Mission Times Courier, December 11th, 2020 by San Diego Community Newspaper Group

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VOLUME 26 ISSUE 12 Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021

Local soccer club preps for spring. Page 18

INSIDE

NEWS BRIEFS

THIS ISSUE

DEMAND FOR COVID-19 CONVALESCENT PLASMA RISING

I’m living with. And that thought quickly changed to, ‘What if someone wanted to do that?’ It

San Diego Blood Bank is seeing a sharp increase in hospital orders for COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Orders have more than tripled in the last month. On top of local demand, San Diego Blood Bank is being called upon to help supply national surge centers in anticipation of a spike in usage across the country. San Diego Blood Bank was one of the first blood banks in the country to begin collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma. In addition to supplying local hospitals, San Diego Blood Bank has supported surge centers and other blood banks across the country. Plasma donations from those who have recovered from COVID-19 are needed to help others who are currently fighting the virus. This is because their plasma has developed antibodies against a virus. Anyone previously diagnosed with COVID-19 can sign up at sandiegobloodbank.org/ donateplasma. To support the efforts, all blood donations are being tested for antibodies as part of SDBB’s standard testing panel in order to qualify donations for COVID-19 convalescent plasma. If a donation tests positive, the plasma in the donated blood may be used to help hospital patients fighting COVID-19. Historically, convalescent plasma (CCP) has been successfully used to treat SARS, MERS and the Spanish flu, so there is evidence that it may help people suffering from certain infectious diseases like COVID-19. “We need anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 to contact us to see if they are eligible to donate their plasma,”

SEE COVID MURDER, Page 19

SEE NEWS BRIEFS, Page 8

FEATURE

Conscientious cookies

Vegan cookie entrepreneur opens shop in Grantville. Page 9

FOOD & DRINK

School groups face fundraising woes Hardy Elementary has had to cancel popular school fundraisers like its annual Fall Carnival due to district-wide COVID precautions. (Photo by Jeff Clemetson)

Eclectic offerings

By JEFF CLEMETSON | Mission Times Courier

Even in the best of times, funding for needs and programs of schools is largely inadequate — so much so that the idea of holding a bake sale to make up for the needs not addressed in municipal

Centifonti’s serves everything from traditional Italian to house-made chocolates. Page 15

MISSION TRAILS

By JEFF CLEMETSON | Mission Times Courier

Mission Trails Regional Park users share their stories. Page 17

ALSO INSIDE

CONTACT US Editorial (858) 270-3103 x130 jeff@sdnews.com Advertising (858) 270-3103 x118 hfine@sdnews.com www.sdnews.com San Diego Community Newspaper Group

in some cases, new opportunities — in closing school funding gaps.

A PROBLEM FOR PROM

When Devin Chubb was elected Associated Student Body SEE SCHOOL FUNDRAISING, Page 3

Author ponders possible COVID murder plot

Park people

Community Opinion Politics Business Directory Puzzles Education Library

budgets has become proverbial. And now with a pandemic that has closed schools and made the typical “bake sales” fundraisers difficult or impossible to hold, schools and the groups that support them through fundraising are facing new challenges — and,

2 6 6 16 17 19 19

No one wants to get sick with COVID-19. No one wants to get a loved one sick either. But what if someone did? That is the premise of a new book titled “Novel Coronavirus” by Allied Gardens author Kyle G. Roesler. The book is a modern twist of a whodunnit about a young man who still lives at home with his father. When the pandemic begins, the son comes up with a convenient murder plan to rid himself of his overbearing father, who has pre-existing medical conditions by purposely infecting himself with the virus “assuming he would survive and dad wouldn’t,” Roesler said.

To soften the murderer’s persona in the story, Roesler made Kevin, the son, someone who has a slight degree of mental illness. “He isn’t looking at the world with the same moral compass as the rest of humanity is,” Roesler explained. Roesler came up with the idea for his book while washing his hands as prescribed by health officials after an evening walk with his wife. “While I was doing that this particular evening, it sort of occurred to me, ‘What if I forgot sometime?’ It would be so easy to touch something else first and if I was carrying COVID on my fingertips, I could infect the people

Kyle G. Roesler

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COMMUNITY

Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS ALLIED GARDENS GRANTVILLE had to cancel the annual Holiday At the time of this drafting, the and Sophia Frost for their work in December. Our next board COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS Festival at Lewis Middle School AGG Beautiful Project during the in putting it all together and so meeting will be on Jan. 5. The pandemic has slowed us down but many of our activities in the Navajo neighborhoods continue. The Allied Gardens Grantville Community Council (AGGCC)

and the Children’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. But we still got the holiday lights up over the bridge and at the Waring Road-Zion Avenue triangle.

week of Nov. 28 and the work at the Navajo Canyon trail head on Dec. 5 promise to be a great success. We are so very proud of the event organizers Kim Morris

Congratulations San Diego County’s Teachers of the Year! Tune in Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. Cox Ch. 4/1004 - Spectrum Ch. 4 Top to Bottom: Arah Allard, Del Mar Hills Elementary School Christine Hill, Ramona High School Jose Melo, Valley Center Middle School Paula Richardson, Wilson Middle School Jay Tweet, El Capitan High School

thankful for the many neighbors who participated. Go to our website at aggccouncil.org/aggbeautiful for pictures of all of us hard at work. The Navajo Com munit y Planners, Inc. (NCPI) has not been idle. Consideration of a proposed development of the vacant property bordered by Del Cerro Boulevard (the Chevron gas station) and the freeway, and between College Avenue and the residences on Marne Avenue has been before the community planning group for the past year. This property has been vacant and in private ownership since the Del Cerro development was completed. There have been several attempts to develop it under the current RS-1-7 zoning, most recently with approval for 24 single-family dwellings. That developer did not proceed with project. All Peoples Church — currently located at 5500 University Ave. — obtained ownership rights and filed its application to build its new church on the location. Because the All Peoples Church use will not conform to the current zoning, an application for a Planned Development Permit must go through the planning process with final consideration by the City Council. On its way to that final authority, the development application passes through NCPI for a vote on whether or not to recommend the project. There have been several hearings, most recently on Nov. 5 by an NCPI subcommittee and on Nov. 11 by the NCPI board. The next occasions for continued public comment and input on the development have not been set. Those dates will be found in the meeting agendas. The agendas and Zoom access instructions will be sent to the AGGCC mailing lists and will be found at navajoplanners. org during the week before that meeting. Folks in Allied Gardens may feel that this development is too far from our area of interest to raise our concerns. However, the property in question is remarkably similar in size, configuration, and private ownership to the canyon west of Waring Road — the area that runs from behind the houses on Orcutt Avenue south to the condominiums at the intersection of Waring Road and Adobe Falls Road. What happens in Del Cerro might well predict what can happen in Allied Gardens. At monthly meetings of the AGGCC Board of Directors, the community designs and implements important projects. Use the “Contact Us” page at aggccouncil. org to let us know how we can help you support our neighborhood and to get on our email contact list. The board will not meet

—By Allied Gardens Grantville Community Council president Shain Haug

DEL CERRO ACTION COUNCIL NEWS As we approach the holiday season, the number one topic for Del Cerro is the proposed All Peoples Church. There are Del Cerro residents who only recently became aware of the project. This is unfortunate because there are multiple opportunities to find out what is going on in Del Cerro. This is a project that has been presented to the Del Cerro Action Council (DCAC) (delcerroactioncouncil.org) and the Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) (navajoplanners. org) over 15 times in the past two years. It has also been referenced in the notes or minutes of the quarterly DCAC posted on their website, the monthly meetings of NCPI, and in articles in the Mission Times Courier. The Mission Times Courier is also available online at missiontimescourier.com. Anyone may sign up on their respective websites to receive emails/updates from these community-based organizations. Our new District 7 City Councilmember, Raul Campillo who took office on Tuesday, Dec. 8 will have a website and you may sign up on his website to receive updates on city and District 7-related items. Go to sandiego.gov/city-hall, click on City Hall on the righthand side of the page and scroll down to Councilmember Raul Campillo. Forward this information on to your friends and neighbors in Del Cerro, Grantville, Allied Gardens and San Carlos so they have an opportunity to become involved on what is transpiring in the Navajo area. NCPI is one of more than 40 community-based land use organizations recognized by the City of San Diego. Each of the four communities in the Navajo area have four representatives elected to sit on the board for two-year terms. It is strictly an advisory organization as far as the city is concerned. To date, no vote has been taken by NCPI or DCAC regarding approval of the project. NCPI voted, in an advisory capacity, to allow the All Peoples Church to apply for an amendment to the Community Plan to allow the church. This means they may proceed to apply to the city for their project. NCPI will not vote on the project until the church has completed all city requirements. When the All Peoples Church has completed all city requirements, they will return to the DCAC and then proceed to NCPI SEE COMMUNITY BRIEFS, Page 11

NEWS

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Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

School fundraising

Coming Soon in Fletcher Hills!

