Daniel Leven stood up from his desk

as a high school student, jazzed that

he had finished his math test ahead of his friends.

Their cohort was, as Leven says, a mix of cooperative

and competitive. “I've seen kids who are really

competitive in their grades, maybe more so

than cooperative,” he said. “My group was

probably a bit more cooperative than

competitive, and that helped me a lot

because I was not at the top of that group.”

It’s been a while since I had a

deadline that required me to work

while flying cross country, but here I am, winging my way to

finish some family business in Kentucky.

October has been a busy month in Mira Mesa. For one thing, we are

seeing steady but incredibly slow progress on our new Little League Base-

ball Fields. And just for those who haven’t had the benefit of seeing any of

the conceptual drawings of the finished project, the large gray poles planted

Mira Mesa Moving Forward

The Mira Mesa Town Council is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organized to foster the public wel-fare of the community. Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at the Mi-ra Mesa Library at 7pm. See pg. 14 for newsletter advertising rates and contact info.

the Mecca President’s Message Don’t Forget!

the Meccathe newsletter of the mira mesa town council

By Ted BrengelPresident, Mira Mesa Town Council

Volume 45, Issue 9 For details on the name “The Mecca” see the last page.

AP Calculus Rocks inMr. Leven’s Classroom

Daniel Levin’s energy and passion for math rocks MMHS AP Calculus passing rates to new highs. - Photo by John Horst

By John HorstEditor, The Mecca

Nov. 8 Election Day: Polls open at7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

Nov. 15 MM Rec Council Meeting,Lopez Ridge Park - Resched-uled due to Election Day

Nov. 7 MMTC Meeting: Volunteer ofthe Year Nominations; Short-term Vacation Rentals; BoardElection

In This Issue

Around the Campus……….Police & Fire……………….Politics & Opinion………….News & Features…………..Business Member Directory.The Back Page……………..

pp. 2-3pp. 4-5pp. 6-7

pp. 8-13pp. 14-15

p. 16.

around the campus

the Mecca - Page 2

The 24th An-nual Mira MesaInvitational

Band Review and Field Tournamentwill be held on Saturday, November5th, 2016 on the campus of Mira MesaHigh School and along Mira Mesablvd.

Mira Mesa HS is looking forwardto hosting our 34 guest bands fromaround Southern California who willcompete throughout the day. The firstbands will begin field performanceinside Mira Mesa HS's stadium at9:00am and will go throughout themorning. The Band Review (which is aform of Parade) will take place on Mi-ra Mesa Blvd between Westonhill andMarauder Way, starting at approxi-mately 12:30pm.

The evening division of Bandswill begin at 4:00pm and will finishwith the final performance of MiraMesa High School's Marching Band

Band Review and Field Tourney tobe featured on Mira Mesa Blvd.

performing at 9:00pm in the main sta-dium. Awards will follow for thegroups at 9:45pm.

Tickets may be purchased on theday of the event (November 5th) atthe Ticket booth on the home side ofthe stadium. Tickets are $10/personfor the morning field tournament and$15 for the afternoon and eveningfield tournament. The Band Review isfree for all to watch and enjoy.

Come support Mira Mesa HighSchool's 24th Annual InvitationalBand Review and Field Tournament!

By Catherine RaultMMHS Sapphire Sound

MMHS Sapphire Sound Band at the Rose Parade

The Board of Edu-cation recently re-leased the annualevaluation of theSuperintendent. Itis not so much of a

personal evaluation as it is anevaluation of how the district isperforming, according to the tar-gets we set the previous year.On September 27 San DiegoUnified Trustee Dr. SharonWhitehurst-Payne announcedthe results at a press conference.Below are the highlight of someof the goals and the results forthe school district:

San Diego ranks #1among the large urban districtson state math test scores and #2in the state on English LanguageArts.

The Class of 2016was required to meet more rigor-ous requirements for graduation,resulting in more students beingprepared for college and/ortechnical careers.

By John Lee Evans, Ph.D.San Diego Unified Trustee

SD Unified Update

Jr Achievement “Unlocking the Genius”Contact: Stephanie Castro -scastro1@sandi.net

Come see the Fall Play: “Almost, Maine” on Nov. 3 & 4Contact: Dan Kriley - dkiley@sandi.net

MMHS Hosts SAT testing on Dec. 3 Any students wishing totake the test can contact: Dave Silva - dsilva1@sandi.net

About San Diego Miramar CollegeOne of three colleges within the San Diego Community College District, San DiegoMiramar College offers associate degrees, certificates of completion, and the first twoyears of a bachelor’s degree. Founded in 1969, and located in Mira Mesa, the collegeservices 14,000 students annually with 80 academic majors and 90 career technicaleducation certificates.

Partnerships with local industry and the City and County of San Diego preparestudents for high demand and well-paying careers in the highly competitive labor market,including biotechnology, paralegal (ABA approved), aviation (FAA-certified), automo-tive, diesel and advanced transportation and energies. Miramar College is home to theSouthern California Biotechnology Center, Advanced Transportation and Energy Centerand the San Diego Regional Public Safety Institute, which comprises the San Diego LawEnforcement Academy and the Fire Technology & EMT program. Since 1969, thecollege has provided training for nearly all law enforcement and firefighters in San DiegoCounty. Miramar College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Communityand Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

the Mecca - Page 3

news and features from the campuses ofmira mesa high school and miramar college

Miramar College Alum and Staffer Wins Ms. Asian North America

We all know how incredibly vibrantand culturally diverse a communityMira Mesa is, but did you know that

and even though I had a master’s de-gree, I discovered myself again,” shesaid.

