Sept. 14, 2012 - San Diego Uptown News

Transcription

Staring at the sun
Volume 4
issue 19
Page
Sept. 14–Sept. 27, 2012
13
Follow us on
Facebook and Twitter
Old Town • Mission Hills • Bankers Hill
➤➤ news p. 4
Hillcrest • University Heights • Normal Heights • North Park • South Park • Golden Hill • Kensington • Talmadge
New biking initiatives take to streets
Business districts and residents begin push to claim ‘America’s most bike-friendly city’
University Heights gets
set for big weekend
Annual events showcase food and art
diversity of Uptown neighborhood
By Margie M. Palmer
SDUN Reporter
Hillcrest under lights
➤➤ Dining p. 11
Lei Lounge’s new opening
➤➤ feature p. 14
(l to r) Benjamin Nicholls, Hillcrest Business Association; Angela Landsberg, North Park Main Street; Councilmember Todd Gloria; Judy Elliott, Adams Avenue Business Association; County Supervisor Ron Roberts; (hidden)
Beryl Forman, El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association; Sara Berns, Discover Pacific Beach; Andy
Hanshaw, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition; Tiffany Bromfield, San Diego Business Improvement District Council;
and Elayne Fowler, Electra Bicycle Company, LLC at the Sept. 6 event (Photo by Anulak Singphiphat)
By Morgan M. Hurley
SDUN Assistant Editor
A new public bicycle corral
was the centerpiece of a set of
new bike-friendly initiatives
launched Sept. 6 in North Park.
The initiatives bring San Diego
closer to similar commuter environments in two other large
cities, both with bike-friendly
policies that are a model for
‘Pippin’ in Uni Heights
➤➤ travel p. 21
Riviera Maya photo shoot
the nation and provide a natural fit for San Diego.
More than 50 people, many
arriving on bikes themselves,
attended the mid-morning ceremony, all on hand to witness
the unveiling of a new bicycle
corral – the first in North Park
– with six new bike-shaped
racks bolted to the pavement
in front of the Linker y restaurant at the corner of 30th
Opinion……………...…6
Briefs…………………7
Dr. Ink.….…………………12
Feature………………16
Theater…………………17
Classifieds....….……18
Calendar………………..20
Contact Us
Editorial/Letters
619-961-1952
[email protected]
Advertising
619-961-1958
[email protected]
see Bike, page 8
Man with a mission: the 8th annual Historic Home Tour
Where others saw a sagebrush-covered hill, George Marston saw a progressive paradise
This Presidio Hills home will be on the Sept. 22 tour.
(Courtesy Mission Hills Heritage)
Index
Street and North Park Way.
This latest corral, the third
installed in Uptown since May,
got an early boost last year when
County Supervisor Ron Roberts’
staff kicked in grant money that
was earmarked specifically to
help North Park pursue “going
green” projects.
Angela Landsberg, executive
HouseCalls
Michael Good
In this partisan political season, it’s worth
noting there was a time when the word “businessman” was not always preceded by “Republican,”
and a politician could advocate helping the poor
without being called a Democrat.
One hundred years ago, the progressive
movement held sway both across the country as
well as locally. On the national stage, its leading
proponent was Teddy Roosevelt. In San Diego, it
was businessman George Marston.
Progressives believed the scientific method
could be applied to everything: economics,
education, government and even family life.
Progressives supported taxing the rich at a higher
rate than the poor. They broke up monopolies
and trusts, backed women’s rights and, in 1914,
helped create the Federal Reserve System. In
fact, they liked systems of all kinds, whether for
manufacturing automobiles or houses.
Burlingame – North Park’s “Tract of Character” –
was built on this ideal. Marston, too, used a systematic
see HouseCalls, page 22
The University Heights Arts Association and the University Heights Community
Development Corporation will be hosting the
seventh annual Arts Open and Taste of University Heights this weekend, with residents,
community members and guests invited to
sample bites from 17 local restaurants while
strolling along a self-guided tour of the arts.
The event will take place on Sunday, Sept.
16 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and will kick off
with access to the UH Arts Open. This free,
one-of-a-kind event celebrates artists of all
mediums and art in all forms.
Much like years past, this year’s UH
Arts Open will showcase sculptors, dancers,
musicians, painters, poets, potters and more.
Attendees will have the opportunity to watch
performances, chat with artists, check out
exhibitions and visit studios.
A second event, the Taste of University
Heights, will begin at noon and run through
3 p.m. Diners will have the opportunity to
partake in bites from a diverse selection of
restaurants. Tickets can be purchased for $20
in advance or for $25 the day of the event.
UH Arts Open event organizer Judy Riffle
said the event is a great way to promote not
only the local art scene, but also to expose
participants to the rich culture that University
Heights has to offer.
“There are so many interesting theaters
in the neighborhood and this is a great way
for us to promote all the weird and eccentric
things about University Heights,” she said.
“Many of these places are very unique and
have a lot of performances. Of course, there
are better-known venues such as the Diversionary Theatre, but there are many that
people might not know about.”
Art lovers are invited to visit seven local
studios and will also be able to check out
see UniHeights, page 4
Displays from last year’s event (Courtesy UH Arts)
2
San Diego Uptown News | Sept. 14–Sept. 27, 2012
www.sdcnn.com
news
www.sdcnn.com
3
Marketing South Park
Business group takes next steps in branding unique, walk-able neighborhood
Grant's Marketplace is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
(Photo by Dave Schwab)
By Dave Schwab
SDUN Reporter
The South Park Business Group
is currently finding itself, and part
of that self-discovery is determining
just the right brand to help market
the many merchants in the neighborhood. It’s the next logical step
in the development of the business
organization, which was formed in
2004 and incorporated in 2011.
“There were only a few businesses about eight years ago in
South Park, and they got together
and started putting on walkabouts
and trying to draw attention [to
the area],” said SPBG Marketing
Director Marsha Smelkinson. The
group’s quarterly Walkabout open
houses have been a success, with
the next one scheduled for Oct. 6.
“The last several years, that
process has continued, meaning
more businesses opening up, more
customers and visitors coming,
more attention brought to the community and more people joining
this effort to spread the word,”
Smelkinson said.
Delivering the singular message
about what South Park’s 70-plus
small businesses have to offer is
what branding is about.
“We’re at a point in the road
where it’s time to get the word
out more,” said Maureen Ceccarelli, owner of 25-year-old Studio
Maureen & The Next Door Gallery.
Located at 2963 Beech St., Ceccarelli’s store is one of the oldest
businesses in South Park, a pocket
community at the Southeast corner
of Balboa Park between Golden Hill
and North Park.
A “hidden gem,” is how Ceccarelli said she characterizes the
South Park business community’s main areas, which extend
along Beech Street between 28th
and 30th streets; on 30th Street
between Beech and Laurel streets;
and on Juniper Street between Fern
and 31st streets.
Ceccarelli said she hopes
SPBG’s ongoing branding efforts
will clue in those people unfamiliar
with the community on the fact
that South Park is “small enough to
navigate and get a feel for, just by
walking a couple of blocks.”
South Park’s character and
walkability are what make it unique
– and neighborly – said Jeniffer
Thompson, co-owner of Culinary
Creative and Chad Thompson Photography at 3011 Beech St.
“It’s not commercial,” she said.
“This is a community of people that
all know each other. We’re talking
small businesses all in it together,
living and working and biking in
our own neighborhood. It has a
feeling that you don’t really get
anywhere else.”
Branding is a challenging
undertaking in South Park, partly
because of the community’s unique
character, said Christy Jaynes,
owner of Progress South Park,
a home and gift store located at
2225 30th St. Jaynes also chairs the
SPBG committee spearheading the
marketing effort.
“South Park is difficult to define
because it is so richly diverse,”
Jaynes said. “It is important, as a
business group, for us to be able to
describe South Park to those who
haven’t yet visited in a clear, concise
way. That’s what branding does.”
Jaynes said the branding effort
currently underway is designed
to “capture the essence of South
Park” and “convey the experience
that awaits visitors.”
As the group’s branding project progresses, Jaynes said South
Café Madeleine is a South Park gathering place.
The South Park Abbey just opened this outdoor patio.
Park merchants are keeping
their roots in mind. “We love our
neighborhood and know whoever
comes to visit our businesses will
too,” she said.
The branding effort, which
began approximately a year ago,
is presently in the brainstorming
stage with SPBG members kicking
around marketing ideas to capture
the spirit and flavor of South Park
and its businesses.
“What we’re trying to let
everybody else out there know
is that we are a very dynamic
group,” said Matt Thomas, coowner of Alchemy Restaurant at
1503 30th St. “Branding will be
how we express that: what we’re
doing [and] who we are.”
It is also important to note,
Thompson said, that branding
offers South Park’s mom-and-pop
business community an opportunity to not only establish its own
distinctive identity, but to also
distinguish itself from nearby business districts.
“Hillcrest is really big. You get
lost there,” she said by comparison.
“Here you say, ‘OK, I’m going to
have coffee at Grant’s Marketplace
in the morning and work my way
up [the street], and I can shop local
and meet new people, and pretty
much do everything I need to do in
an eight-block radius.’”
Thomas said the branding
effort will culminate in a slogan incorporating “a tag line” that would
be the best general description
of what the area has to offer San
Diego. Given the area’s rich history
– particularly its attractive architecture – Ceccarelli said she believes
history has to figure into the brand
somehow.
Whatever South Park’s marketing brand is ultimately determined
to be, Ceccarelli said SPBG, as a
business micro-district within the
city of San Diego, will be able to
use that as leverage in applying for
future city grant money.
“One of the grants is based on
tourist dollars,” she said. “They
want to see what we’re doing to
make tourists come here.”
Smelkinson said South Park’s
branding effort is a lot of work, but
is well worth the time because the
community is so deserving. “Both
out-of-town visitors and residents
of other San Diego communities
can find something that they [will]
enjoy in South Park,” she said.
For more information on
South Park Business Group,
visit southparkscene.com or call
619-200-4269.u
4
NEWS
From page 1
Uniheights
exhibits and live performances at 11
additional venues. Patrons will also
be able to tour a historic San Diego
street car, which will be parked along
the 4600 block of Park Boulevard.
Attendees will have their event
program stamped at each of the
18 locations. Those who drop off
their stamped and completed programs at the event’s information
booth by 4 p.m. will be entered
into a raffle. Prizes include gifts
and gift certificates from Plumeria
Restaurant, Salon 4416, Lestat’s
Coffee House, Michael Borrelli
Design, Inc., Park Blvd. Wine &
Pizza, Cueva Bar, Soltan Banoo
and the Diversionary Theatre.
UH Community Development
Corporation Treasurer Ernie Bonn
said the UH Arts Open / Taste of
University Heights event allows
people who may be unfamiliar with
the neighborhood an up close and
personal view of, what she believes,
is a very special community.
“We’re a bit more compact but
we have that historic ambiance,”
Bonn said. “We’re one of the oldest
subdivisions in San Diego. The
first records of subdivisions in San
Diego date back to 1888, which
appears on the University Heights
neighborhood banners, she said.
Most of the Taste of University
Heights event will take place on local
streets directly outside of the restaurants. Some of the day’s featured restaurants will include Babbo’s Bar and
Grill, Bourbon Street, Lei Lounge,
Eclipse Chocolate and more.
Artwork from the Arts Open
will be on display in several of
the eateries as well, Bonn said,
and attendees are invited to use a
complimentary shuttle to maneuver
through the neighborhood.
Those wishing to kick off the
event early are invited to attend
the Art + food FUSION reception
on Friday, Sept. 14 from 7 p.m. to
9 p.m. The catered reception will
talk place at 3RDSPACE, located at
4610 Park Blvd.
For the Sunday event, those
wishing to purchase advance
tickets can do so by calling
619-297-3166. For more information, including a complete list of
sponsors, participating artists and
restaurants, visit uharts.org.u
www.sdcnn.com
Canopy of lights for Hillcrest
HBA approves contract for lighting project on
University Ave to be completed by CityFest 2013
An artist's rendition of the approved canopy lights, the 14 strings will be
installed within one year. (Courtesy HBA)
By Anthony King
SDUN Editor
The Hillcrest Business
Association (HBA) approved a
project to install a permanent
light canopy over University
Avenue, bringing 14 strings of
“festoon lighting” to one block
of the neighborhood. Voted
on at the Tuesday, Sept. 11
board meeting, the Hillcrest
Light Canopy Project will see
lights mounted over University
Avenue between Fourth and
Fifth avenues.
“We’re thrilled to get
moving on the canopy lighting project,” said Lisa Weir,
HBA marketing and communications director. “This new
beautification effort features
LED lights to save energy and
costs, and will string bits of
twinkle across University Avenue in the heart of Hillcrest.”
The board vote was an approval to proceed with “preliminar y permitting” for the
project, and an “authorization
to enter into agreement” with a
contractor, the meeting agenda
stated. The work is being contracted through Berg Electric,
of Escondido.
As part of the contract,
Berg Electric will provide
and install cables attached to
the buildings on either side
of the street, as well as the
RBG string lights attached to
the cables. The company will
also oversee construction and
traffic-control permits.
The installation will occur
“after hours,” the contract
states, and the lights will be
controlled remotely, with the
ability to periodically change
their colors as well as set them
on a “programmable schedule.”
Also stated in the contract,
the HBA agrees to pay for the
project, which is not to exceed
$49,785. If costs are higher,
written authorization is needed
for payment. The contract is
good for one year, and all work
must be completed within this
timeframe.
“There is a lot of work
ahead of us to complete this
project and we’re excited that
the neighborhood is behind
us,” Weir said. “With community support and enthusiasm
we hope to have the project
done before CityFest 2013.”u
Rare Bird Consignment House in Mission Hills is celebrating their one-year anniversary this month. Come in and see what all the talk
