63 minute read
SEE SHARIA’S CLOSET
Showcasing local artist for 28 years, Del Cerro Gallery and owner Dr. Doug Grosmark have succcessfully merged a healthcare office and art gallery which provides a way for local artists to display and sell their art. Every three months, new work is exhibited. Artists interested in showing work should contact Elaine at the gallery by calling 619-286-1181 or by emailing the gallery at gallerydental@yahoo.com
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County and beyond. Families and individuals served by Sharia’s Closet have a variety of backgrounds: active duty military, at-risk youth, current foster care, disabled, experiencing disaster or crisis, domestic violence, homelessness, etc.
“That truth doesn’t make it to the news, but that is the reality of people’s lives that we’re serving in Sharia’s Closet founder Shamine Linton (Courtesy photos) San Diego,” she said. “I serve people that you’ll never hear about or Linton said that the individuals donations did not show the love read about.” she works with often are nervous and dignity Sharia’s Closet hope
Linton hopes to change the to ask for help because of the so- to convey in their work. narrative in these underserved cietal stigmas but her message is: Over quarantine, Sharia’s Closet communities by building new pil- “There’s no shame in asking for “became like a dumping station,” lars of hope through the services help.” she said. “That is not the intent. available at Sharia’s Closet. One’s situation or background That’s the disheartening part
“Where I grew up, the true does not deter them from getting for us.” sense of family extends beyond assistance, Linton added. Linton wants to encourage just your immedi- people not to ate family. You’re “forget what its acting in an un- like to be outside conditional, self- of ourselves,” esless way and that pecially as they is transferred to go through their everyone around closets to donate. you.” She encourag-
During Novem- es all who are ber 2020, Sharia’s hoping to doCloset did a series nate to educate of Facebook posts themselves and called the Stories see what sorts of of Gratitude clothes the orgaCampaign. In nization is lookthese posts, people Sharia’s Closet is decorated with sings and images to inspire its patrons. ing for. who received as- “It is rewarding sistance shared their testimonials “People come and we don’t when people actually take the on how this organization helped speak the same language, but I time to research and watch the them get out of the situations they speak a love language. Being able tutorials — learn how to wash were in. Sebastian, a client who to transfer where your standing and size the items,” she added. received aid wrote, “With their to putting yourself in their shoes, Even more importantly, she help, I was able to go to several that is a beautiful transformation. asks for a shift in perspective. interviews with a new confidence. When we package the clothing, “This could be you. Think I received a referral through other these receivers know that some- about the type of energy you’re companies and eventually land- one genuinely cared. They were transferring or giving,” she exed a good job. People don’t always hand-selected, prepared for their plained. “When you’re donatthink about clothing, and how body type. Everything is specifi- ing something that brought something small like that can cally for them,” she said. you joy, you’re going to transfer make a big difference. Just getting Given the free time many people that same joy to someone else some nice clothing helped change had during this pandemic, Linton through that piece of clothing. my career, and changed my life for said there has been a large influx Maybe up until this point, that the better.” of donations, but some of the is the most love they have felt in their entire life.” The work of Sharia’s Closet has not gone unnoticed over this past year. On Feb. 9, Sharia’s Closet was the recipient of the Outstanding San Diegans award from San Diego City Attorney Mara W. Elliott. But the real reward, according to Linton, is “to see the thank you and smiles — there’s not a word to express that. What that feels like and means, that is the joy in my soul.” (above) The stocked children’s section; (below) The infants and toddlers Sharia's Closet has given out section stocked with clothes and toys to date 14,199 bags of clothing to individuals, but they will not stop there. Linton believes this is a long-term effort to love and help the community. “The environment in the community and family, those are the pillars — the developmental stages of helping you to transform into the person you’re meant to be and called to be,” she said.
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we even reached out this past week to the Save Del Cerro group and said, ‘Hey, would you guys like to have your leadership and our leadership where we can sit down and have a calm, peace-making conversation where we can answer your questions,’” he said. “Unfortunately, they declined that.”
When asked for comment, the Save Del Cerro group shared with the Mission Times Courier the group’s response letter:
“Thank you for the offer to meet regarding your project. While we can appreciate your effort to create a bridge, doing so with only three community members would only further exacerbate the lack of transparency the community feels in the first place.
“To meet in a ‘behind closed doors’ setting runs counter to the community’s desire of full transparency.
“There are formal channels whereby you can provide community updates (Navajo Community Planners).
“Thank you again, but we will have to respectfully decline your offer to meet, as three individuals cannot properly represent the voice of the entire community.”
Mardine Davis, a Save Del Cerro member also disputes the lengths to which the church has gone to address issues for neighbors affected by the project.
“They have been sort of blind to what the community wants,” she said. “Their idea of meeting with the community is meeting with a few of the home owners on Marne. We’ve talked with people on Marne that say, ‘They never contacted us. We’re directly affected by this and they’ve never contacted us.’”
Herber said the church has listened to residents in the meetings it has held and that APC has “made numerous changes to the project in listening to the different concerns and desires of the community.”
