Mission Times Courier - August 2013

Allied Gardens August 2013

• Del Cerro • Grantville • College Area • Northern La Mesa • Rolando • San Carlos • Fletcher Hills On the Internet at www.MissionTimesCourier.com

Volume XIX – Number 8

NO LOVE FOR FILNER MAYOR LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

MUST RESIGN

By Genevieve A. Suzuki

There was a time when men like Don Draper ruled the office.

It was OK to ogle a woman as she walked down the hall at the office or make remarks about her sex appeal to co-workers.

Thankfully, those days have been long over – not that you’d know that by Mayor Bob Filner’s alleged actions.

On July 11, attorney Marco Gonzalez, joined by San Diego City Councilmember Donna Frye, announced he represented sev-

By Jeremy Ogul After weeks of scandalous but anonymous accusations made through third parties, a city worker who accused San Diego Mayor Bob Filner of sexual harassment finally went public July 22.

Irene McCormack Jackson, who worked in City Hall as Filner’s communications chief, filed suit against Filner in San Diego County Superior Court. Jackson and her attorney, Gloria Allred, announced the lawsuit in a damn-

ing press conference.

Allred and Jackson claim Filner frequently put Jackson in a headlock and dragged her around, whispering unwelcome sexual comments in her ear. He told her he wanted to see her naked, that he wanted to consummate their relationship, that he wanted to marry her and that he wanted her to come to work without her panties on, Allred and Jackson said.

“We did not have a relationship other than work,” Jackson said.

“That is all I wanted, and I never

gave him any reason to think otherwise.”

Jackson, a veteran journalist and former vice president of public policy at the Port of San Diego, said she took a $50,000-pay cut to join Filner’s administration because she believed in Filner’s agenda. She quickly began to feel uncomfortable at work, however.

“His behavior made me feel ashamed, frightened and violated,” Jackson said.

See FILNER page 11

City Leaves Kumeyaay Lake Campground Out in the Cold

These expenses include maintenance and upgrades of equipment such as power transmission lines and the implementation of new technologies that will allow the company to meet the conservation and renewable production standards set forth by state law.

The operating budget does not include power generation or purchasing costs.

Under the current rate struc-

eral women who are alleging they were sexually harassed by Filner.

Frye did him one better by asking for Filner’s resignation.

Filner replied later in the day by releasing a mea culpa DVD that all at once disgusted and incensed me as a woman and as a person who works in San Diego.

“When a friend like Donna Frye is compelled to call for my resignation, I’m clearly doing something wrong,” said Filner, who continued by claiming he reached into his “heart and soul” and realized he “must and will” change his behavior.

Filner further said he’s spent a lifetime fighting for equality for all people and he’s embarrassed to admit he “failed to respect” women who’ve worked for him and that at times he’s “intimidated” them.

“It’s a good thing that behavior that would have been tolerated in the past is being called out in this generation for what it is – inappropriate and wrong,” he said.

Was there a time machine that pulled Filner from the ‘60s and plopped him into 2013? In fact, I have female colleagues in the law who have been raging against sexual harassment since the ‘50s.

Worse, I’d think that Filner, who once taught history, of

See RATES page 11

See RESIGN page 17

By Jeremy Ogul

Just a few months ago it looked like the city of San Diego had finally scrounged enough money to reopen overnight camping at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails Regional Park.

Those plans were foiled in June, however, when the city’s pension board voted to charge the city more than the mayor or the city council had anticipated.

As a result, about $4 million See KUMEYAAY page 2

SDG&E Rates Set to Rise Sept. 1

By Andy Cohen

Many San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) customers are about to see their utility bills go up. The company, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, received approval May 9 from the California Public Utilities Commission to increase the rates charged to some consumers, with the new rates taking effect Sept. 1.

Utility rates in the State of California are set on a four-year

basis. Every four years, the state’s utility companies must present a proposed operating budget that will meet their expenses plus a profit margin for investors.

Page 2

Local News Kumeyaay, from page 1 in spending was automatically eliminated. That money had been allocated to increase library hours, hire more recruits from the police academies and expand offerings at Mission Trails.

That means it will be yet another year with no overnight camping at Kumeyaay Lake.

While open for day use, the campground has been closed for actual camping since September 2011.

Budget cuts in 2008 resulted in overnight camping being limited to Friday and Saturday nights.

“It’s definitely a disappointment,” said Randy Seefeldt, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 959, “but like everything else, we’ll overcome.”

The city had planned to spend about $141,000 to hire a full-time park ranger and a part-time recreation center director. They had also budgeted for $60,000 in capital improvements and energy efficiency upgrades to the visitor center.

Funding for the campground has been in limbo since 2013 began. Councilmember Scott Sherman said he has pressed the mayor and the council to allocate money for the campground.

“I’m gonna be pushing to get it in next year’s budget,” Sherman said.

It may be possible to get the funding back earlier if the city accrues a surplus by the time of the midyear budget analysis in the first months of 2014, Sherman said.

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Even if no funding is available for the next year, Sherman said his office will be working to develop private partnerships to fund the campground regardless of the city’s budget situation.

“We’re pushing for it as hard as we can,” he said.

In addition to individuals and families, the current lack of overnight camping affects a number of groups.

As a sort of “mini-wilderness” within the city limits, the Kumeyaay Lake Campground was once an important stepping stone for Cub Scouts transitioning to Boy Scouts, said Seefeldt, the scoutmaster for Troop 959, which is made up of 80 scouts, most from San Carlos and La Mesa.

“It’s easy; it’s convenient. We don’t have to go a long way,” Seefeldt said. “It gives them an exposure for what we do when we backpack.”

Young scouts can still camp at Camp Balboa in the city, but that site does not provide the wilderness element, he said.

Camping trips are also held

farther out in the wilderness, in places like Warner Springs, but that limits accessibility for parents who may not have the time to drive an hour east or north to get to a campsite and participate with their scouts, he said.

Another organization that wants to camp overnight at Kumeyaay Lake is the San Diego Unified School District.

Sixth-graders used to spend a week camping at Mt. Palomar until budget deficits forced a reduction to a one-day program at Mission Trails, said Agin Shaheed, program manager for the district’s race, human relations and advocacy department.

If funding ever becomes available, the district would like to have sixth-graders camp overnight at Mission Trails, Shaheed said. The field trips are important not only for the hands-on learning and teaching opportunities they provide, but also for the chance for the diverse student populations of San Diego to integrate and interact with each other.

“It’s important for our students to have those experiences,” Shaheed said. “Many of our students have not been out of the five mile radius of their neighborhood.

Many of the students haven’t had the chance to meet other populations in the city and to experience each other in positive way.”

In the meantime, Shaheed said the district is working on finding private funding for its diversity field trip programs.

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Local News

Don’t Put Your Pet’s Well-being on Automatic

By Sari Reis

Automatic sprinklers, light systems and burglar alarms – we are constantly searching to save time and streamline our lives. Unfortunately, this search often also includes the care of our pets. We have automatic feeders, automatic drinking fountains and automatic litter boxes. Although these devices can save time, they are generally not a good idea.

As a professional pet sitter, my most important responsibility is to keep the animals in my care healthy. One of the best ways for me to do this is to monitor the animal’s intake and output.

If a dog or cat is eating from an automatic feeder that drops food into a bowl in an undetermined amount, it is impossible for me to know how much food the pet has actually consumed. The automatic feeders that are set on timers to open a door at a set time with a set amount of food, frequently fail to operate properly, leaving the animal standing by the devise hungry and waiting for something to happen.

Most of the water fountains I have come across are electrical. If for some reason the power goes out, the water stops running, leaving only what is currently in the bowl for the pet to drink. The water bowls are often not completely cleaned on a regular basis, just refilled, and I see all sorts of things floating around in them.

It is also impossible to monitor the dog or cat’s intake of water, an essential part of monitoring their well-being.

Due to our distaste for handling the contents of cats’ litter boxes, we even invented automatic litter boxes. As soon as the cat steps out of the box, a motor kicks in and sweeps all of the “yucky” stuff away. An animal’s state of health can be scrutinized by observing its urine and feces. I need to see if a cat, which has a history of urinary tract infection, is producing a normal amount of urine. I need to see if there is blood in the urine or feces. I can’t do that if the stuff automatically disappears, and neither can you. As a responsible pet parent, you need to be moni-

toring these things as well.

Another downside of going automatic is that many people think if they have all of these devices in place, their cats do not need to be visited by someone every day while they are away.

Even people with dogs who have doggie doors believe that one visit a day will do. Wrong. Our pets are social sentient beings used to having the companionship of humans. Even kitties that hide like to hear a human voice and know a presence is there.

Don’t get me wrong, I think today’s automatic conveniences are wonderful. They save us time so we can do more of the things we enjoy. However, the care and monitoring of your pet’s health is not the place to be economizing on time and effort.

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.

Page 3

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COUNCILS

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

San Carlos Area Council News Allied Gardens Community Council

By Anthony Wagner, President

There is one brief announcement from the Allied Gardens Community Council with regard to a vacant Allied Gardens Seat on the Navajo Community Planners. That vacancy is a result of my leaving the NCPI to become a City of San Diego Planning Commissioner.

Navajo Community Planners (NCPI) is the city-sanctioned community planning group to advise the City on land usebased community goals and development proposals. NCPI was established in conformance with City policies and is “recognized” to provide official recommendations to the City. NCPI represents Allied Gardens, Grantville, San Carlos and Del Cerro. Each neighborhood retains four seats on the Board. Hence, 16 members total.

NCPI meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the third Monday at Zion Avenue Community Church, 4880 Zion Ave., San Diego, CA 92120 – check out navajoplanners.org for more information.

If you get excited about neighborhood planning and land use and you live on Allied Gardens or are a business, building or land owner in Allied Gardens, please give it some thought.

Prior attendance of two meetings or more are required to qualify for the ballot.

The turn in date for all applications for the open Allied Gardens seat is Friday, Sept.

6 at 6 p.m. An election will take place on Monday, Sept.

16 at the normal NCPI meeting. Applications can be found on the NCPI website at navajoplanners.org and should be submitted to navajoplanners@ cox.net.

Contact Allied Gardens Community Council president Anthony Wagner at (619) 253-4989 or email AnthonyJohnWagner@gmail. com. Follow him on Twitter @ AnthonyWagnerSD.

By Mickey Zeichick, President The next San Carlos Area Council (SCAC) meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the San Carlos Branch Library, 7265 Jackson Dr. We moved the meeting date from our regular first Wednesday night of the (even months) because of the Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah. We will be meeting in the library proper rather than the community meeting room. Our guest speaker will be San Diego County Board of Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

Supervisor Jacob will discuss issues affecting San Carlos and Navajo area and the East County in general. We will also have reports from SDPD and representatives of our elected officials.