Through countless challenges andcommitment, she served students asVice President of Associated StudentCouncil (2012). Farkiya has earnedmany scholarships and other awardssuch as “The Outstanding StudentLeader of the Year.”

Back in India, after winning a statelevel beauty pageant, Farkiya workedin show business as a television ac-tress and model before moving to theU.S.

When encouraged to run for Mrs.Asia San Diego in January of 2016,she said ‘yes’. Farkiya finished runnerup, and in the process won five addi-tional titles: Mrs. Role Model of theyear; Mrs. Elegance; Mrs. Congeniali-ty; Mrs. People’s Choice; and Mrs.Cultural of the Year. Next stop wasthe Ms. Asian North America pageant.

“Winning the beauty pageant hasallowed me to give back the commu-nity and that's what I love to do.” Sheis now exploring ways to meet withlocal state senators to introduce pro-grams designed to wipe out child traf-ficking and child abuse.

Kaanchan Farkiya accepts her title.

From the Miramar College News one of our own was recently namedMs. Asian North America 2016?

This past July, Miramar Collegealum and current staff member Kaan-chan Farkiya won the honor in LasVegas. “I am out there doing my du-ties now as Queen and my platform iseducation and helping children, so it isnatural fit to be affiliated with Mira-mar College’s Child DevelopmentCenter,” Farkiya commented. Since2013, Farkiya has been employed as aSupplement Instruction Coach forstudents pursuing course work inchild development.

In 2005, Farkiya arrived in theUnited States with a bachelor’s degreeand a master’s degree she had ob-tained while in India. With a desire tohelp children, she enrolled at MiramarCollege and obtained an associate de-gree in Child Development and one inComputer Business Technology. “Ienrolled my preschooler in the ChildDevelopment Center at Miramar Col-lege and then decided to take classes,

Material on this page © 2016 San Diego Miramar College. All rights reserved.

first responders

the Mecca - Page 4

Police and Fire Both Ask for HelpCombating ‘Spice’ Overdose Cases

The San Diego CityCouncil approved anordinance on Tuesday,

June 14, 2016 that prohibits the manu-facturing, sale, distribution and pos-session of spice, bath salts, kratom,and other synthetic and psychoactivedrugs.

Due to the threat these substanc-es pose to the health and welfare ofthe public these laws became effectiveimmediately.

With the enactment of these lawsthe following are now prohibited inthe city of San Diego:

San Diego Municipal Codesection 52.3303 – Manufacture, Dis-tribution and Sale Prohibited. It is un-lawful to manufacture, sell, offer tosell, offer for sale, distribute, or pos-sess for sale any Federal Schedule IDrug, Novel Synthetic Drug, or NovelPsychoactive Drug.

San Diego Municipal Codesection 52.3304 – Possession Prohib-ited. It is unlawful to possess any Fed-eral Schedule I Drug, Novel SyntheticDrug, or Novel Psychoactive Drug.

From SDPDWebsite

The Municipal Code also deemsthe manufacturing, sale, offering tosell, distribution, or possession for saleof a Federal Schedule I Drug, NovelSynthetic Drug, or Novel Psychoac-tive Drug to be a public nuisance.

Additionally, the ordinance, un-der section 52.3307, makes it unlawfulfor a property owner or other respon-sible person, after receiving writtennotice by the City of a violation of theordinance, to fail to abate the publicnuisance within 30 calendar days fromthe date of the notice.

It is incumbent upon every busi-ness owner and employee in San Di-ego to know and understand thesenew laws and how they apply to them.Enforcement of these laws has com-menced. Those who violate these lawsare subject to citation and/or arrest.Violators are also subject to adminis-trative and civil sanctions.

Questions can be directed to theSan Diego Police Department’s Nar-cotics Unit at (619) 531-2468.

Do You HaveWhat It Takes?The City of San Diego is Califor-nia's second-largest city in popula-tion with over one millionresidents, and has a mild climatewith an abundance of scenic beau-ty, including beaches, mesas, can-yons, mountain ranges and deserts.The San Diego Police Departmentmaintains high expectations of itsofficers. Successful police officershave the following traits:

● Integrity● Interest in People● Interpersonal Sensitivity● Communication Skills● Problems Solving Ability● Judgment Under Pressure● Willingness to Confront Prob-

lems● Credibility as a Witness● Observational Skills● Learning Ability● Appearance● Dependability● Physical Ability● Desire for Self-Improvement

Also known as:“K2,” “fake weed,”“Bliss,” “BlackMamba,” “BombayBlue,” “Genie,”“Zohai,” “YucatanFire,” “Skunk,” and“Moon Rocks”

Facts About Spice From https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/spice

Spice is a mix of herbs (shredded plant material) and manmadechemicals with mind-altering effects. It is often called “syntheticmarijuana” or "fake weed" because some of the chemicals in it aresimilar to ones in marijuana; but its effects are sometimes verydifferent from marijuana, and frequently much stronger.

