How the pitcher’s mound molded the valley

Living kidney donors recognized

See KIDNEY page 13

See PATHWAYS page 2

See FANTOGRAPHY page 8

WALKING GUIDE: San Diego River Trail’s east end

Kidney donor J.R. Raines (left) and recipient Chuck Rodriguez (right).

JeremyOgulEditor, Mission Valley News

Bean artisans roast to perfection in Grantville

In a retail landscape flooded with cookie-cutter 7-Eleven and Starbucks stores,

signs of a craft coffee culture in San Diego can be hard to spot.

Demand for high-quality spe-cialty coffee is growing, though, fed by the slow rise of micro-

roasters like The WestBean Coffee Roasters, based out of a Grantville warehouse.

In contrast to the burnt, bitter, mass-produced black coffee served at ubiquitous international retail chains, the coffee sold by WestBean is roasted with an attention to detail designed to maximize the flavor po-tential of each cup, said James Rauh, one of WestBean’s founders.

“One of the number one quotes we get

See COFFEE page 6

W ith temperate weather all year round, one of

the true signs of summer in San Diego is the sound of cheering baseball fans that emanates from the ballpark. Today that

ElisseMillerMission Valley News

ballpark is downtown, but Andy Strasberg’s latest book recounts the many years during which Mission Valley was home base for the Padres.

In “Fantography: San Diego Baseball,” Strasberg seeks to tell

“the unpublished, hidden story of baseball through

the snapshots fans have taken of their baseball experience.” Strasberg first embarked on

the Fantography project in 1997 and

has collected more than 25,000 photos since. In order to be a Fantography photo, it must follow two rules: first, it must be a non-professional photo of anything related to baseball; and second, the photo cannot contain live gameplay.

Strasberg is baseball incarnate. In the book’s introduction, he recounts how his mother would tell him as a young boy that he would be unable to turn his obsession with a sport into a living. The subsequent 126 pages prove her wrong.

T he San Diego River’s paved pathways are a popular place for a pleasant after-

work stroll or weekend walk, especially after the city recently opened an extension of the path under state Route 163 toward Fashion Valley mall.

One segment of the river’s trails that seems to get the least attention, however, is the furthest east section, ending at

Outdoor Adventure Group

TomLeech

Qualcomm Way. It happens to be as pretty and pleasant as the more popular western sections. Here’s how to get there to enjoy it.

A good starting spot is on the south side of the river, where Camino de la Reina meets Camino del Este (Staples is at the corner of this intersection). If driving, you can often find on-street parking south and east of this corner. On the street’s east side, walk north a short distance and see the well-marked entry to the

Chuck Rodriguez considers himself lucky.

Yes, his kidneys failed. Yes, he had to go on dialysis. And yes, a related cardiac arrest nearly killed him.

But unlike the estimated 100,000 Americans who wait years for a kidney transplant, Rodriguez, 58, received a new

JeremyOgulEditor, Mission Valley News

June 13, 2014 On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com Volume VIII – Number 6

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One of San Diego’s most successful homeless programs is out of moneyLiamDillonVoice of San Diego

The math is supposed to be simple.

Thirty-four of the most frequent homeless users of San Diego’s emergency services cost taxpayers and hospitals $4.3 million in responses to 911 calls and other public safety needs in 2010. Take those same people, put them in a house, give them preventative medical care and access to round-the-clock case workers, and the costs drop to $2.2 million in 2013.

That’s a savings to the pub-lic of more than $2 million last year.

This was the promise of Proj-ect 25, a much-heralded, three-year pilot program funded by the local chapter of the United Way to help some of the most chronic users of San Diego’s emergency services. The idea was that if you take these people off the streets, you can give them a bet-ter life and save a lot of money in the process.

Project 25’s data show that the program worked. But now its three years of United Way fund-ing are up, and Project 25’s lead-ers haven’t found anyone willing

to pay to extend it. Most of the program’s employees are mov-ing to other jobs and the money will officially run out in June.

Marc Stevenson, the head of Project 25, said it would be a shame if the program went away. Local emergency medical

officials have identified another 25 mega-users of the health care system who would benefit from the same approach. They won’t get the help they need, and the community won’t get the sav-ings, unless Stevenson can find the roughly $930,000 it costs to run the program each year. (Project 25’s savings numbers include this up-front cost.)

Given the numbers, Stevenson didn’t expect that finding more funding would be so difficult. I spoke with Stevenson, a social worker who works for St. Vin-cent de Paul Village, about what the program did and whether it has a future.

What’s been the biggest surprise that you’ve had?

That it worked. (Laughs)The biggest surprise was over

$2 million in savings and this was after the cost of what it took to provide the service. Watching these folks stay in housing and watching them stay connected to supportive services that we offer them, which basically is a fine blend of clinical and nonclinical approaches. There’s a lot of non-clinical things that go on in their lives that are really important to address when you want some-body to stay in housing. Their house has to feel like a home.

What do you mean by that?If you take somebody off the

street and you put them in a house and they came in with nothing and they still have noth-ing in the home, they don’t feel much different than when they were on the street. I mean it’s nice to have a toilet and a show-er, but basically what we wit-nessed in the beginning of the program is that some of our folks had a tendency to kind of all of a sudden set up their homeless camp right there in the living room.

United Way provided us with enough to make sure they’re comfortable in their homes. We’re talking a bed, kitchen table, chairs, that kind of thing.

Can you give me a concrete example of someone who was helped through this program?

I have a guy that we engaged. He used to sit on the corner of 10th and B. He sat there wrapped in a blanket. We start-ed providing health services. The doctor used to go visit him right there. It took us four months to really engage with him and get him on board with what we were trying to do. We finally got him to agree to go into housing. Once

See HOMELESS page 12

If you take the homeless off the

streets, you can give them a better life and save a lot of money in

the process.

Marc Stevenson leads Project 25, a program that has saved the public millions in caring for the homeless.

2 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014LOCAL NEWS

Developers begin fresh start on Riverwalk Golf Club plan

A golfer swings at Riverwalk Golf Club, a 200-acre property that may eventually be redeveloped into a mixed-use housing and commercial project.

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014 3

Editor, Mission Valley News

LOCAL NEWS

Developers are brainstorm-ing a new plan for the future

of the Riverwalk Golf Club, the Mission Valley Planning Group learned at its June 4 meeting.

Representatives from the Irvine-based developer Related California said they eventually want to build a “mixed-use project with a significant residential com-ponent” on the 200-acre site.

“This is the first minute of the first quarter of a very long game,” said Matthew Witte, principal with the firm.

The city in 1987 approved a development plan known as the Levi-Cushman Specific Plan, which included a mix of hotel, office, commercial, residential and recreational uses on the golf course property. In 1988 they ap-proved a development agreement with Chevron Land for a project that would include 1300 condos and 2 million square feet of of-fices, according to the San Diego Reader. Following protests from professional golfers and river ad-vocacy groups, the project was never built.

The original development agreement expired in 2008, mean-ing the property owners will now have to complete a new entitle-

ment and review process to de-velop the site.

The new plan will likely have a much higher percentage of resi-dential uses and generate much less traffic than the original plan, Witte said. Development on the site will probably start with the northeast corner of the golf course property, adjacent to the condo-miniums to the west on Friars Road, and gradually move east toward Fashion Valley Road. The proposal will likely be oriented more toward pedestrians than cars, and it may include the con-struction of a transit stop, he said.

“We would like to take advan-tage of one of the most unique aspects of this property with its scale,” Witte said. “It’s really un-precedented to find a 200-acre parcel in coastal California that has both light rail and a river run-

ning through it.”At this point, however, these

are all just ideas. “I have to say that it could go a

number of different ways,” Witte said.

Related California and archi-tectural firm Carrier Johnson are looking for feedback and sugges-tions from the community at this point in the process, their repre-sentatives said.

Mission Valley Planning Group board member Deborah Boss-meyer said many residents would be losing an amenity if the golf course were to be eliminated.

“It is a jewel to the people that love golf in Mission Valley,” she said. “It tugs at me emotionally to see that thing go eventually.”

Bossmeyer said she would like to see a “very generous” park space included in the project to

JeremyOgul

make up for the loss of open space. Planning Group board member

Perry Dealy said he is “anxious and hopeful” to see the new Re-lated California come up with a new master plan for the property.

“They have a phenomenal track record,” Dealy said.

Board member Josh Weiselberg asked the developer to consider how the redevelopment of the golf course would affect hotel clientele in the valley.

Witte said that if the golf course is completely eliminated from the site, it would not be until the last phase of the project, likely 10 to 15 years from now. It is also possible that the project would include a smaller 18-hole or 9-hole golf course.

Asked about who the target market for the residential part of the development would be, Witte said it would be open to all but would probably attract a younger population.

“That’s one of the great attrac-tions of this being an urban infill site 10 minutes from downtown,” Witte said. “As you probably know, there is a certain attraction of the younger demographic to be-ing in an urban setting.”

While Related California is very excited about the project, Witte said, everything is open to discus-sion at this point.

“This is really more just to say we’re getting started,” he said.

trail on the south side of the river. Walk east along the path with large condo complexes to your right and nature to the left. You can get some good views of the river (better than the western pathways), have a picnic or rest at several good tables, hear birds chirping in the foliage along the river (with the sweet sounds interrupted when the San Diego Trolley passes overhead). You’ll see few signs of homeless activity in this section.