At our meeting July 10 our guest speakers were Rita Glick, head librarian at our San Carlos Branch and Judy Williams, president of the San Carlos Friends of the Library. Rita and Judy respectively, discussed our branch and services available and the 40th Anniversary celebration of our library in January 2014.

The San Diego Public Library has a new logo and they have come into the 21st century. Did you know they have resources not only books, movies, audiobooks, large print books, but also “talking books”, from the Braille Institute. They now lease books (new releases!), they have eBooks, eAudiobooks, eVideos, free classes (exercise, health topics, author talks, OASIS, and more), internet access via computers and WiFi, and it is a “Third Place,” to relax in a cool, quiet (most of the time) environment. You can access the library at www.sandiego.gov/ public-library and look up what they are offering. “Discover your next chapter.”

The “Welcome to San Carlos” monument on the Navajo Road median, just east of Park Ridge Blvd. is being scheduled for repair but as of the deadline time for this article we have not heard back from Councilmember Scott Sherman’s staff as to when it will be repaired. We will keep you posted.

The San Carlos Area Council and local residents were successful in having the truck terminal behind Fresh & Easy on Navajo Road moved to another location, which was promised to be in a remote, non-residential area of the city. Trucks, hauling potable water for SDG&E to their East County construction site,

were making 21 round-trips daily and affecting the quality of life of residents above and behind the center. In addition, it was a non-permitted use, per the City’s Municipal Code. The City’s Public Utilities Dept. has an agreement to sell up to 50 Million gallons of drinking water to SDG&E. We are pleased that meters on all hydrants in San Carlos have been removed, as a result of our efforts, and thank the Public Utilities Department for their cooperation.

The Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) appointed a new representative to the Grantville Stakeholders Group in July. NCPI is developing a process by which they will prioritize neighborhood CIP needs.

The SCAC has requested that the new San Carlos Branch Library be added to the CIP list. The City has requested community planning group input in developing the Capital Improvement budget. The Community Planning Chairs are developing a consistent methodology to be used by planning groups to facilitate their input to the City. There were no Action Items on the Agenda for the San Carlos area.

We received notification from the City of San Diego Planning Commission regarding a public hearing July 25 for a rezoning/ process five (5) request at 6736 Mission Gorge Road. This is in the Allied Gardens community.

There are no other projects in the pipeline for San Carlos at present. For more information about NCPI and to sign up for email notifications, visit www.navajoplanners.org.

The San Carlos Community Garden is still going strong and has more garden plots available for adoption. SCAC is considering the purchase of a plot and have a committee of “gardeners” plant vegetables and/or flowers.

If you are interested in joining this committee please contact me, see below for email address.

For information about speakers, meeting reminders, agendas and other local news, please send an e-mail message to me at the address below. If you would like your name added to the SCAC Interested Party e-mail list please contact John Pilch at jfpilch@hotmail.com with a copy to me. Rest assured your privacy will be respected and neither your name nor your e-mail address will be shared with anyone nor will this list be used for any purpose other than stated above. Messages are sent “Bcc” to prevent you from being spammed.

Finally, if you have an issue you wish us to consider or just have a question about the community, please contact me. My contact information is (619) 4616032 and email is mrzeichick@ gmail.com and either John Pilch or I will get back with you.

COUNCILS

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Del Cerro Action Council

By Jay Wilson, President Normally I would have information recapping the speaker at the quarterly meeting of the DCAC that was held July 25.

However, the deadline for the Mission Times Courier was early for the August edition.

On the date this article was due, accusations regarding the mayor, who was to be the guest speaker, were in their third day. A recap of the meeting will be posted on our website at delcerroactioncouncil.org.

Pedro Villegas, director of Community Relations for San Diego Gas & Electric, agreed to provide the program in lieu of the pending rate increases on Sept. 1. There is more information below regarding the rate increases.

Summer temperatures are

rising and projected to be above normal in August. As a result windows and sometimes doors are left open, even when residents are not home.

This is an invitation for the criminal element. I attended the July 10 San Carlos Area Council meeting, where Police Lt. Duane Davis and Capt.

Dave Rohowitz from Eastern Division gave an update on crime activity in our area.

Fortunately, that rate overall is very low, but home breakins are still occurring. Capt.

Rohowitz drove home the fact residents are continuing to leave windows and doors open, even when they are not home.

The officers stated that 64 percent of the time, an open window or door was the access point. Car break-ins are continuing, and again residents are inviting the break-in; most often valuables are left in plain sight. Lt. Voss basically stated, “Never leave valuables in plain sight in your car and do not wait until you arrive at a destination to put your valuables in your trunk.” Please report all incidents, even if the damage or items taken are of little value.

The police need to know. It is calls for service that is the main factor determine how See DEL CERRO page 7

Page 5

College Area Community Council

By Rhea Kuhlman, President

The College Area Community Council and Community Planning Board will not meet in August.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the College-Rolando Library, 6600 Montezuma Road. At that meeting, we’ll hold the second and final of two public hearings on the College Area’s proposals for the City’s FY 2015 Capital Improvements Program.

Our July meeting was an eventful one. In anticipation of the approaching fall semester at San Diego State University, a number of residents attended to speak in favor of strong police enforcement of the City’s Community Assistance Party Plan (CAPP) and other measures to control noise and parties, as well as strong enforcement of parking and anti-dumping regulations. In addition, residents asked for speed bumps or

other traffic calming measures on Catoctin Drive, La Dorna, Richard and Gary Streets. One resident requested designation of a portion of Montezuma Road in memory of Charles Raymond Gilbreth, who was killed while cycling there in 2012. This proposal will be considered in September.

We held the first of two public hearings on proposals for capital improvements in the College Area to be requested in the City’s fiscal year 2015 budget, and kicked off the process of updating the College Area Public Facilities Financing Plan (PFFP), which was last done 20 years ago in 1993.

The PFFP will set priorities for which streets, intersections, sidewalks, storm drains, parks, recreational or other public facilities need to be built or upgraded in the College Area in the future, ranked in order of importance to the community. Improvements slated for the near term often change from year to year, depending on the City budget and what funding sources are available.

Long-term priorities, though, don’t tend to change.

After we prioritize necessary long term improvements, City staff will calculate their estimated costs and then set the level of Development Impact Fees (DIFs) for new residential and commercial/industrial projects. Impact fees help mitigate the cost of public facilities necessitated by new development in

the community. For example, the impact fee developers must pay for each new residential unit built in the College Area is currently $2,484. Considering that this DIF rate was first set in 1993 and has been adjusted only slightly, it’s apparent that the College Area is long overdue for an update to its PFFP. When funding does become available through DIFs, the PFFP determines which improvement gets built first.

Closely related, but not identical, to the long term PFFP is the City’s annual Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

The CIP sets budget priorities for capital improvements during the upcoming year, and looks at all funding sources, not just DIFs. Last year, for the first time, the City Council asked for suggestions from the City’s communities as to which projects were most urgently needed. This year, the process has been further refined and formalized.

At our July 10 meeting, we held the first of two hearings on the College Area’s proposed CIP for the coming year, with the second one scheduled for Sept. 11. Final recommendations are due to the City by Oct. 1. Last year, the projects recommended for funding were as follows: Sidewalks and a 2-way bike lane on Montezuma Road to improve bike and pedestrian safety.

Sidewalks on portions of Reservoir Drive and 70th Avenue See COLLEGE AREA page 12

Page 6

COMMUNITY

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Friends of Lake Murray

By Barbara Cleves Anderson

There are Lake friends that are concerned about the proliferation of reeds at the end of most of Lake Murray’s bays. Runner David Bagley says that reeds drink a lot of our expensive reservoir water.

Walker Marcia Field is concerned that the lake will eventually be filled with the reeds. Both make a good point.

However, there are many problems with extracting this nuisance. The reed’s good is: they are a hideout for birds and animals. In fact the red winged black birds roost in the reeds. They are protected by the state. Fish spawn in the reeds. Mama coot conceals her babies in the reeds but duck’s moms, not so much.

Reeds removal downside: the cost to the city would be extraordinary, the project would take a very long time, the lake would have to be lowered, visitors to the lake and homeowners living near the lake would complain about look of low level water and getting a bulldozer into the growth would be precarious. Besides, the lake road would probably have to be closed during a removal.

A Water Utilities Environmentalist may take a look at the reed problem and the fast-growing tamarisk. Most of the 10 city lakes have the same problems our lake has with reeds and tamarisk. A long time ago a group of us cut down the tamarisk. The beautiful buses are bigger than ever. There seems to be no way to eradicate them.

They also drink a lot of water.

Another large time and financial consumer is cleaning diversion ditches. They have to be cleaned out regularly so that the water will flow. Cutting weeds and trimming bushes on the turns of the lake road is a safety issue that also takes time

and money. There are not enough funds in the city coffers to take care of everything immediately so it is done a little at a time. I think that takes care of most of the concerns. Let’s see what the environmentalist advises.

Fishing line has taken the life of the second baby osprey that fell out of its nest. Fishing line was wrapped so tightly around its leg that it was going to lose it. It had to be euthanized. The first baby that fell from the nest is alive and doing great according to Lori Ciprian who contacted the Project Wildlife Organization.

It is nature as many people say.

Fishing line is the worst predator at the lake. We have lost many birds to the filament.

Lake friend and über volunteer Ed Heidig passed away several months ago. His many friends have provided a way to memorialize him. They made donations to buy a picnic table in his name at Lake Murray. Don Bruders facilitated the project.

Ed and wife Diana ran for many years at the lake. Ed came to the Friends of Lake Murray meetings and contributed his knowledge as a scientist to our group and asked pertinent questions of our speakers. Ed was a U.S. Marine veteran, and a scientist who also taught at Colorado State in Fort Collins, worked on the aquifer in Mission Valley and helped with mosquito abatement at Lake Murray.

Ed volunteered at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and had pals at Oasis meetings. Ed had strong feelings for those in need, but could look at the funny side of life. Every afternoon he and his friends would meet at the lake, sit on a bench and talk about whatever. Ed died on that bench in the company of the people he cared See LAKE MURRAY page 14

LOCAL NEWS

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Del Cerro, from page 5 many officers are assigned to a community. If it is a crime in progress call 911, otherwise call the non-emergency number at (619) 531-2000. If you are asked to fill out the incident report online, please take the time to do so. It is important information for the police department and specifically for the officers serving the Navajo Community.

Officer Holly Tafoya with SDPD Eastern Division has been promoted from Community Liaison Officer to our Community Relations Officer. Her phone number at Eastern Division is (858) 4957971 and her email address is htafoya@pd.sandiego.gov. You will find her very responsive

and she is here to help all of us with police related issues in our community.

Councilmember Scott Sherman is moving quickly to provide a new Council representative for the Navajo Area.

