Transcript
Page 1: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

www.SDNEWS.com � Volume 12, Number 1San Diego Community Newspaper GroupSan Diego Community Newspaper GroupSan Diego Community Newspaper Group JANUARY 2011

DOWNTOWN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

PARKING VIOLATIONSThere are 112 types of parking viola-

tions that police officers or metermaidscan write tickets for. They are consideredinfractions, but some are very costly.Here’s a breakdown of some infractionsand how much the ticket will cost beforeand after the $12.50 surcharge:

• Blocking accessto disabled stall

• Disabled spot without sticker

• Expired meter

• Sidewalk accessramp for handicapped

• Red zone parking

• Unauthorized airportparking

• Bald tires

• Living in vehicleparked on street

• Parking over 18inches from curb

• Violation of street-sweeping signs

• Vehicle sales ordinance

• Unattached trailer on street

• Taxi zone parking

• Bus zone parking

• Expired registration

• Parking on a bridge

• Parking by firehydrant

• Inoperative vehicleover four hours

• Failure to crampwheels on hill

NOW FUTURE(with $12.50surcharge)

$440 $452.50

$340 $352.50

$30 $42.50

$290 $302.50

$65 $77.50

$67 $79.50

$40 $52.50

$40 $52.50

$47 $59.50

$40 $52.50

$50 $62.50

$250 $262.50

$50 $62.50

$265 $277.50

$40 $52.50

$40 $52.50

$65 $77.50

$41 $53.50

$47 $59.50— Source: city of San Diego

Parking tickets have gone upby $12.50 because of a deci-sion by the City Council inNovember to pass along state-mandated surcharges. The costincludes a $9.50 surcharge thecity had unknowingly beenabsorbing instead of passing iton to motorists.

Councilman Tony Youngsaid the move could save thecity $3 million annually. Therewere no speakers for or againstthe proposal, and it passedquickly.

The state recently notifiedthe city of a new $3 surcharge— on top of the other $9.50 itis imposing on all parking tick-ets — that will go to fund statetrial court buildings.

Members of the council’sBudget and Finance Commit-tee were told Nov. 10 thatstaf f had researched 16years’ worth of City Councilresolutions, but they couldnot find an ordinance allow-ing the city to collect the pre-vious $9.50 surcharge fromviolators.

Councilwoman Marti Emeraldmade the motion for the sur-charges to be passed along tomotorists, while CouncilmanCarl DeMaio voted against theplan without giving a reason.

“I applaud the staff forcatching this,” said District 3Councilman Todd Gloria.

There are more than 100types of parking violations thatpolice officers or meter maidscan write tickets for.

BY NEAL PUTNAM | DOWNTOWN NEWS

Parking tickets will cost you more

To build or not to build...

Should San Diego replace the aging down-town City Hall or repair the existing 1960s-erastructure and put off building a new chiefadministrative facility until the city can get itsfinancial affairs in order?

Mayor Jerry Sanders argues that now is thetime for the cash-strapped municipality tobreak ground on a proposed $293.5 mil-lion Civic Center redevelopment project thatsupporters say would allow the city to consol-idate operations and save an estimated $13million annually on leased office spaceoutside of City Hall.

“The greatest demonstration forfreedom in the history of our nation”was unfurled on the steps of Wash-ington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963, as Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “IHave a Dream” address to hundreds ofthousands of Americans seeking toshare that vision of equality and civilrights for all.

Almost 50 years later, Americans ofall ethnicities and religions continueto come together to remind eachother of the living movement King’s

life embodied and helped lead.Events set in downtown and Balboa

Park mark the celebrations during theweekend and week of Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. Day, Jan 17.

The Sheila R. Hardin San Diego Mul-ticultural Festival starts things offalong the Martin Luther King Jr. Prom-enade on Saturday, Jan. 15 from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. along Harbor Drive fromFourth Avenue to Market Street. Theevent includes entertainment and chil-dren’s activities, according to a state-

Supporters say a proposed $293.5million Civic Center redevelopmentproject will save an estimated $13million annually on leased officespace outside of City Hall. A designby Portland-based Gerding Edlenincludes a 19-story city administra-tion building. The 575,000-square-foot structure would provide officespace for about 2,400 employees, a400-seat City Council chambers, a1.25-acre public plaza and two levelsof underground parking.

COURTESY RENDERING

Finished in 1964, the cur-rent 13-story City Hallbuilding lacks mandatedfire sprinklers on 10 floors,does not meet earthquakesafety codes, containsasbestos and lacks thespace necessary to accom-modate the city’s officestaff.

PAUL HANSEN | Downtown News

Talk of new City Hall building rises again

BY MANNY LOPEZ | DOWNTOWN NEWS

SEE CITY HALL, Page 4

Events honor the dreamof Martin Luther King Jr.

BY SEBASTIAN RUIZ | DOWNTOWN NEWS

SEE DREAM, Page 4

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Page 2: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

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Page 3: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

NEWS 3JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

New facilities at San Diego High School include (from left) the School of Business Management facility, the Culinary Arts facility and theMultimedia Studio. COURTESY PHOTOS

High-tech, hands-on facilitiesopen at San Diego High School

San Diego High School celebrated thegrand opening of three new College,Career and Technical Education (CCTE)facilities at the school’s EducationalComplex in December. The facilitiesinclude a Culinary Arts facility, Schoolof Business Management and Multime-dia Studio.

The oldest school in the San DiegoUnified School District has undergonequite a modern renovation with the$5.6 million project. More than 8,000square feet of the school’s existingbuildings have been reconstructed toincorporate the latest technology andstate-of-the-art equipment in hands-onclassrooms.

Nearly 5,000 square feet of SanDiego High School’s existing Build-ing 100 have been remodeled toaccommodate the new CulinaryArts facility and School of BusinessManagement.

The Culinary Arts facility, a2,627-square-foot portion of thebuilding, houses high-tech commer-cial food service equipment, ateaching kitchen with prep and

cook-line area, lecture lab class-room with an interactive whiteboard, salad bar area and canopyused to serve student lunches, and anew outdoor dining area for specialculinary events.

A 2,262-square-foot portion ofBuilding 100 houses two new class-rooms and a conference room thatcomprise the School of BusinessManagement. The facility includesmodern technology with interactivewhite boards, a one-hour exit cor-ridor to comply with the state’sbuilding code requirements, andrenovated Associated Student Bodystorefront including digital signageand a weather-protected canopy.

The 3,500-square-foot television stu-dio located on the ground floor ofBuilding 300 at the high school hasbeen designed by industry experts toinclude a 1,800-square-foot studiowith 560-square-foot adjoining controlroom, a 900-square-foot audio-visualclassroom, and a 240-square-foot edit-ing room with four workstations and asound booth.

The new facilities coincide withthe San Diego Unified School Dis-

trict’s CCTE project, which placesstudents in a professional, work-based learning environment.

“The program prepares students tosuccessfully transition from secondaryeducation to college and a career,” saidCCTE director Shawn Lescher, empha-sizing that theory and application mustwork hand-in-hand.

“All of the programs work in con-junction with after-school programsand will be utilized early in the morninguntil late in the evening,” he said.

Approximately 900 students areenrolled in the new Culinary Arts Man-agement, Finance and Business, andHigh Definition Broadcast/MultimediaProduction programs to be taught inthe new facilities.

The additions to San Diego HighSchool are three of 22 CCTE projectslined up for the San Diego UnifiedSchool District, funded by CaliforniaProp 1D and San Diego Unified’s Prop S.

“We have about one renovationopening up every two months for thenext one-and-a-half to two years,”Lescher said.

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BY MARIKO LAMB | DOWNTOWN NEWS

North Embarcadero Visionary Plan put on hold againPlans to proceed with the first phase

of work on a major redevelopment pro-ject on the northern end of the Embar-cadero between Seaport Village andLindbergh Field have been stalled onceagain.

At its December meeting, the SanDiego Unified Port District’s Board ofPort Commissioners postponed a voteon whether or not to grant an appeal-able coastal development permit (CDP)that would jumpstart the $230 millionNorth Embarcadero Visionary Plan,which has been in discussions for thelast 12 years.

“Unfortunately, it appears that theopportunity for us to collaborate is over,”said Cory Briggs, attorney for the Navy

Broadway Complex Coalition, whichopposes development of the waterfrontthat they say excludes public use. “Theport made it clear that they are not inter-ested in doing what’s necessary to goforward as we agreed.”

According to Briggs, a week before thehearing, additional language was insert-ed concerning Broadway Pier that hadnot appeared during negotiations priorto the signing of a memorandum ofunderstanding between the Port District,San Diego Lane Field Developers, LLC,and the Navy Broadway Complex Coali-tion.

Commissioner Lee Burdick of the SanDiego Unified Port District said she votedfor the postponement because the NavyBroadway Complex Coalition had raisedenough questions about ambiguities

that resulted from the very recent revi-sions to the draft coastal developmentpermit.

Burdick said she believes becauseeverything was done under high pres-sure to be ready for the December boardmeeting, that there were inconsistenciesbetween some of the revisions and someof the pre-existing language in the mainCDP.

“We’re taking this month to clean itup and scrub the document of thosekinds of ambiguities,” Burdick said. “Ithink it will make the Navy BroadwayComplex Coalition folks very happy andI think it will make the Coastal Commis-sion staff very happy as well.”

More information on the NorthEmbarcadero Visionary Plan can befound at www.portofsandiego.org.

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Page 4: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

NEWS4 JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

In June 2010, the mayor presented aproposal designed by Portland, Oregon-based developer Gerding Edlen, whichincluded a 19-story city administrationbuilding located on the four-block site ofthe existing City Hall on C Street andFirst Avenue. The 575,000-square-footstructure would provide enough officespace for about 2,400 employees, a 400-seat City Council chambers, a 1.25-acrepublic plaza and two levels of under-ground parking.

Finished in 1964, the current 13-story City Hall building lacks man-dated fire sprinklers on 10 floors,does not meet earthquake safetycodes, contains asbestos and lacksthe space necessary to accommo-date the city’s office staff. Officialsestimate that it will cost nearly $40 mill ion to make “Band-Aid”

repairs and maintain the cityadministration building over thenext decade — a figure that somesay would be better spent on a newstructure since the old one will needto be demolished eventually.

Despite promises that the publicwould have an opportunity to vote onthe matter, the mayor vetoed in July aCity Council action passed by a 7-1 vote,that would have put the measure beforeSan Diegans on last November’s ballot.The Civic Center redevelopment projectcould still proceed if six council mem-bers vote to approve it.

Critics of the project assert thatbecause of the economic decline, budgetproblems and the threat of cuts to pub-lic services, the city should considerwhether now is the best time to talkabout building a new City Hall.

In public statements, CouncilmanCarl DeMaio, one of the project’s mostvocal opponents, accused the city of fail-ing to explore all its options before pur-

suing a deal to build a new and expen-sive City Hall. DeMaio has also statedthat he is unconvinced the projectreflects the priorities of San Diego tax-payers, and the city should renegotiatemore favorable terms on existing leasesor look to secure other properties down-town.

Pete Camarda, a financial servicesrepresentative with a downtown com-mercial bank, said that America’s FinestCity deserves a City Hall that’s fitting ofits reputation. Camarda added thatalong with a new building comes newconstruction jobs.

“Progress means prosperity,” saidCamarda, who spent seven years as aroofer before graduating from college in2006. “If San Diego is going to continueto be a leader in the future, we need theinfrastructure to make it happen.”

On the other hand, retired attorneyRichard Schwartz said he finds it hard tobelieve that the City AdministrationBuilding has outlived its usefulness.

“I’ve been coming to this buildingfor decades now and even though itseems tired and weathered, there’ss t i l l p l e n t y o f l i f e l e f t i n i t , ”Schwartz said. “How is it that the

original City Hall building on GS t r e e t , w h i c h w a s b u i l t i n t h e1800s, is still standing and in usetoday, but this building here is readyfor the wrecking ball?”

Police officer Jim Tulumello, on city administration building assignment, chats to city field rep-resentative Tommy Thomas about neighborhood code compliance in the lobby area of thepresent City Hall, 202 “C” St. PAUL HANSEN | Downtown News

CITY HALLCONTINUED FROM Page 1

ment from the Centre City DevelopmentCorporation. The multicultural festivalwas renamed for a former communityrelations manager for CCDC, Sheila R.Hardin. Hardin was “a driving forcebehind the festival” and passed away inApril 2010, according to the CCDC.