Spice is most often labeled "Not for Human Consumption" anddisguised as incense. Sellers of thedrug try to lead people to believethey are “natural” and thereforeharmless, but they are neither. Infact, their actual effects can beunpredictable and, in some cases,severe or cause death.

The City of San Diego has teamedwith San Diego County to offer thefree PulsePoint mobile app that alertsCPR-trained bystanders if someonenearby is having a sudden cardiac ar-rest that may require CPR.

The app is activated by one of thefive public safetycommunicationscenters in the coun-ty at the same mo-ment that fire andEMS resources aredispatched to thescene.

The PulsePointapp is free on boththe App Store andGoogle Play.

news from the fine men and womenof the san diego police and fire departments

the Mecca - Page 5

Service Opportunities availablePartnering with SD Fire Dept.

Material on pages 4 & 5 © 2016, City of San Diego. All rights reserved.

During the first fewhours and days after adisaster strikes, emer-

gency services can be overwhelmed,leaving families, neighborhoods andbusinesses on their own for hours ordays.

After the devastating Cedar fireof October 2003, the City of San Di-ego sought new solutions to meetthis vital need. A new communitybased program called CommunityEmergency Response Team (CERT)was developed by the San DiegoFire-Rescue Department. CERT SanDiego helped citizens become a partof the solution in their own commu-nities. The program took advantageof the outpouring of volunteers whooffered to help in disasters, such asthe Cedar Fire, earthquakes and9/11.

San Diego Fire-Rescue person-nel train and empower citizens in

From SDFDWebsite

safe, effective neighborhood CERTteams. CERT San Diego instructorsteach citizens to take life-saving ac-tion to help families, neighbors,businesses and communities getthrough the first few hours or dayswhen emergency services are over-whelmed.How to Join CERT

To join our CERT team, youmust live within the City limits ofSan Diego (this does not includeChula Vista, Del Mar, Poway or Im-perial Beach, for instance). If spacein the academy is not filled by stu-dents from San Diego, then appli-cants from outside the city will begiven a seat in the academy.

The Fire Department is gaug-ing interest in a spring 2017 acade-my. If you are interested inattending, please sign up to be noti-fied when Academy 34 date are an-nounced.

CERT volunteers train at the San Diego public safety academy facilities at Miramar College.

For more information on CERT,contact:Carie DeMarcoProgram ManagerPhone: (619) 533-4353Email: cert@sandiego.gov

How to Volunteer

Could You Savea Life Today?

politics and opinion

the Mecca - Page 6

Chris Cate: City Council District 6 Marty Block: Senate District 39

Dave Roberts: County 3rd Supervisory District

Since its opening in 1996, Ballast Pointhas grown from a small microbrewery,to one of the largest breweries and dis-tillers in Southern California, with facili-ties in Miramar, Scripps Ranch, LindaVista, Little Italy, and Long Beach. In2014, Ballast Point established its flag-ship location in Miramar. The facilityoccupies nearly 107,000 square feet withfull beer production, a retail and officespace, plus a 500-seat restaurant. Overthe last 20 years, Ballast Point has re-ceived countless awards for both itsbeer and distillery, including CaliforniaDistillery of the Year, Champion SmallBrewery at the World Brew Cup, andnine combined wins at the EuropeanBeer Star Competition.

Ballast Point 20th Anniversary

Brian Maienschein: Assembly District 77

I was proud join San Diego Fire-Rescue ChiefBrian Fennessy to watch a demonstration of thePersonal Escape System -- a new safety tool thatenables firefighters to get out of burning build-ings quickly. San Diego’s fire department serves manyareas of my district, including Mira Mesa, ScrippsRanch, Rancho Bernardo and Tierrasanta. Someof these communities adjoin the wildland-urbaninterface, which means the fire threat is high. Chief Fennessy approached me about pur-chasing Personal Escape Systems for his fire-fighters and I asked what I could do to help. As a result of that conversation, I broughtforward a county grant recommendation of$29,000 to purchase the hardware, which in-cludes a hook, rope and belt. The grant requestpassed unanimously. Our firefighters make great sacrifices tokeep us safe. The very least we can do is to equipthem so they can keep themselves safe, too.

A 2015 Consumers Union survey foundnearly one-quarter of Californians whohad hospital visits or surgery in the priortwo years had reported receiving an un-expected bill from an out-of-networkprovider. Unexpected charges can occurwhen an out-of-network provider treatspatients at an in-network facility. Thisproblem has been negatively impactingresidents of California for decades.

As a lead author of AB 72, legislationwhich effectively stops this practice, Iam happy to announce that GovernorBrown recently signed this measure intolaw. AB 72 is a bipartisan solution thatcame from many months of meetingsand extensive discussions between legis-lators and stakeholders. I worked hardto ensure that consumers are not re-sponsible for payment in surprise billingsituations.

Public Safety Remains Top PriorityLegislation Preventing SurpriseMedical Bills Signed by Gov.