Only a few blocks along, the trail ends at busy Qualcomm Way. Walk left and over the river to the north side entry, turn left and you’re heading west along the river, with environment similar to the south side. Just a few steps along are some steps heading up to the Rio Vista Trolley Stop, right next to a large office and commercial complex. Here is a charming fountain and several businesses — cafes, a grocery store, and at the far end, Milano Coffee, a popular spot to plop down and contemplate what a good life you’re living today.

Revitalized, head back down to the river and amble west a short distance to Camino del Este. (This is a good entry point to the north side pathways.) Cross left over the river to your starting place, making this about a mile long, easy hike. Or for a bit more strenuous workout, keep

heading west (cross at the corner traffic lights), and make your way past Mission Center Road to the new path under 163 over to Fashion Valley. At the first traffic light, head left (on the sidewalk, not the street) about 200 feet to Camino de la Reina. Walk left under 163 and back up onto river’s south side pathway. Keep strolling east (again cross at the street lights) and you’ll find yourself back at your starting place, right beside Staples.

Tom Leech is a frequent contributor to Mission Valley News. He is also author of the recently-released second edition of Say it like Shakespeare: the Bard’s Timeless Tips for Communication Success.

Pathways, from page 1

Report suspicious activity to police

Police have found a direct correlation between unauthorized soliciting and subsequent property crime, such as burglary, according to Tortorella. Many people posing as solicitors are actually gathering information for criminal purposes. They use a solicitor ruse to determine whether the home is vacant, whether it has an alarm system or surveillance cameras and whether there are valuable items in the home.

If a solicitor comes to your door without the proper identification card or arrives after 8 p.m., call the police non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000 or (858) 484-3154. If an unwanted visitor refuses to leave or tries to open your door while you are home, call 9-1-1.

4 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014LOCAL NEWSHow to deal with door-to-door solicitorsMission Valley News

They claim to be selling candy bars to raise money for school.

They ask you to subscribe to magazines to support a charity. They tell you they’re selling home security systems or upgrading utility lines.

Door-to-door solicitors are common in San Diego’s residential neighborhoods, but rarely do they abide the law, according to San Diego Police Officer Matt Tortorella.

In a message posted to the social networking website Nextdoor, Tortorella explained how to determine whether the stranger at your door is legitimate. The following tips are based on the information Tortorella provided.

Put up a “no soliciting” signIf you’re certain that you never

want to entertain a solicitor at your front door, you can put up a “no soliciting” sign. It is against city law for solicitors to knock or ring the doorbell if this sign is posted.

Acknowledge visitors and let them know you are home

You don’t have to open the door, but you should ask for the purpose of their visit and try to get a look at them through the peephole. Police often hear reports of burglars who attempt to enter a residence after hearing no response to a knock or doorbell.

Ask them to show their city-issued registration card

San Diego city law requires all solicitors to register with the police department. After running a background check, the police department issues an ID card that legitimate solicitors must display whenever they go door to door.

The card is white, has a photo of the solicitor, the solicitor’s name, tracking number and an official city seal.

The registration cards are not issued to anyone younger than 14, and the cards are only issued to minors who have a valid work permit from their school.

Bekker’s Catering was named the top family-owned business in San Diego by the San Diego Business Journal at its annual award ceremony in April.

Bekker’s, which has been in business on Mission Gorge Road for nearly 60 years, beat 70 other finalists to win the award.

Olga Worm, the company’s CEO, and her husband Oscar, also known as the company’s chef emeritus, received the award at the ceremony. Joining them was their son, Scott Worm, who is the current executive chef, and his wife, Jennifer.

The company’s family history goes back to the 1950s, when Dale and Betty Worm purchased land on Mission Gorge Road to open a restaurant. At the time, the road was unpaved and the area was undeveloped, so Worm organized the neighborhood to petition for an extension of the sewer system to the restaurant property, earning himself the nickname of “The Mayor of Grantville” in the process.

Worm’s restaurant, Roadside Bar-B-Q, opened in 1958. In 1978 it became Bekker’s BBQ Restaurant, and in 1996 the restaurant closed and became Bekker’s Catering.

BUSINESS NEWS

CEOBekker’s Catering

Olga Worm

Movers & ShakersMovement in San Diego’s Business Community

Do you know someone who should be featured on our Movers and Shakers page? We’re looking for anyone who’s doing something big, from a newly hired executive at a local organization to the small business owner who just opened a new restaurant or office, or even a local student who has won a major scholarship or fellowship. Please send your submissions with a photo and a few paragraphs to the editor at Jeremy@missionpublishinggroup.com.

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FAULCONER AppOINTED TO NATIONAL HOMELESS INITIATIvE

First Lady Michelle Obama announced June 4 that San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer would join the national Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The goal of the federal initiative is to end veteran homelessness in American cities by 2015 by bringing together the resources of HUD, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the National League of Cities.

“Over the years, I’ve worked locally with many San Diegans to help homeless veterans create a better life,” Faulconer said in a written statement. “I’m proud to take this issue head-on and join the national initiative to find more ways to get our nation’s heroes of city streets and back into a decent home.”

Other California mayors participating in the challenge include Ashley Swearengin of Fresno, John Marchand of Livermore, Jean Quan of Oakland and John D’Amico of West Hollywood.Mayor, City of San Diego

Kevin Faulconer

The Kumeyaay Lake Campground at Mission

Trails Regional Park is once again accepting reservations for campsites.

Budget cuts have kept the campground closed to overnight campers since 2011, though the area has remained open for day use. Funding for a park ranger to manage the campground was restored in the recent mid-year budget update, and ongoing funding is included in the city’s 2014-2015 budget currently under review by the city council.

The online reservation system opened May 23. Campsites can be reserved for $20 a night on Friday or Saturday nights only, beginning June 13. The campground includes 46 basic tent sites and a restroom facility with showers. The campsites are steps away from over 54 miles of trails that snake throughout the park.

“We’re very grateful to Councilmember Scott Sherman for working together with his council colleagues to bring overnight camping back to the Kumeyaay Lake Campground,” said Jay Wilson, executive director of Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, in a written statement. “Camping here is a great way for San Diegans to experience the wonders of our park at night and during the day, all while staying

within the city of San Diego.”Other activities complement the

opportunity to camp at the facility, including star parties hosted by the San Diego Astronomy Association on the second Friday of every month. Volunteer trail guides lead morning nature walks from the campground on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

To reserve a campsite, visit http://activenet.active.com/sdparkandrec.

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014 5

Mission Trails campground now accepting reservationsMission Valley News

of grapes from multiple vintages. This ensures a consistent style that consumers can expect that does not alter too radically depending on the quality of the vintage. This regal non-vintage wine is creamy and rich, with layers of lime, apple, and white peach with undertones of brioche. This particular blend is inspiring on its own, an all around crowd pleaser, and extremely versatile when paired with food.

Oysters are the classic pairing with sparkling wines but the bright fruit flavors of this South African import are also enjoyed with salty summer favorites. Try it with a bag of salty potato chips

or buttered popcorn. Talk about versatility. Most dry sparkling wines, such as Brut sparkling, actually have a faint touch of sweetness. That makes them extra- refreshing when served with salty foods.

Graham Beck Brut NV is one of the most versatile wines for pairing with food and beautifully showcases sparkling wine’s adaptability from appetizers, entrees and desserts. There are lots of fun summer pairings from deviled eggs to fish tacos to shellfish to grilled chicken. A really fun pairing combo to try is sparkling wine with shortbread cookies as the acidity in the wine cuts through the butter of the cookie. For only $16 a bottle, you’ll find that every meal and occasion is worthy of some bubbly.

a number of coffee shops and restaurants, includ-ing the Kensington Café, Broke Girls Coffee Bar in Normal Heights, Al-chemy restaurant in South Park, Bailiwick in the Gaslamp Quarter, Lofty Coffee in Encinitas and Americana restau-rant in Del Mar, among others.

Tami Ratliffe, propri-etor of a French bistro in Downtown’s East Vil-lage called Café Chloe, was one of the first res-taurateurs to start serv-ing WestBean coffee. After deciding to switch from a corporate coffee supplier to a local roast-er, she sampled coffee from all of the specialty roasters in San Diego.

“They never ever hit it right,” Ratliffe said. “No-body ever hit the mark

the way I wanted it.” Then, a friend introduced her

to the guys at WestBean, who were able to produce a blend that perfectly captured the nutty chocolate flavor profile she was looking for. She hasn’t looked back since.

Café Chloe’s customers liked it so much they began to ask if they could buy some beans to take home for themselves, Ratliffe said. Eventually she had to raise the price because the restaurant was going through so much cof-fee.

WestBean’s passion for coffee shows in the consistency of the product, Ratliffe said.

“I still can’t believe how week to week it is exactly the same as the week before,” Ratliffe said. “They know how to make adjustments on their end. They must have the most amazing noses and taste buds.”

Indeed, the roasters at West-Bean closely monitor each batch of coffee as they roast it, pick-ing out beans to test their smell and appearance. The equipment also allows them to fine-tune the roast to accommodate changes in the bean from season to season.

Within the next year, West-Bean’s owners plan to open a re-tail storefront. Until then, their whole bean coffee can be ordered online for delivery or pickup.

Choose the right summer bubblyCertified

KarenIrizarry

Sommelier

There’s a special feel that sparkling wines add to any

occasion. Nothing says, “celebrate” quite like a good bottle of bubbly! Whether you are looking for a Champagne or sparkling wine to toast a summer wedding or enjoy a casual weekend brunch, there are plenty of options at just as many price points.

