Wounded Warriors find healing through

tennis programs

From graffiti vandals to mural artists

By B.J. ColemanMission Valley News

paved san diego river trail extended under route 163

See PAVED page 4See GRAFFITI page 9

A constructive alternative to harsh punishment

C ivic leaders will cut the ribbon on April 21 to formally celebrate the opening of a long-awaited extension of the San Diego

River Trail west of Route 163. The paved walking paths beside the San Diego

River in Mission Valley are often frequented by walkers, cyclists, bird-watchers, and dog strollers. Whether taking a lunch hour or an after-work break, a weekend jaunt or a fitness ramble, lots of people use these accessible pathways that extend west from Qualcomm Way on both sides of the river.

Up until now, people walking along the path north of the river along Hazard Center Drive would either have to end their strolls just east of Route 163 or scramble though the brush and insecure-feeling territory under the bridge.

The new pathway now allows people to continue their strolls under the highway and farther west. The wide, paved pathway, with wooden hand rails in some places, makes this a pleasant extension.

Now, west of 163, you can continue strolling west past Fashion Valley Mall (perhaps even go shopping or mall walking) or return back under the highway.

Another option is to turn left at the first short road on your left (there is no sign there, but it’s Avenida Del Rio). When you reach Camino de la Reina, walk left and then back under 163 and up the walkway onto the paved river pathway. Now you’ll have more pleasant strolling along the river’s south side and up to Mission Center Road (at Mimi’s Cafe). Cross over at the light, and keep heading east along the pathway, crossing over on sidewalks over either of the two bridges back to the north side pathways (on main roads, cross at stop light intersections).

With lots of commercial pursuits and condos right near the walkways, many find easy access to

Looking east from the new path west of Route 163 and north of the San Diego River. Photo by Tom Leech

Soldiers and veterans from around the country will arrive at the DoubleTree hotel in Mission Valley next month to take part

in the third annual Wounded Warrior Tennis Camp, from May 19 to 25. The weeklong gathering is the only national tennis camp for injured, ill and wounded military service members and veterans.The yearly camp is an offshoot of an

ongoing local tennis clinic, the Wounded Warrior Tennis Program, which began in 2009 as an athletic rehabilitation option of the Balboa Warrior Athlete Program at the Naval Medical

El Cajon resident Li Lam swings at a tennis ball at the 2013 Wounded Warrior Tennis Camp. Photo courtesy Cara Beltran See TENNIS page 14

Z igzag lines and abstract shapes painted in bright, vibrant colors have rejuvenated

the mundane walls of the parking garage at the Westfield Mission Valley mall.

The murals, inspired by the urban graffiti art movement, were commissioned to mark the beginning of a new program to divert juvenile vandalism offenders away from the penal system and toward a more constructive educational art program that better meets their needs.

Law enforcement agencies log approximately 226 incidents of graffiti a day across the San Diego region, according to a 2012 analysis by the San Diego Association of Governments. Public agencies and private property owners in the county spend about $16 million a year removing graffiti vandalism from walls, windows, bridges and highways.

Some juvenile offenders are charged with felonies and forced to pay restitution in sums reaching into the tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“It starts them on a dead-end track at a very early place,” said Linda Sheridan, founder of the San Diego Cultural Arts Alliance, which developed the new Graffiti Education & Mural Arts Program.

The burden of a felony conviction can suffocate a young adult’s attempts to transition to a law-abiding lifestyle, Sheridan said, because it is nearly impossible to find a landlord, a bank or an employer willing to accept the risk of doing business with someone with a felony record.

Instead of criminalizing kids, the new program’s goal is to teach them right from wrong and give them the tools they need to redirect their talent and energy into something positive that can actually sustain them for a

Tom

Outdoor Adventure GroupLeech

Jeremy

EditorOgul

Mission Valley News

April 11, 2014 On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com Volume VIII – Number 4

Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13

Tickets at SDMArt.org/ArtAlive

“SeaWorld: Visitors andEx-Visitors in their own words Lisa

Voice of San DiegoHalverstadt

SeaWorld continues to face a wave of backlash more than a year after a controversial documentary

that criticizes its treatment of killer whales.

SeaWorld claims “Blackfish” and the ensuing fallout hasn’t hurt its bottom line at its three marine mammal parks. The numbers appear to bear that out – but that doesn’t mean some residents haven’t begun to think deeply about whether they want to keep visiting.

I’ve heard from several current SeaWorld fans and some former

ones who’ve given up their annual passes.

I asked many of them to explain whether they’d changed their habits after seeing “Blackfish” and quickly discovered that many SeaWorld opponents decided to stop going years ago.

I also found another trend: Some parents of young children admitted they found “Blackfish” disturbing but decided SeaWorld’s educational offerings still make visits worthwhile.

Here’s what those current and former SeaWorld enthusiasts had to say.

