C H U L A V I S TA - B O N I TA
FREE
ART IN CHULA VISTA
OCTOBER 2018
CITIZEN OF THE MONTH: MARGARET BAKER
CONTENTS/
O C T O B E R 201 8
EDITOR'S LETTER
04
Few things excite me more than the creative and performing arts. In fact, I remember exclaiming to a friend on the phone, my freshman or sophomore year of college, that I had realized my career path. “I’m an arts girl!” I announced. My friend paused for a moment before saying, “Well, Amber, I could have told you that!”
BRAVO
My friend had seen me act in enough plays and heard me give enough piano performances to know this was no surprise. My big realization was just that— mine. I had to reach that conclusion for myself by taking college-level piano and organ lessons, visiting art museums in Ann Arbor and Detroit, attending my first opera and ballet, and then working as a program assistant for Arts @ Michigan, a University of Michigan department then dedicated to making the arts accessible to undergrads. I learned through that experience that there’s a field called arts management, and it was a field I wanted to explore. You may have heard that making music has tremendous benefits to children’s brain development. It’s true, yet there are so many additional benefits to people—young and old—from studying an art form. Benefits in health, achievement, creativity, the economy, society…The list truly could fill the page. I am delighted this month to bring you an update from the City of Chula Vista about its Cultural Arts Division and to feature two local visual artists. I attended a reception for Michael Leaf’s work just a few weeks ago, and Melissa, the designer of Our Hometown Magazine, attended one for Susan Ashley. Needless to say, we were both wowed by the creative genius that each displayed through their work. When was the last time you went to an art museum or exhibit, or drew a picture with your kids or grandkids? If it’s been a while, try it. There’s something freeing about participating in one of the arts, even if you feel silly and uncoordinated. There’s also something majestic about seeing or listening to the arts, experiencing the awe of human potential.
Announcements
06 NEWS On your Doorstep
16 FEATURE Art in Chula Vista
23 SCHOOL NEWS 25 CALENDAR Out & About
26 CITIZEN OF THE MONTH Margaret Baker
“In times as dire as ours, everything matters more than art. Yet in such times, art matters more than ever.” -Unknown
—AMBER WEBER, editor ARTWORK BY SUSAN ASHLEY
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BRAVO
. . . great things happening in our community
PUBLISHED BY
MICHAEL MONACO, Publisher
AMBER WEBER, Editor
MELISSA MONROY, Design
ARIANNA PINTADO, Contributor / Intern Advertising Inquiries: Michael Monaco at Sales@OurHometownMag.com. Editorial Contributions: Amber Weber at Editor@OurHometownMag.com. Visit us online at: www.OurHometownMag.com.
› To the FRIENDS OF THE BONITA-SUNNYSIDE LIBRARY (FOL) for serving the community. Since the library’s reopening on March 5, 1995 at its present location at 4375 Bonita Road, the FOL has raised tens of thousands of dollars donated directly to the library to provide programs and materials. Run entirely by volunteers, the FOL purchases about 15 bestsellers per month for the library, matches the funds for subscription magazines every year and provides the funding for most of its programming, including its after-school programs, the World of Spices cooking classes for adults and all of the paid performer summer programs for children. The FOL is also in the process of creating a scholarship program to help further the education of library employees. The Bonita-Sunnyside Library will be undergoing an expansion, much of it to benefit the children’s section, starting in Summer 2019, and the FOL will make a sizeable donation towards this end. The community may assist the FOL by purchasing books from the bookstore’s collection, including a vast selection of children’s books. Additionally, the FOL accepts donations and welcomes members at only $10 per year–one can even volunteer a few hours per month at the bookstore, if desired! The Friends of the Bonita-Sunnyside Library Bookstore is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, a huge, semi-annual, shed-clearing book sale will be held on Saturday, October 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the library’s community room–all books in that room will be only 50 cents! Every book has been donated so feel free to drop off your donations of any type of book/ text, CD and/or DVD during store hours.
› To the SPONSORS AND GUESTS SUPPORTING THE ARTS FOR ANIMALS FUNDRAISER held on Wednesday, September 19. This event featured new resident artist Susan Ashley along with work by local artist Rich Walker. Guests were treated to an evening of libations, hor d’ouevres and art. The event benefited the Friends of the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility. “Donations will help 25 middle aged dogs receive much needed dental care and a new lease on life. This creates a more comfortable demeanor and makes them more adoptable,” stated former Mayor Cheryl Cox. This event would not have been possible without the sponsorship of Jim Lowther of Prescott & Lowther, Minnie Rzeslawski – RE/ Max 24K Realty, Our Hometown Magazine, Susan Kaplan – Beloved Pet sitting, and a generous donation by Dency Souval. A special thank you goes to Kino Medina, owner of the Gentle Penguin, who hosted this event.
Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. OHTM Inc. is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of Send us your good news! the Publisher or advertisers. OHTM Inc has the right to refuse Email editor@ourhometownmag.com prior to the 15th of the month and we will do our best to put the advertising. Contact OHTM Inc. good news in an upcoming issue. 4 O U R H OMETOWN • OC TOBE R 2 0 18 at (619) 840−7722.