Jon Staab, who severed us very well, made a decision to rejoin the Army to become a member of Special Forces. If you need to contact Councilmember Sherman or his staff, do not hesitate to call the office at (619) 236-6677, or email Councilmember Sherman at scottsherman@sandiego.gov.

Everyone should have received a letter from SDG&E regarding rate increases beginning Sept. 1. The new rates are going to negatively impact all businesses and residents, par-

HIGH HOLY DAYS 5774 / 2013

Schedule Of Services Community Selichot Service Saturday, August 31 • 8:30 pm at Congregation Beth Israel h

ticularly those who are in tiers three or four. You have time to check out their website SDGE. com and learn about what you can do to reduce your energy use. Information will also be posted on our website.

Keep the board members of the DCAC informed about your city and/or community-related Del Cerro issues. Remember you can leave a comment on our website at delcerroactioncouncil.org or email me at jwilson2@ cox.net.

Page 7

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COMMUNITY

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

San Carlos Mission Trails Regional Friends of Park Foundation the Library

By Jay Wilson, MTRP Foundation

By Sue Hotz

Log onto www.sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org for details about all our summer activities or pick up the August calendar at the Library. All programs are free and open to the public. Check out a book!

Support your Library – SCFOL Life Membership half-price sale ends Sept. 30 – only $250.

Plans for celebrating the 40th ANNIVERSARY of the 1974 opening of the San Carlos Library are underway. Please email your remembrances of the library’s construction or its early years to historian@sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org or drop them off at the library.

Two activities currently being planned are a Jan. 12 celebration for our Life Members and an Aug. 24, 2014 Community Family Fun Extravaganza. We are seeking sponsors for these and all commemorative events.

Patrons will be recognized on all Anniversary literature and sponsors at all levels will be recognized on our website, in the MTC, and in the library.

Let SCFOL President Judy Williams or Librarian Rita Glick know how you can help make this our best year ever.

YOUTH: The Summer Reading Program continues through Aug. 15 for all ages. Prizes! Aug. 7 is the last “Stuffed Animal Sleepover.”

Aug. 15 pick up your “Upcycling Your Wardrobe” swapped clothing. Aug. 31 enjoy the second annual “Water Wars” for those over 12.

ADULT PROGRAMS: Aug. 30 at 2 p.m., Doug Kalal from Great Gardens Landscape Designs will tell us about “30 Great Drought Tolerant Plants.” Enjoy the artwork of Alexandra Cauldwell, Bill Barr, Teresa Rutledge and Pam Nowlan from Aug. 6 to Sept 5. Their show will also include paintings by well known artist and SCFOL volunteer Nancy Baker, who passed away in March 2013.

Their reception is Aug. 17, noon to 2 p.m.

GET FIT @ YOUR LIBRARY runs thru November. Topics cover nutritional-mental-physical-financial health. ADULTS: weekly Stretch & Tone and Yoga classes; semimonthly Meditation and Pilates. Aug. 6 at 2 p.m.: the National Alliance on Mental Illness presents, “In Our Own Voice.” Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. enjoy “Foods & Moods.”

KIDS: Weekly Yoga and Aug. 9 at 10 a.m.: “Healthy Cooking for Kids.”

BOOKS: The Librarian’s Book Club selection for Aug. 8 is Defending Jacob by William Landay. Sept. 12 read Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. Our next USED BOOK SALES are Aug. 3 and Sept. 7. Thank you for your patronage.

Education is the prime directive of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRPF). We continue to impact children from throughout San Diego County through free education programs made possible by grants from SDG&E. In the past 12 months, July through June, our education program reached a total of 1,608 children.

Last summer Alicia Berg, one of our Education Program Instructors, developed a special program for the San Diego County YMCA’s that was funded by a grant from SDG&E. Most of the 540 children from the Y’s participated in a fourday program. Ms. Berg visited most of the Y’s twice, and the children visited MTRP twice.

The children learned about why it is important to preserve the environment and the open space especially in MTRP in particular. Ms. Berg uses live animals and plants to illustrate how they have adapted to their environment. They also learned some of the history and culture of the Kumeyaay, the Native Americans who once lived in what is now MTRP. Today, 14 of the 17 Bands of Kumeyaay

Indians that make up the Kumeyaay Nation live in San Diego County. The other three Bands live in Baja California.

The children participated in guided walking tours on one of the 40 miles of trails that exist in MTRP, saw a film about MTRP, and toured the Visitor Center. The MTRP experience was the major component of a week-long day camp. A couple of the Y’s were also able to participate in a work-experience program. They helped spread mulch, which reduces evasive plant growth.

On the last day of their visit to MTRP, the Y children received lunch and a commemorative plastic sports bottle.

In November 2012, the MTRP Foundation, in partnership with the San Diego Unified School District received, an Environmental Champions Grant from SDG&E to specifically target 6th graders because the school district suspended the week-long 6th-grade camping experience in the Laguna Mountains. Throughout the school year 913 6th-grade students participated in an educational program specifically developed for this grade level.

Ms. Berg visited the participat-

ing middle schools and then the students toured MTRP. Several elementary schools, totaling 155 children, participated in another SDG&E-funded program, along with parents and teachers. For both school programs, the grant included the cost of bus transportation. Both programs will resume in fall.

In addition to the free educational programs offered by the MTRP Foundation, we have two other programs: Linda Hawley’s “Nature Adventures” for children 3 and up and Nora’s “Art Workshops for Children” for ages 4 to 14. Ms. Hawley delights children with animated enthusiasm during her two-hour classes. Ten different sessions were offered during the past school year and 260 children and 188 parents participated. Children learn about wild animals through songs, puppets, pelts, replicated skulls, animal tracks, and taxidermy specimens. This summer classes are offered on most Tuesdays and Sundays; and each week is a different topic.

The cost is $10 per child, and adults are always free. Last October Nora’s Art Workshops for Children began with classes on Saturdays. Classes are now scheduled through December from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Each week is a different topic and your child will take home his or her artwork. The cost is $15 per class, including all art supplies; and discounts are available for multiple classes.

For more information on both programs, including dates, topics, and registration forms, go to mtrp.org. Click on “Nature Studies” and then click on the desired program.

Tickets are now available on our home page for the second annual “Art in the Park” fundraiser to be held Oct. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and include fine wine, cheese and chocolate.

There will be a great variety of nature-related art and photographs available for purchase as well as live and silent auctions. All proceeds benefit the MTRP Foundation. Members of the San Diego Native American Flute Circle will be performing and the San Diego Astronomy Association will have telescopes for viewing planets and stars.

Come and enjoy the park during the summer. Be smart when hiking and have plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and a cell phone.

A friendly reminder from Lt. Duane Voss with our Eastern Division Police Department: “Place valuables in your trunk before you leave for your destination.”

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MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

COMMUNITY

Page 9

Boogie Down with Nuns in Sister Act

By Genevieve A. Suzuki

If you loved Sister Act the movie, you’ll love the musical, promises actor Lael Van Keuren, who portrays Mary Robert in the touring production of the musical, which lands on Broadway San Diego July 30 through Aug. 4.

There are, however, several new changes, such as all-new music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, a book by Douglas Carter Beane and the story now takes place in the ‘70s instead of the ‘90s. Nevertheless, “the nuns sing even higher and boogie even lower,” said Van Keuren, who has been an understudy in the original cast of Sister Act on Broadway.

Van Keuren said she has many favorite songs from the musical, including “The Life I Never Led,” which she calls “one of my favorite songs of all time,” and “Raise Your Voice,” where Deloris teaches the nuns how to sing, helping Mary Robert finally discover her voice. “[The role of Sister Mary Robert] is so dear to me,” said Van Keuren. “I love discovering new things about her, both in rehearsals and on the stage.”

Van Keuren said it helps that Broadway and tour director Jerry Zaks gave the cast the freedom to make brave choices and always kept them grounded in truth.

The actor said she grew up watching Sister Act – the Whoopi Goldberg version – and sang along to “Oh Maria” and “I Will Follow Him.” “To this day, it’s one of my favorite movies,” she said. “I wanted to honor the beloved work of Wendy Makkena while still bringing my own unique voice to the role. I love finding that perfect balance and making a part my own.”

August a Cappella at Mission Trails Regional Park

By Audrey F. Baker, Trail Guide

August song resounds throughout the park. More often heard than seen, the male Cicadas, active August noise makers, are sending out their famed pulsating buzz while “The Voice of the Chaparral,” the Wrentit, greets visitors as the first bird of the morning and the last bird of the day.

The delicate chime-like song of Fremont Cottonwood responds to gentle winds striking its leaves. Our summertime visitor, the Hooded Oriole adds its pretty tones, perhaps playing off the beat of a Pacific Chorus Frog whose bellowings waft through willows and cattails among the San Diego River’s tributaries. Further up-trail, a territory-minding crow announces human trespassers near its citadel and towees rustle up leaves. It’s all part of the music experienced on a visit to Mission Trails. Why not catch the evening coyote chorus?

Our trail guide-led walks are an opportunity to commune with nature, enjoy chance encounters with wildlife, bird species, and other natural won-

ders. Unique landscapes and habitats enliven local history and support abundant plant and animal life. The walks are free, interesting, fact-filled and geared to all ages and interests.

Morning walks are offered every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

You’ll start from the 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 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and take in historic Old Mission Dam.

Wildlife Tracking, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., employs classic techniques of both trackers of olde California and modern enthusiasts. Tracking team members aid you identification and interpretation of animal

signs, and give insights into critter habits. On Saturday, Aug. 3, meet in front of the Visitor Center.

Discovery Table presents “MTRP Rocks” inside the Visitor Center (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) on Saturday, Aug. 10.

You’ll investigate a variety of common rock types found in the park and learn about the geological processes that created them.

Summer Twilight Walk and Owl Prowl delves into the nocturnal world of MTRP. Search for resident owls with birding guide Jeanne Raimond and experience enchanting habitats as dusk sets in and transitions into night over San Diego’s open spaces.

Bring along a jacket and flashlight for this 2-hour outing.

Group is limited to 40 participants with advance sign up at (619) 668-3281. See you Saturday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m. We assemble at the Bushy Hill parking lot (across from the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Entry Station), Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, Santee.

Adults Only Owl Prowl with Birder Jeanne Raimond focuses on the nocturnal flyers of Mission Trails – owls, poor-

wills, and bats. Participation is limited to 40 adults. Sign up in advance at (619) 668-3281.

We meet on Friday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 a.m. at the Bushy Hill parking lot (across from the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Entry Station), Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, Santee for two hours of moon-light birding. Jacket and flashlight are recommended.