is about. This is NOT your ordinary consignment shop. Inventory here changes daily and boasts some of San Diego’s most sought-after
furniture designs, collectables, and antiques. Visiting this small cottage tucked away in the heart of Mission Hills is like walking through a
life-sized dollhouse, chock-full of rare finds around every corner. Each room is welcoming with a different flavor all its own. Each display
tells a different story. A stroll through the shop inspires shoppers with new decorating ideas. With its treasures ranging from furniture,
lighting, art, kitchen, and more, you never know what you may find.
Rare Bird owner Kelly Kraus is thrilled at the response the store has received. “Building relationships with our clients has set us
apart from the other consignment shops.” Kraus describes the shop’s “Wish List” as
something she uses to keep careful watch for clients seeking specific pieces and looks.
“If we can keep our eyes open for the piece you are looking for, it is a matter of ‘when’
versus ‘if’ we can find it for you,” says Kraus. Home consultations are also making a
difference in setting the store apart from other shops. Kraus charges $130 per hour for
a home visit to move and re-purpose your existing furniture and accessories to create a
fresh new look for you home. This service is a simple and affordable option to paying
expensive retainer fees and high prices that most interior designers charge.
Speaking of budgets, prices here are very affordable. Rare Bird’s pricing
philosophy is that an item’s true ‘value’ is what someone is willing to pay—today. It’s
amazing how far your dollar will go here, with treasures discovered for as low as $2.00.
With the trend in downsizing today, you’ll find a never-ending supply of quality designed
and handcrafted pieces for unbeatable prices. These are pieces will last generations for
pennies on the dollar.
Due to the success of the shop and by request, Rare Bird Consignment House
is now open seven days a week. You can visit any day 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Rare Bird is
located in the center of Mission Hills at 1918 Fort Stockton Drive, 92103. 619-4506500. www.rarebirdconsignment.com You can also visit Rare Bird on Facebook as Rare
Bird Consignment House, where photos are posted almost daily of the store’s inventory.
Consignments are taken Tuesday-Thursday each week.
Congratulations Rare Bird. Here’s to looking to the future and all the new
surprises it may hold in the many years to come.
news
www.sdcnn.com
5
supporting creativity
Golden Hill nonprofit aims to preserve and build local arts scene
Sezio helped bring Cuckoo Chaos to the July Golden Hill Street
Fair. (Photo by Mike Luna)
By Monica Garske
SDUN Reporter
Being an up-and-coming artist or musician can be daunting.
Sezio, a nonprofit in Golden Hill,
recognizes this and founders have
chosen to dedicate the organization
to providing unparalleled support
to local emerging artists.
The Sezio headquarters are
located at The Habitat House art
and music space, on 21st Street.
There, Sezio co-founder Zack
Nielsen and a group of devoted
individuals work to drum up
resources, exposure and community support for creative,
independent artists.
“Our 100 percent focus is on
showcasing emerging visual artists and musicians. Our goal is to
be an entity that voices support
for the art they are making, so
A young artist works in Golden Hill.
Screen-printing at this year’s street fair
(Photo by Mike Luna)
(Photo by Mike Luna)
we can continue building the creative community in San Diego,”
Nielsen said.
The grassroots group began in
2006 when Nielsen started producing small art and music events to
showcase his creative friends, he
said. A few years later, Sezio grew
into a non-profit organization with
a mission to foster the local arts
scene and expose San Diegans to
original talent.
Additionally, the group helped
the Golden Hill Community Development Corporation organize the
return of the Golden Hill Street
Fair, held July 22, overseeing the
art and music portion of the event.
Nielsen said the heart of Sezio
is the organization’s website
– sezio.org – which serves as
a “nonprofit news source” and
platform to promote cool artists
and events.
There, the Sezio team posts
multi-media content about upcoming local art shows and live music
events, as well as articles, photos
and videos featuring rising artists
and musicians.
“We carefully select everything
that goes on the website ourselves.
We choose to highlight artists who
are working hard, doing cool stuff
and deserve to be supported,”
Nielsen said. “We think supporting
emerging artists is a worthy cause.
Working artists are the lifeblood of
our city.”
The majority of the artists Sezio
works with hail from Uptown communities known for their creative
arts scenes, such as Golden Hill,
South Park and North Park, Neilsen
said. “There is constant creativity
happening in Uptown. This is where
all of the artists live and work. We
want to keep fostering this healthy
arts scene in San Diego.”
He also said the support from
Sezio means a lot to up-and-coming
independent artists. For those trying to break into the scene, a little
publicity goes a long way.
“We give support even at the
smallest levels, like featuring an
interview with a new band on our
website. We take professional
photos of the band for that interview and give the band copies of the
photos so they can now shop themselves around to more venues using
nice, high-quality pictures,” Nielsen
said. “We help however we can.”
On a larger scale, Nielsen said
the organization produces live
shows featuring emerging talent
at popular venues such as The
House of Blues, The Casbah and
the Soda Bar.
Contributing to Sezio’s cause
is easy. In addition to visiting the
website, the best way to support
the nonprofit, Nielsen said, is by attending their art and music shows,
and consuming the unique, original
art created by local talent.
Calling this support support
cyclical, Nielsen said he believes
it builds value for the San Diego
arts scene and inspires artists to
continue creating.
In the coming weeks, Nielsen
said Sezio is particularly excited to
showcase the following rising acts:
The Tree Ring (with The Shivers)
at the Birch North Park Theater
on Oct. 27, Lord Huron (with
Pacific Air) at The Casbah on Nov.
1, and Dark Dark Dark (with Emily
Wells) at the Luce Loft on Nov. 6
“It’s simple,” he said. “Go to
the website, go to the events,
bring your friends, support others
and appreciate the work artists
are putting out there.”u
6
opinion/letters
www.sdcnn.com
3737 Fifth Ave. Suite 201
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 519-7775
PUBLISHER
David Mannis
(619) 961-1951
[email protected]
EDITOR
Anthony King
(619) 961-1952
[email protected]
Assistant EDITOR
Morgan M. Hurley
(619) 961-1960
[email protected]
REPORTERS
& COLUMNISTS
Charlene Baldridge
Logan Broyles
“Dr. Ink”
Dave Fidlin
Monica Garske
Sara Gilman
Michael Good
Andy Hinds
Margie M. Palmer
Frank Sabatini Jr.
Dave Schwab
Director of Sales
& Marketing
Mike Rosensteel
(619) 961-1958
[email protected]
account execUtives
Brennan MacLean
(619) 961-1957
[email protected]
Jennifer Muth
(619) 961-1963
[email protected]
Editorial
Government Proposes
Simplified Mortgage
Disclosure Forms
By Jason Alderman
No doubt many wannabe
first-time homebuyers have
been sitting on the sidelines
of the volatile housing market,
unsure when or how to enter
the game. If that describes you,
you’re probably fortunate to
have missed out on the housing bubble and lax lending
standards of a few years ago,
when millions of people took out
mortgages they couldn’t afford
– or understand.
Homeownership is a longterm commitment filled with
Deborah Vazquez
(619) 961-1956
[email protected]
expenses (both expected and
unexpected) and responsibilities. The upsides – not to mention the tax advantages – are
why approximately two-thirds of
Americans own instead of renting. But homeownership is not
always right for ever yone or at
ever y stage of life.
Here’s hoping that now, as
home prices have plummeted
and loan interest rates are at
historic lows, you can resist the
temptation to get in over your
head and first bone up on the
many one-time and recurring
costs involved in owning your
own home.
A good place to start is Know
Before You Owe, the financial
education initiative launched
last year by the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau
(CFPB) to ensure that people
receive concise, easy-to-understand information regarding
mortgages, credit cards and student loans, among other major
financial decisions
(www.consumerfinance.gov).
After soliciting input from
thousands of consumers, lenders, mortgage brokers and
consumer advocates, the CFPB
recently developed new prototypes for the federal disclosure
forms borrowers receive after
applying for a mortgage and
before closing on the loan.
Letters
Romney ‘birther’ cartoon dishonest
I’m used to picking up the Uptown News and
seeing left-wing commentary, but the cartoon
about Mitt Romney and the “Birther Bigots”
goes too far [see Opinion, Vol. 4, Issue 18].
Mitt Romney has said repeatedly that he
believes that President Barack Obama was
born in the United States, and has never given
one shred of legitimacy to the claims that he
was not. The joke Romney made on the campaign trail recently about “nobody having to
“When making what is likely
the biggest purchase of their
life, consumers should be looking at paper work that clearly
lays out the terms of the deal,”
said CFPB Director Richard
Cordray.
The proposed forms combine
several different but overlapping documents now required
by various federal agencies. But
they will simplify the language
and format and make it easier
to compare different mortgages
and more easily understand loan
terms, including interest rates,
monthly payment amounts,
closing costs and how the loan
amount might change over
time (e.g., with an adjustablerate loan). They also highlight
features borrowers may want to
avoid such as prepayment penalties and negative amortization.
In the meantime, if you’re
considering buying a home,
review the proposed forms to
get an idea of which costs you
should be watching out for. And,
even if you’re already comparing loans or in escrow, ask your
lender to show you where the
various costs highlighted in the
new forms are located in your
current disclosure documents
– it might help avoid costly lastminute surprises.
Here are some factors future
homebuyers should keep in mind:
ask for his own birth certificate” was a tonguein-cheek attempt at humor, not a revision of his
views on Obama’s citizenship.
The President himself has also made
joking references to his birth certificate,
but as in most things with the media these
days, there is a profound double standard
at play, placing conser vatives in a position
where they are held to a higher standard. In
any event, the cartoon portraying Romney
as a “birther” is dishonest and only ser ves to
further distort the ver y serious issues we are
facing as a countr y.
—Ken Davenport, via email
Start planning now. It could
take years to save enough for
a down payment and closing
costs.
Don’t forget ongoing expenses like a monthly mortgage
payment, mortgage insurance,
homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, furnishings, maintenance and repairs.
People with poor credit ratings usually either don’t qualify
for loans or pay much higher
interest rates. Work on repairing your credit at the same time
you launch a savings plan.
If your down payment isn’t at
least 20 percent, you’ll probably be required to buy Private
Mortgage Insurance (PMI),
which protects the lender if you
default.
For a comprehensive overview of how different types of
mortgages work, check out
Bankrate.com. Also, watch the
easy-to-follow video explaining
mortgages at Practical Money
Skills for Life (www.practicalmoneyskills.com), a free personal
financial management program
run by Visa Inc.
—Jason Alderman directs
Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.
com/PracticalMoney.u
Village Vino owner is first class
Everything about Village Vino is 1st class, but
it’s Rita who sets Village Vino apart from the many
other wine bars in town [see “Wine bar gives top
billing to family vintners,” Vol. 4, Issue 18].
She’s incredibly knowledgeable and eager to
make a recommendation for a glass of wine based
on your taste, or talk about her latest wine selections, many from small wineries you may have
never heard of. Going there is not only wonderfully pleasant, it can also be a learning experience
for real winos – uh, I mean real wine lovers!
—David Higgins, via sduptownnews.comu
ART DIRECTOR
Rebecah Corbin
(619) 961-1961
[email protected]
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR
Anulak Singphiphat
(619) 961-1961
[email protected]
Accounting
Denise Davidson
(619) 961-1962
[email protected]
sales ASSISTANTS
Michael Burlaza
Andrea Goodchild
Marie Khris Pecjo
OPINIONS/LETTERS
San Diego Uptown News
encourages letters to the editor and
guest editorials. Please email both to
[email protected]. Include phone
number and address for verification.
We reserve the right to edit letters for
brevity and accuracy. Letters and guest
editorials do not necessarily reflect the
views of the publisher or staff.
SUBMISSIONS/NEWS TIPS
Press releases and story ideas
are welcomed. Send press releases,
tips, photos or story ideas to
[email protected]. For breaking
news and investigative story ideas
contact the editor by phone or email.
distribution
San Diego Uptown News
is distributed free, every other Friday.
COPYRIGHT 2012. All rights are
reserved. Printed in the
United States of America.
news/puzzle
www.sdcnn.com
UptownBriefs
SOHO TO HOST RECEPTION FOR
BALBOA PARK LEGAL FUND
Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) is hosting an evening
reception at a Mission Hills home
in an effort to raise money to help
fund the nonprofit’s legal fees
in a lawsuit against the city. The
fundraiser is scheduled for Sept.
21 from 6 to 9 p.m. Filed Aug. 13,
the lawsuit claims the city failed to
“comply with local and state laws”
in approving the Plaza de Panama
Project, which sees the creation
of a “Centennial Bridge and Road”
to divert traffic from the center
of Balboa Park into a to-be-built
underground parking garage.
SOHO Executive Director Bruce
Coons previously said the organization will win the lawsuit. At the
Sept. 21 event, a historic Mission
Revival home will be open for the
first time to the public in exclusive
support for SOHO. The reception,
which will be catered by Hillcrest’s Crest Café, is limited to 50
guests and costs $50 per person.
SOHO representatives announced
Sept. 13 on the organization’s
Twitter account that the reception
is currently sold out. For more information visit sohosandiego.org.
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN HILLCREST,
DOWNTOWN ARSON SPREE
A man was arrested in connection with a series of small fires set
in garbage containers in the early
morning of Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Of the 16 blazes set, seven were
in the Hillcrest area and appeared
to be set around 2 a.m. At 4 a.m.,
several other fires were reported
in Downtown San Diego, including
the Ja Java coffee cart at the Civic
Center Plaza. Damage to the cart is
estimated at $50,000. Approximately
$1,200 in damages were reported
in Hillcrest. San Diego Fire and
Rescue representatives said
56-year-old David Kelley Lawson
was arrested in front of the federal
building, Downtown. Lawson faces