On Jan. 17, World Beat Cultural Cen-ter, 2100 Park Blvd., will host severalreggae and world music bands as wellas have a small vendor market place“rain or shine” at the 21st annual Mar-tin Luther King Day Celebration, saidevent organizer Jesse Graham.

Graham said King’s fight for equalityand justice not only for African Ameri-cans but everyone, continues today. Gra-

ham said he wants the message to reachyouth and encourages youngsters tolearn about history. It is important tocelebrate and remember the leaders whohave sacrificed for the liberties U.S citi-zens have today, he said.

“A lot of times, the youth forget aboutthat and we really bring them togetherand let them know about their historyand all of our histories,” he said.

While some will be celebrating withmusic and festivities, others will gatherto remember the life and symbolism ofKing through the third annual inter-faith Day of Service on Jan. 17. On thatday, community members will helpclean up Morley Field in Balboa Park,said Holly Watt, First United MethodistChurch of San Diego (FUMCSD) com-munications director .

Volunteers with the FUMCSD, Con-

gregations Beth Israel, Temple Emanu-El, Islamic Center of San Diego, Chin-maya Mission San Diego, First UnitarianUniversalist Church of San Diego, TheChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaySaints and Hillel of San Diego will spon-sor the event, help clear and haul brush,mulch and plant, according to a state-ment from FUMCSD.

“It’s honestly an event that evokes thespirit of the vision of Martin Luther KingJr., which is to bring people together ofall ethnicities and faiths and back-grounds and live in a community togeth-er, and this is a symbolic way of doingthat,” Watt said.

Volunteers are encouraged to bringgloves and a bag lunch for a picnic withnew friends. Volunteers should alsor e g i s t e r for the park cleanup atwww.fumcsd.org/KingDay, she said.

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Page 5: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

A Balboa Park Conservancy committee has been formedto address the vital needs of San Diego’s crown jewel ofparks while two other associations gear their efforts towardthe centennial celebration in 2015.

It’s a three-pronged project for improvements, changesand an effort to generate new life in the park that grew fromtwo successful expositions and has evolved into the homefor numerous museums and cultural centers.

Besides the conservancy, Plaza de Panama planners andthe San Diego Tourism Marketing District are involved.Each has independent committees and fundraisingresources.

Charles Hellerich, who heads the mayor’s appointed con-servancy, said there is compatibility among the threegroups that will foster improvements.

“They can work together very well,“ he said. “The con-servancy committee is in this for the long term while theother two will go away when their [2015] project is done.”

A 2008 study showed that the park needed $238 millionin improvements and that city money was unavailable.

The conservancy has acquired a total of $120,000from the Leger Benbough Foundation, the ParkerFoundation and the Balboa Park Trust Committee ofthe San Diego Foundation.

“The foundations have been supportive of the effort in awonderful way for the last three or four years, includingundertaking a couple of studies critical to the process ofdesigning that was ultimately recommended,” said Hel-lerich. “The conservancy, which will grow in size, is still ina formidable stage. The 2015 committee is looking at cre-ating (solely) the centennial event.

“We’ll be raising funds and carrying out capital projectsand deal with maintenance and management issues. Thecommittee will make recommendations to the City Coun-cil and continue to be the primarily role player.”

Appointed to the conservancy committee are JoyeBlount, Carol Chang, Benjamin Clay, Maria Davilla, Ray-mond Ellis, Joyce Gattas, PhD., Vicki Granowitz, ConnieMatsui Beckman, Paul Meyer and Judith Swink. They willmeet monthly.

“We will need to hire some professional assistance to get

Conservancy looks to breathenew life into Balboa Park

BY JOHNNY MCDONALD | DOWNTOWN NEWS

NEWS 5JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

Public law library gets face-liftWith a budget of $3.2 million, the San Diego

County Public Law Library kicked off the firstmajor renovation of its main branch since thebuilding located at 1105 Front St. was builtand dedicated in 1958.

Under the direction of John W. Adkins, direc-tor of libraries, the downtown branch will getmore than just a fresh coat of paint. Accordingto Adkins, there will be new carpeting andfurniture, added conference rooms andcommunity space, a refurbished readingroom and more computers available for pub-lic use. Additionally, more electrical outlets toaccommodate laptop users will be installedthroughout the building as well as new com-munication and media technology.

The building will be compliant with the1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and sep-arate work spaces for employees will be added.Ir² — Interior Resource, Inc. of San Diego didthe design work on the project.

“We’re really lucky to have this opportunityto grow the library,” Adkins said. “It’s a won-derful resource that does touch everybody inthe county.”

On Dec. 30, the downtown branch closedfor the renovations and a temporary scaled-down location will be opened one block away inthe Franz Building at 1168 Union St. on Jan.18. The hours of operation will remain thesame as the main branch and computers willbe made available for public use. Patrons willhave access to federal and state practice mate-rials and all books at the temporary locationwill be available for loan.

Renovations are expected to take up to sixmonths to complete.

Beyond renovating the downtown branch,Adkins said the San Diego County Public LawLibrary is taking this opportunity to reinventand rebrand itself as the law library for the peo-ple of San Diego.

“At its core, we make law public, we bringthe law to the people and we provide access to

justice,” said Adkins, adding that the courtsdon’t do that. “To get access to that justice, youmust have the legal arguments and the lawbehind you. We’re the ones who can help youget there.”

Adkins said one of his major goals is toensure that the people of San Diego Countyunderstand the full range of services and edu-cational opportunities offered at the law library.He encourages those who can’t afford an attor-ney to use the resources of the public lawlibrary to get meaningful help in whatever legalproceeding they may face. Adkins pointed outthat library staff cannot provide legal adviceto patrons.

“Legal research is complex, tedious and dif-ficult,” Adkins said. “We are the communica-tors, liaisons and facilitators so that people canget the information they need.”

For solo practitioners who do not have thetrappings of a big law firm, Adkins said thepublic law library could serve as his or heroffice, where they can conduct meetings withclients, do depositions, and have access todatabases that they depend on. He sees anopportunity to fulfill a real need for many localattorneys who have been laid off or can’t affordthe high overhead of an office.

Genaro Lara, a civil rights and criminaldefense attorney, who has been using theresources of the law library for the last 20years, said that it’s practical to do so andhandy because his office is only one blockaway from the branch.

“I have access to research in my office, so Iwon’t really be at much of a loss while thelibrary is closed,” Lara said. “But it’s easier toget law review treatises and articles here andthe sources available are free.”

While any member of the public can con-duct research at the library, residents of SanDiego County can apply for membership andreceive a library card to borrow materials.Membership is $10 per year and a smallrefundable deposit is required to cover the costof lost or damaged materials. Annual mem-bership dues have been waived until Septemberdue to the renovation of the main library.

In addition to the downtown branch, thecounty’s public law library system has loca-tions in Chula Vista, El Cajon and Vista. Duringthe renovation, patrons are encouraged to visitthe other branches. Parking is provided free ofcharge.

For more information, visit www.sdcll.orgor call (619) 531-3900.

BY MANNY LOPEZ | DOWNTOWN NEWS

The San Diego County Public Law Library is located at 1105 Front St. MANNY LOPEZ | Downtown News

SEE BALBOA, Page 7

Kite Flite San Diego

Kite Flite San Diego is a family run busi-ness celebrating our 25th year at Sea-port Village. We are located on theBoardwalk with a beautiful displayspinning right outside. Come and checkout our colorful display of kites, wind-socks, and flying toys that will makeeveryone on your list a kid again. All ofour products are guaranteed fun andeasy. Our staff personally test all of ouritems and are eager to share theirexpertise. We stock a full range of kites- from single line to stunt kites. We alsocarry flying toys from airplanes andFrisbees to boomerangs and rockets.For the less energetic we have a varietyof beautiful items to decorate yourhome that all spin in the wind. Kite

Flite San Diego is the place to go for hands on fun with the coolest gifts.Come on by and play before you buy! Seaport Village, San Diego, 92101. www.kiteflitesd.com, (619) 234-KITE

Swings ‘n Things San DiegoThe most unique store in Seaport Village. Who doesn’t want the gift of leisure?Family run since 1980, our hammock store not only carries the highest qual-ity hammocks, swings and porch swings, we also have a large selection of handmade gifts to create a paradise in your own home. If you are looking to turnyour patio into a destination - we have the perfect décor for you. It’s no won-der Swings and Things was voted best Patio Store in San Diego County. Stopon by and swing with one of our personable, well informed staff. We havegreat ideas on how to hang a hammock or swing in any situation. Please enjoythe bay view from our porch swing and remember the best gift is the gift ofrelaxation. Seaport Village, San Diego, 92101.www.swingsandthingssd.com, (619) 234-8995

Wind Song San Diego

The place to go for your home and garden décor. We feature precisely tuned windchimes and bells to ensure pleasant, harmonizing tones. To complement our windchimes we have a wonderful selection of spinning artwork that will mesmerize all.Our handmade copper fountains are soothing to listen to and to watch. For the birdlover, we have beautiful locally hand made birdhouses and bird feeders as well ascolorful, dripless, glass hummingbird feeders. Don’t forget to add a touch ofwhimsy in your yard with our recycled yard art, ducks and mushrooms. Decorateyour walls with our copper, steel and stone wall art - all made in the USA. And forthe little ones on your list, we have award winning instruments that will teach themhow to play. If you want a unique gift for everyone on your list, this is your shop!Seaport Village, San Diego, 92101. www.windsongsd.com, (619) 239-3559

Photo Credit: Eileen Hallett

Page 6: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

Joan Priday(541) 749-0197

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Unique and ExceptionalPurchased prior to construction, this unit wasthoughtfully modified and designed like no other. Versatile floorplan, 3 balconies, Italian marble floor-ing. This truly must be seen to be appreciated.

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Crown Bay - Near Petco ParkTop Floor Unit with floor to ceiling windows. Openfloor plan, optional room for guest or office. 1BR/2BA.993 Sq. Ft. with underground parking. Close to all!

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Short Sale BargainOwn in the heart of vibrant Little Italy! Bank has AP-PROVED short sale, Seller has lowered price! 1BR/1BA,Bright, full balcony, large closet and in-unit laundry.

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Trellis CondoGaslamp District in the Heart of Downtown. Walk toeverything! 1BR/1BA with parking underground. 697Sq. Ft. - Built in 2005.

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Aloft - Cortez HillChic, contemporary platform loft with street level en-trance across from Tweet Street Park. Enjoy an elegantlobby, pool, spa, cabanas, fire pit and fitness center. VAapproved. $289,000

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Horizons - TownhomeFabulous walk up with open floor plan, exterior andinterior courtyard patios, roof top terrace & two balconies! 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths and 1,770 sq.ft.Exquisite! $694,000-$749,000

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Urban LoftTraditional Sale! 2-story urban loft with 11 foot ceilingsand floor to ceiling windows. Private street entrance –great for dog owners. 2 blocks from Petco Park.

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PAGE 6 | JANUARY 2011 | SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

Page 7: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

Costly permitting fees and water-monitoring requirements for over-water fireworks displays may put anend to annual community fireworksshows such as the Fourth of July“Big Bay Boom” in San Diego Bay,the Independence Day display at theMission Bay Yacht Club and OceanBeach’s fireworks off the pier, saidMayor Jerry Sanders in a press con-ference Dec. 10.

In an initial draft distributed bythe San Diego Regional Water Qual-ity Control Board (RWQCB) inSeptember, fireworks show organiz-ers would be required to have anational pollutant discharge elimi-nation system (NPDES) permit forany public display of fireworks overa body of water.

The fireworks permit requirementwould be the first of its kind in thenation.

In order to obtain the permit,organizers of fireworks showswould be required to implement aso-called “best management prac-tices” (BMP) plan to clean up post-show debris in the water and to sub-mit an event cleanup report to theRWQCB.

The permit, based on thestatewide fee for NPDES permits,would be less than $1,500 per year.However, Sanders and organizers ofcommunity fireworks shows esti-mate costs for the entire process tobe much higher.

“These are community eventswhere they literally put out a can ina lot of places and ask for dona-tions, and it would probably costabout $30,000 to get the permitprocess and the monitoring,” saidSanders, who expressed fear thatthe costly permitting process wouldimmediately extinguish communityfireworks shows.