Birding Basics teaches five simple techniques to identify birds “at a glance.” The 90-minute presentation with MTRP resident birder Winona Sollock also offers tips on field guide use. (Bringing one is optional.) Class is conducted inside the Visitor Center, Saturday, Aug. 31, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. … and meanwhile, come 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) 6683279 or at hgutknecht@mtrp. org.

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Page 10

COMIC-CON

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Filner, from page 1 “It is time for him to take responsibility for the harm he caused me and for the damage he caused many others who believed in him, supported him and elected him,” she said.

Filner released a brief written response after Jackson and Allred went public with their lawsuit.

“I am saddened by the charges that were leveled against me today,” Filner said. “Once due process is allowed to unfold, I am certain there will be a better understanding of this situation. I remain committed to the people of San Diego and the work that needs to be done. My dreams and plans for moving this City to new heights are continuing. I humbly ask that through this vicious storm of controversy, people take a moment and temper their rush to judgment. I do not believe these claims are valid. That is why due process is so important.”

The lawsuit came after weeks of rumor and public acrimony.

Just days after Filner’s fiancee Bronywn Ingram announced she was breaking off their relationship, three of Filner’s former allies launched a media campaign to pressure Filner to resign in response to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual battery.

At a press conference July 15, former City Councilmember Donna Frye and progressive environmental attorney Marco Gonzalez publicly shared the lurid details of the encounters of several anonymous women with Filner.

“Bob Filner is tragically unsafe for any woman to approach,” said Frye, who worked in Filner’s administration for four months.

In an apology video, Filner said he had failed to fully respect women and at times intimidated them.

“I need help,” Filner said.

Many have interpreted the video as an admission of guilt, but Filner has asserted that he does not believe he has sexually harassed anyone and that an impartial investigation will vindicate him.

Allred, in the July 22 press conference, laid out a stinging condemnation of Filner’s claim that he needed help.

“Do you really believe that you would have been elected if you had stood before the electorate prior to the election and pathetically told them that you needed help to change your ways,” Allred said.

“No, Mr. Mayor, you do not need help. What you need is to resign immediately. You have disgraced yourself and the office that you hold.”

While six members of the City Council and many other elected officials and political insiders have loudly called for Filner’s resignation, three members of the city council – Myrtle Cole, Marti Emerald and Sherri Lightner – have not explicitly called for Filner’s resignation.

Councilmember Scott Sherman called on Cole, Emerald and Lightner to stand with Jackson and demand that Filner step down immediately.

“It is crucial that the City Council provide a unanimous voice so that the people of San Diego understand that sexual harassment will never be tolerated at the City of San Diego,” Sherman said in a statement released to the press.

LOCAL NEWS Rates, from page 1 ture, said company spokesperson Stephanie Donovan, only 25 percent of residential customers will be affected by the rate changes. Nearly all business customers, however, are likely to see their gas and electric bills go up, she said, and that most customers who see an increase are unlikely to see their rates rise by more than five or six percent.

Gas and electricity rates are based on a progressive four-tiered structure, and are dependent on the number of kilowatt hours used. Most residential customers are charged the tier one rate of 15 cents per kilowatt hour (kwh), which is the baseline usage.

Consumers who use more than the baseline are then charged the tier two rate of 17 cents per kwh, eventually pushing to tiers three (27 cents per kwh) and four (29 cents per kwh) based on their consumption.

Baseline limits vary depending on the region a customer is located and the time of year.

For example, a customer located in inland San Diego County, where daily temperatures are generally higher during peak summer months and air conditioning becomes necessary, will be allotted more baseline kwh’s than those living closer to the coast where temperatures are typically lower.

Consumers affected by a rise

Page 11

in rates will also see a higher increase than originally planned due to a delay in the ruling by the CPUC. Ordinarily, the utility companies will have four full years to collect the $1.733 billion per year approved by the CPUC ($116 million less than requested) with an annual adjustment for inflation, but the commission’s ruling was handed down one-anda-half years after the proposed Jan. 1, 2012 start date, meaning SDG&E will have less than twoand-a-half years to make up the

difference. The commission took up Southern California Edison’s case first, pushing back their consideration of SDG&E’s request while denying a postponement.

Factored into the company’s expenses for the now current rate period are increased liability insurance costs, stemming from

the 2003 and 2007 wildfires that swept through San Diego County.

The 2007 fire was determined to have been caused by a downed SDG&E power line in the San Diego backcountry, resulting in a $27 million settlement with the City of San Diego. Other claims against the company are still pending. The settlement itself, however, and the shutdown of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, of which the company owned a 20 percent stake, are not factored into the rate increases, said Donovan.

“We don’t raise rates unless we go through these long and involved processes” with the CPUC, Donovan said.

The burden of the rate increases will fall largely on the company’s business customers, she said.

“We are advocating for rate reform to a cost based structure that is fair for all, but would still protect low income consumers.” The last round of reform was implemented over a decade ago following the deregulation debacle that saw California – and San Diego specifically – utility rates skyrocket partially due to fraudulent manipulation of the system. Those policies, Donovan said, are no longer effective in today’s market.

“We want to be able to provide conservation incentives for consumers in the lower two tiers” of the rate structure, said Donovan, noting that currently no such incentives exist.

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COMMUNITY

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

College Area, from page 5 to improve pedestrian safety.

Joint use park with natural turf at Tubman Charter School in conjunction with the San Diego Unified School District, to improve recreational opportunities in the College Area, which has insufficient park space.

Development of a pocket park in the College Area (location not identified) for reasons identified above.

Mobility study and sidewalk improvements on portions of El Cajon Blvd. to improve pedestrian safety and walkability.

Pedestrian bridge over Montezuma Road at Hardy Elementary School (54th Street) to improve pedestrian and bike safety.

Additional improvements suggested at this year’s hearing included the following: Tree planting in the College Area, which has lost 27 percent of its tree cover in recent years.

Purchase of property adjacent to Montezuma Park to expand the park, since the College Area remains deficient in park space.

Final decisions on the College Area’s proposals for the 2015 CIP will be made at the September meeting, following the second public hearing.

Please join us.

Foundation Helps Central Third-Graders Camp Out

By David Ogul

Learn to do good.

Devote yourself justice; Aid the wronged.

Uphold the rights of the orphan.

Defend the cause of the widow.

- Isaiah, 1:17

Judy Meeker and her husband, Keith, long ago learned to do good. The Mount Helix residents have been devoting themselves to justice, aiding the wronged, upholding the rights of the orphan and defending the cause of the widow for most of their adult lives.

When their 8-year-old son, Jarrett, was killed in a 1987 backyard accident after falling from a swing, the Meekers adopted and raised two foster children who had been abandoned by their families. They also formed a nonprofit named after Jarrett that, among other things, for a generation sent thousands of kids to weeklong summer camps at the San Diego Zoo. These days, the Jarrett Meeker Foundation each summer sends every third grader at Central Elementary School in San Diego’s United Nations of a neighborhood known as City Heights to an overnight camp at Louis Stelzer County Park near the Barona Indian Reservation.

For virtually all of the campers, the outing marks the first time they’ve left their neighborhood, a neighborhood racked by poverty and crime. For many, the meals they are afforded are the only healthy ones they’ll eat all week.

Ninety-nine percent of the kids who go there are on the free or reduced lunch program.

The Meeker Foundation got involved after Sarah Mathy began teaching at Central and sought to organize an overnight camping trip for her third graders. The principal at the time said the trip could go on only if all third graders at the school were afforded the opportunity.

Mathy contacted Judy Meeker, who invited her to make a pitch to her Foundation’s board. The rest, as they say, is history.

“It’s all about education and getting kids outside and unplugged from their electronics and having them connect with nature,” Meeker said.

“Every kid should be able to go camping,” Mathy said.

“This is an awesome opportunity for kids who often don’t get these kinds of opportunities,” said retired teacher Jackie Grobarek, who helps set up the annual trip.

It’s not all play. The Barona Band of Mission Indians provides

lessons on early California history. The San Diego Astronomy Association brings in telescopes to help kids learn about the constellations and planets. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team talks about surviving in the wild. And a group called Kruisin’ Kritters lets campers handle snakes, lizards and other creepy crawlies during a show and tell.

The Meeker Foundation pays for all the snacks and meals, except breakfast. Volunteers with the Lake Murray Kiwanis Club pull in shortly after daybreak to fry up some pancakes.

The nonprofit does all this on a shoestring budget without any paid staff, and it’s been lauded by a nonprofit watchdog group for its commitment to transparency.

Judy Meeker figures the foundation, which recorded revenue of less than $52,000 in 2011 (the most recent year for which tax filings are available), has covered the cost of taking more than 1,000 Central Elementary third graders camping since it got involved in the effort several years ago.

“We’re glad that we’ve been able to do all that we’ve been able to do,” the real estate broker said.

“Our dream would be for other nonprofits to pay for similar programs so that every third grader in the county, no matter where you live or go to school, could go camping in the summer.” ************************** Speaking about doing good, Patrick Henry High School’s Band Boosters will soon stage the first big fundraiser of the new school year, and they’re looking for your help. The Sept. 14 `Rock-a-thon’ will begin with an orchestra concert at the Patrick Henry High gym at 7:30 p.m. A marching band field show follows at 8. Although admittance is free, donations are encouraged.

Like elsewhere in the region, band and orchestra programs at Patrick Henry rely on fundraising to thrive.

For more information, visit www.spiritof76boosters.com David Ogul is an award-winning reporter and editor who has worked at numerous Southern California daily newspapers in a career spanning more than three decades. He now runs his communications company and writes a column for Mission Times Courier. Follow him on Twitter via @ogul, and he can be reached at OgulCommunications@gmail. com

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

NCPI Feels the Burn without July 4 Fireworks

By Dave Schwab Two issues of longstanding community concern – the cancellation of Lake Murray’s July 4th Music Fest and fireworks display and the possibility of Grantville’s splitting from Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) – came up at the group’s July meeting.

The advisory group makes land-use recommendations to the city for Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, San Carlos and Grantville.

Group chair Matt Adams said he received numerous complaints over the Fourth of July holiday weekend from residents unhappy that the Lake Murray Independence Day celebration is no longer.

“People have been telling me, ‘Why can’t we get our fireworks and what’s happened, we loved that thing,’” said Adams adding, “There’s really a void in the community not having [the fireworks].”

“I just wanted to say it just wasn’t the same this year, even though the barbecue was still good,” Adams said.

“Is it a money issue,” asked NCPI board member Lynn Murray of Allied Gardens.

“It was environmental issues,” said board member Jay Wilson of Del Cerro. “[Environmental attorney] Marco Gonzalez had four lawsuits against the city and won all four,” said community activist John Pilch, who was involved in promoting past Lake Murray Fourth of July events. “[Gonzalez] insisted that any fireworks displays over bodies of water can’t happen without an environmental impact report being prepared and vetted, and those things take about a year and maybe $50,000.”