OU R H OM E TOW NMAG. CO M 5
NEWS
/ On your Doorstep
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CH
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PARENT ACADEMY IC
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Port of San Diego and San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Reach Rental Car Fee Settlement to Support Chula Vista Bayfront Project
L DIST R
4th annual
Join us for this amazing opportunity to learn and network with other parents.
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CVESDParentAcademy.org For more information contact: Language Development and Instruction Department: (619) 425-9600 ext. 1520
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On August 28, a joint statement was released by the Port of San Diego and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority along with a copy of a settlement agreement signed on August 27, 2018. In summary, the rental car fee currently being collected will fund the construction of a parking garage on the Chula Vista Bayfront. Under the settlement, the Airport Authority agreed to withdraw from a related lawsuit, and the Port agreed to several provisions that protect Airport Authority interests. The Port and the Airport Authority are committed to being good regional partners, and the settlement supports financial sustainability of the Chula Vista Bayfront, a project that will create more than 20,000 permanent jobs with a regional economic impact of more than $2 billion annually. "Our San Diego region is known as a place where people put aside narrow interests and work together to overcome obstacles for the greater good. That's why I am pleased that we have reached a settlement with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority regarding their response to litigation over a rental car fee, which is an important component of the Chula Vista Bayfront plan," said Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego Chairman. "I want to thank everyone, including elected leaders and community stakeholders, who encouraged a prompt resolution of this matter." Port of San Diego Commissioner Ann Moore, Chula Vista’s representative on the Board, said, "The Chula Vista Bayfront project is a game-changer for economic development in South Bay, and we need to continue our momentum on the resort hotel and convention center that will be a cornerstone of this project. We have reached a resolution that addresses the funding mechanism for a parking facility that will serve the public for many years to come. I'm pleased that all parties recognize the importance of this project, and now we can move forward without further delay." "The Airport Authority stands behind important projects, like the Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment, that draw visitors to our region," said April Boling, Airport Authority Board Chairman. "Regional prosperity hinges on everyone working together, and in this case, both parties have done that."
On your Doorstep
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On your Doorstep
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On your Doorstep
Home Tour and Craft Show Support Woman’s Club Bonita Holidays, the Sweetwater Woman’s Club (SWC)’s 51st Home Tour and Craft Show, is coming October 26 and 27. This annual event will include a craft show on Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Three beautiful local homes will be open Saturday only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Home Tour.
Trick Or Treat Both Sides of the Street at Village Walk at Eastlake & Eastlake Village Marketplace
After 50 years of a Saturday and Sunday craft show, the move to a Friday and Saturday event is a big change for this 100+ year-old club. Members hope to draw in new attendees with this “big change.” Besides the crafters, a Garden Shop and Farmer’s Market will offer home-made baked goods and assorted plants grown by the club’s 65 members. The emphasis this year will be on offering baked goods for those on sugar-free and gluten-free diets. There will also be lots of cookies, brownies and breads. Members have worked all year starting plants and making small dish gardens for sale. The SWC’s famous holiday cheese balls will be available for purchase again this year. The cheese balls are handcrafted from Wisconsin cheese by club members and volunteers. The production line is reminiscent of an I Love Lucy episode complete with ladies in hairnets and plastic gloves. Judging by the laughter heard during cheese ball making day, known as Cheese Ball Monday, the ladies have a lot of fun. After a good day's work, between 750 and 800 cheese balls are produced for sale. Free samples are available at the craft show so you can taste the different flavors of cheese before you buy. Finding unusual and well-made craft items for sale has always been a Bonita Holidays goal. With over 22 crafters offering everything from handmade jewelry to garden ornaments to olives, there should be something for everyone. Since the craft show has been held for so many years, we have our pick of the best crafters in the area. While browsing at the craft show, be sure to check out the raffle items, including dinner for six with the Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Department, golf with a pro for three at Barona and a cash prize. All proceeds from Bonita Holidays go back to the South Bay community in the form of scholarships to graduating Sweetwater Union High School seniors, to the Chula Vista Welfare Council, South Bay Community Services and more.
Calling all trick or treaters! Children ages 12 and under are invited to pick up free treats at participating merchants at Village Walk at EastLake and EastLake Village Marketplace on Wednesday, October 31 from 3 to 5 p.m. Children should dress in costume and be accompanied by an adult. Simply check in at the free registration area at each shopping center, receive a free treat bag and then enjoy the free treats that will be distributed by participating merchants. The two shopping centers are situated next to one another. EastLake Village Marketplace is located on the corner of Otay Lakes Road and EastLake Parkway in Chula Vista, and Village Walk at EastLake is located on EastLake Parkway and Miller Drive. For additional information, call (858) 695-2700.
