Presidio Sentinel, Nov. 2019, Vol. 20, No. 11w

Volume 20, No. 11w

Thanks giving 5k to Fill Balboa Park See page 17

Digital Copy

Behind the Scenes of “Sesame Street”

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Old Town San Diego Dia de los Muertos

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Wild Holidays to Bring Festive Cheer

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San Diego Civic Youth Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”

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PresidioSentinel.com•

A Publication by Presidio Communications• ©MMXIX

November 2019 Web Edition

Serving the Heart of San Diego

Presidio Sentinel is a commentary-driven newspaper that provides coverage on local,regional and national issues that impact the lives of its readers and the community it serves.

The serious issues are politics, government, redevelopment, the environment, conservation and safety. The quality of life issues include health, community activities, fundraisers, social events, religious issues and activities, theatre, arts, science and educational programs and services.

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Winner of the Entrepreneur Pitch Day Competition Announced

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Francis Parker Student Releases Second Book

I’ve Been Hacked!

Now What?

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My “La La Land” Experience

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Featured Stories

Beachside Fall Festive-Themed Attractions

“Christmas Carol” Returns to Cygnet Theatre

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Annual Wacky Wonderland

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“Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

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Featured Events

Behind the Scenes of

“Sesame Street”

Point Loma Resident Shares Her Secrets

By Patty Ducey-Brooks

It’s always gratifying to learn of people who reside in San Diego who have had exceptional careers and have the talent and skillset to share their life adventures and knowledge.

Dr. Lucille Burbank, who is an author, educational media consultant, mother, and grandmother, worked behind the scenes of “Sesame Street” in their research division. One of her main tasks was to meet with the head writer to make important changes in the scripts before production began.

That is impressive, especially when you consider the success and history of “Sesame Street.” Fortunately, she has done her part to make sure her experiences with this effort are shared with us. Here are the results of a Q&A session with Dr. Burbank: Q. What was the inspiration for writing this book?

A. While I was a consultant at Sesame Street, I was also working on my doctorate in educational media. This entailed conducting indepth interviews with the creators (pioneers) of this show, such as Joan Cooney, responsible for the creation of “Sesame Street,” Caroll Spinney, puppeteer of Big Bird, Producer Jon Stone, called “the soul of Sesame Street,” Jane Henson, wife and creative partner of the late Jim Henson, and Jeff Moss, known for his popular song, “Rubber Duckie,” to name a few. After completing my doctoral degree, I discovered that most of the pioneers had passed away, and they had given me such rich information that it was imperative I write a book based on their interviews. A couple of years later, “Secrets from Sesame Street’s Pioneers: How They Produced a Successful Television Series” was published. Later, a second edition of this book was released, titled simply, “The Inside Secrets of Sesame Street.”

Q. Looking back in light of the 50th anniversary, what was it like to work in such a fun and creative environment with the writers/producers of “Sesame Street”?

A. In one word, “Heavenly!” While consulting at the Sesame Workshop, creators of “Sesame Street,” I was surrounded by people who loved their work as much as I did, and their creativity was boundless. In other words, my experience there was “icing on the cake” on my career in educational media.

Continued on page 6

Dr. Lucille Burbank is a resident of Point Loma, and is an author, educational media consultant, mother, and grandmother.

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Local News

Old Town

A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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Dia de los Muertos

The annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) will be celebrated in Old Town San Diego on Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3. This free event will include the traditional candlelight procession on November 2 starting at sundown, beginning at the entrance of the Old Town State Historic Park, located at San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street. The procession will travel down San Diego Avenue to El Campo Santo Cemetery.

The celebration will continue throughout the weekend with street food, vendors and activities on San Diego Avenue.

Many Old Town restaurants will be providing special Dia de los Muertos menus and live music, along with activities for the entire family, including traditional face painting, mask making and many more.

Many restaurants, businesses, museums and shops will be creating over 50 traditional and contemporary Dia de los Muertos altars.

Unique altars will honor historic Old Town figures, as well as more current stories. A public altar will be located in El Campo Santo cemetery where visitors are encouraged to add their own mementos, photos and written tributes to loved ones.

Originating in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is a celebration to remember and honor those who have departed. On this day in Mexico, the streets near cemeteries are filled with decorations, flowers, candy calaveras and parades. Mexican families create special altars displaying offerings of food, candles, incense, ocre yellow marigolds and photos of departed loved ones.

For more information about Dia de los Muertos in Old Town, contact the Old Town Chamber of Commerce at 619.291.4903 or visit OldTownSanDiego.org/dia-de-los-muertos.•

Children enjoy the festivities and getting their faces painted for Dia de los Muertos.

Every Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Guests of Dia de los Muertos come dressed for the occasion and take advantage of face painters on site.

When Ordinary Jewelry is Simply Not Good Enough

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On Harney Street in the Heart of Old Town oldtownsaturdaymarket.com

OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Local News

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Beachside Fall Fest Festive-Themed Rides & Attractions Belmont Park, San Diego’s iconic beachfront amusement park, continues its 8th Annual Beachside Fall Fest in November with a special give-back offer for active duty military, veterans and first responders; plus, special deals for all other guests. Festive-themed rides and attractions continue in November with the new hay maze and inflatable obstacle course, the giant dipper cornfield tunnel and pirates takeover mini golf.

As part of the season of giving, Belmont Park has pledged to offer active duty military, veterans and first responders two free unlimited ride passes Friday through Sunday during open hours, and two free swim day passes at The Plunge at Fit beachfront pool Friday through Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in November with proof of ID and offer (join the Insider Club online for free to receive offers).

All other guests can take advantage of buy-one-get-one-day passes after 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday in November when guests mention offer at ticket office (no email offer required). Guests can also give back during the holiday season by attending the OMBAC (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club) Blood Drive on Sunday, November 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the north parking lot.

Other limited-time festive fun in November includes free activities like Live Music Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., pie eating contest Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. (sign-ups at 5 p.m.) and the Beer & Bites Zone Friday through Sunday from 5 to 8pm. Throughout the park, guests can capture lasting memories with hay bale seating, freshly harvested pumpkins and fallthemed photo ops.

For more information on Beachside Fall Fest, visit www.belmontpark. com/beachside-fall-fest or call 858.228.9283.•

Festive-themed rides and attractions continue in November for families to enjoy the holidays.

Bazaar del Mundo’s “Día de los Muertos” Brings Tradition & Family Friendly Activities to Old Town Old Town’s Bazaar del Mundo and Casa Guadalajara are teaming up, Friday through Sunday, November 1 to 3 to celebrate Día de los Muertos–or “Day of the Dead”–the traditional Mexican holiday that honors friends and family members who have passed on.

Día de los Muertos pays tribute to loved ones through elaborately decorated altars, called “ofrendas,” with treasured items from their lives and traditional elements, such as marigold flowers, candles, water, bread and salt, and their favorite foods and spirits. Throughout the weekend, Casa Guadalajara’s iconic fountains will be turned into altars for guests to enjoy.

The entrance to Casa Guadalajara will transform into a lively marketplace of artisans displaying their Day of the Dead-themed wares, including jewelry artists Lorena Chavez Rosas and Jose Bustamante, alongside festive merchandise from the Bazaar del Mundo Shops.

Guests will delight in performances from traditional Ballet Folklorico dancers and Casa Guadalajara’s world-class mariachi band–all in painted skeleton faces. Face painting and photo opportunities with a life-size Catrina (a female skeleton figure donning a Mexican folkloric dress and hat) sitting in an 1800s carriage will also be available.

Candy skulls are available for purchase at Bazaar del Mundo Shops The restaurant will also host an outdoor Beer & Margarita Garden where guests can purchase and enjoy traditional Mexican beers, house margaritas, delicious street tacos and Mexican street corn known as “esquites.”

In the Bazaar del Mundo Shops, at 4133 Taylor Street, guests can peruse additional artists displaying Día de los Muertos-themed work and collectables, plus additional altars and opportunities to participate in free family friendly activities–including sugar skull decorating, mask making and more.

The festivities begin on Friday with the Old Town Altar Walk. Beginning at Bazaar del Mundo and Casa Guadalajara, maps will be given out for a walking tour throughout Old Town to view more than 40 beautifully decorated altars. Then, Bazaar del Mundo and Casa Guadalajara’s marketplace and celebration activities will take place Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Guests may park for free across the street at Caltrans (after 5 p.m. Friday and all-day weekends), or take the trolley.

For more information, visit www.bazaardelmundo.com.•

Winner of the

Entrepreneur Pitch Day Competition Announced

This past month, the winner of the Entrepreneur Pitch Day Competition was presented by Union Bank to Kelly Twichel, founder of Access Trax at CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center (CAJC)—Southeastern San Diego’s first business accelerator designed to grow local early-stage businesses.

The pitch competition was part of a graduation celebration for the first cohort of CAJC participants who completed the six-month program. Each startup had four minutes to pitch its company to a distinguished judging panel. Access Trax, a startup developing and marketing a portable, lightweight, foldable pathway for accessibility over uneven terrain, won the competition and received a $ 10,000 award from Union Bank.

CAJC is a public-private partnership between the City of San Diego, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation L to R: Reginald Jones, Jacobs Center president and CEO; Valerie Jacobs Hapke, board member of the and CONNECT w/ San Diego Venture Group. As part Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation; Kelly Twichel, founder and grand prize winner, Access of its ongoing commitment to support the San Diego Trax; Lydia Moreno, City of San Diego Deputy Director, Economic Development; and Union Bank community and small business in the region, Union Bank Regional President for San Diego Isai Amaya at the inaugural Entrepreneur Pitch Day Competition. provided $300,000 to launch the program.• Photo is courtesy of CONNECT ALL @ the Jacobs Center.