♦ ♦ ♦

“Blackfish” Simplifies the Animal Rights Debate’

As a college freshman, my university took us to various San Diego landmarks, and of course, SeaWorld was the most popular destination. I insisted on sitting in the Splash Zone, and nothing would keep me from seeing Shamu up close. “Blackfish” hasn’t altered my fervor, and many fellow Democrats pillory my support for an organization they feel goes against the natural order. What I find to be incredibly

unnatural is the ability of some to ignore the most pressing animal and environmental rights issue before us — factory farming on a horrifying scale. I find the sensationalism driving the recent state Assembly bill, AB 2140, hypocritical. How can we ignore factory farming, which affects millions of people and expend energy on orca captivity? “Blackfish” pulls at our heartstrings with few recent facts, and has captivated our attention. I wish issues that affect our everyday life, like our food and water supply, drew the attention “Blackfish” has.

I will continue to support

SeaWorld, and enjoy my front-row seats in the Splash Zone. “Blackfish” simplifies the animal rights debate into a digestible form — if only we eliminate orca captivity we won’t have to face the glaring hypocrisy in our everyday shopping. Our choices are far from clear-cut, and while I acknowledge “Blackfish” has valid points, I just can’t get on board with addressing them until we face the elephant in the room. In my opinion, my dollars are well spent at SeaWorld (and hey, that includes those $5 to feed the sea lions).- Ashley Harrington, Scripps Ranch

A trainer plays with an orca during a 2006 performance at SeaWorld Orlando. Photo by Ed Schipul / Creative Commons

2 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014LOCAL News

See SEAWORLD page 16

♦ ♦ ♦

He Told Me He Never Wanted to Go Back’

I have been going to SeaWorld since its opening. I loved it so as a child that I spent the summer 1982 working there as a sales clerk. I spent my breaks watching Shamu in his pool in between shows. I remember feeling sorry for him being in such a small pool.

Fast-forward to Oct. 27, 2013. I am at home alone, while my husband and tweener son are out and about. While channel surfing, I came across “Blackfish” on CNN, quite by accident.

“Blackfish” brought back to me in a sad, painful way all the nagging feelings I had as a teenager while observing the killer whales when I worked at SeaWorld. It occurred to me while watching “Blackfish” that my 18-year-old self could not admit to myself in 1983 that killer whales did not belong in captivity, but my 49-year-old self certainly could. I had a horrible case of the guilts.

A few days later, my 12-year-old son watched “Blackfish.” Before it ended, he told me he never wanted to go back to SeaWorld. Ever. Later that night, we both cut up our SeaWorld Fun Cards and tossed them in the trash.

I have never been a rabid animal rights person. “Blackfish” made me realize that orcas (and dolphins and smaller whales) do not belong in captivity. My financial support of SeaWorld had enabled the park to continue this practice, solely for human entertainment.

No more.- Cindy McNary, Coronado

♦ ♦ ♦

An Obligation to Preserve and Protect’

I have been taking my boys to SeaWorld for several years and will continue to do so, even after watching the documentary “Blackfish.” It was

difficult to watch the stories of how they captured the killer whale. Out of frustration, I wanted to turn the show off when one gentleman says, “This is the worst thing I have ever done.”

I have two boys, 8 and 5 years old, and they love seeing and learning about animals. We watch David Attenborough documentaries at home, read books about animals and dinosaurs and have annual passes to the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld.

I want my children to continue to learn about animals and nature. I want them to have empathy toward them – and I think that an important way to do that is through attending SeaWorld. The more they learn about the world around them, the more enriched their lives will be – and the more exposure they have to animals from around the world the more likely they are to feel an obligation to preserve and protect animals and nature.

My sons know more about Megalodon, Mako sharks and stingrays than I do. They are not afraid of these animals, they don’t want to see them extinct, mistreated or in soups. But, they need to have access and experiences with the animals to create empathy and to feel a connection with them. So, I will continue to take them to SeaWorld.

- David Fuhriman, Rancho Bernardo

♦ ♦ ♦

‘I Want the Company to Make Changes’

I’ve lived in San Diego since 2003 and was a SeaWorld season pass holder until about 2008 when I realized that something was not right.

These beautiful orcas and dolphins (who are sentinels of the sea and highly intelligent) and other marine mammals at the park do not deserve to be treated like “circus animals.” It is not ethical to force them to do tricks for human entertainment and to be confined to such small enclosures. We live next to the Pacific Ocean – where we can see a variety of whales, dolphins and sea lions in their natural environment! I would consider bringing my niece and nephew back to an “evolved” SeaWorld.

SeaWorld, I ask you to stop the breeding of marine mammals, stop making them perform unnatural ‘tricks’ to loud music and loud crowds of people, and make improvements to the enclosures. I don’t want SeaWorld to close its doors – I want the company to make changes – for

Above: An orca performs a trick during a show at SeaWorld Orlando in 2006. Below: A trainer rides an orca during a 2007 performance at SeaWorld’s Shamu Stadium in Orlando, the same place where trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by an orca named Tillikum in 2010.

Photo by Stig Nygarard / Creative Commons

Photo by Matt McGee / Creative Commons

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014 3LOCAL News

A Serra Mesa resident is among the 10 alumni who will receive honors at the University of San Diego’s 19th Annual Alumni Honors celebration on April 26.

