2013 Feb-Mar - Rolando Community Council

Volume 6, No. 1
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013
The
A Publication of the Rolando Community Council
17TH ANNUAL ROLANDO STREET FAIR!
The 17th Annual Rolando Street
Fair erupts Sunday, March 24, 10
a.m.-6 p.m. on Rolando Blvd. between El Cajon and Solita Ave. This
year it’s been moved up a week from
its usual last Sunday in March so as
not to conflict with Easter. Mark
your calendars!
Street Fair 2013 has another great
musical line-up, this year 100 percent local! We’ll be introducing a
really cool kid rock band called Victims of Authority. Composed of four 11- and 12- year-olds who are influenced by rock legends such as ACDC, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith and the
Stones as well as more recent guitar-driven bands like Green Day, the group
features Rolando native Cole Purdy on drums.
Neveready -- also featuring a Rolando native, Jay Sanchioli on bass -will blow you away. Locked out of Eden promises intriguing melodies and
powerful poetic lyrics with roots in Alternative and Metal. Bringing the
sunshine once again will be the amazing Quino from Big Mountain with his
full band. Wrapping up this rockin’ day will be the always funky Len
Rainey and the Midnight Players.
Rolando Street Fair has a new Facebook page: https://
www.facebook.com/RolandoStreetFair2013. Check it out, “Like” it, and tell
a friend! We’ll be sharing information about bands, vendors, and locals
who help out with the event. Remember, more than 100 vendor booths and
Quino from Big Mountain. Photo
non-profit community organizations will be participating with handmade courtesy of www.RolandoVillage.com.
items for sale, delicious food, and services to offer. Don’t miss the updates!
This ambitious event depends upon support from the College Area Business Improvement District, College
Neighborhoods Foundation, the great volunteers who make it happen and upon funding from the City Arts
and Culture Commission and the office of Council member Marti Emerald, for all of which RCC is grateful.
Volunteers are needed on the day of the Street Fair and to distribute advance flyers and posters in the
neighborhood. If you can assist in either activity, please contact Jerrett Emmerick at [email protected] or call Sandi Buehner at (619) 917-2577. For more information and vendor applications,
please visit www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org.
RCC Coming Events
Tuesday, February 19: Focus on RCC by President Daniel Anderson
Tuesday, March 19: The Kroc Center | A Resource in Rolando
Meetings at Clay School Auditorium – 6506 Solita
Social gathering at 6:30 p.m., Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Page 1
IN THE BEGINNING, ROLANDO
Peaceful and friendly? Today, maybe. But
historian James D. Newland, who addressed
the January RCC meeting, reveals that Rolando’s checkered past had its big schemers
and big dreamers whose land speculations
ended in abysmal failure and financial distress for home buyers lured by extravagant
claims.
A historian for California State Parks,
Newland, a San Diego State University graduate, and his wife Jennifer lived in Rolando
from 1994 to 2003. Intrigued by the “unique
mix of 1920s streets and 1940s houses,” he
embarked on the research that has become
the Rolando History Project. These are some
of his findings:
“Rolando” burst on the scene in a June
1926 advertisement: “‘City of Rolando.’ San
Diego’s Largest Residential Project, The Only
subdivision on Two Main Highways – ‘Where
In the mid-1930s families flocked to the Rolando Real Estate building.
you will love to live!’” Developers hoped the
Photo courtesy of www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu.
name would conjure up “the rolling topography,” with the “d-o” added to sound romantically Spanish. A free barbeque and festivities reportedly attracted
more than 8,000 people to the sales launch. More barbecues, ice cream socials, flamenco dancers, opera singers, skydivers and the like followed. Sidewalks, lights and roads were begun. By June 1927 the first few
houses were started along Rolando Boulevard and what is now Aragon, a number that had reached about a
dozen by the end of 1928.