Champagnes are beautifully elegant and easily the most famous of sparkling wines. However, they are also typically the most expensive and come exclusively from the Champagne region in France. A great alternative at a great price is Graham Beck Brut NV from Robertson, South Africa. With the arrival of hot summer days comes a craving for lighter, refreshing wines. Sparkling wines are crisp, chilled and make you feel revitalized and less dehydrated than red wines. Graham Beck Brut NV is a beautiful sparkling with the right mix of yeasty notes and zesty citrus, offering balanced fruit and rich textures. This Brut is a perfect pick bubbly for a summer celebration and beyond.

There are four main methods of sparkling wine production. The traditional method or methode champenoise is a labor intensive and costly process through which the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation inside the bottle, creating bubbles. All Champagne and most high-quality sparkling wine are made by this process. Graham Beck Brut NV is no exception. It is a blend of two of the three Champagne varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay adds fruit and elegance while Pinot Noir adds complexity and length of flavor and they are blended to a perfect balance with a lovely copper/pink hue. The varietals are not the only things that contribute to this Brut’s sophistication. It is bottle aged with less contact for 15 to 18 months to develop flavors and form the fine mousse that gives its freshness and finesse.

This Graham Beck Brut sparkling wine is technically non-vintage (NV) meaning it is a blend

Coffee, from page 1

[from customers] is, ‘This is the first cup of black cof-fee I’ve been able to drink without cream and sugar. It’s just smooth,’” Rauh said. “We’ve tried to cre-ate something that tastes as good as coffee smells. That’s the goal.”

According to Andrew Karr, WestBean’s opera-tions manager, the prob-lem with Starbucks and other mass producers is that in order to achieve a consistent product that can replicated in thou-sands of stores across the globe, you have to roast the beans darker. That scorches all the individu-ality and flavor out of the bean.

“The darker you roast coffee, the less it matters what the bean is or where it came from,” Karr said. “Burnt tastes like burnt.”

Karr’s goal at WestBean is to unleash a coffee bean’s potential to be sweet, fruity, floral, earthy, tangy, nutty, chocolately, syrupy or any of the other myriad fla-vors and aromas unique to each coffee crop.

The roasters at WestBean start by sourcing their raw, green cof-fee beans directly from small, fair trade farms in Brazil, Ma-lawi, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, Rwanda, El Salvador, Honduras and other countries. The altitude, climate and soil characteristics of the farm contribute to the quality of the finished cup.

Karr’s job then is to determine the exact specifications — cham-ber temperature, bean tempera-ture, air flow, roasting time — that draw out the best attributes of a particular coffee variety.

One of the biggest challenges for WestBean and San Diego’s other specialty coffee roasters, however, is educating largely uninformed consumers about how coffee can and should taste, said Jessica Percifield, who leads the San Diego Coffee Network.

Consumers need to be able to experience the numerous possi-bilities before they make up their mind about coffee, she said.

“I think of coffee as the new wine,” Percifield said. “Just be-cause you don’t like Pinot doesn’t mean you won’t like a Syrah. The

same room in the palate needs to be made for coffee.”

The San Diego Coffee Network is working to cultivate a stronger coffee culture in San Diego by organizing barista competitions, tasting events, mail-order coffee subscription services and in-per-son lessons on the many meth-ods of brewing coffee at home.

“Once you’ve had a really good cup of coffee or latte, you’ll never go back,” said Matt Barahura, event coordinator for the San Di-ego Coffee Network.

Though San Diego is not gener-ally considered one of the great coffee cities, like Seattle or Port-land or San Francisco, Percifield and Barahura believe it could be. They have counted 15 specialty roasters running an active busi-ness, and many more who are tinkering in their backyards.

That’s how WestBean got its start in 2009, when Paul Reizen and James Rauh built a cus-tom home roaster out of a metal drum and started experiment-ing with green coffee beans the backyard of Reizen’s Kensing-ton home. It was not long before friends and neighbors started requesting the coffee, so Reizen and Rauh bought bigger equip-ment and started selling roasted coffee beans wholesale to the Farm House Café restaurant on Adams Avenue in 2010.

You can now find their coffee at

6 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014DINING & DRINK

By Gina Cord, founder of Mission Valley News

GINA’SVALLEY VIEWS

There are many changes in businesses and properties in Mission Valley, Old Town and the Linda Vista area, so we might as well start here with the bad news and the shut cases.

Randy Jones All-American Grill closes

Restaurateur Mark Oliver left his partners at George’s On The Cove in La Jolla and moved into Mission Valley to renovate Trophy’s in Hazard Center almost five years ago, and he did a fantastic job when he opened the All-American Grill. Then, the recession hit in full force, and he brought in as his partner Randy Jones, who was a former San Diego Padres pitcher. Randy also owns a BBQ sports bar in Poway and three BBQ locations at Petco Park.

Now both gentlemen have decided that the competition of the new BJ’s in Hazard Center is too much for them. Randy will continue with his operations already established in other parts of town. When I asked Mark what his plans are, he said, “I’m working with some partners who want to build a restaurant from the ground up, but I am not ready to reveal that, as yet.” Mark is an elegant and handsome man who really knows the restaurant

business, and I’m hoping that he builds a truly upscale restaurant and greets his clientele in a black tuxedo. Of course there would be white tablecloths and flowers on the tables. We’ll have to wait a while for that to take place, as Mark said, “It will take about a week yet from the closing (May 31) to liquidate all the equipment, but I am certainly working on other arrangements for my career. My total career has been in the restaurant business.”

We will be waiting to hear from you, Mark.

Ricky’s Café closesAnother restaurant that just

closed after 36 years of continuous operations is Ricky’s Cafe at 8120 Hotel Circle S. Primarily known for their breakfast menu and good service, few people knew that it was the one place in Mission Valley where, if you had a cold, you immediately stopped into Ricky’s Cafe as they served the best chicken noodle soup in town and you were sure to get rid of your cold overnight.

It appears that the restaurant will be torn down and replaced by more hotel rooms on the property.

Kelly’s moves houseKelly’s Steak House at the Town &

Country Hotel closed a few months ago, but the menu, staff and the piano player were moved over to the Trellises Restaurant, so there wasn’t any loss there. We can continue to order the open-faced beef sandwich, which was my favorite at Kelly’s, and the music goes on every evening.

Now for some happier news in the valley, we will turn to the businesses that are open cases.

Olive RistoranteA very nice renovation has taken

place at Olive Ristorante at 6110 Friars Rd. in the small shopping plaza at the corner of Friars Road and Via Las Cumbres. The location used to

be the NY Pizza Department but the full interior has been very tastefully redone. The pizzas are the greatest, but the restaurant also has a large menu of Italian and Greek foods, an unlikely combination of dishes, but that’s what the owner likes. I believe it is the only restaurant in the valley serving Greek food. They have a full bar and wine and beer service, but the pizzas are unequaled. Place your order at (619) 296-0911 and they will deliver for you.

Christopher’s on CongressIn Old Town, I have discovered

with the help of a friend, a really outstanding location called Christopher’s on Congress located at 2539 Congress St. just a little south of the trolley station. The owner, Christopher Tatalovich, used to work for Ruth’s Chris Steak House but decided to check out bistros in Europe before returning to open his place on Congress Street. He has created a truly unique European bistro atmosphere with a full bar and a huge menu of wines.

The restaurant is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily and from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It’s closed on Mondays. Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. daily, and the charming atmosphere offers a fire pit in the patio and booths enclosed in draperies for quiet elegance.

Christopher’s on Congress is a perfect place to enjoy a cheese board and glass of wine after a hard day’s work. Check it out yourself, or for reservations call (619) 450-4154. They love to cater to groups and I am sure you will enjoy a totally different type of menu and hospitality of Christopher and his staff.

Mission Bay AutomotiveLife isn’t only just about dining

and drinking so I want to share with you a great place on Morena Boulevard for automotive work. I discovered Mission Bay Automotive some time ago. The owner, Troy Archer, and his staff are exceptionally knowledgeable about car repair and I wouldn’t go any other place. The company has just moved down the street to 1735 Morena Blvd. in a brand new, roomier location and they do everything possible to please their clients. The bright, clean blue and white location has a waiting room with magazines and TV while you wait for your car.

With all the open and closed cases, there is one establishment that was closed that is now open: The San Diego Opera with their new artistic adviser, William Mason.

We welcome “What’s News” and “Who’s News” for this column. Contact Gina Cord at (619) 682-2434 or cordgina@gmail.com.

Ricky’s, on Hotel Circle South, is one of several restaurants that have opened or closed recently in Mission Valley.

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014 7GINA’S VALLEY VIEWS

The Canine Good Citizen Award;What is it and why is it important?

In 1989, The American Kennel Club (AKC) created the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program.

The program was designed to reward dogs who have good manners both at home and in the community at large. The training teaches the dog to be polite and well-behaved in a variety of circumstances and stresses the importance of responsible pet own-ership and canine good manners.

Owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting Services

www.missionvalleypetsitting.com

SariReis

The CGC program is open to all purebred as well as mixed breed dogs. As recently as January 1, 2013, the AKC approved the CGC designation as an official title that will appear with the dog’s name when he is registered with the AKC.Besides the pleasure of having a well-mannered dog, why is the CGC training important? The successful completion of this program is often requested by a landlord as a condition to renting a house or an apartment, particularly with large dogs such as German shep-herd dogs, pit bulls, Rottweilers, etc. It is also often a pre-requisite for other training programs such as sporting and performance event training. And, if you aspire to train your canine as a service or ther-apy dog, the CGC designation is compulsory. If you wish to pursue this valuable training, there are numerous indi-vidual trainers who offer it as well as Petco and the San Diego Humane Society. Contact www.sdhumane.org for more information.