Susan Stone, senior vice president and CEO of Sharp Coronado Hospital, will receive the Author E. Hughes Award for Career Achievement.

Stone joined Sharp HealthCare in 1986 and quickly advanced into leadership roles, including clinical nurse specialist, director of women’s and children’s services and chief nursing officer for two of Sharp’s seven hospitals.

Early in her career, Stone established innovative community-based programs, including a nutritional guidance program for teen mothers and an award-winning Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program.

As CEO of Sharp Coronado, Stone leads a 181-bed full-service hospital that specializes in total joint

replacements and advanced liver care. Stone contributed to the development of the Designated Patient Centered Care Hospital Program.

Stone also serves on the board of directors for the Planetree organization and the Association of California Nurse Leaders. She volunteers as a community chaplain, a pastoral support team member and operations manager at the Serra Mesa Food Pantry.

“Dr. Stone’s innovative and visionary leadership are focused on transforming the health care experience,” said Sally Brosz Hardin, dean of USD’s nursing school, in a written statement. “She is a true leader in her field and we are very proud to honor her.”

Other alumni honorees at the event include Peter Kiley, a vice president with C-SPAN; Mauricio López-Hodoyán, a vice president at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.; Robert Bruning, managing partner at the San Diego branch of EY (formerly known as Ernst & Young); Stuart Grauer, founder of the Grauer School in Encinitas; Jeffrey T. Thomas, partner in the Orange County office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP; James W. Brennan, CEO of the Enlightened Hospitality Group in San Diego; Kevin Dooley, executive director of CCS, an international fundraising and consulting firm; and Andrew Rae, a former Torero tennis champion.

The 19th Annual Alumni Honors event begins with the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace & Justice. The ceremony will be followed by a gourmet soiree and live music under the stars. Tickets to the cocktail-attire event are $75 per person. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/alumnihonors or call (619) 260-7889.

KPBS and Union Bank have honored M. Eloise Battle as a local hero in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Battle, who served as chair of the Tecolote Canyon Citizens Advisory Committee, is known for her advocacy in the 1970s and 1980s to protect the 850 acres of open space that now make up the Tecolote Canyon Natural Park. She led the charge to establish the Tecolote Canyon Park assessment to help the city buy the land for the park near Linda Vista and Clairemont.

Battle chaired an educational event called “Baskets and Botany” that celebrates the environment and the history of the Kumeyaay people in Tecolote Canyon.

Battle received the Norma J. Sullivan Conservation Award from the Audubon Society’s San Diego chapter. A Nature Center classroom was dedicated in her honor in 2012.

Battle continues to exercise her passion for conservation, preservation and restoration through educational programs for children.

“We are amazed and inspired by the Women’s History Month honorees, and we applaud them for their commitment to our community and for embodying Union Bank’s values of giving back,” said Union Bank Senior Executive Vice President Pierre P. Habis, head of community banking, in a press release.

The other Women’s History Month honoree is Vickie E. Turner, a partner at Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, who is described as a champion and mentor for women and youth.

“It is a privilege to highlight the profiles and contributions of these extraordinary women within our programming,” said Tom Karlo, KPBS general manager, in a written statement.

these pathways. The San Diego Trolley makes

stops at the north side of the river at Hazard Center, and at the south side of the river right at the pathway off Camino de la Reina and Mission Valley Center.

For those who live farther away, several parking options provide ready access to the walking paths:

From Mission Center Road at the stop light just south of Friars Road, turn west to park along Hazard Center Drive or east into the marked parking lot.

From the eastern sections, there’s some street parking on side streets off Camino del Este or Qualcomm Way.

On the west side of 163, you can often find parking south of Fashion Valley right under the trolley or in the marked trolley lot.

If you want to join some other strollers, Walkabout International has started frequent walks along the river, starting from the west side of 163 at the wooden footbridge just east from the trolley station. These depart at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Saturday mornings (subject to change), with John, the trip leader. For more information, check http://www.walkabout-int.org.

Tom Leech is a frequent contributor to Mission Valley News. He is co-author, with Jack Farnan, of Outdoors San Diego: Hiking, Biking & Camping (Premier).

Paved, from page 1

Senior Vice President and CEO

Sharp Coronado Hospital

Susan Stone

Movers & ShakersMovement in San Diego’s Business Community

Environmental activist

M. Eloise Battle

Do you know someone who should be featured on our Mov-ers and Shakers page? We’re looking for anyone who’s doing something big, from a newly hired executive at a local orga-nization to the small business owner who just opened a new restaurant or office, or even a local student who has won a major scholarship or fellowship. Please send your submissions with a photo and a few paragraphs to the editor at Jeremy@missionpublishinggroup.com.

4 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014BUsINess News

Supervisor Ron Roberts speaks to residents exchanging their old, polluting gas lawnmowers for electric mowers.Photo courtesy Tim McClain

Mow down pollution at the 15th annual lawn mower exchange

Yes, it’s that time of year again! For the past 14 springs, San

Diego residents have risen early one Saturday morning to do a little extra for local air quality by trading in their old, gas powered lawn mowers for a new, zero-emission model. Since 2000, the program has distributed 7,044 rechargeable mowers.