For more information and tickets for the Home Tour, call (619) 482-4505 or visit sweetwaterwomansclub.org. OU R H OM E TOW NMAG. CO M 9
On your Doorstep
Volunteers Needed for 16th Annual Beautify Chula Vista Day
Barons Market Announces New Location at Otay Ranch Town Center Family-owned market will open ninth location in Winter 2019
There’s still time to register for Beautify Chula Vista, the popular neighborhood cleanup event. This year’s 16th annual event offers four Chula Vista locations for volunteers to choose from: Memorial Park, 373 Park Way; Otay Valley Regional Park, located behind 1795 Rios Avenue; Terra Nova Community Park, 455 Windrose Way; and Chula Vista Community Park at 1600 Eastlake Parkway. The community event, hosted by Mayor Mary Casillas Salas and the Chula Vista City Council, in collaboration with I Love a Clean San Diego, is scheduled for Saturday, October 20, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at each location. More than 600 volunteers are expected to turn out this year to pick up litter, clean up graffiti and remove weeds. Participants must provide their own transportation, wear appropriate clothing and shoes, bring work gloves, a refillable water bottle, and snacks or lunch. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours and for residents to get involved by lending a helping hand in their community. For more details and registration for individuals or groups, please visit www. beautifychulavista.org. All volunteers must register prior to the event. For registration questions, contact I Love a Clean San Diego at ckeen@cleansd.org or call (619) 704-2774. 10 O U R HOMETOWN • OC TOB E R 2 0 18
Barons Market, a familyowned grocery with locations across Southern California, has announced its ninth location at Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista's Eastlake neighborhood. The new Barons Market will move into the space currently occupied by DSW Shoes, which is relocating into a larger, remodeled spot at the shopping center. Barons will be the center's first grocery and is one of several recently announced additions and enhancements. "For years, the South Bay San Diego community has requested a Barons Market," says Barons Market Vice President of Marketing Rachel Shemirani. "We owed it to the community to seek out a perfect store location that reflected the tight-knit culture of the neighborhood and Barons' family values. We found that in Eastlake and look forward to offering good food at good prices to our new patrons. The shopping center owner, Brookfield, has been a wonderful partner in helping us with the planning and design of the new store."
The newest location will feature iconic qualities, such as:
• Olive oil and vinegar bar–the only grocery chain in California with this feature • Hot soup bar, fresh salad bar and antipasto bar • Organic, natural and specialty foods at competitive prices • Grab-n-go entrees • Collaboration with local farms to bring customers the best quality and freshest produce • The best local craft beer selection in San Diego Barons Market will partner with Interior Designer Julie Dugas of Studio H2G to transform the 21,000-square-foot space into an innovative grocery store with a one-of-a-kind design that reflects the neighborhood's character and energy. Dugas designed all eight Barons Markets and promises no two stores look exactly alike. "Barons Market has a loyal customer base here in San Diego County and we are thrilled to be the partner to bring this market to Chula Vista," said Steven Sayers, senior general manager of Otay Ranch Town Center. "As a comprehensive community destination with shopping, dining, entertainment and fitness, the addition of Barons to our tenant mix is a perfect fit for our customers," he added. With the new location, Barons plans to bring approximately 50 jobs to Eastlake. The market will hold a job fair approximately eight weeks prior to the opening, which is set for Winter 2019.
On your Doorstep
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On your Doorstep
Quarry Crusher Run Returns to Chula Vista on November 3
Back by popular demand, the 2nd Annual Quarry Crusher Run returns to Chula Vista this November following a highly successful inaugural event last year, which drew nearly 250 participants and raised $25,000 for charity. The 277-acre Vulcan Material’s Company quarry will once again serve as the race venue. The unique course will take runners deep into the pit of the quarry, which is surrounded by towering rock walls, and then back up to the top, which offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean spanning from downtown San Diego to Mexico. The event will benefit the Chula Vista Firefighter’s Foundation (CVFF), which provides financial assistance to local fire victims. "The CVFF is proud to partner with Vulcan to host the 2nd Annual Quarry Crusher Run on Saturday, November 3. This race is an exciting opportunity to check out a live mining facility by participating in a 5K or 10K run that takes you up, down, and through this unique environment!” said Josh Sanders, President of the CVFF. He continued, “The CVFF is a 501(c)3 non-profit run on a volunteer basis by off-duty firefighters and local citizens, and our primary mission is to help those in need. This is accomplished by doing things like disaster relief (providing help to folks after a house fire), our water and pool safety drowning awareness program, our CPR program, and more. Funds raised at the Quarry Crusher Run will go directly to the CVFF to help us with these valuable programs and our mission.” Presented by Hawthorne CAT, the Quarry Crusher Run starts at 8 a.m. and offers two race categories: Single Crusher (~3.5 miles, $40 registration fee) and Double Crusher (run the course twice, $50 registration fee). Participants will also receive a commemorative t-shirt and custom finisher’s medal. This challenging course offers unbelievable views of the quarry with every step. Participants in other cities have ranged in age from 12 to 76 years old—this is truly an event for every fitness level and an experience not to be missed. 12 OU R HOMETOWN • OC TOB E R 2 0 18
On your Doorstep
Homeless Outreach Team Makes a Difference in Chula Vista
Two years ago, the City of Chula Vista recognized an increase in homelessness in the City and implemented the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) to specifically address the issue. HOT consists of City staff such as the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD), Public Works, and Parks and Recreation collaborating with community partners. This multi-disciplinary group focuses on reaching out to the homeless population daily. Specific emphasis is made on Tuesdays when the group provides outreach to five City parks: Eucalyptus, Friendship, Harborside, Lauderbach and Memorial. Led by CVPD Lt. Henry Martin, HOT members include Sgt. Frank Giaime, Officer Jeff Pace, Officer Hugo Cardenas, Park Ranger Sam Alzubaidi, and a trained member from PERT (Psychiatric Emergency Response Team) who accompanies the group. Each Monday, unattended items left in City parks and other areas are tagged and, if not moved within a specific time, hauled away. On Tuesdays, HOT members meet in the parks for homeless outreach with their community partners including San Diego Family Health Center, McAlister Institute, Community Through Hope, Bay View Hospital, Scripps Hospital, South Bay Community Services, Veterans Affairs, South Bay Pioneers, East County Living Center and South Bay Guidance Center. Homelessness is not a crime, and homeless individuals cannot be forced out of a park or other location just because they are homeless. They are citizens who have rights like any other citizen, and the Chula Vista HOT treats them with dignity and respect while honoring its commitment to keep our neighborhoods safe. HOT breaks down barriers, allowing the homeless to take their first steps on a path to recovery.