16 charges of arson.
‘DESIGNATED’ OPEN SPACE
COnVERTED TO ‘DEDICATED’ IN
SEN. KEHOE BILL
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Sen.
Christine Kehoe’s bill allowing
San Diego to convert up to 10,000
acres of city-owned “designated”
open space to “dedicated.” The
conversion is significant as dedicated space has a stronger level of
protection and can be converted
to other uses by public vote only.
“Many San Diegans have worked
for years to ensure that their neighborhood open space is not subject
to development,” Kehoe said in a
press release. “San Diego Canyonlands led a year-long effort to gain
support for the dedication of these
important urban preserves, meeting
with over 40 of the affected community planning groups and citizen
advisory committees.” The signed
legislation means the City Council
has until Dec. 31 to approve the list
of specific parcels to be converted
to the dedicated status. The bill was
co-authored by Assemblymembers
Toni Atkins and Nathan Fletcher.
Of the 339 sites up for Council approval, 30 are in the current District
Three.
NORTH PARK assessment
POSITION OPEN
The North Park Maintenance
Assessment District (MAD) is
calling for a resident homeowner
to joint their committee. The MAD
committee provides a venue for
private citizen advice to city staff on
district landscape projects, lighting
and community improvements, and
meets most months on the second
Monday, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at the
North Park Adult Activity Center,
2719 Howard Ave. Nominations
were accepted at the Sept. 10 meeting, with elections being held at the
Oct. 8 meeting. For more information, contact Beth Swersie, MAD
secretary, at northparkmad@gmail.
com or visit npmad.org.
URBAN KITCHEN GROUP NAMES
JACK FISHER EXECUTIVE PASTRY
CHEF
Jack Fisher has been announced executive pastry chef for
Urban Kitchen Group, helming
the pastry programs at CUCINA
urbana, Kensington Grill, Urban
Kitchen Catering and CUCINA
enoteca. Fisher has nearly 25 years
of experience in local restaurants,
beginning his pastry career in 1995
at the San Diego Sheraton. He
moves to the Urban group from
his most recent work at La Jolla’s
NINE-TEN. “Jack is the perfect
complement to our philosophy,
which places a dedicated emphasis
on all things local, seasonal and
high-quality,” said Tracy Borkum
of the Urban Kitchen Group. “He’s
worked with some of the finest
chefs in San Diego, and his creative offerings are nothing short
of exceptional. We’re thrilled to
have him as part of our team as we
continue to expand our business.”
In his new position, Fisher will be
executing their pastry program
as well as their in-house cheese
program and selection of housemade breads. Fisher was awarded
“Best San Diego Chocolatier” in
2010 by Riviera Magazine, and has
participated in multiple chef events
including Taste of the Nation,
Celebrate the Craft and Chef’s
Celebration.
RESTAURANT WEEK SEPT 16 – 21
The citywide Restaurant
Week takes place Sunday, Sept.
16 through Friday, Sept. 21, with
numerous Uptown dining locations participating with specially
priced, all-inclusive menus. There
are over 180 locations total, with
various lunch and dinner specials
offered. Reservations are highly
recommended. For a complete list
of participating restaurants, visit
sandiegorestaurantweek.com.
ANNUAL COASTAL CLEANUP
INCLUDES UPTOWN CANYONS
The nonprofit I Love a Clean
San Diego is hosting the 28th annual Coastal Cleanup Day, the largest
single-day volunteer event in San
Diego dedicated to environmental
protection. The organization – now
coordinating the event alone – is
anticipating over 8,000 volunteers
at over 85 sites, including Juniper
Canyon in Golden Hill, Marston
Canyon in Hillcrest and Buchanan
Canyon in University Heights. The
cleanup event is from 9 a.m. – noon
and participants are asked to bring
work gloves, buckets and water in
canteens. Last year, I Love a Clean
San Diego volunteers picked up
over 600 pounds of debris from two
Uptown sites alone, stated a press
release. For more information, including other sites and to register,
visit cleanupday.org or cleansd.org.
CAST LIST RELEASED FOR SD
MUSICAL THEATRE’S ‘FOOTLOOSE’
The San Diego Musical Theatre
(SDMT) announced the complete
cast for the Sept. 28 – Oct. 14
production of “Footloose,” the third
production in their 2012 season.
Based on the original screenplay
by Dean Pitchford, Robert Marra
will serve as both director and
choreographer, and Don LeMaster
as music director. The cast includes
Anton Fero as Ren McCormack;
Emma Degerstadt as Ariel Moore;
Cris O’Bryon as Reverend Shaw
Moore; Laura Dickinson as Vi
Moore; Jon Eidson as Willard
Hewitt; and Kaitlyn Etter as Rusty.
Additional cast members are:
Aleksander D’Avignon, Meagan
Flint, Catie Marron, Debra Wanger,
Michael Pinning, Daniel Filippi,
Ricardo Cota Jr., Kevin McDonald,
David Crane, Jeni Hawkes, Kasey
Viani, Charles Maze, Ted Leib and
Ed Hollingsworth. Included in
the ensemble are Cassie Bowerman, Courtney Fero, Tiffany Loui,
Danny Swaine Wells II and Matthew Williams. “Footloose” will be
in production at the Birch North
Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave.
in North Park. Tickets range from
$26 - $52. For more information and
to purchase tickets visit sdmt.org or
call 858-560-5740. The concluding
production in the SDMT season will
be “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” from Dec. 13 – 23.
7
Uptown’s
Sudoku
Answer key, page 19
Uptown Crossword
‘DARE ME BANDIT’ SOUGHT IN
MULTIPLE ROBBERIES
San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives are
investigating a series of commercial
robberies that began in August,
stated a press release. Of the seven
open cases, one occurred Aug. 9
at the San Diego Market located at
2601 Broadway in Golden Hill. In
this incident, the clerk was in an office located behind the cash register
when the suspect entered the store
holding a black semi-automatic
handgun, demanded money from
the clerk and walked out of the store
with the cash. He was last seen heading west on Broadway. In another
case, the suspect fired a shot from
his handgun. No physical injuries
were reported. The SD Police
Department describes the suspect
as a “Hispanic male, between 20 and
35 years of age.” In most cases, the
suspect used a T-shirt or cloth to
cover the lower part of his face. The
Golden Hill robbery was captured
on surveillance video. Those with
information concerning the cases
are asked to contact the SD Police
Department at 619-531-2299 or
Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
OLD GLOBE RELEASES TICKETS FOR
ANNUAL DR. SEUSS HOLIDAY SHOW
Single tickets for “Dr. Seuss’
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
– the annual holiday show at the
Old Globe Theatre – are now on
sale. The show is directed by James
Vasquez (who is currently helming
the Diversionary Theatre’s latest
production, “Pippin” in University
Heights) with book and lyrics by
Timothy Mason and music by Mel
Marvin, and will run from Nov.
17 – Dec. 29. Opening night is Nov.
see Briefs, page 9
Paying too much for Computing Services?
FREE
Remote Computer Services
Offer good until December 31, 2012
Call Uptown & Downtown’s IT!
www.fishbonecomputing.com
(619) 916-8089
Here's John
Answer key, page 19
8
news
www.sdcnn.com
From page 1
BIKE
director of North Park Main Street,
the business improvement district
(BID) for the area, was responsible
for oversight of the funds and
quickly joined forces with others to
expand its reach.
“One of the first things we
decided to do was to put in a bike
corral, and around the same time,
the BID Council was working to
implement the ‘bike-friendly’ business districts, so we partnered up.
The city offered up their services
to help with the installation, and
the project has just now taken off,”
Landsberg said.
Other area bike corrals exist in
Hillcrest at the corner of Fifth and
University avenues and along El
Cajon Boulevard near the Lafayette Hotel.
The new North Park bike corral
was built by Dero Bike Rack Co., an
environmentally focused manufacturer in Minneapolis, Minn. The
company’s website says Dero bases
its design on quality materials,
functionality, newer style bike locks
and – something arguably more important to city planners – aesthetics.
One person pleased with the
appearance of Dero’s design was
Linkery owner Jay Porter, who
gave up three parking spots in front
of his popular restaurant to make
room for the corral.
“I’m really grateful to North
Park Main Street, to the various
BIDs and community groups, to
Todd Gloria’s office and Ron Roberts’ office for following through
and making the bike corral happen,” Porter said a few days after
the rack was unveiled. “It addresses
a major infrastructure need in our
community, and it looks really
great, too.”
Porter said the neighborhood
had plenty of parking spaces available, primarily due to
the multi-level parking
garage located across
the street from his
restaurant. “Giving up a
couple car spaces … is
great for us and for the
community,” he said,
adding that the corral’s
location sits directly in
front of his restaurant’s
large, open windows,
making the bicycles
safer from theft or
vandalism.
“The easier it is
for people to use their
bikes, the more they
will be encouraged to
do so,” he said. “And
that means fewer cars
taking up parking
spaces, and a more fun neighborhood when you see everyone out
having a great time on their bikes.”
Organizers also used the unveiling of the bike corral as an opportunity to announce a new program
they call “the nation’s largest bikefriendly business district initiative.”
Modeled after a similar program
in Long Beach, Calif., the first
larger city to incorporate a bicycle
infrastructure within its business
districts, San Diego’s launch of
seven pilot BIDs – with plans for
10 more by the end of the year – is
much larger, said Tiffany Bromfield
of San Diego’s BID District Council,
who helped facilitate the project.
“The BID Council is providing
each business improvement district
with a bicycle, either for their own
use, or to lend it out to businesses if
they need it for deliveries,” Landsberg said. “I’m constantly going up
and down University and up and
down 30th, and now I may save
some of the heels in my shoes.”
North Park Main Street Executive Director Angela Landsberg stands inside the
new bike corral. (Photo by Anulak Singphiphat)
partnered to get the word out that
business is open and bikes are welcome all throughout our business
districts.”
Hanshaw called the initiative a
“model program” and said, “today’s
effort is a big step forward in
showcasing our region as a great
bicycling destination.”
The seven business districts
participating in the initiative are:
Adams Ave Business Association,
East Village Association, North
Park Main Street, Ocean Beach
Main Street, Discover Pacific Beach
and El Cajon Boulevard Business
Improvement Association.
“At the county we love innovators, we love innovation, and what
you are seeing here in North Park
is really a good example,” said
County Supervisor Ron
Roberts, referring to
the corral. “If you are
going to innovate, find
out what’s the state of
the art. What we see
here today is something
very unique.”
Roberts then acknowledged Portland,
Ore. as one of the top
examples for innovation
with biking corrals. “I’m
hopeful in the not too
Neighborhooddistant future, you’re
specific bikes
going to see San Diego
were presented
on that list because of
for the initiative.
the things that are hap(Photo by Anulak
pening here. And the
Singphiphat)
environmental benefits
are absolutely right on
target,” Roberts said.
“I’m thrilled to be here to celbusinesses and events. By encourebrate another huge step forward,”
aging bicycling rather than driving,
District Three Councilmember
the initiative will help alleviate parkTodd Gloria said, stepping up to the
ing problems and traffic congestion
podium after Roberts.
as well as help promote local shopGloria encouraged attendees to
ping and economic growth.”
show their appreciation for the projThe SDCBC promotes bicyects and got a loud roar of applause.
cling as a safe and enjoyable form
He then said all the business districts
of transportation. The nonprofit
on the pilot list were “fun communialso advocates for and protects the
ties, where people are active and
rights of all bicyclists.
choose to spend their time.”
Andy Hanshaw, spokesperson
He also expressed his pleasure
for the SDCBC, was the first to
with the aesthetics of the corral,
formally address the assembly,
calling it “a piece of public art” and
and thanked local government
officials and BID leaders for “lead- “something special.”
“We don’t do normal in North
ing the way on this effort,” he
said. He also emphasized the need Park,” Gloria said, adding he would
like to see the program implementto “bike local, shop local” in and
ed throughout the city.
around San Diego.
“This is good for the economy,
“Thank you all for your underit will stimulate business districts,
standing of the value and imporit is good for the environment, and
tance that bicycling means for our
region and for accommodating your fewer cars mean fewer potholes,” he
said. “Let’s get more [corrals] here,
customers who ride,” Hanshaw
then let’s take it out of D3 and go
said in his remarks. “The SDCBC
city-wide with it.”u
and the SD BID [Council] have
The seven pilot districts were
each given a “Townie,” a beachstyle, three-speed bicycle from
Electra Bicycle Company. Each
bike came complete with a helmet,
front metal basket and rear rack,
San Diego regional bike map, and
a bike lock.
“We are really excited to get
these bikes into the hands of the
BIDs,” Bromfield said. “Soon we
will have bike corrals and bike
valets in every business district and
be known as America’s most bikefriendly city.”
A press release from the San Diego County Bicycling Coalition (SDCBC) said the project is expected
to “encourage local residents and
shoppers to bicycle when making
short trips to their neighborhood
feature/news
www.sdcnn.com
9
An intimate affair
Camarada chamber ensemble connects with concertgoers with small-scale performances
By Dave Fidlin
SDUN Reporter
While chamber music is
oftentimes synonymous with
ancient times, a group of local
musicians have been working to
bring the classical form into a
modern era.
For nearly 20 years, the
ensemble known as Camarada
has been performing at disparate venues throughout San
Diego. The group’s goal is
simple: bring joy and inspiration to the concertgoers who
attend performances.
Beth Ross-Buckley has
been with Camarada since
the beginning. In 1994, the
winds player helped form the
group and shape its mission
statement. Over time, the
ensemble has evolved and
added more pieces into its
repertoire.
“I noticed that there
weren’t that many chamber
music ensembles in town,”
Ross-Buckley said. “That’s
where the idea came from.”
As time has gone on, members of Camarada have been
sharing their joy of music in a
wide variety of styles. Regardless of the series – the ensemble
produces three different show
sets – members of the ensemble
aim to have a genuine interaction
with the people in their midst.
“We’re tr ying to recapture
From page 7
briefs
23. Steve Blanchard will reprise his
role at The Grinch, after last year’s
debut. In conjunction with the run,
the Old Globe will offer an autismfriendly performance on Dec. 15
and will host the annual Christmas
tree lighting on Nov. 18. The tree
for the lighting ceremony will be designed by “Grinch” scenic designer