This year’s Mowing Down Pollution exchange takes place at Mission Valley’s Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday, May 3.

Residents of Mission Valley and all of San Diego County can participate with the proper identification and a qualifying gasoline mower. The price of the new mower will be $99.99, just as it has been for the last four years, thanks to a special bulk purchase agreement and funding from air pollution fines. The mowers retail for about $400.

Weekend gardeners and spectators alike are welcome. The atmosphere will once again be fun, festive and unique, with snaking lines of mowers and their owners from across the county. Also, San Diego Gas & Electric returns, displaying a collection of electric vehicles and providing information

Ron

San Diego CountySupervisor

on electric cars. A food truck will offer drinks and morning fare.

The exchange process is simple. Once in line, a place card is distributed to each person with a mower. When the customer reaches the front of the line, proof of his or her San Diego County residency is checked and their mower is then inspected to make sure it is in operable condition and contains all of its parts. Broken mowers or

those missing pieces will be turned away. (This is an important detail that arises each year. Public funds can only be used to replace mowers that actually work and contribute to local air pollution.)

Due to the “Mowing Down Pollution” program’s popularity, those who plan on participating should arrive at Qualcomm Stadium by the 8 a.m. start, but no earlier than 4:30 a.m. The

exchange, which ends at 10 a.m., takes place in the parking lot’s North West quadrant, with plenty of signage to direct attendees.

This year’s lawnmower is a Black and Decker CM1936, 36-volt, cordless rechargeable model that is capable of mulching and bagging with a two year factory warranty. For more information about this event, please call the San Diego Air Pollution Control

District at (858) 586-2600, or my office at (619) 531-5544.

County Supervisor Ron Roberts represents Mission Valley as part of his Fourth Supervisorial District. You can follow him on Facebook at Supervisor Ron Roberts, on Twitter at @RonRobertsSD and at www.RonRoberts.com.

15th Annual Lawnmower Trade-in Event8 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014Qualcomm Stadium9449 Friars Road, San Diego CA 92108

Roberts

LOCAL NewsMISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014 5LOCAL News

www.sdriverdays.org

For full event listing:

May 10th - 18th-Hikes-Bike Rides-Garden Tours-Kids’ Activities-Fishing and more...

Free Events

RSVP: (619) 297-7380

COMMENTARY

When a 5-year-old cannot ‘let it go’

A s a parent of a 5-year-old, the words “let it go” have a brand new meaning in 2014.

What once meant, “You’re not getting that Equestrian Girl doll no matter how much you cry, pout or throw yourself on the ground in Toys ‘R’ Us on Grossmont Boulevard” now has the same effect as, “Kiss the Girl” or “A Whole New World” had on my generation – it cues my daughter to break into song.

For anyone who doesn’t have a young child to drag them to Frozen or didn’t see Broadway superstar Idina Menzel bring down the house at the Oscars, “Let It Go” is the name of the most popular song from Disney’s recent animated blockbuster.

At first, I really loved the music. I didn’t mind Quinn requesting it over and over and over, and then over again some more. “Mommy, I want to hear number five,” she said. (Yes, she became so familiar with the CD she began calling them by their numbers rather than their actual titles.)

“Sure,” I’d say, hitting the button several times to No. 5. And while the opening notes used to give me goosebumps, they now give me chills for a whole other reason. Hearing the overture to “Let It Go” now causes me to empathize with prisoners of

war tortured by music.I began waking up to “Let it go,

let it go, can’t hold it back anymore” playing in my head. I also caught myself humming the song in line at Vons. Eventually, I heard it while waiting for my cases to be called in court.

Trust me – “Let It Go” isn’t the best thing for an attorney to be mumbling around family court.

In addition to tattooing the song on my brain, my daughter also entered an identity crisis phase. Suddenly, she needed to be “Queen Elsa!!!” all the time. (Please note: “Queen Elsa!!!” must always be said with a flourish and at least three exclamation marks.)

And Disney, that wily Disney, they are marketing the heck out of Frozen, a film that has brought them back to the pinnacle of success. They’ve released blonde pre-braided Elsa wigs – a godsend for those of us who do not know how to French braid – and blue frosty Elsa gowns.

My husband, Derek, who adores his daughter to distraction, immediately bought her the wig and dress for Christmas. It seemed harmless enough until Quinn insisted

on donning the wig and dress every waking hour.

After we dressed her and secured the wig on her little head, she would play the “Let It Go” video, acting out Elsa’s every movement and turn.

It was funny until it brought me my one and only “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” moment. See, my back finally decided it was time to experience sciatica. I was down on the ground in our bedroom, fighting the pain enough to call for Derek.

Suddenly I heard quick little footsteps up our stairs. Quinn appeared in the doorway, wearing the Elsa gown with the pale blonde wig hanging off to one side. “Quinn, get Daddy,” I said weakly. “Quinn…”

All at once she was in front of me, sticking her face within inches of mine, yelling, “There is no Quinn! I’m Queen Elsa!!!”