"Partnering with the communities where we operate is a core value for Vulcan and we are proud to support the Chula Vista Firefighter's Foundation through this fun event. We certainly hope everyone will join us in supporting CVFF on November 3!" said Barbara Goodrich-Welk, Manager of the Government and Community Relations Western Division for Vulcan Materials Company. Registration is available at QuarryCrusherRun.com. Vulcan Materials Company Quarry is located at 2275 Hard Rock Road in Chula Vista near the Mattress Firm Amphitheatre.
Since its inception, HOT has documented contact with 721 individuals and helped many off the streets. In the past year, ten have gone to South Bay Community Services, 22 to Project One for All, ten to KIVA (McAlister), ten to Alpha Project, 30 to East County Living Center, one to St. Paul’s Pace, two to Adelante’s mental health facility, two to the County’s Whole Person wellness program, ten to Traveler’s Aid, five to independent living facilities and five to South Bay Pioneers. Additionally, from January through August 2018, park rangers have removed 106,330 pounds of trash and 1,033 shopping carts from various locations throughout the City. A new aspect of the Chula Vista HOT in collaboration with McAlister Institute is the “Work for Hope” job training program. Funded by a $35,000 Kaiser Foundation Hospitals grant, selected homeless individuals are offered work such as graffiti removal, painting and other beautification projects in the City. The Work for Hope participants are paid cash during a three-day work week and offered vocational rehabilitation training, life skills instruction and assistance with transportation, job readiness and possible housing. “This program has been a great success,” said Sgt. Giaime. “Other homeless individuals have seen the efforts and are asking how they can be put to work too. And that is our ultimate goal…to help them be productive members of society.” OU R H OM E TOW N M AG. CO M 13
On your Doorstep
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On your Doorstep
South Bay Historical Society
PRESENTS FAMED BRAZILIAN 'SNAKE DANCER' SUZY KING By Barbara Zaragoza
A famous Brazilian ‘snake dancer’ once lived in Chula Vista.
Alberto de Oliveira and Alberto Camarero, authors of Cravo na Carne: Fama e Fome (Carnations in the Flesh: Fame and Hunger), visited Chula Vista from São Paulo, Brazil to find traces of this once famed performer. Prior to their journey, they reached out to many residents via email asking for information. The documents that de Oliveira and Camarero uncovered are available in Portuguese at their website suzyking.blogspot.com.
However, Suzy King disappeared from Brazil in 1965, likely due to the crackdown on artists as well as the troubled political situation. She appears to have passed through Peru, Panama and Mexico, where she lived in Tijuana and was a member of the National Association of Actors, presenting herself as a singer, dancer and enchantress of snakes. Some knew her as the "Queen of the Amazon."
Born Georgina Pires Sampaio in 1917, during the 1940s ‘Suzy King’— as she became known—settled in Rio de Janeiro where she began singing and dancing with snakes. Billed as the “Goddess of Serpents,” she performed in circuses, nightclubs and theaters.
From Mexico, Suzy King went to Chula Vista, where she married an American, Weldon Jackson Bailey, in 1970. The marriage— Weldon’s sixth—was likely arranged so that Suzy could remain in the United States. Thereafter, she resided in trailer parks, at one point taking English classes at Our Lady of Guadalupe on Anita Street. In 1983 she appears to have been a victim of racism. She sued two neighbors accusing them of assaulting her and threatening her in various ways, despite the fact that she had become a naturalized citizen.