CONTINUED FROM Page 1

President of Patrick Henry High School’s junior class, he and his fellow class officers faced a challenge none of their predecessors had ever faced before. Normally, junior class ASB officers plan and host a Winter Formal — the proceeds from which go into a bank for the following year’s senior graduation events like prom. But with gatherings and large events like dances cancelled, Chubb had to come up with a different way to raise money. “I realized that [Winter Formal] was not going to be able to be a thing, and if we do go back next year, we need this money in order to have a good senior year,” he said. “The week I was elected in, the first week of ASB, I started looking around at more direct to consumer where there is no in-person, you work with a company online that’s all shipped to people’s houses.” The junior ASB at Henry has now held three online fundraisers: A holiday decorations (wreaths, etc.) that raised around $600; a holiday shop (candles, snacks, jewelry, etc.) that raised around $400; and an ongoing holiday meals sale that ships out hams and turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas that ends Jan. 1. “That one has done pretty well so far, we’ve got like $400 and we still got a month to go,” Chubb said, adding that there is also now an online merchandise store that raises money for all of Henry’s classes. “So everything is just switched now, geared to all online since we can’t really do anything at all in-person.” The online fundraisers help, but will unlikely make up for the kind of money an in-person event like Winter Formal brings in. “Winter Formal is generally a pretty big fundraiser,” said ASB advisor Autumn Flores, adding that the annual dance held in the early months of the spring semester usually raises between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of the junior class. Also missing from the junior class fundraising are the weekly frozen yogurt sales and on-campus T-shirt sales, which by this time of year would have raised around $2,000. Still, Flores commended Chubb’s initiative, especially since other classes are even further behind in the fundraising they normally see by this time of year. “The junior class has been kind of an outlier in that Devin has been incredibly motivated — not that my other officers aren’t motivated, they are — but he’s been very big on fundraisers,” Flores said. Patrick Henry’s senior class is the most behind because it has lost not only its on-campus T-shirt sales and frozen yogurt sales, it has also lost one of its main funding sources — the annual Senior Alley where seniors purchase

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Patrick Henry junior class ASB president Devin Chubb (Zoom)

parking spaces they can paint and personalize. “That’s also a pretty big revenue generator for our senior class, usually between $8,000 and $10,000 from that particular fundraiser,” Flores said, adding that all these kinds of fundraisers go toward making prom night and other graduation events affordable for all of Henry’s students. “Last year, had we had prom, their tickets would have been $3 or, at most, $5.” So how will senior prom and other grad events be funded when those events are allowed to continue? The short answer is there is no answer yet. “I have a feeling that some of the things that we might look could mean there may be a year where things are done more modestly,” Flores said. “Normally, we’d have prom at a hotel or a venue. We might be looking at old school hosting our prom in the middle of our quad with outside lights and creating our own venue here. “To be honest, my seniors probably wouldn’t care as long as they got a prom, but those are the kinds of concession we might be looking at,” she added. In the meantime, Chubb and his fellow ASB officers are doing what they can in promoting their online fundraisers through alumni social media pages and whatever else will help them get the word out. “Now with [our fundraising] being all online and these companies ship all over the country, I’ve gotten some sales from like Texas, Maine — all over,” he said, adding that the best way to support his and all the other classes at Henry is by following the school’s ASB Instagram page — @pathenryasb — which lists all current events and fundraisers.

MIXED SUCCESSES

High school associated students aren’t the only groups that have had to make changes in fundraising during the pandemic. PTAs from middle and elementary schools are also replacing their in-person fundraisers with online ones. “We lost potential major funding from our biggest fundraiser of the entire year because most of it is straight up profit,” said Hardy Elementary School principal

Laura Alluin. “We have a large Jog-a-thon scheduled in March or April and that’s our largest fundraiser of the entire school year. Obviously we weren’t able to do that.” Although Hardy didn’t hold a fundraiser last spring to replace Jog-a-thon, it didn’t really need to because those funds are usually used for school activities like field trips, which were cancelled. Hardy was also able to carry on with other fundraisers it usually holds — although now moved online — with mixed success. The school continued its Family Dining Days that partners with local restaurants — Corbin’s Q, Woodstock’s Pizza, Chipotle, etc. — that offer a percentage of

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Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

School fundraising CONTINUED FROM Page 3

a night’s sales to the school. The Dining Days had varying degrees of success as restaurants at different times could only offer pick-up and not in-person dining. The Hardy Dads Club also carried on its usual Christmas tree and greenery sales, with online ordering and payment for the first time. “I heard it was not as successful as the past two years — there was a rock star family who was very successful who now graduated — but more profitable than the first two years we did it,” Alluin said. What was successful for Hardy was the online Raise Craze event — a “kindness-a-thon” held as an experiment to replace Jog-a-thon. “The kids make pledges online saying, ‘I’m going to three acts of kindness.’ … Then they advertised to their friends, families and neighbors and sent out the links that say, ‘Will you pledge money for each act of kindness that I complete?’ And then they had to go back and take photos and write explanations of the kinds of kindness that they did. And the money came rolling in,” Alluin said. The school hit its goal of $5,000 in only two weeks and ended up with over $6,500. “It was a windfall for us and we had no idea how it was going to go.” Although the Raize Craze brought in much needed funds for Hardy, there was one event that

was cancelled where the loss was more than just money. In the fall, Hardy usually hosts a giant carnival in October that is open to the entire community that involved the Dads Club and other volunteers, including fraternities and sororities from SDSU. “It’s a deep community connection event and, yes, we make some money, but we put so much money into it that it’s not a huge profit for us,” Alluin said, adding that though the carnival usually raises only about $2,000, the intangibles like new students’ parents meeting the community and the PTA being able to meet and recruit them for membership or help was lost this year. “And it’s just a fun tradition for us,” she said. “I was like surprisingly emotionally sad about the fact that we couldn’t have it. There was this huge loss to not have it, even though when it’s happening it’s like a major stress and so much hard work.” Future fundraising plans at Hardy include replacing Jog-athon with a Dance-a-thon that can be held socially-distanced with children dancing in hoops safely separated.

CUTS TO PROGRAMS

Not every school has seen the successes that Hardy had with its Raize Craze event. At Phoebe Hearst Elementary, a Move-athon event to replace its own Jog-a-thon has so far only raised $32,000 of its $50,000 goal, said Phoebe Hearst PTA president

NEWS

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Amara Berg. The PTA extended the end date to the fundraiser in hopes of getting a few additional donations. “It looks like we’ll be ending that fundraiser at about 57% of our goal. We were able to adjust the net amount and cut some costs that would have normally been associated with running the event which we didn’t have this year so that helped our bottom line,” Berg said. Even with cutting down some overhead costs of holding the Joga-thon event, the deficit in funds raised has meant cuts to programs at Phoebe Hearst. “We have already cut some items from our budget such as reducing teacher mini-grants, which is money the teachers can use to buy much needed school supplies,” Berg said. “We’re hoping to keep most of our remaining items such as ArtCorps which is an interactive art program for kids. As of now, those items will stay and we will be rolling over less than the desired for next year, but still meeting our minimum goal.” The school still has other fundraising opportunities for the year including Dine-in events (which Berg pointed out will likely be “dine-outs”) that are similar to Hardy’s Family Dining Days; and a box tops fundraiser where students collect tops of cereal boxes for rebate money from cereal companies. “We’re hopeful we can meet our goals on those or we may have to