Thankfully, Queen Elsa!!! finally let it go. The wig and dress were placed alongside Cinderella, Ariel and Snow White’s gowns to be used sporadically rather than anytime she’s home and awake.

When the Lego movie came out, I was happy to introduce Quinn to a new interest, something other than Queen Elsa!!! and Princess Anna. Even better, my stereo could enjoy a break from the Frozen soundtrack.

Unfortunately, the Lego movie also features a catchy song. So nowadays in our house, we’re no longer letting it go, but instead exclaiming, “Everything is AWESOME!”

By Gina Cord, founder of Mission Valley News

GINA’SVALLEY VIEWS

Linda Vista fair and parade celebrates 29th anniversary

Saturday, April 26 is going to be a busy day in our area as our next door neighborhood, the Linda Vista area, will have an all-day Multi-Cultural Fair with Fun, Food, and Entertainment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it’s all free.

The highlight of the day will be the 50-uni parade which begins at 11am with Rear Adm. Ronne Froman, the first woman to serve as commander of the U.S. Navy Region Southwest, as grand marshal. The theme of the art and essay competition will be “Strong Women Community Leaders,” and awards for art and essay will be announced at noon on the main stage.

Proceeds from this year’s fair will benefit Amikas, an organization who helps to house homeless women and children with a focus on veterans. The fair is partially funded by the County of San Diego, The Commission for Arts and Culture and Council District 6.

Two streets in Linda Vista will be closed to traffic and street parking will be allowed. Bring the children and the whole family and enjoy this outstanding presentation which has been a big success for 29 years. For further information call (619) 746-8223.

Rotarians go to work in the community

Another huge event taking place on Saturday, April 26 is the annual Rotarians At Work, where close to 5,000 Rotarians from District 5340 don their tee shirts and delve into some hard work to perform community projects. The Kearny Mesa Rotary Club together with some members of the Old Mission Rotary Club, located in Mission Valley, will be doing some painting at a local elementary school in Kearny Mesa. This is the first year that Kearny Mesa Rotary has been organized so they will have the members as well as family members and young students who need community work credits doing the work to help the community.

Rotarians At Work Day was originated in 2006 by the then District Governor, the late Bob Watson, who was a member of the Coronado Rotary Club., and has become so successful that it is now celebrated by many of the 1.2 million Rotarians world-wide. You can imagine how many community projects can be accomplished by that number of members of Rotary International.

We welcome “what’s news” and “who’s news” for this column. Contact Gina Cord at (619) 683-2434 or cordgina@gmail.com.

Genevieve

for theMission Valley News

Suzuki

6 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014OPINION

NeWS from the mAyor’S office

www.missionvalleypetsitting.com

I f you’re like most pet parents, you would rush your furry kid to the veterinarian’s of-

fice if he showed signs of pain, bleeding, lameness, or any life-threatening condition. But how many of you take your pet to the veterinarian just to make sure he is healthy?

Until recently, pet vaccina-tions were recommended annu-ally, so pet owners took their dogs and cats to the vet for their once a year booster shot. They cus-t o m a r i l y got an exam at the same time. When new research in-dicated that most vaccinations were effective for at least three years, the im-munization protocol was changed. As a result, many pets are not seeing the vet an-nually and are there-fore not getting their yearly head to tail wellness checks.

The most com-mon reason given

Prevention is Better than Cure

for not taking the dog or cat to the vet annually is the belief that regular wellness check-ups are not necessary. Absolutely not true. The purpose of the well-ness exam is prevention. Since our pets can’t tell us how they are feeling, illness and disease may be present long before any

symptoms appear. Cats, in particular, are very good at hiding any health issues

they may be expe-riencing. Without getting a thorough exam, illness could

be lurking within your pet that goes undetected.

A thorough exam always in-cludes checking the vital signs. It also includes checking the ears, eyes, oral cavity, skin, and feeling the abdomen. Of-

ten a blood panel is rec-ommended as well as a urinalysis and possibly

x-rays. A history will be taken as well as questions about diet, exercise, behavior, environment etc. The purpose of all this is to assess your pet’s wellness and determine if any corrections or treatments are necessary to head off potential problems. I know this sounds expensive and cost is often a factor in avoiding the annual check-up; but consid-er this. The cost of treating an illness or disease can be much higher. Not to mention the fact that you can have peace of mind knowing your” furry kid” has a clean bill of health.

Another reason for putting off the veterinary exam is the stress that it causes to the pet. I know that getting a cat in a carrier for a vet visit can be a trial on one’s patience, not to mention potentially dangerous; however, avoiding the visit is not the an-swer. It can cause a great deal more stress to the kitty and to you if your cat develops a seri-ous illness that has gone undi-agnosed and untreated. AND, there are veterinarians that will make house calls.

David Haworth, DVM, PhD, and president and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation, stated in a recent article for San Diego Pets magazine, “Routine wellness vis-its are critical for detecting a dis-ease early, when it has the best chance of successful treatment”. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

I t is my great honor and privilege to serve as your mayor. I will work hard each and every day to

earn the trust you’ve placed in me to lead America’s Finest City. We’ve already hit the ground running on several different fronts because there’s no time to waste in getting our city back on track.