District 2 City Councilman KevinFaulconer agrees the costs of addedpermitting could be prohibitive anddetrimental to the communities herepresents, said Tony Manolatos, aspokesman for Faulconer’s office.Faulconer’s district includes down-town, Point Loma, Ocean Beach,Mission Beach, Pacific Beach andMission Bay.

In recent years, some organizershave been forced to cancel theircommunity fireworks showsbecause of lawsuits or threats oflegal action by environmentalgroups.

“Sometimes you get into a situa-tion that’s kind of ridiculousbecause some people decide to pushan issue and another side overre-acts,” Sanders said, calling the reg-ulations “like killing an ant with a

sledgehammer.”The San Diego RWQCB argues

that fireworks contain pollutantsthat have the potential to adverselyaffect sediment and water quality.

Although the board’s staff said itdoes not believe fireworks are amajor source of water pollution, ithas determined that the pyrotech-nics cause enough contaminationto require a permit when explodedover water.

“It is not just the casings and thewires that can get into the water,but polluting chemicals too,” saidRWQCB Assistant Executive OfficerJimmy Smith.

The most extensive water moni-toring to date was conducted bySeaWorld after threat of a lawsuitby San Diego Coastkeeper in 2006.The studies found that upward of110 fireworks shows per year for 30years at the theme park have notcaused an accumulation of pollu-tants in the bay’s water, sediment orshoreline.

“The evidence is just not there,”said District 1 City CouncilwomanSherri Lightner.

“It’s a huge yearly tradition in LaJolla, and it’s always been a volun-teer-funded event. It would definite-ly be hard to come up with fundingfor anywhere between $30,000 and$100,000 for the water monitoringin the area,” she said.

Smith said it’s too soon to sayhow much the permit will cost.

“The permit is still under develop-ment,” Smith said. “We don’t knowwhat the ultimate cost is going tobe. Right now, we’re just trying toconduct the best science.”

Changes to the board’s originaldraft have been applied to incorpo-rate past public concerns, particu-larly regarding the cost of the moni-toring and the possibility that allfireworks shows would be disbandedin San Diego.

The board will consider adoptionof the order at its regularly sched-uled meeting March 9.

7JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

New Year’s jump cancelled due to injury at practice

As the result of a training injuryon Dec. 14, Levi LaVallee, the world-class snowmobiler, was unable toattempt breaking the snowmobiledistance jump record scheduled totake place downtown on New Year’sEve. This is the first “Red Bull: NewYear. No Limits” event that has beencancelled since the series started in2007.

LaVallee was injured in a trainingsession in Southern California. The28-year-old Minnesota native wastransported to a hospital and waslisted in stable condition. He isexpected to make a full recovery.

LaVallee had planned an attemptto break the snowmobile distancejump record of 301 feet overEmbarcadero Marina Park. In train-ing, LaVallee recorded a 361-footjump, which will be submitted forworld-record certification.

— Anthony Gentile

Minnesota native Levi LaVallee, seen herepracticing a snowmobile jump, wasinjured while reparing for a record 301-foot attempt over Embarcadero Mari-na Park scheduled for Dec. 31.

COURTESY PHOTO

NEWS

Permitting regs could mean lightsout for community fireworks shows

BY MARIKO LAMB | DOWNTOWN NEWS

the instituation up and running,” Hel-lerich said. “We have to undertake somestudies for specific needs that identifywith the projects. Our mission is to keepBalboa Park magnificent into the 21stcentury.”

The most extensive plan has beenunveiled by Qualcomm founder andphilanthropist Irwin Jacob which pro-poses the removal of 67 parking spacesfrom Balboa Park’s main square nearthe Prado and building a two-level park-ing garage with up to 900 spaces southof the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Jacobs, who has donated tens of mil-lions of dollars to local causes, hasformed an 11-member committee toraise necessary funds.

This would return the plaza to apedestrian-only zone familiar to the1915-16 and 1935-36 expositions. Theplan envisions only eastbound trafficacross the Cabrillo Bridge and reroutingthe road through Alcazar Gardens andparking lot below, exiting near Presi-dent’s Way.

BALBOACONTINUED FROM Page 5

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Page 8: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

PAGE 8 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011 | SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

ENJOY THE COLORS & BEAUTY OF OLD TOWNThis page is made possible by these fine businesses.To find our how you can participate, call Mike at (858) 270-3103 x 112

Old Town San Diego State Historic Parkis hosting a Blessing of the Animals eventon Sunday, Jan.16, from noon to 3:00p.m. The blessing is led by MonsignorMark Campbell from the historic CatholicChurch of the Immaculate Conceptionin Old Town, but all faiths and convic-tions are welcome to celebrate the ani-mals that make our lives so special.

There will be a special appearance byChopper the Biker Dog. Chopper is a oneyear old Boston terrier who is known allaround the county for riding his own

Harley Davidson motorcycle and his dis-tinctive biker goggles.

The Chula Vista Nature Center will bebringing native animals to the event andthe Avian and Exotic Animal Hospitaland Emergency Animal Rescue will edu-cate the public about rescuing, rehabili-tating and supporting wild animals. Onhand will be many native animals thatare rarely viewed up close that have beenrescued but are now unable to return tothe wild.

Sky Hunters, a rehabilitation center for

birds of prey, will also be displaying threelive birds: two owls and one falcon.

There will be a talk given by SindiSomers of A Pet Psychic entitled AnimalCommunication. She will be offering tipsto help enhance people's communicationwith their pets and also do a demonstra-tion and answer questions from thecrowd. Somers offers a variety of servicesfor animals and people; psychic readingsand energy healings for people and pets,animal communication, pet nutritionand behavior consultations, dog trainingand meditation instruction for people.She is also a published writer and regularcontributor to San Diego Pets Magazine.

Also participating in the event is theSan Diego Humane Society and SPCA,Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego, Shelly’sShelter, Golden Rose Psychics, TijuanaRiver Valley Animal Rescue, ParrottRehabilitation Society and Friends ofCats. There will also be a pet expo withtreats for pets and owners as well asgames for kids.

This event has been happening formore than 300 years – dating back to the1700s. In San Diego the annual Benedic-tion of the Beasts celebrates St. Anthonyof the Desert, the Patron Saint of Ani-mals, and honors San Diego's own FatherAnthony Ubach. Because of his hardwork, in 1886 a school for Native Amer-icans was established in Old Town. It wasnamed St. Anthony's after Father Ubach.Activities for both animals and familiesmake this celebration both unique andvery moving to all who participate.

Admission to this event is free. For more information, visit: facebook.com/fiestadereyes or callSuzanne at j.simms agency, 858-689-9909.

Blessing of the Animals January 16 in Old Town Celebrates Animals of all Shapes and Sizes

Chopper the Biker Dog will be appearing at Blessing of the Animals in Old Town from noon to 3 p.m. on January 16.

Charles Gailband from the Chula Vista Nature Center shows a snake to the Boy Scout of AmericaGroup 1226.

PUBLISHER Julie Mannis Hoisington(858) 270-3103 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE EDITORJohn Gregory [email protected]

NEWS EDITORKevin McKay [email protected]

SPORTS EDITORAnthony Gentile [email protected]

REPORTERSAnthony Gentile [email protected]

Debbie Hatch [email protected]

ACCOUNTING Heather Glynn x103Patty Angley x120Accounts Receivable

SALES DIRECTORMarkey Daniels x111

AD CONSULTANTSMike Fahey x117Michael Long x112Ashlee Manzo x123Heather Snyder x115Deborah Vazquez x118Erin Zipfel x 121

CLASSIFIEDS MGR.Heather Snyder [email protected]

CLASSIFIEDSKim Donaldson [email protected]

PRODUCTION MGR.Casey Dean [email protected]

PRODUCTIONChris Baker,Anna Magulac

PHOTOGRAPHERSDon Balch, Paul Hansen

CONTRIBUTORSCharlene Baldridge, Diana Cavagnaro, Johnny McDonald, Bart Mendoza, Neal Putnam, Tawny Maya McCray,Mariko Lamb,Rachel Hutman

OPINIONS Signed letters to the editor are encouraged. All letters must include a phone num-ber for verification. The editor may edit letters for clarity and accuracy. Letters should be 350 wordsor less. Views expressed are not necessarily theviews of this newspaper or staff.SUBMISSIONS Letters and photo submissionsare welcomed. Those accompanied by anaddressed, stamped envelope will be returned. Theeditor reserves the right to edit for clarity.DEADLINES All content must be received by5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to publication.DISTRIBUTION San Diego Downtown Newsis available free the first Thursday every month.COPYRIGHT © 2010. All rights are reserved.Printed in the United States of AmericaPRINTED with soy inks and recycled paper.Please recycle.

DOWNTOWN NEWSSAN DIEGO

Mannis Communications4645 Cass St. Box 9550San Diego, CA 92169Fax: (858) 270-9325Ad Fax: (858) 713-0095

[email protected](858) 270-3103

sdnews.com

Chihuahuas from Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego come dressed in their best outfits for the pet costume contest.

Page 9: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

BUSINESS 9JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

WINDERMERE OFFICE CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYSThe holiday season was kicked off by Windermere SignatureProperties in its new Marina District office on First Avenue witha Grand Opening/Holiday Party. More than 300 agents, clientsand staff were in attendance. The office was transformed to cap-ture the holiday spirit with custom-painted windows, decorationsand carolers to welcome the guests’ arrival. This year, Winder-mere Signature agents voted to use this opportunity to supportthe San Diego Food Bank and they are grateful for all those whocontributed generous donations. Raye Scott and Francine Finn,agents and owners of the franchise, are excited to have the firstWindermere office in downtown San Diego. The office is openseven days a week. For more information, call (619) 481-6300.

Photos by PAUL HANSEN | Downtown News

Publisher keeps newspapers moving ahead

Julie Hoisington, owner and publisher of SanDiego Community Newspaper Group (SDCNG),is breaking down barriers in more ways thanone. Not only is she the only female publisherand owner of an independent newspaper com-pany in San Diego, her companyis succeeding at a time when thenovelty of print publications isdiminishing and small businessescontinue to struggle in an econo-my on the rebound.

From an early age, Hoisingtonknew what she wanted, and thedetermined young womanworked hard to achieve it. In highschool, Hoisington served as year-book editor and took classes inphotography and journalism. Shecontinued her passion in college,where she pursued a major ingraphic arts. In 1979, Hoisington was hired atthe Idahonian in Moscow, Idaho, a daily newspa-per where she acted as the creative designer forads, special sections and covers, and dummiedlayouts of the publication.

“Julie was the best graphic artist that our lit-tle newspaper had ever seen,” said RandyFrisch, former advertising manager at the Ida-honian.

“When somebody needed something doneright and done with style, they’d go to Julie,” hesaid, calling her a quiet, go-to leader in the smalladvertising department.

In 1988, Hoisington took her talents to SanDiego, where she and her ex-husband, DavidMannis, established SDCNG with the pub-lication of a single paper, Beach & BayPress, serving the Pacific Beach and Mis-sion Beach communities.

The company continued to expand, withpublications to include communities inPoint Loma, Ocean Beach, La Jolla anddowntown.

After the couple’s divorce, the duo con-

tinued to work as co-publishers at SDCNGfor eight years.

Hoisington has been operating SDCNG solofor two years now — and despite a downturn inthe economy, the emergence of competing busi-nesses and new technology to contend with —she is thriving at the helm.

Today, SDCNG publishes SanDiego Downtown News, Beach &Bay Press, The Peninsula Bea-con, La Jolla Village News and SanDiego Pets Magazine.

“ T h e s e c r e t t o s u c c e s sthrough economic challengesis that we’re able to think of itas a g rassroots approach,”Hoisington said.

Larger dailies find it difficult tofulfill their subscription quotasbecause they compete with anincreasingly over-saturated mar-ketplace of media sources from the

Internet and television. This, in turn, lessensthe influx of advertising dollars and altogetherdiminishes the existence of daily papers, sheexplained.

Advertising in community newspapers isideal for small businesses trying to target a spe-cific audience because the papers are seen bymore than a subscription-based fraction of themarket.

In the case of SDCNG, Hoisington’s papers hita vast portion of the community, deliveringniche publications to 56,000 doorsteps everyweek, she said.