Sari Reis is a Certified Humane Education Specialist and the owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting Services. For more information, you can reach her at 760-644-0289 or www.missionvalleypetsitting.com.

Accepting a friendly stranger – A stranger is able to approach and greet the dog’s owner with no negative reaction from the dog.

Sitting politely for petting – The dog sits politely while a stranger gently pets it.

Appearance and Grooming – The dog is inspected to ensure it is clean and well-groomed, healthy and an appropriate weight. He behaves while being combed, having his ears and paws checked.

Out for a walk – The dog walks on a loose leash demonstrating the owner is in control. The owner performs several turns and the dog complies.

Walking through a crowd – The dog demonstrates that he can politely move about in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places.

To obtain the certificate, the dog must successfully complete 10 tests that are assessed by an approved CGC evaluator. The 10 tests involved in the evaluation are as follows:

Sit, down, and stay on command – The dog demonstrates that he will listen and obey the owner’s commands to sit, down and stay when asked. He must remain in the position until the owner releases him.

Coming when called – The dog’s owner walks away about 10 feet and turns and calls the dog. The dog must come on command.

Reaction to other dogs – The dog demonstrates he can react politely in the presence of other dogs that pass by him.

Reaction to distraction – The evaluator will present two distractions, ( i.e.: knock over a chair), and the dog must demonstrate he is confident and under control.

Supervised separation – The dog demonstrates he can remain calm when he is left with a trusted person and his owner disappears for three minutes.

Strasberg worked for the Padres as a part of its marketing team for 22 years, leaving in 1996. In 2012, Strasberg released his first Fantography book, “Baseball Fantography: A celebration in snapshots and stories from the fans,” which focused on baseball in the United States in general. Strasberg knew that for his second book, he wanted to narrow his focus in order to tell an even more relatable narrative. His close working relationship with the Padres made San Diego an easy choice.

The book alternates between short essays written by Strasberg in first person to a collection of fan photos and the specific fan’s story behind each.

In his first essay, Strasberg reminisces about his lifelong idol, the late Jerry Coleman. The moments Strasberg shared with Coleman paint him as the genuine, generous announcer that stole the hearts of San Diegans. This piece was especially compelling, and created the appropriate theme for the rest of the book—baseball is a sport equally driven by skill and fan support.

“A major league team is a badge of honor to a city’s sports fans,” Strasberg said in an interview.

The history lessons imparted by the book aren’t chronological. Instead, Strasberg illustrates the

impact of the Padres by highlighting facets of the team’s history such as its broadcasters and on-air personalities, “camera day” events, mascots, the “Madres” booster organization and more.

Despite it all being amateur photography, the photos in this collection are captivating and accurately depict the Padres through the decades. The photos tell a better story than any amount of text could. Photos range from hopeful fans in the stands to former players participating in golf tournaments. All together, they prove this is a book “about the fans, for the fans, and from the fans.”

“Fantography” touches on the significance of the Mission Valley area to the Padres. When the Padres became a Major League Baseball team in 1969, they chose San Diego Stadium as home because of its central location in San Diego County.

Strasberg writes: “The best thing the 1969 Padres had going for them was the fact other National League teams would be playing in Mission Valley. San Diego baseball fans who wanted to enjoy major-league baseball no longer had to travel to Anaheim to catch the Angels or Los Angeles to watch the Dodgers.”

The Padres developed a stronger base of their own fans as the team improved, but even on their worst

days, they still played in one of the finest settings in the league.

“When I started in 1975, you could sit behind home plate on any level and you could look out into Mission Valley, which, in the summer, was a beautiful sight,” Strasberg said in an interview. “There was nothing better than on a July or August evening to sit in the ballpark and watch major league baseball.”

This book is great to tuck into a summer beach bag. It’s approximately 50 percent text and 50 percent photos, making it a light read best for those who want a quick history lesson on one of the most beloved elements of San Diego.

“Fantography” is not without its faults. The switch between points of view can be confusing, and in some parts the book reads more like Strasberg’s personal diary than an account of the Padres, though both elements of the book convey the emotional and spiritual power of baseball and sports in general.

“San Diego,” Strasberg says, “has an incredible amount to offer baseball fans who are students of the game, devout historians, or casual observers.” That’s exactly who this book is for.

Be sure to catch Strasberg’s Fantography-based lecture and presentation at the San Diego Central Library on June 14 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Fantography, from page 1

8 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014LOCAL NEWS

Channel your inner child. Play on the swings at a neighborhood park. Go to the

beach and build a sandcastle. Chase your children around in a game of tag. Go to an amusement park, batting cage or play mini-golf. Do something you did when you were a kid or try something you always wanted to do. Be active, have fun and

embrace every minute of these long summer days.

Go for a hike. We’re surrounded by so many trails and parks; it’s time to

explore! On a cool day, revisit a favorite path or blaze a trail you’ve never tried before. Bring a friend, sturdy shoes, lots of water, and sunscreen, and go see everything nature has to offer. Looking for a hiking buddy? The Mission Valley Y has a free hiking club. They’re led by an experienced hiker and hit a new trail each month.

For most of us, summer no longer means a vacation from the daily grind.

Summer used to mean fun, sun and freedom from homework. Wouldn’t it be nice to break from our daily schedules to recapture some of that magic? In the spirit of summer, here are five things you can do this month to embrace your inner summer-loving youth and enjoy the fun and energy of an active summer.

Embrace an active summer

Kelly

ACSM-HFS, CHESOstrem

Fitness Expert

Nothing says summer like jumping in a

pool or taking a dip in the ocean.

Explore your neighborhood. Take the family out and enjoy a walk with the scenery. Step

out of your front door and see what’s on your street. Meander to a coffee shop or neighborhood restaurant for lunch. Walk around and really look at storefronts and houses. Take notice of all the things you’re normally too rushed to see. Do you live outside of “walking distance?” Go to a neighborhood you love or haven’t been to in a while to walk around and explore. You might see something that has changed since the last time you were there.

Go swimming. Nothing says summer like jumping in a pool or taking a dip in

the ocean. Splashing around is the perfect way to cool off on a hot day and spend time with friends. Don’t know how to swim? Make this the summer you change that! Toby Wells Y, along with many locations throughout the world, will be hosting the World’s Largest Swim Lesson at 8 a.m. on June 20. Not only will you learn something, you could be part of breaking a Guinness World Record.

Try something new. We often get stuck in ruts doing the same things

over and over. It’s good to have a hobby you love, but spend one day trying something different. If working out for you consists of jogging or a spin class, try stand-up paddle boarding or paddling a kayak. You’re going to work your muscles in a whole new way, and you’ll probably have a good time doing it.

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014 9HEALTH & FITNESS

that the items were in-deed placed there with-out any disruption to the container and the items are still fully functional. This hands-on section of the exhibit gets a lot of attention and puzzled looks.

Clearly I’m not the only kid who liked magic. Ele-mentary to middle school-aged students on field trips have an absolute blast while partaking in “Illusion.” Questions are rapidly being shot at chaperones and museum employees. The latter of which are well versed in the exhibits and quick to

fling questions back at the curi-ous minds. It is a melding of fun and learning, art and science that is so refreshing to see.

“Illusion: Nothing Is As It Seems” will be on display through January of next year. For more information visit www.rhfleet.org/exhibitions/illusion.

JazzWednesdays – Gilbert Castellanos Jazz Jam at Seven Grand. Free. 9 p.m. SevenGrandBars.com - 3054 University Ave. (92104)

Fridays – Sam Johnson Jazz Group at Cosmos Coffee Cafe. Free. 3 to 5p.m. CosmosCoffeeCafe.com - 8278 La Mesa Blvd. (91942)

Saturdays – Jazz with George and Alan at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.BistroSixtySD.com - 5987 El Cajon Blvd. (92115)

Saturdays – Douglas Kvandal with the LiveJazz! Quartet at the Amigo Spot a the Kings Inn. Free. 7 p.m. www.kingsinnsandiego.com - 1333 Hotel Circle S. (92108)

June 15 & 17 – “All That Jazz” featuring the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra at Cohen Social Hall. $20. Sunday – 3 p.m., Tuesday – 7:30 p.m.www.tiferethIsrael.com/tico - 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd. (92119)

June 21 – Stage IV Jazz at San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room. Free. 7 p.m. www.SanPasqualWinery.com - 8364 La Mesa Blvd. (91942)

aLTERNaTIVEJune 13 – Dead Feather Moon, Strange Vine, and Chess Wars at Casbah. $10. 9 p.m. www.CasbahMusic.com - 2501 Kettner Blvd. (92101)

June 14 – The Burning of Rome and The New Kinetics at The Che Cafe Collective. $10. 7 p.m. TheCheCafe.blogspot.com - 1000 Scholars Dr. (92093)

June 28 – Of Shows and Burritos Presents Teenage Exorcists and Grand Tarantula at Ken Club. Free. 9 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/642391692512943 - 4079 Adams Ave. (92116)

CLaSSICaLJune 27 – Elvis: A Tribute to The King at the Embarcadero Marina Park South. $25-$55. 7:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony.org - 1 Marina Park Way (92101)

July 4 – 6 – Star Spangled Pops with Bill Conti at the Embarcadero Marina Park South. $22-$79. 7:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony.org - 1 Marina Park Way (92101)

July 18 – 19 – Summer Pops: The Music of Abba at the Embarcadero Marina Park South. $27-84. 7:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony.org - 1 Marina Park Way (92101)

PoPTuesdays – Suzanne Shea and Bob Wade at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. www.BistroSixtySD.com - 5987 El Cajon Blvd. (92115) Call and hold your table (619) 287-8186

Wednesdays – Westside Inflection at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 8 p.m. www.RivieraSupperClub.com - 7777 University Ave. (91941)

Fridays – Nathan Welden at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 p.m. www.BistroSixtySD.com - 5987 El Cajon Blvd. (92115)

June 14 – OysterFest at the Marina Embarcadero North featuring Matt & Kim, Boombos, He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister, and more. 11 a.m. $27.50 - $65. www.OysterFestSD.com - 849 W. Harbor D. (92101)

June 21 – Tiffany Jane and The Kicks CD Release at the Worldbeat Cultural Center – Price TBD. 8 p.m. - www.worldbeatcenter.org/ – 2100 Park Blvd. (92101)

Bands, venues, and music-lovers: Please submit listings for this calendar by emailing Jen@ScoopSanDiego.com.