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Local News

A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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“Sesame Street” Continued from page 3 Q. You worked in the research department of the show’s production. What did that entail exactly?

A. It entailed using computerized analysis to study the attention and comprehension of selected “Sesame Street” segments. In addition, I introduced and implemented a new research paradigm that was more appropriate for other studies. There was also the important activity of applying the research findings and therefore, I had frequent meetings with the head writer.

Last but not least, because I was a consultant, it was my responsibility to see what was needed.

When I first started working in Sesame’s research division, the reports of studies were written up in a newsletter format. While that was fine for some studies, it was not for other more comprehensive ones such as on fire safety and child abuse. Thus, I established a higher standard for reporting studies by producing, “An Empirical Study of Fire Safety Messages on Sesame Street.”

Q. Because “Sesame Street” was educational, did you have to follow certain guidelines? How did the writers decide what age range to target?

A. Yes, guidelines were always followed such as, an action that should be taken in a particular circumstance. An example: The writers were doing a series on cooperation, and the segments they were writing always had to end with a comic payoff. Meaning that whatever happened the action at the end always had to fall apart, having not succeeded, and thus be funny. The researchers, however, disagreed and explained that if the characters don’t succeed, then you’re showing that cooperation doesn’t pay off. And we want you to show not only what cooperation is, but that it does pay off. So, the scripts were completely changed.

Q. In our current culture, do you see a significant need in teaching kids (how to use) about electronic media?

A. Definitely yes. While working at “Sesame Street,” I learned a lot of lessons, and one is the fact that

Ten-Year Old

children learn much better when they are having fun and when they feel safe. In that spirit, my team has produced a booklet that gives 52 tips on how to keep your child safe with television and electronic media.

Q. Why do you think the show has achieved such success and longevity?

A. Mainly, because of the people: You can produce a TV series with less money and less time, but you can’t do it with bad people. You must have good people who love their work and believe in the contribution they are making. In addition, a sign of good people for a children’s show are those that working for children is their highest goal itself. In other words, you don’t go from working for children to growing up to working for adults.

Working for children is the mature work in itself.

Q. Working on the production of “Sesame Street,” did you have a favorite character?

A. Yes, I did; it was Big Bird! I was able to interview Caroll Spinney, who was the puppeteer for Big Bird during the show’s 50 years on the air. He just recently retired.

Knowing that this is only a brief glimpse at what Dr. Burbank learned and experienced, I know I plan to purchase and read her books. She also reminded me that for those of us who enjoy watching past segments of “Sesame Street,” they are available on HBO and PBS. Here’s a little additional history on Dr. Burbank.

She is the recipient of a doctoral degree from Temple University, and has worked in educational media and technology towards the advancement of education and special education. Receiving a scholarship while earning her doctorate, allowed her to conduct a much larger dissertational study on three prominent children’s television shows: “Captain Kangaroo,” “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and “Sesame Street.”

Dr. Burbank has also written a booklet of tips titled, “52 Tips For Parents: Guide Your Child to Safe TV and Electronic Media.” For more information, visit www.

TeachingKidsToLove.com.•

Patty Ducey-Brooks Publisher

Ilene Hubbs Associate Editor

Michal A. Tuzinkiewicz Creative/Art Director

Phyllis E. Zawacki Graphic Designer

Contributing Writers Blake Beckcom Mission Bill BID Rick Brooks Melody Brown Ian Campbell Richard Cone Cath DeStefano Violet Green Barry Hager Ilene Hubbs David Kamatoy Philip C. Lee Alice Lowe Aubree Lynn George Mitrovich Fausto Palafox David Rottenberg Anne Sack Barbara Strona Charlotte Tenney

Francis Parker Student Releases Second Book

Arden Pala, a ten-year old, fifth grade student at Francis Parker is already an established author and returns with another exciting chapter to capture the imagination of young readers. “The Adventures of Noah’s Flying Car Through Turkey” is the second in the series. His first book was titled, “The Adventures of Noah’s Flying Car.” Pala continues to whimsically embrace the unique and beautiful aspects of culture and togetherness.

It is important for Pala to communicate to young readers the goodwill gestures and golden rules of being inclusive and welcoming, despite our differences.

No matter where we come from, we are all human and our cultural differences give us unique lenses and perspectives of the world. Sharing and acceptance are qualities that are at the heart of Pala’s adventurous tales.

A creative and dedicated student, in addition to writing, he loves professional theater and will be acting with the Old Globe in Balboa Park this upcoming holiday season.

Pala’s first book sold over 5000 copies with all proceeds donated to low-income youth. Partial proceeds of the latest book will be donated to homeless pets.

Just like the characters in his books, Pala and Arden Pala is already an accomplished author his family choose to implement the dynamics of who likes to “pay it forward.” paying it forward and assisting our communities with genuine Don Schmidt assistance and care.

“The Adventures of Noah’s Flying Car Through Turkey” and “The Adventures of Noah’s Flying Car” are Broker Associate, SFR • CalDRE #01347868 available on Amazon.

Historic and Architectural Specialist For more information on his books 858.405.5448 and life interests, visit Arden Pala’s SellWithDon .com website at www.ardenpala.com.•

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Laura Walcher The Presidio Sentinel is a monthly publication that is distributed by the first of each month to households in Mission Hills, Bankers Hill and Point Loma, with additional drop off points in Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, Point Loma, Old Town, Little Italy, Downtown, Hillcrest, Kensington, University Heights, Mission Valley and Linda Vista.

The publisher assumes no responsibility for any unsolicited materials. All manuscripts, photographs and artwork become the possession of The Presidio Sentinel.

All rights are reserved. Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without express written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

Subscription rate is $25 per year. Send checks, all letters, editorial, press releases and calendar of events to the following.

Presidio Sentinel 325 W. Washington Steet, Suite 2-181, San Diego, California 92103 For more information or space reservation, call

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email: ppsentinel@aol.com site: presidiosentinel.com A Publication of Presidio Communications

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Animal News

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Wild Holidays to Bring Festive Cheer

to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Wild Holidays are on the way at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and this year’s celebration—starting Nov. 29, 2019 through Jan. 5, 2020—will be bigger and better than ever. On Wild Holidays weekends and other select days, the Safari Park will be open until 8 p.m. Guests will be treated to a dazzling winter wonderland of seasonal entertainment and special activities from 4 to 8 p.m. on those dates—including live music, animal experiences and a festive atmosphere.

Safari Park visitors will get the chance to experience the hilarious toe-tapping stylings of the Alley Cats Holiday Band, and Robert the Zebra will make evening appearances.

Fiber optic stilt walkers, black light magic and a shadow puppet theater will thrill the crowd, while ice carvers, musical storytelling and special limited-time-only tours is sure to bring Wild Holidays cheer to everyone.

Of course, the Wild Holidays magic would not be complete A real reindeer enjoys a little Christmas cheer during the holidays. without a visit with Santa.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures on selected dates throughout December. As an extra-special treat on Dec. 7 and 8, the jolly ol’ elf himself will arrive by Flightline Safari zipline at the Safari Park’s scenic Kilima Point for a bountiful breakfast buffet with guests. The Breakfast with Santa event requires advance reservations, and tickets are $32.95 for adults and $19.95 for children, plus tax and parking. Safari Park admission is required for nonmembers.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027 To learn more, visit sdzsafaripark.org.•

help us find a home Coco is a sweet and energetic, six-year old gal who would benefit from receiving daily exercise. Because she can be a little selective about her canine friends, she’d prefer to be the only animal member of the family.

That just means that all of her love will be focused on her human companions.

Coco’s adoption fee includes her spay, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, waived enrollment fee for medical insurance from PetFirst, and a license for residence in the city limits of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.

Coco currently resides at the San Diego Campus of the San Diego Humane Society, located at 5500 Gaines Street, San Diego, CA 92110. For more information, visit www.sdhumane.org or call 619.299.7012.

Not to be combined with any other offer. Not good for boarding, bathing, grooming, pet food and prescription and non—prescription drugs.

Expires 11.30.2019

Meisha is sweet and sensitive, ten-year old, Maine Coon mix who has so much love to give. Once she gets to know you, she is quite the chatty and affectionate kitty, but she keeps getting overlooked at the shelter because of her initially shy nature. Won’t you give this beautiful and bashful girl a chance to come out of her shell and truly shine.

Meisha’s adoption fee includes her spay, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, waived enrollment fee for medical insurance from PetFirst, and a license for residence in the city limits of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.

Meisha is currently living in a foster home. To arrange an introduction, please call 619.299.7012.

SPCA

• PresidioSentinel.com •

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Lifestyle

Foam Rolling 101:

A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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What Is It & Why Should You Be Doing It

By Blake Beckcom

While it may seem like just another thing that your trainer is telling you to do, foam rolling is absolutely essential in your workout routine and offers a ton of benefit outside of the gym. Not only is foam rolling a self-massage at no cost, but it also primes your body for movement and helps your recovery process as well. Here’s more.

What is foam rolling?

Foam rolling is technically called self-myofascial release, or SMR for short, in the fitness industry. Your muscles and organs are surrounded by connective tissue that holds them together called fascia, therefore, foam rolling is actually manipulating and massaging the fascia in your body.

Foam rolling is basically a deep tissue massage that you give yourself, by placing parts of your body on the foam roller and applying pressure, then moving in a slow or fast rolling motion or holding still. You are in charge of the pressure and can reduce or increase as needed by putting more or less of your weight on the roller.

Foam rollers are cylinders, typically made of compressed foam, but they can also be made out of harder plastic with knobs on them to make the massage even deeper. Foam rollers are pretty inexpensive and can usually be found at the gym in the stretching area, but you can also get one for yourself to have at home.

What does foam rolling do?

Foam rolling helps to take care of your body and muscles and does more than stretching alone. Not only does foam rolling help you to get greater range of motion in your workouts, but it also ensures that you have a better chance of staying injury and pain-free.