look at more cuts in the spring,” Berg added. And like Hardy, the lack of events is not just about money for the schools. “It’s a rough time for PTA, and fundraising efforts in general, as we don’t get the same face to face time with parents we normally do — that social interaction is everything and it also helps parents and kids feel more connected,” Berg said. “We did host some non-official off campus events at Lake Murray, but it’s not the same as greeting parents at the gates when they drop off kids and speaking to them in person at the rallies.” Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, Berg said she is “ex- An empty campus means no weekly frozen tremely proud” of her PTA yogurt fundraisers for Associated Students. team this year that was able (Photo by Jeff Clemetson) to still provide an “awesome fall” for Phoebe Hearst students. and calls from parents eager to “We held a Pumpkin Carving get their kids back to school and contest; the school foundation concerned with the timeline of held a Halloween Parade, and we that possibility. Not one of them consistently showed up for supply has been concerned about our drop offs and every chance we low fundraising,” she said. “I don’t could get to see our parents and think raising money for the school students,” she said. is high on parents minds right And although fundraising for now, but instead they just want these special events and programs their kids back in school. Sadly, I is important, Berg pointed out can’t give them the answers they that it is not the most important want because I’m in the same boat issue schools, students and par- they are.” ents are facing right now. —Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at “As the PTA president, I can tell you I’ve received a lot of notes jeff@sdnews.com. Make the Right Choice Senior Living Established in early 2008, Jean Brooks (UCSD Graduate) and Todd Brooks (Air Force Veteran, US Air Force Academy Graduate) had the desire to develop Assisted Living Care Homes and Services for seniors that are a cut above the rest at fair & competitive rates. Right Choice Senior Living has Residential Care Homes located in highly desirable neighborhoods close to UCSD, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Clairemont (Mount Street Area) medical facilities and the beach. Come see us today before making your final choice. Make the Right Choice Today. For more info call (619) 246-2003 or go to the website. NOW HIRING CAREGIVERS! CALL NOW!

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Dec. 11 , 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

OPINION / POLITICS Guest editorial News from your County How local churches can foster racial justice and reconciliation Supervisor Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

By DAVID E. CUMMINGS

Bishop AB Vines of New Seasons Church in Spring Valley knows a thing or two about racial bias first-hand. “If I get a ticket for a light not being lit, there’s five cops, guaranteed, because I’m 5 foot 10 inches, 300 pounds. That’s not happening to you [looking at me]. I’ve done all the right things. I went to college. I’ve been married for over 25 years, been in ministry for 30 years, I became vice president of the [Southern Baptist] Convention, but I still get nervous when a cop comes by. All he sees is a black guy. I should not have to have that fear. You [looking at me again] don’t have that fear. I live that fear every single day.” New Seasons is a large, multisite church comprising a diverse array of ethnicities. “Everyone goes through pain, everyone wants to experience love, and we can’t survive without hope,” says Vines. “Everybody at some point needs those three things. It’s universal.” Despite our shared humanity, however, the majority population sets the standards for intelligence, success, and acceptability. “The Anglo population thinks or has been thinking or assuming that they are the model and the measure for success,” says Juan-Daniel Espitia, Pastor of Hispanic Ministries at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church in North County. “The Anglo ethnocentric perspective has criminalized whomever looks different, whomever has an accent, whoever’s skin is like mine [brown]. It has been criminalized and thought of as a thief or someone who is going to hurt you or me and our children so we must get rid of them.” While the church may not be able to undo four centuries of racial injustice entirely on its own, it is in a unique position to facilitate one of the greatest needs of our time. According to City Life Church Pastor Dale Huntington, “there’s a lot of wisdom we can gain from people in these neighborhoods. For the longest time I thought that I needed to speak up on behalf of people, and [now] I’m trying to learn how to speak up for people to listen to other people. We need to have a learning posture from all people.” As close communities with common beliefs and values, churches are ideally situated to foster open and honest conversations about race.

Espitia agrees. “I think one of the things we need to cultivate is learning to listen to each other,” says Espitia. “There are a lot of assumptions, prejudices, judging before, and that means that there is fear and ignorance about ‘the other.’ We need to learn to listen with empathy and respect.” Mid-City Church of the Nazarene in City Heights takes this principle one step further by ensuring that multiple ethnicities are represented in the church’s leadership. “I think the beauty in the multi-congre- New Season Church Bishop AB Vines gational model is in how we make decisions togethEspitia believes that the kind er and govern together when it of dialogue that makes a real comes to ministry or responses difference requires humility. to, say, Black Lives Matter,” says “Humility is the one characterMid-City Pastor Becky Modesto. istic that would allow us to see “Because you have so many ‘the others’ the way God sees different cultural perspectives, them. Humility would be the you have to really listen well. prerequisite.” Taking time to have people who With humility and empaare different than you at the ta- thy as the guiding principles, Espitia and Solana Beach ble is really important.” During recent protests in San Presbyterian Church held Diego to police brutality, Mid- monthly meetings on hot-butCity didn’t unilaterally take ton immigration issues. “Many action to express its opinions. ministers are aware of these Instead, they reached out to the things, but they are scared of local stakeholders to hear what what their congregation is gothey felt would be most helpful ing to do,” he told me. from the church. After a year of complex im“I called several leaders here migration conversations, they and just asked, ‘how can we decided to ask a parishioner best walk alongside you?’” says named Pedro who had migratModesto. “[It’s about] listening ed to the United States to share to people’s stories, that empathy his story with the church body. of just sitting there, just listen- “When he presented his testiing and understanding.” mony, the congregation startEmpathetic conversation ed to applaud and stood up.” No with people who are not like one, not even Espitia, expected us or with whom we disagree, that kind of gracious response. “Churches need to find their however, is not easy. “One of the problems is that we’re not voice, and they need to be the willing to see if perhaps we’re nourishing environment where participating in systemic rac- open, honest, humble, and reism and benefiting from it,” says spectful conversations occur.” Huntington. “We’re just willing Today, the local church has to say, ‘I’m not a racist.’ And an opportunity – some would there’s so much more digging say a responsibility – to step up and make a tangible difference to do.” Overt racism is easy to spot in the lives of people in our comand easy to correct. It’s the munities who feel unheard, unsubtle biases, the things we valued, and often unwelcome. think and say and do without The time has come to open our even realizing it, that are most minds, our hearts, and our insidious. front doors to empathetic and “If I go into an elevator, a humble conversations about white woman is going to hold racism in San Diego. her purse tighter. When I go shopping at Nordstrom’s, I’m —David Edward Cummings, going to get followed. Those PhD is a professor of biology at things have got to be really Point Loma Nazarene University recognized and dealt with,” and author of “Everybody’s Got says Vines. Bears,” available on Amazon.

Dianne’s Corner

By DIANNE JACOB Triple-header: Three big, long-awaited projects are starting construction in Lakeside. Together, they will further boost the town’s economy and quality of life • Lakeside Equestrian Park. The nearly 14-acre project at Moreno Avenue and Willow Road will include a covered arena, open arena with shaded bleacher seating and a multi-purpose building. • Lindo Lake beautification. The east basin is being restored to its natural state, while the west basin is also set for major improvements. Sediment will be removed, trees replanted and nearly 100 fish habitat and spawning structures will be placed on the lakebed. New amenities will include ADAaccessible walking paths, bird watching stations and a fishing pier. • Lakeside Library. A new county library will be built on Woodside Avenue near Channel Road. The 16,400-square-foot structure will replace the town’s 5,000-square-foot library, built in the 1960s. It will include a 150-seat community room, five study rooms and a Friends of the Library bookstore. It is expected to open in summer 2022. A huge thank you to all the community leaders who worked with me to make these great projects possible! Meth is death: I recently stood with other leaders of the region’s Meth Strike Force to release the region’s annual meth report card. There were a record 546 local meth-related deaths in 2019. There’s no sugarcoating it: Meth is destroying lives and families in our county. These tragic deaths were unnecessary and avoidable. The strike force includes the best and brightest in law enforcement and treatment services, but we clearly need to do even more as a region to address this deadly addiction. In 1996, when we created the strike force, there were so many meth labs in San Diego County that it was known as the “Meth Capitol of the World.” That’s no longer true, thanks to the hard work of this group and the community.

