April 13, 2012 On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com Volume VI – Number 4

great White is one of the original hair metal bands to get signed out of Los Angeles in the early ‘80s. The Sunset Strip was ground zero for a wave of post-punk heavy metal-infl uenced rock that created a whole new look as well as lifestyle. Bands like Motley Crue, Ratt, Quiet Riot, Dokken and Great White skyrocketed

to fame and created a 20th century gold rush of musicians to Hollywood. Every rock band in America strived to get into Hollywood at all costs to capitalize on the frenzy that was created. Great White recently celebrated its 30th anniversary as a band March 22 by playing a special performance at the Key Club on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. This was especially meaningful because the Key Club was the site of the legendary Hollywood rock club, “Gazzari’s.” Before the gig, Mission Valley News went along for the ride as Great White rolled through San Diego.

I met up with the guys in front of Jack 100.7 FM radio in Kearny Mesa for a spot on the Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw Morning Show at 6:45 a.m. I was surprised to see all fi ve guys there and they greeted me with handshakes as we waited for somebody to let us in. All were dressed smartly and behaved as if being up at this ungodly hour was normal. If fact, it was because every touring band promotes its show on whatever morning radio show in town fi ts the bill. In this case, it was the DSL Show, which caters to the classic rock crowd. On this particular morning,

See YMCA page 8

Part II of the riverbed police

sweep storyPage 3

What does SOMBFAB stand for? That’s what I wanted to know. If you Google it, you will get quite a curious answer, but in this case it stands for: Some of my best friends are bald. This is in reference to the children of Rady Children’s Hospital who have lost their hair to chemotherapy and are the benefi ciaries of the charity. Amy Schneider is the founder of the group and she put together the benefi t with the help of her husband Gary and his friends. Amy is a nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital and works with teen cancer patients. Amy told Mission Valley News that she started the program years ago after coming across a young girl who was

upset at her body’s reaction to chemotherapy. It fi rst started out as a support group where young patients could discuss their feeling with others going through the same process. Then it evolved into the foundation that it is today. Now, the foundation raises money for patients and gives them the opportunity to visit places like Disneyland and get away from the hospital for a day.

Margaret Rodriguez is a former patient that has now become a volunteer at SOMBFAB. She is 21 now, and has been cancer-free for three years. Rodriguez says “SOMBFAB helped me out because I thought to myself, ‘Is there anybody else like me? Is there

Where canyou fi nd art

every week in Old Town?

Page 9

MISSION VALLEYDOUBLETREE HOSTS YMCA FUNDRAISER

A fundraiser was held at the Doubletree Hotel at Hazard Center to benefi t the YMCA of San Diego County, specifi cally, the downtown branch. More than 350 people gathered to celebrate the holiday weekend at the YMCA of San Diego County’s 51st annual Good Friday Break-fast, hosted by the Downtown YMCA. Keynote speaker Brent King, founder of Chelsea’s Light Foundation and father of the late Chelsea King, and YMCA President and CEO Baron Herdelin-Doherty inspired the audience with their stories of hope amidst tragedy. "Hope" was the theme of the breakfast, and Brent King said he chose hope because that would best honor his daughter; so he started Chelsea’s Light Foundation. The foundation off ers scholarships to children who show a dedication to service and to their community. In light of that awful tragedy, his foundation has continued to off er hope to young people in San Diego, awarding more than $60,000 in scholarships last year. Both organizations – Chel-sea’s Light Foundation and the YMCA – are focused on providing opportunities and supporting young people throughout San Diego County.

It’s appalling how many stories I cover involve me waking up at four in the morning. But hey, this is the life of a rock star. What??! -by Vince Meehan

See GREAT WHITE, page 11

See BENEFIT, page 16

Amy and Gary Schneider -photo courtesy of SOMBFAB

SOMBFAB holds its fi rst annual charity ball at the Tilted Kilt in Mission Valley

Viv on Film reviews the fi lm of the year:

"Hunger Games".Page 2

It’s appalling how many stories I cover involve me waking up at four in the morning

aDay in the Life of a ROCK STAR!

Mission Valley Cancer Benefit

Brent King, founder of Chelsea’s Light Foundation and father of the late Chelsea King, and Baron Herdelin-Doherty, president and CEO of the YMCA of San Diego County.

- photo by Siddhartha Vivek

once bitten... ...twice shy

Mark Kendall, guitarist-Great White