Jen

Mission Valley Newsvan Tieghem

New exhibit invites visitors to explore science of illusions

Like many other children, I was obsessed with magic when I was young. My dad

even performed a magic show for one of my birthdays and I, of course, got to be the lucky audi-ence member to assist with his tricks.

When I saw that the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center was premiering a traveling exhibit called “Illusion: Nothing Is As It Seems,” my tummy filled with the same butterflies it did when my dad pulled a rabbit from a hat I had just confirmed was empty.

Of course the “tricks” on dis-play in “Illusion” are much more complex than sleight-of-hand deception. The various install-ments and displays incorporate optical and auditory illusions as well as technology that leave the viewer in wonderment over what they have just experienced.

With over twenty pieces in all, the various items are artis-tic in layout while using science to challenge your senses and perception of reality. Some are meant to only be experienced vi-sually while others invite you to touch and manipulate what you see.

Many installments, such as “The Hurwitz Singularity” in-vite the viewer to move around and observe from different an-gles. Shifting in perspective, and thus in interpretation, makes this a unique exhibit to behold.

“You. Here. Now.” is a particu-larly intriguing installment. A large screen is flooded with tiny photos collected from selected news websites. As an individual stands in front of the screen the images organize themselves to mimic your appearance. Pat-terns on your shirt, an out-stretched hand, your mohawk — they all appear in this mirrored image of sorts. After awhile the picture becomes clear and you can even snap a photo, what curators of the exhibit call “the ultimate selfie.”

Another favorite, “Bottle Mag-ic,” reminded me of the tricks of my youth. Various sized vessels contain everyday objects from playing cards to a tennis shoe, which, by all appearance, could not have fit through the neck of the bottle or jar. The placard with this piece ensures visitors

You. Here. Now. by Ian Willcock

The Hurwitz Singularity by Jonty Huwitzh

Delicate Boundaries by Chris Sugrue

10 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Editor, Mission Valley News

A common thread emerged in a recent conversation between

San Diego’s new police chief and local residents: police can only respond to problems they know about, and police in many cases will not know where the problem is unless residents speak up.

Chief Shelley Zimmerman re-turned to that point repeatedly as residents posed questions and raised complaints during a “Meet the Chief” public safety town hall event at the Bayside Community Center in Linda Vista on May 27.

Residents in City Council Dis-trict 7, which includes the com-munities of Mission Valley and Linda Vista, were invited to anonymously write their ques-tions and comments on index cards at the event, which was co-hosted by City Councilmember Scott Sherman.

One area of concern among several residents was the lack of street lights along Kelly Street between Comstock and Tait streets, where Kelly Park is lo-cated. They said they felt unsafe walking in this area at night.

Another audience member asked what people could do about the drug dealers in their neigh-borhood.

Zimmerman said anyone with information about drug activ-

Police chief answers questions at Linda Vista town hallJeremyOgul

ity could report that information anonymously through the San Diego Crimestoppers hotline. If the reporting party would like to be more involved in the investi-gation process, they can call the police department’s non-emer-gency line to make a report.

One individual said that while she and her daughter have had nothing but positive interactions with police, her son, who has a darker skin complexion, has been stopped multiple times by police while simply walking down the street.

“As a mother, I am concerned that my son will be the subject of police brutality,” she said.

Another person asked, “How many citizens must die before we acknowledge racial profiling and police brutality?”

Zimmerman responded: “Our police department does not tol-erate racial profiling. If someone has a complaint about racial pro-filing or excessive force, you have many ways to report it.”

The police department needs the public to report any suspi-cions or complaints about indi-vidual police officers so they can be properly investigated by the appropriate unit within the de-partment, Zimmerman said.

“There is not a code of silence in our police department,” Zim-

merman said. “There have been many cases where an officer has come forth,” with complaints or information that reflects nega-tively on a fellow officer.

The body-worn cameras that police are currently testing will make a significant difference in helping police investigate situ-ations in which citizens allege racial profiling or excessive force, she said.

One person asked what hap-pens when a complaint is filed with the department’s Internal Affairs Unit.

“I listen to every single one of those calls that come into the hotline,” Zimmerman said. “We thoroughly investigate every-thing that we possibly can.”

The event in Linda Vista was just the latest in a series of “Meet the Chief” events Zimmerman has been conducting around the city since Mayor Kevin Faulconer appointed her to the post follow-ing Chief Bill Lansdowne’s res-ignation. Zimmerman told the audience on May 27 that traffic concerns were among the top complaints she has heard at the other community meetings she has held.

Indeed, the audience noted two areas where traffic was a prob-lem. One was at the intersection of Linda Vista Road and Com-stock Street.

“When crossing the street many times I have to run not to get hit,” said one resident.

The other problematic traffic

area is the intersection of Os-ler Street and Ulric Street, near Linda Vista Elementary School. Drivers often do not stop at the stop sign in the mornings and afternoons while dropping off and picking up children from the school, a resident said.

Traffic officers will increase their patrols in these areas, Zim-merman said.

Another person questioned the chief about the department’s pol-icy on what to do when they hear reports of child abuse on school campuses. Though the school district has its own police depart-ment, a group of parents and residents claims the schools and their police have been negligent in reporting and following up on suspected child abuse.

“We’ve already had discussions with or dispatchers about asking additional questions regarding child abuse allegations on school campuses,” Zimmerman said.

In addition to responding di-rectly to comments from the au-dience, Zimmerman also outlined some of the structural challenges the department is facing. Ap-proximately half of the depart-ment’s working patrol officers are eligible to retire in the next four years. At the same time, approxi-mately half of the working patrol officers have been with the de-partment for six or fewer years, and in some units that number is closer to 70 percent, she said.

San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman (center) speaks to residents with City Councilmember Scott Sherman (right) at the Bayside Commu-nity Center in Linda Vista. Jorge Riquelme (left), the center’s executive director, translated questions from Spanish.

In a community that for years has yearned for more park space, a quirky little public

plaza has suddenly appeared, and not everyone likes it.

With the help of the city’s Civic Innovation Lab, the Friends of the Linda Vista Library trans-formed eight parking spaces in front of the library into a public plaza. They’re calling it Linda Placita.

So far, Linda Placita looks rather feeble — a few potted trees and a park bench cordoned off by cones and caution tape. The whole thing is an ongoing experi-ment, conducted in an emerging urban planning style known as tactical urbanism.

“What we want to do is a light-er, faster, cheaper design exer-cise that actually puts something on the ground and tests it, rath-er than the conventional way, which is build it and hope they come,” said Howard Blackson, a planner with the Civic Innova-tion Lab.

New public parks are usually born after a long, expensive ges-tation period of design, review and construction, and there is no guarantee the community will accept the infant park once it is built.

“We can’t take the risk of build-

Library friends push for park over parking in Linda Vista

ing a park the conventional way,” Blackson said. “We have to test it. We have to see what works. We have be very judicious in how we spend our money.”

It was relatively easy to start the test in this case because the city owns the parking lot, and the Civic Innovation Lab is a city department. It was essentially just a matter of getting the fire department’s permission to close off an entrance to the parking lot, which they granted because there is another driveway just a few feet away.

Village Nursery donated trees, the Friends of the Linda Vista Library group delivered a bench and City Councilmember Scott Sherman’s office donated $5,000

for the purchase of more trees, planter boxes, trash cans, chairs and tables.

Linda Placita’s supporters would like to add more features and experiment with the configu-ration. Maybe they’ll rearrange the benches and the trees. Maybe they’ll paint the asphalt green, or maybe they can put grass in its place. Maybe they can coordinate some programming with the weekly farmer’s market to bring more people to the little plaza.

“Once it looks more like a fin-ished product we’ll be able to judge better how it’s being used,” said Jeffrey Davis, head librar-ian in Linda Vista. “The hope is that it will be kind of an outdoor extension of the library, so when

we’re not open, folks can get out there and sit down. Kids can run around a little bit. We sort of think folks will find their own ways to use it.”

Members of the Linda Vista Planning Group board, however, are skeptical. A motion request-ing a letter of support from the group failed to garner any votes at the group’s May 19 meeting.

Board member Dottie Perez said she was concerned that the benches and trees are not secure overnight and could easily be sto-len.

Blackson, who gave a presen-tation on the concept at the meet-ing, replied that the focus should be on flexibility and providing the best possible experience to park users.

“We design so often for the midnight drunk, and then every-body loses,” Blackson said.

Board member John Pinzini questioned whether giving up those parking spaces was a good idea.

Blackson replied that this experiment is a chance to see whether that parking is really necessary in the first place.

“Losing parking is an issue, but what do you gain? What do you get in return?” Blackson said. “If you’re angry all the time and you can’t find parking, just say no [to the project at the end of the experiment].”