Those changes are reflected in the next submission to the city, which is scheduled for mid-March and include: • A relocated parking garage away from homes • Property line screening on the north end — enhanced landscaped buffer and assistance with fence upgrades • Agreement to gate off surface parking in north to eliminate activity except during church services • Additional landscaping at the retaining wall near College Avenue • Agreement to replace trees in College Avenue median that are removed with construction of intersection And the most significant change to the project is a height reduction of the main building from 33 feet to 30 feet, excepting some architectural elements on the roof that are both cosmetic and used to hide utilities like air conditioning units. Herber pointed out that this change was made because the height of the building was a main concern of the residents APC had met with. One idea that did not make it into the project update was a wall between the church property and the backyards of homes on Marne Avenue, said APC spokesperson Kristen Byrne. It was scrapped because the space between the wall and the fences would be an “18-inch no man’s land” that would have been a maintenance “nightmare.” Another change in the plan is how the proposed church would connect to the sewer system. “The initial plan was to utilize the existing city sewer main that was previously stubbed out at the southwest corner of the site in the late 1950s, this is the same sewer point of connection proposed by previous development approvals on the site,” explained Byrne. “Because no other properties are utilizing that main, and because the main crossed below the Interstate 8 right of way, the city asked us to look at alternative sewer connection options so that main could be abandoned. The current proposal involves a short public sewer main extension through the unimproved cityowned parks property located to the south of the site. This solution will be included in the church's next submittal to the city, which will be made this week.” Save Del Cerro member Michael Livingston was unimpressed with the changes to the project and is skeptical that they will even be adopted if the project is approved. He pointed to a Save Del Cerro member and advisor to the group who is an architect with experiYoung Save Del Cerro members dressed as rats ence both developing churches and working in the public sphere, fighting against developments that neighbors don’t want.
“He’s got a real well-rounded point of view and he just keeps looking at this and saying, ‘You cannot look at minor changes. It’s not fair play. It’s not going to mean anything, and if this thing gets built, they’re going to go right back and do everything they want to do and more because then they’ll have an approved project,’” Livingston said. “So that’s one of the reasons we can’t be anything but 100% opposed.”
Opposition aside, the next step for the church project is in the hands of the city planning department. If the changes are approved, the city will need to decide if the project will require a full environmental impact report (EIR) or get a negative declaration report which will spare the project from a full review, although both reports provide residents the chance to give input on the project
Livingston hopes the city will put the project through an EIR process because the report “would have to consider alternative uses for that property, alternative projects.” Because the city has already approved the ColRich development plan for homes to be built on the parcel.
“They’re going to have to put that in the EIR,” Livingston said, and added that if the city has to look at the approved project and compare it to one that is asking for “countless variances” to the
Save Del Cerro members gathered at Princess Del Cerro Park on March 7. (Photos by Jeff Clemetson)
community plan, “that’s going to look bad. If you look at it from a strictly land use planning standpoint, then you’ve got an approved subdivision project that met all of the requirements of the planning commission and the community plan, the general plan, just down the line. And then when you look at the proposal, it’s so far away from the community plan, all of the requirements of the zoning code, the building codes and everything else.”
Once the city decides on the EIR or negative declaration, and the community has had the opportunity to comment on either report, the project will go in front of the Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) for a vote on whether to recommend the project. The community planning group vote is only advisory, so even if NCPI rejects recommending the project, the city Planning Commission will still review the project for its own recommendation before ultimately being decided by the City Council.
Herber remained unfazed when asked if APC has a contingency plan should the city ultimately reject the church project.
“We haven’t talked at all about any contingency plans,” he said. “We just believe that this is a great piece of land and that a church is an appropriate use and that as we continue to honor the city’s processes and continue to work through the appropriate things, we believe this will happen and hopefully in a way that’s a real benefit to the whole community.”
—Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at jeff@sdnews.com.
PUBLIC WORKSHOP/HEARING ANNOUNCEMENT
Please join the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority) for a Public Workshop and Hearing on the 14 CFR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update (Study).
Thursday, April 8, 2021 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Public Workshop (Information and Questions) 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Public Hearing (Official Public Comment)
The Study is being conducted to identify and evaluate current and future noise effects caused by aircraft operations at the San Diego International Airport (SAN). The purpose of the Public Hearing is to obtain public comments on the Study.
After the completion of the Public Workshop portion, the official Public Hearing will begin, and all members of the public may submit verbal comments that will become part of the public record. Airport Authority staff and expert consultants will be in attendance to answer questions during the Public Workshop and listen to public comments during the Public Hearing.
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, this meeting will be held virtually. To attend, please visit the study website below to register and receive the Zoom meeting link.
The Draft document can be viewed on the study website, sannoisestudy.com, or at the Airport Authority’s Liberty Station office at 2722 Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA 92106. Viewing is by appointment only, please call 6194002309 to schedule.
In addition to verbal comments at the Public Hearing, members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments via the study website sannoisestudy.com or in writing to:
Mead & Hunt Attn: Jen Wolchansky 1743 Wazee Street, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80202. Comments will be accepted through April 21, 2021.
If you have a disability or require language translation, please call 6194002309 to discuss your needs with at least 48 hours' notice.
Election postponement is opportunity to get involved
College Area Happenings
BY JOSE REYNOSO
As reported last month, in light of the pandemic, the planning department provided guidance to community planning groups (CPGs) on how to handle elections this year since face-to-face meetings are simply not practicable. The options ranged from mail-in voting to online voting or simply postponing the elections until the local state of emergency is lifted.
Due to the light at the end of the tunnel provided by the vaccine rollout, the College Area Community Planning Board (CACPB) & Council voted to postpone the election. It is anticipated that the state of emergency will be lifted by the end of the summer, God willing. You will be updated as we get closer to the target horizon.
This postponement provides an extended opportunity for interested residents to attend the requisite number of meetings (two) to run for the board. It also provides an easy opportunity (Zoom) for residents, who may not be interested in running for the board but who have awakened to issues/projects within the community to get more information regarding what is going on in terms of development proposals and the guidelines for them, envisioned by the community, through the visioning process of the past few years and the community plan update currently underway. This may change their minds about getting involved.