But while competing developments in Kensington Heights, La Jolla and Point Loma were booming, Rolando’s inaccessibility by bus and trolley lines dampened interest. Investors came and went. A syndicate’s
improper use of a state law intended to fund improvements for established subdivisions through bond sales
left the handful of home owners in largely undeveloped Rolando facing taxes many times greater than the
worth of their own property. Not until 1938 was the burden eased by passage of a county bond act and reassessments. A “Bond Burning” celebration, complete with yet another barbecue, beauty queen and the Hoover
High Marching Band, marked the commencement of plans to clear all debt for Rolando.
As the area emerged from the Depression and military contracts bolstered the aircraft industry, a new syndicate with an enticing sales pitch -- newly named Rolando Village would offer all city amenities without city
taxes -- found receptive buyers. By August 1940 new houses would total 192 with 30 more under construction. While most of the Rolando houses from 1927-28 were Spanish colonial, the architecture of these small
pre-war houses was eclectic, drawing from a broad range of revival styles.
Amid the post-war housing boom, Rolando expanded west into former open fields and hills up to newly
extended College Avenue. Small shopping centers and retail shops began to appear, heralded by the 1948
construction of the Campus Drive-in at El Cajon and College with its flamboyant neon baton-twirling majorette.
During the growth which followed, Newland says, “The suburban design of the Rolando Village area with
its 1920s streetlights and curved streets allowed for retention of its majority older single-family homes.” At
the same time, he hails such projects as the Rolando Community Street Fair for keeping the neighborhood vital and growing.
If you’re curious about the history of your own house and lot, stop off at the College Neighborhoods Foundation booth at this year’s Street Fair. Jim will be there with information on every building tract in Rolando
including original selling prices and the builder.
Missing from Newland’s chronicle, he says, “are the people’s stories.” He invites those with photographs,
memorabilia or memories to share to contact him by phone at (619)-203-2957 or e-mail [email protected].
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013, Page 2
LA VERNE HINTZE REMEMBERED
ROLANDO NIGHT OUT
Family and friends
of La Verne Hintze, a
Rolando
resident
from 1965 until her
recent death at the
age of 89, gathered in
mid-December
to
celebrate her memory by decorating the
lamp post in front of
her home on Aragon
Drive with ornaments and plants.
They sang a carol
there, shared remembrances at a reception and then walked together to
take in the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.
La Verne, who walked the neighborhood every
day and enjoyed decorating for all holidays, made
such a tour a part of her Christmas tradition.
Anna Falco speaks of La Verne’s “bright colorful
self who inspired everyone.”
February’s
“Rolando
Night
Out” is Thursday,
Feb. 28, the last day
of this short month.
We will gather at
Lisko’s
Artisan
Deli and Fish Market at the corner of
El Cajon Blvd. and
Rolando Blvd. Come
anytime between 6
and 8 p.m.
This is a Rolando spot not to be missed for a
meal, a sandwich, soup or salad...or to take home
the fixings to produce your own delicious dining.
Owner Kosta Houdalakis will generously donate
half of the proceeds to RCC.
In March it’s “Lights out.” Instead, we urge you
all to party at the Rolando Street Fair on Sunday
March 24.
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013, Page 3
FEBRUARY/MARCH RCC MEETINGS
What in the world is the Rolando Community
Council up to? And what do you want do about it?
The February 19 general meeting will focus on the
direction of our growing and evolving organization,
the lengthening list of activities we currently support, projects proposed by the board, and ideas that
you have for future undertakings. “We are always
looking for fresh ideas, talent, and energy to make
our activities even better,” RCC President Daniel
Anderson explains. “This will be a great opportunity
for you and your family to come with suggestions
and find out how you can get involved.”
The March 19 meeting will feature KROC Center
representatives in a discussion of what their mission
of community engagement means for Rolando.
All general meeting are held the third Tuesday of
the month at Clay Elementary School. Meet-n-greet
time begins at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments,
and business begins at 7 p.m. We look forward to
seeing you!
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013, Page 4
PRINCIPAL AND CLAY PUPILS SCALE THE HEIGHTS
By Aimee Lee Cheek
Principal Valerie Voss wants Clay Elementary
pupils to climb high. She challenged them to read
a combined total of 10,000 books in the last year.
If they were on track at the midway point, she
promised to grant any request within reason.