Senator Block’s Final GreetingsSince 2008, I have had the honor of representingthe San Diego region – my home for more than36 years – in California’s Assembly and Senate.In November, I will begin a new chapter when Ileave the legislature. While in Sacramento, Iproudly worked to ensure access to higher edu-cation, senior and consumer protections, assis-tance for veterans, and fought to end theheinous crime of human trafficking. The supportof the Mira Mesa community made those ac-complishments possible.

Please accept my thanks for allowing me toserve you and for your support over the years. Ithas been greatly appreciated.

I will be hosting meetings in the comingweeks to discuss current issues. Please visithttp://sd39.senate.ca.gov for details.

news and opinion fromelected representatives and community leaders.

the Mecca - Page 7

The Mecca welcomes news and opinion pieces authored by our electedrepresentatives. Opinion pieces written by residents are welcome, butmust have a community “angle” which helps inform readers of theimportance of current events and issues to the Mira Mesa community.Articles published here do not reflect the official position or opinion of the MiraMesa Town Council, its Board of Directors, or any of its members. Submis-sions may be sent via email to newsletter@miramesatowncouncil.org

No on Measure B: Nothing to do with affordable housingBy John HorstEditor, The Mecca

We have endured aseries of controver-sies in San Diego

County over the past few years as landowners and developers seek to pro-mote high-density, intensive land useprojects. This month we face a similarfight over “Lilac Hills Ranch” in theNorth County back country.

This ballot measure - Measure B -is touted as addressing the shortage ofaffordable housing. Yet the projectwhich is the subject of Measure Bdoes not have an affordable housingcomponent. This fight matters to Mi-ra Mesa - and to all communities inour region - because it attempts toeffectively neuter the communityplanning process - wresting from usthe proper say we ought to have inhow our neighborhoods grow.

It is important we have this say.Land owners want the best return ontheir capital. Land approved for in-tensive uses sells for more money.Government likes intensive land use

because it increases the tax base. Butcommunities - well, we just want po-lice and fire to get to us in a timelymanner, be able to move about, haveparks and schools, and just the basicsof a decent community life. If we arenot at the table, the interests of landowners and government will swallowup whole our way of life.

Don't be fooled by the appeal formore affordable housing. Measure Bwill do nothing to support that worthy

goal. Measure B will allow develop-ment without the needed improve-ments to roads. Police and fire willnot be able to respond in a timelymanner to a wildfire. And tax payerswill be on the hook for any lawsuitswhich might result.

We have developers who workwell with our communities and dothings right.

Voteno on Measure B.

Scott Peters, CA 52nd Congressional District

Prior to leaving Washington D.C. for districtwork, Congressman Scott Peters released thefollowing statement after voting to pass theFY17 Continuing Resolution, which includesfunding for construction at Marine Corps AirStation Miramar and the Coastal Campus onCoronado, and includes $1.1 billion in emergen-cy Zika funds:

“The funding authorized tonight for Zika willallow the Centers for Disease Control & Preven-

tion to study the long-term health implications ofbirth defects caused by the virus and fund the Nation-al Institutes of Health to advance research on diag-nostics and vaccines. I am disappointed Congress didnot act to address Zika sooner as me and many of mycolleagues have urged, but am glad to finally see theseresources going where they are needed.

“While this continuing resolution avoided a costlygovernment shutdown, I look forward to returning toa more regular budgeting process that gives our mili-tary leaders and business community the certaintythey need, cuts wasteful spending, and invests in ex-panding educational and economic opportunity inAmerica.”

etcetera...

the Mecca - Page 8

“But it was neat to finish that testfirst,” he said with that wry smile thatcomes with a fond memory. Leven, Mira Mesa High School’snew AP Calculus teacher, looks backon those high school days and recallshimself being a reasonably good - butnot spectacular - math student. In11th grade he tutored a friend of hisparents just out of the militarypreparing for the Graduate RecordExam (GRE) to get into graduateschool. Leven went on to get his Bachelorsof Science in Math from RutgersUniversity. He moved here to SanDiego and received his Masters ofArts in Teaching and his teachingcredential from Western Governor’sUniversity. Four years ago he was a studentteacher in the Fall and a substituteteacher in the Spring. In August of2014 he was hired on full time, onlylast year taking over the AdvancedPlacement Calculus class. With one year under his belt, thenumbers are impressive: From 2015to 2016, the pass rate (scores from3-5) on the AP Calculus exam wentfrom 58% to 96%. When looking atthe numbers on a bar chart, one cansee a dramatic shift: The 5’s and 4’sjump. Scores of 3 and below showthe inverse: 3’s go from 21% to 14%.The percntage of students not passing(2’s and 1’s) go from 12% to 2% and30% to 1%, respectively. In rawterms, 85 of his students took thetest. 82 passed. Leven credits high quality training.He found a day-long seminar at LaJolla High exceptionally helpful, andattended University of San Diego’s‘AP By the Sea’ conference. “The

district pays for the training for mostof the AP teachers in San DiegoUnified. They place a specialemphasis on paying for first-year APteachers, which included me,” Levenrecalls. “But I also have to mentionthat the Mira High SchoolFoundation provided me a $1,000grant so I could get the curriciulmoffered at the seminar at La JollaHigh.” Listening to Leven talk aboutworking with the students, though, itbecomes clear he does not so muchteach math as he teaches students. Heis willing to make mid-streamadjustments to the course to respondto their needs.