Pilch said the community is awaiting a decision by the Court of Appeals on a legal challenge of the decision to require environmental impact reports (EIRs) for fireworks over water. He added he wouldn’t be opposed to restarting the conversation about reactivating Fourth of July fireworks in the meantime.

Grantville Ponders Split Board member Dale Peterson of San Carlos asked if there had been any recent conversation about “breaking Grantville off from NCPI.” “A thousand times, Grantville’s been the stepchild for Navajo forever,” answered board member Dan Smith, a Grantville resident.

“There’s no support from the city whatsoever,” commented board member Jay Wilson.

Smith said there have been previous discussions about splitting Grantville off from Navajo, but added the consensus ended up being “we’re better off fighting this big fight together.”

Smith noted Navajo’s planning area with its four separate communities is sprawling compared to some community planning areas which he described as “little bitty.”

“We have some huge upside opportunities if we can work together,” said Smith, who is NCPI’s representative on Community Planners Committee (CPC) an umbrella organization

comprised of all community planning groups which deals with regional issues. The CPC is the body through which community suggestions for infrastructure improvements, like roads and libraries, are passed along to the city of San Diego via the annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which solicits community input on infrastructure needs.

In other action: NCPI will hold a special election at its Sept. 16 meeting to fill the position for Allied Gardens on the board previously occupied by Anthony Wagner who left to join the city Planning Commission.

NCPI also voted to make prioritization of a short list of needed community infrastructure projects the sole item to be discussed at the group’s next meeting on Aug. 19.

Newly appointed SDPD community relations officer Holly Tafoya noted statistics show 64 percent of residential burglaries are caused by people leaving their doors and windows unlocked.

She added 75 percent of stolen cell phones are pilfered from inside vehicles where they are easily seen and become targets for thieves.

San Carlos resident Dan Northcutt suggested San Carlos library be added to the NCPI’s CIP list as a potential infrastructure need to be funded.

NCPI meets the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Zion Avenue Community Church, 4880 Zion Ave.

COMMUNITY

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

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Lake Murray, from page 6

Marc A. Lewis, D.C.

Chiropractic Physican, Clinic Director 6612-B Mission Gorge Road, San Diego, CA 92120 619-282-8181 FAX - 619-282-8205 www.marcalewisdc.com • chirodoc10@hotmail.com Voted Best Chiropractor in the Neighborhood!

The Navajo Community Enjoys a Spike in Home Prices. Now what?

With recent increases in home loan interest rates, employment and the US economy along with seasonal changes are prices poised to drop? Your local Realtors, Team Northcutt at Premier Realty Group have recorded information to help buyers and sellers understand why the market is changing and what it is likely to do next. If you are considering buying or selling a home in the next 6-12 months you will want to listen to this FREE recorded message about the real estate market in the Navajo Community. Learn why the market is changing and find out what home prices are likely to do next. Simply dial (800) 311-3587 and enter code 8013.

You can also find out what your home is worth FREE at www.CustomHomeEval.com This is a FREE service sponsored by Team Northcutt Realtors and there is no obligation.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

about. He will be missed.

Ed and Diana’s friends and acquaintances will meet at Lake Murray to honor Ed. The date of the invitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1p.m.

Everyone is to gather at Ed’s new table on Padre Bay near the Fly Fisherman’s small compound. For more information you may call Don Bruders at (619) 204-6317.

John Loveberg and Sean Prendergast train at Lake Murray together, run marathons, and recently ran a half marathon where costumes were the attire.

John boasted that his friend Sean won second place in his age group.

Sean wore his wife’s plaid skirt as a kilt. It was part of her uniform when she was in school. I wonder what he had on underneath. That seems to be a life-long question that is never answered. He said that his wife knows. Sean is from Ireland.

THERE WILL BE NO FRIENDS OF LAKE MEETING IN AUGUST. The Friends next meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. Our speaker will be Dr. Anne Sturz who retired as Dean at University of San Diego.

Her Ph.D is in the study of oceans and Geology. Anne will talk about hydrothermal vents. They are geysers on the ocean floor. She is one our favorites.

A reminder about the I Love a Clean San Diego cleanup at Lake Murray Sept. 21: The cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to noon. We need kids! For more information about the meetings or cleanup call Barbara at (619) 463-9706.

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

College Area Community

Garden Blooms

The College Area Community Garden (CACG) held its first work party June 8. More than 50 people showed up during the six-hour event, which was kicked off by a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Mayor Bob Filner and CACG president Henry Bertram. Volunteers then began clearing weeds and removing over 10 tons of discarded construction debris and junk.

La Mesa landscape architect George Mercer donated his time to design a creative yet highly functional landscape plan detailing an attractive network of raised bed garden plots and related areas. The garden will be soon be available to local residents and to San Diego State University students, faculty and staff at a reasonable cost. The CACG will sponsor educational workshops and hold classes on organic farming practices and planet-friendly agricultural methods that promote healthy soils, water, food crops and eco

systems. Land for the entire garden is being leased from four private property owners and spans over sections of these four R-1 zoned parcels.

The garden is just beyond the eastern SDSU campus boundary and the SDSU Children’s Center.

Fundraising efforts continue as the CACG solicits cash, donated materials and services to build the Garden’s infrastructure. The association is a not-for-profit project of, and under the Fiscal Sponsorship of the College Neighborhoods Foundation. Donations may be tax deductible under IRS 501(c)3 codes; check with your tax professional. Thank you to those businesses and individuals from whom contributions have been received.

For general information about the garden, membership, or to make a donation, please leave a message for Henry Bertram at (619) 287-3847, or send an email to cacg.sandiego@gmail.com.

Making Sweet Music at Mission Trails

By Jen Van Tieghem

In addition to the natural beauty of Mission Trails Regional Park, the park’s visitor center offers a wealth of interactive experiences for guests. Historical exhibits, art shows, and ongoing music programs are just a few of the highlights. The variety of music performances at the park celebrates the diversity of San Diego and gives locals just one more reason to visit.

Hour-long indoor concerts held on the third Sunday of each month feature local groups and are open to the public. There is no fee for admission but donations to help keep the programs going are welcomed. This month’s featured band is the Caprice String Trio performing on Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. Following the performance, a reception with light refreshments offers guests a chance to socialize with the musicians and fellow music lovers in the community.

This group of seasoned string

performers includes Francesca Savage on viola, Jenny Epler on cello, and Natalka Kytasty on violin. The three have performed together on and off for about 10 years and each has experience performing in a wide range of chamber and orchestral ensembles and substituting with the San Diego Symphony.

Somewhat of the band leader, Savage described to Mission Times Courier the group’s excitement for the upcoming show and how the venue sets the tone for the concert: “[MTRP] itself is such a breathtaking location, and the theatre is an intimate space where you can hear the audience’s responses to the music,” she said.

“It is a perfect extension of the interactive nature of the Mission Trails experience.”

The group carefully chose songs for this performance based on the setting and what would be reflective of the location and surroundings. The assortment of See SWEET MUSIC page 16

MUSIC

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Page 15

GET YOUR ZYDECO ON IN SAN DIEGO

By Jen Van Tieghem

San Diego’s music scene is a veritable melting pot. New bands and venues are cropping up all the time from various genres – the local music lineup runs the gamut from A to Z. And anyone who’s ever attended the Louisiana State University Crawfish Boil or December Nights knows the “Z” in this case stands for Zydeco.

“There is a thriving Zydeco scene in Southern California,” said Bayou Brothers drum-

mer Ric Lee. “Right here at home, we have the San Diego Bon Temp Society that throws a Zydeco dance every second Saturday at the War Memorial next to the San Diego Memorial Auditorium.”

Zydeco and Cajun music are a blend of several older styles with roots in jazz and blues.

Each originated in Louisiana and has a spirit and tradition, which make both popular

around the world. One cornerstone characteristic of Zydeco is the use of washboards as instruments. Sometimes called “rub-boards” or “scrub-boards,” the modern day versions are a classy well-polished take on a tool born from convenience.

Bayou Brothers get their rub-boards from a Louisiana company called Z Boards, which they say “makes the best.”

The fast, upbeat tempo style of Zydeco is also predominated by accordion. These instruments are just a piece of the puzzle comprising the fun and festive sounds of Zydeco. The music that started as entertainment for social gatherings continues to lends itself to celebrations and invites listeners to dance along.

Local events like the annual Gator by the Bay Zydeco Blues and Crawfish festival showcase Zydeco and Cajun musicians along with similar styles supporting the scene year after year. Bayou Brothers, which began performing in 1996, appears at the festivals and many other events around San Diego.

“We play 250 gigs or more a year,” Lee said. “Every

New Year’s Eve we play the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town to all our friends in the Zydeco scene. It’s so much fun!”

One upcoming Bayou Brothers gig brings them to the Sunset Summer Concert Series at Grossmont Center in La Mesa Aug. 16.

“Grossmont Center has been a loyal supporter of our band for years and we really love that gig!” Lee gushed.

Along with Bayou Brothers, many other Zydeco and Cajun bands have found success in San Diego and abroad. San Diego Cajun Playboys also got their start together in the ‘90s and continue to regularly perform around town. They have also received national recognition winning the Cajun French Music Association’s prestigious Le Cajun Award in the Prix Dehors de Nous category in 2006, for their album, “Small Town Two Step.” Another local group, Theo and the Zydeco Patrol, blends Blues with their Zydeco and Cajun elements for a different take on the genre.

Bayou Brothers is one group lucky enough to take its joyful sound on the road; next summer marks its third U.K. tour with

Zydeco, y’all!

July 26-27 – Ruben Moreno & Zydeco Re-Evolution at Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park (2125 Park Blvd.). 6 p.m. Doors. 6:30 p.m. Dance lessons. 7 to 10:30 p.m. Show. $10 cover.

Centroculturaldelaraza.com Aug. 10 – Bon Temp Social Club Presents San Diego Cajun Playboys at War Memorial Hall in Balboa Park (3325 Zoo Dr.). 6 p.m.

Doors. 6:20 to 7 p.m. Dance lessons. 7 to 10:30 p.m. Open Dancing. $10 cover. www. icajunzydeco.com.

Aug. 7, 14, 21 & 28 – Zydeco Night at Tio Leo’s (5302 Napa St.). 6:45 to 7:30 p.m.

Zydeco lesson, beginning and intermediate with a local instructor; 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Open dancing to a Cajun or zydeco band. $10-$15 cover. added stops in France and Germany.

With so much world-renowned talent around San Diego, music lovers can’t help but jump into the local melting pot of music.

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COMMUNITY

Page 16

Sweet Music, from page 14 songs chosen includes selections that span five centuries of music and come from four continents.

“The premise is that we as humans interact with nature.