John Lee Beatty and will remain in
Balboa Park throughout the show’s
run. Ticket prices for performances
range from $24 - $87, and can be
purchased at theoldglobe.org, by
calling 619-234-5623 or by visiting
the box office.
SAN DIEGO OPERA ANNOUNcES
2012-13 ‘TASTE OF OPERA’ EVENTS
Starting Friday, Sept. 14, San
Diego Opera returns with their series of food-centric events designed
to offer an introduction to their
2013 season. The series includes
informal and casual settings for
creatively themed dinners and cooking classes at Great New! Discount
Cookware and Cooking School,
stated a press release. Sept. 14
brings “The Daughter of the Regiment” cooking class, with Frenchinspired recipes including “Roquefort and mushroom gougères” and
“Beef tenderloin with béarnaise
sauce,” among others. Other cooking classes are scheduled monthly,
to coincide with the Opera’s season:
“Samson and Delilah,” “Cruzar la
Cara de la Luna,” “Murder in the
Cathedral” and “Aida.” Additionally,
the Taste of Opera will also host
speaker-led dinners at restaurants
throughout San Diego, with the first
occurring Oct. 30 at Solare Ristorante. For a complete list of events,
including costs and location, visit
sdopera.com or call 619-533-7000.u
the original mission of chamber music,” said pianist Dana
Burnett, who is starting her
fourth season with Camarada.
“The idea is that you can sit and
interact with the various players.
We love our audiences, and I’m
ver y excited for the upcoming
season.”
"We love
our audiences,
and I’m very
excited for the
upcoming season."
Burnett, a San Diego native,
has performed chamber music in
cities across the country, including New York, Philadelphia, Nashville, Tenn. and Washington, D.C.
“I’ve had a great devotion to
chamber music all my life,” Burnett
said. “I’ve really enjoyed performing in the town I grew up in.”
Regardless of the venue or
style of chamber music performed,
Ross-Buckley said she puts out a
challenge to each attendee.
“Come in, and leave ever ything else at the door,” she said.
“This is an opportunity to be
relaxed and fulfilled. Music has
the ability to bring joy to people,
and that’s exactly what we’re setting out to do.”
For six years, the group has
per formed regularly in Uptown
with its Candlelight Concer t
series at St. Paul’s Cathedral
in Bankers Hill. By far the
group’s largest venue, St.
Paul’s seats between 150 and
200 attendees.
They have also intentionally
branched off in other areas of
the city as well, with differentthemed performances. Additionally, Camarada holds a
Cabernet Concert series for up
to 50 people in private homes
throughout the city. In addition
to performances, concerts in
the Cabernet series are generally complimented with wine
tastings and ser vings of gourmet bistro dinners.
The ensemble has also made
its presence known in Little
Italy, with their Galler y Concert
series at the Meyer Fine Art Galler y. A maximum of 90 tickets
are made available for each
performance in the series.
As Camarada kicks off its
19th season, Ross-Buckley said
a trio of themed concerts are
planned through April for the
Candlelight Concerts in Uptown.
(l to r) Dave Buckley, violin; Dana Burnett, piano; Travis Maril, viola; Beth Ross
Buckley, flute; and Erin Breene, cello, start the new season in Bankers Hill.
(Courtesy Camarada)
The series kicks off Sept. 28
with French music in the aptly
titled, “Rendezvous à Paris.” The
next concert in the series, “Latin
Postcards,” is slated for Feb. 1,
2013 and wraps April 26, 2013
with an evening of enchantment
titled, “Night Music.”
Burnett said the ensemble
puts a fair amount of time and
effort into each song selection.
The process includes researching the background of each
piece and determining how it
will assimilate into a particular
program. Lining up the right
musicians also is part of the
intensive process.
Ross-Buckley, who hails from
San Francisco, said the ensemble’s partnership with St. Paul’s
has been fruitful.
“It’s just gorgeous in there,”
Ross-Buckley said. “It’s the
kind of place that makes our
music more accessible and more
intimate. It’s exactly what we’re
setting out to do.”u
10
NEWS
www.sdcnn.com
A South
Park success
Crow Thief boutique brings
one-of-a-kind style to menswear, celebrates anniversary with fashion show
By Sara Gilman
SDUN Reporter
Owner Melissa Hendrix-Lawson stands in the doorway of her boutique.
(Photo by Cole Humphus / Cole Joseph Photography)
Crow Thief, a handcrafted,
The idea of opening a boutique
friends. She later graduated with an
custom and ready-to-wear men’s
became a reality in September of
apparel and manufacturing degree
fashion label and store, reached its
last year, with the perfect spot found
from the Fashion Institute of Design
one-year anniversary at their South
in South Park. Hendrix-Lawson
and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
Park boutique this month. Owners
transformed the former office space
While at school, she said she
will be celebrating their milestone
into a combination workroom and
with “An Evening of the Gentlemen” learned the fundamentals of fashion
retail store with the help of
fashion show and affair
her husband and business
on Thursday, Sept. 20 at
partner, Ray Lawson.
Alchemy Restaurant.
The Crow Thief store is
Owner and designer
located at 3009 Grape St.,
Melissa Hendrix-Lawson
with open hours Thursdays
established Crow Thief in
– Saturdays from 12 to 8
2008 with the launch of popp.m. They are available for
ular graphic design T-shirts
appointments Mondays
for men and women. By
through Wednesdays.
2010, the company evolved
Through word-ofinto a full-scale, dual-gender
mouth marketing and
clothing line, with limited
sidewalk appeal, new cusedition pieces that were
tomers are discovering the
sold to national retailers.
store and have the option
At the time, all production
to buy a limited selection of
occurred in-house, literally,
items directly off the rack.
in Hendrix-Lawson’s home
(above and below) Crow Thief marketing photos highlight
in San Diego. With the
the designer's products. (Photos by Marisa Holmes Photography) Alternately, customers can
work with Hendrix-Lawson
growing demand and small
to custom fit and design
workspace, she said she felt
each article of clothing.
she was “spreading thin”
“Most of our clients like
and decided to focus solely
custom-design,” she said.
on menswear.
“It starts with a curios“I geared my line toity about the process and
wards men because they
develops into more, with
don’t necessarily follow
details and questions of
trends the way women
their lifestyle. It’s all about
follow trends,” she said.
finding the right balance
“I’m not a trendy person,
between textures and
but aware of what’s going
colors and materials to best
on around our environmatch the client’s bodyment. I produce a simple
type and comfort level.”
silhouette and create an
Accolades have followed Crow
design, such as drawing, sewing
amazing fit with details that are
Thief, being named “Best New
and draping. Upon graduation, she
noticeable, yet not distracting.”
Menswear Designer in San Diego”
became a buyer in the clothing
Hendrix-Lawson’s passion for
industry and experienced all aspects by San Diego Magazine and “Top
style and creation started in high
of budgeting, buying, forecasting for Men’s Retailer” by Riviera San
school, she said, where she would
Diego Magazine. The company was
deconstruct and design shirts for her demographics and watching trends.
also featured in Exquisite Weddings
Magazine for their non-traditional,
stylish and more personal take on
men’s formal wear.
There are more plans for
growth, but Hendrix-Lawson said
she is “taking baby steps.” Currently, she has 30 people on a waiting
list for fittings and is working with
two interns.
“Customer service is as important as quality of product. The main
goal being attainable, quality items
– hand-crafted with custom patterns
– and not overpriced,” she said. “We
have received nothing but great,
positive feedback.”
“The Evening of the Gentlemen”
celebration will feature food from
Alchemy restaurant and specialty
cocktails from Blind Tiger Cocktail
Company, highlighted by a fashion
showcase of Crow Thief’s latest
designs. Tickets for the Sept. 20, 8
p.m. show are $10. For more information and to reserve a space, visit
crowthief.com or call 619-961-6210.u
Are you following us on…
Search for…
San Diego Uptown News,
San Diego Downtown News,
or Gay San Diego
ark Boulevard
DINING
www.sdcnn.com
f r a n k s a b at i n i j r .
The dazzling renovation of Lei
Lounge can send you into multiple
moods over the course of a single
Hawaiian-style mojito. Combined
with lights that change hues from
opposite walls obscured by faux
ivy is a canopy ceiling projecting
everything from midday sunshine
and dusky skies to splashing
water and bustling Times Square.
At moments, the ambiance turns
psychedelic, when images of red
amoebae and dancing white skeletons enter into the loop.
Despite the costly high-tech
rigging, Lei’s new atmosphere
is refreshingly serene rather
than in-your-face glitz, allowing
you to imbibe and dine in what
feels like a space created by a
master feng shui expert. Indeed,
the lighting wavers gently while
open skies and fresh air descend
upon patrons through a separation between the front bar and
main dining area. A smattering
of Thai statuar y delivers a meditative element to the scheme,
giving you the urge to sleep here
overnight if you could.
With its reopening on July 12,
the menu was completely revised
by Chef Angel Melgoza, who
came on board after working in
the kitchens of Searsucker and
Burlap. Melgoza brings a tropical Pan-Asian flair to the table
while showing off his knack for
balancing fruity sauces with savor y proteins. The latter became
evident when swiping pork-filled
lemongrass pot stickers through
sweet-and-sour guava puree; a
match tasting like it was invented in a resort on some South
Pacific island.
For scallops seared in duck fat
and garlic, the chef serves them
atop tamarind-lychee jam, turning
the pearly white mollusks into
a winning dish that could easily
appease a person who eschews
seafood. The jam’s sweet, raisinlike flavor struck a novel pairing,
although the notion of duck fat
evaded us.
Unadorned, but outstanding,
was ahi poke piled into a large
seashell with freshly fried wonton
chips on the side. Melgoza sticks
to the Hawaiian tradition of poke,
r e s tau r a n t r e v i e w
using larger-than-usual cubes of
the raw ahi and dressing them
with nothing more than a touch
of soy sauce, white sesame seeds
and his own addition of cilantro.
The “Lei-zee roll” also became
our favorite dish of the evening,
a sushi creation featuring spicy
crab, hamachi, carrots, cucumber,
avocado and generous cilantro.
“I feel like I’m biting into the
first day of spring,” my companion
said as we pressed Melgoza for
the “secret spice” that he adds
into the roll. He refused to tell
us, but instead revealed that he
will soon start sharing his love of
sushi-making offsite, at private
parties in a side business called
Raw Power Sushi.
From the “bowls” category, we
were ambivalent over the baked
crab mac-cheese due to the mild
curds comprising the sauce:
white cheddar and
smoked mozzarella.
The flavors of
the sweet
lump
crab and
Chinese
broccoli
strewn throughout,
however, were given a voice.
But having grown up with basic
recipes using extra-sharp cheddar,
we each agreed the stronger the
cheese, the better.
A large portion of Lei’s new
menu focuses on small plates
suited for lounging over titillating
cocktails such as ginger tonics,
cucumber martinis, Tokyo iced
teas and a summery vodka-spiked
lemonade flavored elegantly with
snips of fresh thyme. In another
vodka drink, the healing powers
of aloe vera come into play, along
with lemons and 7UP.
Heavier meals listed under
the “bones n’ fins” section bow to
market-fresh whole fish, served
crunchy or grilled. Though we
didn’t order it, I’m all in favor
since this is the way fish used to
be served before American con-
Scallops seared in duck fat.
(Photo Frank Sabatini Jr.)
11
The “Lei-zee” roll features spicy crab.
(Photo Frank Sabatini Jr.)
sumers began opting
for blander filets in the
absence of heads, tails
and organs infusing the
flesh with richer flavors.
4622 Park Blvd. (University Heights)
Entrees extend also to
pork belly with coconut
rice and short ribs with
purple potato au gratin.
Dinner prices: Salads and starters, $5
Passing up Nutella
to
$12; entrees and sushi, $10 to $32
volcano cake and a
tempting green tea
ice cream sundae with
with comfy, circular booths
blood orange froth, we chose
along one side and a couple of
banana cheesecake piped into
vertical-standing wonton crepes. It low couches with fire-pit tables
along the other main wall. Table
was love at first bite, turning into
seating runs through the middle,
obsession by the second spoonful
while the front bar embraces a
as we dipped some of the pieces
more minimalist, modern design.
into the extra-bright tasting berry
But no matter where you perch,
jam on the plate. Bananas never
the interior views are both soothtasted so lively.
ing and stimulatLei’s remodeling has
seen the replacement of ing, leaving
you feeling
its popular
as though
cabanas
a tropical
breeze is
blowing down
your shirt.u
Lei Lounge
619-813-2272
12
DINING
Nunu's cocktails
www.sdcnn.com
3537 Fifth Ave. (Hillcrest) | 619-295-2878
Happy Hour: Shrimp Bloody Mary special: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays
and Sundays; other drink specials, 6 p.m. to closing on Tuesdays
Meal in a glass
Come On
G e t H a p py !
D r. I n k
Look no further than one of
San Diego’s most cherished and
unpretentious watering holes for
Bloody Marys that contain more
chewable matter in them than any
you’ll find at chic restaurants. The
swooped-up double-shot Mary sells
for $7.50 at Nunu’s Cocktails, from
sunrise to sunset on Saturdays
and Sundays. After sucking up the
dozen-plus ounces of vodka and
tomato juice, you likely want a fork
to finish the rest.
The drink yields two large
shrimp, a celery stalk, a spear of
pickled asparagus, a couple of
pimento-stuffed olives and a crunchy
green bean that isn’t for timid
palates. The bean was the spiciest
component in the drink, rivaling the
few driblets of Tabasco Sauce that
went into the liquid. Lemons and
limes are also present, adding that
lovely citrus zing that clear liquors
and tomato juice should never be
served without.
Nunu’s Bloody Mary special
has caught on well, considering that
there wasn’t an empty seat in the
house when I stepped inside at 10:30
a.m. last Sunday. With the absence
of windows and a heavy curtain
covering the doorway, you
can easily be tricked into
thinking it’s Friday night
when the rest of the population actually begins reaching
for their morning coffee.
Red leather booths and drab
lighting set the stage for a serious,
convivial drinking crowd, which on
this particular morning, attracted
a mix of generations ranging from
casually dressed to the unshaven.
Chicken wings and jalapeno
poppers were another surprising
sight in these early hours. But hey,
if you’re slugging booze before
church lets out, then why not?
There are no discounts on food,
but none of it is expensive. Nearly
everything from the daily menu is
priced under $7.50, such as various
burgers, Philly cheese steaks, BLTs,
et cetera. The same low prices apply
to weekend breakfasts, should you
prefer eggs and hash browns with
your well-endowed Bloody Mary.
Other drink specials arise on