I have heard multiple statements from residents, concerned about various proposals, upset because they knew nothing about them. Case in point: Due to the critical lack of housing, the state has routinely set housing development targets and allocated goals by region. In our case, the goal was given to our regional planning entity, SANDAG, who then allocated these goals to individual jurisdictions. In most cases, these goals have not been met. I believe it was for 2019, but the city of San Diego only met about one fourth of its annual target.
In view of this, and the results from previous years, the incentives (carrots) offered in the past, were instead converted to mandates (sticks). One example was the elimination of limitations on accessory dwelling units that local municipalities had typically placed in order limit the numbers. Similar changes were made on developments within transit priority areas/zones, which encouraged developments along transportation corridors, thereby helping the state and local jurisdictions in meeting climate action priorities and goals.
The College Area was designated a high growth area by SANDAG. Our population is expected to close to double in the next 30 years. Knowing this, the CACPB created a visioning project to solicit input from the community so that a development strategy could be presented to the city to accommodate this growth where we felt it was appropriate, rather than the city telling us where it should go.
Transit Priority Areas (TPAs) can be very large, and in fact, most of the College Area is a big giant TPA. In order to prevent the elimination of the substantial single-family neighborhoods within the community, we identified an overarching goal of prioritizing development along three main corridors, Montezuma Road, College Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard and at the intersections of the corridors (nodes). It was felt that the anticipated growth could be accommodated along these corridors and nodes while maintaining the integrity of the single-family neighborhoods and providing the economic
SEE CA HAPPENINGS, Page 13
sdnews.com
CA Happenings CONTINUED FROM Page 12
demographics needed for the type of growth and quality of life desired by the community and the powers that be. It would also assure a diverse mix of housing to accommodate the needs of all segments of the community.
The alternative would be to let the city tell us where development would go, which means that high density development could go into the neighborhoods so long as it is within a half mile of a transit line. Long story short, the city liked our proactive approach and is using the Community Plan Update report generated by the CACPB as a guide in putting together our community plan update, currently in progress.
You can read the report at collegearea.org or on the planning department’s plan update website, plancollegearea.org. On the latter site you can also find numerous reports on current conditions, community survey results and much more. Take a look. It might just whet your appetite to get more involved or at the very least, stay informed.
Join the College Area Community Council and you will automatically receive information on many of the activities and projects in our area. Don’t be blindsided. Stay informed.
On a personal note, about four years ago I faced a medical issue that forced me to leave the CACPB & C board. I came back onto the board at the request of several members that wanted much of what was touched on above to move forward. It has.
That said, the same medical issue has resurfaced and I may be forced to leave the board or at the very least drastically curtail my involvement. I was hoping to know more by this writing, but sometimes medical wheels turn slowly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues on the board, our elected reps and the many community members that rolled their sleeves up and accomplished so much over the last few years.
—Jose Reynoso is president of the College Area Community Planning Board and Council.
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NEWS Vote shows hard opposition to proposed housing development
By LAURA RIEBAU
On Jan. 21, the El Cerrito Community Council (ECCC) voted overwhelmingly against a proposed mixed-use project by Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHC) for the north side of El Cajon Boulevard between Dayton and 55th Streets. The vote of 72 residents was 58 against and 14 in favor. FHC introduced the project to the community in November 2020 and followed with a design review presentation at the College Area Planning Committee meeting on January 13 of this year.
A summary of the comments on the development is that community members want El Cerrito to be preserved, improved and allowed to flourish, not be diminished by the too tall, eight stories, towering over and shadowing existing one- and two-story homes surrounding the site; streets congested by inadequate ingress and egress to parking and not enough parking spaces for its uses, forcing surrounding residential streets to continue to be impacted by FHC personnel and patient parking needs; collectively, significantly harming the community’s quality of life.
In order to be an economically viable community in the city, El Cerrito will be best served by new development that meets good
Family Health Centers of San Diego has proposed an eight-story housing project in the El Cerrito neighborhood. (Courtesy Family Health Centers)
design guidelines, compliments the surrounding development and is priced for working class income levels, providing inclusionary low-income housing. El Cerrito is one of the more affordable areas in San Diego and has its fair share of low-income housing. Efforts of the College Area Business District to create an enjoyable, safe, walkable main street with great destination restaurants and businesses along El Cajon Boulevard have been working. The proposed FHC development will be a setback.
FHC has been vague on its future tenants. Review of FHC comments and its business lends credence to thought that the 120 “low income” units will be institutional housing for the neighboring FHC Health Center by bundling homeless housing and health care side by side, as expressed by FHC’s goal to eliminate homelessness by ensuring health care and secure housing for everyone, (fhcsd.org/ homeless-services), its participation with National Health Care for the Homeless Council (nhchc.org/ family-health-centers-of-san-diego) and language and structure used in presentations that duplicates a March 2014 report prepared by John Snow, Inc. entitled “National Approaches to WholePerson Care in the Safety Net” for review at bit.ly/3t0084r.
SEE ECCC, Page 16
City holds forums on future power agreements
By DAVE SCHWAB
Now that the City has completed a series of virtual public forums discussing how gas and electricity will be provided to homes and businesses moving forward, that feedback will be used in the next step: a bid process to select new franchisees to supply future power.
SDG&E has held exclusive franchises with the City to provide gas and electric service since 1920. The current 50-year franchise agreements with the utility, established in 1970, were set to expire on Jan. 17, 2021. That period however was extended at Mayor Todd Gloria’s request through June 1, 2021.