For this presentation we are focusing on the idea of walking – footsteps on trails,” said Savage.

“We humans find ways to express where our footsteps have led us.

Admiring wildlife, inspired to see beauty, moved romantically, emotionally, and compelled to express these responses in music and art.”

Another unique feature of the Caprice Strings performance is the addition of a guest rhythm dancer. Veronica Martinelli will dance while the group plays as well as perform a solo towards the end of the concert. Savage was enthusiastic about what this vari-

ation will add to their program: “As we perform our music and the dancer expresses herself, we will inevitably create responses with the audience, and then, viola – magic.”

“I think it’s great!” said Dr. Mitsuo Tomita, who has coordinated securing music groups to perform in the concerts for the MTRP Foundation for the past three years. “Who gets to see a tap dancer that close up?”

Caprice Strings is well-versed in creating programs that suit the individual needs of an audience.

They play weddings, corporate gigs, and themed events where they have “woven many complimentary programs.” The lineup of songs they have prepared for MTRP is no different.

“Each piece we perform cap-

tures a snapshot of some aspect of Mission Trails and/or the nature of the world,” said Francesca Savage. “Like a hike, where each step leads you to a new sight or sound, or you find comfort in the places where you have walked many times, and you realize that everywhere on this beautiful planet there is a bit of home.

Our one-hour program will try to transport everyone on a hike through time, space and a variety of physical and emotional landscapes. At the end, we will lead everyone back to the warmth and familiarity of Mission Trails.”

Find out more about Mission Trails regional park online at www.mtrp.org and Caprice Strings online at www.capricestrings.com.

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Jazz

Alternative

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

Mondays – Stevie Harris at The Go Lounge. 8 p.m. Free. www.TheGoLoungeSD. com.

Wednesdays - Jazz with Kice Simko and Friends at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 9 p.m. RivieraSupperClub. com.

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 a the Kings Inn. Free. 7 p.m. www. kingsinnsandiego.com.

Aug. 8 – Joshua White Quartet at Dizzy’s. $15.

8 p.m. DizzysJazz.com.

Classical Aug. 2 -3 – Broadway Tonight: Les Miserables and More at Embarcadero Marina Park South. $25$89. 7:30 p.m. www.

SanDiegoSymphony.org.

Aug. 4 – Burt Bacharach: I Say A Little Prayer at Embarcadero Marina Park South. $20-$79. 7:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony. org.

Aug. 16-17 – Summer Pops: Cirque Musica at Embarcadero Marina Park South. $20-$79. 7:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony. org.

Aug. 30-Sept. 1 – Summer Pops: 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular at Embarcadero Marina Park South. $20$79. 7:30 p.m. www.

SanDiegoSymphony.org.

Aug. 2 – Dead Feather Moon, Trouble in the Wind, and Kelly McFarling at The Casbah. $10 adv/ $12 day of show. 9 p.m. www.CasbahMusic.com.

Aug. 10 – Gloomsday, The Paragraphs, and Chess Wars at Soda Bar. $7. 8:30 p.m. www.

SodaBarMusic.com.

Aug. 15 – Cold War Kids at the House of Blues. $25 adv. / $27.50 day of show. 7 p.m.

Aug. 17 – Boy King CD Release Show with The Burning of Rome, Gloomsday, and Hills Like Elephants at The Casbah. Price TBD. 9 p.m. www.CasbahMusic. com.

Pop Tuesdays - Suzanne Shea Reed at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.

SanDiegoDesserts.net Thursdays – Greg Shibley at The Westgate Hotel. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free. www. westgatehotel.com Fridays – Nathan Welden at Bistro Sixty.

6:30 p.m. Free. www.

SanDiegoDesserts.net Aug. 3 – The Push Pins at San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room.

7 p.m. Free. www.

SanPasqualWinery.com.

Aug. 14 – Jonas Brothers at Vieja’s Arena at SDSU. $20 and up. 7 p.m. Events.SDSU.com Bands, venues, and musiclovers: Please submit listings for this calendar by emailing Jen@ScoopSanDiego.com.

LOCAL NEWS

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

Page 17

Resign, from page 1 all things, at San Diego State University, would be aware that women have been fighting for equality since before the National Women’s Rights Convention in 1850.

Moreover, the term “sexual harassment” has been around since the early 1970s, which gave

Filner more than four decades to get over “behavior that would have been tolerated in the past.”

Filner admits he needs help and is working with professionals to address his behavior. Oh, goody. So, in addition to trying to run San Diego and address the many matters with which he’s been grappling since his election, he’s going to sit with professionals who tell him it’s not OK to objectify women. That it’s not OK to mistreat them. And that he needs to respect female staffers.

This is something that should have either been ingrained in him from the start, or at the very least, from the time he first learned of a woman named Gloria Steinem. It is disgusting to think a city leader didn’t know in this millennium that women need, nay, deserve, to be respected and treated equally to men.

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“If my behavior doesn’t change, I cannot succeed in leading our city,” he said.

Filner has turned San Diego into a national civic embarrassment. From the New York Times to the Washington Post to cable news channels, no one has condoned Filner and his alleged lurid activities. In addition to being yet another humiliating chapter in local history, Filner now serves as a distraction from issues that really deserve attention. One such example was the $20 million loss caused

by Filner’s non-attendance of the Retirement Board hearing, where he may have been able to persuade board members to vote, saving the City of San Diego millions of dollars this fiscal year.

And how about his fight with the San Diego Tourism Authority earlier this year? Because of his needless bullying of the Tourism Authority, it is only receiving $3.6 million for marketing San Diego, compared to last year’s $19.6 million, according to projections prepared by the marketing district.

How much time is Filner going to redirect to his “professional help”? Will he have the time to address library hour reduction, cancellation of the funding for Mission Trails Regional Park’s campgrounds, and street repairs?

And what about his Paris trip? Filner told the public the trip was at no cost to the taxpayers, but we now know, based on published reports from numer-

ous sources, his security detail alone cost $22,000. More importantly, why and how did his trip to Paris benefit the City of San Diego? In a recent article, the U-T reported sending officials increased two City charge card limits to $30,000 each in advance Filner’s Paris jaunt.

Then there’s that questionable $100,000 the City received from Sunroad Enterprises for an Ocean Beach veterans memorial and a summer biking event. Despite a unanimous City Council vote approving Sunroad’s request for an easement on a park it had to build in Kearny Mesa as part of a residential development, Filner vetoed the decision.

Coincidentally, after a $100,000 gift from Sunroad to the City, the mayor’s chief of staff Vince Hall appeared before the City Council to say the mayor wanted them to override his veto. Filner said later, on June 28, he returned the money after learning of a memo between his former deputy chief of staff Allen Jones and Sunroad executive Tom Story, confirming the connection between the donation and Filner’s changed position on the project, according to a July 10 Voice of San Diego article.

Who knows – if Filner doesn’t resign soon, he may not have a choice if federal charges are brought against him for what could be a possible Hobbs Act violation. The Hobbs Act allows the U.S. government to criminally charge public officials who

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Many question whether Filner can govern. While he asks for due process, the reality is this: People don’t want to be with him and women are afraid of him. The political reality is no one will work for him long term as long as these sexual harassment allegations loom over his office.

Reports indicate women will soon be filing claims and lawsuits for his unwanted advances. Attorney Gloria Allred has joined the fight against Filner, taking on one of his alleged victim’s cases.

Allred, a well-known name in cases involving victimized women, is very bad news for any hope Filner had that this debacle would just go away, allowing him to burrow in his mayoral office until it’s safe to show his grin again.

Is Filner the kind of person we want as mayor for the second largest city in California and the eighth largest city in the United States?

Are we really going to get anything done with this circus sideshow? What about raising the millions we need for the 2015 Balboa Park celebration?

Filner completed his remarks in his earlier DVD statement by saying he will be announcing “fundamental changes” in the mayor’s office.

I have a good one for him: His resignation.

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MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

County Awards Funds to College Area, Mission Trails

By Joe Naiman

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The College Area Economic Development Corporation and the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation will be receiving Community Enhancement funding from the County of San Diego for Fiscal Year 2013-14.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 June 25 to adopt the county’s 2013-14 budget, which included the distribution of Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s $536,000 Community Enhancement budget.

Jacob recommended $3,000 of funding for the College Area EDC and $2,500 for the park foundation.

Although only Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue derived from lodging facilities in unincorporated San Diego County funds the Community Enhancement program, organizations in incorporated cities are also eligible for grants. Both organizations also received City of San Diego room tax money.

Each county supervisor also has a $1 million discretionary Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget, so some Community Enhancement requests may be fulfilled from that source.

The amount for the College Area Economic Development Corporation matches its 2012-13 allocation although it was less than the $15,000 the organization requested. The entity that promotes the College Area Business Improvement District will use that money for the BOO Parade just prior to Halloween.

Activities that may be funded by the Community Enhancement grant include marketing, parade participants, professional float production, float building workshops, marching band adjudication and parade coordination.

The TOT funding for the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation was also identical to last year’s grant; the foundation had requested $5,000. The foundation will use the money to work with a marketing and outreach consultant to promote the park with an emphasis on the annual children-oriented Explore Mission Trails Day.

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Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.

By Ann Cottrell, CVEA Secretary

Nearly 200 College View Estate neighbors gathered on a beautiful June afternoon for our 13th annual block party.

The highlights of the party are the chili cook-off and dessert contest. For anyone who had

room after tasting all those treats, hamburgers and hot dogs were readily available at the large grill.

Younger participants enjoyed a climbing wall, bounce house, tot lot, watermelon eating and water balloon toss contests. At the party, we enthusiastically welcomed some of the nearly 20 new neighbors who have moved to our community since the 2012 block party.

College View Estates Association has established a Rosary Nepi Community Service Award for two pupils at our neighborhood school, Hardy Elementary. The award, created to honor the memory of our

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first president, an elementary school teacher and principal and a community activist, was presented to Nailani Muniz, Grade 1, and Ashley Tone, Grade 5, by CVEA president Gary Campbell.

Several events this spring helped residents with spring cleaning. A community garage sale in June was followed by a collection of unsold items by a charitable organization. Cliff Berkowitz and Ron Monigold, Metropolitan Realty Group, organized both. In July the CVEA Beautification Committee, chaired by Joe Jones, arranged a CVE-only collection of trash items too large for regular pick up.

CVEA meets in a neighbor’s home the last Tuesday of odd numbered months. For information about CVEA contact CVEA Secretary at info@collegeviewestates.org.

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

COMMUNITY

Page 19

National Day of Remembrance “Spirit of ’45” at Balboa Park The Veterans Museum and Memorial Center will host San Diego’s Spirit of 45 National Day of Remembrance Celebration Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees will enjoy a special program of music, entertainment, and meet with World War II veterans and hometown heroes to share their memories of the War and its end on Aug. 14, 1945. The Spirit of ‘45 Day honors the legacy of service of America’s “greatest generation” and is mobilizing youth to help record their personal stories through the Stories of Service oral history program.