During rolling, when you find a tight spot, or a trigger point or knot, you stay on that area and hold it until it is slowly released—releasing these knots gets fluid moving throughout your body, aids in recovery, reduces injuries and increases mobility as well.

When should you foam roll?

You can foam roll before or after your workout, or even better, both.

Foam rolling directly before a workout helps you to improve your range of motion by working through any knots that may be inhibiting your full movement patterns. In addition, foam rolling before a workout is a great thing to include in your warm-up, because you get blood flowing to your muscles and turn them on, which means you have a better chance of activating the right muscles during your actual workout, thus getting more out of it.

I’ve Been Hacked!

By Rick Brooks

Foam rolling after a workout is part of the cool-down and recovery process, and it can reduce muscle soreness and tightness overall, so that you can come back stronger to your next workout. When you spend time slowly rolling once you’ve finished your session, you give your body a chance to power down, and you also begin the healing process through massaging the tension or adhesions that may have come about during your Blake & Gwen Beckcom workout in the muscles.

What parts of the body should you foam roll?

If you’re just getting started, you should begin by rolling the quads, hamstrings, calves, upper-back, IT bands (outside of the thigh) and piriformis (buttocks).

Before a workout, you can move a bit faster during the foam rolling, while holding pressure on the knots for about 30 seconds. Then, after your workout, you should move much slower across the muscles, also holding pressure on the knots for about 30 seconds. The foam rolling process only needs to take about five to 10 minutes, both before and after your workout.

But still, why should you foam roll?

If you’re on a mission to get healthier and fitter, then you want to make sure you’re giving your body the best chance possible to feel good and stay injury-free. Foam rolling truly takes care of your muscles and connective tissue and allows you to move better, recover smarter and give yourself a really helpful massage whenever you want it.• Fitness Together Mission Hills offers personal training with qualified professionals by regular appointment in private suites. Exercise and nutritional programs are custom designed to fit your needs and abilities. Call 619.794.0014 for more information or to schedule a free fitness diagnostic and private training session. See what others are saying about us on Yelp.

Now What?

These words bring a certain level of dread to most people who hear (or think them). But what can you really do if you’ve been hacked? First, it’s going to depend on just what information has been compromised and where the hack occurred.

I got a call from AppleCare (or Dell or Microsoft) saying…

No big company tech support is going to call you unless you call them first. If you’ve fallen for this scam, you’re not alone. Most likely, they’ll browse around your computer and install some malware or adware (software to place ads in your internet browser) and maybe track your keystrokes.

Some people have been talked into paying for the hacker’s “support” work.

In a worst-case scenario, they might have stolen documents and personal information from your system. At a minimum, change your passwords for financial accounts and run virus and antimalware scanners like MalwareBytes.

A store where I shop has been hacked Lots of big, reputable businesses have been hacked, and it seems to be happening more frequently. What this generally means is that either your credit card information may have been compromised or any information you stored with that company may have been accessed by hackers. For example, in the case of Target, hackers were able to access credit card transactions, but little else. If you think your credit card information might have fallen into the wrong hands, call the card issuer and get a new card. Also, keep a close eye on that account for a while to make sure no suspicious charges show up.

In other cases where hackers might have gained access to usernames and passwords, you need to change your account credentials with the affected website or store. But you also need to think about where else you’ve used that userID and password. Since that credential combination is now public knowledge, you should change your password for those other accounts as well.

I can’t log into my email.

If someone has gained access to your email account, they’ll often change your password so you can’t access it. Then they’ll use your account to send phishing emails to everyone with whom you correspond. Hackers have also been known to read through your emails to get a sense of how you write, then use your email to contact financial institutions and ask for money. Whatever has happened, if you haven’t set up a recovery system before now, you need to talk to your email provider ASAP to lock down your account and take it back. You should also warn your friends you’ve been hacked so they don’t click on any of the nasty stuff the hacker may send them in your name.

• PresidioSentinel.com

My friend told me I posted something strange on Social Media This is going to be pretty similar to recovering your email. You should also post a note in your feed that you’ve been hacked and disclaiming whatever was posted in your name.

My computer is acting weird This can be harder to detect. If your internet browser suddenly changes (to a new browser, or a new home page), you start getting strange search results, or you can’t get to your normal search website, then you may have had some malware added to your system. Uninstall any programs that have been installed recently and run a deep scan with your antivirus program.

More subtle things like the mouse moving on its own or programs starting without you could indicate a deeper problem, such as someone else actually using your system. This can be much more difficult to correct, and you might want to seek help from an IT professional, or at the very least the computer’s manufacturer.

Keeping your information safe These days, it’s safe to assume your personal information (name, address, social security number) have been accessed by someone. It’s best to make your passwords complicated (long, with numbers, symbols and upper and lower case letters). It’s also critical to stay on top of your credit, so that you know if someone has opened an account in your name. There are many free and paid services for this.• This column is prepared by Rick Brooks, CFA®, CFP®. Brooks is director/investment management with Blankinship & Foster, LLC, a wealth advisory firm specializing in financial planning and investment management for people preparing for retirement.

Brooks can be reached at 858.755.5166, or by email at rbrooks@bfadvisors.com.

Brooks and his family live in Mission Hills.

A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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Controversial

Lifestyle

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Eucalyptus

By Barb Strona In front of my property on the city’s land stands an enormous eucalyptus tree. It has been lauded by all and has been designated a community asset. It is truly beautiful with its lofty branches, its variegated colored bark, its leaves and pods. It shades our house, and it provides entertainment.

Unkempt fledgling hawks and falcons with straggly feathers use it as a practice ground. They remind me of acne-covered teenagers. Squirrels play games in it.

Occasionally a murder of crows will stop briefly en route to some crow convention. We even have a great horned owl who visits. We hear him cooing to another owl that usually responds while he surveys the menu for his twilight repast. We feel the rush of his feathers as he leaves to grab his first course.

Although I appreciate this tree, I also loathe and fear it. It is a fire hazard, a hazard to our house’s foundation, a physical danger, and a nuisance.

Eucalyptus trees are designed to thrive in wildfires. They give off an oily residue which allows them to burn hotly. Sparks and embers fly, igniting everything flammable in their path. Their seeds survive to make new trees with the fire’s heat.

Many of the existing trees survive.

In addition to being fuel for wildfires, their oil permeates the soil around them. This means that eventually water sits on top of the oily soil without penetrating it leaving the poor gardener to replace it with new top soil. Very few garden plants thrive in the oily dirt.

These trees have an incredible but fairly shallow (for their size) root system. This makes walking difficult as many roots are above the

soil’s top level. They are definitely a tripping hazard as they lift the sidewalk.

They have upended the stairs to the lower floors of our property; we have replaced the stairs at least three times. Now they have gone on to attack the house’s foundation.

They are pushing over an enormous retaining wall that keeps the dead end of our street from collapsing two stories down. Their roots make digging in the garden a challenge.

Eucalyptus trees are determined to survive.

They are designed to minimize evaporation; the leaves are narrow and hang down. Should a tree feel it is losing too much water, it will choose a limb and let it fly. (I don’t know how it does this, but the limb is expendable as somehow the tree survives without its limb.) We experienced this firsthand one hot summer night. We had had a dinner party on our balcony next to and under the tree. The guests left at about two in the morning.

We were in bed fifteen minutes later. The minute we fell asleep, we were awakened by a loud crashing sound. Racing upstairs in our PJs, we discovered our balcony’s stucco railing was smashed exposing broken studs, chicken wire and tarpaper. The glass top table was shattered. The table’s umbrella pole had broken. All the wine classes and bottles we had left untouched until morning had also shattered. Thank God our guests and we were not still out there and that the tree hadn’t abandoned its branch an hour earlier.

In addition to being fuel for wildfires, the oil from eucalyptus trees can permeate the soil and make planting around them impossible.

Another cause for my dislike of this tree is its disregard for aesthetics. Its bark flies from the tree worse than a redhead’s sunburnt skin. Great peels of bark litter the street, the sidewalk, the landscape, and the canyons. Its leaves fly all over. Not deciduous, it drops leaves all year long. It also sheds its little hard round pelletshaped seeds. Walking on them barefoot is reminiscent of stepping on tiny matchbook cars. I can fill three greens trashcans every other week without pruning anything.

We have complained to the city.

Unfortunately, the city sent someone to prune it. We learned the hard way to avoid pruning as the roots see this as encouragement to a growth spurt.

When we bought this house in 1971, we knew it had termites, no diagonal bracing, iffy supports that floated above their concrete foundations, inadequate and dangerous wiring, antiquated plumbing. We could fix those items.

We had no idea that a tree in front of our home could be a threat or a danger. We had no idea it would continue to grow over nearly 50 years so that it and a beautiful jacaranda (our neighbors’) would render our roof impractical for a solar system.

Solar systems weren’t in use in the early seventies. We rebuilt a large portion of the house several times so it is structurally sound with newer plumbing and electricity, so many of the problems we purchased no longer exist. However, next year we will turn 80 and the house will turn 90 in 2020. We prefer to have our final leave-taking from an erect house with us, dead on a stretcher going out feet first. It’s a great house for old people if the tree doesn’t kill us first November’s meeting is the annual holiday potluck party at the church. It will be held on the third Thursday, November 21, 2019 (due to Thanksgiving), at the United Church of Christ at 4070 Jackdaw from 6 to 8 p.m.•

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A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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Grateful This Autumn

By J. Daniel Geddis, President Mission Hills BID & Realtor at Team D&B, One Mission Realty

I am writing while enjoying a cool San Diego autumn evening and reflecting on how quickly this year has passed. With Thanksgiving occurring in November, the month is a time of gratitude and there is much to be grateful for as we look back on the year. As the BID’s October column went to print, we were rallying to add taste venues and bridge the gap created by the closing of Patio on Goldfinch and Patio Express. With support from Falcon Liquor owner Saad Zetouna, the team at Babe Kombucha offered tastes outside Zetouna’s store.