“whacky Tuesdays,” when “youcall-it” top-shelf drinks sell for only
$1. Yes, I’ll be putting that offer to
the test in the coming week with
my love for Bombay Sapphire
Gin martinis. Micro brews and
imported beers also cost $1, while
well drinks and domestic beers
cost $2 apiece. At other bars the
latter would be the cheapest in the
lineup. Therein explains the wackiness of Tuesdays.u
The weekend bloody Mary at Nunu’s
(Photo by Dr. Ink)
Ratings:
Drinks:
The double-shot Bloody Marys on weekends are delectably edible, as they are
garnished with shrimp and various veggies,
pickled and fresh. In addition, the bartenders don’t skimp on the booze mixing other
cocktails.
Food:
The char burgers and Buffalo-style wings
are big sellers, and are not quite as greasy
as the zucchini sticks and O-rings.
Value:
The best drink deals occur on “whacky
Tuesdays,” when top-shelf cocktails sell for
only $1.
Service:
Though crowded during most times of the
day, Nunu’s bartenders are skilled at taking
multiple drink orders concurrently and making the cocktails accurately.
Duration:
There are only two days when drink specials
are offered, but each extends for fairly long
periods of time.
'Allegiance'
13
Pg. 16
Volume 4, Issue 19 • Sept. 14–Sept. 27, 2012 • San Diego Uptown News
Two album-release parties planned for 10th edition of music
compilation; organized to get new music to the masses
By Logan Broyles
SDUN Reporter
For the last decade, the “Staring at the Sun” album series has
helped deliver local music to the
masses, and has done it well. This
free, semi-annual compilation
features some of the best and most
promising up-and-coming San
Diego bands.
This year’s 10th edition includes
44 tracks, including ones by Neon
Cough, Kevin Martin, Coda Reactor
and We Are Sirens, among others, as
well as newcomer Children of Nova.
To coincide with the album’s
release, music lovers are being
treated to two release parties.
Radio star Tim Pyles of San Diego’s FM 94/9 will be co-hosting
the first – a free, CD release
show at the Casbah on Sept. 24 –
with Bart Mendoza, the creator
of the series.
“This is a free show with some
of the best talent our city has to
offer” Pyles said. The Casbah is
located at 2501 Kettner Blvd, with
doors opening at 8:30 p.m.
“This album showcases our
diverse musical landscape in San
Diego,” Pyles said. “The two discs
cover everything from country to
electronica, and in between.”
Featured performer at the
Casbah will be the New Kinetics, who will share the stage with
Sundrop Electric, Neon Cough and
Children of Nova.
“We love playing the Casbah
and plan to give you your money’s
worth,” New Kinetics bassist Leslie
Schultze said. “I can’t speak for the
other bands, but I will say you can
expect some dancing, some yelling,
some new music and some guitar
smashing when we’re out there.”
Children of Nova won this year’s
– the first – “Staring at the Sun”
contest, sponsored by Pyles’ radio
show and Blindspot Records, which
Mendoza heads.
“We asked for submissions,
then Bart [Mendoza] and I locked
ourselves in a studio at the radio
station and listened to each and every one,” Pyles said. “We had quite
a few discs sent in and the only rule
was ‘one song.’” Deadline for the
contest was June 6.
Pyles said he describes the winners of the contest, Children of Nova,
as “progressive rock in the vein of
Coheed and Cambria or Circa Survive,” and that Casbah headliners the
New Kinetics are one of his favorite
acts on the album.
“The show will be fast-paced,”
Mendoza said, “with artists both on
the front stage and back in the Atari
Lounge, and we’ll have the free twoCD set with wonderful exclusive artwork from Chynna Majors Flores.”
The event at the Casbah will be
for ages 21 and over, but a second,
all-ages release party takes place
at Lestat’s Coffee House on Oct.
6. Located at 3343 Adams Ave. in
Normal Heights, the $5 admission
charge is being donated to a local
animal shelter.
“This is a chance to hear
great new music that’s being created right here in town,” Mendoza said. “It should be quite a
party, with many of the performers on the album attending.”
Mendoza also fronts the
The New Kinetics will play the Casbah on Sept. 24. (Photo by Spencer Lee Gallop)
bands the Shambles and Manual
waters of today’s music
Scan, and said he first conceived of
industry, where it can
the CD series in 1991 with Jon Gire.
be hard for a band to
The original idea was to offer a way
get noticed if it does not
to help local musicians, performing
already have backing
at the now-closed Megalopolis Bar
from a major label.
and Grill, get their work heard by a
“We want to do
larger audience.
everything we can to
“We felt that there were so many
get new music into
good groups performing at that
venue that deserved a wider hearing, listeners hands and
stereos,” he said. “You
and this was a way to get the best
can get a free copy at
tunes by a wide range of artists to a
the CD release shows,
music fan in one go,” Mendoza said.
“With the second edition, I expanded and after the shows
we’ll announce pick-up
it into a County-wide compilation,
points around town. We
and since the fourth edition, have infeel by getting these
cluded the occasional vintage track.”
new tunes into people’s
Mendoza said he hopes this
hands hopefully they’ll Neon Cough is featured on the album as well.
strength in numbers approach will
want to hear more.”u
help local acts rise above the murky
(Courtesy Neon Cough)
14
WHAT'S UP!
www.sdcnn.com
Coming of age with 'Pippin'
Diversionary Theatre brings back James Vasquez to stage their ‘biggest tech show’ yet
By Charlene Baldridge
SDUN Reporter
“We’re having a blast putting our
crazy show together,” said director James
Vasquez. The show is Stephen Schwartz’s
classic 1972 musical, “Pippin,” which took
over Diversionary Theatre in University
Heights Sept. 6 for a five-week run.
The hot young director in town, Vasquez
recently staged Diversionary’s world-premiere hit, “Harmony, Kansas.” Since 2003,
he has helmed The Old Globe’s “Dr. Seuss’
How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” with
other Globe credits that include “The Rocky
Horror Show,” “Emma” – as associate director – and “Boeing-Boeing.” He received the
Craig Noel San Diego Critics Circle Award
for his co-direction of Cygnet’s “Sweeney
Todd,” proving he has an ear for song and a
heart for humankind, which makes him the
perfect shepherd for the elusive “Pippin.”
Schwartz is author of the phenomenal
hit musical, “Wicked,” yet “Pippin” began as
a student production when Schwartz was in
college. The original piece was directed and
choreographed by Bob Fosse, and starred
Ben Vereen as the manipulative Leading
Player, who guides or pushes – depending upon perspective – the title character
through his picaresque search for adulthood.
In Roger O. Hirson’s book, Pippin is
the gauche eldest son of the mythical King
Charlemagne, who is wed to Fastrada
(played by Luke Jacobs), who prefers that
her son, Lewis, inherit the throne. “She”
makes Pippin’s life miserable.
Vasquez calls “Pippin” a universal
coming-of-age story with appeal for everyone. “We reach these points in our lives –
whether at 20 or 30 or 50 – where we have
to rediscover who we are, re-configure and
accept,” he said.
Pippin (Louis Pardo) discovers that he
is not cut out for military life, decides that
someone as extraordinary as he needs to
discover something extraordinary to do
with his life. Hence, the quest, which acquaints him with love, reacquaints him with
his grandmother and allows him to accept
himself.
Though Vasquez intends to be faithful
to the score and the script – the official
one sanctioned by Schwartz – he said he
“dirties it up a bit” with numerous gender
switches and modern elements, like social
media and extreme voyeurism. “It’s the
idea of reality television,” Vasquez said,
“and how obsessed we are as a society with
everybody else’s business.”
It seemed natural that Vasquez’s gender
bending include the casting of Courtney
Corey as the Leading Player. The two first
met 15 years ago in a Welk Theatre production of “No, No, Nanette.” Corey was a
protégée of the late, great Priscilla Allen at
San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. She also attended San Diego State
University, and from there, moved into the
Broadway touring companies of “Rent” and
“Wicked.” San Diegans know her from her
recent performances in North Coast Rep’s
“Lend me a Tenor” and San Diego Rep’s
“The Great American Trailer Musical.”
In an update just prior to technical
rehearsals at Diversionary, Vasquez said
working with Corey again is a good for the
production. Calling “Pippin” a “big show,”
he also said it was challenging; yet a challenge he is able to meet with the constant
(l to r) Megan Carmitchel, Luke H. Jacobs, Tony Houck, Courtney Corey, Hunter Schwarz, Andy Collins
and Wendy Maples in ‘Pippin’ (Photo by Ken Jacques)
support Diversionary has given the team.
Charlene Baldridge: What have you
discovered about Pippin – the show and
character – that you didn’t know before?
James Vasquez: It’s a big show. Boy oh
boy, is it a big show, and we’re doing it with
a cast of only 8, intentionally. There have
been challenges in making that work … but
within those challenges we’ve discovered
some fun ways of storytelling, forcing us
and our audience to really think outside of
the box and take this journey.
We set out to tell “Pippin” in our voice,
and every day we find more relevance to
our modern times. It’s really quite a brilliant
script in that way. It’s so specific to a certain
time, but is full of such universal themes
that we’ve found it really easy to relate to
each in our own personal way. Not speaking for every production of
“Pippin” out there, but certainly the ones
I’ve seen, the role of Pippin has always been
played as a weak, dreamy-eyed guy. Thank-
Coronado Art Walk
Saturday & Sunday
September 15 & 16
10am - 5pm at the
Coronado Ferry Landing
!
n
o
i
s
s
i
m
d
A
E
E
R
F
Over 100
Art Activities
Live Music
Participating Artists
For more information: 619.435.7242
www.coronadoartwalk.org • www.coronadohistory.org
Sponsored by: The Coronado Historical
Association and the Unified Port of San Diego
with donations from many others.
fully, that’s not Louis Pardo’s personality
at all. He has a confident and outgoing
presence and isn’t afraid of falling down and
getting back up to start over.
I think that’s what we’ve really discovered about our Pippin. He knows there’s
a place for him somewhere in this world,
but keeps bumping up against gigantic
walls. He could turn around and quit, or
fight to get over that [next] wall. He may
not like what’s on the other side, but he’s
determined to find out.
CB: What have you discovered about
Courtney [Corey] that you never dreamed?
JV: Courtney surprises and teaches us
something new everyday. She comes to us
with such a strong background and resume,
and is so willing to play and try things, proving herself a real role model. It’s been fun to
watch her create the role of Leading Player
in such a way that she’s become much
see Pippin, page 17
Dying to take a ride on the
dark side of San Diego?
Old Town Trolley’s
‘Ghosts & Gravestones’
tour returns this September
Prepare to enter the boundless realm of
the supernatural. The happy ghost haunters
of Old Town Trolley beckon you to take a
trip in their buggy of doom for a journey
around San Diego’s darker side. The limited
engagement is September through October
2012 only, and reservations are required at
619-298-8687.
As dusk approaches, the tour starts
in the dead center of the Old Town
Marketplace, located at 4010 Twiggs Street
in Old Town, where your ghost host will
tell you a tale of sea monsters. Stories of
murder and death by hanging are but a few
happy thoughts for a gloomy evening, a
spiritual uplifting, so to speak.
Your buggy of despair then spirits you
away from Old Town, winding its way up to
a little-known park with tales of a historic
cemetery in Mission Hills. You should really
watch your step while there. Next, you’ll
descend back down to the Embarcadero
to visit the Maritime Museum and hear its
tantalizing tales and terrifying sea stories.
As you head back to Old Town and
your final destination, the ghost host will
tell stories of being buried alive. It’s an
“undertaking task.”
On a walk through El Campo Santo
Cemetery, perhaps you’ll meet some of the
pioneers of San Diego, who should have
remained six feet underground. Your last
walk will then take you to America’s most
haunted, just outside on the Whaley House
grounds, where stories of the past will dig
up memories of the tragic Whaley family.
The evening concludes with this
question in your mind: is something or
someone standing in the shadows beside
you? Decide for yourself. Sweet dreams.
Be advised that this tour is not
appropriate for children. It also runs
most dark and stormy nights, so dress
appropriately. Part of the tour is walking, so
comfortable shoes are recommended, or
you will be dead on your feet.
To learn more, visit http://www.
trolleytours.com/san-diego/ghost-tours.asp.
www.sdcnn.com
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS:
September 15
(Saturday)
Fiestas Patrias Celebration
(Mexican Independence Day):
A festival to commemorate
the rich and diverse Mexican
culture that was vital in the
development of San Diego and
California. Music, dancing,
games, and activities for the
entire family. Stage with
performers.
October 6 & 7
Old Town Art Festival (Old
Town Chamber event):
Enjoy museum-quality art
and sculpture as you stroll
through Old Town with all of
its history and charm. The Old
Town San Diego Art Festival
features contemporary artists,
fine craft, fashion and home
décor artisans. This event
brings together the essence of
Southern California; beautiful
San Diego weather, the Flavors
of Old Town international foods,
a wine-tasting pavilion and
continuous live entertainment.
The festival runs along San
Diego Avenue from Conde
Street into the Old Town San
Diego State Historic Park. Admission is free.
October 27
(Saturday)
OId Town’s Fall Festival:
Fall crafts and children’s
activities a la San Diego in the
1870s will be held from noon
to 4 p.m. in the central plaza
at Old Town San Diego State
Historic Park. Many merchants
surrounding the park will have
activities as well.
October 31
(Wednesday)
Trick-or-Treat: Free goodies
courtesy of the merchants
with Old Town San Diego
State Historic Park with ghosts
and goblins out in full force.
Enjoy special holiday treats,
activities, and extended
shopping hours at all the
stores within the state park
OLD TOWN’S NEWEST & BEST
SUSHI RESTAURANT
HAPPY HOUR:
5 P.M.- 6:30 P.M. DAILY
HALF PRICE DRAFT BEER
AND HOUSE SAKE
Reservations recommended
15
16
feature
www.sdcnn.com
Old Globe premieres ‘Allegiance – A New American Musical’
Writer Jay Kuo and actor Telly Leung discuss how serious subject matter can inspire and uplift
(l to r) Lea Salonga, Telly Leung, George Takei and Paul Nakauchi star in ‘Allegiance - A New American Musical’ at The Old
Globe. (Photo by Henry DiRocco)
By Anthony King
SDUN Editor
The Old Globe Theatre dives
into a major undertaking with their
latest: “Allegiance – A New American Musical,” the epic story of family, love and patriotism set during
the Japanese-American internment
of World War II. For singer and
actor Telly Leung, it is also a story
of civil rights and equality, ideals he
said everyone should know well.
“We’ve all felt second class in a
country that says we are all equal,”