“Having an independently-owned format,we’re not competing with the dailies and broad-cast. We’re isolated to the niche of communitynews,” she said, calling SDCNG’s businessmodel “hyper-local from day one.”

“We can be creative and not only bring thenews, but be creative from the marketing stand-point and come up with the most effective cam-paign,” she said.

SDCNG executive editor John Gregory,who has worked with Hoisington for 15

years, called Hoisington a “determinedand clever business owner.”

“I’ve seen her evolve into a very effectivemanager and leader of personnel,” he said.

“She is not afraid of making decisionsand sparking immediate action,” Gregorysaid. “She has seen changes in this busi-ness, knows how things work and she ispushing for progressive improvements.This is something you rarely see — eventoday — in the newspaper industry.”

One such decisive action that the busi-ness-savvy leader undertook was toembrace the latest trends in technologyinstead of blaming it as the culprit ofp r i n t ’ s d e m i s e . S D C N G l a u n c h e dwww.sdnews.com in the mid-1990s. It hassince become a comprehensive online web-site for Hoisington’s network of publica-tions. The home page now features dailynews updates and the news team hasadopted a web-first strategy.

News space used to be really tight in print,and a lot would get cut or held out, Hoisingtonsaid. Introducing fresh news online each dayprovides readers up-to-date and more in-depthinformation about their community on a regu-lar basis — like an electronic daily newspaper.

In addition, Hoisington mandated an ambi-tious social media program which waslaunched this year.

“I enjoy the fact that it’s real people with reallives, and we bring them news that will affectand touch their lives,” she said.

Despite difficult times for print, Hoisingtonhas succeeded by pushing forward with new,progressive ideas in the industry to keep nichepublications alive in San Diego. She has been aninstrumental figure in building commercein local communities and presenting newsthat often gets overlooked by larger dailypapers and broadcast.

“It’s an interesting industry to be in,” shesaid. “There’s never a dull moment.”

For more information about SDCNG, visitwww.sdnews.com or call (858) 270-3103.

JULIE HOISINGTONCASEY DEAN | Downtown News

BY MARIKO LAMB | DOWNTOWN NEWS

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Page 10: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

PHOTO FILES: DECEMBER 201010 JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

DANGEROUS CURVES: Spokesmodel Michelle Kroesing explains the features of aFerrari 430 Spider from Jakes’s Motorcars at the San Diego International AutoShow held Dec. 30-Jan. 2 at the San Diego Convention Center.

PAUL HANSEN | Downtown News

HOLIDAY FINERY: Kristian Alvarez and MunchkinMeng, a miniature Yorkshire terrier, sport holidaygarb at the third annual Pet Parade held Dec. 12in the Gaslamp Quarter. PAUL HANSEN | Downtown News

A SHOE-IN: Existence Church volunteers Vy Baker (left) and Erin Becker, adornedin festve reindeer antlers, arrange some of the 750 pairs of shoes donated to stu-dents of the Monarch School at a Dec. 12 holiday carnival. PAUL HANSEN | Downtown News

TOWERING TURTLE: Flautist Lisa Theda with the Lake Zurich High School Band from LakeZurich, Ill. plays her instrument as an inflatable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hovers above dur-ing the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade along Harbor Drive on Dec. 30.

PAUL HANSEN | Downtown News

Thursday, Jan.13th•Canine Cocktails

Holiday Mixer and Pet Picture Taking 6:30pm-9:30pm

Check facebook for details & twitter for updates

Page 11: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

San Diego Restaurant Week will takeplace Jan. 16-21. More than 180 restau-rants from all over San Diego Countywill participate and the list keeps grow-ing each year.

Reservations, which are recommend-ed, should be made with the individualrestaurants. Walk-in diners are acceptedif space permits.

The most recent Restaurant Week,held in September, drew more than140,000 participants.

The three-course, pre-determinedmenus from San Diego restaurants willbe set at either $20, $30 or $40 per per-son. Taxes, beverages and gratuity arenot included.

For a complete l i s t o f par t ic i -p a t i n g r e s t a u r a n t s v i s i twww.sandiegorestaurantweek.com.

— Debbie Hatch

DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS:$40

Acqua Al 2BICE Ristorante

Cowboy Star Restaurant & Butcher ShopCroce’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar

Donovan’sFleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Hornblower Cruises & EventsMorton’s, The Steakhouse

Nobu San DiegoOceanaire Seafood Room

Palm RestaurantRuths Chris Steak House

The Grant GrillTop of the Market Restaurant

Trattoria La Strada

$30Anthony’s Fish Grotto

Blue Point Coastal CuisineCafe Chloe

Currant RestaurantGaslamp Strip Club: A Steak Place

Greystone Steak HouseHarbor House

JsixMerk Bistro Italiano

Osetra the fish houseOsteria Panevino

Sally’s Seafood on the WaterSalvatore’sSoleil @kStingaree

Suite & TenderThe Fish Market Restaurant, San Diego

The Marble RoomThe Melting Pot, Gaslamp

The Restaurant at WToast Enoteca & Cucina

$20Athens Market Taverna

Buster’s Beach House & Longboard BarFred’s Mexican Café

Wet Stone Wine Bar is a hidden gemin Banker’s Hill. Executive chef and pro-prietor Christian Gomez, a San Diegonative turned citizen of the world, hascreated a classy yet unpretentious escapetucked in a historic building on FourthAvenue between Grape and Fir streets.

A style he describes as “contemporaryAmerican, with bold, refreshing flavorsdone with global influence,” Wet Stoneoffers a menu of small plates, salads andpaninis to complement a rotating selec-tion of domestic and internationalwines.

“It’s definitely a labor of love and a[means of] expression for me in manyways,” said Gomez, who was born andraised in Barrio Logan and spent sever-al years traveling abroad and living inLos Angeles.

Born the youngest of seven to a cheffather of Filipino-Spanish descent and aPanamanian-Chinese mother, there wasnot nothing bland about Gomez’supbringing. His childhood includedmemories of perusing markets in Tijua-na and helping the family run a busi-ness importing Asian foods.

As a young adult, a study abroad pro-

gram in Europe and, later, a move to LosAngeles greatly expanded Gomez’s culi-nary horizons. While living in L.A., hefilmed a season of a food program forNBC-LA called “Green Eats,” aboutorganic and locally-sourced foods. AfterLos Angeles, he returned to SanDiego as a personal chef beforeopening Wet Stone in 2008.

Gomez got an early start in the hospi-tality business working for well-knownrestaurateur and prominent San Diegocivic figure Frank Fat, an experience thatwould inspire him years later to strikeout on his own and open the restaurantafter stints in catering and the emerg-ing field of “food styling.”

Open in an 1896 building in a spaceformerly occupied by a small bohemiancoffee shop, Wet Stone’s warm décor fea-tures wood, natural elements andexposed concrete flooring in a contem-porary style, creating a relaxing atmo-sphere well worth the short drive (orwalk) from downtown’s hub.

Banker’s Hill itself is an emerging culi-nary hot spot. Not just Mr. A’s anymore,a recent addition of new restaurants andbusinesses is injecting life into the neigh-borhood nestled between downtownand Hillcrest.

Wet Stone’s name has a triplemeaning taken from a term used todescribe a characteristic of wine, aknife sharpening tool and a timeGomez slipped off a rock waterfallin Brazil, falling 50 feet and living tolaugh about it later.

On the menu, salads and paninis runin the $8 to $10 range and small platesrange from $12 to $15. Small platesinclude lamb meatballs with mangoyogurt-toasted coriander pool, Peruvian-style albacore cebiche, and mac andgourmet cheese with Spanish chorizobilbao and prosciutto. It’s a menu“thinking outside the bread and cheesebox” of the traditional wine bar.

On the wine side, Gomez aims to cre-ate a list that matches well with the vari-ety of flavors offered. The wine listchanges quarterly, and Gomez tries tocreate a selection of both state-side andglobal wines, with a special emphasis onboutique wines from makers in lesser-known areas.

Wet Stone Wine Bar, located at1 9 2 7 Fo u r t h Ave. , i s o p e n f o rlunch and dinner. Happy hour spe-cials are available. For more infor-mation call (619) 255-2856 or visitwww.wetstonewinebar.com.

DINING 11JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

Thinking outside the bread and cheese box

Wet Stone Wine Bar offers bold, refreshing flavors with global influence

Wet Stone Wine Bar features small plates

and paninis, and a special emphasis

on boutiquewines.

COURTESY PHOTO

Try something new during San Diego Restaurant Week

BY LORALEE OLEJNIK | DOWNTOWN NEWS

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Page 12: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

PAGE 12 | JANUARY 2011 | SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

Page 13: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

I will usually resolve to do more exer-cising and less indulging when the newyear hits — and this year is no excep-tion. But, one of my “wine resolutions”is to drink more white wine. I very infre-quently have white wine in our cellar athome — and by cellar I mean the 60-bottle fridge that’s usually empty. You

see, we’re on a just-in-time inventorysystem here, lest we over indulge.

One of my absolute favorite whitevarietals is Roussanne. The grape itselforiginates in the Rhone Valley of France,and is generally a “blending” grape. Thatis, it’s more of a character actor and lessof a leading man. Think Joe Pesci vs.Robert De Niro. The conventional wis-dom on this is that Roussanne is a hon-eyed wine that needs the acidity andminerality of another grape to balance

the act. That other grape is typicallyMarsanne in the northern Rhone, andGrenache Blanc in the southern Rhone.We are lucky in California to have anumber of single varietal Roussannebottlings which have all of the requisiteflavors, textures, acids and mineralityall on their own.

One of the best regions for the grape isthe Central Coast. This region includes anumber of vineyards planted to Rous-sanne, including acres in Santa Barbara

County and Paso Robles. In fact, TablasCreek Winery in Paso Robles was reallythe first to import genuine Roussanneclippings from the Rhone Valley andis the main nursery in the state sell-ing the rootstock to others. Beforethis, many grapes thought to beRoussanne here in California were actu-ally Viognier grapes.

Roussanne is a rich and complexwine. It almost has the texture ofGewurztraminer, but flavors and aro-

mas more reminiscent of Viognier. Iwould pair it with a tangy dish — like aGeneral Tso’s chicken. The flavors andlush texture will perfectly complementthe spicy and tangy properties of thedish. It also makes a great pairing withany Meg Ryan movie. Sadly, I resolve towatch less of those this year.

— Mike Kallay and his wife,Stephanie, own the Cask Room, a winebar in East Village. www.caskroom.com

FOOD & DRINK 13JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

VineyardPlaceMIKE KALLAY

A New Year’s ‘wine resolution’ for 2011

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Richard Walker’s Pancake HouseRichard Walker’s Pancake House, an upscale fusion of traditional andgourmet breakfast favorites, is now open in the Marina District in down-town San Diego. Serving classic-style griddlecakes, crepes, omelets andother specialties, this pancake house is certain to become the “premier”breakfast destination for San Diego's residents, employees and the touristcommunity! Open 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 7 days a week, and if you areunable to stay and enjoy the atmosphere, take Richard Walker’s with youas we prepare orders to go.

Brian’s 24Brian’s 24 serves breakfast 24 hours a day and is famous for its Chicken& Waffles, Krab Cake Benedict and Gaslamp Power Breakfast.Brian’s 24 is also known for its oversized portions of home style comfortfood, including certified angus choice steaks and house-made meatloafand mashed potatoes. They have anything you want, whenever you wantit! Grab a cocktail at the mahogany bar, or sit under crystal chandeliers forbreakfast. Meet friends or business associates for lunch, a quiet dinner,late snack or nightcap. Brian’s makes it happen 24 hours a day! Locatedat 828 6th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter. For more information and thecomplete menu, visit: www.brians24.com

Downtown Dining

The Fish MarketTwo outstanding locations. Award-winning seafood on San Diego Bayor across from the Del Mar Race Track. 100+ item seafood menu isprinted 2 times a day to ensure quality and freshness. Plus, oysterbar, cocktail bar with happy hour and retail market. Lunch and dinnerserved daily. www.thefishmarket.com

Bread on MarketDowntown's Artisan Bakery, Breads On Market is open from 7:30 to4:00 Sunday-Thursday and 7:30 to 5:00 Friday & Saturday. We areopen late night for all Padre games. Voted Best Bakery 2008 from theSan Diego Downtown News 2008 and received the Silver Fork Awardfrom San Diego Home and Garden. Schedule your next business ororganization board meeting in our quaint patio or let us cater your nextevent. We deliver Hot Lunch and Sandwich Special or come in andenjoy a wonder Cheese Plate with a glass of wine or beer to go withour famous Rueben. For Sweet and Treats we serve Cookies, Brown-ies, and Package Housemade Granola. Take a loaf of fresh Artisanbread home for dinner. 730 Market Street SD, 92101 (Between 7th &8th) 619-795-2730 www.breadonmarket.com

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Broken Yolk CafeThe Broken Yolk Café offers a large selection of home cooked meals ina comfortable and casual atmosphere. There are over 20 differentomelets to choose from as well as a wide variety of other breakfast fa-vorites which include pancakes, waffles and French toast. Feel more likelunch? Try one of our juicy ½ pound burgers or one of our large sand-wiches. Our generous portions will leave you full and satisfied.

