr. Wilson $4400 -- this got my attention. I told of us programs for kids, certainly could use the $4400 – and older kids, and older kids. now who couldn’t? All I had to do was to get my Things are constantly moving credit card and give him the forward at MTRP! FACEBOOK: I have com- number so I could pay the fee missioned my grandson to help of $1,085 to sign up for his serme get and keep the Facebook vice. Now to pay $1,085 and get $4400 was a page current Right? and interestThe young man bargain! Did I have one ing. Please tried to assure me of the special visit us at our Facebook page this couldn’t be credit cards? course I and “friend” a scam because “Of do but I don’t us “San Carlos they had a license carry my credit Area Council”. number and a cards around Today I got an unexpected website. They are a with me; they in a safe call from a nice scam. I hung up. were and I am not young man. where the safe After chatting a few minutes about how won- is”. I also told him I was workderful San Diego is he advised ing and wouldn’t be able to get me that I was about to lose a few to my computer or the safe until weeks of vacation time that had later in the afternoon. He asked been banked in my timeshare when he could call back and I told “account”. His company was a him. He even gave me his phone timeshare rental company and if I wanted them to rent out the See SAN CARLOS page 19

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Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

Volunteers and the Mission Trails Visitor Center Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) and the MTRP Foundation continually benefit from talented individuals volunteering to lend a hand in a variety of ways. Not all of the Park’s volunteers are directly involved in maintenance/restoration, educating our visitors about the flora and fauna, or staffing the front desk and gift shop in the Visitor Center. Cameron Scott is a professional videographer. In January of 2013, he was videoing an art reception in the Visitor Center Gallery hosted by several artists, including his mother. He offered to video our monthly art exhibitions. Cameron produces a new 2-3 minute preview video to help promote the art exhibition. He uploads the videos and we send a link to over 4,000 “Friends of Mission Trails,” post it on our website, and send the link to a number of print and digital sources. He is a freelance video producer, cameraman, editor, and photographer. He has exhibited collaborative works at the Visions Art Museum in San Diego, the Mission Trails Regional Park Gallery, and the Front Porch Gallery in Carlsbad. Cameron may be reached by email at CameronB.Scott@gmail.com. To view some of his videos, including some spectacular sunsets, go to vimeo.com/cameronscottvisuals. Dr. Mitsuo Tomita and Charles Carter are two volunteers who continually make a difference. Nearly 4 years ago, Dr. Tomita approached me about having concerts in the Visitor Center Theater. He offered to find and schedule the groups, and assured me the groups would donate their performances. Three seasons later we are going strong with a free concert on the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Visitor Center Theater. At the start of the second season, Charles asked if I could use some help with the concerts. He now helps every group set up, produces the programs, welcomes everyone attending the concerts, and has arranged for some of the musical talent. He also collaborated with George Varga, one of our key Trail Guides and “Astronomer in Residence,” to

A Roadrunner in the Grasslands at MTRP - Photo by David Cooksy produce the three “Above the Ozone” programs featuring spectacular photos from the Hubble Telescope, with background ambient “space music” shown to our Volunteers and their guests. “Nora’s Children’s Art” classes for children 5 to 12 are scheduled on most Saturdays from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Each 90-minute class is a different topic. The topic for January 25 is Frida Kahlo Portrait/Ink/Watercolor; for

The art of oil painter Vanessa Rusczyk will be on exhibition at the Visitor Center February 1 to 28. February 1 it is African Shield Designs/Ink/Paper Collage; for February 8 it is African “Mud Cloth”/Fabric/Sponge Printmaking; and for February 15 it is Egyptian Pharaoh /Ink/ Watercolor/Gold Paint. Classes are $20 each and include all art supplies. Children may take home their art project at the end of each class. There is a $10 discount if children are enrolled for a minimum of four classes in any given month. Linda Hawley’s “Nature Adventures” for children 3 and up meets once a month on a Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. When there is a Monday holiday, classes are held on Monday and Tuesday. The next class will

meet on Monday and Tuesday, February 17 and 18. The topic on both days will be “Bothersome but Beneficial Backyard Bandits.” For more information and registration forms for both programs, go to mtrp.org and click on the appropriate class under “More News.” The art of oil painter Vanessa Rusczyk will be on exhibition at the Visitor Center February 1 to 28. Vanessa is fine artist specializing in native plants of Western America. As an avid hiker and gardener, she has become entranced by the native landscape of southern California and the desert of the Southwest. Her paintings are realistic portraits of native plants and their habitat. She will host a public reception from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Visitor Center Gallery on February 9. “Klezmer Music” will fill the Visitor Center Theater on February 16, featuring Yale Strom and Lou Fanucchi, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Such free concerts are presented on the third Sunday of each month. A listing of the concerts through June of next year is listed on the mtrp.org home page under “More News.” MTRP is always looking for good volunteers. There are opportunities from staffing the Visitor Center front counter, to patrolling the miles of trails in the park, to helping with park maintenance and restoration. Follow MTRP on facebook and Twitter and don’t forget to sign up on our home page to receive the MTRP Foundation e-news updates.

MIssION TRAILs ReGIONAL PARK

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

February flowerings flavor your visit to Mission Trails Regional Park

By Audrey F. Baker Trail Guide This month MTRP foothills are enlivened with the white and pink blooms of Early Onion (Alliium praecox) standing ready to compete with the matching colors of Lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia) that embellish our sage slopes. Trailing vines of Wild Cucumber (Marah macrocarpus) decorate shrubs with creamy blooms that mature into porcupine-like fruits. Peppering shady pathways are minute white corsages of Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) pinned onto their heart-shaped leaves. The grasslands begin their show of Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii), while blushing Milkmaids (Cardamine californica) hide among distant chaparral. Amid openings in sage and chaparral, the California Sunflower (Encelia californica) displays a wealth of miniature suns. The riparian areas of Kumeyaay Lake and the San Diego River awaken to white disc florets of Mule-Fat, a.k.a. Seep Willow (Baccharis salicifolia) and beckon visiting Mule Deer. The large and buttery flourishings of Hooker’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera elata Kunth) are but another gem inhabiting the mystical setting of Old Mission Dam. These and other untold discoveries await your visit to Mission Trails. MTRP Trail Guide walks are an opportunity to learn more about natural Southern California, with its unique landscapes, habitats, local history, plant and animal life. The walks are free, interest-

ing, fact-filled and geared to all ages and interests. Grab sturdy shoes, that comfortable hat, water bottle and sunscreen, and hit the trail! Morning walks are offered every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. You’ll start from the park’s Visitor and Interpretive Center, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. The walk beginning from the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Entry Station, Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, at the San Carlos-Santee border,

gives a different perspective of the park and its diverse habitats. These walks are offered from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and take in historic Old Mission Dam. Wildlife Tracking reveals the secret lives of animals and brings insight into their survival techniques and habits. Tracking Team members assist in identifying and interpreting tracks, scat and habitats. Join us at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, February 1 in front of the Visitor Center, One

Visit the NEW Dorcas E. Utter

Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden

Opens March 22

Native butterflies and the plants they love. Feeding station and interpretive displays. Ideas for creating your own butterfly garden.

Butterfly Festival April 5, 2014 9am to 3pm 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West El Cajon, CA • 92019 • 619-660-0614 www.TheGarden.org • 9am to 4pm Daily

More Beauty. Less Water.

Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos, for a two-hour tracking adventure. Discovery Table: Owl Pellets! is this month’s hands-on/forall-ages science activity. In dissecting owl pellets, participants discover what scientists learn from this important tool used to study the fascinating night-time aerial hunters. See you inside the Visitor Center on Saturday, February 8 from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Star Party Shines On under Jupiter and the moon rising in the east. Join MTRP Guide George Varga and enjoy night sky viewing as our resident star gazer scopes the Orion Nebula, Little Bee Hive in Canis Major, Open Clusters M36, 37 and 38 in Auriga and more! From 5:308:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, meet us at the far end of the Kumeyaay Day Use Parking Lot, Mission Trails Regional Park, Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, Santee. Bird Oak Grove with MTRP Birder Jeanne Raimond and benefit from winter birding at its best along the Oak Grove Loop Trail. Jean recommends binoculars and bird book. We meet Saturday,

February 15, 8:00-10:00 a.m. in front of the Visitor Center, Mission Trails Regional Park, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Carlos. Murray Walk and Talk is an informative amble amid Lake Murray’s scenic shores and thriving environments. Today’s topic is Animals of the Lake. “While we may not see ‘em; we’ll talk ‘em up!” See you on Tuesday, February 18, 9:00-10:30 a.m. at the boat docks, Lake Murray, 5540 Kiowa Drive, San Carlos. Birding Basics can help you identify birds “at a glance!” MTRP Bird Guide Winona Sollock’s class explains the five simple ways and gives tips on field guide use. Bring along your bird book if you’d like. Class meets inside the Visitor Center, Saturday, February 22, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Meanwhile, come on out and enjoy the park! Visit www.mtrp.org for more information and our events calendar, or call (619) 668-3281. Special walks can be arranged for any club, group, business or school by contacting Ranger Heidi Gutknecht at (619) 668-3279 or at hgutknecht@mtrp.org.