Leung said. “As an Asian person I
feel that way. As an Asian person
in this industry I feel that way. As a
member of the LGBT community I
feel that way. We’ve all felt that way.”
Leung is currently in San Diego
with the rest of the “Allegiance”
cast and crew, and said he has been
working on the project for over two
years. The show began previews at
the Old Globe Friday, Sept. 7, with
opening night on Wednesday, Sept.
19. It will run through Oct. 21.
Being a world-premiere musical,
Leung said that while he has extensive work on Broadway and national
touring shows, he has never done
anything like this: creating a character and show from scratch.
“The writers, like Jay [Kuo],
have started to write around my
strengths, which has actually been
such a unique and rewarding experience,” Leung said.
Kuo wrote the music and lyrics
for “Allegiance,” and said creating
a show with specific actors in mind
was both refreshing and helpful. “Allegiance” is Kuo’s fourth musical.
“For Telly, he’s got this incredible
high tenor. I know what vowels work
really well for him,” Kuo said, adding
that he took everything – from vocal
range to longevity –into consideration in working with Leung.
Calling the process “exciting” and “organic,” Kuo said a
lot of changes are made during
the last few weeks leading up to
opening night.
“It’s one thing to sing it around
a table or to look at it on the page.
It’s another thing entirely to have
the actors that you’ve cast performing it and staging it, with choreography,” he said.
Starring with Leung is George
Takei and Lea Salonga, and
Leung is quick to point out most
everyone in the cast has worked
together in the past. He calls the
show a “home coming,” and said
that while the acting community
is very small, the Asian-acting
community is even smaller.
“The whole project has been
a wonderful reunion for me, with
other Asian actors that I’ve worked
with before,” he said.
Leung and Salonga first worked
together in 2002, on one of Leung’s
first forays on Broadway. “There’s
no need to develop chemistry
because ever since we met during
‘Flower Drum Song,’ I’ve always
viewed her as a big sister, as a
member of my Broadway family, as
a mentor [and] as somebody that
inspires me,” Leung said.
Salonga, who won a Tony
Award for her work in “Miss
Saigon,” is also well known for
being the first Asian actor to play
Eponine in “Les Misérables” on
Broadway and was the singing
voice of Mulan in Disney’s animated feature of the same name.
“As a kid, watching Lea accept
her Tony on television was so inspir-
ing,” Leung said. “I was one of many
Asian people of my generation that,
because she won a Tony, [was]
inspired to become a performer.”
Born and raised in New York
City, Leung said that to prepare for
his role as Sammy Kimura in “Allegiance,” he did a lot of research
on the history of the camps. The
process lead him to realize much of
the sentiment of that time – racism,
hatred and fear – had been replayed
during a time he remembers well:
immediately following 9/11.
“We’re trying to find something
as close to [the internment] as
possible to attach to, [and] we all
remember 9/11 and the feeling of
fear,” he said. “Fear comes from
… what’s different. If we focus on
what’s similar, that the key.”
Leung, who has a regular appearance on “Glee” as Wes, one
of the Dalton Academy Warblers,
said both “Allegiance” and the Fox
TV show are good examples of
art shedding light on people who
do not usually get the spotlight.
Leung also linked his professional
work to fighting for equality,
including LGBT rights.
“This is why we are proud to
be American in the first place,”
Leung said. “We do strive for
those ideals and we believe that,
at some point, if we strive hard
enough, they can exist.”
There are several special events
in conjunction with the Old Globe
production, including an art installation called “The Tag Project” and
a museum exhibition drawing attention to different perspectives from
the internment period. For complete information and to purchase
tickets for the run, visit theoldglobe.
org or call 619-234-5623.u
feature/theater
www.sdcnn.com
From page 14
pippin
more than just our tour guide or
emcee for the evening. Her character is flawed and struggles to
maintain total control, leaving us
to wonder whether she’s fighting
for the good guys or the bad.
CB: And what of Schwartz?
Have you been in contact with him?
JV: I have many direct sources
to Mr. Schwartz, but we’ve yet to
reach out to him. It’s been fun figuring it out for ourselves, finding
our “Pippin” and what it means
to us in the here and now. I hope
he’ll come see it, though.
A rip-roaring farce
WHEN: Through Sept. 30; Wednesdays
at 7 p.m., Thursdays – Saturdays at 8
p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m.
INFO: 858-481-1055
WEB: northcoastrep.org
JV: Well, certainly the modern
and totally invasive world we live
in, but even more so, my fantastic
cast and production team. I always
come into a project with very
strong and specific ideas, and lay
out a road map, but [also] make
sure that I leave some brain space
for what the rest of [the] ensemble has to bring to the table. The
energy my actors bring can’t help
but influence decisions about the
storytelling.
Charlie Reuter, our music
director, is so smart and enthusiastic in his approach. He’s
found a way to be faithful to Mr.
Schwartz’s original score, but
always allows the individual to put
their own voice to it. Annette Ye,
who is co-choreographing with
me, brings a real modern-movement language to the piece that
has also been extremely informative in creating our world.
And then you add Sean
Fanning’s set, Shirley Pierson’s
costumes and Kevin Anthenill’s
sound and video work into the
mix! They’ve been great in supporting my crazy ideas, bringing
their own crazy ideas to the table
and inspiring me to think even
more outside of the box.
The name North Coast
Repertor y Theatre (NCRT)
does not pop to the fore when
it comes to presentation of
adventuresome fare. With
few exceptions over the past
decade, NCRT patrons have enjoyed generally uncontroversial
and transparent pieces such as
“Lend Me a Tenor,” “The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling
Bee” and “The Odd Couple.”
Take a look, however,
at the first play in NCRT’s
31st season. Ostensibly, Carl
Sternheim’s “The Underpants”
is a rip-roaring farce about a
respectable young wife whose
underpants fall down at a 1910
King’s Parade in Düsseldorf.
Just under the surface, pun
intended, it is absolutely ribald.
Playing at NCRT through
Sept. 30, the original work was
adapted by actor and come-
“Pippin” plays Sept. 6 through
Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. (Thursdays
through Saturdays) and 2 p.m.
(Sundays), with special performances at 8 p.m. on Wednesday,
Sept. 12 and Monday, Sept. 24.
Diversionar y Theatre is located
at 4545 Park Blvd. For more
information or to purchase tickets, visit diversionar y.org or call
619-220-0097.u
North Coast Rep takes audiences on an
adventure with Steve Martin’s ‘The Underpants’
WHERE: North Coast Repertory Theatre
987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana
Beach
By Charlene Baldridge
SDUN Theater Critic
JV: Yes, of course. Yes. We’ve
still got a few days in the rehearsal
room, and there are definitely a
lot of unknowns tech-wise. I think
this may be the biggest tech show
Diversionary has ever done, as a
matter of fact. We’re incorporating some elements that haven’t
been seen on that stage before,
so it’s risky. But I think we all feel
passionate about these ideas and
what they add to the story we’re
trying to tell.
You know, it’s a gamble taking a show so widely known and
re-imagining it. You hope that
audiences respond positively. But,
I know we’re all beyond grateful for the creative freedom Bret
[Young] and John [Alexander of
Diversionary] have given us. They
occasionally give us funny and
confused looks, but then they say,
‘Let’s give it a try.’ As artists, you
can’t ask for much more.
17
"The Underpants"
CB: What shed the most light
on the project?
CB: Now that you’re upon
techs, how do you feel about your
choices and would you do it all
again?
“The Underpants” runs through Sept. 30 in Solana Beach. (Courtesy North Coast Rep)
dian Steve Martin. The setting
remains the same because no
other period would do.
If a proper woman showed
so much as an ankle in that
era, it was scandalous, so
losing one’s underpants is
a major cause for concern
to Theo Maske (played by
Matthew Henerson), a clerk
who fears he might lose his
government job as a result of
his young wife’s unintentional
indiscretion. Louise (charming Holly Rone) insists no one
noticed, but soon a stream
of potential lodgers appears,
among them a gentleman poet
named Versati (Jacob Bruce);
the neurotic Benjamin Cohen
(Omri Schein), who loves
Wagner and insists his name is
spelled with a K; and an ascetic old man named Klinglehof f
(Jonathan McMur tr y), who
purpor tedly seeks serenity.
Aided by her earthy neighbor and friend, Gertrude
(wondrous Clarinda Ross), the
clever Louise triumphs over all
the men, each of them rife with
bluster and protestations but
possessed of little finesse. At
the 11th hour, just when ever ything appears settled, a surprising character appears, deus ex
machina.
Staged by Mark Pinter, the
goings-on are underscored
by Marty Burnett’s brilliant,
off-kilter scenic design; Alina
Bokovikova’s period costumes,
and John Klicman’s oompahpah sound design, with a bit
of Wagner thrown in for good
measure. Lighting designer is
Matthew Novotny and Peter
Herman creates sure-fire wigs.
“The Underpants” proves to
be a quirky piece with plenty of
surface hilarity, clever linguistic
innuendo and an underlying
social critique that proceeds
from the original work. In the
mouths of her husband and
her would-be seducers, Claire’s
dilemmas frequently illicit
gasps from the audience. What
a woman of the era had to endure! What was expected of her
in the way of subser vience!
Rone and Ross are impeccable, alone and together. Ross
is delicious in her scene with
the aroused Henerson. Despite
a disparate style of deliver y –
how broad is my farce? – Henerson and Bruce come off as
well as is possible for stereotypes, however Schein and
McMurtr y steal the comedy:
Schein with his amazing physicality and McMurtr y because
of his droll, naïf in paradise
befuddlement. u
18
adoption
PREGNANT? CONSIDERING
ADOPTION? You choose from
families nationwide.
LIVING EXPENSES PAID.
Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions.
866-413-6292, 24/7 Void/Illinois
PREGNANT? CONSIDERING
ADOPTION? Talk with caring
adoption expert. You choose from
families nationwide. LIVING
EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7
Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions
866-413-6296 Florida Agency
#100021542
announcements
Energy companies are scared that
people will learn how to produce
FREE Electricity for their homes
using this unique device. Watch
now: www.FreeEnergyVideo.com
Power Companies HATE This!
antiques
AUTOGRAPHED GUITARS
MUST SELL! McCartney,
Stones, Zeppelin, Floyd, others.
Appraised over $3K each. Asking $500 each. Call for pictures!
1-888-275-5151
autos DONATIONS
A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR!
Breast Cancer Research Foundation! Most highly rated breast
cancer charity in America! Tax
Deductible/Fast Free Pick Up.
1-800-771-9551
www.carsforbreastcancer.org
CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top
$$$$$ PAID! Running or Not, All
Years, Makes, Models. Free Towing! We’re Local! 7 Days/Week.
Call Toll Free: 1-888-416-2330
DONATE A CAR - HELP CHILDREN FIGHTING DIABETES.
Fast, Free Towing. Call 7 days/
week. Non-runners OK. Tax Deductible. Call Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation
1-800-578- 0408
DONATE YOUR CAR to CHILDREN’S CANCER FUND of
AMERICA and help end CHILDHOOD CANCER. Tax Deductible. Next Day Towing. Receive
Vacation Voucher. 7 Days
1-800-469-8593
autos WANTED
TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any
Car/Truck, Running or Not. Call
for INSTANT offer:
1-800-454-6951
WE BUY CARS! Running or
Not. Any Make, Model or Year.
Call today for an INSTANT OFFER. Free Towing/Pickup. Top
Dollar. We’re Local!
1-800-844-3595
Get CASH for your Junk, Damaged, or Salvaged Car! FREE
car removal + TOP DOLLAR
for your unused and unwanted
vehicles. Call Now!!
800-341-0939
Sell Your Car For CA$H RIGHT
NOW! We pay Top Dollar for
your junk and salvaged cars. For
an instant quote CALL NOW!
800-419-3454
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
$75,000 Income Opportunity
Absolutely No Cost To You!
Provide Discount Pharmacy
Cards to Uninsureds Call Now
Receive 5,000 FREE Cards.
877-308-7959 Ext231
www.freerxadvantage.com
NO HYPE, NO BULL. $2,000 to
$4,000 Per Week. Starting Right
Now! Use our simple but powerful system. F/T or P/T.
www.EZMONEYMETHOD.biz
CABLE TV
Bundle & Save on your CABLE,
INTERNET PHONE, AND
MORE. High Speed Internet
starting at less than $20/mo.
CALL NOW! 800-291-4159
distribution services
A special touch—affordable
distribution services for your
advertising needs. Call Therese
1 (858) 492-8603
EDUCATION
Finish High School at home in a
few weeks. First Coast Academy,
1-800-658-1180x130.
www.fcahighschool.org
ELECTRONICS
Direct To Home Satellite TV
$19.99/mo. Free Installation
FREE HD/DVR Upgrade Credit/
Debit Card Req.
Call 1-800-795-3579
Promotional Prices start at
$19.99/Mo for DISH for 12/Mos.
Call Today! Ask about Next Day
Installation. 800-908-0366
EMPLOYMENT
Over 18? Can’t miss limited opportunity to travel with successful young business group. Paid
training. Transportation/Lodging.
Unlimited income potential.
877-646.5050
FINANCIAL SERVICES
CREDIT CARD DEBT? LEGALLY HAVE IT REMOVED!
Minimum $7,000 in debt to qualify. Utilize Consumer Protection
Attorneys. Call now!
1-888-237-0388
Earn more $$$ with your Investments! Unique funds provide
higher returns. Investment guaranteed. Get Started Now! 877-2001411 www.loyalfinancial.com
HEALTH, FITNESS & MEDICAL
High Prescription Costs? Low
Income? No Insurance? We Can
Help! Call SCBN Prescription
Advocacy at 888-331-1002
TAKE VIAGRA? SAVE $500!
100mg,/Cialis 20mg. 40+4
FREE, PILLS. Only $99.00 Discreet. 1-888-797-9024
VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg.
40 Pills +4 FREE only $99. #1
MALE ENHANCEMENT! Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Blue
Pill now! 1-888-796-8870
HELP WANTED
Live like a rockstar. Now hiring 10 spontaneous individuals.
Travel full time. Must be 18+.
Transportation and hotel provided. Call Loraine 877-777-2091.
AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train
for hands on Aviation Career.
FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Toll-Free:
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
877-205-0503
MEDICAL CAREERS BEGIN
HERE Train ONLINE for Allied
Health and Medical Management.
Job placement assistance. Computer
available. Financial Aid if qualified.
SCHEV certified. Call 888-2424026 www.CenturaOnline.com
ACTORS/MOVIE EXTRAS needed immediately! $150-$300/day
depending on job. No experience,
all looks needed. 1-800-561-1762
Classifieds
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS
NEEDED! Earn $22-$30/Hour
Working Online. PT/FT. Weekly
Pay. No Experience Necessary! Register Online Now!
www.245daily.info
Mystery Shoppers Needed Earn up
to $150 per day Undercover Shoppers Needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not
Required Call Now 888-380-3513