Manchester Grand HyattJust a stone crab’s throw from Seaport Village is Sally’s Seafood on theWater, a charming and sophisticated waterfront eatery. Chef de CuisineSarah Linkenheil’s obsession with fresh fish and bold flavors shinesthrough in signature dishes like the decadent Lobster Pot Pie and SmokedTomato Cioppino. Open daily for lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Latebreakfast, served on weekends. Three hour validated self-parking at theManchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.

The Cask RoomThe Cask Room is a premiere cozy wine bar & bistro in San Diego,from the moment you arrive, you’ll feel instantly comfortable. Slink intoone of our leather sofas or club chairs, soak in the candle light, engagewith live musicians crafting amazing melodies, and prepare to be de-lighted with one of our small production wines.

JOIN US FOR OUR WEEKLY HAPPY HOUR LINE UP! Monday–Saturday: 5pm-7pm: 1/2 off draught beer, $5 white & redwine & $3 off all appetizers & entrees. Tuesdays: 5pm-7pm: 1/2 PricedPanini Night Thursdays: 5pm-Close: No Corkage FeeNot combinable with any other discount. Sundays, Closed. 550 Park Blvd. #2104, 619-822-1606

Page 14: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

PAGE 14 | JANUARY 2011 | SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

Page 15: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

Dr. John Diamond thinks the act of painting can behealing to the body, mind and soul of the painter.But Diamond also believes that in the future we willknow how to compose paintings that can heal theviewer as well as the creator. Diamond hopes that artof this nature will be placed in clinics and hospitalswhere it will facilitate patient healing by the mereact of being viewed.

Although Diamond acknowledges there are manyworks of art that have a powerful and moving effecton us, he said no one before him has actually set outto create art that was deliberately made for healingpurposes. Diamond considers himself a pioneer whois helping to open up a whole new field.

A collection of Diamond’s paintings titled “EastMeets West: Still Point Paintings,” which profess heal-ing power and therapeutic action, are on exhib-it at the Japanese Friendship Garden in BalboaPark, adjacent the Organ Pavilion, until Feb.27. The Friendship Garden is showing Dia-mond’s paintings because of their similarity to tra-ditional Japanese painting, and because the staff feelsa resonance with his life philosophy.

Diamond was born and raised in Australia. He wastrained in the western medical tradition and became

JANUARY 2011 | VOL. 12, NO. 1

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S A N D I E G O D O W N T O W N N E W S

In this day and age of advanced electronic techno-logical gadgets, it might seem that old-fashionedchildhood pleasures, such as a puppet show, might bepassé. However, not only is puppeteering alive andwell, but it’s thriving nationwide, thanks in part toshowcases like the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater inBalboa Park.

Anyone who happens to be in the vicinity of thePan American area of Balboa Park near the automo-tive museum on Wednesdays through Sunday morn-ings, can attest to the throngs of youngsters and theirparents heading toward the historic building. The 200-seat venue has been hosting shows since 1947, featur-ing all types of puppets from marionettes to shadowpuppets, rod-motion creations (like the Muppets) tolife-size characters. Productions can range from simplesingle performer shows to multi-stage stories withnumerous characters and background personnel.

Joe Fitzpatrick, a puppeteer and president of the Bal-boa Park Puppet Guild which manages the theater,first became inspired by puppets following a puppetexhibition at the Museum of Art. He has worked withpuppets since 1993, coming to the Marie HitchcockTheater in 2001.

Despite the competition from 3D movies, videogames and other parts of modern childhood life, pup-pets are still a draw for youngsters of all ages, Fitzger-ald said.

“We haven’t seen a lot of change due to technology,”he said. “We do pretty well because our prices are solow.”

Tickets average between $4 and $6 per show, mak-ing these live performances a bargain compared tomovies.

“There are also a lot of families out there who aretrying to get their kids away from technology, we get

Marie Hitchcock Theater remainsactive as puppetry sees an upswing

Strings attachedThe Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater is located at 2130 Pan American Place in Balboa Park. COURTESY PHOTOS

BY BART MENDOZA | DOWNTOWN NEWS

MARIE HITCHCOCK PUPPET THEATER

2130 Pan American Place, Balboa Park Shows: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays10 and 11:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays11 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. All ages welcome www.balboaparkpuppets.com

SEE PUPPET, Page 18

URBANLIVING

Dr. John Diamond’s paintings are on exhibit at the JapaneseFriendship Garden in Balboa Park until Feb. 27.

WILL BOWEN | Downtown News

“The Merry Christmas Show”

“The Magic Well”

“Sleeping Beauty”

“The Three Little Pigs”

“Jack and the Beanstalk”

Healingthrough art

SEE DIAMOND, Page 22

BY WILL BOWEN | DOWNTOWN NEWS

Sunroad Boat Show will be 10 percent biggerThe San Diego Sunroad Boat Show

will be held Jan. 27 to 30 at the Sun-road Resort Marina on Harbor Island.

The event showcases the latest boatsavailable on the market. This year’s ver-sion will see a 10 percent increase ingrowth, which includes more boothsand more products than last year, as wellas an expansion of in-water boats.

“It’s the premier boat show in SanDiego,” said Jim Behun, the show’sproducer.

Behun said organizers have had toopen up another dock for increased in-water products. This is mainly due to theshow bringing in more brokers who candisplay used boats this year.

For many years, the show was held atthe San Diego Convention Center, Behunsaid, but it moved to the more intimate

setting of Harbor Island last year.“Now, it’s more of a homier feel in this

giant tent,” Behun said. “I think eventu-ally as the economy improves the boatshow will get bigger.”

He added that dealers are seeing anincrease in sales recently because of thegood deals being offered in today’s sloweconomy.

BY LEE CORNELL | DOWNTOWN NEWS

The 2011 Sunroad Boat Show will include more booths and more products than last year,as well as an expanded number of in-water boats. COURTESY PHOTO SEE BOAT SHOW, Page 18

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Page 16: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

Holiday Thread ShowThe Thread Show presented holiday

shopping at the Horton Event Space onNov. 28. This holiday experience includ-ed cocktails, music, art, a clothes swapand two runway shows. Shoppers werebustling from vendor to vendor with fan-tastic bargains, one-of-a-kind gifts anddesigner items. Fashionistas had a fun-filled day with this alternative to shop-ping in a mall.

Some of the stand-outs were MenkClothing, which featured contemporaryjackets that were military-inspired,Micha Jewelry with recycled items,BritBoy Fashions with trendy fash-ions, Chi Stylezs by JiMothy with coolrecycled leather handbags and AVVintage with an incredible array ofdesigner labels. The highlight of the dayis always the fashion show with itsupbeat styles. For more informationon upcoming Thread shows visit www.threadshow.com.

Fashion and Style ShowThe Modeling Training Center pre-

sented its second anniversary Gala &Fashion Expo on Dec. 4 at the HortonPlaza Event Space. The evening beganwith a social hour and cocktails thatled up to the Fashion and Style Show.The runway showcased local and inter-national designers, and the designsranged from eveningwear to menswearto children’s.

Some of my favorites were OlgaSanchez with her colorful Spanish-influenced collection, Tracy Graham’ssophisticated designs and the all whitecollection of Jose Maria. This dramaticsegment el icited oohs and aahsfrom the audience as it came downthe runway.

The Modeling Training Center openedin Hillcrest in 2008, gives hands-on edu-cation for models and includes addition-al classes in photography, acting andmake-up and hair.

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m at i o n v i s i t :www.modeltrainingcenter.com

Dressed to the Nth DegreeDressed to the Nth Degree was held

at the Westgate Hotel on Dec. 14, pre-senting the 2010 Best Dressed Awardsand Fashion Show by Fashion For-

ward. Fashionistas arrived to a lav-ish social hour sipping on cham-pagne and eating petit fours.

Chair for the event was Linda Masterand honorary chairs were Denise andBertrand Hug. This well-dressed crowdadjourned to the Versailles Room for theawards ceremony. Amanda Baker fromABC’s “All My Children” was the emceefor the night. The 2010 Best DressedWomen were: Jeanne Jones, Phyllis Par-rish, Joni Alpert, Deni Jacobs, JoyeBlount, Patsy Marino, Mary Drake,Melissa Falk, Reena Horowitz and ReneeSchatz. The Best Dressed Men were CraigGrosvenor, David Marino, Dr. ElliotAlpert, Fred Applegate, J. MarkGrosvenor, Joe Harper, Kelly Mikules,Ndubisi Ezeolu, Ramin Pourteymourand Sean Daneshmand.

A Lifetime Award was given toDesigner Nolan Miller who is bestknown for his terrific designs on the1980s TV show “Dynasty.” AwardeePhyllis Parrish was unable to attend theevent but her gown, designed by Miller,was displayed on the stage for all to see.Sally B. Thornton came up to the podi-um for a special presentation and gave agenerous donation from the John M. andSally B. Thornton Foundation to sevencharities including St Madeleine Sophie’sCenter, United Way, Center for Children,Arc of San Diego, Big Brother-Big Sis-

ters, San Diego Food Bank and San DiegoRotary. These charities were also bene-ficiaries of the evening’s silent auction.

The evening culminated downstairsin the main lobby with Leonard Simp-son’s Fashion Show. Models came downthe beautifully-crafted staircase to theawaiting audience. Designer Pilar Mac-chione began the show with a dramaticall-black collection surrounded in a mistof fog. Some of my favorite segmentswere the one-of-a-kind knits by KariseDesigns, Furs By Graf worn by bare-chested men in gold tights and a colorfulcollection with a Spanish flair by OlgaSanchez. The finale showcased SisaDesigns. Simone Rodriques, who flew infrom New York for this show, designedthis elegant collection

— Diana Cavagnaro is a nationally-recognized hat designer and milliner.Diana has operated a fashion businessfor 28 years, the last 18 years in theGaslamp Quarter. She has been teach-ing in the Fashion Department at SanDiego Mesa College for 18 years. Dianais a member of the Gaslamp QuarterAssociation, the American SewingGuild, the San Diego Costume Counciland the Fashion Group International.

FASHION16 JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

FashionFiles

Diana Cavagnaro

Thread Show, a Gala & Fashion Expo and the Nth Degree

Jose Maria’s white collection is showcased atthe Modeling Training Center’s anniversaryGala & Fashion Expo. DIANA CAVAGNARO | Downtown News

The next Little Italy Section runs Feb. 3, 2011. The deadline for submission is Jan 28th, so call today! Heather Snyder: 858-232-5638, [email protected]

Meyer Fine Art, Inc. presents a unique collection of small, hand-colored etchings, aquatints and carborundum on paper by the prominent British artistHoward Hodgkin. The 7 smaller prints, published by Alan Cristea, were created from2000-2002. Four additional prints, the suite “Two’s Company”, a collaborationbetween Alan Cristea and the Elton John Aids Foundation, were published in 2003.

Hodgkin, a brilliant colorist whose work lies between representation and abstraction, created his first print in 1953. In 1977 he began to hand-color theimages, resulting in his multiples/editions becoming unique entities. The highly recognizable enhancement of hand-coloring became the trademark of Hodgkin’sprints and forged his place as a preeminent 21st century printmaker.

The gallery’s monumental print exhibition, from Friday, January 14, 2011 to Friday, February 26, 2011, will overlap the Hodgkin painting exhibition, “Time and Place,” at the San Diego Museum of Art, January 29, 2011 - May 01, 2011.