DINING & DRINK

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

Alforon serves delicious flat bread sandwiches Alforon 5965 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115 619-269-9904 www.alforon.com Right on El Cajon Blvd. is a hidden gem: Alforon. It’s a small eatery that barely holds two dozen people with even tighter parking out front. But that shouldn’t dissuade you from checking it out. Inside holds a promise of great Lebanese cuisine, all for under $10. The majority of Alforon’s menu is comprised of flat breads made from scratch and popped in the over when they receive your order. While they’re called sandwiches, they actually resemble pizzas with a Middle Eastern flair. (Takeout reveals that a flat bread sandwich is folded onto itself.) There are twelve flat breads at Alforon ranging from spicy to lamb, beef or chicken or vegetarian toppings with more options to customize. One favorite among guests – and highly recommended at the restaurant – is the chicken tawook ($6.95). Marinated chicken is cooked on top of flat bread, then sliced into quarters and each slice is garnished with a mound of pillowy garlic paste. It’s a dish that’s deliciously unique. The raw garlic paste, garnished with a pickle sliver and fresh chopped parsley, adds a bit of potency and is helped out by the olive oil and lemon. Feta cheese and jalapeños are $0.95 each and are nice additions. For something mildly spicy

without the aid of jalapeños, try soujouk ($6.95). Flatbread is topped with seasoned Armenianstyle ground beef with tomatoes, onion and cheese. And for those already familiar with Middle Eastern food, the shawarma with sliced beef, tomatoes and tahini sauce will be pleased. Alforon also features a falafel wrap ($5.75), a selection of humous ($5.45) with an option for meat and/pine nuts (additional $2 each), grape leaves (starting at $5.95), and random chef’s specials that are all worth tasting.

The only problem is moving away from your favorite to try something new. The restaurant is closed Mondays and accepts credit cards. Darlene Horn is a San Diegobased food blogger and has penning her opinions on food for nine years at MyBurningKitchen. com. She’s also the author of the semi-autobiographical, foodcentric comic, The Girl with the Donut Tattoo, drawn by her husband and artist, Paul Horn.

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

San Carlos Friends of the Library By Sue Hotz Publicity Chair 2014 brought with it January celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the San Carlos Branch Library. All year, we will be “Honoring the Past, and Building for the Future.” On January 8th, crafty crafters “Yarn Bombed” the outside of

the library---its railings, sign posts, trees—anything that didn’t move—they wrapped up in over 10 MILES of colorful yarn. The display will remain as weather permits. The January 12th GALA was attended by over 100 library supporters. Awesome music was provided by SDSU’s Danny Green Trio. Our 65 SCFOL Life Members were honored and Managing Librarian Rita Glick introduced special guests: Interim San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria,

7th District City Council Member Scott Sherman, Senator Joel Anderson’s representative Casey Edwards, SCFOL President Judy Williams, Director of San Diego’s Public Library System Deborah Barrow, and FSDPL President Joan Curry. The Branch was presented with Proclamations from the City and County of San Diego and SCFOL received a certificate of appreciation from Senator Anderson, all recognizing the Branch’s 40th Anniversary and contributions to the San Carlos Community. Please visit the library and view the wonderful historical video produced by Robert Hotz, and the historical pictorial display put together by GALA chairperson, Joan Hayes. Our thanks to her and her hard working committee: Judy McCarty, Judith Williams, Sue Hotz, Jerry Hotz, Margrette Carr, Norma Mouet, Evie McGhee, Anne Justice, Lorraine Strachota, Rita Glick, and to all of the Sponsors and donors. A special thanks to the Mission Publishing Group, LLC, for the recent Library ads in the MTC , and to Domusstudio Architecture (Principals Lew Dominy, AIA & David Pfeifer, AIA) for the new corner lot sign depicting the proposed new San Carlos Branch Library. The Barnes & Noble Book Fair raised $267. Our next Fun-Raiser is February 13, from 5:00-8:00 pm at the Fletcher Pkwy Souplantation. Bring the flier (found on the website or at the library), purchase a beverage with dinner, and 15% will be donated to the San Carlos Branch Library. Our next BOOK SALEs are February 1 and March 1. SCFOL MEMBERSHIPS: Our 2014 GOAL is 40 new members/ month. At the library or on our website, you can donate, join or renew starting at only $5.00. Thanks to all for your continued support. MEMBERSHIPS COUNT!

LIBRARY News PROGRAMS: ADULTS: February 4-27: enjoy the art of Hazel Ross, Dixie Sampier, and Jean Waters. Mondays: Stretch & Tone &Craft Circle. Tuesdays: Stories & Stanzas (1st week). Wednesday: February 26, 3:005:00: information about Covered California—CA Health coverage under the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Thursdays: Chair Yoga & Book Club. Fridays: OASIS: February 21 @ 1:00, “The Reel Story Behind the Classic Movies.” Saturdays: Meditation. YOUTH: Tuesdays: Yoga. Wednesdays: Storytime or Steam2 Academy studies Bugs; Tutoring; HSMN(2nd week). Thursday the 13th: Valentine Crafts. Fridays: Preschool Storytime and “Character Building.” Additional activities, speakers and musicians are added weekly. Go to ww.sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary. org for updates and details.

Jerry Hotz, SCFOL Treasurer & Ann McDonald, Past SCFOL & FSDPL President at the SCFOL “Giving Tree.”

The new sign of the new proposed San Carlos Branch Library. It was donated by Domusstudio Architecture on January 10th.

7th District City Council Member-Scott Sherman, Managing Librarian--Rita Glick, Interim San Diego Mayor--Todd Gloria, and Director of San Diego Public Library System--Deborah Barrow: Scott presented the library with a City of San Diego Proclamation.

Rita Glick, Managing Librarian; Judy Williams, SCFOL President; Toni Noel, Present Library Site Finding Chair.

LIBRARY News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

College-Rolando Friends of the Library By Armin Kuhlman President Support from the Friends of the College-Rolando Branch Library last year enabled us to fund children’s crafts and activities, Oasis programs for older adults, and contribute to the Children’s Summer Reading Program. We also funded the new sign on the rock structure in front of the library, which gives the library improved visibility. On an ongoing basis, membership helps us purchase books, for which we receive matching funds, in addition to offering a variety of programs for children and adults. The introductory class for Computers 2SDKIDS is 9:30 AM Saturday, January 25. Parents and guardians can learn about this continuing program and apply for the technology assistance program at that time. C2SDKIDS provides free computers. Call 619-533-3902 for required pre-registration. Our book discussion group meets the second Saturday at 10 AM. February’s selection is Infidel by Anaan Hirsi Ali. Our Oasis program for February is “The Best of Paul Harvey’s Rest of The Story” on Tuesday, February 25 at 2 PM. Regular programs include story time every Friday at 10 AM as well as kids yoga the first and

College-Rolando Branch Library

third Fridays immediately following story time. Adult yoga is the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 9:30. Zumba is the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 6:30 PM with Zumba gold 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 9:45 AM Children’s Arts & Crafts is the 1st and 3rd Saturday at 12 PM. Our Friend’s Room Book Sale is on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:30 PM and Saturdays from 12 to 2 PM. We welcome your donations of books, CD’s, DVD’s and magazines in good condition. No textbooks, please. We’re also looking for volunteers for our book sale room. You can visit our web site http://collegerolandolibrary.org to learn about current library events, classes, volunteer opportunities plus links to San Diego Library and community.

It’s time to renew your annual membership if you haven’t already done so, or consider becoming a Friend to support our library programs. It is your ideas, volunteer time and enthusiasm that will keep our library a vital part of our College-Rolando community in the years to come.

Benjamin Branch Friends of the Library By Anne Lee President As we enter February, many important dates come to mind; one of these is Valentine’s Day. Cupid, who is represented as a mischievous winged boy, well stocked with bows and arrows with which to attack his victims, should be a character to be reckoned with. The members of Benjamin Branch Friends of the Library (FOL) chapter are helping to support events and activities related to this winged creature, and others, both real and fictitious. ESSAY CONTEST The 17th Annual Writing for Literacy citywide essay contest is about to reach its conclusion. Presently, our well qualified judges are evaluating the submitted essays. The winners from local schools will be notified this month. A celebration at our library will follow. Citywide winners will be notified later, with a grand celebration in May. OASIS CLASSES The first class for this year is Tuesday, February 4th at 2:00 and is entitled “Most Haunted House in America”. The next offering will be April 18th. The cost of classes is underwritten by Benjamin FOL. NEWS TO USE Thank you to Jersey Mike’s Subs on Mission Gorge Road, which partnered with FOL recently to support our Allied Gardens Library. Tentative dates for our next book sales are March 22, July 26, and October 25; mark your calendar! FOL officers were elected for 2014. They are: Joan Curry (President), Susie Gretler (Vice-President), Shelia Padgett (Treasurer), and Geri Carmack (Secretary). The next FOL meeting is February 26th.