“I will push a test further out a dayor so if I feel the students do notadequately grasp the material whichwill be on the test.” He explains. “Ithink testing should assess what theyhave learned, so if I feel they have notlearned the material well enough, wemight delay the test a day or so togive them the chance to work withme some more.”

For the AP classes, Leven tries tomodel a college atmosphere. “I willlecture one day, and then give thestudents a ‘homework day’ in class thenext. This gives the strong students achance to get their homework done,and the students who need help havethe opportunity to work with me oneon one.” he mentioned. “This presentsa challenge to getting through the ma-terial because we are up against thedate of the AP test.” The conversation kept returning,however, to having a circle of friendscommitted to doing well. “I've seennow how important it is for kids tohave a group of friends who want toexcel,” Leven stressed. It was right before this pastsummer’s ‘AP By the Sea’ conferenceand right after getting home at 3amfrom a Los Angeles trip, fightingtraffic and a freeway closure on theway home, that last year’s numberscame in. “I was exhausted,” Levenremembers. “And then I went onlineto see the scores. It was the happiest Ihave been a very long time. I wasecstatic.”

ap calculus rocksFrom Page 1

New Leadership for Mira Mesa HEROESLongtime Mira Mesa community volunteer Mike Davis recently charted anew course in life, including a move to Houston. Davis founded and ledMira Mesa HEROES, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community service organiza-tion. With Davis’ departure, Bari Vaz has assumed leadership of HEROES.“We are doing our second project of 2016 [in late October], a clean-up at alocal home near the Mira Mesa Mall,” Vaz mentioned. HEROES is seeking volunteers/donors for an upcoming project wheremedical bills have impacted a neighbor to the point where they cannotafford needed repairs to their home. “We have been presented with anopportunity to partner with another non-profit to assist a homeowner whohas met their criteria for support,” she said. Interested volunteers and donors can contact Bari Vaz atinfo@miramesaheroes.org.

news and featuresfrom around the community

the Mecca - Page 9

master meetingschedule

at crazy angles are there to supportparts of the shade structure. Ultimate-ly (this year we hope), there will befour ball fields, a shack bar, and aplayground on that side of New SalemStreet.

Last week we lost a big one. Youhave probably heard that due to theloss of SONGS (San Onofre NuclearGenerating System) SDG&E needssome additional transmission lines.The original intent was to run themfrom East Miramar to Sycamore Can-yon in Western Rancho Peñasquitosusing mostly existing power poles andstructures. A number of alternativewere developed by the California Pub-lic Utilities Commission, and wouldn’tyou know it! The CPUC selected notonly the most expensive option, butthe one most disruptive to Mira Mesa.Despite the scant impact of the origi-nal route and the moderate cost, theydiscarded all arguments and opted forthe route that will come right throughthe Miramar Industrial area. Now wecan only hope that the City Develop-ment Services Department can some-how minimize the impact on ourfragile Mira mar area businesses.

Shifting subjects a bunch… Lastweek my wife and I went to the bigCoachella concert where some reallyold rock stars entertained us withsome great music (and the audienceblew enough mother nature in ourfaces to make us dizzy). One thing Ifound remarkable is how different isis to drive in traffic with Los Angeli-nos. Here in San Diego, despite theoccasional rude driver, someone willalmost let you in to the traffic. Not soin those traffic jams. They were will-ing to sacrifice just about anything tokeep everyone out of their traffic jam.Crazy!

Several of us, led by BruceBrown, have been busy compiling alist of community priorities for ChrisCate. He uses suggestions from neigh-borhoods (regrettably Chris is unableto distinguish between neighborhoodsand communities—a vexing deficien-cy indeed) to help in the annual bud-get discussions. Near the top of thelist is the completion of Carroll Can-yon Road and creation (or at leastidentification) of a third communitypark. With Mira Mesa approaching100,000 residents in the next coupleof decades, we must look ahead andfigure out where all these people aregoing to play. Regrettably, and to noone’s great surprise, developers arealoof and the City is ambivalent onthis subject. If we don’t act and con-tinuously strive for more park space,what you see now is what we will have

president's messageFrom Page 1

with an additional 20,000 people inthe community. Not good! But takeheart. We are working on the solution.I am hoping we can provide a reporton this at our next meeting.

We got some news from theRecreation Council recently. It seemsthat Angel Castro, our Area Manager,will be transferred to the new PacificHighlands Ranch Area and be re-placed by Timothy Manion. We allstand ready to support Timothy in hisendeavors and we look forward tobeing included in deliberations anddecisions regarding our Mira MesaRecreational facilities.

I had better close this before Iwear out my welcome (if I haven’talready done so). So, until nextmonth, please drive carefully, andnever, never drink or text and drive.

November 7, 7pm: TownCouncil Monthly Meeting -Library.

November 14, 6:45pm: TownCouncil Board Meeting - Com-munity Office.

November 15, 7pm: RecCouncil Meeting - LopezRidge Park.