In 2010, Congress unanimously approved “Spirit of ‘45 Day”, a new National Day of Remembrance to recall the victory celebrations at the end of

WWII, to be celebrated the second Sunday in August. This celebration will occur across the county and San Diego’s celebration will be held at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, 2115 Park

Blvd., in Balboa Park. Activities include World War II-era music, meet and interact with World War II veterans, static display of World War II vehicles and

equipment, and World War II reenactors in uniform. There will also be clowns and face painting for the young ones; concessions and food will also be available. At noon there will be brief remarks

by World War II veterans from Pearl Harbor, the Normandy, Iwo Jima, and from the American, European and Pacific Theaters.

For more information, to volunteer, or donate contact the event chairman Dan DeMarco at (619) 569-6230 or dan.demarco1@gmail. com. You can also contact the Veterans Museum at (619) 239-2300, email info@ veteranmuseum.org, or visit www.veteranmuseum.org.

For information on the Stories of Service oral history project visit www.digiclub.org/sofs.

Remembering WWII Vets When: Sunday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park What: WWII era music, vehicle and equipment displays, reenactors, and stories from WWII veterans from all services who served in the Pacific, Europe, and on the home front.

Cost: Free admission with lots of free parking

Immunize Children Before School Starts With the new school year fast approaching, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the state public health officer, is encouraging parents not to wait until the fall to make sure their children are fully immunized before classes start.

“Immunizations are a safe and effective way to help our kids stay healthy in school and protect them from vaccine-preventable illnesses that can be very serious and have lifelong consequences,” said Dr. Chapman. “As families make plans for heading back to school, those plans should include making sure their children are up-to-date on required immunizations for school, including an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (Tdap) for incoming 7th graders.”

Schools are required to verify each child’s immunization record to ensure all shots and boosters are completed before entry to kindergarten and 7th grade.

Kindergartners need a total of five DTaP (diphtheria, teta-

nus, pertussis), four polio, three hepatitis B, two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and one varicella (chickenpox) shot.

Kindergarten boosters for DTaP, polio and MMR are given at 4 or 5 years of age. Since 1962, California has required certain vaccinations for incoming kindergarteners. In addition, since a new California law was signed in 2010, students entering 7thgrade will need to show proof of the whooping cough (pertussis) booster before starting school.

Chapman urges parents to make an appointment with their provider now to protect themselves and their families and to ensure kids start school on time.

If a child does not have health insurance, or is only partially insured, a doctor or local health department can provide information about the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free or low-cost immunizations.

To learn more about immunizations required for school entry, visit shotsforschool.org.

COMMUNITY

Page 20

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(03/14) Linda’s Puppy Love, licensed, insured pet sitting service offers daily walks, cat care, overnight stays-your home. Lots of Love.

619-857-3674. mellinsmith@cox. net. www.lindaspuppylove.com (01/14)

Services

German Setter Tile and Marble.

Professional marble/tile setter with 28 years experience.

European craftsmanship.

Punctual & dependable.

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Jenna’s Barber Shoppe.

Styling for men, women & children. Wheelchair friendly. Old time expert haircuts at affordable prices. Colors & perms. 7424 Jackson Dr.#1A (across from Keil’s in Bank of America lot)

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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. (12/13) Bathtubs and Sinks refinished like new without removal. 25 years under same ownership. Lic 560438. Cory Tatz Bathtubs & Sinks Refinishing 619-464-5141 (12/13) Roy L. Schwarz Tree Service.

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60-foot aerial truck. WE-6180A. Lic #775662. 619-282-3562.

ARoyLTreeSVC.com. (10/13) Keith Everett Construction and Handyman Service: All phases of home remodeling and repair.

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Senior discount, references. No job too small. Lic#878703. Call 619-255-3499 (09/13) San Carlos Handyman Service: Reliable, affordable, licensed and insured. No job too small. Call Dan @ 619-994-5680 (09/13) Sharpening Service.“Professional”.

Same person that used to be at Kiel’s Market. Tuesdays 10am 4pm Windmill Farms, 6386 Del Cerro Blvd. (09/13) BARGAIN BOYZ REPAIRS/ CONSTRUCTION- Specializing in all home repairs Interior and Exterior.

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Let us help you be stronger, more energetic and have better balance. We offer fun, personalized workouts in your home. Call Pam Melody, certified personal trainer, at 619-962-7144

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

for a free consultation (08/13) College Consulting: Need help with your college search?

College First Consulting provides personalized support and expert guidance. Visit www.collegefirst.com or contact alvarezj@ college-first.com (08/13) Hauling, construction and yard clean-up. demos, light maintenance. Call Carlos 858 4950548, cellular 619 813-9988, E-mail chiripas1@aol.com (08/13)

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Lic.# 493569. 619-884-9281 (08/13) Need a real gardener? Please, contact Mr. Eli, at 619-284-4551 for a free visit and estimate.

Complete gardening services at affordable prices. (08/13) Free phone, internet, and energy complaint resolution!

We speak Arabic, Spanish, Burmese, Farsi, English, and Swahili. Alliance for African Assistance: 619-286-9052, www. alliance-for-africa.org (08/13) Caregiver/Companion. Quality care in the comfort of your own home.

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Next Publication Date: Aug. 30 Display Ad Space Reservation: Aug. 13

Patrick Henry sophomore Carson Mogk celebrated achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held at San Carlos United Methodist church May 5.

Mogk entered scouting in the first grade as a Tiger Cub in Cub Scout Pack 959 at San Carlos United Methodist Church. He completed all levels of Cub Scouting and earned the highest achievement award, the Arrow of Light.

He then joined Boy Scout Troop 959 at the same church where he began his trail to Eagle. As a Boy Scout, Mogk has earned 43 merit badges, completed National Youth Leadership Training, spent over 100 nights camping, and backpacked at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, New Mexico. Before starting his Eagle project he had volunteered over 125 hours for various community service projects.

For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Mogk installed almost 300 feet of peeler log fencing along several sections of the Visitor Center Loop Trail at Mission

Trails Regional Park. He coordinated with Ranger Mel Naidas and recruited and supervised a group of 40 volunteers to complete the project. The fencing was needed to prevent unauthorized trails and protect sensitive vegetation and wildlife habitat for the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo. The park supplied the fencing and Mogk raised $805 in donations to cover other costs. Simunec Construction and Designing donated 50 bags of gravel. BJ’s Rentals gave a discount on the rental of augers, generators, a jackhammer and a chainsaw and Mobile Nurse of San Diego owner Sunny Finch set up and volunteered to man a first aid station.

A highlight of the Court of Honor ceremony was the recognition of Don Bareham, a San Carlos resident who earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1938 in New Oswego, New York. He gave Mogk a scouting bolo tie and slide he wore as a Boy Scout camp counselor as a symbol of the continuity of scouting over the generations. Mogk is currently a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 959. Continuing in a leadership role, he will work this summer as an Outdoor Instructor at the Mataguay Scout Ranch located near Warner Springs.

For every 100 boys who enter scouting, only four achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Article Deadline: Aug. 20 Classified Deadline: Aug. 20

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MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

COMMUNITY

Local Girl Scouts Earn Gold Award

her love of cheerleading.

She formed and coached a cheer team at her former junior high school, The Language Academy, which is located in her home neighborhood, Alexis Wiley, Christine Peters, Hayley Dickinson and Natalie Andersen were honored at Girl Scouts San Diego’s recent Gold College Area.

Award ceremony.

Andersen Four local residents recently hosted a cheer clinic at Mira Mesa earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, High School that allowed particithe organization’s highest honor, pants to meet other cheerleaders for their outstanding commitment from local schools. Since Language to community service. Natalie Academy is a magnet school with Andersen, Hayley Dickinson, students from several neighborChristine Peters and Alexis Wiley hoods, Andersen hoped that her completed their unique service cheer team would serve to conprojects after two to three years nect the girls outside the confines of planning and preparation. of their respective neighborhoods.

Andersen, a 2013 San Diego Dickinson developed a pen High School graduate attending pal project to help incoming UCLA in the fall, developed a Gold high school students feel more Award project that incorporated comfortable about transition-

San Carlos Resident Graduates

from U.S. Naval Academy

A 2009 graduate of Patrick Henry High School, Kevin Alapati Farley graduated from the United States Naval Academy May 24. President Barack Obama offered the keynote speech to 1,047 graduates of the Class of 2013 at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, as an estimated 30,000 witnessed the swearing-in of the U.S. military’s newest officers.

Farley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. He is the son of Capt.

Randal D. Farley (Ret., USN) and Tania Huff Farley of San Carlos.

Farley excelled as a student, an athlete, and in several leadership roles during his four years at the Academy. In recognition of his academic achievement, he was named to the Command’s List as well as the Superintendent’s List in his freshman and sophomore years. During his senior year, he was a Squad Leader and a Plebe Summer Detailer (2nd Set) for the Class of 2016. Farley also served as a Midshipman Lieutenant Junior Grade (2-Striper), a Company Platoon Commander (1st semester) and a Company Training Officer (2nd semester). His Senior Capstone Project was the design and build of a man-portable,

carbon-fiber bridge system to be used by U.S. Special Forces in current operations around the world.

Farley was also recruited to play varsity lacrosse at Navy and competed with the team from 2009-2010.

As a member of the Navy Cycling Team from 20112013, Farley was selected as team captain in his senior year and helped lead his team to become the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference (ACCC) Team Champions in 2013.

Farley received a Presidential Appointment to the Naval Academy in 2009. He also received a Presidential Appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy and a full ROTC Scholarship to Iowa State, before deciding to attend the Naval Academy.

At Patrick Henry, Farley competed two years on the varsity lacrosse team, and played a key role in leading the team to backto-back playoff appearances and a combined 30-9 record. Voted team captain his senior year, he was also named Second-Team AllLeague, and was selected to play in the 2009 San Diego CIF Lacrosse All-Star Game. He was also recognized as Patrick Henry’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2009 and received the U.S. Marine Corps Most Outstanding Athlete Award.

In addition to lacrosse, Farley also earned varsity letters in football (quarterback, three years), basketball (one year), and played baseball during his freshman year. Outside of school activities, he was also involved in the community and served on a mission trip to Peru after his junior year in high school.

With his Navy Pilot service selection, Ensign Farley hopes to fly the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Strike Fighter. He begins his courses at the Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida on Aug. 9.

ing from middle school. She is a 2013 graduate of Patrick Henry High School from San Carlos attending Whittier College in the fall. Dickinson arranged for Lewis Middle School students and Patrick Henry students to exchange pen pal letters, and she worked to ensure that this program would provide the young students with a mentor to whom they could go for help with anything high school-related.