And, the Trust Restaurant Group team exceeded expectation by being on-site at 4033 Goldfinch Street to share sweet baked tastes and architectural renderings of their soon-to-be-restaurant, bakery, ice cream and retail wine shop, Cardellino. We are grateful to you tasters and taste servers for making this year’s event the most vibrant ever. If you are reading this and realize you missed this year’s event or want to enjoy the evening all over again, please visit MissionHillsBID.com/taste-mission-hills-2019/.

It has been a pleasure serving as the elected president of the Mission Hills BID, representing some 500 small businesses. I am pleased with the BID’s many accomplishments in 2019. Together, with a dedicated board of seven and our Executive Director and supportive business owners and residents, I have a story to share that includes a couple “firsts”.

The “firsts” began with generous grant support from the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego helping the BID launch its first Colors on Canvas Banner Art Contest. Additional support came from the Grant School Foundation, Paint Box Art Studio, and local families. This contest attracted more than 70 completed one-of-a-kind hand painted banners. Spearheading the contest were local art teachers Sarah Ekedal from Grant School, Jaimee Brant from Paint Box Art Studio, and The Moll Family who organized Francis Parker Middle School student participants. In May, the banners were installed on lamp posts throughout Mission Hills. In June an awards reception was held at The Frame Maker, 3102 Reynard Way. There were thirteen winners and a grand prize winner. The grand prize of five hundred dollars was provided by Patterson Engineering, Inc and awarded to six year-old Ise Biezunski, an afterschool enrichment program student at Paint Box Art Studio. The remaining contest banners have been repurposed as “hand painted with love by Mission Hills children” tote bags. If you are interested in purchasing a tote bag for yourself or as a gift, contact MissionHillsBID@gmail.com to arrange a viewing.

Another first was the BID’s Shop Small Gingerbread Shoppe appearing on the front cover of American Express’s Small Business Saturday publication. The Shop Small Gingerbread Shoppe was created by local baker Jennifer Duncan and her team at Cake–Your Local Bakery at 3085 Reynard Way. This year, on Saturday, November 30, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., we at the BID invite you to join us in celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Small Business Saturday in the parking lot of Canale Communications, 4010 Goldfinch Street, as we partner again with American Express to create a life-sized Shop Small WinterSleigh installation. The sleigh is planned to be large enough to hold a family of four and it will offer an excellent opportunity to capture holiday photos. The sleigh will be created by David and Jennifer Duncan. Accompanying the sleigh will be ornament painting and decorating stations for family members of all ages. Ms. Ekedal and Ms. Brant and their helpers will supervise the stations.

Please mark your calendars and join me at the BID’s Annual Meeting and Mixer on Wednesday November 6th in the patio at Farmer’s Bottega, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m. In addition to the normal business of the BID, directors and officers will be elected. If you pay a business license fee in our BID, you are eligible to vote. Thanks to the generosity of our hosts, Alberto and Michelle Morreale and restaurant manager Fernando TovarRobles, delicious Farmer’s Bottega offerings will be served during the Mixer that will start at 5:30 p.m. And, because of the kindness of Mission Hills’ retailers, raffle prizes will be bountiful.

Assemblymember Todd Gloria has confirmed he will be our special guest speaker. We hear he’s running for mayor. Councilmember Chris Ward has confirmed he will join us as soon as his council meeting ends. We hear he is running for a seat in the California State Assembly. Our meeting and mixer settings provide an ideal situation for all of us to share our concerns with our elected representatives.

November is a busy month for our community of residents and businesses. Whether you are a Thanksgiving holiday guest or host, please do remember the fine items available at our local retailers. From prime and organic to farm fresh and delicious, every culinary item you could wish for a lovely holiday weekend of meals is available right here in Mission Hills. If you are a guest, there is no better neighborhood of shops in which to find a special and unique hostess gift in every price range. If you need a rest from meal preparations, enjoy a meal at one of our local Mission Hills restaurants.

Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. They add unique character, enliven our neighborhood, and I am grateful to be part of such a community. This holiday season please support small businesses in Mission Hills with your shopping dollars. Each of us can make a big difference in keeping our local businesses successful by choosing to dine local, shop local and keep our precious financial resources local.

I wish you and yours an abundant Thanksgiving.•

San Diego Center for Children to Hold

Annual Wacky Wonderland

Community Holiday Festival & Donation Drive to Benefit Children in Need From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, December 8 the San Diego Center for Children will hold its annual Wacky Wonderland, a community holiday festival and donation drive. The event will take place at the Center’s main campus in Linda Vista to collect much needed holiday gifts and donations for children, teens and families being served through its program services.

Attendees will enjoy jumpers and carnival games, a holiday sweater contest, pictures with Santa and Wacky Willy, holiday crafts and festive music. Returning emcee for this year’s Wacky Wonderland will be Tati from STAR 94.1. Vespa Motorsport will also be a part of the festivities by leading its 12th Annual Scooter Toy Run featuring more than 200 holiday decorated scooters parading through the Center’s front gates.

Admission to this community event is free with a new, unwrapped toy. All proceeds from the day will benefit the Center, our region’s oldest children’s nonprofit, which helps children and families struggling with mental, emotional and behavioral health challenges. The Center provides therapeutic, educational, foster care and transition age services to over 1,000 youth every day across 8 program sites in the county.

Visit www.centerforchildren.org for more information and to RSVP, volunteer or host a toy drive.•

Santa Claus and Wacky Willy will be on hand for photographs.

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MISSION HILLS

Winter Sleigh on Goldfinch - A Holiday Spectacular

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Celebrate Small Business Saturday®️ with local Mission Hills small businesses on November 30.

Shops will be filled to the brim to kick off the holiday shopping season.

Families are invited to enjoy a life-sized winter sleigh created by national award-winning designer and Mission Hills local Jennifer Duncan from Cake Bakery. There will also be a variety of holiday tree ornaments for children to select, decorate, and take home!

Don’t miss this festive photo op and crafting event at 4010 Goldfinch Street.

Shop. Dine. Sip. Enjoy. Stay a While.

For more information please visit missionhillsbid.com

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Local News

A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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“Christ mas Carol”

Returns to Cygnet Theatre for its Sixth Season

It has become a true holiday favorite, with San Diegans making Scrooge, the Spirits, and the Cratchit family part of their holiday tradition. “Christmas Carol,” the familyfriendly musical runs from Wednesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 29 at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town.

Written by Charles Dickens and adapted

by Sean Murray, with original score by Billy Thompson, this production is a reimagined take on the original holiday classic featuring lively music, unique puppets and live sound effects.

“You know it’s a classic when you’re continually inspired, challenged and thrilled by a piece for over forty years” says Murray. “My joy at working on “A Christmas Carol” for so many years comes from the constant desire to tell this story in a way that people can see and hear it fresh, and allow them to discover new things each time they see it.”

Cygnet Theatre will once again be transformed into a Victorian Christmas card thanks to the creativity of set Tom Stephensen is cast as Ebenezer Scrooge. designer Andrew Hull. Kyle Montgomery is Lighting Designer and Sound Designer is Matt Lescault Wood. Costumes are by Jeanne Reith, and Peter Herman will provide wigs and makeup. Choreography is by Katie Whalley Banville. Original puppets designed by Michael McKeon.

Musical Director is Patrick Marion.

Tom Stephenson is once again everyone’s favorite Ebenezer Scrooge. Returning veterans include Megan Carmitchel, Charles Evans, Jr., Melissa Fernandes, Melinda Gilb, David McBean, and Patrick McBride.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the box office located at 4040 Twiggs Street in San Diego Old Town Historic State Park, by calling 619.337.1525 or visiting www.cygnettheatre.com.•

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Historic San Diego Civic Youth Ballet Presents

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“The Nutcracker”

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet (SDCYB), founded in 1945 is celebrating almost 75 years as the resident classical ballet school in Balboa Park, and is again presenting “The Nutcracker” from Wednesday, December 11 through Sunday, December 22 at the Casa Del Prado Theater, located at 1800 Village Place.

You are invited to take an extraordinary journey to the magical Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince at the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Witness an epic battle between toy soldiers and mice before being whisked away to an enchanting land of falling snow, waltzing flowers, and the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Directed by Artistic Director Danika PramikHoldaway and set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, this classic holiday production is a beloved San Diego family tradition presented at the iconic Casa del Prado Theater. Experiencing San Diego Civic Youth Ballet is not only is a chance to celebrate the holidays and a love for dance, but also an opportunity to be a part of the San Diego legacy and support arts education Tickets, which range from $15–$20 with reserved seating, are available at www.sdcyb.org.

Tickets may be purchased over the phone at 619.233.3060 and in person at the Casa del Prado, Suite 209.•

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince provide an enchanting introduction to the holidays with the “The Nutcracker.”

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Theatre News

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Landmark Theatres

Old Globe Theatre “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” will run from Sunday, November 10 through Sunday, December 29 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. “The Grinch” is directed by James Vásquez, with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. The original production of “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” was conceived and directed

by Jack O’Brien with additional lyrics by Theodor S. Geisel, additional music

by Albert Hague, and original choreography by John DeLuca.

“Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 22nd incredible year, the family favorite features the songs “Santa for a Day,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze),” the delightful carol from the popular animated version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.

Edward Watts returns to the Globe after receiving critical acclaim and delighting audiences as The Grinch in 2017 and 2018 (with wife Sarah Meahl, who is also returning to Grinch).

Tommy Martinez will once again scale Mt. Crumpit as Young Max. Old Max will be played by Broadway veteran John Treacy Egan.