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

The Raw Food Debate By Sari Reis Owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting www.missionvalleypetsitting.com As more of us turn to healthier food alternatives by consuming locally grown, organic, and whole food products, we are also seeking healthier options for our pets. One of those options is the raw food diet. In general, a raw food diet consists of a blend of raw organ and muscle meats, bones, vegetables and supplements. Because cats and dogs are carnivores, the theory behind this diet is that it is similar to what the ancestors of our domestic dogs and cats ate in the wild. The proponents of raw food diets believe that dogs and cats need live enzymes, phytochemicals, antioxidants, amino acids and the vitamins and minerals found in raw food not only to survive but to thrive. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that dogs and cats “have no dietary requirement for carbohydrates.t” In fact, carbohydrates convert into glucose, which is known to feed cancers, diabetes and other disorders. Most commercial diets that are purchased in grocery and pet food stores contain up to 40% or more of carbohydrates. For this reason, about 15% of U.S. pet parents are converting to the raw food alternative every year. So, if the Raw Meat Based Diets or RMBD’s, are so good for our pets, what’s the debate? The ASPCA warns that animals might get salmonella or E.coli, or become undernourished by eating an RMBD. In the August 2012 issue of the American Veterinary Medical Association journal, Gary Chico, chair of the AVMA’s council on Public Health stated, “Our full concern is the risk to animal health and public health from bacterial contamination.” Raw food supporters say that the diges-

tive systems of dogs and cats are highly acidic creating an environment that is hostile to bacteria. They also state that if the food is prepared and handled properly, and purchased from a reputable U.S. food manufacturer, there should be little cause for concern. Besides which, many commercially available kibble products have been recalled for those very same reasons. Dr. Karen Becker of Healthy Pets and the Mercola.com website believes it is essential to feed a species appropriate diet (raw meat) while minimizing the drugs the pet takes, adding a daily probiotic and a good digestive enzyme. Dr. Tasi, a feline homeopathic veterinarian in Northern Virginia was very skeptical of raw food diets but claims she has seen “Diabetes, asthma, diarrhea, vomiting and urinary tract conditions reverse after cats were put on a raw diet.” Unfortunately, the only empirical data indicating the benefits of a raw food diet were attained in a cat study done between 1932-1942 by Dr. Frances Pottenger, Jr., a physician who was using cats in research experiments. More current information is primarily anecdotal. On the other side of the debate, researchers at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University do have current empirical evidence. One study indicated that up to 48% of tested commercial RMBD’s were contaminated with salmonella. They believe that the risks far outweigh the benefits of Raw Meat-Based diets. My recommendation is before you go ahead and start your dog or cat on a raw meat-based diet, talk to your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. Get the facts and then make your decision. Sari Reis is a Certified Humane Education Specialist and the owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting Services. For more information you can contact her at 760-644-0289 or www.missionvalleypetsitting.com.

PeTs

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

Emergency, from page 1 ter their mobile devices with the county’s emergency alert system. Target Corp. donated the tents. The SD Emergency app is available for download for free on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play store for Android. “It is so easy even an adult can use it,” said County Supervisor Ron Roberts, who initiated the effort to develop the app two years ago. With major wildfires and blackouts in the last decade along with the potential for earthquakes, “I think all San Diegans know we have good reason to be prepared for emergencies,” Roberts said. Unlike East Coast residents, who can see a hurricane coming several days in advance, people in San Diego County have a greater need to be able to respond nearly instantaneously to regional emergencies, said Holly Crawford, director of the county Office of Emergency Services. “With the types of disasters that we might face here in San Diego, you might have a matter of minutes to gather what you need and to get out of your house to safety,” she said. Approximately 32,200 people have downloaded the app since it was first released in October 2012, Crawford said. The county has spent about $500,000 to develop the app, including about $134,000 for the latest upgrade, Crawford said. Most of the funding for the app’s development came from federal

grants, she said. Maintaining the app will only cost about $400 a month. The new version of the SD Emergency app makes it easy to export emergency plans from the app to friends and neighbors. “This is important because a plan that’s only in one place with one person being able to access it is not as good as being able to share it with the whole family,” Roberts said. The app allows users to back up their emergency plan and emergency kit information so they won’t have to start from scratch if they lose the data on their device.

One section of the app provides a checklist of things that residents should keep on hand in an emergency kit, such as water, flashlight, cash, matches, a dust mask, trash bags, extra pet food, a pet carrier, etc. “You can see there’s a whole list of things that many of us would think about afterwards,” Roberts said. The app will notify users when an item in the emergency kit, such as medicine or food, has hit its expiration date. No regional disasters have struck since the app was first launched, but Crawford said a

disaster is a matter of “when, not if,” considering the extremely dry conditions created by a lack of rain. Another new feature of the app is a map that will show a realtime fire perimeter, evacuation perimeters, evacuation shelters and assistance centers so residents do not have to call a hotline for this information. “The emergency map you will notice now incorporates universally recognized response and recovery icons that really help to overcome language and cultural barriers,” Crawford said. The app also adds a recovery

section to guide residents to the resources and information they may need to get back to normal after an emergency. “Let’s hope we don’t have to use it, but let’s be prepared if we do have to,” Roberts said. People who do not want to use mobile device can still go to readysandiego.org and download a paper version of the emergency plan. For the full details on how to qualify for one of the free camping tents, visit www.readysandiego.org/ resolve-to-be-ready-campaign/.

COMMUNITY News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

FRIENDS OF LAKE MURRAY

SAYING GOODBYE IS HARD By Barbara Cleves Anderson Columnist

n the middle to late 1980’s there was a push by the San Diego Water’s recreation department to build a six foot fence around the periphery of Lake Murray’s property. Neighbors and interested parties were invited to meetings to hear about this plan. We were not told about the fence height but we were told we would always have access.. It later became clear that this fence would limit use of the lake road but not for fishing. I was asked what we should do. We realized that the real plan was to keep the public out. With help, we immediately got 3,500 signatures to keep the lake open to all. We had a press conference on a Tuesday morning with about a hundred people opposing the fence. The news media recorded our plight. So began a long struggle to garner support from our elected officials to support our requests. Many council meetings, help from all factions including Miramar Lake patrons that knew that their lake was next on the list to get a fence. There were newspaper articles written and of course letters to the editors. There were threats against me by those who were called rangers at the time. There were 35 of these guys that were headquartered at Lake Murray where they had bunk beds and showers. During the day, these guys would be disbursed to other city lakes. The Water Deputy Director and his right hand man hired

Barbara Cleves Anderson them. Most of these “Rangers” were one time Navy Seals and lifeguards. They were initially brought to the lake to get rid of the noxious hydrilla plant that was growing in the lake. Hydrilla takes over and depletes oxygen from the water. Though some of the rangers were hardcore combat- like guys, there were also those who liked their work but didn’t care for the militant attitude of the others. The good guys told me to get a copy of the ranger’s budget and I could see how they were squandering city tax dollars. The then- city manager was going to talk to a group of us lake users. I asked his secretary to have him bring a copy of the lake budget. When the manager arrived at the Kiowa St. entrance to the lake he handed me an envelope and said that he didn’t know what it was but was supposed to give it to me. I was really surprised. I copied and sent that budget everywhere and I believe that that was one of the reasons the tall fence was taken down. One other reason was that turnstiles were built at each lake entrance and a very reliable source told

Allied Gardens, from page 7 and plumbers.” Jeremy Ogul, the author, summed up the growing problem in 83 words — a number about equal to the residents immediately impacted by the problem. In November, some 220 residents attended an Allied Gardens Community Council Town Hall meeting to listen to one proposal that would create a parking district. The vast majority of residents at the meeting objected to the City’s Draft Parking Map frustrated because it was too expansive. By way of background, some neighbors approached City Staff early last year requesting only three streets be resident-only parking and the

There were threats against me by those who were called rangers at the time. There were 35 of these guys that were headquartered at Lake Murray where they had bunk beds and showers.

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City came back with the much larger Draft Map. Many other resident-driven proposals were shot down by San Diego’s leadership in earlier stages. On Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7p.m. the Allied Gardens Community Council will host a discussion between San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman and an executive from Kaiser Hospital. Both will be on hand to hear about the problem firsthand and strategize with the community on ways to provide sustainable relief. The meeting will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, located at 5106 Zion Avenue.

At this stage, we know what’s a non-starter and we know we still have a problem. I’m hopeful City leadership can guide us towards sustainable relief. Right now, it only benefits the entity in the position to provide relief to call it unsolvable. I’m Anthony Wagner, president of Allied Gardens Community Council. We represent the community interests of Allied Gardens and Grantville. Check out our new website atAlliedGardens.org. Feel free to call me at (619) 253-4989 or write me a note at AnthonyJohnWagner@ gmail.com or tweet @ AnthonyWagnerSD.

UPDATes

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

PROJECT UPDATES AND POLICY INITIATIVES By Scott Sherman City Councilmember District 7 As I enter my second year on the City Council, I wanted to take a moment to update you on some of the projects and policy initiatives that I will be pursuing in 2014.

Navajo Parks Renovations

Field

One of my top priorities is to enhance the quality of life

for District 7 residents by investing in our neighborhood parks. Parks are vital assets to our community which is why I am allocating funds from my office’s 2014 Community Projects, Programs, and Services budget to renovate the following parks: Allied Gardens Community Park, Forward Middle School Joint Use Park, Lake Murray Community Park, Lower Lewis Joint Use Field, Princess Del Cerro Neighborhood Park, and Skunk Hollow.