Peters, a resident of San Carlos, also created a project involving Lewis Middle School. She recently graduated from Patrick Henry High School, but in her time as a member of Patrick Henry’s Circle of Friends club, she felt it was cru-

Page 21

cial to initiate the program at the middle school level to promote values of friendship, inclusion and understanding for younger students. Peters developed a Circle of Friends club at Lewis to integrate special education students with general education students with a goal of establishing lasting friendships.

Wiley, a member of the Halstrom High Class of 2013 and a resident of Coronado, started a club at her school to inform and engage students about the realities of poverty in San Diego County and beyond.

Her club organized two donation drives. The first collected gently used children’s shoes for Logan Elementary students, while the second benefited King Chavez Elementary by gathering items for the school to sell at its own endof-year fundraising bazaar. Wiley

also organized informative workshops for her peers that answered frequently asked questions about poverty.

Andersen, Dickinson, Peters and Wiley are among the 48 San Diego Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award this year. Just 5.4 percent of Girl Scouts nationwide achieve this level of recognition.

The roots of the Gold Award are in the history of the organization, whose tradition of the highest leadership awards for Girl Scouts have included The Golden Eaglet of Merit (1916-1919), The Golden Eagle (1919-1938), First Class (1938-1982) and The Curved Bar (1940-1980). In 1980, the name became the Girl Scout Gold Award. Through the years, approximately one million Girl Scouts have earned one of these prestigious service awards.

Page 22

COMMUNITY

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

A Playground for All

By David Rozul

With her sister on her mind, Mariah Adams stood in the rain 1,400 miles away from home ready to help.

A shovel in hand and damp clothes on her back, the San Diego State University senior joined more than 150 other college volunteers from across North America in an effort to build two handicap accessible playgrounds for two elementary schools.

“This project has sentimental value for me,” Adams said. “When I was a kid, playgrounds were a big part of my life, especially with my sister.”

For a majority of her childhood, Adams’ younger sister was restricted to the confines of a hospital for health issues. As Adams recalled, often the only time she was able to see her was on hospitalbased playgrounds.

She credits the access to playgrounds as a child to strengthening her and her sister’s relationship, through a tough time in both their lives.

“I remember the feeling of being with my sister,” Adams said. “When we were together things were simpler. We didn’t have to worry about the medications, blood sugar levels or dietary restrictions, we could just go and play - be kids.”

Now more than a decade later, Mariah is avid volunteer with Circle K International, a community service organization at SDSU. “When I found out about the playground project through Circle K, I immediately knew I wanted to go,” Adams said. “It was my chance to give back.”

The playground construction, part of Circle K International’s Large Scale Service Project, included 10 different ongoing projects within the Vancouver area benefiting two local elementary schools.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Annex had aging wooden play structures that were removed for safety concerns leaving the schools with empty lots. Through community input it was decided that new structures should include special features to accommodate all children with various disabilities.

Circle K and Kiwanis International partnered with playground equipment manufacturer, Landscape Structures Inc., and its local consultants, Habitat Systems Inc., to make a handicap accessible playground a reality for the Vancouver schools.

For three days, Adams, alongside others, dug holes, placed posts and poured concrete while battling nature’s uncompromising conditions.

“It’s incredible what one community can do when everyone works together,” Adams said. “The fact that so many Circle K’ers from across the country came to work together and build these playgrounds is heart-warming.”

In completing the project, Adams met some of the children from the school and was showered with hugs, thank you cards, and personal stories on what this playground meant for the kids.

“Words cannot describe how special this experience has been for me,” Adams said. “It’s those little things like a playground that made sure that my sister and I stayed together back then.

“Now, I’m just glad that these kids have a playground to make memories of their own.”

Contact David Rozul at drozul@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter @ DavidRozul.

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MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

LOCAL NEWS

Page 23

San Diego Welcomes First Hebrew Immersion Public School

By Jeremy Ogul

Hebrew language instruction has traditionally been the domain of synagogues and yeshivas, but when Kavod Elementary Charter School opens its doors Aug. 26, students will have the opportunity to learn Hebrew in a free public school for the first time in San Diego history.

Kavod Elementary Charter School will share facilities with Cubberley Elementary School at its campus on 3201 Marathon Dr. in Serra Mesa. Kavod will offer kindergarten through second grade in its first year, adding another grade level each year.

Under a “partial immersion” model, students at Kavod will spend part of the day learning in Hebrew and part of the day learning in English.

Despite the Hebrew language’s close association with Judaism, Kavod is not a religious school and does not teach religion. Students will, however, learn about the culture of Israel, the Middle Eastern state of 7.7 million people where Hebrew is the official language.

“When you teach language, you also get to teach about the culture,” said school director Alexa Greenland, who is not Jewish. “It’s really a valuable country to focus on because it’s such a diverse country.”

Greenland said the school curriculum uses Israel’s immigrant communities – Russians, Ethiopians, Europeans, etc. – to raise students’ “global awareness” and understanding of different cultures.

Kavod originally planned to open last year with 210 students on a different, private site in the Clairemont area. The school site plans fell through just weeks before the fall term started, leaving many parents to scramble for new school arrangements for their children.

“A lot of parents who were 100 percent gung-ho are like, ‘Are you sure you’re going to open?’”

Greenland said.

Kavod is certain it will open this year, because a Proposition 39 petition has guaranteed the use of public SDUSD facilities rather than relying on a private site.

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Enrollment is much lower this time around. As of early July, 50 students were enrolled, with the majority in kindergarten, but Greenland expects that number to rise to 75 by the first day of school. Enrollment is currently open on a first-come, first-served basis.

“I do anticipate that as soon as our doors open, we’re going to have a quick influx of enrollment,” Greenland said.

While Kavod is not allowed to question families about their religious affiliation, Greenland said the school is enrolling a diverse mix of students. Some are Christian. Some are native Russian speakers. Some are Orthodox Jews.

Svetlana Sowers said her Jewish background was just one of many reasons to send her children to Kavod. More important was the fact that Kavod is a charter school with an alternative educational approach, she said.

Compared to other schools, “I feel there’s more eyes on them to do well,” Sowers said.

“People are really invested in it and passionate about having it be the best charter school in the region.”

As a member of the Hebrew Charter School Center network,

Kavod has access to a network of established teachers and administrators. That made Sowers feel more confident in Kavod, she said.

“It wasn’t as if they were starting from scratch,” Sowers said. “They already had a model that worked.”

Meltzer said that while he is Jewish, the opportunity to send his son to a charter school was more important than other considerations. Meltzer said he was not impressed by what he saw in the public schools in his neighborhood.

“It’s fairly disheartening,”

Kavod’s target area for students includes most of Linda Vista and Kearny Mesa, but many of its students will come from outside that area.

North Park resident Daniel Meltzer, for example, will drive his son seven miles to school each way.

Meltzer said. “What we found were kind of burned-out teachers that were overwhelmed with too many students, not enough resources.”

Foreign language immersion at a young age was important to Meltzer as well.

“Language seems to be the in

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vogue educational paradigm of the moment,” Meltzer said.

Meltzer also seriously considered the Albert Einstein Academy Charter School in South Park, which teaches students German from a young age.

The SDUSD Board of Education unanimously approved Kavod’s charter on March 27, 2012. The charter expires June 30, 2015.

The Hebrew Charter School Center is a relatively new nonprofit organization, created in 2009 with the financial backing of Wall Street baron Michael Steinhardt and Detroit auto glass and sports team magnate William Davidson.

HCSC’s network of Hebrew language charter schools is growing. Similar charters will open this fall in the Van Nuys district of Los Angeles, the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Washington, D.C. Other schools are already operating in Brooklyn and East Brunswick, N.J. Kavod, pronounced “kuhVODE,” is the Hebrew word for honor and respect, which are values school organizers say they want to instill in students in various ways throughout the educational program.

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Page 24

MissionTimesCourier.com — August 2013

THE IDEALFromCONNECTION Don & Melissa Teemsma Everything You Need to Know About Tub to Shower Conversions

As we get older, lifestyle and health changes often present challenges making it difficult to stay in and enjoy your home. One improvement gaining momentum is removing a tub that is never or rarely used and replacing it with a shower, allowing for a more convenient and safe showering environment.

Simple changes or even a complete overhaul can bring renewed enjoyment of old spaces. Ideal utilizes a variety of products to enhance the livability of your home and accommodate occupants in all stages of life. We have the Ideal solutions to create a one-of-a-kind bathroom just for you. Our 4-step guide will help you start thinking if a tub-shower conversion is right for your home.

STEP 1: PLAN

In the excitement of getting started with your bathroom remodel, it can be easy to get carried away in the accessories, colors and fixtures. It’s important to start with the fundamentals – the planning stage. Now is the time to measure, plan and research. Think about if you’d like to keep the toilet in the same location, or if you’ll need to move it out a bit to allow for a shower door swing. Most tubs are 60 inches wide, which is a good size for a shower. For shower depth, you should aim for about 34-36 inches from the tile wall to the future shower door. Try to keep 15 inches room from the center of the toilet to the shower glass to avoid feeling crowded.

STEP 2: SELECT YOUR SHOWER FIXTURES

There are hundreds of shower fixtures to choose from. Knowing what you want ahead of time can make the decision process easier. You’ll want to think about: -Single-handle versus double-handle faucet options -Incorporating a hand-held fixture in the shower -Material and Finish: Chrome, stainless steel, nickel, brass or bronze -Warranty of the fixtures

STEP 3: TILE AND GROUT OR WALL PANELS

Ideal works with a variety of manufacturers and price ranges. Whatever your choice, you’ll want to make sure the materials are installed properly.

Larger Tile Formats Versus Smaller Tile Formats Larger tile is easy to clean but it can be slippery. If you’re thinking of putting larger tile in the floor of your shower, bring a sample home and test it out. This will give you a sense of how slippery it really is. Shower pan tile should be 1” x 1” or 2” x 2” for good traction. Larger 3” x 3” or 4” x 4” can be used, but be careful! It can be slippery and should always be non-glazed or non-polished stone.

STEP 4: WATERPROOFING AND DRAINAGE

Properly sealing the shower floor from water leaks will help protect your home from problems associated with water leaks, like wood rot, drywall damage and mold. Hot mops are prepared onsite and are the best way to waterproof the shower pan. A standard drain may not be sufficient to stand the test of time. To ensure your shower remodel lasts for many years, select a high quality and durable drain.

Contact Ideal today to schedule your free remodel estimate. Even if you’re just getting started in the process and need ideas, our remodel experts are happy to stop by for your free consultation. You can reach us by phone at (619) 583-7963 or email ideal@idealsvc.com.

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