They asked her to dress up like a rock star and
stand on the school roof. Complete with wild
green wig, she did. The kids – about 250 from pre
-kindergarten to fifth grade — read 10,000 books.
It’s possibly the wackiest incentive that Voss
and her creative staff have devised to increase student achievement, but it’s far from the only one.
And they are getting exciting results.
Offerings at the widely diverse Rolando school
include GATE (Gifted and Talented Education),
English language learners, Special Education, Title
1 and free after-hours childcare. Over the past five
years, the Academic Performance Index (API), the
state accountability system, has registered an improvement from 2 to 5.9. A 43-point boost in test
scores last year and continuing improvement this
year show “our programs are working,” Voss says.
“Our students are gaining confidence and knowledge at an impressive level.”
There is tutoring and a computer lab for math
and reading skills, in which families can participate. In celebration of Honor Roll students, a red
carpet is unrolled and they march before family
and friends. To promote confidence through creativity, art teacher Christina Snell joined the faculty
last fall. Wherever you look, walls bloom with student paintings with Picasso-like renderings especially evident. Mask-making based on indigenous
African art is underway.
Valerie Voss puts a high premium on family involvement through an array of programs. Especially successful are Family Fridays, when relatives
and friends meet in classrooms to read with their
student. Vital support also comes through community partnerships with groups like the Kroc
Center, Sunrise Optimist Club and, this year,
eighteen volunteers from the Naval Amphibious
Base in Coronado.
The reading goal is 10,000 books again this
year. So far the kids are on target. Will the school
principal mount the roof again? Voss, not keen
about heights, hopes she won’t. But she’s willing if
that’s what it takes to keep children learning. She
welcomes RCC and other community volunteers to
bring their energies to the exciting quest.
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Clay School Principal Valerie Voss (left) and art teacher
Christina Snell stand before a display of students’ artwork.
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013, Page 5
ROLANDO COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS
Utility Boxes along El Cajon Blvd. Have you noticed? The College Area Business Improvement District (BID) has sponsored an extension of the utility box art project that RCC and the College Neighborhoods
Foundation funded along University Avenue. Students from Platt College on El Cajon Blvd. have been hard at
work creating art installations on the boxes. Our thanks to the BID and the students, and to Jerry Calderon
who shepherded the University Avenue project.
Rolando Acorn Lamp Posts. The acorn lamp post painting project has been completed! The volunteer
effort organized by Lerissa Patrick got this project off the ground, but was interrupted by the city due to safety
concerns. Hats off to the many volunteers who became expert painters under Lerissa’s tutelage. You made a
big difference in your community! And a hearty thanks to Marti Emerald’s office for shepherding city completion of the project.
Support a traffic safety improvement on Rolando Blvd. Rolando resident Michelle Slingerland is
working with the City of San Diego to explore traffic safety options that would help decrease the rate of speed
at which people drive down Rolando Blvd. After worrying about this problem for years, Michelle was finally
motivated to take action after a speeding car lost control in front of her home, totaling her and her next door
neighbor's cars, and causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to her husband's car and front yard
(thankfully, no one was hurt!). Of course, it's going to take the support of neighbors like you to get a traffic
safety improvement approved and installed! If you have had similar experiences from speeding drivers or just
support such an improvement to our neighborhood in general and are willing to share your name with Councilmember Marti Emerald's office, please contact Michelle at (619) 277-3927 or [email protected].
Thank you!
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013, Page 6
COMINGS AND GOINGS IN ROLANDO
RCC Used Book Sales. The first Saturday of every month, weather permitting, loyal RCC volunteers rise
early, move mountains of books, and conduct sales of used books to one and all. Come to the Rite-Aid/Post
Office parking lot on El Cajon Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tons of books! Great bargains! Stop by and say
hello or volunteer! Help is always needed. To volunteer, contact Doug Lister [email protected]
or call (619) 261-5895. Last year these sales made almost $2,000 to support RCC projects.