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1621 Grand Ave. Suite C San Diego, CA 92109 (858) 270-3103 Fax (858) 713-0095 MissionTimesCourier.com Twitter: @MssnTimesCourier EDITOR Jeff Clemetson x130 jeff@sdnews.com

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA Jeff Clemetson jeff@sdnews.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Kendra Sitton x136 Tom Melville x131 Dave Schwab x132

PRODUCTION MANAGER Chris Baker x107 chris@sdnews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Pat Boerner David E. Cummings Robin Dohrn-Simpson Michelle Irwin Dianne Jacob Jennifer Morrissey Sean Quintal College Times edition Karen Austin Michael Klitzing Jose Reynoso Sarah Ward Mission Times edition David Ege Shain Haug Patricia Mooney Kevin Tran Jay Wilson

ACCOUNTING Heather Humble x120 accounting@sdnews.com BUSINESS CONSULTANT David Mannis PUBLISHER Julie Main (858) 270-3103 x106 julie@sdnews.com

OPINIONS/LETTERS: Mission Times Courier encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please email submissions to jeff@sdnews.com and include your phone number and address for verification. We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and accuracy. Letters and guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or staff. SUBMISSIONS/NEWS TIPS: Send press releases, tips, photos or story ideas to jeff@sdnews.com. For breaking news and investigative story ideas contact the editor by phone or email. DISTRIBUTION: Mission Times Courier is distributed free the second Friday of every month. © 2020. All rights reserved.

LA JOLLA

—Dianne Jacob represents District 2 on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. For questions or comments about your county government, call 619- 5315522 or email dianne.jacob@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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POLITICS sdnews.com Republican Women discuss election at Legacy Resort Hotel By PAT BOERNER

Navajo Canyon members and guests were thrilled to attend the November meeting at the Legacy Resort Hotel in Mission Valley. We learned that with proper precautions, our ladies were eager to get together and catch up on all the political frontline happenings. To say that this election cycle has been a roller coaster ride is clearly an understatement. Locally, Republicans have a lot of statewide victories to celebrate both in elected officials and propositions which passed or failed, but will the presidential election end up in the Supreme Court? Voters have been made aware of the vulnerability of our voting system and should be demanding transparency and tighter controls in future elections. Perhaps we will even require voters to present identification. They do in Canada with no terrible repercussions, so what is preventing that requirement in the United States? Is there any legitimate argument against only legally registered voters casting a ballot? President Trump led the team that has given us the COVID-19

vaccine. We are so fortunate that the research and development was done in record time and now the delivery of the effective vaccine is right around the corner. We look forward to Governor Newsom lifting the restrictions and allowing our state’s economy to recover and our students return to school. Our local entrepreneurs are struggling and many have been financially devastated past the point of recovery. During this holiday season, let’s support our San Diego business’s and help them launch into a profitable and successful 2021. Navajo Canyon’s next monthly meeting will be Tuesday Jan. 12. The logistics will be determined by San Diego County’s Risk Status Tier at that time. If necessary, we will have a ZOOM meeting but our first choice is to return the Legacy Resort Hotel in Mission Valley for a lunch meeting. Please look for updates and details on rwcNavajoCanyon. org and Facebook at Republican Women of California-Navajo Canyon. We are proud that Navajo’s membership is growing and we know 2021 will be a year filled with exciting speakers and advancing ways to build our party and communicate our

conservative values. We are still WOMEN FOR TRUMP! If you are looking for other sources of information please consider the iheartradio app for news and editorial podcasts which aren’t biased with a liberal slant. You can listen to Rush Limbaugh, Rudy Giuliani, Ted Cruz, Mark Levin and Candace Owens as well as many others on your phone or computer. Although Republicans are disappointed that President Trump did not win with a landslide victory and continue his common-sense leadership for a second term, we must remain optimistic for the future, knowing the challenges ahead. One of the greatest examples of persistence is Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about someone who didn’t quit, look no further. Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost 18 elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown. He could have quit many times, but he did not. Because of his tenacity and dedication to our country he became one of the greatest presidents in our history. An inspiration for us all. —Pat Boerner writes on behalf of the Republican Women of California–Navajo Canyon.

Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

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In Trump vs Democracy, Trump keeps losing By SEAN QUINTAL

November 2020 marked the 57th presidential election in the United States. Since 1800, when Thomas Jefferson, of the Democratic Republican Party defeated the incumbent John Adams of the Federalist Party, the ensuing 53 elections in America have stood as examples to the world of how a vibrant and free democracy respects both the will of its people and the rule of constitutional order. Adams set a critical precedent. His departure from office marked the first peaceful transfer of power between U.S. political opponents, now a foundational element of our nation’s democracy. Since 1800, the loser of every presidential election has willingly, peacefully and cooperatively surrendered power to the winner. Every loser, that is, until Donald Trump. Before the election, Trump repeatedly declined to say he would assure a peaceful transition of power and now it is clear that he never intended to accept defeat. Last month, the American people decisively chose Joe Biden as their 46th President. Nonetheless, since

the election Trump and his GOP enablers have waged an unprecedented attack on American democracy. The fact that the execution of their scheme has been comically ineffective should not obscure the grave risk it poses to the soundness of our political system. To this day, Trump not only refuses to concede to the PresidentElect, he persists in offering bizarre conspiracy theories and outright lies to claim that he actually won the election. The degenerates and liars who constitute his absurdly inept legal team, headed by the vampiric Rudy Guiliani, have waged a frantic effort to delegitimize a certifiably fair election. They have filed some 60 lawsuits in several states, seeking to set aside President-Elect Biden’s victories. And they have failed in spectacular fashion. Of 47 post-election court cases adjudicated (as of Dec. 4), the Trump campaign has been rejected by the courts in 46. The reason they are losing every case is simple: there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. None. Trump’s own Attorney General has publicly declared so. But the fact that a sitting president is trying in court to overturn the will of the people is both disgusting and horrifying. Trump’s un-American assault on democracy has been condemned by judges of both political parties. Conservative Justice

Brian Hagedorn, of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, observed the following in his opinion rejecting the outlandish request from Trump’s lawyers to invalidate that state’s election results: “Something far more fundamental than the winner of Wisconsin’s electoral votes is implicated in this case. At stake, in some measure, is faith in our system of free and fair elections, a central feature to the enduring strength of our constitutional republic… Once the door is opened to judicial invalidation of presidential election results, it will be awfully hard to close that door again. This is a dangerous path we are being asked to tread.” But Trump’s attempt to subvert a free and fair election through the court system is just part of his anti-democratic fiat. This month, the American people watched a sitting U.S. President call on state legislators to violate their oaths and to reject the results of their own constituents’ votes. Trump and his legal team have implored various state legislatures to invalidate November’s elections, defying the will of their states’ citizens. Trump personally called the Republican Governor of Georgia to demand he call a special session of the state legislature to override the popular vote and to nullify SEE LMFDC, Page 8

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Biden’s victory. To his credit, the governor refused; Georgia’s Republican Lt. Governor publicly refuted Trump’s false claims that the election was “stolen,” and he condemned Trump’s “mountains of misinformation.” Disturbingly, the integrity shown by those Republicans is atypical. Trump’s vile and venal affront to our democracy has been tolerated and countenanced, through either silence or affirmation, by a majority of national GOP office holders. One month after the election, 249 Republican Representatives and Senators were asked who had won. Only

27 answered President-Elect Biden; 220 either said the results were unclear or refused to answer (two actually insisted Trump had won). It appears the instinct to subvert elections, norms, and the law itself to serve Republican interests is hardly in retreat. The health and propagation of American democracy depends on holding these unpatriotic partisans in check. That fact makes Georgia’s two US Senate seats on the ballot in January all the more critical, as majority control of the chamber is at stake. Those of us in California can lend our help to the good folks in Georgia working to secure those seats. Various organizations have phone banks where anyone can participate in reaching out to Georgia voters.

POLITICS / NEWS News briefs

For more information, please visit Stacy Abrams’ FairFight.com, actblue.com, or Indivisible’s website, tinyurl.com/y5qq8fw. Thanks to the dedication and patriotism of tens of millions of Americans, and to the integrity of our judicial system, our constitutional republic weathered the brazen and shameless attack from the most un-American president in our history. We secured, for the 57th time, a free and fair presidential election. But as Trump has made ominously clear, if the American people are not vigilant, there is no guarantee we will enjoy a 58th. —Sean Quintal writes on behalf of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club.