The first thing I’ve done as mayor is form an administration filled with a diverse group of individuals who share my vision of neighborhood investment and economic prosperity for all San Diegans. They come from all walks of life and represent the kaleidoscope of cultures and ethnic backgrounds that make San Diego such a wonderful place to live and work.

I also moved quickly to hire new Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, the first female chief in city history. I chose Zimmerman because of her 31 years of experience and her

commitment to excellence and reforming the San Diego Police Department.

Another big change for our city is in how we’re going to spend federal funding. I’m proposing to spend a larger portion of that money on infrastructure projects. Millions more will go toward fixing sidewalks, streetlights and buildings in some of our poorest neighborhoods.

I’ve taken action to bring openness and transparency to City

Hall. I recently rescinded a policy that would have eliminated any city emails that are more than a year old. While some public agencies delete emails after as little as 30

days, the city is raising the bar and keeping emails in perpetuity.

We’re also moving forward with planning a more realistic and practical centennial celebration for

our beloved Balboa Park. It will be a celebration by San Diegans and for San Diegans.

You might be starting to sense a theme here. We’re creating a new attitude at City Hall that puts the public’s interests ahead of all else.

We’re going to improve emergency response times, pave 500 miles of roads in five years, expand after-school programs at our libraries and recreation centers, cut the unnecessary red tape getting in the way of our small businesses and create stronger economic ties with our friends in Tijuana.

One of our most important initiatives will be creating “Economic Opportunity Districts” in which we’ll implement common sense policies that attract private investment so neighborhoods have the grocery stores, restaurants, shops and affordable housing our families need.

I look forward to turning these promises into reality over the coming years and thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Police ChiefShelley Zimmerman

Kevin

Mayor,City of San Diego

Faulconer

Sari

Owner of Mission ValleyPet Sitting

Reis

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014 7LOCAL News

Mission Valley’s own tapped as Assembly speaker

When Toni Atkins takes the reins later this year, the California Assembly will

be led by a speaker from San Diego for the first time in history.

Atkins served on the San Diego City Council from 2000 to 2008 and has served in the Assembly since 2009.

We sat down with Atkins at her downtown San Diego office on March 21 to talk about her agenda. As speaker, Atkins will be part of the “big five” — including Gov. Jerry Brown, Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and Senate Minority Leader Bob Dut-ton — who confer to establish a deal on the state budget of approximately $108 billion.

“In terms of the priority list, I think it’s pretty clear,” Atkins said. “The priorities have pretty much been set by Californians and by the times and the issues.”

The top issues for the Assembly under Atkins’s leadership will be water, affordable housing for veter-ans and low-income Californians, high-speed rail, restoring funding for education and establishing fiscally responsible practices including rainy day fund reserves. Water security

No issue looms larger on Atkins’s agenda than water infrastructure and water security.

State lawmakers got close to put-ting a $11 billion water bond on the ballot a few years ago but decided it had little chance of passing in the midst of the Great Recession.

Now that the economy has recov-ered, Atkins and her colleagues want to take another shot at crafting a wa-ter bond palatable enough to voters to be put on the ballot.

“Californians still don’t have the appetite for $11 billion,” Atkins said, so the goal this time around will be to put together a less expensive bond that still meets the various and dis-parate needs of communities all over the state.

“Water is not a Democrat or Re-publican issue,” she said. “It’s a geo-graphic issue.”

The proverbial sausage-making process will be especially long and

complicated, but Atkins believes the goal can be achieved.

Meanwhile, she is proud of San Diego’s efforts over the last 15 years to diversify its water supply and re-duce consumption. She noted that we have reduced our per capita wa-ter consumption by 27 percent since 2007 even as the population has in-creased. Housing for veterans

Voters in June will be asked to con-sider Proposition 41, which would allow the state to sell $600 million in bonds for affordable multifamily rental housing for veterans.

Voters in 2008 approved $900 million in bond sales to support the CalVet Home Ownership program, but the state has spent almost none of that, because demand for home loans among veterans has been so low.

Many veterans are not ready to buy a house, either because they are suffering from ongoing war-related health problems or because they sim-ply don’t have the money for a down payment.

“What they need is rental hous-ing,” Atkins said. “They’re not ready to buy a home, but we have this pot of money that voters have support-ed.”

Prop. 41 would allow the state to take a chunk of the money designat-ed for home ownership and use it in-stead to build affordable apartments for veterans.

“I would say it’s a no-brainer, ex-cept there is no such thing as a no-brainer,” she said.Affordable housing

With the “accidental death” of the state’s system of redevelopment agencies in 2011, San Diego lost one of its most important tools in the struggle to combat the high cost of living for low-income residents, At-kins said.

“It was about the only money we had left to build affordable housing,” she said.

Now, with the pipe about to run dry from two other initiatives — Propo-sition 46 of 2002 and Proposition 1C of 2006 — it is more important than ever to find a new way to help cities build affordable housing, she said.