Holiday Party Jolly Success. Three hundred revelers of all ages enjoyed dinner, music, song and Santa
at the RCC community celebration on Dec. 18. Many heartfelt thanks are due here: to the RCC Events Committee; to the jolly old elf; to the three accomplished musical groups: Rolandian Rhonda Johnson and Terry
Harrison, Rolandian Joe Felton and his classical quartet and the Clay School second grade chorus (they did
steal the show). Let us not forget the local restaurants who generously provided excellent dinner fare: Bistro/
Sixty (formerly San Diego Desserts), Bridges, Cheba Hut, Garden Fresh Grill and Smoothie, Haritna Mediterranean, Lisko’s Artisan Deli and Fish Market, the Living Room, Next Door, Jamaican Flavor/Ready Veggie,
and Terra American Bistro. And last, but hardly least, all the neighbors who shared their holiday treats.
Umm, yum, hard to wait until next year for more!
Changes in RCC Board. The RCC board has accepted the resignation of Supi Bhullar as an RCC Director. We applaud him for the energy and enthusiasm he brought to the board and wish him well. The board
has appointed Doug Lister to complete Supi’s term. Doug is a familiar face on the board, having served previously as a director and vice president. Welcome back to the board, Doug!
Spring Home Tour. Save the date! College Neighborhoods Foundation Home Tour featuring the community of El Cerrito on Saturday, April 6, from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Fundraising Gala Dinner is planned in
historic 1920's home in El Cerrito on Friday evening, April 5. Contact Sandi Buehner for more information
(619) 462-1059.
Over 60? Need more exercise? All comers are welcome at the ballroom dance classes Tuesdays at 2:00
p.m. (free) and Zumba Gold classes Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. ($6) at the College Area Center of Jewish Family
Services of San Diego, 4855 College Avenue. Visit the center to explore their many offerings or visit their website www.jfssd.org/cac to view their monthly calendar.
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013, Page 7
ROLANDO COMMUNITY SERVICES
Let’s support our neighbors who offer a variety of services. Any Rolando Community Council members with
small businesses are welcome to appear on this page free of charge. Email info to [email protected]. Look at
all the talent we have close at hand!
Dee Patty — Giggling Heights Daycare, based in her Rolando home. GHDC provides loving care and
creative play year round for your little ones. (619) 990-6511.
Jeff Wilson — Wilson Woodscape. Full service landscape construction company specializing in decks,
fences and patio covers. License #945974. (619) 838-1398.
David Clarke — Water-wise landscape and garden design. Design of low water Mediterranean-type residential landscapes (specializing in California native plants). www.davidclarkedesign.com.
Email:
[email protected], or call (619) 582-3752.
Jolyne L. Harris — PhotOptions Photography. At your location within San Diego and portable studio
available. www.facebook.com/PhotOptions. [email protected] or call (619) 500-6336.
Amy Zink — Edible Garden Consultant/Coach. Design Solutions & Education for a thriving & productive edible landscape. www.greenpeagardens-sd.com or call (619) 300-0713.
Wenonah Wilcox — Board certified acupuncturist. Special discount for Rolando neighbors. Patients
seen in home office and available for house-calls. (619) 261-4570.
Brenda King — Integrative Fitness Nursing. Licensed RN fitness expert. Maximize fitness goals, reduce
your waistline, and restore health. New: Gentle Fitness Classes, B12 shots, Lawn Yoga.
www.IntegrativeFitnessNursing.com (619) 200-1911.
Patty Delgadillo — Certified Trainer and Massage Therapist. Teaches lifestyle changes in diet, exercise and daily activities to achieve fitness goals. (619) 865-3880.
Aleah Cohen — Teen Babysitter. Energetic, responsible and fun. CPR and First Aid certified. Is available
to babysit for your children. (619) 246-7993.
Sean LaPerruque — Music Teacher. Take violin, viola and/or piano from an experienced professional
performer with teaching experience. [email protected] or (858) 722-5249.
Karen Sherman — Renovating Woman, Inc. Home repair and improvement services for women home
owners. Plumbing, tile, wall repair, and light electrical. “One Hour Free” gift certificate for new customers!
[email protected] or (619) 249-6223.
www.rolandocommunitycouncil.org
Feb. 2013-Mar. 2013, Page 8