The extension was granted to allow time for the City to initiate a competitive bid process to select new power providers to meet goals set in the City’s aggressive Climate Action Plan. The CAP, signed in 2015 and now being updated, has a goal of ultimately using 100% renewable energy sources citywide.
Between Jan. 23 and Feb. 24, the mayor and City Council members partnered on 13 community forums on the future of the City’s gas and electricity franchise agreements. Those forums spanned all nine Council districts. Their purpose was to give San Diegans a voice in determining the City’s energy future.
“The City has held these forums throughout February, intends to issue an Invitation To Bid (soliciting franchisees) in March, and will review those responses in April,” said Jessica Lawrence, the mayor’s director of policy, during a Jan. 23 public forum. “Those (bid) responses will be reviewed by staff in April, and recommendations will be presented to the city council in May.”
Lawrence added a two-thirds vote of the nine-member City Council will be required to ratify a franchise agreement between the City and any prospective power franchisee.
The City has officially transitioned all of its energy accounts to San Diego's newly launched community choice energy provider, San Diego Community Power, also known as community choice aggregation. That marks the first step toward powering all city facilities with 100% renewable energy sources, as outlined in the City’s climate action plan.
San Diego Community Power recently began providing renewable energy to municipal customers including those in
SEE POWER FORUMS, Page 20
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One suggestion for the building to fit into the neighborhood is to reduce it to four stories above ground for offices and the 42 living units for medical residents and keep the parking.
FHC contends that they can build as high as they wish and without parking because El Cajon Boulevard, without planning, infrastructure or anything more than a bus line, has been deemed to be a “transit corridor” in a cart-before-the-horse situation. Any development should still be required to meet design guidelines and since this will likely be institutional housing, at a minimum, a Conditional Use Permit should be required.
The ECCC vote was against the proposed FHC development, not against the work FHC does. At each meeting residents voiced the importance to finding solutions to homeless and low income housing needs. But preservation and improvement of the El Cerrito neighborhood is at least equally as important as housing the homeless. Homeless housing, particularly when it is synced with healthcare, should not be considered a residential use for zoning purposes and not built as vast buildings in residential areas where it will bust a neighborhood.
A few years ago, City Council representatives agreed to allocate homeless housing citywide. The Convention Center shelter is closing and Horton Plaza’s homeless population is being shifted from the Downtown site. The 2021 homeless count was cancelled, but is likely close to the 2020 number of over 7,500.
No San Diego neighborhood will want institutional homeless housing built next to where it recreates or directly next to existing homes ruining the enjoyment of the community, so real planning for all nine districts should be done soon.
—Laura Riebau is chair of the El Cerrito Community Council.
Cajun seafood in the heart of College Area
By ROBIN DOHRN-SIMPSON
A good Louisiana boil includes spreading out a big piece of paper over a table, full of friends and family, and then tossing corn, potatoes, and a variety of seafood onto it. This is the time to eat with your hands — with or without plastic gloves — and dig in.
Shark eating crab Sip and slurp. Break a crab leg open and suck out the meaty goodness, perhaps with alternating sips of southern traditional sweetened green tea or sweetened black tea, lemonade or a craft beer. While New Orleans is the epicenter of this type of gastronomic abandon, The Crab Pub, right here in San Diego does the tradition proud.
SEAFOOD OPTIONS
The College Area restaurant located at 6011 El Cajon Blvd. has all your favorite seafood: Dungeness crab cluster, whole blue crab, king crab legs, snow crab legs, crawfish (with corn and sausage), shrimp, clams or mussels. Try a variety of combinations of a couple of different types of seafood. A pound of crab combined with a pound of crawfish or a pound of king crabs and a pound of mussels. These combinations include corn, potatoes and four pork sausages.
Next, pick your spice level to enhance the flavors. Perhaps
The Crab Pub interior (Photos by Robin Dohrn Simpson)
try the well-known Old Bay seasoning mix that includes celery salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes and paprika.
TRY SOMETHING ELSE
Not into a boil or seafood? No problem. There are other options like New England clam chowder, gumbo and rice. Try a basket such as chicken wings, fried catfish, fried calamari, fried oysters, fried pickles, fried okra, or fried green beans. All baskets include spiced Cajun fries.
The Crab Pub is located on the corner of College Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard, Enter in and enjoy the “shipboard” ambiance. Don’t mind the shark with a crab in its mouth hanging from the ceiling.
If you like Louisiana cuisine, this is your kind of place. Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!
—Robin Dohrn-Simpson is a San Diego-based food and travel writer. Reach her at dohrnsimpson@hotmail.com or visit robindohrnsimpson.com.
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EDUCATION Henry begins in-person learning, classroom labs
Patrick Henry High School News
By MICHELLE IRWIN
In February, Henry High School opened its first Learning Lab of cohorted students to attend school while attending classes on Zoom. Students in our first Learning Lab are able to attend classes and receive additional support from a visiting teacher. We are hoping to open additional labs as soon as we are able to staff them with visiting teachers.
Some of our students are also participating in Classroom Labs during the asynchronous time with one of their teachers. We are excited to be able to engage our students with in-person support during this time.
As a district, we are also working towards reopening of our schools for Phase 2. There are many factors to reopen which include the utmost safety conditions, agreements between our district and our employee unions and implementation of PPE equipment at every school. All school principals will share information as soon as we learn about our next steps.
