Allied Gardens July 2013
• Del Cerro • Grantville • College • Northern La Mesa • Rolando • San Carlos • Fletcher Hills On the Internet at www.MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.com
Volume XIX – Number 7
ANTHONY WAGNER APPOINTED TO CITY COMMISSION
By Andy Cohen
Chances are if you live in the San Carlos/Navajo community of San Diego, and you have a daughter who played youth softball, you’ve crossed paths with Angelo Acevedo. There’s a strong possibility your daughter even played for him. He was the surly, intense, driven, compassionate and adoring coach that manned the dugout for 33 years, cherishing every last second of it. Acevedo died March 4, 2013
at Mercy Hospital. He was 76 years old. A native of East Harlem in New York City, Acevedo was fiercely
competitive. Just like about every other kid who grew up in New York, Acevedo played stickball in the streets and pick-up games of
baseball at the local park – when they could scrounge up enough equipment to play, that is. The ex-Marine wouldn’t take to softball, though, until his ex-wife signed their daughter up for what was then known as “Bobby Sox.” Acevedo was amused at the notion that softball could be considered anything close to a real sport. Before you pass judgment, his family told him, why don’t you go see it for yourself. He did, and he was hooked.
The San Diego City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Allied Gardens Community Council president Anthony Wagner to the City’s Planning Commission in June. Wagner had been appointed to the Commission in March by Mayor Bob Filner. Because of his appointment, Wagner had to step down from his position as chair of Navajo Community Planners (NCPI), a community planning group that advises the City on land use-based community goals and development proposals. San Carols resident and NCPI vicechair Matt Adams took over as chair at NCPI’s June meeting
See ANGELO page 17
SAN CARLOS POP WARNER PREPARES FOR 45TH SEASON By Joe Naiman
San Carlos Pop Warner will know how many players and cheerleaders it will have after its June 29 final sign-up session at the San Carlos Recreation Center. In some ways, the June turnout will determine the extent of success for an organization for which participation trumps results or other statistics. Participants’ improvement is also a benchmark of the program’s success. “Everything we’re doing is geared toward age-appropriate training,” said Rex McGrath, the organization’s publicity director, who will be coaching the Junior Pee Wee team. “The emphasis for us is to help the players and teach them age-appropriate skills.” This doesn’t mean San Carlos
Pop Warner isn’t a stepping stone to higher levels – players who have gone through the program include 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and former pro running back Ricky Williams and the program’s affiliation with Patrick Henry High School’s football pro-
gram enhances the chance that San Carlos Pop Warner Patriots will subsequently have success with the Patrick Henry Patriots. Coaches, players and cheerleaders put effort into improving skills and attempting to win. While a successful league record results in playoff competition, and successful lower-level cheer See POP WARNER page 11
Theresa Quiroz, a former member of the Redistricting Commission and City Heights Area Planning Committee, was also appointed to the Planning Commission. “I want to thank Theresa and Anthony for their commitment to our community and believe they will provide a strong voice for our neighborhoods in this new role,” said Filner. “Their experience in community groups, knowledge of land use issues, and belief in healthy and vibrant neighborhoods will make them great additions to the Planning Commission.” Wagner is a senior policy strategist with the Institute for Public Strategies, a national health and safety organization headquartered in San Diego. See WAGNER page 7