Disaster Resiliency Study

I am currently working with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Council, the Red Cross, the County and other stakeholders to develop a Disaster Resiliency Study to better understand the base economic and fiscal impacts of a multitude of disasters, our regional assets to mitigate economic impacts of disasters, and potential local challenges and advantages in addressing disaster resiliency. This study will help raise awareness among

Sherman is looking to renovate parks in the community. Lake Murray pictured.

businesses and government leaders regarding the importance of disaster preparation and will allow us to efficiently focus our regional efforts on mitigating the impacts of a variety of disasters.

Performance Audits of City Departments

As a member on the Audit Committee, I am working to eliminate waste within city government. I have recommended that the City Auditor conduct performance audits on the City’s Graffiti Abatement Program, Fire-Rescue Department Overtime, and the Public Utilities Department cash reserves. I look forward to the reviewing the results of these audits and working with city staff to improve government efficiency.

Grantville Master Plan Amendment

Later this year the Grantville Master Plan Amendment will come before the City Council. This plan includes improving and reestablishing this neighborhood to create an attractive, balanced community with a desirable quality of life that capitalizes on its proximity to a network of freeways, trolley lines, natural environment, waterways, and open spaces. As this process moves forward, I will ensure that the vision for Grantville is enacted.

Mission Trails Regional Park Master Plan

As the Chair of the Mission Trails Regional Park Task Force, I will work to ensure Mission Trails Regional Park Master Plan update stays on track to meet the required deadlines. This plan update will benefit residents by establishing legal trails on Cityowned lands in East Elliot and West Sycamore and increasing recreational activities in the park. Scott Sherman Councilmember – District 7

18 Water, from page 1

COUNCIL News

two years into the last drought, but we still need to practice smart water use no matter the weather.” There are numbers to back that up. In 2007, we used 740,000 acre feet of water. Last year, we only used 573,000 acre feet. (An acre foot is 326,000 gallonsenough to supply two families of four for a year.) The huge Diamond Valley reservoir at Winchester is slightly more than three quarters full, and other local lakes like Elsinore are also in good shape for 2014. The rest of the state is not in

nearly so good a shape. If you draw a line across a map of California, running from Bakersfield to Santa Barbara, and look north, you begin to get a feel for where the word “drought” carries much more significance. Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley, still pretty much America’s bread basket, are terrified that they’ll essentially be out of business unless there is serious rainfall coming. They are already planning to fallow lands, sell livestock, and generally try to hunker down and save their homes and lands however they can.

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For sale 2009 Mustang coupe, V-6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 57,600 miles. Excellent condition. Sold as is. Has transferrable extended warranty. $11,900. 619-549-5799 (02/14) Jointer/Planter, 7-inch, with stand, as is. $150. 619-501-1888 (02/14)

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notices Each member of our class is working on a project called the “Parade of States”. We are responsible for gathering as much information as we can from a number of sources. I have chosen California for my state. If any of your readers would help me out by sending any pictures, postcards, a used license plate, facts. products. etc. from your state, it would be greatly appreciated. Please send information to Cascade Christian School, 601 North Ave. SE, Puyallup, WA 98372. Sincerely, Karter Johnston, 5th grade. (02/14) Great Variety Singing Show by S.D. Choraleers! 4:30 on Sat. Feb 22 at Patrick Henry H.S. $10 show only, $20 for show and catered dinner. TIX-619-501-7298 (02/14)

BATHTUBS REFINISHED like new without removal. Bathtubs-Kitchen SinksWashbasins. Fiberglass and Porcelain. Over 25 years in San Carlos. Lic.#560438. 619-464-5141 (01/15) Dan Patterson Handyman/Carpentry: Repair and replacement of plumbing, electrical repair, installation of water heaters, doors, windows, cabinets, flooring, fencing. Pressure washing of driveways, all phases of home repair. And remodel including kitchen and bathroom remodel. No job too small, free estimates. Raised in Allied Gardens, 17 years in construction. Dan Paterson 619-481-9978. (12/14) German Setter Tile and Marble. Professional marble/tilesetter with 28 years experience. European craftsmanship. Punctual & dependable. License# 872804. Contact Jens Sedemund: 619-415-6789 or jens@germansetter.com (12/14) Professional Flute/Piano Instruction. 32 years experience. Beginner to advanced. Music Education. B.A. Degree. Reasonable rates. Teaching in your home or mine. Rick, 619-286-8012. (12/14) Roofing Lic# 691295-C39. Veteran Owned, Allied Gardens based. Celebrating 20 years in business. Full roof & repairs. Free Est. Veteran and Senior discounts. 619-823-7208. (07/14) Gardening Service: Lawns, hedges, weeding, trimming, we do it all! 25 years experience, Allied Gardens resident since 1983. Weekly/bi-weekly service. Licensed/ insured. Free estimates. 619-287-6947 (07/14) Stronger, Safer Seniors. Personal training for all ages. Personal instruction for beginners to advanced. Workout in your home or outdoors. Certified 17 years. FREE consultation. Email pkmelody@

People whose livelihoods are centered around the rivers that normally feed the State Water Project canals fear the fish and wildlife essential to them, as well as the flowing rivers, are in serious danger. If the rivers don’t flow, or flow less, that starts the domino effect. The reservoirs that store river water for those areas are far below what water officials statewide consider essential levels- and there may be little or no relief coming for that situation. Marching northward through the valley, you see Pine Flat east

sbcglobal.net or call Pam 619-962-7144. Strongersaferseniors.com (06/14) Pet/Housesitting Services. Est. 1983, Bonded. Pet-tenders offers feeding, walking, plant care, housesitting-and above all... spoiling...in your own home! www.pet-tenders. com 619-298-3033. (04/14) Locksmith - Discount Deadbolts & Rekeying - security door viewers, patio door locks, simulated alarms, magnetic door stops. Cliff Henderson 619-840-3327 - Lic #LCO4353 - Bonded - Never a trip charge! (04/14) Quality exterior carpentry. Decks, Fences, Patio Covers and Termite Repair. Lic365241. www.aactionbuildersofsandiego.com. Bob 619-275-1493 (4/14) Budget Painting. “Quality Painting for Less” Interior/Exterior. Earth friendly products. Pressure Wash. Many references. CleanFriendly-Efficient. Free Estimates. Call James 619-417-0162 LIC#955395 (04/14) Roofing, licensed, bonded, second generation Allied Gardens roofer. Over 100 homes in Allied Gardens roofed. Repairs, all types of roofing. Free estimates. Call 619-2877149. (03/14) Please call 619-284-4551 for a free estimate for gardening services. We offer all the services you need to have a beautiful garden. Remember, Spring will be here soon. Let’s get ready for it! References upon request from local satisfied clients. (02/14) Mature Jill of all Trades offering efficient home care services with customized rates. Services provided include organizing files, closets etc., help with computers, food prep and extensive traditional and vegetarian cooking experience, pet care, cleaning, laundry, errands and transportation to and from appointments. Call Charlotte Booth at (619) 867-1272. (02/14)

Next Publication Date: Feb. 28 Ad Space Reservation: Feb. 11 Article Deadline: Feb. 14 Classified Deadline: Feb. 21

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014 of Bakersfield at barely 17 per cent of capacity. San Luis near Los Banos is at 36 per cent. New Melones east of Fresno is at 48 per cent. Folsom Dam east of Sacramento is clear down to just 17 per cent. At the top end of the State Water Project, two huge reservoirs that would help Northern California, Oroville and Shasta, are at less than 40 percent capacity, and that’s not even the worst news. The major factor there is that the rivers and streams that would normally feed those huge lakes are not going to be able to do so very much, because the snowfall that would normally feed those streams and rivers has not come, and very well may not at all. Snowpack in the high Sierra, where much of our water comes from, is at less than 20 per cent of normal. In a sense, San Diego is lucky, because we have become less and less users of State Water project water. Where once 80 percent of our water came from Northern California, that number is down around 30 percent now. Luckily, our other water source, the Colorado River, is apparently in good shape for this year, with a flow that’s pretty much normal. We get a share of that water-

last year, just over 180,000 acre feet, because the County Water Authority bought it from the Imperial Irrigation District in El Centro. (The cost of that Colorado River water, you may recall, is the source of a lawsuit filed by the County Water Authority against the giant Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles. The trial is over, except for post-trial final briefs from both sides, and a decision from San Francisco Superior Court Judge Curtis Karnow may be forthcoming soon.) Between the two sources, and with continued conservation practices, the drought that’s ravaging the central and northern parts of the state will likely not hit us too hard here. That’s for this year. If the drought continues into next year, then the whole picture may radically change. That would undoubtedly bring about stringent water rationing rules all over the state. That would in turn devastate the economy of this state, much more than the current drought is doing to central California right now. Experts say this is the price we have to pay for getting to live in southern California.

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San Carlos, from page 7 number and extension, the company’s website information, and the company license number. Meanwhile, I contacted our very own San Diego Police Department Community Liaison Officer Adam McElroy and gave him all of the information regarding the young man and the company. Within a few minutes Officer McElroy called me back after looking up the company name and website and sure as shooting this was a “scam”. I did get a return call from the young man, but I did not give him any credit card information but I did contact the Police Department and in deed this was a “scam”. The young man tried to assure me this couldn’t be a scam because they had a license number and a website. They are a scam. I hung up. He called me back and tried to explain and I hung up again. All this to say, be ever vigilant, DO NOT GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER TO ANYONE YOU DON’T KNOW IS A BONA FIDE COMPANY and even at that we have learned via Target, to be careful.