Even though we are doing online learning and we haven’t been able to engage with our students on campus, several of our students are being acknowledged for their dedication to our community and hard work with their academics. I’m very proud of these Henry Patriots:
CyberPatriot Team under the direction of CWO4 (Ret.) Ron Flaherty has qualified for the National Championship. Normally our team would be heading to Baltimore, Maryland in April but due to COVID-19 we will be competing locally. Qualifying for Nationals makes them a top 12 team in the nation. The below students are the team members: • Ben Gonzalez • Andrew Gordon • Diego Johnson • Darren Lee • Spencer Magedman • Alain Zhang
We are very grateful for the guidance of Chris Ahrens, Adaptative Physical Education teacher at Patrick Henry who wrote a plan to ensure that Henry High School is a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. A Unified Champion School promotes social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change.
With sports as the foundation, the three-component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance. Chris spearheaded many events to ensure our students with disabilities are able to participate in the sports they are interested in. Learn more at specialolympics.org/our-work/ unified-champion-schools.
Finally, congratulations to our newest principal in the Henry Cluster, Dr. Garnica Morris who is the new principal at Lewis Middle School. Dr. Lewis has been an educator for 19 years. She has been a teacher, vice principal and principal at various schools in Texas and Georgia. Her most recent experience has been serving Los Angeles Unified as an executive director of charter schools. We welcome Dr. Morris to the Henry Cluster.
Please remember to visit the Patrick Henry website for up-todate information about our school and district: patrickhenryhs.net.
On behalf of the Patrick Henry High School Faculty, we want to thank you for being our partner in education so we can ensure all students graduate with integrity, purpose, and options.
—Michelle Irwin is principal of Patrick Henry High School.
Henry Cluster robotics teams find success at local tournaments
By JAY WILSON
The Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation has supported robotics teams with the Henry Cluster for the past six years. This year, three teams have enjoyed great success and we certainly salute them for the dedication during all of the COVID-19 challenges. This past year several of the teams did everything via Zoom.
Three FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge teams within the Henry Cluster were awarded Qualcomm team funding, for the 2020-2021 FIRST LEGO League season. The teams are students from Lewis and Pershing Middle Schools; Dailard, Hearst, and Green Elementary Schools; and Homeschool.
The three teams are: FLL #20358 Mechanical Dolphins: Coded Galaxy, FLL #50739 Garage Engineers, and FLL #50899 Mechanical Meatloaf (with a side of pickles). All three teams attended the FLL Tournament virtually on the weekend of March 6-7.
We are so excited to announce that one of the First Lego League (FLL) teams, Mechanical Meatloaf
Garage Engineers team watches the results of their weekend robotics competition. (Courtesy photo)
(w/a side of pickles), in the Henry Cluster has been chosen as one of the winners of the 2021 FIRST LEGO League Qualcomm Grant!
FLL robotics team The Garage Engineers #50739 is thrilled and grateful to also be a recipient of the 2021 FIRST LEGO League Qualcomm Grant. The volunteer coach for the Garage Engineers stated, “We are so proud to be a part of the FIRST program, and to be surrounded by so many other teams, mentors, volunteers, and coaches who give their all each season. Huge thanks to Qualcomm for supporting this community, and for their outreach to inspire and encourage this experience for so many kids.” Dailard Elementary is so very proud and excited that their First Lego League (FLL) team Mechanical Dolphins: Coded
ALLIED GARDENS/GRANTVILLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
At March 23 town hall meeting of the Allied Gardens/Grantville Community Council (AGGCC), the primary speaker will be Council member Raul Campillo, who represents District 7. This is one of the several community meetings announced by his office.
We will begin with our usual presentations by our San Diego Police Department community service officer and folks from the offices of our elective officials. We will deal with some housekeeping matters and our annual election, then we will turn the floor over to Campillo.
The Council member’s office will publish Zoom registration information and the AGGCC will also give notice by way of our website and emails to our contact lists.
Our May 25 town hall meeting will feature a presentation by San Diego Canyonlands, an organization that is dedicated to restoration of our many canyons to their natural conditions. This presentation will initiate efforts to involve the community in the restoration of Navajo Canyon. There is much demanding and rewarding work to be done under the leadership of this organization. It is up to us to provide the person-power to do the job.
We intend for our July 27 town hall to be a presentation of a new urban forestry project in Allied Gardens East to include the planting of 500 trees in fall 2021. Join us to learn more about this project and the many ways that trees positively impact our community.
Our Sept. 28 town hall will be a rundown of the city’s new organic waste recycling program.
Following the success of AGGCC's fall 2020 “Keep Our Neighborhood Beautiful” campaign, we are planning a “Spring Spruce Up” community cleanup from April 17–25 in honor of Earth Day. We invite neighbors to choose a day to participate in beautifying our community in a variety of ways. Look for details on our website for how you can take part.
The first of our SDG&E utilities box painting is finished. It is located on the south side of Zion Avenue across from Mission Trails Church. Our thanks to Christine Carino for her design and execution. Is there a box near you that could use beautification?
Use the “Contact Us” page at aggccouncil.org to get on our email contact list, to receive notices of the activities of our community council and the Navajo Community Planning Group, Inc., and to let us know how we can help you support our neighborhood. Our next board meeting will be on April 5 at 6:30 p.m. by Zoom. The public is encouraged to attend. —By AGGCC president Shain Haug
DEL CERRO ACTION COUNCIL
The next Del Cerro Action Council Zoom meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. A Zoom link will be posted on Monday, April 25.
In response to questions about the status of DCAC, we will be posting information on our website, including the financials. There has not been any solicitations or receipt of funding in the past decade.
The status of the proposed All Peoples Church project is the church is planning to send their next submittal to the city this Friday. Once the city reviews the submittal, the city will issue another Cycles Report. If the city is satisfied all their concerns have been addressed, the city will determine whether an Environmental Impact Report or a Mitigated Negative Declaration is required. The document is then prepared and submitted to the city for review.