November 15, 7pm: Wom-en’s Club - Senior Center

November 21, 7pm: PlanningGroup - Library

November 29, 6:30pm:Banned Book Club - Library

etcetera, etcetera...sd unified updateFrom Page 2

Thedistrict average is approximately 92%,up from 79% ten years ago. Last year97% of all UC High seniors met thegraduation requirements in time. Ourhigher expectations resulted in betterresults. We are closing the achieve-ment gap. The African American ratewas 91% compared to the district av-erage of 92% and the rate for Latinosis improving.

Seventy per-cent of new recruits are from diversebackgrounds.

SD Uni-fied received a rating of 96% by thestate for our facilities. The new SalkElementary is in its second year andis the pride and joy of Mira Mesa.

the new Quality Assurance

Office is fully operational and investi-gates all concerns.

The District’s nation-ally recognized i-21 program has puttechnology in the classrooms acrossthe district.

This year over 2,000 studentsare taking college courses.The school district turned a corner inthe 2015-16 school year and the im-provements will accelerate in the nextfour years of Vision 2020.

the Mecca - Page 10

Mira Mesa School Principals Share Campus AchievementsBy Pam StevensContributor, The Mecca

Mira Mesa principals discussed theirschools at the Mira Mesa Town Coun-cil’s annual Education Night October

3, when principals (or their representatives) each spokebriefly about academic and extracurricular programs attheir schools.

Deidre Hardson, principal of Mira Mesa’s newestschool, Jonas Salk Elementary School, was first to speak.Hardson also spoke on behalf of Mason ElementarySchool in place of principal Dawn Powell. In support oftheir STEAM focus, Salk opened last year with the LOGO(Learning on the Go) program. Students are issued laptopcomputers to use at home as well as at school. This yearall Mira Mesa schools will be LOGO schools, according toHardson.

Hardson also participated along with neighborhood res-idents a planning workshop to help design the park andjoint use playing field which will be located between Salkand the existing Maddox Neighborhood Park on Flanders.

“We are looking forward to our park,” Hardson said.Mason Elementary School has a special emphasis on

music, dance, and theatre programs. Mason has received agrant to start a gardening program, and will be putting in a9,000 square foot garden in January.

Hickman Elementary School principal Tobie Roof saidHickman fourth and fifth graders now have computers totake home as a result of the LOGO program. Hickmanhas a “tinkering lab” with a 3D printer, and a robotics pro-gram. Hickman received a grant from the “Panda Cares”program sponsored by Panda Express, which has en-

abled the school to implement a pilot program, “The Lead-er in Me,” in partnership with Stephen Covey, author of 7Habits of Highly Effective People. Students are learning lifeskills at a young age. Roof said that it was a great experi-ence to have a young student come up to her and say: “Oh,Mrs. Roof, I’m being pro-active.”

Sandburg Elementary School principal Geoffrey(“Geoff”) Martin said this is the start of his sixth year atSandburg. He, joined other Mira Mesa principals in notingthat the schools are a community of leaders who work to-gether well. He also praised Mira Mesa parents and stu-dents for valuing learning and the relationships they buildwith each other.

From left to right: Valerie Van Zummeren (Good Shepherd); Jeff Sabins (MMHS); BarbaraIsrael (Ericson); Deidre Hardson (Salk); Justin Phillips (Walker); Eric Takeshita (Hage);Tobie Roof (Hickman); Geoffrey Martin (Sandburg); Matt Fallon (Wangenheim); DianeRyan (Challenger); Lark Mayeski (Christ the Cornerstone) - Photo by Pam Stevens

news and featuresfrom around the community

the Mecca - Page 11

If you are agardener andwould like to

grow some new edible plants to sam-ple and share with others, come to thefirst meeting of the San Diego SeedLibrary from 2:30-5pm on Saturday,November 12 at the Mira MesaBranch Library, 8405 New Salem St.SD. Just like borrowing a bookfrom the public library, members canborrow seed to grow at no charge.The packet of seeds you get are justenough to taste what you have grownand let a plant or two produce moreseed for you to harvest and return tothe seed library for others to borrow.

The local seed library, co-sponsoredby the Seed Library of San Diego andthe California Rare Fruit Growers, willbe at the Mira Mesa branch librarymonthly on the second Saturday from2:30-5pm according to Jennifer Fitz-patrick, coordinator for the seed li-brary project.

By Vincent LazaneoContributor, The Mecca

Seed Library Sprouts in Mira Mesa Four different packets of seed, se-lected by seed librarian Dale Tron, andclippings of a dragon fruit plant willbe available at the first meeting onNovember 12. Library members canborrow up to three packets of seedwhich have been selected for the cur-rent season and can be planted now.More seed will be offered at the sec-ond meeting on December 10.

There is no charge for the seedsyou borrow but there will be a returndate about six months after you checkout the seed. Gardeners who harvestseed from their plants and return themto the library will be allowed to bor-row more than three packets of seedmonthly if they wish.

Contact Jennifer Fitzpatrick atmotheuniverse@yahoo.com for moreinformation about the Mira Mesa SeedLibrary.