Meyer Fine Art, Inc. is located at: 2400 Kettner Boulevard #104, San Diego, CA92101, 619-358-9512, [email protected], www.plmeyerfineart.com

The Italian Bed and Breakfast is a small Victorian home builtin the early 1900's in Little Italy. It was used as a residence until the mid 1900'sand then left vacant until 2005.

The house was renovated and opened September 2010 as a bed and breakfast.The bed and breakfast features four guests rooms which include a suite with a

king bed, private sitting area and private bath, two rooms with queen beds and private baths and one room with a queen bed and a private detached bathroom.All baths are tub shower combinations.

A delicious hot breakfast is served every day at 9 am which can include a freshor cooked fruit entrée, pancakes or french toast, baked egg dishes, juices andmuffins or toaster items. Coffee is available at 8 am on the kitchen sideboard. Hotwater for teas and instant drinks are available all day and in the afternoon look forour sweet treats

Located at: 2054 Columbia Street, San Diego, Ca. 92101, Tel: (619) 238-1755,Fax: (619) 756-7957, www.theitalianbb.com

Page 17: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

The San Diego Auto Museum col-lection “California Roll,” showingthrough January, is a blend of speed,style and customs of the 1950s and1960s — topped off with a dioramaof an early Jack in the Box restau-rant drive-through.

A credit to Kenn Colclasure, whoquests around the country to findinteresting automobiles, the 12-carshow represents an innovative peri-od when crew-cut young menrebuilt cars that were once craftedon Detroit’s assembly lines.

“It’s interesting … the styles ofautomobiles that have come out ofCalifornia,” said Colclasure, thedirector of research and events forthe museum. “There are low-riders,dragsters, customs, surf woodies,dry lakes racers and we even have ahippy bus.”

In one corner of the show is arestaurant with a custom car near awindow and a woman ready toserve a hamburger — a familiarscene for San Diegans. It even hasan authentic Jack head bouncing ona spring.

In 1951, businessman Robert O.Peterson opened the first Jack in theBox restaurant in San Diego on themain east-west thoroughfare lead-ing into the city. Equipped with anintercom system and drive-throughwindow, the tiny restaurant servedup hamburgers for 18 cents, while alarge jack-in-the-box clown keptwatch from the roof.

The diversity of the 12 cars onthe museum floor reflects the earlydays of drag racing, off-road com-petition and classic car shows and

their elaborate paint jobs and cus-tomizing. The museum features onlya sampling of this car culture.

Colclasure said it is sometimes dif-ficult encouraging people to puttheir cars on display for fourmonths.

“That’s the length of time foreach of our shows, and it gives mean opportunity to search for cars forthe next show,” he said. “I was par-ticularly pleased with the surf wood-ie I was able to find. The true wood-en woodies are rare and valuablenow and hard to find.”

These “true wooden woodies,”Colclasure said, are large stationwagons that peaked in popularityaround the mid-century era.

“[They] could haul surf boards,”he said. “You could even sleepinside.”

URBAN LEISURE 17JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

It’s that time again — time when San Diego residentsdon layers, pile into a boat and roll out to sea, all in thehope of catching a glimpse of one of the most spectacularmigrations in the animal world. It’s time to watch somewhales.

Birch Aquarium, partnering with San Diego HarborExcursion, is one of several options residents have for whale-watching this year. Featuring narration by naturalists fromScripps Institution of Oceanography, cruises happen twicedaily and last 3½ hours. Observers are guaranteed to see awhale, even if it doesn’t happen the first time around. StaciShaut, coordinator for the whale-watching program atBirch, said guests are issued a ticket for another cruise ifthey don’t catch a good look at a whale. Gray whalesare the main attraction, since it’s their migration season,but observers can also expect to see dolphins, squidand sunfish. In past seasons, passengers have alsobeen treated to other whale species. Fin whales,

sperm whales, minkes, orcas and the largest of all —blue whales — have all been sighted recently.

“Other whales that we have seen in past seasons live in

Gray whales make their yearly appearance BY KENDRA HARTMANN | DOWNTOWN NEWS

Passengers aboard one of Birch Aquarium’s daily whale-watch-ing cruises scout for whales west of San Diego Bay in 2008.

Photo courtesy of Birch Aquarium

A gray whale dives into the water off the coast of San Diego, showing off its tail. Gray whales can grow up to 50 feet in length andcan weigh up to 40 tons. Photo courtesy of Birch Aquarium

SEE WHALE, Page 18

Their migration...

...our fascination

Auto Museum display includesdragsters and ‘surf woodies’

C A L I F O R N I A R O L L

BY JOHNNY MCDONALD | DOWNTOWN NEWS

Surf woodies are large station wagonsthat peaked in popularity around the mid-century era. The true wooden woodiesare rare and valuable now. This one ispart of the California Roll exhibit at theSan Diego Auto Museum. COURTESY PHOTO

The Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Centerinvites you to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Family Reunion!

Hosted By : Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Council

Admission: FREEDate: January 15, 2011Place: 6401 Skyline Dr., San Diego, CA MLK ParkAttendance: 2,000Time: 8:00am - 6:00pmContact: 619.884.9886 or 619.527.3415

An All-Day Community Celebration in Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Featuring Entertainment, Kids Zone, VendorBooths, Food and much more!

Sempra is proud to sponsor the community events page

Page 18: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

some that don’t let their children watchtelevision or films, so they make a specif-ic effort to have them come and see livetheater,” Fitzgerald said.

He notes the family-friendly nature ofthe performances.

“We give children a chance to viewlive theater without the pressure of not

talking and not moving in your seat andthat kind of thing,” he said. “We’re a lit-tle more relaxed than that.”

He noted that while the theater’sshows are squarely aimed at children,adults will also enjoy the performances.

“We denote shows that are specifical-ly for preschool children, ages 1-3,”Fitzgerald said. “But most of our pup-peteers try to put stuff in for the adults aswell as jokes for the children.”

Fitzgerald points out that like the audi-ence members, the puppets themselvescome in all sizes. An upcoming produc-tion, “Circus Precarious,” Feb. 9-13, fea-tures all life-size puppets, while the annu-al Halloween show features a 10-foot-tallghost.

Fitzgerald considers the current cli-mate for puppeteering to be healthy. In2007, the winner of the TV talent show“America’s Got Talent” was ventriloquistTerry Fabor, while late-night talk-showhost Craig Ferguson has made puppets aregular part of his show’s opening seg-ments.

“There are theaters around the coun-try that book traveling shows,” he said.“San Diego has 15 or so full time pup-peteers.”

The theater stages more than 50 pro-ductions a year, with most running twoto three days. While the bulk of theshows are performed by six resident pup-peteers — including Fitzgerald, MilliePatterson, Eva Kvass, Zachary Crook,Enid Bartnicki and Gaston Martineau —there is also a worldwide touring circuit

in place for puppeteers, with a regularrotation of performers and shows,including themed holiday shows. Fitzger-ald has 16 shows in his repertoire at thetheater, including an annual summerpirate extravaganza that includes under-water scenes using black light and a six-foot pirate ship.

“It’s so different from week to week,”he said. “You don’t like what’s going onone week now? Come back in a few daysand it’s a totally different show.”

these waters, but we don’t always seethem because they live farther out,”said Shaut. “The gray whales stayreally close to shore, so that’s whythey’re so great for whale watching.”

Each year, gray whales undertakea roughly 12,000-mile, round-tripmigration from the Bering Sea to thelagoons of Baja California. Betweenmid-December and mid-April, morethan 20,000 whales make the trip astemperatures drop and ice coversmuch of their food sources up north.Females go to give birth to their calvesin the lagoons and mature whales goto mate. For San Diegans, it’s a chanceto witness this phenomenon thatcomes around only once a year.

Dylan Edwards, a former guide forHike Bike Kayak Sports, which offers akayak whale-watching tour in LaJolla, said that although it may seemlike a risky endeavor, being on a kayaknear the whales is quite a thrill.

“Obviously in a kayak, you’re not asfast as you are in a boat,” he said. “Onother boats, you’re out there withabout 300 other people, but on a

kayak, everything is peaceful andquiet. You just hear the spray of thewhales. It’s really intimate.”

This year, like every year, scientistsare not sure what to expect from themigrating giants. In recent years, someexperts have observed a later start andend date for the gray whale migration.

Wayne Perryman, of the CetaceanHealth and Life History Program at LaJolla’s Southwest Fisheries ScienceCenter, said this pattern of later migra-tions started in the 1980s when thepeak of the gray whales’ journey wasin early January. Now, he said, it is inlate January.

Although he and other scientists arereluctant to attribute this to any onecause, theories abound. One possiblehypothesis is that as temperatures riseand arctic ice doesn’t form until laterin the season, gray whales may stay upnorth longer until their food gets scarce.

“The two symptoms we’re seeing isa later arrival here in Southern Cali-fornia and more calves being born far-ther north,” said Perryman. “Really,the whole arctic system is changing,and they’re very adaptable animals,so there are going to be shifts [in theirbehavior]. What the cause is, it’stough to say.”

URBAN LIVIING18 JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

BY BOAT• Birch Aquarium with Harbor Excur-

sions: departing at 9:45 a.m. and 1:30p.m. from Dec. 26 to April 3, (619)234-4111, www.sdhe.com, $30 week-days and $35 weekends (discounts forchildren, seniors and military)

• Hornblower Cruises: departing at 9:30a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from Dec. 11 toApril 17, (619) 686-8715,www.hornblower.com, $34 weekdaysand $39 weekends for adults, $17weekdays and $19.50 weekends forchildren

• Seaforth Sportfishing: departing twicedaily from Dec. 26 to March 31, (619)224-3383, www.seaforthlanding.com,$34 adults

• H & M Landing: 3-hour cruises depart-ing at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from mid-December through mid-March, and 6-hour cruises to Coronado Islandsdeparting at 10 a.m., (619) 222-1144,www.hmlanding.com, $25 adults, $20juniors and $17.50 children ($50 for 6-hour cruises)

BY AIR• Barnstorming Adventures: biplane,

air combat and warbird flights, includ-ing whale watching; cost varies,(760) 930-0903

BY KAYAK• Hike Bike Kayak Sports: departing at

9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. fromDecember through March, (866) 425-2925, www.hikebikekayak.com, sin-gle-person kayak $60, tandem kayaks$55 per person

BAJA TOURS• Birch Aquarium: excursions of four, five

or six days following the whales downto their birthing grounds in the lagoonsof Baja California, (800) 661-1325,www.andiamo-travel.com, $590-$1,095

• H&M Landing: trips of nine or 11 days,(619) 226-1729 or (619) 226-8224,cost varies

WHALECONTINUED FROM Page 17

PUPPETCONTINUED FROM Page 15

The Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre giftshop carries an assortment of colorful sou-venirs for puppet fans. COURTESY PHOTO

Food, beer and music will be avail-able or those who want to view the lat-est boat paraphernalia and have a goodtime. Attendees can also sign up forfree rides which range from jet skis to50-foot power boats.

The Sunroad Boat Show is locatedat 955 Harbor Island and patrons can

park at the Port of San Diego for $10and take a free shuttle. The showshours are noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 27-28and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 29-30.

Entrance fees are $10 for adults and$5 for children ages 12 to 16. Childrenunder 12 get in free. Military, emergen-cy medical technicians, police and firepersonal will be admitted free of chargeon Jan. 27 with ID. For more informa-tion, call (619) 497-5254 or visitwww.bigbayboatshow.com.

BOAT SHOWCONTINUED FROM Page 15

Page 19: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

It’s no secret downtown San Diego isknown for boasting some of the coolestrooftop lounges and trendiest restau-rants, but now — thanks to a growingtrend — there’s another reason tocheck out the downtown scene.

Over the last several years, a num-ber of bars from Vin De Syrah to Stinga-ree, have stepped out of their comfortzones by holding unique, one-of-a-kindart shows. Bar Basic, located at 10thAvenue and J Street has been hostingBasic Tuesday — a lively, interactive artshow — for almost five years. Heldevery Tuesday night from 8 to 11 p.m.(unless the Padres are playing a nighthome game), the weekly show is freeand has cultivated quite a following.Owner Erik Tesmer said the concept isall about promoting local artists in apositive light.