When the draft document is approved by the city, it will be released for public review and comment. The required Traffic Report will be included as part of the environmental review. There will be a minimum of 30 days for public review and comment. We anticipate all of this will be issued prior to the next scheduled Zoom meeting of the DCAC on April 25, at which time we will hold a public forum. —By DCAC secretary Jay Wilson
SAN CARLOS AREA COUNCIL
San Carlos Area Council (SCAC) officially resumed our monthly meetings on Febr. 17 via Zoom, and had a great turnout of community members. We heard from our police and fire liaisons and other representatives from our local, state and county offices. If you missed joining us in February, mark your calendar for Wednesday March, 17, at 6:30–8 p.m., and you are welcome to raise a mug in honor of St. Patty’s Day. (The Zoom link is fb.me/e/6cLICHe3T.)
SCAC welcomes two new members to its oard, Ryan Schuler and Paul Levikow, who collectively bring many talents to the organization, including marketing, journalism and an interest in serving our community. Bravo to you both, sirs, and welcome to SCAC!
Officer Steffen checked in and alerted us that in January there was one violent crime in the neighborhood, along with 23 property crimes in San Carlos and Lake Murray, predominantly vehicle break-ins. Once again, Officer Steffen advised us to lock windows and doors when you leave your home, and don’t leave anything valuable in your car.
He also warned us about a couple of scams – among hundreds now circulating. The first involves cloned police phone numbers; the caller claims to be a police officer saying that if you don’t give them money you will be arrested. It’s a scam. Additional phone fraud centers around the COVID vaccination. “If you send money, we’ll send you the vaccine.” Of course that’s a scam, too.
As if that weren’t enough, throughout the COVID quarantine, porch pirates have been running rampant, stealing packages.
SEE COMMUNITY BRIEFS, Page 22
Downed Wire_San Diego Community News Network_RUN: March 2021__TRIM: 6.2” x 13”
BE SAFE NEVER GO NEAR A DOWNED POWER LINE
Report downed power lines immediately to 1-800-411-SDGE.
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San Diego, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and Encinitas.
Agencies can choose between the default option of 50% renewable energy or the ``Power100'' rate, which provides electricity from 100% renewable sources. By comparison, San Diego Gas & Electric's current mix of energy sources is about 31% renewable.
Following the City’s rigorous community outreach process soliciting input on what needs to be sought with gas and electricity franchises, Mayor Gloria announced: “It comes as no surprise to me that what San Diegans care most about when thinking about our energy future is reducing pollution and combating climate change. The results will be incredibly valuable in guiding our efforts going forward.” The City also launched an online survey on gas and electricity franchises that drew 1,378 responses. Fire prevention, decreased pollution and continuity of service top the list of respondents’ desired outcomes for electricity services.
Meanwhile, decreased pollution, continuity of service and energy-efficiency programs that reduce demand were the primary consumer outcomes in the survey desired for gas services.
District 9 council aide Brett Weise said the public franchise forums were held to get feedback from residents and businesses on the particulars of gas and electricity franchises, such as how much the annual franchise fee should be, the term length of the contract, issues of indemnification, establishment of a climate equity fund, etc.
Pointing out some environmental advocates “don’t want the City’s utilities to be privately operated,” Weise noted, “Several steps must take place, including a feasibility study and an appraisal of current SDG&E assets, so the City won’t be able to immediately municipalize.”
—Reach Dave Schwab at reporter@ sdnews.com.
Pastimes
CONTINUED FROM Page 9
sales revenue during the pandemic (U.S. Census Bureau, Advanced Monthly Retail Trade Surveys, 2020).
“I have an herb garden with swiss chard and arugula,” she stated, adding, “more than we could eat, so we share them,” Clarke Crisafulli said.
Lori and Susan are staying connected even during the pandemic by swapping the fruits of their labor ... er hobbies.
Both got started by easily accessing information online. Mullen turned to pantrymama.com for bread-making tips and Clarke Crisafulli found fantastic online support for gardening at mastergardenersd.org and californiagardenclubs.com
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Fill in the blank cells using number 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row column and 3x3 block. Use logic and process elimination to solve the puzzle.
SUDOKU PUZZLE
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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1. Large dung beetle 7. Representation of a plan 13. In a fervid way 14. The Book of Psalms 16. Morning 17. Exactly the same 19. About 20. Brown and basmati are two 22. Swiss river 23. Philippine island 25. Expressions of surprise 26. An ant 28. Common Japanese surname 29. Deoxyribonucleic acid 30. Car mechanics group 31. A person’s brother or sister 33. Ancient pharaoh 34. Quantitative fact 36. Vividly colored bird 38. Your home has one 40. Organic compound 41. Section at the end of a book 43. Flat tableland with steep edges 44. Criticize 45. Split pulses 47. Brief trend 48. Cool! 51. Purposes 53. Brews 55. Skin condition 56. Pops 58. American air travel company 59. Minute bug 60. Anno Domini (in the year of Our Lord) 61. One who rides in your car 64. One of the Gospels 65. City in southern Spain 67. Inquisitive 69. Jean Paul __, author 70. Pop singer Harry
CLUES DOWN
1. An ape or monkey 2. Chemical element 3. Zodiac sign 4. Removes 5. Brew 6. Nickname 7. Architectural structures 8. Trigonometric function 9. Postmodern architectural building in Vienna 10. Henderson and Fitzgerald are two 11. Mountain (abbr.) 12. Landscaping practice 13. Capacitance unit 15. Redirect 18. Hat for women 21. In a way, dressed down 24. Granny 26. Feed 27. Endpoint 30. Indian instrument 32. Bleated 35. Cablegram (abbr.) 37. Root mean square (abbr.) 38. Jellyfishes 39. Individual TV installments 42. Talk 43. More (Spanish) 46. Leaseholder 47. Monetary units 49. Hostility 50. Work stations 52. Linguistics giant 54. Female sheep 55. Calendar month 57. Seasoning 59. Lofty nest of a bird of prey 62. Single Lens Reflex 63. A way to remove 66. Virginia 68. Old English
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The police suggest getting your packages delivered to a P.O. Box or local mailing service. Stay vigilant as we navigate through these strange times.