Mr. Lazaneo is Urban Horticulture Advisor, Emeri-tus, University of California Cooperative Extension

This is just a sampling of the fruit seeds that will be available from the Mira Mesa Seed Library. Mango seeds, guavaseeds, tamarind seeds and sapote seeds. Each month a different exotic fruit seed will be available.- Photo by Jennifer Fitzpatrick

Meetings: Nov. 1 &Dec. 6. Christ theCornerstone Academy

Charter DinnerOur Charter Dinner is tentatively sched-uled for Saturday, November 19, 6:30pm, at Cora Anderson's Dance Studio,8990 Miramar Rd.

If you are interested in being a part ofthe Planning Committee, please emailyvette_army@hotmail.com orBariVaz@sbcglobal.net.

Eyeglass CollectionOur Eyeglass Collection is underway!The first box was placed at the MiraMesa Library on Friday, September 29,and a second is being placedat Walgreen's, 10787 Cami-no Ruiz.

Charlene Ellsworth isthe coordinator for thecollection. If you want tosuggest another collec-tion location, or would like to assist withchecking the boxes, please contact Char-lene (omaopa83@gmail.com).

We’re on Social Media!The Mira Mesa Lions Club has stakedout its place on the web and on socialmedia! Our website, Facebook, andTwitter are now active.

Find: www.MiraMesaLions.orgFriend: facebook.com/MiraMesaLionsFollow: @MiraMesaLions

San Diego Public Library - Mira Mesa Branch News

the Mecca - Page 12

etcetera, etcetera, etc...

“That, to me, is what it’s all about,”said Martin.

“We have a wonderful communityin Mira Mesa,” said Ericson Elemen-tary School principal Barbara Israel.

Israel noted Ericson PTA presidentJohn Malo, Jr., and his son were inattendance at the meeting, and thatthree Ericson students who are GirlScouts had participated in the flag cer-emony which began the evening.

In her fourth year as principal atEricson, Israel said she is now on herthird vice-principal, because “theykeep getting promoted to principal.”Ericson’s Hispanic students in grades3-5 made 25 point gains in math andliteracy, Israel said. PTA and the Eric-son Foundation work together to cre-ate and support after-schoolprograms. Ericson offers after-schoolMad Science classes and fitness pro-grams.

Mira Mesa private schools were alsowell represented. Valerie Van Zum-

mira mesa schoolsFrom Page 10

meren, a parent, respresented GoodShepherd Catholic School (K-8) onbehalf of principal Ladonna Lambert,who was unable to attend. Lambertdescribed her and her husband, whoare both in the military, as a devoutCatholic family who believe deeply inintegrating their faith into the kids’education. Good Shepherd seeks tointegrate the Catholic faith into aca-demics and community participation.

Christ the Cornerstone Academy(K-5) was represented by MarkMayeski. Their school communityshares the concern of the TownCouncil over unsightly shopping cartslittering the community. Mayeski ex-pressed appreciation for the workdone by the community to addressthis issue. The church and schoolcommunity is heavily involved inhanding out flags during the July 4th

Parade.Good Shepherd features a well-

rounded program, whose studentsattend Mira Mesa public schools afterthe 5th grade and go on to study atYale, Harvard and other top schools.

Thoughts on CommunityFrom www,brainyquote.com

This world of ours... must avoidbecoming a community ofdreadful fear and hate, and be,instead, a proud confederationof mutual trust and respect.

Every successful individualknows that his or her achieve-ment depends on a communityof persons working together.

Law; an ordinance of reason forthe common good, made by[one] who has care of the com-munity.

For too long in this society, wehave celebrated unrestrained in-dividualism over common com-munity.

branch library hoursMon: 9:30am - 6pm

Tue: 11:30am - 8pm

Wed: 11:30am - 8pm

Thu: 9:30am - 6pm

Fri: 9:30am - 6pm

Sat: 9:30am - 6pm

Sun: *ClosedHoliday Notice: The Library will be closed on November 11th for Veteran’s Day.

Mira Mesa has longbeen a hotbed ofSan Diego's craft

beer scene. San Diego Beer Week willbe observed from November 4-13th.Here is a rundown on what to lookfor at our local breweries.

AleSmith: 9990 AleSmith CourtSan Diego 92126▪ Sun., 11/6: Barrel-aged (BA) Bo-

nanza & Library Reserve SeriesSale.

▪ Mon. 11/7: Meet the Brewer &Brew Demo; BA VietnameseSpeedway Stout & MokasidaSpeedway Stout Bottle Sale

▪ Tue., 11/8: CheessmithPairing/Election Day

▪ Wed. - Fri., 11/9-11: SpeedwayGrand Prix 2016

▪ Sat. 11/12: BA VietnameseSpeedway Stout & MokasidaSpeedway Stout Bottle ReleaseParty

the Mecca - Page 13

Marty Birkil, President, Ballast Point, receives proclamation from Councilman Chris Cate.With Nicole Granz (left, Field Marketing Manager) and Hilary Cocalis, VP of Marketing.

news and featuresfrom around the community

Mira Mesa Craft Breweries Gear Up for Beer Week 2016By John HorstEditor, The Mecca

▪ Sun., 11/13: San Diego BeerWeek Encore.

2Kids Taproom: 8680 Miralani Dr.#123, San Diego 92126▪ Sat., 11/5 1pm: Special Beer Re-

lease and Keep the Glass.▪ Tue., 11/8 3pm: “Beer for Pres-

dient:” 2016 Election NightConverage and Sorrow Drown-ing.