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CONTINUED FROM Page 1

said David Wellis, CEO of San Diego Blood Bank. “The need has already increased over the last couple of weeks and we anticipate even more requests from hospitals as we head into the new year.” Appointments are required to donate blood and convalescent plasma. To see if you qualify, please visit sandiegobloodbank. org or call 619-400-8251.

MISSION TRAILS WATER PROJECT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE When looking from the right vantage point towards Mission

Construction of the San Diego County Water Authority's Flow Control Facility II is underway. When complete, the underground reservoir will be covered with soil and vegetation.

Trails Regional Park, a large mound of dirt can been seen in the park. What is it? It’s a construction project by the San Diego County Water Authority to upgrade a section of the regional water delivery system. Rest assured, once construction is complete, the dirt hill will be restored and revegetated with native plants – many seeded from the park itself. Work efforts on a new flow regulatory structure (FRS II) are beginning to take shape with many of the wall sections installed. The FRS II will be an underground concrete water tank that will store slightly less than five million gallons of water and be used to balance flows in the aqueduct system. FRS II will be the second underground water tank in the park – both work to efficiently move water through the region. SEE NEWS BRIEFS, Page 16

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Letters OPPOSITION TO CHURCH PROJECT Re: “Conflict and confusion over All People’s Church project” [Volume 26, Issue 11 or bit.ly/33PRWcM] I am a resident of Del Cerro and am writing to register my opposition to the proposed mega-church in our community near the intersection of College Avenue and Del Cerro Boulevard. This is an inappropriate proposal for the site in terms of traffic, safety, size and zoning. Please don't let this project happen. —Steve Behar, Del Cerro I am a concerned Del Cerro citizen who is against the building of a mega church on College Avenue. I have lived in Del Cerro since I was a child and now I am a homeowner in the same neighborhood. There are several reasons why this is not a good idea. This will greatly increase the traffic in our neighborhood. With a capacity of over 900 people, which they originally lied about, [the church] will bring many more cars and congestion at all different days and times of the week. This alone makes things less safe for walking and driving. This also makes it a less desirable place to live which drives down our homes value. This is not an appropriate place to put a massive church. We have a nice, mid-sized church just down the road with St. Therese. This church will also not pay taxes like a business would which gives nothing back to the community. I have no problem with the church itself and I’m sure they do some great things. I just believe if they really want to help others in need they should be located closer to public transportation, more parking space, and should be more transparent with their intentions. —Jerett Sigrist, Del Cerro I am writing to express my concern over the proposed mega church to be built in Del Cerro on the northeast corner of I-8 and College Avenue. We are a young family living in Del Cerro who chose the

OPINION / FEATURE neighborhood for its quiet community feel, its safety, and its many green hills and canyons. The construction of a mega project will disrupt everything we love about the neighborhood. A large corporate structure such as this does not belong in a sleepy residential area (not to mention that the proposed constriction site was zoned for residential development), and traffic caused by some 900-plus congregants will undoubtedly worsen driving conditions for residents (drivers already speed down our street when they can't make a u-turn on College Avenue). We are also concerned about what effect this will have on safety for pedestrians — we walk our daughter to preschool daily and look forward to our daily walks even more so in these pandemic days. We are also disappointed at the prospect of losing one of our neighborhood's treasured green areas. In addition to these very real safety and quality-of-life concerns, any mega project is not at all in keeping with the tone and values of this quiet community — and the lack of transparency in the planning process up to this point has been very upsetting. I hope you will consider my family's concerns and do what you can to stop this mega project before it is too late. —Jordan Chaim, Del Cerro It has been brought to the attention of the of the Del Cerro community, that there is a non-denominational mega-church proposed on the remaining open space located at I-8 and College Avenue. I urge the Del Cerro Action Council, the Navajo Community Planners, and the City of San Diego, to deny the approval of this out-of-character mega project. Our community is made up of single-family homes in a residential community that this mega project would destroy. The project would bring an unprecedented amount of traffic into the neighborhood which it was not designed for, it will lower the property valves adjacent to

the project, and it will impact the safety and security of the neighborhood. The Del Cerro community is not zoned for this type of mega structure as there are established height limits that the project would need approval for, which is why they were established for in the first place. Talking with our neighbors in the Del Cerro community we feel that our safety and privacy will be impacted by this inappropriate project. Please vote no on this undesirable project. —Max Frazier, Del Cerro In 2017, both the DCAC and NCPI voted against the development of this property with a residential subdivision, even though it is zoned for residential use. A myriad of reasons were submitted to the City of San Diego including concerns over traffic, visual impacts, environmental and neighborhood issues etc. by our local representatives. All People’s Church leaders and their land use consultants exude arrogance and believe they are now meant to develop this property, damn the neighbors to hell for objecting. They believe they are special so they propose changing our Community Plan to allow a church where none would be allowed; they propose massive buildings that exceed the City’s height limits; they constantly stress no one can keep them from putting a large cross above the height limit as it is Federally protected; and they are insensitive to the ongoing efforts of Del Cerro families to improve their neighborhood in their own vision. This land hasn’t been developed because a compatible infill project cannot be imagined let alone built. Originally platted for two residential homes, it is now caught up in the real estate bubble. Its all about money. Mega churches like this proposed project need huge amounts of money to realize their goals. Attracting more members in a pyramid scheme is their method. SEE LETTERS, Page 12

Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

Maya’s Cookies opens Grantville storefront By ROBIN DOHRN-SIMPSON | Mission Times Courier

Is it possible to have a tasty, ooey-gooey cookie that is vegan? Yes, and egg and butter-free never tasted better than Maya’s cookies. Maya Madsen, owner and baker, has taken her passion for cooking, healthy eating and sweet tooth to a new level that has made her the country’s top Black-owned vegan bakery. Being a personal trainer for 30 years, Madsen always ate healthy and allowed herself a cheat day. On that day she made cookies. Everyone needs a cheat day. As a vegan she wanted to create excellent vegan cookies using the best quality of ingredients. Over the past few years, people would pass by her bakery and peek in the windows and ask to buy her cookies. “I was only licensed to sell online, so I had to turn people away,” Madsen said. “I always want to do what my customers want, so I decided to get all the city permits to sell directly from our bakery.” She has now opened her bakery for retail sales to the public. Her storefront is off the beaten path, but not too hard to find — across the street from the post office in Grantville. Just look for the pink storefront at 4760 Mission Gorge Place Suite G. Madsen also sells her cookies at the Little Italy Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Hillcrest Farmers Market on Sundays. Madsen prides herself on using the highest quality ingredients in her cookies. She offers a variety of cookies and is constantly rotating them in and out. Some

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popular ones are her Classic Chocolate Chip, Birthday Cake, Snickerdoodle, White Chocolate Macadamia, Chocolate Chip S’mores and Marble Fudge. Gluten sensitive patrons, you’re in luck. Madsen has expanded her business to include gluten-free cookies. The bakery is not “celiac safe” as they cook with regular flour and gluten-free flour in the same facility. But, depending on your level of sensitivity, you can enjoy two or three flavors that she has on hand at a time. It took her a few years to add this to her menu since she had to get her recipe perfected. She has twelve flavors in her repertoire. For the holidays Madsen features gingerbread cookies. To check specific ingredients, look on her website where she lists every cookie detail This holiday season, Maya’s Cookies has four different deluxe holiday tins with unique flavors: Chocolate Peppermint S’Mores, Sparkle Sugar Cookies, Gingerbread and White Chocolate Cranberry. You can order cookies online to be shipped to anyone on your gift-giving list or pass by the bakery and pick up an assortment. The proceeds from the sales of the holiday tins will go to support two charities near and dear to her heart, helping young women of color through high school and college and an animal refuge in Santee. To order online or for information on ingredients go to mayascookies.com. —Robin Dohrn-Simpson is a local freelance food and travel writer. Reach her at dohrnsimpson@#hotmail.com.

Dec. 11 , 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

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as an action item on their agenda. The project will then go to the City of San Diego’s Planning Commission and ultimately to the City Council. Public testimony will be heard by both entities. Currently NCPI and DCAC are Zoom meetings.

The next DCAC meeting will be on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. The link to attend this meeting will be posted on the DCAC website (delcerroactioncouncil.org) on Monday, Jan. 25. NCPI meets monthly (they are dark in December) on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. They post their Zoom meetings on their website at navajoplanners.org. Anyone may

Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

sign up on the websites to receive information. There is no update from the City of San Diego on the proposed Del Cerro Maintenance Assessment District. The holidays are upon us and the DCAC Board of Directors wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. —By Del Cerro Action Council secretary Jay Wilson

SAN CARLOS AREA COUNCIL NEWS We now enter that time of year when we take stock of all that’s happened over the past 12 months. The rampant devastation from COVID-19 and a series of natural disasters across our state and nation, makes it imperative that we focus on the moments that have brought us any peace, comfort and happiness.

Zoom and other forms of communications technology have made it possible for families and friends to stay in touch and celebrate occasions such as birthdays, weddings and holidays. Drive-in cinema has made a come-back. Zoom concerts are now a thing. Families have rediscovered puzzles and board games. Essential SEE COMMUNITY BRIEFS, Page 12

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Community briefs CONTINUED FROM Page 11

workers such as teachers, doctors, nurses and firefighters have emerged as heroes this year. Crayola launched a box of crayons with diverse skin colors that children can use to “accurately color themselves into the world.” Here in San Diego, the community stepped up to address food insecurity issues across our county, contributing food and funds.

For up-to-date news follow us on Facebook and Twitter missiontimescourier.com

People brushed up on their baking, gardening and sewing skills. COVID-19 forced us to reimagine everything from arranging for employees to work full time from home, to setting up restaurants outside; from drive-by graduations and birthdays to socially-distanced grocery shopping. It’s been a booming year for bicycles, bidets and barbecue grills. Quarantine gives us the opportunity to spend 40 minutes in a massage chair without guilt. I have personally never seen so many people out on the trails biking and hiking. Kids are learning an appreciation for the great outdoors and the night sky. The last time the San Carlos Area Council gathered was last December. Since it may be many more months before we can physically meet, we have decided to host a holiday Zoom meeting for San

COMMUNITY / OPINION Letters

sdnews.com single family project that was already approved by the City Council. The community of Del Cerro want their voices heard and reported without bias. —Bob Martin, Del Cerro

HOLIDAY ZOOM PARTY Time: Dec 16, 6:30 p.m.

CONTINUED FROM Page 9

Join Zoom meeting at: bit.ly/3n3XR5M

Save Del Cerro. Voice your opinion to your local leaders. Just say NO! —Michael Livingston, Del Cerro

Meeting ID: 760 1453 6090 Passcode: f0BjNQ

Carlos neighbors on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. We can use the time to meet our neighbors, discuss any important local issues, and usher out the year 2020. We hope you’ll join us! If you have a San Carlos story to share, or would like to get involved in your community, please contact San Carlos Area Council vice president Patricia Mooney at patty@ crystalpyramid.com. —By San Carlos Area Council vice president Patricia Mooney

I am a resident of Del Cerro. I am demanding a second vote on building a mega church on College Avenue and Del Cerro Boulevard. The citizens of this community deserve a say in what is approved and how it is approved. This proposed project has a total lack of transparency. We pay taxes on expensive homes in Del Cerro and therefore we have a right to be heard. —Sandra M. Einstein, Del Cerro

Your report about the Zoom people’s church project meeting did not reflect the main consensus of the people that spoke. First, that the majority of the participants who live in Del Cerro do not want this 900 member mega church due to the traffic impact it would create. Second, that the majority of Del Cerro participants would rather have the taxable 24-unit

[Read more letters at missiontimescourier.com]

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San Carlos journalist wins Archaeological Society award Cynthia G. Robertson, a regular contributor to the Mission Times Courier and other local publications, is a two-way tie winner in the sixth annual San Diego Archaeological Society Art Show. Her image “Guiding Light” of the San Diego Mission de Alcala, won the People’s Choice Award for the competition. Robertson’s photo is of the sidewall and bell tower of the Mission de Alcala. “The title is a testament to the history, culture, and religion of the time when the missions of California were being established. Being an active church now, with its place in history, Mission de Alcala remains a guiding light,” she explained. Robertson’s other submission to the show, “Liminal Space,” is a photograph of the Serra Museum in Balboa Park. It received an Honorable Mention. There were five categories of artwork showing the various ways that art and archaeology intersect. Those categories were Fine Art, Photography, Archaeological Line Drawing, Traditional Arts and Video.

Long interested in archaeology, history and anthropology, Robertson was intrigued when she was invited to participate in the competition. “I actually worked at the Anthropology Museum when I was a student at Mesa College,” she said. “I even considered working in the field as an anthropologist.” As a result of her winning photograph, she has earned a oneyear membership to SDCAS and the opportunity to serve on the board. The art show was judged blindly by the Art Show Committee who had prior no knowledge of the artists’ race, gender, cultural affiliation, experience or background. The show is now online on the SDCAS website through Dec. 31. The website explains that art and archaeology are inextricably linked. Archaeologists often study the artistic creations of past cultures, whether ancient Grecian mosaics or finely crafted stone tools of pre-contact California. Visit sdcas.org for more information on the archeological society and to view the art show.

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Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 FOOD & DRINK Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier sdnews.com Continuing a family heritage in La Mesa Village By ROBIN DOHRN-SIMPSON

Carol Tolosko created Centifonti Restaurant as a nod to her great grandfather Cosmo Centifonti who immigrated with his wife Carmela, in the late 1800s from Abruzzi, Italy to Burlington, New Jersey. Cosmo started his “One Stop Shop” — a delicatessen, with an ice cream parlor, candy store, smoking lounge and a bar. Tolosko wished to emulate the concept with her own eatery located in the Village of La Mesa. Centifonti is a restaurant with an eclectic menu of Italian and Californian favorites — something for everyone, children and adults. You’ll find a bar featuring 25 craft beers on tap, a gelateria and also a candy store. Carol and her daughter are fourth and fifth generation chocolatiers who make their own

Clam Linguine

chocolate goodies. Carol’s mother, until recently, made the candy and caramel apples so loved by patrons. The house-made gelato is a specialty that Stacey Robinson takes very seriously. He loves to experiment with flavors and follows the philosophy “something unique sells”. The fig, cinnamon, walnut and whiskey gelato is a favorite. Full of unique yet compatible flavors that make the mouth beg for more. After sampling a variety of the gelatos, the chocolate was definitely another favorite — very rich and creamy. The restaurant, which is open daily, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A unique breakfast favorite is the Southwest Breakfast Bowl. This is a bread bowl filled with Centifonti potatoes (red potatoes with red and green bell peppers

Fig, cinnamon, walnut and whiskey gelato

and onions) smothered in housemade chili, two eggs any style, cilantro, tomatoes, avocado and sprinkled with cheddar and cotija cheese. If this isn’t enough, you can have it topped with chipotle cream. If you prefer a sweeter meal, try the French toast with thick Texas

Strawberry topped Waffle

Caramel Apples (Photos by Robin Dohrn-Simpson)

toast dipped in a custard batter flavored with Amaretto, cinnamon and vanilla sprinkled with sliced almonds and grilled to a golden brown. For a healthy alternative try their house-made granola with a mixture of grains, nuts, seeds and raisins, sweetened with honey. Cover with your choice of milk. Soy milk or almond milk. Lunch and dinner offer an assortment of burgers, paninis, soups and salads, as well as full entrees of American and Italian food. If Italian food is on your wish list, try the Spicy Penne Pasta, Lasagna, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Ravioli and Fettucini Alfredo. Not all entrees are Italian, but all are flavorful and made from fresh, local ingredients. The good news for gluten-free eaters is they offer gluten-free pasta.

For the competitive beer drinkers, try the 128-ounce Das Boot filled with your favorite brew. Or for the not so competitive, try the 64-ounce option. Ring the bell once you’ve finished. “My mottos are: Something unique sells and treat the customer like family,” Tolosko said. And it’s working. Centifonti’s has been in business for 15 years and going strong. What’s next for Tolosko? A speakeasy with dining and dancing. Like her food, she has an eclectic assortment of musical acts who are waiting to transport San Diegans away for an hour or two. For current hours and specials go to centifontis.com. —Robin Dohrn-Simpson is a local freelance food and travel writer. Reach her at dohrnsimpson@hotmail.com.

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Construction efforts also include a new flow control facility, north and south pipe connections and removal of existing blue vent stacks. Some trails in the northwest area of the park are closed during construction hours (Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), with portions closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “Please continue avoiding trails marked as closed during working hours,” said Aaron Trimm, Water Authority construction manager and senior engineer. “Heavy construction equipment and vehicles are now regularly using the closed trails during construction, which make it necessary to close them to keep hikers and cyclists safe.” The Water Authority has created an interactive map that shows the location of the closed trails. Visit sdcwa.org/mission-trails-FRS to view the map and learn more information about the project. Please call the toll-free project information line at 877-682-9283, ext. 7004, or email CIPinfo@sdcwa.org with your questions.

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to trails with hills, single track, and By JENNIFER MORRISSEY even the occasional water crossing deRecently, the Mission Trails pending on the time Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation of year.” highlighted three park users to On Instagram help illustrate how much the park as @runnylegs, means to the San Diego communi- Nakamura shares ty. As one of the park’s neighbors, photos of her runs you know well how popular the at locations near park is and has become, especially and far, including at during the pandemic. MTRP. Remarking Protecting and maintaining on a run earlier this 8,000 acres as well as providing year, she shared, “I Liz Dorski enjoys bird watching at Mission Trials. educational and other resources remember doing to Mission Trails’ estimated 2.2 a sunset run at Lake Murray THE MOUNTAIN BIKER million annual visitors is an im- the Thursday before everything When Ramon Galindo isn’t mense responsibility. We at the locked down in March. It's such a working as a reporter at NBC MTRP Foundation support the beautiful place to see the sunset.” 7, you’ll probably find him at Mission Trails where he’s been park and its staff in this endeavor We concur. by raising funds for trail maintea frequent visitor for the past six nance, habitat restoration, edu- THE BIRD WATCHER years. In his job, he’s done stocation programs and more. We Liz Doroski has been coming to ries about Mission Trails, includall need the park, and now, we Mission Trails since 1983. ing about hiking safely and our need you. “I remember walking the old rattlesnakes. December is our most import- potholed Junipero Serra road from In pre-Covid times, Galindo also ant fundraising month and it’s what is now the Visitor Center to volunteered at the MTRP Visitor also when the majority of us the dam. We had to climb across Center. make our charitable gifts. This a large water/sewyear, please make a gift to support er pipe to get over Mission Trails and take advantage the river and hike of the special charitable giving through the grassincentives in the 2020 CARES lands area. Now, Act. Learn more about these in- with the establishcentives, giving to Mission Trails, ment of the regionand make a donation at mtrp.org/ al park status, the giving. space is professionalNow, meet some of our regular ly and lovingly cared park users, people like you who for and protected, love MTRP. which is invaluable, not only for people, THE RUNNER but for nature.” On runner Jenny Nakamura’s Dorski is an avid first trip to San Diego to visit her birder and enjoys boyfriend and now husband Sean, birdwatching at he took her to Lake Murray and MTRP. Mountain bike enthusiast Ramon Galindo Cowles Mountain. “The best time to “Both places are special for us. spot birds is either morning or “I was looking for volunteer opLake Murray is one of my favorite dusk, but really any time of day portunities and after completing runs. I love getting to the turn- will be fruitful if you are obser- the 5-Peak Challenge, it occurred around and seeing the bullseye vant. So much of birding is listen- to me that volunteering at MTRP at the end,” she said. ing, and being quiet and still. A would be a great opportunity to Nakamura runs 20-30 miles good place to birdwatch in MTRP share my knowledge of the park's a week and lives near Mission is near any body of water with lots trails while helping out the place Trails. of trees. The water draws birds for where I love to spend my free time. “It's really cool to have trails a drink, food, and bathing, while When I interact with the public at in the city. I love that there is so the trees provide safety and cover the Visitor Center, I can discuss much variety, from paved paths from predators.” with them the park’s diverse plant In addition to vol- life, fascinating geology, and the unteering at MTRP, rich history of the Kumeyaay.” Dorski has more reIn addition to hiking the trails cently been one of the and up Mission Trails’ five peaks, newsletter contribu- Galindo likes to mountain bike, tors, so she knows especially on the trails near East the park, its staff and Fortuna Staging Area. volunteers well. “It's a good workout and there “Not a day goes by are a variety of trails so you can that I don't recognize bring friends of all skill levels," he how fortunate I am said. “I have been going to the park to have a home, good during Covid, but usually early in health, social sup- the morning and on the weekport, and resources; days to avoid possible crowds. It's and I'm enormously still important to enjoy nature for grateful to be able to physical and emotional health.” donate my time and Make a donation to support money to MTRP to Mission Trails at mtrp.org. Donors help keep it going for of $100 or more will receive our years to come. It's not new thank-you gift, an MTRP lionly our backyard, cense plate frame! You can help it's home to many the park today. critters and plants who add to the park's —Jennifer Morrissey is execubeauty, and they de- tive director of the Mission Trails Runner Jenny Nakamura (Courtesy photos) serve our respect.” Regional Park Foundation.

Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CLUES ACROSS 1. Popular pickup truck 4. Profoundly wise men 9. Camera company 14. Folk singer DiFranco 15. Passerine birds 16. Plum-shaped fruit used for preserves 17. Popular kids channel 18. Dodgers’ skipper 20. Removes 22. The Atlantic is one 23. Badgerlike mammal 24. Foulness

28. Luke’s mentor __-Wan 29. Commercial 30. A type of gin 31. Temptress 33. Shuts in an enclosed space 37. Milligram 38. Actress Adams 39. Strive to equal or match 41. Health insurance 42. A detective’s source 43. Small American rails 44. Alfred __, Brit. poet 46. Crest of a hill 49. Atomic #52

50. __ Caesar, comedian 51. Breaks apart 55. Register formally (Brit. sp.) 58. Worker 59. Chemical compound 60. Disgraced newsman 64. Born of 65. Chemical substance 66. Supernatural powers 67. Clothes 68. Indy footballers 69. Moves forward 70. Midway between south and southeast

CLUES DOWN 1. Driver 2. Bone cavities 3. Menacing 4. Where coaches patrol 5. Greek mythological figure 6. War-based board game 7. Midway between northeast and east 8. 18-year period in astronomy 9. Mid-century term used to describe Japanese-Americans 10. Large bodies of water 11. Eurasian ryegrass

12. Perform on stage 13. Greek island 19. 10th month of the year (abbr.) 21. One point east of southeast 24. Belgian city 25. Praise excessively 26. River in France 27. Edible lily bulbs 31. Quarterbacks take them 32. Organic compound 34. Tears down (Brit.) 35. Beloved Hollywood alien 36. Unconscious 40. Missouri

41. Firemen use them 45. Pig noise 47. Greatly dismay 48. Imitator 52. Moves by turning over 53. Boxing’s GOAT 54. Swarms with 56. Margarines 57. Feudal superior 59. As fast as can be done 60. Reciprocal of a sine 61. Chinese city 62. Tell on 63. United

Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

EDUCATION / SPORTS

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Crusaders Soccer Club looks ahead to 2021

Henry joins ‘No Place For Hate’

Patrick Henry High School News By MICHELLE IRWIN This year, Patrick Henry High School — along with all the Henry cluster schools — are going through the process of becoming No Place for Hate schools. At Henry, our goal is to create a learning community free of prejudice and build a community based on inclusivity. As a learning community, we must advocate for equity and combat any type of racism that seeps into our lives. We must analyze our cultural frame of reference and widen our cultural aperture to understand the people around us. James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Our purpose is to address institutional racism and explicit/implicit bias in order to unite and become a community that is bound by integrity, dignity and the pursuit of a more just and peaceful world. Students, family members, staff, faculty, and community

members meet bi-weekly to discuss ways to develop lessons and activities to educate all our students and faculty members. Our students and staff have signed a No Place for Hate Pledge and discussed microaggressions as a lesson. We have many more events planned throughout the year in order to end racism and provide a safe community for all students. Check our our No Place for Hate website at noplaceforhatephhs. weebly.com. In mid-November, we were given the approval to begin sports conditioning for cross-country, football and field hockey. Our student athletes and coaches are held to the highest standard of safety precautions. It has been refreshing to see our students on campus in the afternoon doing something they love. We hope to add more sports throughout the year. Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, our district has delayed the reopening of our schools for Phase 2. In mid-January, we will have a status update on a possible reopening date. 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. Please remember to visit the Patrick Henry website for up to date information about our

By JAY WILSON

school and district at patrickhenryhs.net. We hope you have a safe holiday season. 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.

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Beginning the middle of October, the COVID-19-delayed season for the Crusaders Soccer Club’s recreational season began. Over 50 teams of boys and girls have enjoyed being with friends they had not seen in six months, learned new soccer skills and had fun. The best memory from the season was hearing about an 8-year-old boy yell to his mother as he raced across the soccer field on the first day of practice with a huge smile on his face,“Hey mom, I saw Jason. He is not on my team this year, but he waved at me and said he would wave at me next week at practice.” The expression on his face, and his comment was worth everything. You can see that same smile on virtually every player each week they come to practice and the Saturday scrimmages between the players on their team. Our competitive teams have been practicing diligently since the middle of June and are anxiously waiting to play games for which they may have to wait until 2021 to be played. Our professional competitive and our volunteer recreational coaches have all risen to the challenges of teaching soccer skills to players with ever changing COVID-19 protocols. There were no off-the-shelf guidelines for coaching players who initially had to remain socially distanced from one another and still concentrate on soccer. Tryouts of our competitive teams are set to begin in January 2021. The dates and times will be announced on our website, crusaderssoccer.org. Beginning Dec. 15, registration for our 2021 recreational spring season for boys and girls born between 2007 and 2017 will commence. Visit the Crusaders Soccer website at crusaderssoccer.org for more information and registration. The eight-week season is currently scheduled for March and April. Teams will play on Sundays. The Crusaders Soccer Club would like to thank Dan and Mary Buxton, the owners of the Play It Again Sports in La Mesa for donating the large portable soccer goals now being used on the lower Lewis field for the Saturday scrimmages. The Crusaders Soccer Club’s Board of Directors sincerely thank the players, parents, coaches, and grandparents for helping make 2020 a successful year despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 virus. As 2020 comes to an end, we wish everyone a happy and safe holiday! Join us on and off the soccer field in 2021 as we celebrate 50 years of serving San Diego’s East County. —Jay Wilson writes on behalf of Crusaders Soccer Club.

FEATURE / LIBRARY

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COVID murder CONTINUED FROM Page 1

seemed like an easy way to try and infect someone else and try to get away with a murder in a way most people wouldn’t see as murder,” he said. Roesler then outlined the story, began writing, and five weeks later had finished his book. He felt compelled to finish “Novel Coronavirus” quickly because he said it was an obvious story for writers to write and he wanted his to be one of the first. The self-published book is now available on Amazon and other bookstore websites. Besides the mystery of how Kevin’s murder plan is eventually found out, the book also features scenes of people hoarding toilet paper, zoom cocktail parties, zoom funerals, characters who are high school seniors and disappointed they are missing normal graduation events. “The main thing I was trying to do, in addition to wrapping it around this whodunnit, was to capture just what it felt like to be in quarantine,” Roesler said. “Trying to capture all those different experiences that are unique to 2020 and put them all in one place in this book so that hopefully in the future it will be a good resource for people to go back and go, ‘Oh, that’s what it was like,’ or remember that’s what it was like living through 2020.” While Roesler hopes the book will be a good historical reference, does he worry about it being used as a contemporary guide for would-be murderers?

“I’ve thought about it, but I look at it the opposite way around,” he said. “By putting the book out there, it’s more sort of warning people in law enforcement that this is a possibility. Keep this in mind as people are dying because you can’t necessarily assume that every infection is just a complete accident.” That might be difficult for law enforcement, according Roesler’s own research he conducted while writing his book. “I don’t think there is any way to tell the difference between an intentional infection and an accidental infection,” he said. “Novel Coronavirus” is Roesler’s sixth self-published book. The retired aerospace engineer moved to Allied Gardens a couple years ago from the Bay Area and is now a dedicated writer. Besides “Novel Coronavirus,” Roesler is also publishing a trilogy — first book titled “Act Globally” — in 2020. “It’s my first reach into science fiction, although it isn’t about aliens or space battles or anything,” he said, adding that the story is about a company that makes self-replicating machines that are used by an eccentric billionaire to create a mountain outside of Las Vegas that is bigger than Mt. Everest. “Novel Coronavirus” and all other titles by Roesler are available on most ebook platforms. For “Novel Coronavirus,” 50% of all proceeds from the book will be donated to charities — 25% to Feeding America and 25% to the World Health Organization. —Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at jeff@sdnews.com.

Dec. 11 , 2020 – Jan. 14, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier

LIBRARY BRIEFS ALLIED GARDENS/BENJAMIN

Allied Gardens/Benjamin Library sends a huge thanks to the San Carlos Garden Club for its generous donation to our branch. We very much have enjoyed hosting this lovely group of plant enthusiasts over the years and have especially cherished the lovely bouquets they donated for our circulation desk to be enjoyed by staff and patrons. The club’s monetary donation will go toward the purchase of popular materials for all to enjoy. Thank you! While on the topic of appreciation, I (librarian Kevin Tran) would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Allied Gardens community and its wonderful residents. I have had the great pleasure of working in this amazing area for over six years and truly appreciate everyone’s welcoming and friendly nature. For this reason, it is with a heavy heart that I must say farewell as I recently received a promotion to manage the Logan Heights library. I will certainly miss everyone and this wonderful community. Holiday activities Crafts aren’t just for kids. Starting Dec. 14, Allied Gardens/ Benjamin Library will be offering craft kits for adults and teens until the end of December. To see the week’s project, be sure to go to the library’s Facebook page each Monday. These kits will include all materials to make a gift for yourself or a loved one and will be available while supplies last. The Allied Gardens/Benjamin library is pleased to announce it will continue its annual tradition of holding a Snowman coloring contest! Please come to the library to get an entry form. Once you complete your masterpiece, send

us a picture of your creation (address is on the form) by Dec. 18 and you will be entered to win a prize for your age group. The contest is open to people of all ages. Winners will be announced on Dec. 19 on the library Facebook page. So please be sure to check out our Facebook page to stay informed of all the fun things we have lined up: facebook.com/ alliedgardenslibrary. —By librarian Kevin Tran.

SAN CARLOS

The year 2020 has been interesting for all of us. We all had to change and adapt our lifestyles to find a way to manage the new normal in our lives. We adjusted our service in order to still provide library materials to the community and we are committed to be a continuous source of opportunity, discovery and inspiration. In February, we held our Robotics Showcase Extravaganza 2020 which was a smashing success that attracted 270 attendees. The Patrick Henry Patribots, Wizalos, Squash, Dailard Mechanical Dolphins, Pretzel Cats and City Critters all came out to show off their creations. The Kearny High Blue Tech Club showed off a miniature underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV) and the SDSU Mechatronics brought out their large underwater ROV. The appearance of SDPD SWAT robot units entertained the crowd and inspired the young robotics teams. We had to think creatively about Free Comic Book Day 2020 and how to distribute comic books to our patrons. IDW Publishing graciously provided 5,000 comic books to give away so we partnered with the City's Parks & Rec

Department to deliver the books to San Diego school sites that were providing meals to school children. A box of comic books was also sent to the San Diego Convention Center to provide reading material for Operation Shelter to Home. We are so proud that during these times we were able to find ways to work together and still provide services to the citizens of San Diego. New online programming Join our Facebook page to enjoy our online programming at facebook.com/ SanCarlosBranchLibrary. •Read along with Library Assistant, Miss C., as she shares a Holiday story on December 24 at 10:00 a.m. We will also be providing a Holiday craft kit from December 21 to 26 which can be requested through our Contactless Pick-Up Service. Weekly online programming • Join us for a weekly inspirational quote by J.R.R. Tolkien in an online program called “Lord of the Rings Life Lessons.” Librarian, David Ege, will enlighten and inspire by reading select passages from The Lord of the Rings. Videos will be posted every Monday at 10:00 a.m. • Do you ever wonder what you and your kids should read next? Then you should watch “What’s Ms. Erin Reading?” to help you decide! Each week, Youth Services Librarian, Erin Moore, will release a teaser image and then a video of a fun book she is reading. Book review videos will post every Friday at 2:00 p.m. You may also contact Ms. Erin for children’s reading suggestions at emoore@sandiego.gov. —By San Carlos Library managing librarian David Ege.

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