Executive director of Mission Trails Regional Park, Jennifer Morrissey, joined us on the Zoom meeting and spoke about the community outcry for a bridge across the San Diego River where a young man slipped and lost his life. She said that both the Mission Trails Citizen Advisory Committee and Task Force would be addressing that issue soon, and she will let us know what has been decided. It is a treacherous crossing and
San Carlos Area Council meeting (Zoom)
our hearts go out to the family of Max LeNail over their tragic loss. Spring is coming, and with it the poppies popping alongside the highways and byways. Enjoy our wonderful San Diego weather and the gifts of Nature. We hope to see you at our March 17 Zoom meeting!
If you have a San Carlos story to share, or would like to get involved in your community, please contact SCAC vice president Patricia Mooney at patty@ crystalpyramid.com. —By SCAC vice president Patricia Mooney
AffordableHousing!
2005 2 BR / 2BA manufactured VIEW home located in the Cliffs Senior Mobile Home Park. Situated near the clubhouse, library, and pool, it’s just a short level walk from the home to your favorite activity. Beautifully landscaped with sego palms ferns, succulents, potted plants, fig, pine, and peach trees. Inviting areas for outdoor entertaining include the deck, bench seating and patio areas. The full width covered deck has views to the North and West overlooking Mission Gorge, Admiral Baker Golf Course, and the San Diego River. Home features an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, three ceiling fans, vinyl plank flooring and central air conditioning. The spacious kitchen has a sit-down counter, lots of warm tone cabinets, dishwasher, and refrigerator. There are lovely window treatments in every room, master bedroom has a walk-in closet, and step in shower with glass doors. Laundry room has convenient storage cabinets with full size washer and dryer. Community amenities include a heated swimming pool and spa, two clubhouses with billiard and ping pong table, full kitchen TV, shuffleboard, restaurants. Space rent is only $1.350. LBJ 8256
2020
IN ESCROW WITH MULTIPLE OFFERS!
4 bedrooms / 3 baths, Separate in-laws ensuite. Separate office. Backyard is perfect for entertaining with a TV, fireplace, large outdoor kitchen island and remodeled pool and spa.
Joan and Linda can sell your home too. Call us to find out what options you have.
Linda Lee Harris
SRES
Five Star Professional 2020
REALTOR-Associate DRE 01238752 homesbylindaharirs@gmail.com
619-820-4789 Joan Hay
SRES, CRS
Five Star Professional 2011-2020
Broker-Associate DRE 00599034 joanhayc21@gmail.com
619-994-2816
Why experience counts when picking an agent
By SARAH WARD
Many buyers think the real estate process is pretty straight forward: sign a few papers and move-in. I want to take the opportunity this month to make clear that the residential real estate process is actually quite involved with many potential traps to avoid.
I was working with a buyer recently who in the end used his newly-licensed friend for buyer representation. He bought a small house last year and during the recent rains, he experienced some roof leaks and was wondering what he could do. I asked if his friend-agent organized a roof inspection and his answer was “no.” I asked if his friend ordered a fireplace inspection or sewer line inspection and the answer once again was “no.” As a note, I typically order multiple types of inspections depending on the property condition and type.
Having spent the last 10 years in the real estate business, in my strong opinion, the vast number of licensed real estate agents have minimal training and experience with what they are doing. I see mistakes on the other side of transactions constantly.
Just yesterday, I reviewed a property disclosure form with multiple mistakes such as the condo was not identified as a “condo” and the form noted there had been no insurance claims even though there was an invoice provided for an insurance claim!
I don’t intend this column to be tooting my own horn, but I want to make it clear that using an inexperienced agent or untrained agent can lead to expensive problems down the road for both buyers and sellers. I believe that a large percentage of agents out there sadly fall in this category. They are licensed but not well trained and do not properly represent their clients in very complicated transactions.
At the end of the telephone conversation with the above mentioned buyer, I suggested he seek financial compensation from his friend’s broker for potential negligence. In my opinion, that agent failed to behave with the level of care that an agent of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances. Financial compensation can be typically achieved through simple mediation or arbitration.
Some examples of what myself and the 20% of highly trained agents out there consider on behalf of our buyers is the integrity of the structure, including electrical, plumbing, and roof. We check the garage floor and exterior for potential cracks in the slab. We consider the neighborhood itself, crime rates and traffic patterns for example. We look at such things as drainage issues with the slope of the adjacent lots and we look at the lot itself, whether it’s a cut lot or fill lot (makes a big difference in settling issues).
The bottom line is that there is quite a bit to consider and think about in a real estate transaction and I suggest avoiding a newly licensed “friend or family” agent, or agents who spend most of their time on marketing and not on contracts, negotiation, and property condition. There are very good agents out there but I believe they are the exception. For my sellers, I put together a full disclosure file for ultimate protection from future problems. Call me for a no-obligation consultation on buying or selling residential real estate here in San Diego.