IF SOMETHING LOOKS TOO GO TO BE TRUE ... IT IS!

February 11, 2014 is Election Day for the position of Mayor. Whether you vote for Kevin Faulconer or David Alvarez is your business; but it is everybody’s business and best interest for you to vote for your choice. The Navajo Community Planners, Inc. will meet on January 27: (meeting date changed since January 20 is Martin Luther King Day). As of this sitting the agenda has not been put on their website (www. navajoplanners.org). I plan to attend the January meeting and make a bid for the NCPI Board representing the San Carlos area. While we live in San Carlos most of us spend a considerable amount of time in Allied Gardens, Grantville, and Del Cerro. I am

College Area, from page 6 concerned about the peace and tranquility for those neighborhoods as well our own. The all-way stop sign request before the NCPI in December was voted down as it didn’t fit the criteria for need and would be problematic for the residents along Laurelridge near Ofria. It was acknowledged that certain times of the day there are cars that exceed the 25 mph posted. That’s the problem!! Let me (on behalf of SCAC) know if you have a concerns or ideas that can improve our neighborhood. I understand that the City is looking to the residents and business owners to inform them of sidewalks that may need “attention”. I am trying to schedule a special meeting in February for David Akin, The customer advocate from the City Water Department regarding Water Wise. He would talk about our water bill, ways to conserve, and other tips regarding the water department. Let me know if you are interested. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed it’s the only thing that ever HAS. (Margaret Mead) If you have an issue you wish us to consider; a question about the community; who our next speaker will be; need a meeting reminder; copy of the agenda or ... please contact me or go to our FaceBook page. My contact information is: 619-461-6032 and e-mail is: mrzeichick@gmail.com -- I will get back with you. If you wish to be part of our Interested Persons List, let John Pilch and me know. John’s email address is: jfpilch@hotmail.com. Your privacy is respected and your email address will not be used for any purpose other than stated above. Admire intelligence but admire kindness more. Be kind to yourself and others...... Mickey

Real Estate is Bluming… FO

COUNCIL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

E L A S

were displaced by construction of the Arena to peripheral parts of the campus, where they’ve created disturbances for off-campus residents – about $30,000. A suite of transportation improvement projects to ease traffic flow around the SDSU campus, both during Arena events, and at other times of high traffic demand, such as rush hour and at the beginning of each semester. These projects include installation of fiber optic cable and video cameras to allow real time traffic signal coordination, installation of two V-Calm signs on Montezuma Road to remind drivers of their speed, and placement of 11 pedes-

trian countdown timers at various intersections near campus to help pedestrians navigate these busy roads– about $366,000. An engineering study to determine the cost and feasibility of installing sidewalk on the north side of Montezuma Road between Yerba Santa and Fairmount. This sidewalk would connect to existing sidewalk on Montezuma to create a continuous walking path along the entire length of Montezuma Road, including the area fronting the campus – about $20,000. These recommendations will now be sent to SDSU and the City for review. In other actions at the January

Looking for a synagogue? For membership information, visit our website www.teesd.org or call the Temple office

SCHOLAR WEEKEND February 28-March 2, 2014

GUEST SCHOLAR: Rabbi Victoria Armour-Hileman Allied Gardens 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 1182 Sq Ft Completely Remodeled Throughout! For more information call:

Amy & Gary Blume 619-497-4911

amygaryblume@gmail.com BRE license # 01056354 & 01181370

BRE #01295699

meeting, the board voted to request that Environmental Services initiate a pilot project to establish maximum enforcement against residents who leave trash cans out in the street beyond the designated pick-up day; and voted to request that plans for development of Tubman Park include a grove of shade trees. The next meeting of the College Area Community Council and Planning Board will take place on Wednesday, February 12, 7:00 pm, at the College-Rolando Library, 6600 Montezuma Road. For more information about CACC/CACPD, go to www.collegearea.org .

Friday, February 28

Shabbat Service • 6:00 pm

Saturday, March 1

Torah Study • 9:00 am Pastries, juice and coffee served

Saturday, March 1 • 7:30 pm Wine & Cheese Social followed by a lecture and Q&A session. A Dessert Reception and Havdalah Service will end the evening. Cost: $15 per person

Sunday, March 2

Speaking on

Bagel Brunch • 9:30 am Rabbi Armour-Hileman’s presentation and discussion to follow. Cost: $18 per person

COMMUNITY WELCOME!

Please RSVP by February 21 through the Temple Office at 619-286-2555 or online at www.teesd.org

Sacred Space, Sacred Narrative Join Temple Emanu-El for a stimulating weekend with visiting scholar Rabbi Victoria Armour-Hileman, author of Singing to the Dead: A Missioner’s Life Among Refugees from Burma.

6299 Capri Drive • San Diego, CA 92120 • (619) 286-2555 temple@teesd.org • www.teesd.org • facebook.com/teesd Devorah Marcus, Rabbi • Martin S. Lawson, Rabbi Emeritus • Myrna Cohen, Cantorial Soloist Jim Lewis & Ron Marx, Co-Presidents • Susanne Geshekter, Executive Director

MUSIC IS HIS LIFE By Jen Van Tieghem Mission Times Courier Music Writer Most musicians in the San Diego music scene spread their time across several bands. But not many also run a full service music studio and record label while playing guitar in a mixture of wildly diverse projects. San Carlos’ own, Michael Head, does just that with a positive attitude and dedication making music his life’s work. Growing up with an entrepreneurial mother and father who owned a western wear store and music shop respectively inspired Head to also be his own boss. “That’s all I really saw when I was growing up, my folks working for themselves,” Head explained. “My Dad had a music store in DC with instruments as well as albums and posters. [I] was drawn to music in a variety of ways. Even the music business side when my Dad lost his store. It was a wake up that it wasn’t all roses in this biz.” In 1989 Head and then business partner Tom Trapp started Headtrap Music Studios and a label in Ocean Beach. The two did whatever it took to make music, recording anywhere from basements to bathrooms to street corners until moving to the College area a few years later. “We did a few for free, then charged our first band: $7 an hour,” Head reminisced. “From there we grew to record demos, full CDs, MP3s, live recording and restorative, archival and mastering. Now I charge by song based on the project and try to make it very inexpensive and stress free to do a project.” Head now runs things out of San Carlos on his own taking on a few projects at a time in order to give focus to each. He works with bands of different genres recording tracks, mixing, and mastering when needed. Recently he’s been working to improve the studio adding a new mixing board he’s ready to put to work. Over the years Head has built up his name and reputation mainly meeting other musicians organically. “I’m mostly [working with] word of mouth referrals or I meet

ARTs & eNTeRTAINMeNT

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

Jazz

Classical

Wednesdays - Gilbert Castellanos Jazz Jam at Seven Grand. Free. 9 p.m. SevenGrandBars.com.

Feb. 3 – Camera Lucida #5 at Conrad Prebys Concert Hall at UCSD. $25. 7:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony. org

Fridays - Sam Johnson Jazz Group at Cosmos Coffee Cafe. Free. 3 to 5p.m. CosmosCoffeeCafe.com. Saturdays - Jazz with George and Alan at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoDesserts.net. Saturdays – Douglas Kvandal with the LiveJazz! Quartet at the Amigo Spot at the Kings Inn. Free. 7 p.m. www.kingsinnsandiego.com. Feb. 1 – Samdiego Jazz Trio at San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room. Free. 7 p.m. www.SanPasqualWinery. com

Local band The Moneymen at Second Wind in Santee

Feb. 7 - Small Disaster at Seven Grand. Free. 9 p.m. www.SevenGrandBars.com

Pop Tuesdays - Suzanne Shea at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. www. SanDiegoDesserts.net Wednesdays – Westside Inflection at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 8 p.m. www. RivieraSupperClub.com. bands and artists at shows,” Head described. “I really love working with a singer songwriter in any genre, where we build their songs from scratch. I think those are perhaps, as a producer and musician, the most rewarding. You watch it go from a very small idea to a far as a full CD...it’s pretty cool.” And it’s not only other’s music Head is working on. Since his studio’s inception he has recorded music for all the bands he is a part of. He recorded an album Therefore with his rock band Bad Science Fiction in 2009 garnering them a nomination for Best New Artist at that year’s San Diego Music Awards. In addition to the rock band he also plays in two additional groups, the diversity of these giving Head the chance to celebrate all his musical influences. “I think it’s important to put on a show.” Head said of his bands’ performances. “I get to be the rockstar, glam guy in Bad Science Fiction; the country rock bad boy in Country Rockin’ Rebels; the tasty bluesy, jazz player in The Moneymen. Almost all of my musical outlets are covered by these projects. I

even play acoustic sets solo and with different singers like Kris Wott.” If it sounds like Michael Head is a busy guy, he surely is. He performs regularly (see side bar) and at least two of his bands have plans to record this year. But you won’t hear him complain about his demanding schedule: “I’m lucky enough to do music fulltime and while I can I’m going to try to take full advantage!” For more on Head’s music and studio visit his facebook page: Facebook.com/ michaelheadmusic

Michael Head’s upcoming shows: Wednesdays as Michael Head and Friends at the OB Farmer’s Market. 4 – 7 p.m. (Feb. 19 will feature Kris Wott with Sister Speak). Sundays Open Blues Jam hosted by The Moneymen at Second Wind in Santee. 2:30 – 5 p.m. Saturday March 15 with Country Rockin’ Rebels at the San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival at 1 p.m.