Alternating in the role of Cindy-Lou Who are Escondido resident Sophia Adajar, featured in the Little Who Ensemble last year, and Chula Vistan Leila Manuel, returning for her second year in the role.

Rounding out the cast of The Grinch are San Diego mainstays Kevin Hafso Koppman (Papa Who), Katie Sapper (Mama Who), Larry Raben (Grandpa Who), and Bets Malone (Grandma Who), who are joined by Lindsay Mains and Hannah Roby (Annie Who), Arya Bosworth and Isabella Burer (BettyLou Who), Jonah Orona and Jaydn Washington (Boo Who), and Bobby Chiu and Alexander Ikizyan (Danny Who).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at 619.23.GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office.•

From a screenplay by Shia LaBeouf, “Honey Boy” is based on his own experiences. Awardwinning filmmaker Alma Har’el brings to life a young actor’s stormy childhood and early adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father through cinema and dreams. Fictionalizing his childhood ascent to stardom, and subsequent adult crashlanding into rehab and recovery, Har’el casts Noah Jupe and Lucas Hedges as Otis Lort, navigating different stages in a frenetic career.

LaBeouf takes on the daring and therapeutic challenge of playing a version of his own father, an ex-rodeo clown and a felon.

Artist and musician FKA twigs makes her feature acting debut, playing neighbor and kindred spirit to the younger Otis in their garden-court motel home.

Har’el’s feature narrative debut is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between filmmaker and subject, exploring art as therapy and imagination as hope.

“Honey Boy” opens Friday, November 22 at the Hillcrest Cinemas, located at 3965 5 th Avenue. The film is 93 minutes long. And Rated R. For information and times, call 619.819.0236, or visit www.landmarkTheatres.com.

Film times and dates are subject to change.•

Shia LaBeouf is unrecognizable portraying a character directly based on his own father Jeffrey LaBeouf.

Leila Manuel appears as Cindy-Lou Who and Edward Watts as The Grinch in “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

Aches & Pains? Chronic Illness? Stress?

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“La La Land” Experience

By Stylishly Aubree Lynn, Writer/Stylist/Producer

I truly feel like Los Angeles is the same anytime I attempt to visit. Things happen; people meet; and it feels like you are constantly on set for a film production experience. Well the weekend of October 11 was a definite “La La Land” moment for me. I got to enjoy some of my bucket-list goals, and do things that I have only dreamt about with my career as a stylist.

I flew to Los Angeles to style Territa Torres Designs’ collection for Los Angeles Fashion Week (LAFW), which was presented by The Society Fashion Week, and was blessed to style a former celebrity, a costume designer, an influencer, and two celebrity stylists who were attending the show. I met with all of them; got approval for their attire; then it was show time.

We hit the ground running in Los Angles, literally, to the showroom of Jesse J ‘Trend Haus’, where Territa and I met with him and I got to do “my thing.” I learned that he is the sweetest guy with an awesome style and a great history.

We talked styling and I agreed to assist him when he needed the additional eye of another stylist. From there we drove over to Amelia Jackson-Gray’s home for another fitting and styling session.

Upon our arrival, I had some catching up to do. Seven-years ago, I styled her for a photo shoot. It was as if time had stood still. She is absolutely stunning in everything she wears and has a gem of a personality. She spoke to us about her newest venture, Film Patch. This business allows her to outsource film directors, scriptwriters, stylists, etc. for various projects. It’s a super cool business concept in the perfect place to pitch.

After our session, Territa and I made our way down to Melrose for a quick bite at Osteria La Buca where I had an amazing Italian dish and prosecco wine.

Saturday morning came fast as we had the calm before the backstage storm. It Aubree Lynn (center in white) is shown with members all went pretty smoothly except for parking and minor production hiccups, like of the design team and the VIP associates. no water for the models and the heat. Thank God for the MUAH team, who are makeup specialists who demonstrated their skills and talents. The result was, we got major credit for bringing on the right team to get the job done. We also brought on board photographer Johnny Jones, who worked his magic behind the camera, and captured some impressive shots.

Thanks to this team of people who were present and assisted, which allowed DawnStar Collections, Territa Torres and me (Stylist Aubree Lynn) to focus on the clothing and pairing. Thankfully, our models were easy to work with, which resulted in a pretty fine dream team.

Amelia and Anninka, both VIPs, also allowed me to be their stylist. Anninka was dressed in a long, backless gown that was literally made for her physique. Accessorizing and adorning her front side was the jewelry design work of DawnStar. The end result was dramatic.

Amelia and I were dressed in Territa Torres’ designs, DawnStar’s jewelry, and Agnes Bethel shoes, which complemented us from head to toe.

The show was impressive with The Ballet Catwalk girls, who opened the collection strutting the runway in black leotards and jewelry from DawnStar’s collection. When Territa Torres Designs came to the runway it made the Union Station look like it should have been adorned with pieces from a film set.

It was a very tasteful fashion collection with the latest seasonal trends.

What a whirlwind weekend for this mom. I came home and told my husband of all the fun and amazing details of what had occurred. As I laid down for a restful sleep, I realized that I am so blessed to do what I love in this city and also in Los Angeles. Who knows what’s next to happen. Yet, I learned, in La La Land dreams can come true!

And, now to recap the styles, collections and team who made this all possible: clothing by @territatorresdesigns; shoes by @Agnesbethelshoes; jewelry by @dawnstarcollection; styled by @stylishlypositive; make up and hair by the fantastic five, including @marinewife929, @missglamart, @alexa_elizabeth, @azuchar, and @sassystylesbysara. Photography was provided by @jonesj1443; and the opening act by @balletcatwalk.nayeliart.•

Paint Removal and Cleanup Made Easy

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A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

Families, friends and neighbors are invited to kick-off the holiday season with festive fun in San Diego’s Little Italy at the 21st Annual Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village on Saturday, December 7th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This year, the Little Italy neighborhood will make exciting enhancements to the event with the reveal of a new custom Christmas tree, located in the center of Piazza Basilone. Guests will experience a magical evening filled with festive decor, seasonal vendors, a tree lighting ceremony in the Piazza della Famiglia with a live Christmas tree over 25-feet tall, live music and entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday treats, a surprise visit from Santa and more.

Santa will make an appearance to chat and take photos with children starting at 4 p.m. In “Santa’s Living Room” little ones can share their Christmas wishes until 6 p.m. and get their picture taken with the man from the North Pole. Kids can also participate in arts and crafts activities next to “Santa’s Living Room” with ArtReach, a nonprofit aimed at increasing equity in visual arts education. Attendees can look forward to the Christmas Village, which will feature holiday goodies and perfect stocking stuffers from seasonal vendors and select Little Italy Mercato vendors on India Street, between W. Cedar and W. Fir Streets.

All of India Street will be decked out in sparkling white lights—making Little Italy a true winter wonderland. There will also be Christmas carolers, 10-foot tall nutcrackers on street corners and more seasonal surprises throughout the neighborhood! The brand new 25-foot tall Christmas tree designed by Santa Claus will meet and great guests in Little Italy.

California artist, Joshua Hubert, will be located in the Piazza Basilone. The tree will dazzle like a disco ball with all different colors shining bright throughout the entire evening. As guests walk around the tree and see it from different angles in the neighborhood, they will see the colors change based on their perspective and view. The second Christmas tree that the Little Italy neighborhood will come together to light on this special evening is an over 25-foot permanent tree located in the heart of the Little Italy neighborhood, the Piazza della Famiglia. Guests are encouraged to head to the Piazza della Famiglia for the tree lighting countdown at 6:30 p.m.•

Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station Returns for the Holiday Season San Diegans are invited to skate their way through the holiday season at the Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station, which begins Thursday, November 14 and runs through Sunday, January 5, 2020. The ice rink will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary and Liberty Station welcome the community to celebrate the holiday season with outdoor ice skating. Net proceeds benefit the Thriving After Cancer program in the Rady Children’s Hospital’s Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.

“Thriving After Cancer is a fantastic program focusing on providing children who have completed their cancer treatments and their families the tools and education they need to advocate for physical, emotional, nutritional, and practical needs,” said Laura Stearn, president of Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. “Everyone who joins at the Ice Rink is helping to support such a vital resource for hundreds of San Diego families.”

“Rady Children’s Ice Rink has become such a staple in Liberty Station’s holiday traditions and we look forward to its opening every year,” said Laurie Albrecht, executive director of the Liberty Station Community Association.

“The rink’s return kicks off the holiday season by bringing the community The rink’s return kicks off the holiday season together for some holiday cheer while also helping San Diego families by bringing the community together for some holiday cheer. dealing with childhood cancer.”

Special happenings at the ice rink include Gulls Night, Liberty Station’s Tree Lighting, and other holiday festivities taking place throughout Liberty Station’s Salute the Season. A full calendar of Salute the Season happenings can be found at libertystation.com/events/salute-the-season.

Located in the Central Promenade, Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station is sponsored by the Liberty Station Community Association, the ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station, NBC 7 San Diego, and SENTRE Inc. Tickets can be purchased on-site and are good for reentry throughout the day, and all tickets include skate rental and helmets. For more information, visit radyfoundation.org/icerink.•

En joy T han k s gi vi n g W ith U s !

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Than ksgiving 5k to Fill Balboa Park with

WHAT NOW:

No Really, What Now?

By Laura Walcher

Okay, so once again, in a week of unrelenting frustrations and challenges, I decided not to strangle Mr. Entitled. (“Fen” is his “real” name; our smart-aleck black poodle/bichon, who’s grown up to believe himself the emperor, tho’ he doesn’t even pay the mortgage.)

So, he dips beneath a bush, and exits with some disgusting prize hanging from his mouth. One that I knew, okay, intuited, didn’t belong there. (I can tell that stuff when he maniacally scrambles to get out of my way.) That didn’t take much.