For single family homes in the College Area, 92115, the year over year increase in the median home price hit $689,000 with homes selling in an average of only 29 days and with a ridiculously low 12 homes on the market.
The 92119 area of San Carlos hit a median home price of $770,000 with only six days on the market and only nine homes on the market! (Back in the day, there would sometimes be over 100 homes for sale at any one time.)
Finally, in the 92120 area, the year over year median home price jumped to $849,000 with 14 days on the market and an only 10 homes for sale in the entire zip-code! Inventory is low!
One last word I touched on last month is that another $1.9 trillion in stimulus money is expected to contribute to a weakened dollar and further rising home prices. Buyers, the time is now to buy a property to protect yourself from the coming inflation train. Call me.
—Sarah Ward is arealto with Fine& Coastal Real Estate. Reach her at sarah@fineandcoastal.com, or by calling 858-431-6043.
CONTINUED FROM Page 7
March 15, and the City Council’s Environment Committee. The plan will also be presented for adoption by the City Council later this year. Public input is encouraged and welcomed at all the meetings.
BLOOD BANK ISSUES PLEA FOR DONATIONS
As local hospitals continue to re-schedule elective surgeries delayed due to COVID-19 and utilize even more blood for stat orders and standard surgeries, San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB) is experiencing critically low blood supply. All blood types are needed.
“We are down to a one- to twoday supply of most types, and it’s best to keep at least a seven-day supply available” said David Wellis, CEO, San Diego Blood Bank. “For various reasons, hospital usage has increased, so we need the community to make an appointment to donate now for local hospital patients that need it.”
San Diego Blood Bank strongly encourages all healthy individuals to donate blood. To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 114 pounds, and be in general good health. Appointments are required and are available by visiting SanDiegoBloodBank.orgnor by calling 619-400-8251.
SDBB is currently antibody testing each blood donation as part of their regular testing panel to qualify donations for COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Please note this is not a diagnostic test, and it will not detect active COVID-19 infections or recent exposure.
Temperatures will be taken before donors are allowed into facilities and face coverings are required
STEMM
CONTINUED FROM Page 17
Galaxy team #20358 in the Henry Cluster also has been chosen as one of the winners of the 2021 First Lego League Qualcomm Grant.
Each of the teams are extremely thankful to Qualcomm for their continued support to robotics and supporting young minds to dream big and make the world a better place.
Peggy Han, a board member of the Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation stated, “We are proud to share the following news with everyone.” The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and the Southern California Robotics League completed the March 6-7 qualifying tournaments judging sessions. The Mechanical Dolphins: Coded Galaxy won the Core Value Award. Mechanical Meatloaf (w/a side of pickles) won the Innovation Project Award. Both the Garage Engineers and Mechanical Meatloaf (w/a side of pickles) advanced to the regional championship in April.
Han also stated, “It was a wonderful and rewarding weekend for the robotics teams in the Henry Cluster. The volunteer coaches and members of each team have worked diligently in this unusual world of education via zoom learning. We also learned the Henry Cluster teams may be able to return to competition at Legoland in April.”
Follow the Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation on or website at hcstemm.org, on facebook at facebook.com/113815642132299, and on Instagram: @hcstemm.
—Jay Wilson writes on behalf of the Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation.
REAL ESTATE SHOWCASE
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COLEMAN
MOVING SYSTEMS INC.
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Steve Seus
619-818-3526
SteveSeus@gmail.com www.SteveSeus.com
DRE#01416127
Sarah Ward, Your Local REALTOR
222 Silver Fir Court Vista, Ca 92083 3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | $652,000 New Construction! 7624 Palmilla Dr. #80 San Diego, 92122 2 Bed | 2 Bath | $694,900 Representing Buyer!
5876 Eldergardens San Diego, 92120 3 Bed | 2 Bath | $778,000 Represented Buyer! 4904 Chaparral Way San Diego, 92115 4 Bed | 2 Bath | $677,000
Single-Family Home Stats
Median Sale Price Up 9.7% to $678,000 Median sale price is now at $678,000, up 9.7% from $618,000 in 2020. When you price correctly from day one, you can maximize offers and ultimately sell for the highest possible price as quickly as possible.
2021 YTD vs. 2020
Average Days on Market Down 12.5%
Sale-to-List Price Ratio Up 3.2%
Months Supply of Inventory Down 71.4%
Analysis
Median days on market are exceptionally low, at 21 days for the year. Current high demand and low supply play a major role, especially when compared to 2020’s statistic at 24. Strategic pricing and marketing ensure your home sells for top dollar in few days on market.
Correctly priced, strategically marketed homes sell at or above list price, and sellers focused on ROI often seek my advice on how to invest in strategic updates before listing their home for sale. This year’s ratio at an impressive 102.6%.
Have you ever seen a house fly? Well for-sale homes are flying off the shelves these days. We are seeing historically low supply in 92115 at only 0.4 of a month of supply. Ready to cash out? Now is the time!
Ready to find your dream home, but not sure how to maximize the equity in your College Area home?
With this much money on the line, and so many tedious details to keep track of, you’re right to want to approach this carefully. Understanding your local market is an important part of a successful move. You deserve to get a strong return on investment and with the right information and preparation–you can! My hands-on approach takes the stress and confusion out of selling your home because I sweat the small stuff–allowing you to stay focused on this move. From start to finish, I work with you to help prepare your home, attract buyers, and facilitate a successful sale. Thanks to my proven system and passion for real estate, I’ve built a reputation for routinely providing a seamless and successful experience for my clients.