Assembly leaders are keeping an eye on a bill just introduced in the Senate that would authorize a new system of redevelopment agencies, and there is also discussion in Sacra-mento of using cap and trade revenue to fund affordable housing, she said.

Atkins said there is a need for more than simply streamlining the development process, like Mayor Kevin Faulconer has proposed in San Diego.

“Land is still incredibly expensive here,” Atkins said. “People like to say if you get rid of all the regula-tion in California, housing would be much more affordable, except we live in California, and you know,

people want to live along the coast in California, so land is very expen-sive.”High-speed rail

Among the other major budget debates Atkins anticipates is what to do about high-speed rail, the cost of which has grown like a balloon since voters approved the first bond sale in 2010. The governor wants to dedicate $250 million of cap and trade revenue to the development of the bullet train, but cap and trade is supposed to help California reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and the rail line will not be complete by 2020.

“It’s a visionary project that the governor had long ago, and it’s a good vision, and I believe many in California really support the vision, but they also want to know they can afford it,” Atkins said.Fiscal responsibility

Atkins expects the Assembly to help pass a budget on time again this year like it has for the past three years. She attributed that success to the shift to a budget process that requires only a 50 percent majority instead of the former two-thirds ma-jority.

“That’s really a partnership be-tween the citizens who voted to al-low us to have a majority vote and a partnership between the legislature who understood you’ve given us this

wonderful tool; we need to use it wisely. We need to get the job done,” she said.

Sacramento is united in its com-mitment to establish strong reserves for the next time revenues take a nosedive, Atkins said.Term limits

Provided she is re-elected this year, Atkins will be limited to only two more years in the state Assembly due to the old term limits law, which limits legislators to three two-year terms in the Assembly and/or two four-year terms in the Senate.

Under the new term limits law ap-proved by voters in 2010, any legis-lator who was first elected in 2012 or beyond, however, may serve a maxi-mum of 12 years in any of the two legislative chambers.

Atkins thinks this is a good thing for two reasons.

First, it gives legislators more time to acclimate to the intricacies of state government, which is especially use-ful for legislators whose previous experience was limited to county or city budgets of only a few million dollars.

Second, it gives legislators more time to craft good legislation that serves the long-term needs of the state rather than the short-term politi-cal needs of the legislator.

“I think the longevity is really gon-na help people be more thoughtful, and we’ve noticed it already,” Atkins said, noting that lawmakers actually introduced fewer bills last year than usual. On being the first Assembly Speaker from San Diego

While she is excited to take on her new leadership role, Atkins is quick to point out that other great San Di-egans have come before her.

San Diego native Jim Mills, for ex-ample, served as president pro tem-pore of the state Senate from 1971 to 1980. Lynn Schenk was chief of staff to Gov. Gray Davis from 1998 to 2003.

Several other San Diegans served as chair of important committees and sponsored influential legislation, including Denise Moreno Ducheny, Lucy Killea, Christine Kehoe, Dede Alpert and Steve Peace.

“We have some very powerful San Diegans who’ve been quite effec-tive,” Atkins said.

Jeremy

EditorOgul

Mission Valley News

Photo by Sam Hodgson

8 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014LOCAL News

A ll great wines reflect their time and place, so now may be the biggest change in the range of wines produced. Due to the effects of global

warming, many ‘cool climate’ growing regions of the world — which typically struggle to ripen some grape varieties — are becoming major wine producers. There are many recently planted vineyards and relatively new wine producing regions in Tasmania, New Zealand, Canada and Oregon.

In the midst of such worldwide development, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a particular standout among the crowd. In just four decades, Willamette Valley has transformed from a quiet, pastoral country into one of the world’s top Pinot Noir producers. In its early years, Willamette Valley produced a range of unpredictable wines, from mesmerizing to disappointing, but with time and improved practices the quality of Willamette Pinot Noir became more consistent and ethereal. Its elegance, structure and style has set Willamette Valley’s Pinot Noir apart and given this once sleepy countryside an impeccable international reputation and accolades from around the world.

The special character of Willamette Pinot Noir is created by no single factor. A unique blend of location, soil and climate all contribute to the quality of the wines. Willamette Valley is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and has naturally breezy conditions. Willamette’s range of soil types is derived from a series of massive ice age floods that created many mineral-laden vineyard sites. The climate allows for cool nights and warm days over many months, which builds depth and intensity of flavor. These conditions not only create spectacular Pinot Noir with excellent concentration and complexity but also distinctly fruity Pinot Gris and elegant Chardonnay.

Comparisons can be made to Burgundy, the classic home of Pinot

Noir. Not only do Willamette’s Pinots have the ripe cherry fruit components of typical New World Pinot Noirs but also a savory and earthy quality traditionally associated with the great Pinots of Burgundy. A prime example from the region is the 2011 REX HILL Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. 2011 was one of Oregon’s latest and coolest growing seasons on record. It was considered a challenging vintage; many feared the grapes would not

fully ripen. Fortunately, fair weather held through mid-November and resulted in surprising quality. The resulting wines are complex, intensely flavored with nice texture and depth. The 2011 REX HILL Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has intense aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry with undertones of fresh soil, wet stone and spice. The wine is delicately balanced with plush texture, fresh acidity and a long finish with lingering minerality and red fruit flavors.