But, hey, I had other troubles: techno-chaos: “Alexa” hadn’t exactly died; she just didn’t work; tho’ she endlessly repeated that she would. If she could.

My computer died–no, no, I exaggerate. It just sullenly slept. (The Mr. finally woke it up, but he has no idea how he did it.) Then, I emailed an urgent note to two Union–Tribune (UT) reporters that continually bounced. Their problem–or mine? Never mind that I’ve been emailing the UT for… decades.

And, more: family issues. My brother has a “new” phone; I use a not dead yet little flipper; so far, it loves me. My sister loves hers, too, so did not gracefully receive a gift of a giant “Jitterbug” from her children, excited tho they were to “bring” her into the 21st, etc. etc. She hates it. Should she give it a try? Turn it in? She gulped a kind’ve “thank-you”? Hoped, beyond hope, of course–that she could hide her little flipper whenever her kids show up?

Ahh!! My sister is prone to heartfelt guilt, so don’t go thinking for a minute that she can come clean with them; that shows a lack of… appreciation.

My brother’s phone regularly hangs up on me. He thinks it’s my phone, but my phone never hangs up on anyone–least of all my brother, of whom I am terribly fond. He’d had a perfectly workable flipper, too, ‘til his kid insisted on him having a phone that would reflect well on a distinguished attorney such as he.

Sigh.

Mr. Entitled’s issue? Well, compared to technology, it was reasonably manageable. All I had to do was wrest a perfectly revolting, over-used tea bag out of his mouth, and hope that one of these days, the emperor would forgive me.•

Costumed San Diegans On Thanksgiving morning, more than 6,500 people will participate in Father Joe’s Villages’ Thanksgiving Day 5k, one of San Diego’s longest standing holiday traditions. The event is from 6:30 to 11 a.m., Thursday, November 28 at Spreckles Organ Pavilion & Plaza de Panama (1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101) in Balboa Park.

After families and pets in costume make their way through the loop around the iconic Balboa Park, they will cross the finish line to a holiday festival, complete with a pancake breakfast, children’s activities, characters like Santa Claus and cartoon favorites, a beer garden and live music.

“I’ve made our family’s costumes for the Thanksgiving 5k each year since we heard of the tradition,” says Chris Cunningham, participant of Father Joe’s Villages’ Thanksgiving 5k and Poway community member. “When our kids were little, my husband and I made sure we taught them to give back, especially on days of gratitude like this holiday. Now, Father Joe’s Villages’ event plays a huge part in our holiday planning and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness go hungry every day and the holidays are no different. The Thanksgiving Day 5k raises money to support Father Joe’s Villages’ Food Services program, which provides more than 1 million meals annually.

Father Joe’s Villages’ Culinary Arts Program will sell homemade pies at the festival as well. This vocational training program prepares individuals experiencing homelessness for careers in the food service industry.

“The Thanksgiving Day 5k is one of Father Joe’s Villages’ longest-standing traditions. We get to see folks who grew up attending with their parents each Thanksgiving now bring children and families of their own,” says Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “The fact that they continue to show up in support of our programs is a true testament to our community’s dedication to serving their neighbors in need.”

For more information, visit .thanksgivingrun.org.•

Kate Sessions Birthday Celebration in Balboa Park Invites Tree Lovers to

“Plant It Forward”

The Balboa Park Conservancy encourages San Diego families and tree lovers of all ages to help Plant It Forward at a new annual event in honor of Kate Sessions’s birthday and Balboa Park’s vital urban forest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, November 9.

The family-friendly celebration in Morley Field at Jacaranda Place is the perfect opportunity to take a guided tree tour, dig into the park’s horticultural history, learn about the important role trees play in preventing climate change, watch tree-planting demonstrations, make sunprints, and enjoy live bluegrass music and gourmet food truck fare under the park’s forest canopy.

Kate Sessions (born Nov. 8, 1857) is traditionally recognized as “the Mother of Balboa Park” and one of the park’s key founding figures. She is credited for planting hundreds of trees and flowering plants throughout the park during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of which still thrive today. This new event in her honor continues her remarkable legacy of “planting it forward” by advancing the park’s reforestation efforts and providing hands-on learning opportunities for tree lovers of all ages.

The day’s activities include a free opportunity for anyone who signs up in advance to don some gloves and help plant new trees in the Morley Field area of the park. Girl Scout troops are also invited to sign up for a tree-planting badge opportunity led by a team of trained volunteer Tree Stewards. Event partners from SDG&E, Tree San Diego, and the San Diego Floral Association will be on hand with horticultural-themed booths.•

People of all ages can join in to plant trees and learn about horticulture.

Families have made the Thanksgiving Day 5K a tradition of giving.

Liberty Station’s

Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities, Nov. 29 Liberty Station invites the community to celebrate the season at its 2019 Salute the Season main event, the Liberty Station Tree Lighting and Holiday Festivities, taking place in the North Promenade on Friday, Nov. 29, from 4 to 9 p.m. Visitors will enjoy a magical evening of the iconic 88-foot Norfolk pine tree lighting as well as live entertainment, festive The Christmas tree at Liberty Station firetruck rides, free photos will be lit at 6:15 p.m. with Santa, and “The Grinch” movie showing. Salute the Season will continue with more celebrations, including The Nutcracker Tea on Sunday, Dec. 15, and Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station through Sunday, Jan. 5.

“Each year, we’re delighted to bring the community together to celebrate the season of joy with their friends and family,” said Laurie Albrecht, executive director of Liberty Station Community Association. “Our annual Liberty Station Tree Lighting and Holiday Festivities at a site so rich in culture, community, and history and has become a beloved San Diego tradition.”

The evening will begin with live entertainment at 4 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., guests will gather around the 88-foot Norfolk Pine in the North Promenade to watch it come alive with holiday spirit as a Rady Children’s Hospital patient family lights the towering tree from top to bottom.

For more information about this year’s Salute the Season events, visit www.libertystation.com/events/salute-the-seasopn.•

PresidioSentinel.com •

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Calendar

November (Every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday)

n Belmont Park, located at 3146 Mission Boulevard in San Diego, continues its 8th Annual Beachside & Fall Fest. All November long, guests will be able to participate in free activities, including live entertainment, a pie eating contest, kids’ activities and more. Experience the festivethemed rides and attractions like the giant dipper, kiki town mini golf and laser tag. Enjoy the new hay maze and inflatable obstacle course, and giant dipper cornfield. For information on hours and prices, visit www.belmontpark.com or call 858.228.9283.

November 1

n Arts District, located at Liberty Station at 2848 Dewey Road in San Diego, invites you to experience First Friday with the biggest monthly art walk. A craft beer garden is open from 5 to 9 p.m., with a pop-up market. Guests can also enjoy dance performances, make art, a and see new art exhibitions. n Dizzy’s, located at San Diego Jet Ski Rentals at 1717 Morena Boulevard in San Diego, presents an intimate performance by two virtuosos: swinging Israeli guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and San Diego guitar treasure Peter Sprague. They will perform at 8 p.m. Cost is $20 cash or Venmo.

For more information, call 858.270.7467.

November 1 thru 10

n SDSU

School of Theatre, Television, and Film presents a play by Blackfeet playwright Jason Grasl, titled “Lying with Badgers.” A timeless story of hope, loss, identify and wonder, the play intermixes realism with magical realism and how can native people embrace modern ways of living and integrate their own cultural practices and languages in the whole of their lives. For times and additional information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

November 2

n The annual Walk for Wishes will soon become THRIVE Walk for Wishes. Join the festivities at Ski Beach-Mission Bay, located at 1600 Vacation Road in San Diego, from 7:45 to 11 a.m. Following Thrive’s 5K Race, enjoy free entertainment. For information and to register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/thrive-walk-for-wishes. n Celebrate 10 Years of SOHO and the Marston House Museum & Gardens, located at 3525 Seventh Street in San Diego. Free admission today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments at one of San Diego’s most pleasant public spaces, the home and gardens of the Marston family. A dedicated group of welltrained volunteer docents will be on hand to answer questions and provide tours. Visitors will want to take extra time to visit the gift shop which features artisan works and is stocked with beautiful Arts and Crafts era gift items, tiles and pottery, jewelry, teas, candies, books, and museum souvenirs. For more information, visit www.SOHOsandiego.org. n Dizzy’s, located at the Showroom of San Diego Jet Ski Rentals at 1717 Morena Boulevard in San Diego, presents powerhouse jazz/blues vocalist Sayed Sabrina as she celebrates the release of her new studio album “Thou Art That,” featuring Sayed Sabrina piano/vocals, Jamie Kime on guitar, Mitch Manker on trumpet, Bobby Watson on bass, and Bryan Head on drums. They will perform at 8 p.m. Cost is $20 cash or Venmo.

For more information, call 858.270.7467.

November 2 thru 24

n Young Scientists is a hand-on preschool science program offered by the Fleet Science Center. This program provides informal learning experiences that support and enhance exploration, create excitement and facilitate scientific, discoveries.

A new Session is titled Energy Everywhere– where does energy come from? Investigate the many different forms of energy, including light, sound, electrical, thermal and more. This program is designed for children ages threeto-five years old with an accompanying adult.

Classes meet from 9 to 10 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon. Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. Contact Client Services Dept. at 619.238.1233, ext. 806 or visit www.rhfleet.org/events/young-scientists.

November 4

n Reuben H Fleet Science Center, located at 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park, offers The First Monday of every month to seniors 65-plus to enjoy the Science Center exhibits, a show in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater and a lecture on the quietest day of the month for only $8. The doors open at 9:30 a.m. to get Senior Monday started early. Sharp Minds lectures begin at 10:30 a.m.