MISC. FOR SALE
MEMORY FOAM THERAPEUTIC NASA MATTRESSES
T-$299 F-$349 Q-$399 K-$499
ADJUSTABLES - $799 FREE
DELIVERY LIFETIME WARRANTY 90 NIGHT TRIAL
1-800-ATSLEEP1-800-287-5337
WWW.MATTRESSDR.COM
Miscellaneous
CANADA DRUG CENTER.
Safe and affordable medications.
Save up to 90% on your medication needs. Call 1-888-734-1530
($25.00 off your first prescription
and free shipping.)
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE
from Home. *Medical,
*Business, *Criminal Justice,
*Hospitality. Job placement
assistance. Computer available.
Financial Aid if qualified.
Call 800-494-3586
www.CenturaOnline.com
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS. WIN or Pay
Nothing! Start Your Application
In Under 60 Seconds. Contact
Disability Group, Inc. Licensed
Attorneys & BBB Accredited.
Call 1-888-606-4790
AIRLINE CAREERS begin
here - Become an Aviation
Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training. Financial aid if
qualified - Housing available. Job
placement assistance. Call AIM
(866)453-6204
CASH FOR CARS, Any Make or
Model! Free Towing. Sell it TODAY. Instant offer: 1-800-864-5784
Make up to a 90% return on
your Investments! Client-owned
company offering above-average
return rates. Investment guaranteed. www.loyalfinancial.com
CANADA DRUG CENTER.
Safe and affordable medications.
Save up to 90% on your medication needs. Call 1-877-743-0508
($25.00 off your first prescription
and free shipping.)
Power Companies HATE This!
Energy companies are scared that
people will learn how to produce
FREE Electricity for their homes
using this unique device. Watch
now: www.FreeEnergyVideo.com
**OLD GUITARS WANTED!**
Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch,
Prairie State, Euphonon, Larson,
D’Angelico, Stromberg, Rickenbacker, and Mosrite. Gibson
Mandolins/Banjos. 1930’s thru
1970’s TOP CASH PAID! 1-800401-0440
AIRLINE CAREERS begin here –
Become an Aviation Maintenance
Tech. FAA approved training.
Financial aid if qualified – Housing available. Job placement assistance. Call AIM (888) 686-1704
AT&T U-Verse for just $29.99/
mo! SAVE when you bundle
Internet+Phone+TV and get up
to $300 BACK! (select plans).
Limited Time Call NOW!
877-276-3538
www.sdcnn.com
HOT-TUB/SPA… Deluxe 2012
Model Neckjets, Therapyseat,
Never Used, Warranty, Can Deliver. Worth $5950. Sell $1950.
(800) 960-7727
Meet singles right now! No paid
operators, just real people like
you. Browse greetings, exchange
messages and connect live. Try it
free. Call now 1-877-737-9447
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE
from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job
placement assistance.Computer
available. Call 800-510-0784
www.CenturaOnline.com
CA$H PAID-UP TO $27/BOX
for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC
TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping.
SE HABLA ESPANOL. Emma
1-888-776-7771. www.Cash4DiabeticSupplies.com
CASH FOR CARS: All Cars/
Trucks Wanted. Running or Not!
Top Dollar Paid. We Come To
You! Any Make/Model. Call For
Instant Offer: 1-800-864-5960
MEDICAL CAREERS begin here
– Online training for Allied Health
and Medical Management. Job
placement assistance. Computer
available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800510-0784 www.CenturaOnline.com
Reach over 20 million homes nationwide with one easy buy! Only
$2,395 per week for a 25 word
classified! For more information
go to www.naninetwork.com
WORK ON JET ENGINES –
Train for hands on Aviation
Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if
qualified – Job placement assistance. Call AIM (866) 854-6156.
Real Estate / RENTALS
20 Acres $99/mo. $0-Down,
Owner Financing, NO CREDIT
CHECKS! Money Back Guarantee, Near El Paso, Texas FREE
Brochure. 1-800-755-8953
www.SunsetRanches.com
OWNER WILL FINANCE. Bank
or Seller won’t finance? We Help!
No qualifying. No credit! Low
Down. Call Today! 1-800-5632734. [email protected]
Sales & Rentals
NORTH PARK
4030 Iowa Street: 1bdrm cottage.
Hdwd. Floors, bay window. Pet on
approval. $1200 rent, $1200 deposit.
4086 Florida Street: 2bdrm 2ba.
Totally remodeled. Granite, stainless
steel appliances, with designer colors.
1 car garage included in this small ,
quiet, gated community. $1600 rent,
$1600 deposit.
CITY HEIGHTS
4018 36th street 2bdrm house with
detached garage. Nice front yard. All
new paint, carpet, window covers.
$1400 rent $1400 deposit.
MIRA MESA
11535 Caminito La Bar 2bd. 2 ba.
With loft. Upstairs unit with washer/
dryer, fireplace and Pergo floors.
$1700 rent $1700 deposit. Small pet
on approval.
619.640.7530
www.sdforrent.com
3128 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92104
TV
Stop Paying too much for TV!
Satellite is cheaper than cable!
Packages from $19.99/mo.–FREE
movies, FREE upgrades & FREE
HD: Limited Offer-CALL NOW!
800-364-5192
AT&T U-Verse just $29.99/mo!
Bundle Internet+Phone+TV &
SAVE. Get up to $300 BACK!
(Select plans). Limited Time
CALL 800-418-8969 & Check
Availability in your Area!
WANTED TO BUY
Wants to purchase minerals and
other oil and gas interests. Send
details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201
Yearbooks “Up to $20 paid for
high school yearbooks 1900 1988. www.yearbookusa.com or
214-514-1040.
CA$H PAID- up to $26/Box for
unexpired, sealed DIABETIC
TEST STRIPS. Hablamos Espanol. 1-800-371-1136
DIABETIC TEST STRIPS
Wanted Check us out Online! All
Major Brands Bought Dtsbuyer.
com 1-866-446-3009
WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE KAWASAKI 1967-1980
Z1-900, KZ900, KZ1000, ZIR,
KZ1000MKII, W1-650, H1-500,
H2-750, S1-250, S2-350, S3-400
Suzuki GS400, GT380, CB750
CASH PAID. FREE NATIONAL
PICKUP. 1-800-772-1142, 1-310721-0726 [email protected]
Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above
classifieds. Determining the value of their
service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some
advertisers do not offer employment but rather
supply the readers with manuals, directories
and other materials designed to help their
clients establish mail order selling and other
businesses at home. Under NO circumstance
should you send any money in advance or give
the client your checking, license ID, or credit
card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to
guarantee loans regardless of credit and note
that if a credit repair company does business
only over the phone it is illegal to request any
money before delivering its service. All funds
are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may
or may not reach Canada.
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY
www.sdcnn.com
ATTORNEYS
investment
SERVING S.D. SINCE 1967
INVESTMENT PROPERTY
SPECIALISTS,
SALES & EXCHANGES
APARTMENTS • OFFICE BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL•LEASING•FEE COUNSELING
• RESORT PROPERTIES ANYWHERE
• REAL ESTATE PROBLEM SOLVING
COASTAL SAGE
GARDENING
Garden Design
& Maintenance
3536 Ashford St., San Diego, CA 92111
in Clairemont.
[email protected]
Fax 760-431-4744
plumbing
Serving Uptown
for 15 years.
Ca. Contractor License #920677
Steve Fox Plumbing
GEORGE JONILONIS
“The Estate Builder”
858-278-4040
San Diego Uptown News |Sept. 14–Sept. 27, 2012
Garden • Shop
Classes • Services
3685 Voltaire St. San Diego
619.223.5229 • coastalsage.com
MILLWORK
• Leaky faucets
• Water leaks
• Backed up drain
• Gas leaks and more…
We fixc
619-286-6325
LIC# 789831
health
Plumbing
& Drain
COMMERICAL
RESIDENTIAL
SERVICE
Scott Haugum
(619) 414-8507
Lic.# CA863945
PAYROLL
HOME
Locally owned and operated since 2006.
IT SERVICES
Payroll
Bookeeping
Taxes
REALTORS
Troy Curnett
REALTOR ® - Broker
My business depends
on referrals. Thanks for
thinking of me.
Free inital consultation
Call Dave Yoshida, EA
(619) 220-0375
Fortunate Fields, Inc.
1010 University Ave. Suite C207
San Diego, CA 92103
Re-Stucco
Specialists
Interior Plaster/Drywall Repairs
All Work
Guaranteed
30+ Years Experience
Lic. # 694956
Repairs • Lath & Plaster
Re-Stucco • Custom Work
Clean • Reliable • Reasonable
D’arlex
619-846-2734 Cell
619- 265-9294
PETS
Landscaping
CONCRETE MASONRY
STRUCTURAL & DECORATIVE
BRICK • BLOCK
STONE • TILE
CONCRETE
DRAINAGE
WATERPROOFING
(619) 857-8769
OneMissionRealty.com
DRE # 01343230
Property Mgmt
For Sale or Lease
Water view home. Buy or lease option,
$1,650,000. 21,800 ft. Kearny Mesa
office building $3,950,000, 18 miles
Baja oceanfront, need partner, Idaho
Resort F & C $625,000. Try your sale,
exchange ideas? Geo Jonilonis. Rltr
(619) 454-4151.
WOOD WORKING
30 years experience
References & Portfolio
Email: [email protected]
carsonmasonrysandiego.com
“I WANT TO LAY
YOUR WOOD”
Licensed & Insured Lic #638122
William Carson
(858) 459-0959
cell: (858) 405-7484
PRINTED EVERY OTHER FRIDAY
Proud member of the GSDBA
Lic# 897390
Hardwood
& Laminate
Call today
for a FREE
estimate
ONLINE DAILY
www.sdcnn.com
S A L E S . I N S TA L L AT I O N . R E PA I R
www.topflooring.com
858.354.3142
[email protected]
FINANCIAL
Sudoku
H R Tactics
Puzzle from page 7
Strategic Planning, Tactical Training
Joe Whitaker operates H.R. Tactics,
a full-service human resource consulting firm in Mission Hills, providing a
broad range of human resource support,
products and solutions for small to midsized companies with fees designed
to put affordable human resources in
reach. He can be contacted at 804-4551
or e-mail at [email protected].
619.804.4551
302 Washington St., Suite 112
San Diego, CA 92103
For advertising, call: (619) 961-1958
Here's John
Crossword from page 7
19
20
calendar
www.sdcnn.com
CalendarofEvents
tation drop-in class, Vajrarupini
Buddhist Center, 3344 Fourth Ave.,
Bankers Hill, $10 donation
Friday, Sept. 14
Cinema Under the Stars: 8:30
p.m., screening “Indiana Jones and
the Last Crusade,” 4040 Goldfinch
St., tickets start at $14
Preschool stor y time: 10:30
– 11 a.m., children invited to a
fun time with books and possibly
singing and puppets, Mission
Hills Branch Library, 925 Washington St., free
Monday, Sept. 17
Bankers Hill residents: 6:30,
regular monthly meeting at top
of Inn at the Park with social time
before meeting, 525 Spruce St.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Book sale: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30
p.m., Friends of the Mission Hills
Branch Library, 925 Washington St.
North Park with Todd Gloria: 10 a.m., Coffee with Councilmember Todd Gloria debuting
BestWALK phone application to
rate North Park’s walkability, Caffé
Calabria, 3933 30th St.
White Elephant Sale: 9 a.m.
– 5 p.m., first sale to benefit SOHO,
includes furniture, antiques, vintage
items, Marston House Museum
grounds, 3525 Seventh Ave., $10
admission
Children crafts: 10 a.m. –
noon, Mission Hills Branch Library,
925 Washington St., free
p.m., screening “Indiana Jones and
the Last Crusade,” 4040 Goldfinch
St., tickets start at $14
Golden Hill Farmers Market: 8 a.m. – noon every Saturday,
B Street between 27th and 28th
streets, free
Old Town Farmers Market:
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday,
Harney Street, free
Sunday, Sept. 16
Pacific Sound Brass Quintet:
7 p.m., including music of Bach and
Copland to Ellington and Gershwin with guest organist Jan Feher
and the Westminster Choir, First
Presbyterian Church, 320 Date St.
in Bankers Hill
Hillcrest Farmers Market:
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Sunday, Hillcrest DMV, 3960 Normal St., free
Organ Concert: 2 p.m., music
by organist Carol Williams, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Bark,
free
Prayers for World Peace:
10:30 a.m. to noon, guided medi-
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Composting workshop: 6 – 7
p.m., teaching how to compost food
scraps, yard waste and newspapers,
Toma Sol Café, 301 Washington St.,
RSVP to [email protected], free
Pajama story time: 6:30 – 7
p.m., children are invited to come
dressed in their pajamas, Mission
Hills Branch Library, 925 W. Washington St., free
Organ Concert: 12:30 p.m.,
Tuesdays, short organ concert with
coffee, tea and refreshments with
concert series on Eolian-Skinner
organ, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
Fifth Avenue and Nutmeg Street in
Bankers Hill, free
Residents Free Tuesdays in
Balboa Park: hours vary by museum, participating museums include
Museum of Photographic Arts, San
Diego History Center, Veterans’
Museum and Memorial Center.
Free for San Diego Residents with
ID, active military and dependents
Wednesday, Sept. 19
Craft Night: 5:30 – 8 p.m., bring
your knitting, jewelry, scrapbooking, origami, wool spinning, Toma
Sol Café, 301 Washington St., free
LEGO play time: 5 – 6 p.m.,
children are invited to get creative
with LEGOs, Mission Hills Branch
Library, 925 W. Washington St., free
Mission Hills Farmers Market: 3 – 7 p.m. every Wednesday,
4050 Falcon St., free
San Diego History 101: 10 –
11:30 a.m., part two in a three-part
course hosted by the San Diego
History Center, part three is Sept.
26, History Center at the Casa de
Balboa, Balboa Park, $8 members
and $10 general, reservations
required at 619-232-6203
Thursday, Sept. 20
Cinema Under the Stars:
8:30 p.m., screening “Sabrina,” 4040
Goldfinch St., tickets start at $14
North Park Farmers Market:
3 – 7 p.m. every Thursday, park-
ing lot behind CVS at 32nd St. and
University Ave., free
Friday, Sept. 21
Museum of Art docent tour:
10 a.m., Sponsored by Museum Docent Council and featuring Cornelia
Feye, today: German Expressionist
Art from 1905 – 1937, San Diego
Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado in
Balboa Park, $12 members, $15
guests, $8 students
Preschool stor y time: 10:30
– 11 a.m., children invited to a
fun time with books and possibly
singing and puppets, Mission Hills
Branch Library, 925 Washington
St., free
Marston House Museum
Tours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays, Marston
House Museum, 3525 Seventh
Ave., $8 adults, $5 seniors and $4
children (6-12)
Saturday, Sept. 22
SOHO annual meeting: 12
– 2 p.m., SOHO annual board of
directors election and membership
meeting and potluck, RSVP to 619297-9327, National City Depot, 922
W. 23rd St. in National City
Golden Hill Farmers Market:
8 a.m. – noon every Saturday, B St.
between 27th and 28th Streets, free
Old Town Farmers Market:
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday,
Harney Street, free
children (6-12)
Sunday, Sept. 23
Outdoor poetry readings:
3 – 4 p.m., hosted by Poetry Grove
Poets (poetrygrove.weebly.com),
west end of Balboa Park on Quince
Street and Sixth Avenue, free
Robin Henkel Band with
Horns!: 8 p.m., blues and jazz concert, Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343
Adams Ave., $8
p.m., screening “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” 4040 Goldfinch St., tickets
start at $14
Hillcrest Farmers Market:
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Sunday, Hillcrest DMV, 3960 Normal St., free
Organ Concert: 2 p.m.,
music by organist Carol Williams,
Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa
Bark, free
Prayers for World Peace:
10:30 a.m. to noon, guided meditation drop-in class, Vajrarupini
Buddhist Center, 3344 Fourth Ave.,
Bankers Hill, $10 donation
children (6-12)
Monday, Sept. 24
North Park Rec Council:
6 p.m., regular monthly meeting
every fourth Monday, North Park
Recreation Center, 4044 Idaho St.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
Communicate with your
teen: 6 p.m., presented by the
Fleet and Family Support Center,
“How to Communicate with your
Teen” presentation for parents,
North Park Branch Library, 3795