For $35 a bottle, the 2011 REX HILL Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a great buy for such a beautiful and versatile wine. Better priced than most Burgundies, it has the aging potential with the best of them. It is drinking well now and will become more complex over the next 20 years. It has a wide range of food pairing possibilities and can go well with roasted or braised pork belly, chicken in a mushroom cream sauce or poached salmon. Visit The Wine Bank in downtown San Diego or Harvest Ranch Market in Encinitas to pick up a bottle today. Cheers!

Karen Irizarry is a certified sommelier who has worked vintages in Australia, Germany, New Zealand and France and is currently working in Willamette Valley in Oregon. Originally from New Jersey, Irizarry received her bachelor’s of architecture from Virginia Tech. After moving to California, she developed a passion for wine while working under advanced sommelier and wine director Brian Donegan at San Diego’s Market Restaurant and Bar. Irizarry’s passion for food and wine is reflected in her blog, whiteorred.blogspot.com.

The temperate climate of Oregon’s Willamette Valley contributes flavor to the grapes used in the region’s pinot noir offerings. Photo by Travel Salem / Creative Commons

Willamette Valley emerges

as powerful pinot producer

lifetime, Sheridan said. “Let’s be preventive

and proactive instead of reactive after the crime is committed,” she said.

The San Diego Cultural Arts Alliance has brought together prosecutors, police, artists and educators to develop the program’s curriculum. The first cohort of participants will begin the program soon.

The first thing they will learn is the cost of cleaning up vandalism.

“So many of them start off thinking it’s a victimless crime, and they really don’t get the harm,” Sheridan said.

The participants will be required to work to mitigate graffiti vandalism found on surfaces throughout the region. Working in teams, they will paint over graffiti and ask the property owner for permission to install a mural instead.

Putting up artistic murals in places prone to vandalism tends to discourage further vandalism, said Sergio Gonzalez, a director with Writerz Blok, a non-profit organization that provides education and training in urban art, media and graphic design for youth in San Diego’s southeastern neighborhoods.

The murals are usually respected because they bring new value to the neighborhood and a new sense of ownership to nearby residents, Gonzalez said.

For many young graffiti vandals, the itch to paint their name on someone else’s wall can be traced to the universal teenage need to establish an identity, he said.

“A lot of the kids that we work with [in Southeastern San Diego] come from foster care,” Gonzalez said. “There’s not a lot of direction. A lot of kids… their parents aren’t involved. Their parents are incarcerated… There’s not really much direction and mentorship for them.”

That’s where Writerz Blok comes in, with its established programs to connect artists and graphic designers with kids who need someone to guide them in the right direction.

The organization has a facility

with over 10,000 square feet of wall space where students can hone their painting skills. Teachers give lessons in the history of the urban street art movement. Students learn how to use professional graphic design software. Participants who successfully complete the program have the opportunity to have their designs screen-printed onto t-shirts and other apparel.

Police support the new program because it addresses the root cause of vandalism rather than merely treating the symptoms, said Sgt. Jeff Pace, who works with juvenile offenders in the San Diego Police Department.

Many of the kids who vandalize with graffiti actually have latent artistic talent that they have not had the opportunity to explore in an appropriate setting, Pace said.

“If you learned it in the studio, you practice it in the studio,” Pace said. “If you learned it on the side of a freeway, you practice it on the side of a freeway.”

Through the Graffiti Education & Mural Arts Program, the would-be vandals will be paired with local painting companies who will provide them with on-the-job training on skills like how to lay a cloth, how to mask neutral surfaces in a project and how to load a brush, Pace said.

The participants will also learn how to write a business plan, how to determine fair market value and other business skills necessary to survive as a legitimate mural artist.

“We don’t want them to keep learning art as vandalism,” Pace said. “We want to move them to a program that sustains you.”

Graffiti, from page 1

Karen

Certified SommelierIrizarry

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014 9DINING & DRINK

Every year Adams Avenue Business District hosts several events that bring together

the communities of Kensington, Antique Row, Normal Heights, and University Heights, with San Diegans from near and far descending on the quaint neighborhoods to participate.

One of their biggest undertakings and largest free live music events in town, Adams Avenue Unplugged is just around the corner on April 26 and 27, boasting 24 stages and over 100 performances. Venues for the two-day festival include coffee shops, bars, restaurants and art galleries that host wide-ranging music acts

with indoor and outdoor stages. This event is free and open to the public, offering folks a chance to discover the businesses and the music while enjoying the vintage charm of the area.

“It’s such a pleasure playing at Adams Avenue Unplugged. It’s an exciting event for both the artists and for the venues participating,” said Marie Haddad, a singer and keyboardist. “You get a really nice mix of people attending - some are moving in and out to catch a few performances up and down Adams, others grab a bite to eat and some drinks and stick around at one venue. It’s an all-around great vibe.”

Many of the artists playing Unplugged are from the local singer-songwriter scene, playing everything from acoustic guitar to glockenspiel. But the event also draws in successful touring

acts to headline. