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NORTH PARK SCENE
2012 North Park Calendars Available The North Park Historical Society has published its fourth annual North Park Calendar featuring photos of North Park architecture and events. The calendar, which sells for $14.99, can be ordered through the organization’s Website at northparkhistory.org. Proceeds are used to support the Historical Society, whose current projects include historical walking tours, designating historical districts and landmarks and distributing historical publications. S.D. Musical Theatre Comes to North Park Roger Bean’s “The Marvelous Wonderettes” comes to the North Park Theatre Feb. 10-26, thanks to the San Diego Musical Theatre, which is taking up residence in the facility. Other productions will follow — “Rent” from June 22 to
Vol. 20 No. 1 January 2012
BATTLE OVER
BALBOA Irwin Jacobs and SOHO are leading opposing plans to upgrade the park for its 1915 centennial BY DELLE WILLETT
B
alboa Park’s plazas were originally designed like the grand plazas of Europe, accommodating pedestrians, automobiles and pigeons. Over the years, however, the
park has literally been taken over by cars with nearly 7,000 vehicles driving through the plazas and promenades daily. With 12 million visitors to the park each year, conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles abound. This problem has long been recognized, and every plan for the park in the past 60 years has had a goal to remove the cars and return the park’s core to people. SEE BALBOA, Page 6
Irwin Jacobs, co-founder of Qualcomm Inc.
Bruce Coons is executive director of the Save Our Heritage Organisation.
SEE SCENE, Page 4
North Park Welcomes Wang’s Master Builders of New year brings an Asian fusion restaurant to the business core
Mission Hills
Newcomers to North Park would never guess that, a mere handful of years ago, this neighborhood was a quiet, residential haven. They would also never guess that the massive building on the corner of University Avenue and Ray Street was once a JC Penney department store. It is in this warehouse-turned-anew that North Park has recently received its newest urban addition in the form of Asian fusion eatery — Wang’s North Park. Opening its San Diegan doors this past November, Wang’s North Park is the second establishment of its kind, its successful predecessor still raking in plenty of enthusiasm in Palm Desert. Considering the desert is no 15-minute drive away, this
“Master Builders of Mission Hills,” an educational seminar focusing on the builders who constructed many of the homes that still stand today in the century-old neighborhood, will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 4 pm. at the Francis Parker Lower School. Presented by Mission Hills Heritage, the lecture series will explore important Master Builders and their role in the development of Mission Hills including Martin Melhorn, Nathan Rigdon, Cliff May and Morris Irwin. “The contribution of builders in the
BY COLETTE MAUZERALLE
SEE WANG’S, Page 8
Wang’s North Park owners Beth Gattus, Tom Eads and Joel Jerzer.
Seminar focuses on builders’ role in development
SEE MASTER, Page 10
To our customers, neighbors, associates and friends, go our thanks and best wishes at the New Year. We wouldn’t be where we are without people like you, and we’re grateful for your loyal support.
We wish all of you a safe and happy New Year’s Eve celebration, and we look forward to seeing you soon in 2012!
2 | sdnorthparknews.com | January 2012
(619) 683-5420 | www.aftonmiller.com | amiller786@aol.com
A F TO N S E L L S S A N D I E G O Specializing in North Park and Metro Area since 1986 SOLD - $289,587
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4877 Monroe Ave | 3br 1.5ba
3111 Vancouver Ave | 3br 1 ba
3327 Nile St | 3br 1ba
2674 Montclair St | 2br 1ba
4614 47th St| 2br 3ba
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4807 Jean Dr| 3br 1.5ba
4719 Caroline Dr| 3br 2ba
2234 Bancroft. | 2 br 1.5ba
4545 47th St. | 2br 1ba
3659 32nd St | 3br 2ba
2186 Dunhaven St| 3br 2ba
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4865 Lorraine Dr| 4br 3ba
4820 Lorraine Dr | 3br 2ba
3406 Olive St | 3br 2ba
4766 Lorraine Dr | 3br 2ba
4537 Natalie Dr | 3br 2ba
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3161 1st St #2N | 2br 2ba *
4134 Lymer Dr | 3br 2ba
3415 Villa Terrace | 3br 2ba
2521 San Marcos Ave | 4br 2.5ba *
1359 Ahlrich Ave | 4br 3.5ba
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4620 Max Dr | 2br 2ba
4795 50th St | 2br 1ba
2612 Bancroft St | 3br 2ba
4607 Janet Pl | 4br 3.5ba
4778 Caroline Dr. | 2br 2ba
4744 50th St | 3br 2ba
SOLD $470,000
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SHORT SALE IN ESCROW $410,000
SHORT SALE IN ESCROW $548,000
SHORT SALE IN ESCROW $525,000
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4665 Lucille Dr, | 3br 2ba,
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2244 Felton St | 2br 1ba
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4464 Kansas St | 3br 3ba
5423 Lake Murray Blvd #3 | 2br 2ba *
4841 51st St | 3br 2ba
4142 Lymer Dr | 3br 2ba
3236-38 Grim Ave | 3units
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January 2012 | sdnorthparknews.com | 3
4 | sdnorthparknews.com | January 2012
SCENE
Misty Cotton
CONTINUED FROM Page 1
July 8, and “Footloose” from Sept. 28 to Oct. 14. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” takes the audience to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where the Wonderettes are introduced — Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy — four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match. Act I has the girls performing renditions of classic ’50s songs while Act II has them at their 10-year school reunion. Although Lyric at the Birch, the owner and operator of the theater, filed for bankruptcy, the theater is still being used for performances. San Diego Musical Theatre will be the only group launching a full season of performances there. More information on the shows are available online at sdmt.org or by calling (858) 560-5740. Created and directed by Roger Bean, “The Marvelous Wonderettes” will include performances of such classics as “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover” and “Lipstick On Your Collar.” The cast will feature Bets Malone, Misty Cotton, Beth Malone,and Lowe Taylor. The production will feature musical direction by Don LeMaster, and choreography by Bets Malone. University Heights Community Forums The University Heights Historical Society and the University Heights Community Development Corp. have established a community forum seriesto give residents an overview of community planning and recent changes in redevelopment. Forums have been scheduled in January, February, March and April, all held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church at 3993 Park Blvd. Here’s a schedule: • Jan. 12 — What’s So Special About University Heights? Kristin Harms of the University Heights Historical Society will give an overview of the early history of the community and changes in the community’s demographic profile since 1980. • Feb. 9 — Community Planning: Balancing Individual Property Rights with Community Benefit. Speaker Barry Hager, an attorney, will discuss the constitutional framework for property rights and a local real estate agent will speak on the impact of location and other factors on property value. • March 8 — Tools for Preserving Community Character: Historical Designation. Cathy Winterrowd, senior planner of the city’s Historical Resources Board, will discuss the benefits of historic designation, financial incentives for owners of historic properties and the process for historically designating individual properties and historic districts. • April 12 — Tools for Preserving Community Character: Conservation Areas. Speaker Marlon Pangilinan, senior planner with the city of San Diego, will give an overview of the purpose and process for using conservation areas and how they might be used in University Heights. For more information, contact the University Heights Historical Society at (619) 297-3166. SEE SCENE, Page 5
January 2012 | sdnorthparknews.com | 5
Committee And Board Meetings Greater Golden Hill Community Development Corp. The CDC normally meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at the SDYS Golden Hill Center, 2220 Broadway. For information, call (619) 696-9992. Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at the Balboa Golf Course clubhouse, 2600 Golf Course Drive. For information, call (619) 533-5284. The North Park Redevelopment Project Area Committee meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. Meetings focus on redevelopment projects in construction or planning. For information, visit sandiego.gov/redevelopment-agency.
The North Park Main Street board meets at 7 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month at its storefront office, 3076 University Ave. North Park Main Street has more than 250 members, primarily businesses paying annual assessments in the city-authorized North Park BID. For information, call 294-2501. The North Park Maintenance Assessment District Committee normally meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of every other month at North Park Community Adult Center, 2719 Howard Ave. The Greater North Park Community Planning Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at North Park Christian Fellowship, 2901 North Park Way. The committee is an advisory group to the city on North Park land use, including the general
plan, infrastructure and density. For Campus Ave. For information, call 297- information, call (619) 692-0540. information, visit northparksd.org. 3166. Uptown Rotary welcomes prospecThe Adams Avenue Business Asso- tive members at its 7 a.m. Thursday The North Park Community Association board normally meets at 6 p.m. ciation board of directors normally breakfasts at Jimmy Carter’s Mexican the fourth Wednesday of the month at meets at 7:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of Café, 3172 Fifth Ave. For more, call the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd.. the month at the Normal Heights Com- (619) 500-3229 or visit sdurotary.org. For information on the NPCA History munity Center, 4649 Hawley Blvd. For Committee, visit northparkhistory.org. time, place and more information, call The North Park Recreation Council (619) 282-7329 or visit adamsaveon- meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Monday of The Business Group for South Park line.com. every other month at North Park Recreand Golden Hill meets at 8:30 a.m. the ation Center, 4044 Idaho St. For inforlast Wednesday of the month at the The Kensington/Talmadge Planning mation, call 235-1152. Moose Lodge, 1648 30th St. The busi- Group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second ness group rotates its meeting location Wednesday of the month at Kensingevery few months. It helps organize the ton Community Church, 4773 Marlquarterly Walkabouts. For information, borough Drive. For information, call call 233-4060 Ext. 314. 287-3157. The Lions Club of North Park meets The University Heights Community for lunch every Wednesday from noon Association meets at 7 p.m. the first to 1:30 p.m. at the club, 3927 Utah St. Thursday of the month in the auditori- Prospective members are welcome to um of Birney Elementary School, 4345 enjoy their first lunch on the club. For
SCENE CONTINUED FROM Page 5
Sudan Refugee to Promote Book at Lestat’s El Cajon resident Augustino L. Nyigillo, a refugee from his home country of Sudan, will sign copies of his book, “Calamities,” from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave. Faced with the prospect of genocide in his home country of Sudan, Nyigillo had two choices —abandoning his life there for a chance at freedom abroad, or facing death at the hands of machete-waving terrorists at home. From the holy war in his own country to the political strife of the Middle East, Nyigillo’s travails, from the Sudan to Syria to Lebanon to Egypt, describe the plight of the Sudanese Diaspora in his book.
Crime-Ridden Hotel Transformed Pathfinders of San Diego, with help from the city Redevelopment Agency and the San Diego Housing Commission, has turned a crime-ridden hotel on University Avenue into a residential apartment complex for homeless men diagnosed with substance abuse and mental illness. The Shelter Plus Care Facility celebrated its first year anniversary in November. The former hotel, which now houses 17 residential apartments, was known as a vice den before its transformation. Pathfinders secured $2 million in loans from the Redevelopment Agency and the Housing Commission to renovate the property. “By using redevelopment dollars to create a positive impact on a neighborhood, it opens up opportunities for private investors to follow,” said Janice Weinrick, deputy executive director of the Redevelopment Agency.
Glimpse Art Gallery Show Artists Tricia Skoglund and Bonnie Dull are featured in the gallery event at Glimpse (3813 Ray St.) opening Jan. 21 and continuing through Feb. 14. An opening reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 21. Skoglund’s mixed-media metalwork is meant to proclaim love of independence and love of peace of mind. The water-themed work of Dull is designed to enhance inspiration and relaxation. The curation of the exhibition is managed by American Society of Interior Designers member Lynle Ellis.
Bonnie Dull artwork.
Tricia Skoglund work.
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www.sdkensingtonnews.com www.sdnorthparknews.com Serving San Diego’s Premier Bungalow Communities Chairman/CEO Bob Page BobPage@sandiegometro.com Publisher Rebeca Page RebecaPage@sandiegometro.com Editor Manny Cruz Manny@sandiegometro.com Art Director Chris Baker chris@sdnews.com
Artist’s sketch of the Centennial Bridge proposal.
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BALBOA CONTINUED FROM Page 1
With the 2015 Centennial Celebration of the 1915 Panama-California Exhibition in Balboa Park presenting the perfect opportunity, plans have been developed to make the Plaza de Panama a centerpiece for the centennial, removing approximately 54 parking spaces as well as preparing the park for the additional pedestrians and cars that it will require. The two major plans being considered are The Plaza de Panama Circulation and Parking Project, presented by The Plaza de Panama Committee, a nonprofit entity formed by Dr. Irwin Jacobs, and the SOHO Precise Plan “Lite” that complies with the existing Balboa Park Master Plan and Central Mesa Precise Plan, represented by Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) and a coalition of over 20 groups and organizations. The Plaza de Panama Project is a permanent plan that involves building a bypass road— the Centennial Bridge— from the Cabrillo Bridge through the Alcazar Garden parking lot and on to a new 785-space, paid-parking, underground garage south of the Spreckles Organ Pavilion, topped with a two-acre park; free accessible tram service from the parking structure to the Plaza de Panama, resurfacing the plaza with contemporary hardscape materials, and adding shade trees, benches and replicas of the original street lights. Overall, the project adds 267 parking spots in the heart of the park and provides for increased disabled parking, a safe dropoff area and valet service. All told, the project will reclaim 6.3 acres of parks and plazas (the Plaza de Panama, West El Prado, Plaza de California and the Esplanade) for pedestrian use only from what are now roads and surface parking lots, and significantly reduce conflicts between pedestrians and cars. This plan has been vetted by CIVITAS, a landscape and planning firm. The project is estimated to cost $40 million. Approximately $25 million of this cost is for plaza and park improvements, the construction of Centennial Bridge and Road, and improvements to the Alcazar Garden parking lot. The underground parking structure is estimated to cost $15 million. Financing The project will be paid for by private donations raised by the Plaza de Panama Committee and a self-supporting bond. No taxpayer funds will be required. The bond will be repaid with
revenue generated from parking lot biological resources, and a number of charges. The revenue will also pay for others. Some people believe as is, the operation and maintenance of the MOU puts the city in the position to garage and free tram service. A study go with Jacobs’ plan and precludes them found that the parking structure would using any alternative. In response to the generate enough revm emorandum, enue to support a “This is a perfect time SOHO in San construction bond, to try out the plan with Diego suedSuperior operations and the 2015 Centennial. We Court to rescind the maintenance of the can see how it works m e m o r a n d u m structure, and the operation of the free and then adopt it per- claiming the city tram. manently or change it approved the contract illegally before The Plaza de later” the completion of a Panama Committee BRUCE COONS state environmental has agreed to cover Executive Director of the Save Our review. On Dec. 16, all cost overruns to Heritage Organization Superior Court ensure that there is Judge Judith F. no risk to taxpayer Hayes, in a prelimifunds. The Committee will spend over $1,000,000 on the nary ruling, deemed the memorandum Environmental Information Report illegal for the time being. With final rul(EIR). Leading up to the MOU meeting, ing pending, Jacobs declined to comJacobs, co-founder of Qualcomm Inc., ment. The Plaza de Panama website reports has already spent over $2 million on a partial list of backers that includes the public meetings and planning. The Plaza de Panama Project must majority of Balboa Park institutions, be approved by the San Diego City ConVis, San Diego Hotel-Motel AssociCouncil. Leading up to the decision by ation, Downtown San Diego Partnerthe City Council, a number of other ship, over 900 individuals and businessbodies must provide advisory votes on es. Representing the public (with over the project. These include the Balboa Park Committee, the Park and Recre- 5000 signatures so far on a petition) and ation Board, the Historical Resources a coalition of over 20 groups and orgaBoard and the Planning Commission. nizations, including The League of It is anticipated that the Draft EIR Woman Voters, The Committee of 100, will be completed and ready for public Citizens Coordinate for Century 3, review and comment January 2012; pre- SOHO recommends the SOHO Precise sented to the City Council in summer Plan “Lite,” an alternative plan that con2012; and with all approvals in place, sists of a low-cost, reversible, and construction started by January 2013 phased-design approach for the Plaza with a scheduled completion date of de Panama Circulation and Parking Project that complies with the existing January 2015. To date the Committee has partici- Balboa Park Master Plan and Central pated in roughly 90 meetings with citi- Mesa Precise Plan. The plan meets the zen groups, Balboa Park organizations goal of converting the Plaza de Panama and other stakeholders. Feedback has to pedestrian use while retaining the resulted in positive changes to the project from the first meeting, held more than a year ago. Since then, there have been countless improvements made to the project based on public feedback, and there continue to be. Alternative Plans On July 19 the city approved a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with the Plaza de Panama Committee, which served as a contract to continue with the Plaza de Panama plan. At the same time, a number of alternatives to this proposed project are also being thoroughly studied in the EIR. The environmental review process will assess potential impacts of the proposed project and alternatives in the areas of traffic circulation, cultural and historic resources,
maximum degree of flexibility, programmability and access to all, and would allow for managed traffic on the Cabrillo Bridge when appropriate or desired. All of this achieved with the least impact to the park and the National Historic Landmark District. The SOHO Plan for Circulation is to route two-way vehicular traffic along the southwest corner of the Plaza de Panama, adjacent to the Mingei International Museum, and provide a valet and passenger drop-off on both sides of through traffic. In addition, a new entrance driveway would be provided into the Alcazar Garden parking lot by modifying the existing southern exit road. SOHO Parking Plan The SOHO Plan for Parking will replace all 54 current parking spaces in the Plaza de Panama, including the 20 accessible spaces, by creating new public parking spaces in existing parking lots behind park institutions and streets, enabling better and more direct access for visitors and the disabled. The SOHO alternative plan has no significant adverse effects, and a limited amount of proposed changes, therefore this project could proceed without the need of an EIR. It also has consensus of most of San Diegans, according to Bruce Coons, executive director of SOHO. “This is a perfect time to try out the plan with the 2015 Centennial. We can see how it works and then adopt it permanently or change it later,” said Coons. “Why do something permanent and unchangeable when we can use a plan that can be changed?” The SOHO part of the plan can be accomplished well under $1 million. The potential funding sources: Through the use of a CCDC Redevelopment Tax SEE BALBOA, Page 7
Writers/Columnists Todd Gloria Ann Jarmusch Jennifer Kester Donna Marganella Bart Mendoza Katelyn O’Riordan Sandy Pasqua David Raines Photography Manny Cruz Mike Shess Sande Lollis Letters/Opinion Pieces Kensington News/North Park News encourage letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please address correspondence to Manny@sandiegometro.com or mail to Manny Cruz, editor, Kensington News, North Park News, 3990 Old Town Ave., San Diego, CA 92110. Please include a phone number, address and name for verification purposes; no anonymous letters will be printed. We reserve the right to edit letters and editorials for brevity and accuracy. Story ideas/Press Releases Do you have an idea for an article you would like to see covered in this newspaper? We welcome your ideas, calendar item listings and press releases. For breaking news, please call us at (619) 906-4104. For all other news items, please email Manny@sandiegometro.com.
ADDRESS PO Box 3679, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 PHONE (858) 461-4484 North Park News distributes 12,500 copies monthly to residents and businesses of North Park, South Park, Golden Hill and Normal Heights. Kensington News distributes 1,000 copies monthly to residents and businesses of Kensington/Talmadge. The entire contents of San Diego Urban Neighbors and North Park News is copyrighted, 2009, by REP Publishing, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
January 2012 | sdnorthparknews.com | 7
The controversial Centennial Bridge proposal.
BALBOA CONTINUED FROM Page 6
Increment for funding project sites contiguous to CCDC’s downtown Project Area, the General Fund’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), and the Tourist Marketing District. As a project for the 2015 Centennial could be yet another source of funding. The principal objections to the Jacobs’/CIVITAS plan include: That the Centennial Bridge and Road will impact the historic nature of the Park that could result in a loss of its National Register District classification and the grant support that comes with this designation.
That the bypass bridge would ruin the historic appearance of Cabrillo Bridge. That the plan does not have the public’s support nor the support of the 20member coalition made up of historical societies, community and neighborhood activists, and preservation and environmental stakeholders. Plea for a Vote Coons believes that the Jacobs’ plan should be put to a vote. “If we let the public decide it will end the arguments. San Diego has the right to be ugly as well as it does to be beautiful. If the public votes for this plan then SOHO won’t protest. If this isn’t put to the public vote, people will be shocked when they
see how much this changes Balboa Park, and they’ll say ‘Why did you let this happen!’” said Coons. The preservation of Balboa Park is one of the toughest and biggest preservation fights that San Diego has ever had and it’s garnered more support for SOHO than any other. The two other large ones preservationists fought for and won are Petco Park and the Gaslamp District. “Now people love them; everybody wants to say they fathered them now that they see that they are successful,” said Coons.
Plaza de Panama today.
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Beth Gattus, Tom Eads and Joel Herzer at the bar.
WANG’S CONTINUED FROM Page 1
ing area. The lights are soft and dim, and the subtle beat of lounge music lingers attractively behind guests’ hum-like chatter. It all combines to render the space toward something of a museummeets-swanky-art-show, and yet, this restaurant is not all about looks, as the menu will quickly remind you. Wang’s North Park offers a compilation of inspired favorites and innovative dishes. In the former category, guests can order up familiar faces like chicken
closer in establishment arrives to open arms. With any luck, it will achieve the same happy hour crowd that currently flocks to its Palm Desert location for post-workday pick-me-ups. Wang’s North Park’s trio of owners — Tom Eads, Joel Herzer and Beth Gattus — seem happy with the new location thus far, and while it is still too early to tell, the most recent buzz heard on the street sounds promising. From the outside, it remains difficult to discern that this building, towering over North Park’s main strip, is even a restaurant, sans the vertically-reading Wang’s sign scripted out in red Samurai font. Even one of the front window displays still lies bare, a reminder of the department store that once reigned here. Step through these double glass doors, however, and it becomes apparent that this is not a book to judge by its still-in-the-works cover. Inside, high rise ceilings and a sprawling floor plan leave ample room for a myriad of Eastern art that bedecks the walls, and an ornamental tree serves as both the restaurant’s centerpiece and The Wangarita, on of Wang’s specialized dividing line between the bar and din- cocktails.
dumplings and shrimp and scallop potstickers, then follow through with evertrendy chicken lettuce wraps or Mongolian beef medallions. Unique to the restaurant are the jalapeno calamari, seasoned in garlic and lemon juice, and the General Wang’s Chicken, a sweet and spicy plate favorably accompanied by candied walnuts. I’m told the orange peel chicken (other meats may be substituted) is another house hit. Too many options can quickly wear on the ability to make decisions, but Wang’s has an app for that, or rather, a divine “Good Fortune Hour,” running daily from 4 to 6:30 p.m. A succinct list of $3 appetizers allows me to sample a trio of crab rangoons and the same amount of various flavors of dumplings; all are at least passable, but I enjoy most my lamb and rosemary dumpling, which is hearty, flavorful and could only be made better if more were to appear. Other small plates include vegetable spring rolls, beef skewers, and customizable edamame. Happy hour drinks range from $3 to $5.50. A Wangarita, ordered from the specialized cocktail list, graces my table before I can remove my scarf, a nod toward the restaurant’s speedy service. This tequila-based drink’s initial impression is tart, strong, and also delicately sweet. Added flavors feel fresh on the tongue, as if the limes were just squeezed and raspberries crushed. The slight crunch of raspberry seeds and pulp add a pleasing texture. For those who can handle more than one drink, try the aptly named Wangalicious or the Wangnut, and don’t miss out on a cocktail they infamously call the Long Duck Dong. Appetizers and drinks (Wang’s offers a range of alcohol, including craft beer and wine) are followed up with Mandarin pork, a difficult choice over another dish luring me: panko crusted sweet and sour
Wang’s North Park occupies the old JC Penney building at 3029 University Ave.
Wang’s patrons can dine in comfortable seating surrounded by handsome wall art.
Chinese perch. My Mandarin pork arrives to the table and it’s immediately recognizable as a family sized-portion (read: tomorrow’s lunch and dinner). Flanked by edamame and scallions and seasoned in ginger and garlic, I finish more than I’d thought, because this is not the stringy pork I’ve too often found on evening runs to the nearest grocery store deli. Frankly, I could cut it with the wrong end of a butter knife, and even had I not been alone in my meal, I’m not so sure I would want to share. I just wish I had room to handle one of two intriguing desserts: banana spring rolls and banana katsu. Instead, I box my pork to
go, and guarantee it won’t be forgotten in the back of the fridge. Next for Wang’s: stay tuned for the possibility of a lunch hour, when the upstairs — which I’m told is just as large as the ground floor — opens to draw in even more diners. Also underway, guests can expect an expanded menu, boasting even more options. The bottom line: if Asian is your persuasion, stop into Wang’s and give North Park’s new afterhours establishment a try. Wang’s can be visited at 3029 University Ave. (619)291-7500. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday 4 to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 4-11 p.m.
Mandarin Pork entrée.
Vegetable, lamb and rosemary and shrimp dumplings, and crab rangoons.
January 2012 | sdnorthparknews.com | 9
South Park business group campaigns to save local business BY MARSHA SMELKINSON
You may not have heard of the South Park Business Group. But if you have shopped or dined in the neighborhood, attended one of the popular quarterly Walkabouts, or checked out what’s happening on the South Park Scene website or Facebook page, the “SPBG” has provided you with a helpful service. Why? Well, the merchants and restaurateurs who own and manage the businesses here are determined to promote the economic health of the South Park business community, to serve local residents and to restore and save the idea of “buying local” throughout San Diego. Throughout the historic community that brackets 30th Street from Switzer Canyon to A Street in Golden Hill are small businesses, independently-owned and locally-operated. Many of the owners and business people are South Park and nearby residents. They meet monthly at an early-morning gathering at Alchemy Restaurant, contribute the funds to organize and produce the Walkabouts (with help from a city of San Diego BID grant), produce and promote maps and online materials that introduce visitors to all that is here, and support one another in the quest for small business success. Unlike other San Diego business districts, South Park does not feature any chain stores, shopping centers or big box destinations. Its customers are those who seek the kind of personal service, unique inventory and creative retail and restaurant offerings that only local businesses can provide. Indeed, one of South Park’s popular businesses, Grant’s Marketplace on
Beech Street, has become the “world headquarters” for an organization known as “S.L.O.B.,” an acronym for Supporter of Locally-Owned Businesses. Clever illustrations on t-shirts and canvas bags promote the concept and the website imaslob.org. A national grass roots campaign, known as The 3/50 Project, similarly encourages Americans to support local businesses such as those throughout South Park. The 3/50 Project promotes an informal pledge to spend $50 each month at (any combination of) your favorite local businesses. Consider these factors when making shopping or dining decisions: Small business (defined as having 500 or fewer employees) are the lifeblood of the American economy, accounting for an astounding 99.7 percent of all employer firms, according to a 2007 study by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Yet locally owned independent businesses are under far more pressure than ever. Trying economic times that have consumers closing their wallets, the credit crunch, and shoppers searching for perceived bargains at large chain stores have taken a severe toll, while buyouts of corporations that are “too big to fail” largely don’t benefit the little guys. Cinda Baxter of Minneapolis responded in 2009 with a blog post that soon became an international movement to support locally owned businesses. Baxter’s idea was simple: if half of the employed U.S. population chose three locally owned independent businesses they would hate to lose, and then spent a combined total of $50 a month with them, it would have a major impact — generating an estimated
South Park Walkabouts 2012
$42.6 billion of revenue annually. The burgeoning idea now has a website (the350project.net), 86,000 Facebook fans, and over 25,000 local businesses listed as supporters, including the South Park Business Group. What caused the groundswell? Perhaps it’s the straightforward way Baxter presents the facts: For every $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 remains in the local economy. In contrast, only $43 of every $100 remains local when spent in national chains, and little or no local revenue results from online purchases. “No one has talked this through with consumers,” Baxter says. “The experts
the first three Walkabout events of the year. Dates for the 2012 Walkabouts are: • Spring - March 24. • Summer - July 14. The South Park Business Group will again welcome new • Harvest - Oct. 6 • Holiday - Dec. 1. and returning visitors to the quarterly Walkabouts during This year’s Old House Fair date has been announced as 2012. These popular events, held on Saturday evenings well. The 14th annual event will return to Father’s Day from 6 to 10 p.m., feature shops open late, gallery show weekend on Saturday, June 16, and will again feature a openings, samples and specials, live entertainment and a tour of historic homes as well as the old house festival on free trolley tour from Juniper to Beech Street. Also fea- Beech Street, with vendors and musical entertainment. tured is a free historic walking tour by Urban Safaris, at For more information, visit theoldhousefair.com.
all talk in terms of macro or micro¬economics — not how consumers talk to each other over the dinner table. We simply say, ‘Here’s the impact.’ It really resonates that even a small amount of spending can make a big difference.” Another difference is that The 3/50 Project takes a realistic approach. “We’re the only buy local movement that doesn’t ask consumers to stop going to big boxes. I understand that while you can find many things in a local business, there are some items that people will continue to go to big boxes for. We just ask them to balance their spending a lit-
tle better; that all- or-nothing mentality is what got us into this mess in the first place,” she states. Thanks to The 3/50 Project, and the merchants and managers of the South Park Business Group, the effort is actively visible in this corner of San Diego. For more information, visit the South Park Business Group website at southparkscene.com.
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Affordable apartments to be built on Florida Street Community Housing Works breaks ground for 83-unit project Community Housing Works will turn a set of blighted buildings and vacant lots into an 83-unit affordable apartment complex on Florida Street that the agency said will generate jobs, invigorate the local economy and provide comfortable housing for working individuals and families. The $10 million project was called a model of innovation and sustainability during an Oct. 19 groundbreaking ceremony. The apartment complex will be called Kalos, a Greek word meaning beautiful and noble. The upcoming project will redo a failed condo development at 3795 Florida St. It will offer one, two- and three-
bedroom apartments that the agency said would be affordable to residents earning up to $49,140 for a family of four at 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Seniors, families and children living at Kalos will benefit from Community Housing Works’ after-school programs and adult training that move families to economic independence and homeownership. The community will include a multipurpose meeting room with kitchen, media center, computer center, two courtyards, a bike shed and storage space. Sustainability components will include onsite solar hot water and apartment heating, photovoltaic electricity
energy production and water saving features. According to the agency, Kalos will create about 126 jobs — 66 jobs from direct and indirect effects of construction, 35 jobs supported by the induced effects of increased spending, and longterm creation of 25 new jobs to support the increased ongoing consumer activity. The construction contract, it said, will invigorate the local economy with increased demand for retail from workers and millions in construction materials. “When new residents arrive, they will generate an estimated $2 million in earnings for local business owners and employees annually,” the agency said.
“Cities and states also benefit financially from the development of affordable housing through the capture of sales tax on building materials, income taxes on construction workers and fees for parks, water and sewer upgrades and school fees.” Community Housing Works financed the development with funding from the San Diego Redevelopment Agency, the San Diego Housing Commission and the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. “CHW took a failed condo project, a truly blighted set of old buildings and dirt filled vacant lots and is transforming them into 83 homes affordable to
lower income, working families close to jobs in Mission Valley and Downtown, transit, schools and several colleges, ”said Susan Reynolds, CEO of the agency. Said Councilman Todd Gloria, “I am glad that the North Park community strongly supported this new construction project and applaud the leaders who worked hard to make these apartments affordable to working families, young people joining our workforce, and seniors.”
Rendering of the Kalos affordable apartment complex.
MASTERS CONTINUED FROM Page 1
development of Mission Hills has long been neglected in deference to the role of architects,” said Tom Roetker, events chairman for Mission Hills Heritage. “This seminar focuses on the major contribution made by Master Builders to the way Mission Hills looks today.” In addition to talks exploring the work 1. of several Master Builders, table top displays of vintage tools, photos and additional building information will also be featured in the school’s courtyard. Tickets are $10 for individuals and $15 for two. Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event at the Francis Parker Lower School, 4201 Randolph Street. For information, call (619) 497-1193 or email info@missionhillsheritage.org. Refreshments from Chism Brothers 4. Painting will be served in the courtyard. Mission Hills Heritage is a nonprofit community organization whose mission is to preserve the character, charm and historic resources of Mission Hills, assuring that development projects harmonize with the established community and provide for community input into these projects. Photos courtesy of Mission Hills Heritage. 7.
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6. 1. Home by Master Builder Cliff May at 2400 Presidio Drive. 2. Cliff May-built home at 4366 Marilouise Way. 3. Morris Irvin-built home at 4186 Jackdaw. 4. Nathan Rigdon-built home at 1770 W. Lewis St. 5. Martin Melhorn-built home at 4127 Palmetto Way. 6. Home built by Martin Melhorn at 4119 Palmetto Way. 7. Nathan Rigdon-built home at 1770 W. Lewis St. 8. Nathan Rigdon built the home at 1885 Sheridan St.
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The Year Ahead North Park’s business district will continue to thrive
BY COUNCILMAN TODD GLORIA 2012 is certain to be a busy, positive year in North Park. Building on the work and successes we’ve achieved in the past few years, I’m excited about what the new year will hold. North Park’s business district will continue to thrive as new businesses including Sipz Fusion Café come to the neighborhood. Sipz, which operates a successful location in Clairemont, will feature an all-vegetarian and primarily vegan menu. Importantly, the business has also taken advantage of the city’s Storefront Improvement Program, so it
will be attractive, too. I anticipate that Wang’s North Park will be successful in its first full year as well. Wang’s was made possible in part by the use of redevelopment funds. Most of you are aware that the state government tried to end redevelopment to solve its own budget problems, effectively stalling the significant progress we’ve made locally through redevelopment. The state money grab is currently being examined by the California Supreme Court, and 2012 should see the case’s resolution. I hope the court finds the state’s action illegal and restores the redevelopment process. Upgrades to the Woolworth’s building are thankfully not among those in a holding pattern until the court decides redevelopment’s future. The renovations to the 1949 building will result in changes to the exterior, 7,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and six two-bedroom, two-bath apartments on the second floor. The North Park Gateway project will also include improvements to the nearby sidewalk, streetscape and alley. The update to the Greater North Park Community Plan will continue in 2012. City staff is currently drafting the update based on numerous public meetings and significant input. If you haven’t been involved in this process, I encourage you to stay tuned; the update will guide zoning and development and
greatly impact the quality of life in our neighborhood. Visit www.sandiego.gov/ planning/community/profiles/greaterno rthpark/index.shtml regularly for updates. Central to creating desirable communities is the maintenance and addition of open spaces and parks. In 2012, we’ll celebrate the completion of the joint use field at Jefferson Elementary, meaning that field will be open for neighborhood use in non-school hours. I’m working on adding more park space behind the North Park Theatre, too. Though currently dependent on redevelopment funds, I expect design and implementation of Phase I of the North Park Mini Park to begin this year. In addition to these new park projects, visiting North Park Community Park will be more enjoyable after a third phase of improvements, which should get underway this year, too. Councilman Todd Gloria can be reached at ToddGloria@sandiego.gov; (619) 236-6633; 202 C Street, MS 10A, San Diego, CA 92101; and on Facebook and Twitter. Visit his website at www.sandiego.gov/cd3.
Wang’s North Park will be successful in its first full year of operation.
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Water: A California Story Water: H2O=Life takes a global perspective, but in many ways, Southern California acts as a microcosm for exploring the worldwide water crisis. Many global dilemmas are represented in southern California: infrastructure challenges, transportation of water, shortages, conservation, restoration, agriculture, and the effects of climate change. The San Diego Natural History Museum is developing “Water: A California Story” — a unique 2800-squarefoot exhibition that explores the vulnerability of our water supply in Southern California. The exhibition addresses where our water comes from, how we use water and where our water goes after we use it — all within the context of global climate change and people as major players in the ecosystem. Through photos, maps, video, and hands-on activities, visitors will see that water is a service provided by nature that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Natural history specimens and live animals will serve as reminders that the natural environment and its inhabitants are also legitimate users of water resources. The exhibition teaches visitors about current, local issues on land (adaptations to water scarcity, increasing wildfires due to prolonged drought) and in the ocean
(urban run-off, ocean pollution, and overfishing). Examining the infrastructure of the regional water system, visitors will learn about how we import the majority of our water, and the costs associated with this practice. The exhibition also looks at effects of a changing climate on our region’s water supply and reveals how Southern Californians can help protect water for future generations.
Building for Fun The newest addition to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s permanent collection is Block Busters! — where visitors can build freeform structures with thousands of wooden KEVA planks. And no glue or connectors are necessary. Each KEVA (KnowledgeExploration-Visual Arts) plank is uniform in size and shape, made from maple wood and measures 1/4 inch thick, 3/4 inch wide and 4 1/2 inches long. Structures are built by stacking the planks in an infinite number of ways. Stacking the KEVA planks upright, they may look as unstable as a house of cards, but even this type of structure is surprisingly stable. Adults and kids alike cannot resist the draw of KEVA planks and will quickly find themselves building, interacting and collaborating together. Once your tower has been built and admired, you’ll quickly find that half the fun is in knocking it down. Throughout the exhibition, KEVA displays will include a castle turret, a spiral staircase, sail boat, airplane and train. Visitors can test their skills with building experiments such as: • “Spirals” – Make a structure using spirals. How many different types of spirals can be made? How can the number of layers be designed in different ways to complete a revolution? • “Impossible Structures” – Build a structure and remove some of the planks to create a sculpture that could not be built from the ground up, such as an eagle or hexagon uprights. • “Think Like an Architect” – Build a tower as tall as yourself. Add patterns and structure to make it more beautiful or interesting. • “Minimalism” – Build a sculpture using only 10 planks or objects with only the most essential elements –i.e. an airplane with three planks.
Above: Dead trees on the western shore of the Salton Sea. Photo: Michael Field. Left: Heron and trash in Ventura Harbor. Photo: Michael Field.
Right: Pelican along the Embarcadero. Photo: Michael Field.
Polar Bears to Penguins As the world celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the Amundsen- Scott race for the South Pole, a new exhibition opening May 14 at the San Diego Natural History Museum explores Earth’s extreme—and extremely fragile —polar ends with stunning vistas, massive polar bears, comical penguins and brave explorers. “Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins” runs through April 15, 2012, and is included with museum admission. “Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins is a hands-on, family-friendly exhi-
bition that also faces head-on the serious threats of climate change and endangered species in a way that non-scientists can understand,” says Michael Hager, president and CEO of the museum. Interactive games, mounted penguins and polar bears, videos, animal skulls, and authentic artifacts encourage visitors to explore the unique nature of Earth’s spectacular polar regions. In San Diego, the exhibition is curated by Gerald Kooyman, professor emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD.
Scholars Panel Discussion A scholars panel discussion on how photography and fieldwork aid and legitimize the study of the human condition will be held Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the San Diego Museum of Man’s Gill Auditorium. Participating scholars are from San Diego State University’s Department of Anthropology: Seth Mallios, professor and chair of the department, and associate professors Matt Lauer and Erin Riley. The pro-
fessors represent different sub-disciplines of anthropology — archaeology, cultural anthropology and biological anthropology — but each are dependent on the fieldwork process and employ similar methods of collecting and documenting insight from the field. The panel discussion is related to the current exhibition, “Adventures in Photography: A Century of images in Archaeology and Anthropology.”
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Mummy Talk
FREE GUIDED NATURE HIKES February 2012 Ramona Grasslands In Ramona, take a 5-mile walk to view wildflowers and a pond while moving through grassland, sage scrub and chaparral habitats. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call (619) 232-3821; option 4 (M–F). Saturday, Feb. 4; 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Pinyon Wash
The Museum of Man hosts a Jan. 14 lecture at 11 a.m. on the ancient Egyptian mummy genre in conjunction with its exhbit, “Modern Day Mummy: The Art & Science of Mummification.” Featured will be Stuart Tyson Smith, professor and chair of anthropology at UC Santa Barbara and co-convener of the Archaeology Research Focus Group, Interdisciplinary Humanities Center. Smith will outline the basic Egypt-inspired themes in film — “The Mummy” (1999) and “The Mummy Returns” (2001) — with a focus on the mummy genre. He also will compare Hollywood’s depiction of mummies to the insights that archaeology and Egyptology have given into the reality of death and burial in ancient Egypt, where mummies took a central, if a generally less mobile, role. The lecture will be in Gill Auditorium and is open to the public and free with paid admission to the museum.
In Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, follow a trail that begins at the end of Pinyon Wash, hiking 2 miles to Harper Flat, once the site of a large Indian camp. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call (619) 232-3821; option 4 (M–F). Sunday, Feb. 5; 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Indian Hill In Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, hike through hillsides of teddy bear cholla and barrel cactus to visit the remains of
a primitive 1912 railroad camp. Fourwheel drive, high-clearance vehicles are recommended to reach the trailhead. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call (619) 232-3821; option 4 (M–F). Saturday, February 11; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Daley Ranch In Escondido, Daley Ranch has several habitats that support a variety of plant and animal species. On the Boulder Loop trail, enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding area. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call (619) 232-3821; option 4 (M–F). Sunday, Feb. 12; 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Fortuna Mountain In San Diego’s Mission Trails Regional Park, Fortuna Mountain looks out over an area that once contained ancient beaches. Look for early wildflowers along the trail. For more information or directions, visit
www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call (619) 232-3821; option 4 (M–F). Saturday, Feb. 18; 8–11 a.m.
Rose Canyon Open Space Park In San Diego’s University City neighborhood, watch for hawks soaring above Rose Creek while hiking in this 275-acre oasis along the old Santa Fe Railroad roadbed. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call (619) 232.3821; option 4 (M–F). Sunday, Feb. 19; 9–10:30 a.m.
Lake Hodges In Rancho Bernardo, hike through varied terrain, pass a waterfall, and learn about Native American uses of plants in this area rich in Kumeyaay history. For more information or directions, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers or call (619) 232-3821; option 4 (M–F). Saturday, Feb. 25; 8–11 a.m.
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Real Estate Forecast Outlook healthy for North Park and Hillcrest Special to the North Park News The last several years have been anything, but certain for the local, regional and national real estate markets. However, 2012’s outlook is “healthy” for the communities of North Park and Hillcrest. Experts say barring any major economic changes, the outlook is positive for both North Park and Hillcrest real estate. Today, the North Park market can be described as healthy with ample homeowner improvement, from new roofs to kitchen remodels and fresh landscape. Driving through the local neighborhoods, it’s impossible to miss the home
and landscaping improvements that are being made every few blocks, including full tear downs to new facades, said Jason J. Riehl of Andrew Arroyo Real Estate, which has been specializing in San Diego real estate for 14 years. “As one of San Diego’s original neighborhoods, there are many homes that need the updating and it’s great to see homeowners and investors taking on the challenge,” said Riehl. Overall, North Park price trends are consistent with San Diego County as a whole. “The small uptick in average home price sales we saw in 2010 was given
back in 2011,” said Riehl. “The positive note is that the number of home sales or transactions per year has been increasing since 2009. As we’ve moved into the fourth quarter of the year, we’ve seen a seasonal slowdown in transactions, but prices have remained steady.” As far as prices in North Park, the average single-family home sale price in 2011 was $436,536 or $361 per square foot, according to Sandicor, while the average condo/townhome sale price was $179,578 or $215 per square foot. North Park can be considered a “seller’s market” with 65 properties currently listed for sale and 95 sales in the last three months.
Hillcrest area activity was on par, and currently considered a balanced market—not far from a “seller’s market”— with 39 properties listed for sale and 40 sales in the last three months. According to Sandicor, Hillcrest’s average single-family home sale price in 2011 was $595,800 or $392 per square foot with an average condo/townhome sale price at $341,345 or $305 per square foot. “The rate of sales over the past year has really shrunk the amount of inventory for sale in the area,” explained
Riehl. “Buyers may not have as much bargaining power as they once had. It’s tough to say if prices will increase, but based on the ratio of sales to inventory, sellers should not have a problem selling their property, if priced correctly. Barring any major economic changes the outlook is bright for North Park real estate.” Some of the buyers in the area include a “range of individuals, couples and families taking advantage of the low mortgage payments available,” said Riehl. “With interest rates so low and housing prices still stagnant, the opportunity for qualified buyers to purchase a new home is greater than ever.”
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House Styles: The Craftsman Bungalow A form embraced by tastemakers and builders of the Arts & Crafts movement
Built-in sideboard and Stickley furniture in a later Midwestern bungalow with Prairie leanings. Photo by William Wright.
A typical builder’s semi-bungalow with such artistic details as knee-braces under overhanging eaves, exposed rafter tails decoratively sawn, and battered posts on piers. Photo by Douglas Keister.
By Patricia Poore Arts & Crafts Homes The word “bungalow” may seem today like a synonym for “cottage,” but in its heyday it was prized both for its exotic, Anglo–Indian associations and its artistic naturalism. A bungalow nestles into its site, low and spreading. It was inevitable that
the form would be embraced by tastemakers and builders of the Arts & Crafts movement. The architects Greene and Greene in California called their millionaires’ chalets bungalows. Gustav Stickley sang their praises in the magazine The Craftsman. Dozens of plan books between 1909 and 1925 promoted “artistic bungalows.” Only later, with the ascendancy of a middle-class Colonial Revival, did Arts &
Crafts ideals lose favor; eventually, “bungalow” become a derogatory label. The bungalow as a house form has close ties to the Arts & Crafts movement — and an even stronger affinity today, as thousands of bungalows, some quite modest, are snatched up Some bungalow owners preferred a lighter approach, especially upstairs in bedrooms to be interpreted in a manner that’s and when the house had elements of the Colonial Revival. Furnished with a mix of often beyond the tastes and budgets period antiques and contemporary pieces, this bungalow dates to 1906. of the original owners. Photo by William Wright
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zines: stick ornament in the manner of Swiss Chalets; Spanish or Moorish arches and tilework; and orientalism, especially Japanesque.
Inside the Bungalow
The Gamble House in Pasadena by architects Greene & Greene is one of their ‘Ultimate Bungalows.’ Photo by Douglas Keister.
Indigenous Materials An artistic use of such materials as river rock, clinker brick, quarried stone, shingles, and stucco is common.
classical precedents.
Emphasis on Structure
Look for artistic exaggeration in columns, posts, eaves brackets, lintels, and rafters. Inside, too, you’ll find ceilArtistic Naturalism Most bungalows are low and spread- ing beams, chunky window trim, and ing, not more than a story-and-a-half wide paneled doors. Horizontal eletall, with porches, sun porches, pergolas ments are stressed. and patios tying them to the outdoors. Exotic Influences The A&C bungalow follows an inforThese appeared in builders’ houses mal aesthetic; it is a house without and the pages of style books and magastrong allusions to formal English or
The typical bungalow interior, at least as it was presented in the house books of the period, is easy to recognize. Basically, the bungalow interior was a Craftsman interior. In a complete departure from Victorian interior decoration, bungalow writers frowned on the display of wealth and costly collectibles. Rather than buying objects of obvious or ascribed value, the homeowner was told to look for simplicity and craftsmanship: “a luxury of taste substituting for a luxury of cost.” Keep in mind that both Greene and Greene’s Gamble House in Pasadena and a three-room vacation shack without plumbing were called bungalows. And they both affected what the typical year-round bungalow would look like. The finest examples of Arts & Crafts handiwork found a place in the bungalow, as did rustic furniture. Walls were often wood-paneled to chair-rail or plate-rail height. Burlap in soft earth tones was suggested for the wall area above, or used in wood-battened panels where paneling was absent. Landscape friezes and abstract stenciling above a plate rail were often pictured. Dulled, grayed shades and earth tones, even pastels, were preferred to strong colors. Plaster with sand in the finish coast was suggested. Woodwork could be golden oak or oak brown-stained to simulate old English woodwork, or stained dull black or bronze green.
Typical interior in a 1916 bungalow in New York State. Note the colonnade between rooms, the open plan, the simple lines, and the use of unpainted wood. Photo by Dan Mayers.
Look for nature and vernacular expression in the architecture and design of the Arts & Crafts bungalow.
Even with the use of wallpaper and a papered frieze, patterned rug, and collectibles, this bungalow is restrained by comparison to rooms of the Victorian era. Photo by William Wright.
Painted softwood was also becoming popular, especially for bedroom, with white enamel common before 1910 and stronger color gaining popularity during the ’20s. It became almost an obsession with bungalow builders to see how many amenities could be crammed into the least amount of space. By 1920, the bungalow had more space-saving built-ins than a yacht: Murphy wall beds, ironing boards in cupboards, built-in mailboxes, telephone nooks. Writers advocated the “harmonious use” of furnishings small and few. Oak woodwork demanded oak furniture, supplemented with reed, rattan, wicker, or willow in natural, gray, or pastels. Mahogany pieces were thought best against a backdrop of woodwork paint-
ed white. (Bright white was used most often for bathroom trim; “white” could also signify cream, yellow, ivory, light coffee, or pale gray.) A large table with a reading lamp was the centerpiece of the living room in these days before TV. Restraint was the universal cry of good taste. Clutter was out—“clutter” being a relative term. Pottery, Indian baskets, Chinese and Japanese wares, vases, and Arts & Crafts hangings were suggested to satisfy the collector instinct. More affluent households might display Rookwood pottery, small Tiffany pieces, hammered copper bowls, and decorative items from Liberty and Co. A watercolor landscape or two, executed by the amateur painter of the family, was the ultimate Arts & Crafts expression for the home.
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Book Recommendations
Do a search at amazon.com and you’ll see there are dozens of books about bungalows and the American Arts & Crafts movement. Some of the now-classics are out of print but you can always find a used copy. Here is a basic library for owners of bungalows old and new: • The Bungalow: America’s Arts & Crafts Home by Paul Duchscherer; Penguin Studio 1995. • Inside the Bungalow: America’s Arts & Crafts Interior by Paul Duchscherer; Penguin Studio 1997. • Outside the Bungalow, America’s Arts and Crafts Garden by Paul Duchscherer, photos by Douglas Keister; Penguin 1999. • http://www.loghome.com/product/1151 Bungalow Kitchens by Jane Powell, photos by Linda Svendsen; Gibbs Smith 2000. • http://www.loghome.com/product/1152 Bungalow Bathrooms by Jane Powell, photos by Linda Svendsen; Gibbs Smith 2001. • http://www.loghome.com/product/1153 Bungalow: The Ultimate Arts and Crafts Home by Jane Powell, photos by Linda Svendsen; Gibbs Smith 2004. • Bungalow Details: Exterior by Jane Powell, photos by Linda Svendsen; Gibbs Smith 2005. • http://www.loghome.com/product/1589 Bungalow Details: Interior by Jane Powell, photos by Linda Svendsen; Gibbs Smith 2006. • Bungalow Nation by Diane Maddex and Alexander Vertikoff; Abrams 2003. • American Bungalow Style by Robert Winter; Simon & Schuster 1996. • http://www.loghome.com/product/1590 Bungalow Colors: Exteriors by Robert Schweitzer; Gibbs Smith 2002
Decorating and furnishing:
Breakfast room in a 1916 Seattle bungalow: simplicity reigns. • The Beautiful Necessity: Decorating with Arts & Crafts by Bruce Smith and Yoshiko Yamamoto; Gibbs Smith 1996 and 2004. • Arts & Crafts Textiles by Ann Wallace; Gibbs Smith 1999. • Arts and Crafts Furniture by Kevin P. Rodel and Jonathan Binzen, Taunton Press 2004. • Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Furniture by Bruce Johnson; Popular Woodworking Books 2009 • Craftsman Style by Robert Winter; Simon & Schuster 2004 • Gustav Stickley by David Cathers; Phaidon 2003 To see Prairie School interiors: • Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Houses by Alan Hess et al; Rizzoli 2006. • Frank Lloyd Wright’s Interiors by Thomas A. Heinz; Gramercy Books. • Frank Lloyd Wright: The Houses by Alan Hess et al; Rizzoli 2005. • Purcell & Elmslie, Prairie Progressive by David Gebhard; Gibbs Smith 2006.
Bungalows newly built or renovated: • http://www.loghome.com/product/1534 Bungalow Plans by Gladu and Gladu; Gibbs Smith 2002. • Small Bungalows by Christian Gladu and Ross Chandler; Gibbs Smith 2007. • The New Bungalow by Bialecki and Gladu; Gibbs Smith 2001. • http://www.loghome.com/product/1500 The New Bungalow Kitchen by Peter Labau; Taunton Press 2007. • Bungalow Style: Creating Classic Interiors in Your Arts & Crafts Home by Treena Crochet; Taunton Press 2004. • Updating Classic America: Bungalows, Design Ideas for Renovating…and Building New by M. Caren Connolly and Louis Wasserman; Taunton Press 2002.
Scholarly histories of bungalow architecture: • The Bungalow by Anthony D. King; Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1984. • The American Bungalow by Clay Lancaster; Abbeville Press 1985 Tagged as: http://artsandcraftshomes.com/tag/bungalow-2/ (bungalow), http://artsandcraftshomes.com/tag/bungalow-history/ (bungalow history), http://artsandcraftshomes.com/tag/bungalowstyle/ (bungalow style)
Photo by William Wright.
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Craftsman Calendar of
Events CORONADO MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART “Hotel del Coronado Tour”: The Coronado Museum of History and Art offers a one-hour, docent-led tour of the Hotel del Coroado and its history. It is the only tour to go inside the hotel. Make reservations through the Coronado Visitors Center by calling (619) 437-8788. The fee is $15. Tours run Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
“PROMENADE THROUGH THE PAST” Departs from the lobby of the Museum of History and Art, 1100 Orange Ave, Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Learn about some of Coronado’s famous buildings and architectural sites, including Tent City resort. Tour fee includes “Promenade through the Past – A Walking Tour Guidebook of Coronado” and covers admission into the Museum of History and Art. $10. (619) 4378788. Reservations Required. Hebbard and Gill, with Gill as the lead designer, to design a large, boxy red brick house that broke with the English Arts and Crafts cottage style in favor of the more modern streamlined style of its neighbor, the Marston house. Mead and Requa designed a stripped-
down, geometric home inspired by Pueblo architecture for Lorenze and Miriam Barney in 1913. It stands next to the house Lorenze’s parents had commissioned two years earlier from Pacific Building Company, a San Diego design and construction firm staffed by Gill’s former draftsmen.
texture of wood shingles and clinker brick. The prominent gables and projecting rafter beams, like the rest of the main house and carriage house, retain their original integrity. The style is echoed by similar homes in the nearby Bluff Park Historic District. 2300 E. Ocean Blvd. (562) 439-2119.
GAMBLE HOUSE ONGOING, PASADENA
STANLEY RANCH MUSEUM ONGOING, GARDEN GROVE
The David B. Gamble House, constructed in 1908, is an internationally recognized masterpiece of the turn-of-the-century Arts & Crafts movement in America. It is the most complete and original example of the work of architects Charles and Henry Greene and a National Historic Landmark. Onehour guided tours Thursday-Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Closed national holidays. General admission: $8; Students/65+: $5; Children under 12 with an adult, free. Group tours available by reservation. For information call (626) 793-3334.
A California bungalow built in 1916 is one focal point of this twoacre property, home to some of Garden Grove’s oldest homes and business buildings. Phone the Garden Grove Historical Society at (714) 530-8871.
MUSEUM OF ART ONGOING, LONG BEACH
LUMMIS HOME MUSEUM ONGOING, HIGHLAND PARK The arroyo-stone home built by Charles Fletcher Lummis, founder of the Southwest Museum, is a state historic monument listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 200 E. Ave. 43. Friday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Free; donations accepted. For information, call (323) 222-0546.
The museum home includes a splendid, imposing example of the LANTERMAN HOUSE TOUR Craftsman bungalow. Built in 1912 ONGOING, LA CANADA as the summer home of heiress The Craftsman-style house, built in Elizabeth Milbank Anderson, it has 1914 by Arthur Haley, was the the natural materials and rugged region’s first concrete residence. Located at 4420 Encinas Dr., it is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the first and third Sundays of the month, from 1-4 p.m. Adults, $3; students, $1; under 12, free. For more information, call (818) 7901421.
HOMESTEAD MUSEUM ONGOING, CITY OF INDUSTRY Documenting a century of Southern California history, the six-acre museum features the Workman House, La Casa Nueva and El Campo Santo cemetery; 15415 E. Don Julian Road. Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. (626) 9688492.