By the 1950s, Rio de Janeiro had many performers who engaged in a type of spectacle called faquiresa. Entertainers would lock themselves in a glass urn for many days and fast while reclining on a bed of nails or broken glass surrounded by snakes.
Photos (top to bottom) Cravo na Carne book cover; Jackie Bailey took English classes at Our Lady of Guadalupe on Anita Street in Chula Vista (Photo by Barbara Zaragoza); Alberto de Oliveira (left) and Alberto Camarero (right) (Photo by Barbara Zaragoza)
Suzy King saw faquiresa as a chance to get into the spotlight. In 1956 she spent 20 days inside an urn fasting alongside three snakes, wearing only a bikini. Then in 1959 she began a faquiresa exhibition in front of the Rio audience at the Ritz Gallery in Copacabana. Her fast lasted one hundred and ten days. By the end of this period, she had beaten the World Record and became known as the “Queen of Faquiresa.”
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On August 9, 1985, Suzy King’s body was found in her trailer at 352 Broadway; the cause of death was unknown. If you have any additional knowledge of Suzy King, please contact the author at alberto1992oliveira@gmail.com. The South Bay Historical Society researches local history and holds free events throughout the year. Visit southbayhistoricalsociety.org.
OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 15
FOREVER YOUNG
ART IN CHULA VISTA
Chula Vista truly has something for everyone. It is rich in all areas, including
the arts. Michael Leaf and Susan Ashley are two such artists who call Chula Vista home and have benefitted from the City’s Cultural Arts Division.
C V ARTS
CRE A T E
The Cultural Arts Division for the City of Chula Vista (CVARTS) has grown tremendously since the approval of the Cultural Arts Master Plan in 2016. With an immersive public outreach strategy, CVARTS continues to create, collaborate and connect with local creatives to push Chula Vista forward as an arts and culture destination.
CVARTS provides a variety of opportunities for artists and arts organizations to create, produce and implement their creative visions. These opportunities are, in large part, made possible by the Performing and Visual Arts Grant (PVAG). The PVAG program provides funding to arts organizations and creative individuals to build and create arts programming in the City. Through these arts programming opportunities, CVARTS has been able to promote and expand the rich cultural landscape of Chula Vista, both on a local and regional level. Bringing cultural arts to the forefront is not only an essential part of Chula Vista’s economic growth, but supporting and growing arts and culture encourages the innovation, exploration and expression that are the ingredients of a thriving, diverse and vibrant community.
CO L L A B OR A T E CVARTS collaborates with local businesses and artists to build a creative synergy revolving around the community and economic development. In the past year, CVARTS has also worked in partnership with numerous local businesses to bring arts programming into their space. Most recently, Chula Vista Brewery opened its doors to welcome a High Tech High student-curated art show, Day of the Avocados (Dia de los Aguacates). PVAG funding provided three student scholarships for participating students.
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CVARTS is working to build Chula Vista’s exposure on the regional arts and cultural scene as well. Earlier this year, CVARTS partnered with the Museum of Photographic Arts to bring a piece of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival to Chula Vista. The festival screening took place at the Chula Vista Civic Center Library and included a preview of four out of the five films. The screening included a panel discussion with human rights leaders and organizations, including representatives from the ACLU, ACCE Action, Love Thy Neighbor, Intrepid Theater and Border Angels.
CO N N E CT CVARTS promotes and celebrates local creatives through a strong social media presence, scholarships and awards, and the Artist Spotlight program. This year CVARTS provided scholarships for artistic excellence to five, local high school students and a variety of amazing talent and community arts advocates such as muralists Armando Nunez and Michelle Guerrero, dancers Bernadette Torres and Elvina Adams, community advocates Ruben Torres (Love Thy Neighbor) and Tommy Ramirez (MAAC Charter High School), photographer Jimmy Whitson, and visual artists John Anderson and Xavier Alarcon were featured as part of CVARTS’ monthly Artist Spotlight. To create, collaborate, connect and find information on everything arts and culture in Chula Vista follow CVARTS at @CV_ARTS, @CulturalArtsCV, @ChulaVistaArts.
FOREVER YOUNG
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FOREVER YOUNG
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MICHAEL LEAF
FOREVER YOUNG
San Diego International Film Festival
Sometimes you may have a plan for your life, but life may not have that plan for you. Michael Leaf’s life seems to have followed this mantra. The third-generation, Chula Vista native has gone from skating all over the world to recreating unique images from his mind into eye-capturing masterpieces.
explains the process was chaotic given the short one-hour time limit to collect all 9,000 pounds of metal from the demolition site needed for his art piece. After getting the final design approval, Michael created a lasting tribute to a piece of San Diego history that can now be seen on the San Diego Bayfront.
Growing up, Michael says he has always been artistic, constantly drawing and decorating open spaces. Even though his original career path of being a pro-skater in the X Games took him a different way, art eventually found him again years later. Michael dove into the art of the body by emerging himself in yoga and designating that as his new path. Then all it took was a dream to send him onto a new one.
With several pieces of his artwork decorating people’s homes and a few embellishing his office walls, Michael says he is most proud of the feelings he gives people.