The lecture topic for this month is Studying the Deep Sea with Sound: a Window into a World We Rarely See. Deep-sea animals are especially

• PresidioSentinel.com

A Publication of Presidio Communications • November 2019

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November 2019 difficult to study as humans can only infrequently take a peek into their lives. The noon theater show is Dolphins. Visitors are invited to enjoy the galleries and special senior discounts in Craveology and the North Star Science Store. n Mission Hills–Hillcrest/Knox Library Community Room is the place to be to have a lively discussion over coffee and pastries to talk about ways that we can Age in Place. Fellow seniors in the neighborhood have been meeting about a senior “village” for Mission Hills. You are invited to attend one of the informational meetings from 10 a.m. to noon. Today the topic is Financial Scams Targeting Seniors. n Cygnet Theatre, located in Old Town at 4040 Twiggs Street, invites you to a Spotlight on Caregiving: Behind the Curtains of Care at 7 p.m. Playwrights Project commissioned two short plays to be presented as staged readings about caregiving in collaboration with Southern Caregiver Resource Center. The plays are “I’m A Caregiver?” By Aleta Barthell and “All I Do For You” by Liza Kirazian. Reserve your tickets at www.cygnettheater.com.

November 5

n theNAT

San Diego National History Museum, located at 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park, offers residents free days on the first Tuesday of each month. Balboa Park organizations offer free admission (special exhibitions and films are not included) to San Diego City and County residents (with ID), active military, and their dependents on selected days for one day each month. Films are not included in residents free day, but tickets are available for $5 per person at the Admission Desk. For information, visit www.sdnhm.org.

November 7

n The San Diego Asian Film Festival kicks off the 20th Anniversary with filmmaker-studded red carpet and documentary premiere at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, located at 7600 Fay Avenue in La Jolla. To commemorate this occasion, Pacific Arts Movement will feature the premiere of “The Paradise We Are Looking For.” The documentary was commissioned to highlight Asian American stories from local neighborhoods in San Diego throughout the decades. For information, visit www.sdaff.org, or call 619.400.5911.

November 9

n theNAT

San Diego National History Museum, located at 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park, brings Insects Face to Face with a new photography exhibition that opens today. The fourth floor gallery will soon be filled with outstanding colors, mysterious textures, and seemingly alien shapes.

Stunning macro photography brings insects into human-scale and makes he more than a dot on the wall or on a petal. For information, visit www.sdnhm.org. n The New Children’s Museum, located at 200 W. Island Avenue at Front Street in downtown San Diego, will teleport you to a time in the future at the Museum’s annual gala from 6 to 11 p.m. This year’s theme is Studio 200: Into the Future, where a multi-level, contemporary space will transform into a vibrant, after-hours club unlike any other in the galaxy. As with all our galas, we encourage party guests to dress up according to the theme.

Think Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars and the Jetsons. For more information, and to bid on the silent auction and to purchase tickets, visit www.thinkplaycenter.org or call 619.233.8792 n Dizzy’s, located at San Diego Jet Ski Rentals at 1717 Morena Boulevard in San Diego, presents Weller/Solo Quartet featuring Dylan Solo on tenor sax, Bob Weller on piano, Kyle Bayqueen on bass, and Joannah Sy on drums.

They will perform at 8 p.m. Cost is $20 cash or Venmo ($15 Students). For more information, call 858.270.7467.

November 9 & 10

n Reuben H Fleet Science Center, located at 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park, presents Saturday and Sunday Science Club for girls in grades fifth through eights. This month the topic is Genetic Journeys. Journey to the center of your cells to find out what makes you, you! Make delicious double-helix models, find out if you’re a supertaster and extract strands of DNA from fruit. To participate, parents most pre-register by calling 619.238.1233 x806.

November 10

n 14

Annual UH Arts takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Taste of University Heights from noon to 3 p.m. Stroll through the quaint neighborhood sampling delicacies from University Heights diverse restaurants and enjoy a free self-guided tour of the arts. Taste at over 13 restaurants, shop at the open artists studios/venues, purchase a raffle ticket and win prizes and gifts th

from local UH businesses. For information and to purchase tickets, call 619.297.3166 or visit www.uhcdc.org or www.uharts.org. n Maritime Museum, located on the North Embarcadero in downtown San Diego at 1492 North Harbor Drive, presents the Hausmann Quartet back on board for Season 4 at 4 p.m.

Music at the Maritime, a quarterly concert series performed aboard one of the Museum’s ten historic world-class vessels, the 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley that operated for 60 years on San Francisco Bay. The fourth and last quarterly concert for the 2019 season opens with Frog and Hair. Mischief and wry humor about in in our last concert, featuring quirky miniatures by Andrew Norman and Igor Stravinsky to go along with two of Haydn’s best-loved works, his so called “Frog” and “Lark” Quartets. Audiences will enjoy some clever musical jokes, winks and nods to go along with the beautiful sunset seen aboard the Berkeley. Tickets can be purchased at www.

TICKETS or by calling 619.432.2314.

November 13

n Friends

of Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library, located at 215 W Washington Street in San Diego, presents a series of programs, from 3 to 4 p.m., highlighting the rich history of the neighborhoods in the Uptown area. This month the topic is Old Town and will take place at the community room of the library.

November 14

n TheNAT, San Diego National History Museum, located at 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park, presents Nature & Me Storytime at 10:15 a.m. Open to all ages with a parent or guardian (recommended for ages one to five-years old). Free with Museum admission, this month’s theme is Reptiles.

Visit www.sdnat.org for ticket information.

November 14 thru 17

n Casa del Prado Theatre, located in Balboa Park at the corner of Old Globe Way and Village Place, presents the San Diego Junior Theatre as they celebrates individuality in its 72nd Season.

Tonight the performance is “Wake Up, Brother Bear!” Sister Bear and Brother Bear are back from hibernation to take your little one on an interactive journey through the seasons. Meet a curious butterfly, play in a rushing waterfall, and catch lighting bugs, as the bears frolic through the forest in this unforgettable live theatre experience, geared specifically to toddlers (ages three to seven-years old) and a parent, For tickets and information, visit www.juniortheatre.com, or call the box office at 619.239.8355.

November 15

n Reuben

H Fleet Science Center, located at 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park, presents the Cuba: Journey to the Heart of the Caribbean.

Audiences will be transported across breathtaking landscapes, beneath the ocean’s surface to iridescent reefs and into streets throbbing with music and dance in the heart of Havana. Tickets are available at the Fleet’s ticket counter and at www.fleetscience.org.

November 16

n Reuben

H Fleet Science Center, located at 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park, offers a Junior Science Club which meets from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for students in grades first through fourth. Sessions are filled with new challenges, hand-on activities and interaction with local scientists. Throughout the year, we will explore an array of fields including biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, physics, robotics and more. This month the topic is Green Power. What do windmills, waterwheels, and whirligigs have in common? Find out in the class devoted to alternative energy. To participate, parents must pre-register and by calling 619.238.1233x 806 or by registering online at www.rhfleet.org/events/junior-science-club.

November 17

n Timken Museum of Art, located at 1500 El Prado in Balboa Park, invites you to an evening of Music & Masters from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The heritage of harmony features Nuvi Mehta. Mehta will delight the audience by performing Bach’s Solo Violin sonata No. 1, followed by romantic and jazz harmony fueled works of Chopin, Ravel, and Gershwin. Mehta will be accompanied by pianist Bryan Verhoye. As part of the “Masters Cabaret” series, you are invited to sip, snack, socialize and enjoy an evening full of artful music. By becoming a member you will receive special pricing and priority reservations. Visit www.timkenmuseum.org for more information. n Dizzy’s, located at San Diego Jet Ski Rentals at 1717 Morena Boulevard in San Diego, presents Allison Adams Tucker and the 4th Annual Vocal Summit joined by acclaimed Jazz vocalists Leonard Patton, Rebecca Jade, Rosemary

Watson, and rhythm section Melonie Grinnell on piano, Rob Thorsen on bass and Claudio RochatFelix on drums. An evening of music celebrates the power and connection of the human voice with a mix, including swing, blues, soul, R&B, world jazz (French, Latin, Brazilian) and beyond.

Performance takes place at 6 p.m. Cost is $20 general admission, cash or Venmo. For more information, call 858.270.7467.

November 18

n Mission Hills–Hillcrest/Knox Library Community Room is the place to be to have a lively discussion over coffee and pastries to talk about ways that we can Age in Place! Fellow seniors in the neighborhood have been meeting about a senior “village” for Mission Hills. You are invited to join other seniors for an informational meeting from 10 a.m. to noon. Today the topic is Estate Planning for Seniors.

November 23

n theNAT,

San Diego National History Museum, located at 1788 El Prado in Balboa Park, presents Living Lab Family Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Are you a fan of the slimy and slithery? Join us at this special Family Day to celebrate the public opening of our newest exhibition, Living Lab. Come see a red diamond rattlesnake, a Gila monster, a working beehive, and more.

We’ll have activities and craft projects to celebrate the occasion, and kids and parents will learn more about our animal neighbors.

All activities are included with paid admission.

For more information, visit www.sdnat.org.

November 24

n Kids4Community presents Bags of Hope for the Holidays to fill up bags at 625 Superior Street in Escondido, CA from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

They are asking for volunteers to fill these “Bags of Hope” with many goodies including toys, hygiene kits, clothing and food items. They will be given to low income and homeless families in San Diego, and nationally this Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are asking for donations of Socks, Toys (small to fit in the bags), blankets, nonperishable food items, lip balm, cleaning wipes, and hats. Monetary donations can be made at www.kids4.org/donate/.

November 25 thru 27

n Register now for Fall Camps for grades first through third at the Reuben H Fleet Science Center, located at 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park. Students can sign up for a single camp or get the entire experience by singing up for all three. The topics include science fiction; special effects; VR tech tools; and lights, camera, action. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., November 25 through the 27.