Board member Margarita Cas-tro said she opposes the idea of

building something new without having the money to take care of it. Too often, someone starts something and then leaves the community to figure out how to take care of it, she said.

“There’s a lot of things in this library that need to be tended to,” Castro said. “Who’s going to take care of the cleaning [of the park] if they don’t take care of the cleaning of the library?”

Blackson said the library’s landscape maintenance crew would take care of any additional landscaping in the new plaza, and the Friends of the Linda Vis-ta Library would be responsible for upkeep on any of the furni-ture and other property that be-comes part of it.

They won’t have the help of the Civic Innovation Lab. Mayor Kevin Faulconer cut the depart-ment from the city’s 2014-2015 budget, and the City Council ratified that decision when they passed the budget earlier this month.

Thus, the Civic Innovation Lab will close its doors at the end of June, just a year after it opened. It won’t be able to provide any financial or professional support to Linda Placita, but Blackson hopes the plaza experiment will continue through May of 2015, at which point the community could decide whether to try to make it permanent or just scrap the whole thing in favor of a different kind of park somewhere else.

JeremyOgulEditor, Mission Valley News

Eight parking spaces were closed to create Linda Placita, an experimental plaza still under construction next to the Linda Vista library branch.

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014 11LINDA VISTA NEWS

has been difficult for us. We’re definitely open to ways and sup-port in being able to make that happen.

What happens to the people currently in the program?

Ethically, we are responsible for the well-being of the people that we serve. There’s no way that our agency would try to let these folks fall back onto the streets.

St. Vincent de Paul Village will do whatever it can to make sure that continued services are provided to these folks.

We don’t have any funding to take any more people. This is not a cheap project, but this is not a cheap group. They take an exces-sive amount of attention, an ex-cessive amount of work.

So we’ll have a whole (other) set of 25 people out here that will never experience that and another over $2 million that’s just going to get spent because the lights go out.

Liam Dillon is senior reporter and assistant editor for Voice of San Diego. Please contact him directly at liam.dillon@voiceof-sandiego.org or (619) 550-5663.

we got him into housing, it didn’t go well for him. He actually kind of freaked out, the four walls were getting into him and he ended up exiting that housing. But we stuck with him on the streets. We got him to go along with getting back into housing.

The issues that came up once we got him in housing is, what was going to prevent him from staying in housing? If he were to become over-intoxicated in the same matter he might have on the streets, that could pres-ent problems. Does he have anything to sustain himself? He had no income, or anything at all. Did he take proper care of his hygiene so that he wouldn’t get complaints from other neigh-bors? Does he know how to be a good tenant and a good neigh-bor? All of these things were the things we started working on once he was in housing.

We used to take him to his doctor’s appointment and in-stead of anticipating a crisis, we set up a weekly appointment in the clinic with him since he had a lot of health stuff going on. We would take him to that appoint-ment, we would show up at his door. We knew that he wouldn’t go if we just gave him the ap-pointment card.

Now he’s created a relation-ship with the doctor and now he goes to the doctor on his own. To watch that growth over time, and this took almost every bit of that three years to get to that point.

In that story there seems to have been a lot of hands-on, day-to-day work. Did you think it was going to be that way at the outset?

These are crisis-oriented folks. If you aren’t set up to address crisis, then you’re probably not going to make a big impact on folks like this.

You told me a story of someone who this has helped. Do you have a story of someone this hasn’t helped?

It depends on how you look at it. I’ve got some clients that haven’t changed a whole bunch from when I first got them in the project. They’re difficult to engage. They really value being able to do things on their own and therefore their recycle route

is more important than meeting with us. We have to chase them around sometimes. And they still basically act in some ways like a homeless person yet they come home to their apartment at night.

Somebody from the outside may come in and look at that and say, “Well you haven’t done much with these folks.” In some ways, you may be right. But you know what, these folks haven’t hit the hospital in I don’t know how long. They’ve been main-taining housing for going on three years right now and no-body has been able to engage them before this.

What’s the current funding situation?

It’s been really interesting. With the data that we have on what we’ve been able to accom-plish with this group, I think all of us thought that this is going to be no problem. We had raw, ex-act data. Not just client reports or surveys or something. Since the savings were incredible, we thought this was going to be a slam dunk.

When we started approaching the hospitals, they were very, very interested in what we were

doing. But when it came down to funding, there’s a lot of fears around funding a social service agency in the community. One of those fears may be that other social service agencies will come and feel like the hospitals are re-sponsible for that too. There’s a little bit of politics around those approaches.

We did have a commitment from one of the hospitals to pro-vide a portion. One of our ideas was that if the other hospitals were on board, and those equal portions were put in then we can continue to serve another 25 of these folks that are costing so much money.

We have a lot of irons in the fire. We’ve presented about this project across the community. Anybody that’s ever heard about it has expressed huge interest in the outcomes and what it was that we’re doing.

I know that over the last year two years, there has been a lot of discussion at the city about permanent or year-round fund-ing for the shelters and the tents and things like that. But Project 25 hasn’t really been as much of a part of that discussion. Why?

We have approached the city. We have approached the county.

They’re well aware of Project 25 and what it is that we do here. I think there’s been some conver-sations about potentially access-ing county funding to provide a housing-first approach. But these conversations don’t seem to get to where they need to be. Either they’re not falling on the right ears or their focus seems to be turned toward other things that are happening in the com-munity.

If this saves money for everyone involved, why does it seem to be so hard to find people to fund it?

It’s hard to say.I think right now the biggest

problem is not that people aren’t willing to fund this. It’s that a single agency is probably ner-vous about being the one to fund the whole thing. Our idea is if we can get the major hospitals together to provide a piece of it, the health plans together to pro-vide a piece of it, that collabora-tively it wouldn’t be a big impact on what they were spending, but we could still make a huge impact on what these costs are happening with these mega-users of the emergency services. Trying to get everybody on the same page and at the same table

Homeless, from page 2

Here’s a look at how Project 25 cut the number of arrests, ambulance rides and other uses of emergency services of its 34 participants in 2010 compared with last year.

12 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014LOCAL NEWS

A sudoku puzzle is a grid of nine by nine squares or cells, that has been subdivided into nine subgrids or “regions” of three by three cells.

The objective of sudoku is to enter a digit from 1 through 9

in each cell, in such a way that:

1. Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once2. Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once3. Each subgrid or region contains each digit exactly once

Sudoku

Try to fill in the missing numbers.Use the numbers 1 through 16 to complete the equations.

1. Each number is only used once.

2. Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation.

3. Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

Math Squares

1. Start in the center of the maze.

2. Get to the exit on the left as fast as possible.

3. If you make it to the exit on your first try, congratulations!

Maze Escape

ANSWERS ON PAGE 16 ANSWERS ON PAGE 16 ANSWERS ON PAGE 16

NeWs from The mAyor’s offiCeKevin

Mayor,City of San Diego

Faulconer

Potholes. Potholes. Potholes.It’s the Number One com-

plaint I hear from San Diegans on a daily basis.

It doesn’t matter whether you live in Mission Valley, Scripps Ranch or San Ysidro, the condition of our city streets leaves much to be desired.

That’s why one of the top priorities of my first 100 days as your Mayor has been to ad-dress this problem head-on.

As we all know, we have a huge backlog of street repairs and neighborhood projects to address. There is no greater challenge to this City. Over the past decade, we couldn’t afford to pay for these important proj-ects.

Our streets crumbled. Street-lights flickered. And, yes, potholes grew. Our City’s in-frastructure fell further and further behind.

It’s no surprise that our City was recently ranked sixth in the country for potholes.

But now, we’ve turned a cor-ner. That’s thanks to the finan-cial reforms enacted by San Diego voters and the fiscal dis-cipline in my proposed budget.

Now my job is to rebuild San Diego for the future. And I mean that in the most literal way. I vowed to make infra-structure a top priority for the City. That’s exactly what I’ve done in my “One San Diego” budget plan and filling more potholes is a big part of that.

But throwing money at the problem isn’t the only solution. We’re also being smarter about

how we fill potholes.One example is the Pothole

Repair Crews, one of several programs that will be enhanced in my “One San Diego” budget.

The City used to take a scat-tershot approach to fixing pot-holes. A complaint would come in and a crew would go out and fix it. Then they would go to the next complaint, even if it was halfway across the city.

We’re not doing that any-more. We still collect all those complaints, but we dispatch a crew to a specific neighborhood for the day. The crew then stays there until all the potholes in that neighborhood are filled – even if they haven’t been re-ported.

It’s a common-sense change that has led to a quantum leap forward in how we fix the pot-hole problem.

The program is working so well I recently announced that we’re adding 16 full-time posi-tions to tackle potholes big and small. This staffing increase is projected to double the amount of asphalt repair citywide each year. We’re going to turn 200,000 square feet of potholes into smooth roads for all San Diegans.

The bottom line is we are moving forward to aggressive-ly rebuild San Diego. And the projects are spread across the City so every neighborhood will benefit from the spending in-creases.

That’s how we create “One San Diego.”

As your Mayor, I promise to keep my focus squarely on in-frastructure until every neigh-borhood has smooth streets and bright streetlights. San Diegans deserve no less.

kidney just months after his kidneys stopped functioning. That was because his friend of 20 years, J.R. Raines, donated his own healthy kidney.

Raines, 52, was one of 24 people who donated a kidney through Sharp Memorial Hospital’s live kidney donor program in 2013.

The hospital, which had more live kidney donors than any other hospital in San Diego last year, held an event in Mission Valley on June 5 to recognize its donors.