Michael recounts the dream that led him to his dream career. “I was in this house and there was a painting, like a sculpture, on the wall. It was a metal hand that was cut out and bent. I looked into the handprint, and I saw outer space. I told myself I had to make that; it was 3:23 a.m. I figured a torch out, and I made it and I said I am doing this the rest of my life,” said Michael.
He continues by saying he is most proud of his power to inspire others to follow their dreams. “As powerful as it is to watch them be so moved by what is happening, it’s when I've had people tell me they are inspired and they pursued things because of my art.”
Michael practices what he calls “free thinking art” which means he builds what he sees in his mind. He mentions that he never forces any of his artwork, and when he has a vision of a piece, he uses his canvas as an outlet. Even when working commissions, he collaborates with his clients and together creates a piece that was better than they expected. He says he finds it difficult to describe his artwork. He believes it’s all organic, multi-dimensional and fluid, but there is no clear answer—It is simply “me.” One of Michael’s noteworthy creations is his sculpture “Powering the Arts” created to commemorate the former San Diego power plant. He describes this project in two words: “very heavy.” He
“I have that experience to watch them see what has happened and how they cry or they can’t speak because they are shocked of how it turned out,” said Michael.
Even though he is a well-established artist and does charity work with organizations including the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility and Project Kenny, Michael mentions that his biggest accomplishment is his family. Michael shares that he continues to live in Chula Vista because of his deep roots. His grandfather established himself here, and his own father built the tallest flagpole in the world that rests right in their steel yard. He is assured that the city has much potential for more lively art and even hinted there might be a few art projects from him in the works. Chula Vista soon might be seeing a little more of Michael’s masterpieces. For more info about Michael Leaf, visit michaelleafdesign.com. OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 19
FOREVER YOUNG
SUSAN ASHLEY
“I love my work to reflect thoughts on humanity. When people build a city, a style and perspective intrigue me.
Susan Ashley is another local artist. Her formative years were in Burlingame; her parents moved from Dayton, Ohio when she was a preschooler. After attending Burlingame High School, she went to UC Berkeley and majored in social welfare. “I love helping people,” she states.
Also the artful floral arrangements of people when they are students of ikebana are beautiful. Portraits create the most obvious focus on people. I especially like to show the passions of each person that surround him or her on the backgrounds. Texture and bold color define my work. I have been called a colorist and try to have every artwork I make unique in style and technique.” −Susan Ashley
She also loved art, so she took as many art history courses as possible. At UC Berkeley, she met the love of her life, Andre. They married after her graduation, and he went into the Navy where they lived in San Diego. Their first child was born, and they moved to San Jose while Andre worked in Sunnyvale at Lockheed. They had two other children. While they attended preschool, Susan was president of the adult education. They organized an outdoor art show to raise money for the school, which was a success. In a few years she decided to help with family income by earning a master’s degree in social work. However, San Jose State's master’s program wanted Spanish speakers. She was hired at the Chabot Gallery in San Jose doing sales of artists like Leroy Neiman. In a couple of years, she sought more creative work by creating draperies and upholstery and becoming an interior designer. All through “the early years,” she took classes and workshops in painting.
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She began to paint watercolors and show her work. Susan loved the art in Japan and studied ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, along with two others. She was asked to display flowers at Bouquet to Arts at De Young Museum in 2009. When she retired from working in department stores, she made art her full-time profession. In 2007, she won a scholarship to the San Francisco Academy of Art, where she studied anatomy. Susan received signature membership in the California Watercolor Association and had different gallery experiences, mostly in San Francisco. One gallery at Art People in San Francisco sold and shipped one of her artworks to Japan. Susan found San Francisco to be a better place to show and sell her art than San Jose. She entered national shows and continued to enjoy painting. Collage is contemporary, and it interests her to make it look painted. In 2015 she won the International Manhattan Arts Award for her collage, a self-portrait titled “Just a Woman.” Just this year, she was awarded a certificate of excellence for a collage cityscape from the National Association of Women Artists. After several decades living in the San Francisco Bay area, she moved to Chula Vista. She and her husband are near family and find San Diego to be a very artsy community. For more info about Susan Ashley, visit www.ashleyfinearts.com.
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FOREVER YOUNG
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SCHOOL Preschoolers Show Fitness Enthusiasm at Wellness Center Dedication
4th Annual CVESD Parent Academy to be held October 13
Employee wellness center sets standard for District health initiatives
The Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD), the largest elementary school district in California with more than 29,600 students, is holding the 4th Annual Parent Academy on Saturday, October 13.
The Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD)’s youngest learners demonstrated bear crawls, jumping jacks and pushups. They squirmed in place a little, too. After all, they’re preschoolers. So, some skipped the pushups altogether and joyfully danced to music as their preschool teachers led them in a “workout.” The fitness-related fun was part of the Grand Opening Dedication and Open House for the District’s new Wellness Center on August 28. The First Five-funded program improves the quality of preschool programs, supports early education initiatives involving staff and educates a network of adults in nutrition, physical fitness and overall well-being. An objective is for teachers to show our youngest learners the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. “They are better learners when they feel good about themselves,” Board Member Laurie K. Humphrey told the audience of parents and District staff. “I’m a former teacher in the District. I know the importance of physical fitness in the classroom and teaching good nutritional habits...Now, our teachers can improve their own health while learning new activities for their classes.” Preschool teachers Albert Decima of Finney Elementary and Maria “Mila” Valadez of Otay Elementary each noted that they participate in District fitness classes, modeling and adopting healthy behaviors and learning activities that they can adapt to their respective classrooms. That’s exactly the point, said Superintendent Francisco Escobedo, Ed.D. He noted that student obesity rates have dropped 17 percent districtwide since 2010. School gardens, healthy meal choices and physical fitness instruction all contribute to a healthier student body. The Wellness Center will assist staff and teachers in achieving positive fitness goals. “Children model adult behaviors from a very early age,” Dr. Escobedo said. “We want to empower our teachers to confidently and authentically demonstrate the positive effects of healthy choices for our youngest learners.” The Wellness Center is adorned with “Live Well Chula Vista” banners. It is located in an upper parking lot of the CVESD Education Service and Support Center at 84 East J Street. Fitness classes are offered at no cost to employees on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. The Thursday 5 p.m. class is a yoga class.
The Parent Academy directly engages parents in their children’s education and prepares them to provide the support needed for students to be more successful in school. The academy has been likened to “professional development for parents.” Educators know that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. “The support of parents is key to our efforts,” said Superintendent Francisco Escobedo, Ed.D. “Our District invests considerable resources to strengthen relationships with our parents, build collaborative partnerships, and enhance learning outcomes for the whole family. The Parent Academy is a great way to reach families across our community.” There will be a variety of workshops offered at the Parent Academy. Sessions will: • Teach parents how to help their children in meeting rigorous state standards in math, reading and writing. • Help parents understand how dual language immersion programs work. • Demonstrate how technology is used at school and how your children can follow up with their work using school programs at home. • Provide tips on improving student health and wellness, and anti-bullying strategies. • Provide information on Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), the arts and more! The Parent Academy will take place at Vista Square Elementary, which is located at 540 G Street in Chula Vista. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and the event ends at 12 p.m. For more information, contact the Language Development and Instruction Department at (619) 425-9600, Ext. 1520. OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 23
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OCTOBER
FILM FORUM Friends of the Chula Vista Library invite you to a free film presentation @ 6-8 p.m. @ Chula Vista Civic Center Auditorium, 365 F Street in Chula Vista. 12 “YELLOW SUBMARINE” Rated PG. 24 “THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR” Rated PG.
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PSAR ZOMBIE 5K RUN/WALK @ 9 a.m. – noon @ Rohr Park, 4548 Sweetwater Road in Bonita. Come get your zombie on! Enjoy face painting, trick or treats, games, prizes, a costume contest and raffle. Tickets are $10. Children under 5 are free. Proceeds help support AJ's Kids for Rady Children's Hospital and South Bay Community Services.
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MARINE CORPS LEAGUE SOUTHBAY DETACHMENT 1207 MEETING @ 7 – 8 p.m. @ Chula Vista Veterans Home, Building F, 700 E. Naples Court in Chula Vista. Meet former and retired Marines, Navy, Army and Air Force veterans plus hear from a guest speaker. Please call Commandant Jim Thomas at (619) 227-9535 with questions.
CHULA VISTA CANDIDATE FORUM @ 6 – 8 p.m. @ Chula Vista Presbyterian Church, 940 Hilltop Drive in Chula Vista. Featuring Mayoral, City Attorney, and Districts 1 and 2 candidates. Space is limited; register online at https://tinyurl. com/yaxs92qx or in person starting at 5:30 p.m.
OUT & ABOUT
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PARENT ACADEMY @ 8 a.m. – noon @ Vista Square Elementary School in Chula Vista. Free event to learn and network with other parents. Register at CVESDParentAcademy.org or call (619) 425-9600 ext. 1520 for more info. BONITA-SUNNYSIDE LIBRARY BOOKSALE @ 10 a.m. – noon @ 4375 Bonita Road in Chula Vista. Every book will be on sale for 50 cents, and all book sales benefit the library. MUSIC IN THE PARK @ 4 – 7 p.m. @ Heritage Recreation Center, 1381 East Palomar Street in Chula Vista. Enjoy an evening of free, family fun with the country twang of the Cowboy Jack Band. Kids’ activities provided. For more info, visit chulavistaca. gov/MusicinThePark.
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOLF TOURNAMENT @ 1 p.m. shotgun start @ Chula Vista Golf Course, 4475 Bonita Road in Bonita. $450 for foursome, $125 for individuals. Includes green fee, cart, range balls, boxed lunch and awards banquet. For more info, email info@ chulavistachamber.org or call (619) 420-1269.