“There are lots of creative, amazingartists in San Diego. Basic Tuesday is agreat way for them to showcase theirunique talents,” Tesmer said.

The art shows run the gamut fromabstract paintings to photography to

spray painting. Each show typically fea-tures anywhere from 10 to 20 artists.

“The key is that it’s always differentfrom week to week and we often includelive, interactive performances such asdance and fashion shows,” Tesmer said.

Promoter Johnny Tran has broughtmore than 60 shows to Bar Basic. Transaid the venue gives local artists a freshapproach to showing off their work.

“Art shows at Basic Tuesday are

important for local artists because it’sgiving them an opportunity outside ofthe typical art gallery scene,” Tran said.“In many ways, it provides an evenplaying field, which would not haveexisted before. Many local artists havebegun their careers at Bar Basic.”

Engaging the audience by making itinteractive plays a big role in Tran’s artshows. “We’ve incorporated burlesque,modern dance, acroyoga and fashionshows into our events,” Tran added.

The next show is a science-themedart exhibit titled “Elements of Expres-sion” that will take place Jan. 11.

Tran said the show will concentrateheavily on biology, biotech and the DNAworld. If you’re not a science buff,there’s always the next show on Jan.25 which will have a movie theme.“Captured and Framed” will feature anumber of custom art pieces depictingmovie scenes from favorite classics suchas “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” starringAudrey Hepburn.

For more information on Bar Basic,log onto www.barbasic.com.

— Marc and Darlynne Menkin arethe co-owners of Where You Want ToBe Tours. Many of their tours and teambuilding scavenger hunts feature secretdowntown areas. www.wheretours.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 19JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

It’s allHappening!Marc & Darlynne Menkin

Basic Tuesday is a unique artist showcaseWe want to hear from you

Visit the Shorelines Gallery onJan. 19 between 5 and 8 p.m. dur-ing the Gaslamp Locals Lifestyle &Design Tour. This is a great way to walkaround downtown and see the colorfulgalleries and boutique shops!

Find a Sticks Furniture piece inThe Shorelines Gallery at 411 Mar-ket St. and write down one of the inspi-rational messages on one of thepieces. Post the inspiring words andexplain why you like the message onour Facebook page by Jan. 21 and beentered to win two tickets to a Satur-day Scavenger Hunt.

On Jan. 19, there will also be a spe-cial show featuring Donna Smythe, apopular San Diego artist.

Lise Lindstrom as Turandot in San DiegoOpera’s production of the Chinese fairy taleof the same name, playing Jan. 29, Feb. 1, 4and 6. Photo by Gaston de Cardenas/courtesy Florida Grand Opera

Resolved: To start the new yearoff right by putting a little culturein my life. January affords theseopportunities:

At the Civic Theatre• January begins with the classic musi-

cal “West Side Story,” as revisited in2009 on Broadway. The update, with 10percent more Spanish, gives rival gangsthe Jets and the Sharks more bite. Pre-sented by Broadway/San Diego — a Ned-erlander Presentation through Sunday,Jan. 8. www.broadwaysd.com

• January at the Civic Theatre endswith San Diego Opera’s stunning pro-duction of the Chinese fairy tale “Turan-dot,” with music by Giacomo Pucciniand scenic design by renowned artistDavid Hockney. Plays Jan. 29, Feb. 1, 4and 6 (matinee). www.sdopera.com or(619) 533-7000.

At the Old Globe• The Old Globe presents Arthur

Miller’s timeless tragedy, “Death of aSalesman,” staged by Obie Award-win-ner Pam MacKinnon and starring JeffreyDeMunn, star of the AMC TV series “TheWalking Dead.” Playing Jan. 22-Feb. 27(opening night Jan. 27) in the Sheryl andHarvey White Theatre, $29-$67.

• The Old Globe also presents “JaneAusten’s Emma — A Musical RomanticComedy,” directed by Jeff Calhoun, Jan.15-Feb. 27 (opening night Jan. 23), play-ing in the Old Globe Theatre, $39-$94.

Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Bal-boa Park, www.theoldglobe.org or (619)23-GLOBE.

At Copley Symphony Hall• San Diego Symphony presents

acclaimed pianist Lang Lang in a con-certo festival comprising Beethoven’sPiano Concerto No. 4 (Jan. 14, 8 p.m.),Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor(Jan. 15, 8 p.m.) and Tchaikovsky’s PianoConcerto No. 1 (Jan. 16, 2 p.m.), CopleySymphony Hall, Seventh and B streets,$20-$96. www.sandiegosymphony.orgor (619) 235-0804.

At Horton Grand Theatre• Lamb’s Players Theatre’s hit musical

revue “MiXtape” plays in extensionthrough Feb. 27. The extremely popular,not-to-be-missed show continuesWednesdays through Sundays at Hor-ton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave.,$28-$58. www.lambsplayers.org or(619) 437-6000.

At the BalboaBroadway/San Diego — a Nederlan-

der Presentation hosts the hard-hittingPulitzer and Tony Award-winningmusical “Next to Normal,” starringTony Award-winner Alice Ripley,playing in the Balboa Theatre Jan.18-23, 868 Four th Ave. Ticketsstart at $20. www.broadwaysd.comor (800) 982-2787.

THE LIVELY

ARTSCharlene Baldridge

A musical, an opera, a tragedyand a concerto festival

Michelle Aravena andAri Ewoldt in “WestSide Story,” playingthrough Jan. 8 at theCivic Theatre.

photo by Joan Marcus

Page 20: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

FITNESS20 JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

The holiday parties are over. It’s timeto take a break. No need to make excus-es for the libations and over indulgences.It was fun. You did it. You enjoyed it. Outwith the old and in with the new. Nowit’s time to move on and make yourselfbetter by looking after yourself and yourbody. And no better time than the pre-sent. January means re-group and re-organize your life (and your lifestyle) andmove toward the direction of feeling andbeing fabulously-fit in 2011.

In order to become fabulously-fit youshould probably first understand whatfabulously-fit is not.

You are not fabulously-fit if: you can’tsqueeze into your favorite pair of “fatjeans” even when wearing Spanx, youlose your breath after jumping up andchest bumping your buddy while lettingout a “Go Chargers!” after Rivers hurls agame-winning touchdown pass, whenlacing up your sexy Jimmy Choos yousee sausage toes hanging over the edge,you constantly use “the dog ate mypizza” to deny the stink (unpleasantodor) when friends come over, or ifyou’re fist pumping to your favorite songand your biceps wear out — that is notbeing fabulously-fit.

So, what is fabulously-fit? In my opin-ion, it’s effortlessly sliding into your sexylittle black dress, being able perform 10jumping chest bumps and recover with-in moments, slim toes in sling backs, anon-offensive gastrointestinal tractthat functions like a well-oiledmachine due to clean eating, beingable to endlessly pump both fists inthe air to your favorite song, and ofcourse, loving the way you look and feel

because you take good care of yourself.No matter where you are in life, you’re

only a few concerted steps away frombecoming fabulously-fit. The trick to get-ting there is to take it one step at a time.But take baby steps. Try not to over-whelm yourself with big goals; you haveto walk before you can run, you know.The two most basic steps are to moveyour body and to eat well.

Move it. Move it. Move it. There areendless ways to get yourself up off thesofa and get fit. You can walk, jog or run.You can swim, ski or skate. The opportu-nities to burn calories in our fabulouscity are limitless.

It sounds simple and it is. It’s all aboutcalories “in” (which you do very well)vs. calories “out” (which takes someeffort). So many people get overwhelmedbecause they think they have to immedi-ately run a marathon when all theyneed to do is walk around the block.Choose an exercise you enjoy. Do it. Then

gradually increase the time you spenddoing it and keep on doing it. Our bodiesare designed to move. Our ancestorsused to hunt and gather. If they had theluxury of grocery stores and remotecontrols we would probably haveregressed into pure slothdom. Sloths arenot fabulously-fit.

Your mama knew what she was talk-ing about when she told you to eat yourveggies. Instead of eating steamed broc-coli and carrots, most Americans eattheir vegetables in the form of Frenchfries or popped corn (which isn’t even avegetable after it’s been popped). Otherpopular processed food culprits includesodas, frozen foods and breakfast cereals.Your body simply can’t function prop-erly on a diet of processed foods. There isno nutritional value in most any foodthat comes in a box or a plastic wrapper.If you want to feed and fuel your bodythe right way, you have to eat clean.

Eat food the way it occurs in nature.The strawberry is good for you. Thestrawberry Pop Tart — not so much.Food loaded with preservatives robs youof all the nutrition your body needs. Pro-cessed food is like taking a dollar bill,mashing it up, putting it though a shred-der, then trying to glue it back togetherso you can take it to the store and buysomething with it. It’s not worth much,although in some way it’s still money,but it really does you no good. That’s thesame with processed food. You have toeat well to feel well and to be well.

Eating well may sound challengingbecause few people truly comprehend it.However, with some research and someeffort, you will learn that eating well iseasier than you think (just Google it!).Or, if you want your food handed to you(almost on a silver platter) and prepared

FIT SAVVYBy Connie Cook | Guest Columnist

Welcome to your fabulously-fit life

SEE FIT, Page 22

Page 21: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS | JANUARY 2011 | PAGE 21

Page 22: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

• The Downtown Hard Rock Hotel hosted the biggestlocal film industry event of the year in November whenit collaborated with the San Diego Film Commission(SDFFC) to premiere the new “San Diego Film & VideoResource Guide.”

More than 350 industry professionals networkedand celebrated the new 2011 guide that promotes ourlocal film industry to global film production. Last year,more than 51 million direct dollars were spent in oureconomy by the film industry. There are more than5,000 different types of jobs associated with the film,video and print business. Thousands of local jobs arecreated by this industry.

• Our new TV series titled “Terriers” was unexpected-ly canceled after one season by the FX Network. OceanBeach and downtown were featured as locations in thisvery edgy show that starred Donal Logue and MichaelRaymond-James. Twentieth Century Fox loved workingin our city and plans to work here again. We are wait-ing for the next scout!

• Lifetime Network finished filming a portion of apilot that “reads” San Diego. Although they filmed pri-marily in Atlanta due to the cost-saving film incentivesthey were offered, we do hope to have the series filmedhere if they get picked up.

• December tends to be a slower month for produc-tion since so many people start making plans for theholidays. However, business was steady this year with

several travel films being shot to promote our city fortourism. Saigon TV spent three days capturing sightsdowntown in the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park andthe Embarcadero. The San Diego Convention and Visi-tors Bureau had a big project filming in downtownareas, as well as Balboa Park, and Port areas to promoteSan Diego as a tourist destination, as well as to have itviewed by the Professional Convention ManagementAssociation members throughout the coming year.

• We have had several reality shows workingthroughout San Diego. “Home Made Simple” shot somedowntown areas for its TLC show that promotes theexpertise of its handyman and designer. As the holidaysneared, projects were on hold until after the first of Jan-uary. Scouts are being planned and we are busy read-ing scripts.

The SDFC receives scripts (on-going) from TV projectsas well as feature film projects. We are asked to readthem and let the filmmaker know if San Diego canaccommodate their project. We will break down thescripts by days of filming, locations needed, evaluatestunts, pyrotechnical stunts, use of weapons and com-munity impact. Sometimes we will scout some loca-tions to see if we, in fact, have what they are looking forand we may check with law enforcement and fire offi-cials to see if any of the storyline could be problemat-ic. Next, we try to lure the location manager or scout toSan Diego for a look. We will try to create a workablebudget for them so that San Diego works within theirbudget needs. The script becomes a road map of what

the production wants to film and their goals in achiev-ing their end result. Stephen, a SDFC staff person, ispresently reading a murder mystery that takes place ina remote forest location. He is trying to decide if wehave locations that work for this project, as well asdetermining what needs to be done to lessen risk dur-ing the murder scene. For example, what kind ofweapon are they using, what action takes place, arestunt professionals needed, is a weapons master need-ed and how we collaborate with law enforcement andfire to make this scene safe? It is our careful oversight ofeach project that continues to keep production safe andour community safe.

— Cathy Anderson is the president and CEO of theSan Diego Film Commission, and film commissionerof San Diego. Anderson has earned a national reputa-tion for developing programs to foster the growth of theproduction industry in the region and for making SanDiego “Hollywood South.”

by a chef who spends his life educat-ing himself and making perfectlyproportioned, natural meals, thenyou can join our Food at Fit pro-gram and take all the guess workout of eating clean food that is goodfor you.