31st St., free
Pajama story time: 6:30 – 7
p.m., children are invited to come
see Calendar, page 23
www.sdcnn.com
RonStern
Global Gumshoe
photo feature
21
Riviera Maya, Mexico
(Photos by Ron Stern)
22
home
www.sdcnn.com
From page 1
housecalls
approach with Presidio Hills, his
housing tract and neighboring park,
employing city planner John Nolen to
design the streets and the landscape,
which – according to the progressive
ideal – would work together.
Although Marston began
purchasing land for Presidio Hills in
1907, it wasn’t until the 1920s that he
was able to buy out his partners and
get his desired architect, William
Templeton Johnson, to design the
centerpiece of the park: the Junípero
Serra Museum. By the time all the
pieces were in place, a new architectural style (and indeed a new
political mood) had developed.
Therefore, the houses in
Presidio Hills were predominantly
built in the romantic revival style:
fanciful recreations of past architectural types, such as Spanish,
Monterrey, Mission and English
Tudor. By 1925, the humble Arts
and Crafts bungalow was passé, as
was the progressive movement. A
new age of prosperity had arrived.
Despite its progressive roots,
Presidio Hills appealed to the roaring 1920s home-buying public.
“These were high-fashion
homes at the time,” said Thomas
Roetker, Mission Hills Heritage’s
events chairman and the organizer of this year’s historic home tour
taking place in the Presidio Hills
neighborhood Sept. 22.
“The homeowners were civic
leaders: bankers and lawyers,
businessmen and doctors,”
he said, “and the houses were
fairly large for the day, 2,500 or
so square feet. They met the high
expectations of the clientele.”
As it turns out, Roetker had a
system of his own for organizing
Alexander Schreiber’s personal residence in Presidio Hills
Art Deco meets Spanish Revival on Presidio Drive.
(Photo by Barry Hager)
(Photo by Barry Hager)
this year’s tour. “First we pick a
theme, then keep the tour to a
walk-able area, so people can get
to know a small neighborhood and
how it developed.”
Once he settled on Presidio
Hills, Roetker said he began
canvassing homeowners to participate in the spring. He talked to
more than 50 prospects, and got a
commitment for the final house on
the tour just last month.
Two of the houses are by the
same master builder, Alexander
Schreiber. About half a dozen Schreibers have been declared historic,
including one included in the tour,
his personal house. Schreiber would
buy several lots in a neighborhood
and “the assumption is that he was
living here while building additional
homes in the area,” said Sonya
Palmer, the home’s current owner.
Besides being one of San
Diego’s more prolific builders – in
addition to Mission Hills, he built
in North and South Park, University Heights, Loma Portal and Encanto – Schreiber was a forwardthinker. He constructed the first
house in San Diego completely
wired for electrical appliances. If
you’ve ever tried to install modern
appliances in an old kitchen with
knob and tube wiring, you know
what an accomplishment that was.
Besides the Schreiber connection, Palmer’s home is interesting
for a couple of other reasons.
“One thing that is really fascinating [are] the columns. I was told
by the previous owner that they
had come from one of the Panama-California Exposition buildings
in Balboa Park,” Palmer said.
“The other thing of interest
may just be neighborhood lore,”
she said, “[as] there is a little
public transportation bus that
goes right by the house. Someone
said that the bus driver used to
say, when he passed the house,
that the living room had a lot of
sterling silver in the ceiling. There
are some ornate columns that rise
to the ceiling in the livingroom.
They’re now painted silver.”
Under years of paint there
could be silver leaf. Or it could
just be an interesting story.
During the day Palmer runs an
oncology lab for Regulus Therapeutics. The rest of the time she is
mother to a 17-year-old son, who
needs to be reminded occasionally
to go easy on the millwork. Does she
find the idea of opening her home to
350 strangers nerve-wracking?
“Not at all,” she said, laughing.
“Or maybe I don’t know what I’m
getting into.”
Palmer grew up in Washington
D.C., in an historic apartment
building that’s now named for one
of its more illustrious residents,
Republican Senator William Borah
of Idaho. Borah, surprisingly, was
also a Progressive.
“When I moved to San Diego,
I knew I wanted to live in an old
home, so I focused on that,” she
said. The old Schreiber place
suits her so well, she said, she
has not changed a thing, with the
exception of the backyard patio.
Palmer redid it to take advantage
of Southern California’s bug-free
outdoor lifestyle: something you
won’t find on the East Coast, no
matter how historic your home.
Palmer said she agreed to be
a part of the tour simply because
she was asked. “I’m very happy
to open it up to the community,”
she said, adding that she hopes to
inspire other homeowners. “It’s
great fun to look at old homes.”
While other homeowners
may hang around ner vously
watching visitors traipse through
their abode, Palmer will be out
on the tour herself.
She should especially enjoy the
other Schreiber house, a fantastic
fusion of Art Deco and Spanish
Revival on Presidio Drive. The
livingroom ceiling is particularly
spectacular: no silver leaf, but
there are carved, wooden beams
with Moorish decoration. Whatever your political persuasion, you’ll
find it fascinating.
The 8th annual Mission Hills
Historic Home Tour, which includes the Serra Museum, is Sept.
22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance
tickets start at $20; day-of tickets
start at $25. To purchase tickets
and for more information, visit
missionhillsheritage.org.u
calendar
www.sdcnn.com
From page 20
calendar
dressed in their pajamas, Mission
Hills Branch Library, 925 W. Washington St., free
Organ Concert: 12:30 p.m.,
Tuesdays, short organ concert with
coffee, tea and refreshments with
concert series on Eolian-Skinner
organ, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
Fifth Avenue and Nutmeg Street in
Bankers Hill, free
Residents Free Tuesdays
in Balboa Park: hours vary by
museum, participating museums
include Museum of Photographic
Arts, San Diego History Center,
Veterans’ Museum and Memorial Center. Free for San Diego
Residents with ID, active military
and dependents
Wednesday, Sept. 26
Mystery book group: 6:30 –
7:30 p.m., discussing “Shell Games”
by Mark Russell and “Southland” by
Nina Revoyr, Mission Hills Branch
Library, 925 Washington St., free
Resume workshop: 6 p.m., featuring life coach Diane Jaquet, bring
a copy of your resume and discuss
how to improve it, North Park
Branch Library, 3795 31st St., free
LEGO play time: 5 – 6 p.m.,
children are invited to get creative
with LEGOs, Mission Hills Branch
Library, 925 W. Washington St., free
North Park Community Association: 6 – 8 p.m., North Park
Community Association regular
meeting every fourth Wednesday,
Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego History 101:
10 – 11:30 a.m., part three in a
three-part course hosted by the
San Diego History Center, Casa de
Balboa, Balboa Park, $8 members
and $10 general, reservations
required at 619-232-6203
Puppet Shows in Balboa
Park: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.,
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
summer series, Balboa Park Recital
Hall 2130 Pan American Plaza, $5
Thursday, Sept. 27
Fermenters Club: 7 – 9 p.m.,
September meeting to learn about
benefits of fermenting foods with
short demonstration and recipes,
Toma Sol Café, 301 Washington St.,
free
Butterfly garden how-to: 9:30
a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hosted by San
Diego Floral Association, learning
proper plants to attract butterflies,
El Prado building in Balboa Park,
RSVP to 619-232-5762, $10 members, $15 guests
Speed marketing: 5:30 – 7:30
p.m., marketing questions answered by professionals, hosted by
GSDBA, Balboa Park Club – Santa
Fe Room, 2150 Pan American Rd.,
RSVP to 619-296-4543, $10 GSDBA
members, $50 guests
8:30 p.m., screening “Rear Window,” 4040 Goldfinch St., tickets
start at $14
North Park Farmers Market:
3 – 7 p.m. every Thursday, parking lot behind CVS at 32nd St. and
University Ave., freeu
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
North Park Main Street
3076 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
619-294-2501 Fax 619-294-2502
e-mail –[email protected]
The 4th Annual 2012 Taste of North Park: Saturday, October 6, 2012 – 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. Bon Appetite! North Park, San Diego, CA – Sample, sip and shop at the 4th annual
Taste of North Park on Saturday October 6th from 11:00am to 4:00pm . Walk along the
streets of San Diego’s hippest neighborhood while you sample food from North Park’s
famous eateries, sip craft brews from San Diego’s best breweries and shop at a wide
variety of boutiques and galleries. For one ticket price you will enjoy over 40 restaurants
and 12 specialty brews. Each restaurant location will offer bite size tastes of house
favorites while the galleries and boutiques offer a chance to shop while sipping award
winning brews.
This self-guided walking tour will offer well-known chef specialties, vegetarian and
farm-to-table creations served up by the finest restaurants. In addition to satisfying your
appetite, visit the participating galleries and boutiques along the way and shop around as
you quench your thirst with an array of complex microbrews.
The Taste of North Park offers participants a unique glimpse into this thriving area
with amazing urban restaurants, innovative galleries and eclectic boutiques. For one
afternoon this delightful event gives foodie fanatics and beer enthusiasts the perfect
opportunity to find that new dinner spot or favorite new brunch hangout. Participants
can anticipate sampling dishes such as scrumptious flatbread, creative ceviche,
vegetarian burgers, flavorful tacos, and savory pasta dishes. Along with the main course,
leave room for handmade gourmet sweets such as rich desserts, decadent pastries and
exotic yogurts. In between courses stop into participating galleries and boutiques to
complement your palate with rich brews from local breweries. North Park also appeals
to your inner shopaholic with a wide selection of vintage clothing, trendsetting styles for
your home and fine art and jewelry that is sure to satisfy more than your appetite.
Here are the current participating restaurants, galleries and boutiques with new
locations added daily. For a complete list please visit www.tastenorthpark.com.
The Laundry Room
1955 El Cajon Blvd. (between Georgia St & Florida St)
San Diego, CA 92104 | (619) 795-9588
Wash without worry!
Ozone – or O3 – is Mother Nature’s purifier and disinfectant. The “3” stands for the
three, chemically linked oxygen atoms that compose ozone. Normal oxygen we breathe
(i.e., O2) is only made up of two oxygen atoms. In nature, ozone is created by ultraviolet
light and lightning, but the ozone layer itself has a high concentration of these atoms and
it protects us from the sun’s ultra violet rays.
Ozone is also a powerful antioxidant, so it can be used to kill germs and bacteria to
purify water. One of its three atoms has a weaker hold on the other two, and that atom
transfers electrons with other organic substances, such as bacteria and viruses, thereby
sanitizing both your clothes and other articles, as well as sanitizing the washing machine,
itself. At The Laundry Room, ozone is created inside our ozone generator and is sent
through a line into a diffuser, which creates ozone-saturated bubbles. Water is then drawn
into the mix with the bubbles, and fed into the water purification tank. The weak oxygen
molecule in the ozone attaches to the other organic molecules in the water, oxidizing
them. In effect – the ozone “eats them up” – and the result is clean, fresh, purified water.
Harmony Blinds and
Shutters, Inc.
(619) 795-0789
sandiegoshuttersandblinds.com
Harmony Blinds and Shutters offers homeowners the most convenient shopping
experience and the best values in custom window coverings! A simple call brings a
personal consultant right to your door. Choose from hundreds of options to fit your
style and budget. Experience Harmony’s award-winning service every step of the way.
Harmony Blinds and Shutters is the proud recipient of five consecutive Angie’s List
Super Service Awards!
Top brands represented include Hunter Douglas, Kathy Ireland Home, Norman
Shutters, Skandia, Comfortex, Lafayette, Levolor, Mariak, GranDesign and more!
Harmony can meet your needs from the most basic vertical or faux wood blinds to
elegant shutters, privacy sheers or custom drapes and cornices. Estimates are free, and
prices include expert installation by Harmony’s own staff (CSLB #863941).
Serving Greater San Diego from North Park since 2004. Harmony’s new North Park
office and showroom is now open at 2545 El Cajon Blvd suite 105 (facing Hamilton)!
Hours: 10 - 3 M-F.
23
24
www.sdcnn.com
URBN PIZZA | 3085 University Ave San Diego
Happy Hour 4-6 | Cocktail Hour 5 – 8 p.m.
CASA DE LUZ
2920 University Ave San Diego, CA 92104
Happy Hour: Mon.–Thur. 4 – 6 p.m.
WEST COAST TAVERN
BLUEFOOT BAR & LOUNGE
3815 30th Street San Diego, CA 92104
Happy Hour 12 – 9 p.m.
1st Happy Hour 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2st Happy Hour 3 – 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 6, 2012
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Featured Galleries and Boutiques:
Nose to the Grind @ Glimpse, Paw Pleasers, Overload,
Grace-ful Living, Pigment, obr Architecture, Aloha Sunday
Supply Co, The Undercarriage, Hunt and Gather, Cirello
Galley, A7D Creative Group, The Girl Can’t Help It, Home
Mercantile, and Queen Bee’s
Featured Restaurants and Bars:
30th Steet Café, Seven Grand, Bar Pink, Bluefoot Bar and
Lounge, Caffé Calabria, Cardamom Café and Bakery, Claire
de Lune Coffee Lounge, Eddie’s Philadelphia Steaks, El
Comal Antojitos Mexicanos, Heaven Sent Desserts, Lefty’s,
Mosaic Wine Bar, Old Mill Café, Paesano’s Fine Italian Food,
Pecs, Ranchos Mexican & Vegetarian Cuisine, Redwing Bar
and Grill, Ritual Tavern, Sea Rocket Bistro, Sicilian Thing
Pizza, Smoking Goat Bistro, Splash Wine Bar, Ramzees,
StreetSide Thai, El Take It Easy, The Office Bar, Inc., Toronado San Diego, True North Tavern, U-31 Bar and Lounge,
Urban Solace Restaurant, URBN Coal Fired Pizza, West Coast
Tavern, Western Steakburger, Yog-Art, Zensei Sushi, Wang’s,
Sipz Asian Fusion, Casa de Luz, and Jersey Joes Pizzeria
U31 BAR & COCKTAIL LOUNGE
3112 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92104
Featured Breweries:
Manzanita Brewing Company, Green Flash Brewing Company,
Mother Earth Brew Co., Tailgate Beer, Pizza Port, Ballast Point
Brewing Company, Automatic Brewing Company, Lagunitas
Brewing Company, The Lost Abbey, Karl Strauss, Hess Brewery,
MonkeyPaw, Stone Brewery, and The Beer Company
TRUE NORTH TAVERN
BAR PINK COCKTAIL LOUNGE

Sept. 14, 2012 - San Diego Uptown News

Transcription

Similar documents

Capuchinbird

Including, but not limited to, a choice of these items

4S Commons Town Center

Allen`s Swamp Monkey - San Diego Zoo Global Library

San Diego Wild Animal Park Water Master Plan

pp 1-3 Healing Waters Catalog

we`ve accomplished we`ve accomplished

Sudberry Properties Celebrates 30th Anniversary

2016 Coronation flyer short.psf

Layout 1 (Page 1) - Rescue Task Force