Thursdays – Greg Shibley at The Westgate Hotel. Free. 6:30pm – 9:30pm. www.westgatehotel.com Fridays – Nathan Welden at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoDesserts.net Feb. 15 – West of 5 at Pal Joey’s Free. 9 p.m. www.paljoeysonline.com Feb. 22 - People of Earth at San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room. Free. 7 p.m. www. SanPasqualWinery.com

Feb. 7 – 9 – Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise at Copley Symphony Hall. $20 - $96. Fri & Sat 8 p.m. Sun 2 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony. org Feb. 16 - Yale Strom and Lou Fanucchi “Klezmer Music” at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center. Donations welcome. 3 p.m. www.mtrp. org Feb. 23 – The Chieftains at Copley Sympohony Hall. $20 - $85. 7:30 p.m. www. SanDiegoSymphony.org Feb. 28 – March 2 – Wagner’s The Ring Without Words at Copley Symphony Hall. $20 - $96 Fri & Sat 8 p.m. Sun 2 p.m. www. SanDiegoSymphony.org

Alternative Feb. 7 – Mudgrass at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 9 p.m. www.RivieraSupperClub. com Feb. 8 - Schitzophonics, Neighbors to the North, Amerikan Bear, and Gloomsday at Casbah. $8. 9 p.m. www.CasbahMusic.com Feb. 21 – River City, Manuok, and John Meeks at Soda Bar. $5. www.sodabarmusic.com Feb. 22 – Nightshift at Chico Club. Free. 8 p.m. www.chicoclub1940.com Feb. 23 – John Butler Trio and Little Hurricane at House Of Blues. $30-$45. 8 p.m. www.houseofblues.com Bands, venues, and musiclovers: Please submit listings for this calendar by emailing Jen@ScoopSanDiego.com.

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

Candidates, from page 1 familiar with the issues surrounding the recreational trail closures on land north of Highway 52, but both candidates spoke about the importance of balancing recreational uses with environmental protection. “It’s important to maintain public access in a way that’s appropriate and balanced to maintain our environmental resources,” Alvarez said. “I believe there can be a balance.” Alvarez said he is a cyclist himself and wants to support the bicycle community in San Diego with as many miles of trails and bike lanes as possible. Faulconer said he would “protect and jealously guard” the public’s ability to enjoy Mission Trails Regional Park. “I’m a big supporter of public access,” Faulconer said. Faulconer pointed to his record on Mission Bay Park as an example of his commitment to keeping recreational resources open and available to the public. One of the reasons he first ran for City Council was that he saw that the city was diverting revenues that were supposed to be dedicated to Mission Bay Park, he said.

A new stadium for the Chargers More similarities arise when you compare the two candidates’ positions on how to respond to the Chargers’ need for a better venue than Qualcomm Stadium. Both Faulconer and Alvarez agree that the Chargers are an

The county Registrar of Voters will begin processing mail ballots on Jan. 21.

integral part of the community, and both have committed to work with the team’s owners to find a way to accommodate the team’s need for a new stadium in San Diego. Both Faulconer and Alvarez agree that public involvement in the decisionmaking process on a new stadium is crucial. Both said they would require a vote of the public to be part of the plan, no matter what the plan is. Neither Faulconer nor Alvarez would endorse the use of taxpayer subsidies to support a new stadium, but Faulconer did not explicitly rule it out. He said he would only accept the use of taxpayer dollars if it could be demonstrated that it would be a good deal for the city. “I’m interested in using tax dollars to generate more tax dollars,” Faulconer said. At the same time, however, Faulconer said he was not con-

vinced public funds would even be necessary to finance a new stadium. “My priority is to use public funds for our neighborhoods before we use them for a stadium,” he said. Alvarez was more resolute on the question of public funding. “I do not support the use of our general fund dollars that pay for police and fire protection,” Alvarez said. Alvarez also said he is confident that San Diego can keep the Chargers without relying on taxpayer funding. He pointed to the recently-approved plan to redevelop Brown Field, the municipal airport in Otay Mesa, which is

part of Alvarez’s district. The airport will be redeveloped into a private commercial center. The project cost of nearly $1 billion will be financed entirely through private sources. “I think it can be done,” Alvarez said.

Mission Valley is the preferred site for a new stadium, primarily because of the excellent transit and freeway access that already exists there, Alvarez said.

Homelessness

The candidates seem to have roughly the same position on homelessness. Both support a “housing first” approach, which they agree has been successful in other cities around the country. The idea is to get homeless people into stable housing and then make it easy for them to access the “wraparound services” that they need, such as mental health counseling, medical and dental care, career guidance and job skill development. “It’s important to have a bed, but it’s also important to say, ‘How do you get back on your feet?’” Faulconer said. In downtown San Diego last year, homeless service providers opened the Connections Housing facility, a building with a collection of homeless outreach services in a “depot” on the ground floor, and 223 housing units on the floors above. This facility could be a model for similar facilities on a smaller scale in other parts of the city, including

Mission Valley, Faulconer said. The real challenge will be to find the funding for this approach, which is far more expensive than simply putting up tents in the winter. The city could hardly afford the winter tent approach this year; funding will run out in March. City Council President Todd Gloria has said that Mission Valley will likely see an influx of homeless people after those shelters close at winter’s end. Alvarez said the city does not necessarily need to spend more money to do a better job of addressing homelessness; it just needs to spend the money it has in more effective ways. Project 25, a United Way effort to focus special attention and extra resources on the handful of chronically homeless people who rack up huge hospital bills, is an example of the kind of program that may yield a better return on investment than simply putting up tents, Alvarez said.

Affordable housing

The distinction between the two candidates becomes more clear with the affordable housing issue. The city recently passed an increase to the linkage fee, which requires expanding business to contribute to a fund to make more affordable housing available in the city. Faulconer and other Republicans on the City Council adamantly opposed the fee See CANDIDATES page 22

MissionTimesCourier.com

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

• Remodel & Replaster • New Pool & Spa Construction • Commercial & Residential • Decking • Tile

• Custom Pool Finishes • Pebble, Hydrazzo, Color Quartz, Quartz Scape, Plaster Finish • Pool & Spa Renovation/Remodeling • Coping

(619) 286-0009

AREA WORSHIP DIRECTORY Prince of Peace Lutheran 6801 Easton Court, San Diego, CA 92120 Sundays at 9am (619) 583-1436 Paul L. Willweber Zion Avenue Baptist 4880 Zion Ave, San Diego, CA 92120 (619) 582-2033 St. Therese Catholic Church 6016 Camino Rico, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 7am, 9am, 11am; Mon: 6:20am, 7:30am; Sat: 5pm (619) 286-4605 William P. Stevenson St. Andrew’s Lutheran 8350 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91941 Sun: 8am, 9:30am, 11am; Sat: 5pm (619) 464-4211 Andy Taylor St. Dunstan’s Episcopal 6556 Park Ridge Blvd, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 8am, 10am; Wed: 10am, Thurs: 7am (619) 460-6442 Kevin Warner San Carlos United Methodist 6554 Cowles Mountain Blvd, San Diego, CA 92119 Sun: 8:15am, 10am (619) 464-4331 Sue Farley Community Church of San Diego 7811 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 9210 Sun: 9:30am. 1st Sun is Communion at 9:30am (619) 583-8200 John C. Clements Mission Valley Christian Fellowship 6536 Estrella Ave, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 7:45am, 9:30am, 11:15am (619) 683-7729 Leo Giovinetti Tabernacle Church & Kingdom House of Prayer 5310 Prosperity Ln, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: 6:30pm; Wed: 12pm worship at SDSU (619) 788-3934 Darren Hall Blessed Sacrament Church 4540 El Cerrito Dr, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: 8am, 10am, 6pm; Sat: 5pm (619) 582-5722 Bruce Orsborn All Peoples Church 4345 54th St, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: 9am and 11am (619) 286-3251 Robert Herber Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 6767 51st Street, San Diego, CA 92120 (619) 287-3970 Wesley United Methodist 5380 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92115 Sun: Youth worship 11am; Sat: YAY at 7:30pm (619) 326-7202 Dr. Cuong Nguyen Mission Church of the Nazarene 4750 Mission Gorge Pl, San Diego, CA 92120 Sun: 9am and 10:30am (619) 287-3211 Dr. David Runion Salvation Army Kroc Center Church 6611 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 Sundays at 10:30am (619) 287-5762 Bryan Cook