▪ Wed., 11/9 3pm: ProgressiveCask Night.

▪ Thur., 11/10 3pm: Mystery Sci-ence 3000.

Duckfoot Brewing Company: 8920Kenemar Dr., Suite 210. San Diego92121.▪ Tue., 11/8 6pm: Eclipse Choco-

late and Beer Pairing.▪ Fri. 11/11 12pm: PB&J Day▪ Sat. 11/12: Barrel Aged Belgian

Tripel, and Barrel Aged BerlinerWeisse release.

▪ Sun 11/13: Nomad MacaronPairing.

Intergalactic Brewing Co: 9715 Car-roll Centre Rd., San Diego 92126▪ Fri., 11/4 3pm: Keep the Pint

Night.▪ Sat. 11/5 1pm: Dark Side Day.▪ Wed. 11/9 3pm” Sour Extrava-

ganza.Saint Archer Brewery: 9550 Distri-bution Ave, San Diego 92121▪ Sat., 11/5 10:30am: Hoppy Yoga

Plus Tusk & Grain.Pure Project: 9030 Kenamar Dr.Suite 308, San Diego 92121▪ Sun., 11/6 1pm: Pure Project

Sour Sunday.▪ Tue., 11/8 3pm: Beer Release:

Keep Amurka DankGreen Flash Brewing Co. 9675 MiraMesa Blvd., San Diego 92121▪ Sun., 11/6 10:30am: 11/6 10:30

Hoppy Yoga at Green Flash.

Karl Strauss Brewing Co. 9675Scranton Rd., San Diego 92121▪ Sun., 11/6 10am: Every Brunch

is Better with Beer.

White Labs Tasting Room: 9495Candida Street, San Diego CA92126▪ Fri., 11/4 12p,: White Labs Yeast

Hunt w/the following participat-ing breweries: 2Kids BrewingCo.; 32 North Brewing; DuckFoot Brewing; IntergalacticBrewing; Mikkeller Brewing;O'Sullivan Brothers Brewing;Reckless Brewing; White Labs.

Mikkeller Brewing San Diego, 9368Cabot Dr. San Diego 92126▪ Sun., 11/6 1pm Mikkeller X

4505 Meats Pig Roast.

business member directory

the Mecca - Page 14

the Meccathe newsletter of the mira mesa town council

Advertise With Us!‘Spread’ Ad:$600.00

‘Full Page’:$250.00

½ Page:$125.00

¼ Page:$65.00

1/8 page: $35.00

Business Card: $20.00

newsletter@miramesatowncouncil.orgGraphics Support Provided Free

please consider patronizing ourmira mesa town council business members

the Mecca - Page 15

Too often we wait until someonewe appreciate has passed before wededicate something to them. Bythen, of course, they are no longeraround to receive our appreciation.

I have volunteered here in MiraMesa for about ten years or so now.This edition of the Mira Mesa TownCouncil Newsletter, which I am re-naming The Mecca, is the first undermy editorial direction.

I would like to dedicate this issueto David Matt Green, my journal-ism teacher at St. Augustine HighSchool/Our Lady of Peace. In themid-1980’s we had a joint, award-winning school newspapercalled The Oracle under his advisorship. It was from Dave that Igot my love for writing, graphics, layout, etc. Back then “cut andpaste” had nothing to do with a keyboard and we developed ourown film and printed our own black and white photos in thedark room.

We’re all getting older... sorry to break it to you, Dave... But Iwant to take this chance while we’re both still around to saythanks. You will certainly recognize some content ideas here,and just the basics of clean, consistent layout that you taught me.

- John Horst, Editor

- A Dedication

David Matt Green, circa 2004

Mira Mesa - Holiday MemoriesFor the December issue of The Mecca I would like to invitemembers of the community to send a picture and 50 wordsabout a loved one who has passed and who will be missed thisHoliday season. We will have a ‘spread’ in the Decemberissue dedicated to the memory of loved ones we will miss aswe celebrate the Holidays.

PostageMira Mesa Town Council10606-08 Camino Ruiz, PMB 230San Diego CA 92126

The Mira Mesa Town Councilthanks the Mira Mesa ShoppingCenter, LLC for their continuingSupport in providing postage for

.

the Meccathe newsletter of the mira mesa town council

The earliest available map of the commu-nity of Mira Mesa dates back to 1965.Development started in the late 60’s andpeople began moving into homes in theearly 70’s. The community was literally“in the middle of nowhere” as ScrippsRanch was yet to be developed.

Mira Mesa High School students inthe early 80’s began referring to the com-munity as “The Mecca.” Long time resi-dents remember people from all overcoming into the community to shop atthe new stores which were opening. Thenewness of the community, plus its “mid-dle of nowhere” location (rather than be-ing an expansion of an existing area) gavecoming to Mira Mesa the feel of a ‘pil-grimage’ of sorts.

Today Mira Mesa remains very muchin the ‘middle’ of the greater San Diegoregion, within relatively easy commutingdistance to most employment centers.Just about every imaginable productneeded can be purchased at stores on Mi-ra Mesa Blvd. or Miramard Rd. Andmany of the ‘old timers’ still call it TheMecca.