Though initial tests showed Raines and Rodriguez were a perfect match for a direct transplant, subsequent blood transfusions changed the composition of Rodriguez’s blood, increasing the chance that his immune system would reject Raines’ kidney.

The mismatch turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The National Kidney Registry found another compatible recipient in need of Raines’ kidney. They also found another compatible living donor for Rodriguez. The exchange worked out as a “chain reaction” that enabled three patients in three different states to receive a kidney from a live donor, including Rodriguez.

“We’ve been doing a fair amount of transplants like that over the past five years,” said Dr. Barry Browne, medical director of Sharp Memorial Hospital’s abdominal transplantation program.

Most kidney transplants come from recently deceased donors, but a kidney transplanted from a healthy living donor has a better chance of being accepted by the recipient’s body, Browne said.

Researchers so far have been unable to determine the exact reasons why, but one possible explanation is that transplants from deceased donors are usually made suddenly. The recipient usually has little time to prepare, and the organ they receive was sometimes recently involved in a traumatic accident.

A transplant from a living donor, on the other hand, gives both the donor and the recipient

time to prepare both mentally and physically, he said.

The challenge now is to get more healthy people to donate a kidney.

“For everyone who has a kidney, there’s somebody out there who needs a kidney transplant,” Browne said.

Longer lifespans have increased the need for living donors, because the kidneys coming from deceased donors are older, on average, than they used to be. Recipients are better off with a kidney from a middle-aged person than an elderly person, but more than half of deceased kidney donors were older than 55 years at their time of death, Browne said.

The gap between supply and demand has only grown in recent decades. In 1990, when Sharp Memorial Hospital’s transplant program began, the wait for a kidney transplant was about one year, said Dr. Steven M. Steinberg, medical director for Sharp Memorial’s kidney and pancreas transplant program.

Now, with more obesity, hypertension and diabetes, the U.S. has more patients on dialysis than ever: 400,000.

“My statistic now is that if you’re of a certain blood type and

you’re in San Diego, you’re going to be waiting five to seven years,” Steinberg said. “Living donors allow us to transplant people faster and take the people who don’t have a donor and move them up the list.”

While about 100,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant in the U.S., only about 14,000 kidney transplants were performed last year, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

“I almost felt guilty going through this procedure,” said Rodriguez, a retired corrections officer who lives in La Mesa. “There are so many people out there who have been going through this for years.”

That includes Rodriguez’s twin sister, who has been receiving dialysis treatments for eight years. They both suffer from polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder that often leads to kidney failure. Rodriguez hopes to find his sister a transplant as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Rodriguez enjoys life free of dialysis, and Raines has not experienced any residual effects from his operation.

“I think if more people knew what an impact this can have on the recipient, and how little effect it has on the donor, more people would donate,” Raines said.

Kidney, from page 1

Dr. Barry Browne, director of abdominal transplant at Sharp Memorial Hospital, speaks with living donor Diane Brockington.

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014 13LOCAL NEWS

The lessons of the 2003 and 2007 firestorms saved homes and lives.

THE FIRES COULD HAvE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE

Fire and emergency officials in San Diego County, and across the state, are breathing huge sighs of relief in the wake of the fires that hit the county

earlier this month.The lessons learned from the 2003 and 2007 fire-

storms, and the mechanisms put in place in the wake of those disasters, stood us in good stead when this wave of fires hit. Fire officials were able to call upon resources that were only dreamed of in 2003, and were only partly available in 2007.

The final numbers of the three fires tell the story con-vincingly.

DougCurleeMission Valley News

In 2003, the Cedar and Paradise fires consumed just over 400,000 acres, more than 2,400 homes, and most tragically, 17 lives.

2007 brought the Witch Creek and Harris fires, which cost us over 337,000 acres, almost 1,500 homes, and 10 human lives.

May 2014 cost us 27,000 acres, most of it aboard Camp Pendleton, about two dozen structures, and only one death - apparently a transient man caught up when a known homeless encampment burned.

Conditions last month were much the same as they were in both 2003 and 2007 - howling Santa Ana winds and drought-dried brush eager to burn.

Why did we escape comparatively easily? There were a number of reasons, all equally important.

If we heard that phrase once in all the interviews and news conferences, we heard it a hundred times, and deservedly so.

“Within the past decade, we have an incredible mix of defensible space and building code improvements that have saved many of those homes we might have lost

See WILDFIRES page 16

14 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014LOCAL NEWSfamily-owned restaurants celebrate milestoneJeremyOgulMission Valley News

This June is a month of milestone anniversaries for several dining establishments in the Mission

Valley area: Sombrero Mexican Food is celebrating its 30th anniversary, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza is celebrating its 25th anniversary and Benchmark Brewing Company is celebrating its first anniversary.

We talked with the owners of these establishment about why they chose to open in Mission Valley and what has kept them open for so long.

Sombrero Mexican FoodThirty years ago Javier Correa, Sr.

opened the first Sombrero Mexican Food restaurant in the Golden Hill area. He opened additional Sombrero restaurants in more than a dozen other locations before opening the Sombrero Mexican Food in Mission Valley in 1996.

Sombrero was one of the original tenants of the Rio Vista Shopping Center on Rio San Diego Drive.

Though the center has gone through many changes — such as the departure of the original anchor store, K-Mart, as well as significant population growth in the valley — Sombrero has endured, feeding the hungry lunchtime masses that pour in every day from the numerous nearby office buildings.

In fact, the Mission Valley Sombrero stands out among the company’s 18 locations because of its high volume of sales during the lunch hour, said Javier Correa, Jr., Sombrero’s vice president and general manager.

“We sometimes literally get a line out the door at lunch time,” Correa said.

Most of those customers order the carne asada burrito, California burrito, rolled tacos or carne asada fries, which are the top-selling items on the menu, Correa said.

“Those are kind of the San Diego staples when it comes to Mexican food,” he said.

But Sombrero has a large menu, some of which gets less attention that it deserves. For customers interested in branching out from the usual, Correa recommends the chile verde burrito, filled with slow-cooked pork slathered in a homemade green sauce.

“It’s a real, authentic chile verde. It’s kind of unique to even find at a quick-serve restaurant,” Correa said.

The Sombrero restaurant in Grantville opened around the same time as the one in Mission Valley, and the Grantville store has a similar profile with heavy mid-day traffic coming from the nearby hospitals and businesses along the Mission Gorge Road corridor.

In celebration of 30 years as a family-owned San Diego business, Sombero restaurants will offer an anniversary special on Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The promotion will include discounts, giveaways, raffles and a contest to win a vacation for two to Cabo San Lucas.

Sammy’s Woodfired PizzaMission Valley’s central location

and “perfect mix” of residences and businesses drew Sami Ladeki to open a Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza at the Park Valley Center shopping center when it was built in 1997.

Just a few steps from the Mission Valley Center trolley stop, the shopping center on Camino de la Reina had a particular appeal, and the restaurant space Sammy’s now occupies there had an unusual shape with appealing architectural features, Ladeki said.

The history of the Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza chain goes back 25 years to 1989, when Ladeki opened the first restaurant in La Jolla. The restaurant now has 19 locations in Southern California and Nevada and another opening soon in the Sacramento area.

Though pizza is featured prominently in the restaurant’s name and on its menu, Sammy’s actually sells more salads than anything else, Ladeki said.

Staying current has always been a key to the restaurant’s success. These days, local craft beers are among the

most frequently-ordered alcoholic beverages, Ladeki said, and the food menu is full of options for guests on organic, gluten-free and vegan diets.

One item on the menu that deserves more attention, according to Ladeki, is the “Yummy Honey Cheese” pizza, which combines mild sheep’s milk cheese, orange blossom honey and organic oregano on a thin, crispy crust.

Benchmark BrewingIt’s been a year since professional

brewer Matt Akin opened Benchmark Brewing Co. out of a Grantville warehouse.

Benchmark has carved out a niche in the burgeoning San Diego craft beer market with a focus on producing session beers, which have a relatively low alcohol by volume but retain the full flavor of beers with higher alcohol content.

Benchmark stuffed its June calendar with events to celebrate the occasion.

On June 15, the brewery will host a Sunday brunch to benefit PAWS San Diego, a non-profit organization that provides free pet food to low-

income families. The brunch will feature pastries, prepared by the nearby Donut Panic shop, paired with Benchmark’s Wee Heavy beer. Doggy Beer bones, a company that makes pet treats out of spent brewing grain, will sell their treats and offer a percentage of the day’s sales to PAWS San Diego.

On June 22, the brewery will host another Sunday brunch, this time to benefit the San Diego River Park Foundation. The menu that day will include food prepared by Dog Go Gus, paired with the release of Benchmark’s San Diego 71 Imperial IPA. Proceeds from a silent auction of artworks from the September Wren art show currently hanging on the walls of Benchmark’s tasting room will be donated to the San Diego River Park Foundation along with a portion of sales from the day’s brunch.

The brewery is also hosting viewing parties for the World Cup games throughout the months of June and July. Check the calendar at www.benchmarkbrewing.com for tasting room hours on World Cup game days.

An old photo of Sami Ladeki standing in front of the original Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza in La Jolla.

The art on the walls of Benchmark Brewing Company’s tasting room will be auctioned off to support the San Diego River Park Foundation later this month.