Masjid al-Rribat 7173 Saranac St., San Diego (619) 589-6200 Imam Mohamed Gebaly Temple Emanu-El 6299 Capri Dr., San Diego 92120 Fridays 6:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:30 a.m. (619) 286-2555 Rabbi Devorah Marcus Holy Spirit Anglican Church 6116 Arosta St., San Diego 92115 Sunday, 9:30 a.m. (619) 324-9171 Father David Montzingo Palisades Presbyterian Church 6301 Birchwood St., San Diego 92120 Sunday 9:30 a.m. (619) 582-0852 Rev. Dr. Steve Davis Ascension Lutheran Church 5106 Zion Ave., San Diego 92120 Sundays 9:15 a.m. (619) 582-2636 Pastor Richard Zuber Mission Trails Church-Allied Gardens 6550 51st St., San Diego (Foster Elementary School) Sundays 9:00 a.m. Pastor Kyle Walters Mission Trails Church-San Carlos 6460 Boulder Lake Ave., San Diego (Springall Academy) Sundays 10:30 a.m. Pastor Kyle Walters The Grove Church 4562 Alvarado Cyn. Rd., San Diego 92120 Sundays 9:30 a.m. Pastor John Hoffman Tifereth Israel Synagogue 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego 92119 (619) 697-1102 Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal Chabad of East County (Jewish) 8691 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa 91942 jewishec.com (619) 647-7042 Rabbi Rafi Andrusier Del Cerro Baptist Church 5512 Pennsylvania Lane, La Mesa, 91942 Sunday Traditional Service 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Service 11:00 a.m.(619) 460-2210 Web Site www.dcbc.org Pastor Dr. Mark S. Milwee Have additions or corrections to our list? Is there a house of worship you would like listed? Please email our editor at doug@missionpublishinggroup.com

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

Candidates, from page 20

Barbara, from page 15

increase; Alvarez and other Democrats supported it. The fee will harm job creation in the city, Faulconer said. “We should be making it easier for businesses to expand,” Faulconer said. There are other things the city could be doing to facilitate affordable housing, Faulconer said. A top priority for Faulconer would be to make the development process more predictable and easier to understand for people who want to build something, whether it’s a garage addition or a large multi-family housing project. He noted that it took the city two years to build a new restroom building on the beach in Ocean Beach. “You won’t build that affordable housing project if you know it might take you a year and a half to get through the city’s process,” he said. “If the amount of time it takes to get through the city’s process is a big question mark, they might not go through with it.” Alvarez said he agrees that the city’s development bureaucracy needs to be reorganized and streamlined, but he questioned whether those who opposed the linkage fee increase were really committed to affordable housing. “I am very open and looking forward to having the dialogue with those who oppose this fee and say there are other ideas,” Alvarez said. “I’m looking forward to hearing what they are, but for

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The candidates will participate in a series of public debates on Jan. 15, Jan. 17, Jan. 23, Jan. 26, Jan. 30, andJan. 31.

the last 17 years there have been no ideas coming forward.”

Other issues A broad range of other issues — including pension reform, police retention, managed competition, infrastructure spending, community planning and more — distinguish and define each candidate. More information about each candidate can be found at their respective websites, www.davidalvarezformayor.com and www.kevinfaulconer.com. The candidates will also participate in a series of public debates that will be broadcast on television and radio. The debates will be held on Jan. 15, Jan. 17, Jan. 23, Jan. 26, Jan. 30 and Jan. 31. The county Registrar of Voters will begin processing mail ballots on Jan. 21. The last day to register to vote is Jan. 27. The last day to apply for a mail ballot is Feb. 4. For more information on the election, including how to register to vote, visit www.sdvote.org.

me that we going to be charged to enter the lake. It was denied but the turnstiles came down at the same time the 6-foot fence was dismantled and sent where it was needed in other parts of the city. The rangers were given other jobs in the city and some were eventually let go. I had a lot of help from an outraged public and Councilwoman Judy McCarty. One of my favorite speakers at a city council meeting was Dan Leonard. He walked up to the microphone and his comment was short and sweet; “Just take the damn fence down!” “The Friends of Lake Murray” was established in in May of 1994 to help with projects around the lake and keep our community clout. The Friends and staff celebrated the 100th anniversary of the earthen dam that was built in 1895. Hundreds of people joined us for tours over the dam, we sold FOLM tee shirts, we made hundreds of cookies and dignitaries spoke…Councilwoman Judy McCarty, Mayor Art Madrid, Susan Davis and people representing the San Diego Water Department. We have done monthly pickups but now groups pick up for their community service recognition. We had a project to get rid of the tamarisk (futile). I have ordered many of the picnic benches and tables (about 65) and the lake higher ups feel that that is enough. We have had wonderful people donate to the “Friends”

to pay for the needs of the lake staff. We buy paint for the tables and other objects that get graffiti on them. We pay for water and snacks for the I Love a Clean San Diego and have also helped buy supplies for scout projects. Scouts have rebuilt fences, put new roofs on the outhouses, made a bulletin board and more. This is my story and now it is time for me to turn over the Friends of Lake Murray to someone else. I don’t know of anyone who wants to take over. There many things that make me know this is the right time to quit. The fee to rent a meeting room has doubled. I want to spend more time for me, and my family. Big thanks to the wonderful lake staff, the wonderful Friends of Lake Murray and all of you that have always supported everything that we have done. I have been lucky to have so much love and help in every endeavor we tried. I am also grateful for the monetary help from donors. There will be a fund set up for the donations that will only be used for Lake Murray projects. When the Mission Times Courier was first published in 1995 community people were asked to write a column about our groups. There were very few of us that did. The paper has thrived since and getting better. They have some really good writers. Time for me to go.

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Del Cerro, from page 6 ably warm weather continues, it will definitely help establish the grass to grow. Each field will be thatched, leveled for safety, reseeded, top dressed, and ultimately fertilized. The program began the last week of January with the field at the Lake Murray Community Park. And it encompasses the grass area from the new playground out to Murray Park Drive. This field will be closed through March 31. Both fields at Princess Del Cerro will be closed from the last week of February through at least April 1. Three fields adjacent to the Allied Gardens Recreation Center and Lewis Middle School will be renovated. Lower Lewis (below the Allied Gardens Rec Center and west of the dirt softball field) will be closed April through May. Skunk Hollow (below Lower Lewis and north of the dirt softball field will be closed May through June. We offer a special thanks to Brad Callahan, the principal at Lewis Middle School for his cooperation, as his students normally use Lower Lewis and Skunk Hollow as part of their physical education program. The Peanut (in front of the Allied Gardens Recreation Center) will also be closed May through June. The final field renovation will be at the San Carlos Recreation Center. The field to be closed is between the basketball courts and the school. These renovations are truly a major project, and would not have been possible without the input and cooperation Duane Skarbic, who heads up the Recreation Department’s Field Renovation Division. According to Community Relations Officer Adam McElroy, crime in our area continues to be very low. You can easily keep track of crime in our area by signing up for the crime stats through the city’s police department website. Go to http:// www.sandiego.gov/police/. and on “Support Services” on the right hand side of the webpage to sign up to receive crime statistics within a one or two mile radius of your home or place of business. Congratulations and “Happy Birthday” to the San Carlos Library which celebrated its 40th birthday on Sunday, January 12. Rita Glick, the Branch Librarian for the San Carlos Library, stated “….it was a wonderful event. Over 100 people attended our celebration. We even have a new sign donated by Domusstudio Architecture at the corner of Golfcrest Dr. and Jackson Dr. depicting our new library. There is renewed interest and support for constructing the library.” Don’t forget to log on to the DCAC website at delcerroactioncouncil.org, and sign up to keep updated on what is happening in and around Del Cerro.

LOCAL News

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

The Long View on Long Term Care and Insurance By Cynthia Robertson for the Mission Times Courier When my husband found out last year that he would retire this summer, we found ourselves suddenly riddled with all kinds of questions about what will happen when we can no longer care for ourselves. We looked exhaustively into long term care insurance and found the costs prohibitive, several thousand dollars a year. So we decided that we could live comfortably with some moderation for the next 20 or 30 years-- one major trip a year and a couple overnights here and there. It was better than the alternative of putting the brakes on now on everything we want to do just so that we would have a relatively comfortable life of 2 or 3--maybe 5 years?--when we are feeble and no longer able to feed ourselves. One Friday afternoon in Silver Sneakers, a class I attend which is open to anyone over 50, our instructor reminded us that exercise is the one singular thing anyone can do to feel better and younger longer. She said that exercising will help fend off maladies like cardiovascular weakness, strokes, proneness to falls and broken bones, even blindness. Plus, you are just happier when you come out and exercise with other people, she said. So my husband and I are on

the right track, with life membership at 24 Hour Fitness. But we still had to decide what to do about our living situation in the future. So I called around to different senior living communities. I toured a couple of senior living complexes in La Mesa, finely situated for the residents. Room and board, meals, activities, laundry, visits to shop, day trips, all of these things were included in elegant surroundings. At one of the senior living communities, I visited a friend who lived there, and we had lunch together, sitting by one of the large windows overlooking the street. We both enjoyed our bowl of vegetable beef soup, our veggie burgers with onion rings and cole slaw; dessert was ice cream served in a small, elegant glass bowl. My friend was delighted

to see me. But there was sadness written all over her face. She said that just a few days ago someone she had known at the next table died. The week before that, someone else she used to talk with passed away. “I hear the ambulance come here several times a week,” she said. The cost alone of living in the place would mean that my husband and I would be able to live there maybe ten years after we sold the house, most assuredly even less time than that with inflation eating up what money we would make from the sale. Assisted living in studio apartments range from $2,395 to $3,195; one bedrooms start at $3,595, and suites go at $5,250. And so, my husband and I have elected to stay in our house

ElderHelp responds to the specific needs of elder citizens with the help of volunteers who provide services right at home.