The Food at Fit program wasdeveloped to help people achievetheir fitness goals and become fabu-lously fit. You can’t exercise yourway out of a bad diet, so we createda perfectly-balanced, natural foodprogram that pleases your palateand simplifies your decisions. Youorder, Fit delivers. See for yourselfhow easy it is at www.foodatfit.com.

It’s the first week of the rest ofyour life. It’s time to brush thedust off your Nike’s, dump thechips and dip, and climb on boardthe fabulously-fit bandwagon tobecome the healthy person youwere made to be.

URBAN LIVING22 JANUARY 2011SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

a psychiatrist. His first job was at a men-tal hospital where he took the uniqueapproach of focusing on building on thegood he could find in each patient. Dia-mond’s theory is that most patients“have two wheels on dry land and twostuck in the mud. My job is to get all fouron dry land.” He does this by helpingthem find “their deep soul throughopening up their creative energies.”

Over the years of his medical practice,Diamond branched out to incorporateall forms of healing, including alternative

and holistic medicine. He founded theArts-Health Institute and the Institutefor Life Energy, authored more than 20books and has exhibited his art and pho-tography throughout the world.

Diamond’s exhibit is an assortment ofdifferent-size paintings, mostly in blackand white, with circular flowing brushstrokes and a distinctive calligraphy feel.When he uses color, which he admits heis still learning about, it is in dense kalei-doscopic patches, which seem to have acertain depth.

Diamond said his work is most similarto the Japanese Manga school of paint-ing, which derived from the ChineseSouthern School of the Sung Dynasty.

But Diamond has no training in thesemethods or any other. He is completelyself-taught and humbly admits, “I haveno idea what I am doing. I don’t knowhow I do it or how it happens. It just hap-pens as if it is being done through me.”

In his pamphlet “A Few Words onArt,” Diamond writes, “I am primarily ahealer — not an artist. I believe that theprimary purpose of art is to enhance thespirit of all.”

Diamond said the purpose of hispaintings is “to make it a little easier tosee the spirit everywhere.”

For more information, call (619) 232-2721 or visit www.niwa.org orwww.drjohndiamond.com.

DIAMONDCONTINUED FROM Page 15

Dr. John Diamond thinks the act of painting can be healing to the body, mind and soul of thepainter. WILL BOWEN | Downtown News

Connie Cook “C2”

Fitness Director

Fit Athletic Club

FITCONTINUED FROM Page 20

BY CATHY ANDERSON

On Nov. 30, the San Diego Hard Rock Hotel hosted a net-working event for the San Diego Film Commission that got thelocal film industry together. The San Diego 2011 “Film & VideoResource Guide” debuted with a list of crew, services andadvertisers. More than 350 people attended the event.

Downtown attracts film crewsF I L M I N G D O W N T O W N

Don’t miss out on the next issue

Deborah Vasquez • 858.270.3103 [email protected]

Heather Snyder • [email protected]

PETSand the

CITY

PETSa n d t h e

CITYEven healthy cats act sick when their routine is disrupted

A cat regularly vomiting hairballs orrefusing to eat probably isn't beingfinicky or otherwise "cat-like," despitewhat conventional wisdom might say.There is a good chance that the cat isacting sick because of the stress causedby changes in its environment, new re-search suggests.

Healthy cats were just as likely aschronically ill cats to refuse food, vomit

frequently and leave waste outside theirlitter box in response to changes in theirroutine, according to the Ohio State Uni-versity study.

Veterinary clinicians refer to theseacts as sickness behaviors. The re-searchers documented sickness behav-iors in healthy cats and in cats withfeline interstitial cystitis, a chronic ill-ness characterized by recurring discom-fort or pain in the bladder and often bothan urgent and frequent need to urinate.

When the cats experienced what were

called "unusual external events," suchas a change in feeding schedule or care-taker, the healthy cats were just as likelyto exhibit sickness behaviors as were thechronically ill cats. The two groups hadthe same number of sickness behaviorsin response to unusual events, and bothgroups were at more than three timesthe risk of acting sick when their rou-tines were disrupted.To read the entire story, go to our website:www.sdnews.com and click on San DiegoPets for this and other stories.

Page 23: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

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Page 24: San Diego Downtown News, January, 2011

Downtown · “The Grande”Sold for $350,000. Absolutely pristine, this

ideal starter property in one of downtown’s

most sought-after luxury high-rises is priced

to sell at just $359,900 and it’s NOT a short

sale or bank-owned! This adorable one

bedroom features custom amenities

throughout so don’t delay!

Downtown · “The Mills”Sold for $310,000. Don't miss this great SHORT-

SALE opportunity to own a 2-bedroom, 2-bath

in a newer community atop Cortez Hill for a

bargain price! You'll enjoy dual secured parking

and a granite kitchen!

Downtown · “Icon”You'll be amazed at the views to Petco Park

from this 15th-floor, west-facing, two-bedroom

residence with gleaming hardwood floors!

Mere steps to Petco, as well as to a multitude of

restaurants and shops!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5219

Downtown · “City Walk”This expansive, 1684 square-foot town home

feels more like a house than a condo! It enjoys

an oversize terrace, access from the street as well

as the interior of the community, and a private

corner locale!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5119

Downtown · “The Mark”Sold for $520,000. You'll love this upgraded

beauty overlooking the quiet, scenic center

courtyard and pool! May convey turn-key fully

furnished and boasts dual side-by-side parking

and storage! Sweet!

Downtown · “The Grande North”Boasting unbelievable Southwest views from

the 35th-floor, this stunning penthouse-level,

3-br/ 2-ba beauty enjoys almost 1800 sq. ft., two

expansive view terraces, and dual, side-by-side

parking spaces located on entry level! You'll

want to experience Downtown living at its best!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5049

Downtown · “Electra”This super, courtyard-level, corner

residence boasts an oversize terrace,

approximately 1488 square feet, quality finishes

throughout, and dual parking spaces!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5189

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PAGE 24 | JANUARY 2011 | SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN NEWS

Neuman & Neuman does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of the information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

Independently owned and operated of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Downtown · “El Cortez”Own a piece of history & take advantage of thiswell-priced SHORT-SALE! The residence enjoysa warm and inviting interior w/vintage moldingsand fixtures, a pleasant south-facing view, & aprized location atop Cortez Hill! A short walkwill take you to the bustling Gaslamp Quarter ortake in a game at Petco Park! It’s a good life!For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5319

1-800-221-2210www.sellsandiego.com

Before you put your home on the marketcall for a FREE Marketing Package

It’s only a buyer’s market if you BUY!When it’s over, where will YOU be living?

Are you struggling to make your payments and/or

upside-down on your mortgage? We've helped many ownersDowntown avoid foreclosure

on their homes and we can help you, too!

Call us at 800.221.2210 to discussyour options, no obligation!

Downtown · “Harbor Club”You’ll want to make this lovely residence your

home or home-away-from-home. Featuring

stunning views to the South & East, an oversize

view terrace & 2 terrific parking spaces near the

entrance. This resort-style community is located

in the heart of the Marina District.

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5109

Downtown · “Harbor Club”This spectacular 'bubble unit' on the 33rd floor

of the Marina District's premier, resort-style

residential high-rise boasts a completely

remodeled interior with the finest of finishes

and phenomenal, 180-degree water views!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5289

Downtown · “Watermark”Featuring dual bedrooms + a den/office and

approximately 1550 square feet, this upgraded

home features views across the courtyard to

scenic Pantoja Park! One of the Marina

District's landmark communities!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5229

Downtown · “Watermark”This well-priced residence in recently renovated

community enjoys a west-facing orientation, a

private terrace looking toward the Old Police

Quarters, and dual parking spaces!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5299

“Electra” Builder Close-OutBosa Development has selected us to market

their few remaining luxury residences at one of

Downtown’s most unique and desirable

residential communities! Boasting elegant

finishes and common amenities par excellence!

Just two left!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5139

Downtown · “The Mark”This drop-dead, ‘WOW’ residence at one of

Downtown’s most exciting residential

communities enjoys elegant finishes, custom

lighting and wall treatments, gleaming

hardwood floors, a private terrace, and even a

water-feature. This one’s truly special!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5539

Downtown · “Gaslamp City Square”Sold for $414,900. Enjoy the vibrant lifestyle inthe heart of the Gaslamp Quarter & take advantage of this great short-sale opportunity!Situated on the pool/ courtyard level, thisunique, 2-level townhome is beautifully upgraded & presented, complete with custompaint and lighting, upgraded flooring, and agranite and stainless kitchen!

Downtown · “Treo” This super 2-BR residence boasts southeast,

urban views, corner location privacy and plenty

of upgrades! Walk to the multitude of shops,

wine-bars and restaurants just steps away in

the Little Italy village!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5519

Downtown · “Porta d’Italia”The ideal 2nd-home opportunity, this top-floor

pied-a-terre boasts lovely bay & Pt. Loma views,

a granite & stainless kitchen, & lovely furnish-

ings that may convey! This small, intimate

community is just steps to the Village of Little

Italy with its multitude of shops & restaurants!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5369

Downtown · “Bayside”Boasting sweeping Northwest views to the bay

and ocean, this 21st-floor beauty in Bosa

Development’s newest and most exciting

residential community has it all! Dual

bedrooms and baths, quality cabinetry and

finishes, and so much more!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5559

Downtown · “The Metropolitan”This elegant, BANK-OWNED foreclosure inone of Downtown's most desirable luxuryhigh-rises is priced substantially below any others of this floorplan in the community. Oneof few residences atop the Omni Hotel at theentrance to Petco Park, the views are spectacular! For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5329

Downtown · “La Vita”Take in the stunning city views from this

16th-floor 2-bedroom beauty in the Northeast

corner of the building! Lots of light and an

oversize terrace make this one you’ll want to

call ‘home’!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5579

Downtown · “Element”Newly listed, take advantage of this super

SHORT-SALE opportunity in hip East Village

community! This sunny Northwest corner

residence enjoys dual bedrooms and baths and

custom quartz kitchen counters and back-

splash! Priced to sell!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5169

Downtown · “Gaslamp City Square”The ideal starter property, this studio residence

overlooking the pool deck and courtyard offers

the first-time buyer an awesome opportunity to

own a property at a bargain, short-sale price!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5599

Downtown · “Hawthorn Place”Walk to everything the Little Italy village has to

offer from this beautifully located and well-

priced two-bedroom unit! You’ll enjoy

sweeping bay views, a wrap-around terrace,

dual parking, and dual master suites! A low

HOA fee, too so don’t delay!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5589

Downtown · “Alta”Come see why so many are making Alta theirplace to live! Intelligently located on the edge ofthe bustling Gaslamp Quarter, this fabulousSHORT-SALE boasts a prime southwest cornerlocale with walls of windows, a spacious terrace,& gleaming hardwood floors! This 1-Bedroom/den is ideal for a second home or professional.For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5569

Downtown · “Palermo”Beautifully located on the pool level, this dualbedroom, dual bath residence features a privatepatio, a granite kitchen, and two parking spaces!Just steps to Little Italy’s many wonderful venues, Palermo enjoys lush courtyards, a pool& spa, fitness center & secured parking! Don’tmiss this super short-sale opportunity!For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5499

Downtown · “Pinnacle”Enjoy panoramic, 26th-floor city and CoronadoBay Bridge views from this picture-perfect, two-bedroom residence in one of the MarinaDistrict's most popular, luxury, residential high-rise communities! Wall to a multitude ofrestaurants and entertainment venues from thisbeautifully located development!For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5239

SALE

PENDING SALE

PENDING

PENDING

SHORT SALE

PENDING

SHORT SALE

Downtown · “Meridian”Enjoy a lifestyle found nowhere else at this

high-amenity, luxury community! The

residence boasts upgrades galore and 1800

square feet, short-sale priced to sell!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5609

Downtown · “Icon”Wait until you see the views to Petco Park and the

urban sights from this prime, Northwest corner,

2-Bedroom residence located at East Village’s

hippest residential community! You’ll love the

gleaming hardwood floors, sunny windows, a

private view terrace, & dual parking, for starters!

For full details in a recorded message,

call 1-800-709-1995, Ext. 5529

SOLDSOLD

SOLDSOLD


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