To register, call 619.238.1233 x806.

November 27 thru December 29

n Cygnet

Theatre in Old Town San Diego, located at 4040 Twiggs Street, welcomes back for the sixth season of cheer–“A Christmas Carol.” It has become a true holiday favorite, with San Diegans making Scrooge, the Spirits, and the Cratchit family part of their holiday tradition. Visit www.cygnetheatre.com or call 619.337.1525 for performance schedules, events, and to purchase tickets.

November 30

n Maritime

Museum, located on the North Embarcadero in downtown San Diego at 1492 North Harbor Drive, home to one of the world’s largest collections of historic vessels from sail to steam to submarine, announces the second return performance of Boarded. This hilarious interactive show puts visitors right in the middle of the pirate action. Participants will be sworn in as part of the ship crew, trained how to navigate, sword fight, bail water from a sinking ship escape from the Kings Jail, swab the desk and other pirate skills. Performances are 90 minutes and check in times at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.sdmaritime.org or at the Maritime Museum ticket booth. n Christmas on the Prado at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park is preparing holiday music and seeks volunteer musicians. No tryouts or auditions necessary. Members are all ages, all ability levels, and enjoy playing all types of music and making new friends. For more information, visit www.kearnymesaconcertband.com.

December 2

n Mission Hills–Hillcrest/Knox Library Community Room is having a holiday party. Bring a dozen holiday treats (cookies, cupcakes, etc.) Hot cider will be provided along with live holiday music by Mike Nelson on acoustic guitar. The topic of the program is the API survey results and takes place from 10 am to noon.

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RELIGIOUS CALENDAR •

1st Tuesday Uptown Planners Joyce Beers Hall in Uptown Mall. 6:30 p.m.

1st Thursday Uptown Partnership 3101 Fifth Ave. Call 619.298.2541. 4:30 p.m.

Thursdays 7–8:30 pm San Diego Uptown Rotary Club The Uptown Rotary Club has moved to their new home at Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Cafe, 3172 Spruce at the corner of 5th. Breakfast meetings are held every Thursday 7 to 8:30 a.m. Guests are welcome to attend a meeting to learn how to become part of this dynamic organization and see why their motto is “Service Above Self.” For information, visit www.sdurotary.org or call 619.894.0140.

Kensington—Talmadge

2nd Wednesday Kensington—Talmadge Planning Committee Kensington Community Church. 6:30 p.m.

For information, call 619.284.0551

Linda Vista

2nd Monday LVCPC Agenda– Linda Vista Community Planning Committee Agenda Linda Vista Library meeting room.

Contact Jeff Perwin at 619.806.9559 for details 6 pm.

3rd Tuesday Tech Committee–Technology Committee Bayside Community Center. Contact Xiogh Thao for detail at 858.278.0771 or email xthao@baysidecc.org or Info@lindavistaSD.org or visit our websitewww.lindavistaSD.org.

3rd Wednesday LV Historical–Linda Vista Historical Committee Bayside Community Center. This committee is collecting historical photos, documents and memories of Linda Vista’s past. For more information, contact Eleanor Frances Sennet at 858.277.3817. 4 p.m.

LVCollab– Linda Vista Collaborative Bayside Community Center at 3pm. Contact Monica Fernandez at 858.278.0771 or mfernandez@baysidecc.org. For details visit www.facebook.com/LVCollaborative 3rd Wednesday (Odd Months) TCCAC– Tecolote Canyon Citizen’s Advisory Committee Tecolote Nature Center. Contact Eloise Battle for details. 7 p.m.

3rd Thursday Linda Vista Town Council Baha’i Faith Center Alcala Knoll Drive Contact Thomas Kaye 858.277.6793 at 6:30 p.m.

4th Monday LVCPC– Linda Vista Community Planning Committee Linda Vista Library Meeting Room. Contact Ed Cramer at 619.222.2047 for details. 7:00 p.m.

4th Wednesday LVPC– Linda Vista Planning Committee Monthly Meeting Linda Vista Library Meeting Room at 6 pm. Contact Jeff Perwin 619.806.9559 for details, minutes and agenda at www.LindaVistaSD.com.

Linda Vista View Linda Vista Town Council Community Newsletter Contact Thomas Kaye at 858.278.6973 Various Wednesdays LVNewsletter– Linda Vista View Civic Association Community Newsletter. Bayside Community Center. Contact Sarah Granby at 858.405.7135 or email sgranby@lvca—sd.org. 2:00 p.m.

Mission Hills Kadampa Meditation Center 3125 Rosecrans Street, Bldg. B 619.230.5852

Meditation Classes most Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. & Saturday at 4 p.m.

Kids & Families Sundays at 9 a.m.

Prayers for World Peace Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Simply Meditate MWF 12 to 12:45;TT 12:15 to 12:45 p.m

More classes and events listed on our website: www.meditateinsandiego.com

November 21st, 2019 Mission Hills Garden Club The Mission Hills Garden Club’s November meeting is the annual holiday potluck party. It will be held on the third Thursday, November 21, 2019 (due to Thanksgiving), at the United Church of Christ at 4070 Jackdaw from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.missionhillsgardenclub.org.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach Planning Board Ocean Beach Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave. Call 619.523.1700. 7–9:30 p.m.

4th Wednesday Ocean Beach Town Council Ocean Beach Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Avenue. Call Jere Battan at 619.515.4400 for information. 7 p.m.

Point Loma

November 13th, 2019 The program for this meeting is Holiday Floral Designs by Betty Patterson del Sol. The meetings take place at 10 a.m. at the Portuguese Hall, 2818 Avenida de Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106.

More information is available at www.plgc.org.

• PresidioSentinel.com •

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Real Estate

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Rent Control and the Return of the Pod People Not willing to wait, the governor just signed a bill California now has statewide rent control. The historic bill enacted as AB 1482, will limit annual that would allow up to three living units on an existing rent increases to about 7.5% and provide some other home lot. As you recall, last year the previous governor modest tenant protections. Opposed by powerful championed a law allowing a second unit (called an real estate trade associations and property rights advocates, accessory dwelling unit or ADU) to be built in single family zones; think of this the fact that this law passed new bill as ADU regulation speaks more to changes in Nor th Mission Hills on steroids.

California demographics and 2233 Hickory Streets • $1,395,000 It is admirable that the state politics. Those in Sacramento # MLS 190017900 is taking the lead in addressing are determined to act on the this crisis. It is not healthy, state’s undeniable housing socially or economically, that shortage (and attendant most renters and entry-level homeless problem) and home buyers in San Diego seem willing to move spend nearly half of their into heretofore politically income on housing and are risky territory. often forced to have soulRent control has been sapping commutes. a contentious political So we are back to SB 50’s issue in California and San likely successor. There will be a Diego over the past 40 ophisticated Spanish home thoughtfully updated. pitched battle early next year but years and the arguments 4 bedrooms plus a studio or gym. Dramatic family the handwriting is on the wall. tend to revolve around the room with 12’ foot ceilings open to an outdoor living Eventually there will be more political and less around the room and a lush and private enclosed flat canyon garden. density in our city, particularly economic benefits. AB 1482 Call Jim Scott • 619.920.9511 along transportation corridors. will not have the dramatic Broker–Associate • CalDRE 830226 Local land-use advocates will impact predicted by both sides of the issue. In my view, AB 1482 will neither mount legal and political challenges to no avail. The powers encourage nor discourage construction as the new up north know they have the tools and political capital to rules do not apply to apartments built within the last 15 severely crimp, if not destroy, NIMBYism. Unstoppable years. True, that the new law will rein in egregious rent demographic changes are on their side and they know it.

Which brings me to the pod people. Some landlords increases and provide a few speed bumps for apartment % flippers, but the approximate 7.5 annual increase are converting apartments into pod residences, where a cap will not benefit the renter class significantly. The tenant sleeps in a small sleeping nook (similar to a train real problem is the imbalance of population growth berth) within a larger living unit. The Japanese pioneered and new apartment construction. these sleeping pods in airports, but modern podsters To encourage construction of both apartments and get a residential experience similar to a hotel. It sounds houses, the state is working to reduce the power of unappealing at first blush, but it beats living in your car. I local governments to restrict new construction and the applaud this his kind of creative thinking as another way semi-public community groups that have traditionally to address this problem. regulated land use. The governor and the legislature Those is Sacramento know they were late getting to the believe that by holding up, modifying, and delaying party. I take solace in the fact that something is being done proposed residential development, local limited-growth at the state and local level, not perfect perhaps, but better advocacy groups and local land-use regulations will have than leaving hard task of solving the future generations. less impact on the process. They have been criticized No one wants to see increased traffic, noise, and (unfairly) as some of the prime reasons the state has a crowds on their familiar turf. We love our cars and large housing and homelessness crisis. backyards and wide streets with plenty of street parking.

This state-local conflict will continue to play out next But as a society, we have to face a series of unpalatable year when the legislature takes up a successor to last land use choices that offer no easy paths or perfect year’s failed SB 50, conceived around the safe idea that solutions. Population growth is forcing our hand. We like Sacramento needs to control local zoning decisions. This things the way they are, but as the seismic political shifts includes not only changing multi-family development of the past three years illustrate, there will be changes rules but also regulations that govern the formerly coming. Fortunately, real estate development moves more sacrosanct single family residential zones. slowly than a half-dead oil tanker. We will adjust.

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You can reach Jim at the Scott & Quinn Real Estate office located in the heart of Mission Hills at 1111 Fort Stockton Drive.

He has been a Broker since 1982 and a homeowner in Mission Hills since 1976. Jim is experienced in residential and commercial real estate.

www.JimScottHomes.com

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