L.A. ART DECO TOURS ONGOING, LOS ANGELES Tours of downtown Los Angeles are led on Saturdays; $5 admission. For reservations, call (213) 623-CITY.
JUDSON STUDIOS ONGOING, LOS ANGELES The Judson Studios served as the turn-of-the-century core of the Arroyo Craftsman movement, located at 200 S. Ave. 66. For more information, call (800) 445-8376 or click on judsonstudios.com.
HERITAGE VILLAGE TOUR ONGOING, CLAREMONT The first Saturday of each month. The 1 3/4 hour walk begins at 10 a.m. in front of the Historic Clare-
mont Metrolink Depot, 200 W. First St. (Walk is canceled if it’s raining at 8 a.m.) Call (909) 6218871.
RIORDAN MANSION PARK ONGOING, FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ. One of Arizona’s best examples of Craftsman architecture, the mansion was designed by Charles Whittlesey and built as a duplex. Original furnishings, including pieces by Ellis, Stickley and Tiffany Studios, are found at the house museum. Guided, handicapped-accessible tours are held daily. The house is located at 409 Riordan Road. Further details are available at (520) 779-4395.
BOETTCHER MANSION OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN ONGOING, GOLDEN, COLO.
With its works showcased in worldrenowned museums such as the Louvre and Metropolitan Museum of Art, complimentary tours of the Van Briggle studio were established in 1899. Call (719) 633-7729 for further information.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME AND STUDIO ONGOING, OAK PARK, ILL. These 45-minute guided tours of the restored Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio are offered yearround at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 951 Chicago, Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 848-1976.
UNITY TEMPLE ONGOING, OAK PARK, ILL.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the temple is open weekdays, 1-4 p.m., with weekend guided tours. Tour a 1917 Arts & Crafts manCall (708) 383-8873. More Craftssion, a 10,000-square-foot summer home built by Charles Boettch- man gems are evident throughout er, famous Colorado entrepreneur. Chicagoland neighborhoods. Dramatic cathedral ceilings with JOHNSON WAX COMPANY carved beams, massive stone walkBUILDING in fireplace, some original hardware and lighting. See permanent ONGOING, RACINE, WIS. exhibit of early mansion photos Reservations are required for tours, and original blueprints, including held Fridays only, of the Frank an ink-on-linen drawing. Open all Lloyd Wright-designed building. year, generally Monday through Call (262) 260-2000 for informaSaturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday tion. varies. On 110 forested acres with views of the Continental Divide BRYN ATHYN CATHEDRAL and the Colorado plains. Twenty minutes from Denver. Free for tourONGOING, ing. Call (303) 526-0855. BRYN ATHYN, PA. Guided tours of the center of the Swedenborgian community. Specialty tours by request. The cathedral was built between 1919-1927 Nearly unchanged since 1903, using a purist idea of the Arts & Moss Mansion, designed by Henry Crafts Artisan Guild System. Some Janeway Hardenbergh, can be of the original guild shops are still found on the National Register of in use and continue to house Historical Places. Visitors will find original furniture, Oriental carpets, craftsmen. This building and its environment are unique among handmade light fixtures, and a Arts & Crafts communities in that variety of design styles inside the the religious beliefs of the Swedenmansion. Contact (406) 256borgian community were blended 5100. with the Arts & Crafts ideology. Tours for individuals are free. Tours KELL HOUSE for large groups $2 per person. ONGOING, WICHITA FALLS, Contact the cathedral between the TEXAS hours of 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at (215) 947-0266. Frank Kell built one of the most architecturally significant buildGUSTAV STICKLEY EXHIBIT ings in Wichita Falls, the red-brick neoclassic Kell House in 1909. It ONGOING, SYRACUSE, N.Y. features distinctive architecture, A small ongoing exhibit of Gustav original family furnishings, texStickley and the Arts & Crafts era. tiles, decorative arts and earlyShowing period examples of his 20th-century costumes. Exhibiwork along with his peers. At the tions change in April and Everson Museum, corner of HarriSeptember. Ask for directions to the son and State streets. Call (315) Southland and Floral Heights bun447-6064. galow neighborhoods when you visit. The Kell House is open TuesGUGGENHEIM MUSEUM day, Wednesday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Adults, $3; children 12 ONGOING, NEW YORK and under, $1. For information, Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, call (940) 723-2712. the museum is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
MOSS MANSION ONGOING, BILLINGS, MONT.
VAN BRIGGLE POTTERY ONGOING, COLORADO SPRINGS
Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (212) 423-3500 for more.
January 2012 | sdnorthparknews.com | 19
By Bart Mendoza
Music With A Sweet Soul Edge San Diego’s music scene continues to be very healthy, as evidenced by the amount of performers moving here to be a part of the local community, if only for a season or two. On Jan. 7 at 9 p.m., singer-songwriter Ashley Juavinett hosts a CD release show for her debut album at Lestat’s. The former East Coast resident has a song sensibility somewhere between Ani Difranco’s rhythmic solo work and Carole King’s introspective pop. At its best, such as on her song, “You Got Me,” Juavinett’s music has a sweet soul edge, which is a breath of fresh air in the local coffeehouse circuit.
Loud and Manic With Klogr The computer age has brought us many things, but for musicians the best is likely the ability to collaborate with musicians in faraway lands. Such is the case with alternative metal group Klogr, who open a West Coast tour at Eleven on Jan. 19 at 9 p.m. The band, touring in support of their new album, “Till You Decay,” includes both Italian and American musicians, all of whom know their way around bombast and heavy riffing. This quartet has the musical chops to keep things from getting overblown or boring. Expect things to get loud and manic. Klogr: Thursday, Jan. 19, at Eleven, 3519 El Cajon Blvd. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $6. klogr.net.
Ashley Juavinett: Saturday, Jan. 7 at Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave. 9 p.m.All ages. Cover TBD. myspace.com/ashleyj.music.
Live Version of a WellStocked Jukebox Fronted by Michael Rennie, Rio Peligroso is easily one of the best bands playing covers in town. Performing at Bar Pink on Jan. 26 at 9 p.m., the key to their success is their eclectic set list which draws on all manner of musical Americana, mixing up classics with worthy lesser-known tunes, for a set that will please casual fans and music junkies alike. Blasting out tunes ranging from country legends such as Hank Snow or more recently minted rockabilly heroes The Blasters, Rio Peligroso comes across like a live version of a particularly wellstocked jukebox. Rio Peligroso: Thursday, Jan. 26. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. myspace.com/riopeligrosoband.
Casting A Long Shadow
Los Hollywood: No Translation Necessary Quirky, punk, pop, and new wave influenced as well as bilingual, Los Hollywood, who appear at The Soda Bar on Jan. 14 at 8:30 p.m., have a lot going for them, but it starts with their wonderful songwriting. Songs such as “Te Busco” may be in Spanish, but the material is so strong, translation isn’t necessary. Indeed, the tunes — many with a clear ’80s pop influence — are strong enough to carry the moment. The quartet’s set list can range from acoustic balladry to terrific rockers such as “Renacer,” but whichever version of Los Hollywood you manage to catch, this is a combo that’s both fun to watch and listen to. Los Hollywood: Saturday, Jan. 14, at The Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd. 8:30 p.m. 21 and up. $7. myspace.com/loshollywood.
Dave Alvin may not be a household name, but he casts a long shadow. Appearing at AMSD Concerts on Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Alvin initially found fame during the early 1980’s as a member of rockabilly acolytes The Blasters, with classic tunes such as “Border Radio” and “Marie, Marie.” One of the leading lights in roots American music, Alvin has also spent time in such legendary groups as The Knitters, X, Gun Club and The Flesh Eaters; though today he can usually be found performing in solo mode. His most recent album is called “Eleven Eleven,” a more than worthy addition to his musical canon. In the 30-plus years since he made his recording debut, Alvin has recorded little that wasn’t of substance and well worth hearing. Dave Alvin: Wednesday, Jan. 21 at AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield St. 7:30 p.m. All ages. $25-$52. amsdconcerts.com.
20 | sdnorthparknews.com | January 2012