Holiday Spirit Still Alive in District 7

until our last days, even though we may have to rely on outside help. When that day comes for us, we will call ElderHelp, located at 6150 Mission Gorge Road in Allied Gardens, near our house. A volunteer organization whose motto is “Helping Seniors Stay in Their Homes,” ElderHelp responds to the specific needs of elder citizens with the help of volunteers who provide services right at home. Those services include grocery shopping, checkin calls, transportations, care coordination, respite and minor home repairs, among many more. In addition, ElderHelp’s HomeShare program matches seniors wanting to remain in their own homes with adults of all ages who need housing. That means extra savings, companionship, independence and security for seniors. ElderHelp is always looking for volunteers, too. Their next orientations are February 1 and February 25. I’ll be signing up for one of those orientations. And I am even more certain that it is good insurance to love and listen to those older than I am. For more information on ElderHelp, go to www. elderhelpofsandiego.org. for assistance with looking into senior retirement homes and living assistance, go to http:// www.aplaceformom.com/ assisted-living/california/ san-diego.

Welcome the new Center Director

By Scott Sherman City Councilmember District 7 Last month, I was made aware of an unfortunate event in Allied Gardens. Early in the morning on December 9th thieves stole over $1,500 worth of decorations from the yard of Gina Dobbins house. CBS 8 and 10 News both ran news stories about the theft. Ms. Dobbins’ decorations have been featured in San Diego Family Magazine and they recognize this home as one of the top places to visit during the holidays. In addition, Ms. Dobbins arranges for Santa Claus to come and take pictures with neighborhood children every year. Ms. Dobbins was devastated because that coming Saturday, December 12th, she was expecting over a hundred children to attend her annual event. This story immediately hit home because I too enjoy decorating for the holidays and understand that these decorations are memories which are built over a lifetime. To see those disappear overnight is something that cannot be tolerated in our community.

Faamalo “Malo” Lutu

After learning of the situation, members of my staff reached out to Ms. Dobbins and offered her assistance. The next day my staff visited two local District 7 businesses, Home Depot and Lowe’s. To our surprise, Chris Walsh, a neighbor of Ms. Dobbins had already reached out to them the day before and Home Depot very graciously donated a $500 gift. A special thank you to Greg Hackett and Josh Magee at Home Depot, Scott Perez at Lowe’s in Mission Valley and Toyota of San Diego located on Mission Gorge for their generous

donations. Fox 5 San Diego and 10 News wrote follow-up media stories. It was a wonderful experience seeing members of the community work together to help a neighbor. Stories like this make me honored to serve as your Councilmember. Please contact me directly if there is something I can assist you with at 619-236-6677 or via email at ScottSherman@sandiego.gov. Yours in Service, Scott Sherman Councilmember –District 7

A very warm community welcome to Faamalo “Malo” Lutu, the new Center Director for the Allied Gardens Recreation Center. He attended Hilltop High School in Chula Vista and has a B.S. in Kinensiology from Cal State University at San Marcos. He has a strong background in youth program having worked for the City of Chula Vista Park & Recreation Department for ten years, where he ran the youth and adult basketball, football, and soccer leagues. He was the Program Specialist of the Baker Elementary PrimeTime Program from 2009-2011 and most recently was the Site Supervisor of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego Encanto Branch from 20112013. Malo stated “I am excited to be at Allied Gardens Recreation Center and look forward to working with the community.”

MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.COM — FEBRUARY 2014

THE IDEAL CONNECTION

Sewer Laterals: Street or Alley How to Tackle Your Home’s Problematic Drains Main Connection Your home’s plumbing system can be compared to a tree, where your main sewer line is the trunk and all secondary lines are

the branches. Secondary drain lines include your kitchen, laundry, lavatory or shower. Your primary line is your sewer main, What Is A Sewer Lateral? Maintenance: which is generally connected to the toilets. The home’s sewer main carries sewage to municipal sewer lines or to a property’s A sewer lateral is the pipe that connects all the sinks, drains and toilets in your home or building to Keep your Lateral Clean the City sewer main, which is usually located in the City’s right-of-way (street). The entire length septic system. In the City of San Diego, it is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the home’s sewer system. Roots, cooking grease and debris are destructive elements to any wastewater system.

Don & Melissa Teemsma 2nd Generation Owners, Ideal Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical

of the sewer lateral, extending from your home or building to its point of connection with the City sewer main underneath the street, is your private property.

According to the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department: The Property Responsibility “The sewerage system for a home or property is connected to grease the and City ofMaintenance San DiegoIssewer mainOwner’s through a sewer lateral. Roots, cooking It is your responsibility as a property owner to maintain your sewer lateral. Proper maintenance debris problems in a sewer includes keeping your lateral clean and clear of any obstruction, suchthe as roots, grease and debris. The owner is responsible for the maintenance of thatlateral lateral from the property all the way to the connection with sewer are the responsibility The level, type and frequency of maintenance required is highly dependent on the age and type of of the property owner. main. This connection may be in the street, past the property line; on anlateral easement; orcast iniron) a canyon. Usually afteroccupants. clearing theplastic laterals (e.g., plastic vs. and the practices of the building Newer, Keep your lateral free of with intact joints andpipe seals may function for years without problems. Older laterals of concrete, clay may inhibit the lateral, a licensed plumber will assess the condition ofanything the that pipe by televising it. If the has a break or a crack, the homeowner or cast iron may have root intrusion or deteriorated sections and require regular inspection and/or flow and lead to a possible more frequent must repair the portion of pipe that lies between the sewage house the property line.cleaning. ” spill.and To avoid problems with:

Minimizing Lateral Problems Roots—Use a root inhibitor In situations of homes with easements, the sewer responsibility varies. In mostproblems casesarethe home owner is responsible forlateral. theYou can available at most hardware Drainage commonly caused by obstruction or blockage in the stores or schedule it for minimize or eliminate such problems by being careful of what you dispose of in your connection all the way to the common line, shared by other properties. If you have a service issue and need a pipe repair or drains and periodic mechanical garbage disposals and what you flush down the toilet. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) can clog laterals cleaning. and eventually the sewer mains. (For information on how toReport properly dispose of FOG and replacement past the sidewalk, curb or in the street, the City of San Diego can getblock involved through a Plumber’s other waste see blue box at left). Fats, Oils and Grease process to help restore sewer service. (FOG)—In addition to frying pan grease, fats and oils can also come from salad dressings, butter and mayonnaise. Put FOG in the trash and not down the drain.

3 Steps to Achieving Smooth Running Drains in Your Home The average life for cast iron drains is 60-70 years. Beyond that, we tend to see frequent failure, appearing in the form of stoppages, internal pipe rust and corrosion. Larger lines generally carry paper (Go to http://www.sandiego. and waste, and old corroded drains can cause stoppages as the paper and waste get hung gov/mwwd/pdf/greaseeng. up on rough pdf to view/download a FOG spots. Smaller drain lines are even more problematic, as there is less surface area for wastebrochure.) to flow Debris—Be careful what through. Sometimes more than one method is needed to achieve a satisfactory result, butyouwe typically put down the drains. Items like disposable wipes, recommend the following: toys, disposal diapers, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products can cause blockages.

If a Problem Occurs Photo courtesy of City of San Diego Public Utilities

If your drains start to run slowly, there’s a good chance you have some sort of obstruction in your lateral. A licensed plumber or drain-cleaning specialist should be able to clear the obstruction. If the lateral is broken, you will have to repair the lateral. In general, problems with your lateral are your responsibility as the property owner.

1. Clear the Drain Clearing the drain and getting water flowing again is the first step in diagnosing your stoppage issue. Clean-outs are an effective way to enter the drain pipe system and run a cable or snake with an appropriate cutter to remove drain stoppages formed by grease, roots, inclusions or hard deposits. Another method to remove stoppages is hydro-jetting, using high pressure water to cut away roots, flush out grease or smooth out roughness and scale-build up in pipes. Once the drain is NOTE: Encroachment sewer laterals and sewer laterals located within easements are subject to clear, it is ready for a camera inspection, if needed. different rules and policies. For more information, please click here (or visit the link online), at http://www.sandiego.gov/mwwd/general/plumbing.shtml

2. Sewer Camera Inspection A sewer camera inspection of the inside of a pipe can tell a lot about the pipe condition, trouble areas, rough areas, cracks in the pipe or root intrusion. Another benefit of the camera inspection is the ability to locate clean outs, which are often hidden or buried. Overall, a camera inspection can help to diagnose reoccurring problems and identify best repair or maintenance options. 3. Replacing Old, Problematic Drains If you have old cast iron drains, one solution is to replace them with ABS plastic. Another option is pipe re-lining, which places a new pipe inside the old pipe with a liner that will smooth out the roughness. Lastly, you can do trenchless pipe replacement, which bursts the pipe underground and pulls a new pipe in its place.

Our plumbing specialists at Ideal are happy to help you take the necessary steps to get your plumbing running smoothly. Call us at (619) 583-7963 and let us help you manage your problematic drains. BONUS TIP: Some hygenic wipes are labeled as “biodegradable” or “flushable.” Although these types of wipes may break down over time, they may not break down before a stoppage occurs. The wipes can get caught in your drains, as it’s like throwing a cotton ball down a pipe lined with sand paper. Some municipalities even do not recommend placing wipes down a drain. When it doubt, throw your wipes in the trash!

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