FREE MOVIE NIGHT @ Chula Vista Golf Course, 4475 Bonita Road in Bonita. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. and movie begins at dusk. Come out and watch “Hotel Transylvania 3” (PG) on the driving range. Snack bar provided. Presented by the Empower Hour.
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BEAUTIFY CHULA VISTA @ 8:30 a.m. – noon. Make a difference by volunteering to pick up litter, clean up graffiti and remove weeds. Pick from 1 of 4 cleanup sites and register at beautifychulavista.org. VILLIANS IN THE VILLAGE @ 4 – 9 p.m. @ Third Avenue Village, E Street through Park Way in Chula Vista. All-ages event with 20+ nefarious characters and activities. For more info, visit thirdavenuevillage.com. PINGO @ 4:30 – 8 p.m. @ Montevalle Community Center, 840 Duncan Ranch Road in Chula Vista. Play bingo-like games with designer purses. All proceeds go to support the CV Police Activities League scholarship fund and annual food and toy drive. Purchase tickets at https://squareup.com/ store/cvpal.
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SDSU CAMPUS VISIT Sweetwater Union High School District invites 7th graders and their guardians to the "I Pledge to go to College" Field Trip. Applications due October 12. For more info, contact your middle school staff or College and Career Readiness Counselor at (619) 600-3340. FILIPINO HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION @ noon – 4 p.m. @ Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Road in Chula Vista. Free event with live music, dance exhibitions, a kids’ corner, karaoke contest, food and more. For more info, visit thefilipinopress.com or call (619) 755-0755.
FOLLOW @OURHOMETOWNCHULAVISTA ON FACEBOOK! PLEASE NOTE EVENTS AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
FREE TRICK OR TREAT @ 3 – 5 p.m. @ Eastlake Village Marketplace, 2225 Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista. Free treats for all children 12 and under dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult. Pick up your free Halloween bag at participating stores. Visit ShopVillageWalk.com for more info.
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SAVE THE DATE 11/03: VETERANS WALK @ 7 a.m. Registration and 8:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony @ Veterans Home, 700 East Naples Court in in Chula Vista. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2111 invites you to this special event devoted to help support those living in the Veterans Home. Walk, donate, sponsor or volunteer and honor their service. For more info, visit TheVeteransWalk.org. 11/03: SOUTH BAY PUMPKIN SMASH GAME OF THROWS @ 9 a.m. @ Eastlake Middle School, 900 Duncan Ranch Road in Chula Vista. The community is invited to attend and Students, grades in 3 - 12 are encouraged to participate and build Medieval-style devices, smash pumpkins and win prizes. Admission is free for spectators. For details, rules and registration, visit www.LabRats.org.
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Chula Vista City Councilmeber Pat Aguilar's
CITIZEN OF THE MONTH
MARGARET BAKER
Margaret Baker has lived in Chula Vista for 29 years but only became a community activist a couple of years ago, after retiring from a career as a professor at National University and Southwestern College.
A glimpse into her past illustrates why she didn’t have time for civic activism prior to 2017, and it’s indicative of the huge amount of energy she devotes to whatever she’s doing.
Margaret A. Baker–Maggi to her friends–burst onto the political scene in 2017 with a fierce devotion to social justice and immigration issues. Since then, she’s become a familiar figure at Chula Vista City Council meetings, a tireless activist, widely known in progressive circles throughout San Diego County.
Before she was a community activist, Maggi was busy raising a family—and earning six college degrees. (Yes, six. That’s not a typo.)
She helped found South Bay People Power, a grass-roots group of community activists who have become regulars at Chula Vista City Council meetings, advocating for civil rights and immigration reform. They came out in support of the Chula Vista Police Department’s policy on immigration violations. Then they supported the formation of a Chula Vista Human Relations Commission. Maggi Baker dove into the effort to help Chula Vista become part of the Welcoming City network, and then she earned City Council’s support of Senate Bill 54, the “California Values Act.” After that there was the DREAM Act, the Truth Act, and City Council’s resolution condemning the separation of children and parents at the U.S.-Mexican border. Maggi’s success is due to her unflagging passion, her optimistic personality and her never-accept-no-for-ananswer demeanor. So, how did this long-time resident suddenly become a prominent activist in the community? Well, she retired.
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Margaret A. Baker grew up in Carlsbad and started her educational journey at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, earning an associate’s degree in communications. She spent a year at Universidad del Valle in Mexico, earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences at UC Irvine, and a second BA at UC Irvine in Spanish. After that came a master’s degree in anthropology from Cal State Long Beach, another master’s in behavioral sciences from UC Berkeley, and a doctorate from UC Berkeley in health policy and planning. Along the way she and her husband Frank Riley raised two children. Their son Danny died of brain cancer at age 19, 11 years ago. Their daughter, after graduating from Stanford, worked at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Oakland, advocating for women facing cancer diagnoses and language and financial barriers to getting medical care. She is now completing her doctorate in sociology. We are so fortunate to have Margaret Baker as a member of our community, and I am honored to name her our Citizen of the Month for October.
Follow @ourhometownchulavista on Facebook!
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