LIBRARY EVENTS

EDITORJeremy Ogul, ext. 127Jeremy@MissionPublishingGroup.com

PUBLISHERMission Publishing Group, LLCJim MadafferJim@MissionValleyNews.com

ADVERTISING MANAGERBecky Suffridge, ext. 140Becky@ScoopSanDiego.com

CREATIVE DIRECTORTodd Kammer, ext. 144Graphics@MissionPublishingGroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKelly Ostrem • Gina Cord

MUSIC WRITERJen Van Tieghem, ext. 141Jen@ScoopSanDiego.com

MissionValleyNews.com6549 Mission Gorge Road #199San Diego, CA 92120 • 619.291.0200

Mission VALLEY nEWs

publishers ofMission TiMes Courier

la Mesa Courier

Circulation: 15,000. Published 12 times in 2013 and delivered throughout our circulation area of Mission Valley, San Diego, California by Mission Publishing Group, LLC. Clas-sified ads and articles must be submitted by mail, e-mail or dropped off at our business address, 6549 Mission Gorge Road #199, San Diego 92120.Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements or material submitted which are deemed to be objectionable. Publisher’s liability for errors: Mission Valley News assumes no financial liability for errors nor for omission of copy and upon request will furnish a letter of correction to the advertiser. The Publisher, Mission Publishing Group, LLC., shall not be liable for any error in published advertising unless an advertiser proof is requested in writing 12 days prior to publication date and clearly marked for corrections. If the error is not corrected by the Publisher, the liability, if any, shall not exceed the space occupied for the error. Further, the Publisher shall not be liable for any omission of an advertisement ordered to be published. On written request, Publisher shall reschedule and run the omitted advertisement at the advertiser’s cost. All claims for adjustment must be made in writing within 30 days of the date of publication. In no case shall the Publisher be liable for any

general, special or consequential damages.Equal Housing Opportunity: Real estate advertising in Mission Valley News is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Mission Valley News will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. This is to notify Mission Valley News readers that all dwellings adver-tised in Mission Valley News are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or TTY at 1-800-927-9275.News and information printed in Mission Valley News is obtained from sources consid-ered to be reliable, but accuracy on information sent to the paper cannot be guaranteed. Articles and opinions of writers or letters to the editor that are submitted for publication to the Mission Valley News are the views of the writers and should not be considered the views of the publisher. Content of paid advertisements is solely the responsibility of the advertiser. © 2007–2013, all rights reserved.

oUr neXT issUe The next issue of the Mission Valley News comes out Friday, July 11. The advertising deadline is Saturday, June 28.

Linda Vista Branch Library is located at 2160 Ulric St., San Diego.

Visit lindavistalibrary.org or facebook.com/lvlibrary.

The library is open Monday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 12:30 to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Linda Vista Planning Group General MeetingMonday, June 23, 5:30 p.m.This is an open meeting of the Linda Vista Planning Group. The public is encouraged to attend. Election of Officers will be held at the meeting for those seeking a leadership role on the Planning Group board.

Chinese Storytime with KailiSaturdays, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Come enjoy exciting stories told in Chinese!

Homework HelpWednesdays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Kids: need help getting your homework done? Our tutors will assist you! They specialize in English, Math, Science, and History. First come, first served.

Hopscotch Tiny Tots StorytimeTuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.Join Miss Kim for a great time with music, stories and crafts for babies and toddlers.

Morning Storytime with KathieMondays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children and their families are

invited to join us for stories, rhymes, and songs.

Storytime with Mr. Luan Fridays, 10:30 to 11:10 a.m.Please join us for an energetic storytime that’s both fun, interactive, and educational! The session will include singing and maybe a little dancing!

Storytime with andieSaturdays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Stretch your imagination! Enjoy a story told energetically!

Toddler Yoga StorytimeFirst Thursday of the month, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.Toddlers will enjoy the calming, meditative effects of yoga while interacting with their parents and the other children participating.

Vietnamese Storytime with VyFriday, June 27 and Sunday, July 27, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.Come enjoy exciting stories told in Vietnamese!

Assemblymember Weber’s Mobile OfficeMonday, June 16, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Connect with Assemblymember Weber’s staff here in your com-munity, and get help with any problems you are having with public agencies, ask questions about legislation, and learn about state and local services. Issues that staff can assist with include renter’s and homeowner’s assistance programs, property tax is-sues, consumer complaints, and unemployment and disability insurance. No need to make an appointment, just stop in!

Summer Reading Program: Pig’s Eye PuppetsThursday, June 19, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m Our Summer Reading Program kicks off with a performance by Pig’s Eye Puppets, one of the most entertaining, original, and beautiful puppet shows in California. This puppet show is ap-propriate for all ages.

Film Forum: Grand PianoWednesday, June 25, 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Pulse-pounding potboiler from Spanish director Eugenio Mira. A former piano prodigy (Elijah Wood), returning to public per-formance after a meltdown, finds a string of menacing messages from an unseen assassin (John Cusack). One wrong note . . . and so begins a devilish game of cat-and-mouse. 90 minutes, discus-sion to follow.

Summer Reading Program: Bayou BrothersThursday, June 26, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A Summer Reading Program special appearance by San Diego’s favorite zydeco band. This performance is LOUD, but appropri-ate for all ages. Bring your dancing shoes!

“ask the Lawyer” Free Legal ClinicTuesday, July 1, 6 to 7 p.m. Join attorney Mark Miller the first Tuesday of every month to talk about your legal issues, and learn your options. No appoint-ment is necessary, just show up with your questions.

Paws for ReadingSecond and fourth Mondays 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.New readers can get some valuable practice time with a very non-judgmental certified therapy dog, courtesy of the non-profit Love on a Leash. Try out those longer words – dogs don’t care if you get them wrong, they just want to hear you read!

Baby Signs Storytime:First and third Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.mParents often wonder, “What is my baby thinking?” There is a way to find out: teaching your baby some basic signs using Amer-ican Sign Language will fill the gap. Communication is said to be the foundation of a solid relationship; learning to sign with your baby will build that bond early and provide you a bridge from infancy to childhood.

Toddler StorytimeFridays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Storytime designed for toddlers, featuring songs, rhymes, and fingerplays.

Yoga for adults and TeensTuesdays, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Are you looking for a workout program that’s easy to learn, re-quires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? If strengthening your cardiovascular system, toning and stretching your muscles, and improving your mental fitness are on your to-do list, than yoga is for you!

Yoga for KidsFirst and third Mondays, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.Kids will learn how to calm and quiet themselves , develop strong & healthy bodies, and set a foundation for life-long well-being in a relaxed and fun environment.

zumba BasicMondays, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.Join the Zumba craze! Find out what makes this fun workout such a hit. A towel and bottled water are recommended for our Zumba sessions.

zumba GoldFridays, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.Zumba Gold is a lower impact version of our Zumba Basic class on Mondays, but just as fun!

GET INVOLVED!

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014 15

SEND IN THE MARINESIt was a little slow getting

started, but once the formal emergency declarations cleared the way, the 3rd Marine Air Wing fired up its MH-46 he-licopters, and a couple of the gigantic HH-53s, and started attacking the flames in conjunc-tion with the sheriff’s choppers, the city’s fire helicopters, and the CalFire fixed-wing bombers. Marine air crews flew almost 300 hours over civilian fires, as well as fighting their own fires aboard Camp Pendleton. With-out them, things might not have worked out so well.

FINALLY - WE GOT LUCKYWe did not expect California’s

fire season to start in May, but it did. In 2003 and 2007, we were more or less on our own, because those happened in the regular fire season in the late summer and fall. This time, we had the only major fires in the whole state, and that freed up firefighters and fire rigs from all over the state to roll south to help us. We saw rigs from not only our adjacent counties, but from as far away as the Central Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area.

More than 5,000 firefighters were on the lines.

We may not be so lucky the next time - and, with the ongo-ing drought only getting worse, fire experts tell us there will be a next time this year.

There may be more than one.

SUDOKU ANSWERS FROM P. 13

MATH ANSWERS FROM P. 13

MAZE ANSWER FROM P. 13

Wildfires, from page 14

Photo Credit: Nick Morris, The Image Group Photography

before,” says CalFire Assistant Chief Thom Porter.

I was almost constantly on the fire lines in both 2003 and 2007, and there was one thing all of us out there saw and re-ported on constantly. That was the fact that homes burned by the hundreds because highly flammable vegetation had been allowed to grow up right along property lines. In Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo, developments were built essen-tially in forests of eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus trees not only burn easily, but they explode as well. Their sap boils and ex-pands. I saw exploding trees throw burning embers more than a hundred feet onto roofs and eaves.

Changes in state law now mandate 100-foot cleared zones around property, instead of the old 30 feet, and that was a ma-jor factor everywhere this time around. Those changes also outlawed shake shingle wooden roofs, and that was another ma-jor saving grace.

COMMUNICATIONSOne of the enduring images

in my mind from the 2003 fire-storms was a scene at a gas sta-tion at state Route 52 and Con-voy Street. We were drinking water and talking to a federal firefighting crew that had been sent to help out the city fire-fighters. They were suited up, equipped, and ready to work.

They had absolutely no idea

where to go, and absolutely no way to contact anyone for or-ders. Cell phones were hit or miss - mostly miss - and they had no common radio frequency with anyone.

The ability to communicate now is light years ahead of even 2007, because officials and poli-ticians who appropriate money saw that seamless communica-tions ability can make all the

difference in jumping on fires before they have a chance to re-ally get roaring, and to dispatch ground and air elements on the flames much faster and more accurately.

Much of the battle was waged from the county’s Emergency Operations Center in Kearny Mesa, and it worked well. Un-like previous firestorms, just about every agency involved in the battle was present and participating, and that kept ev-eryone on the same page in the playbook. There were no juris-dictional fights, no mixed mes-sages. That had been a problem in earlier fires.

16 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — JUNE 13, 2014LOCAL NEWS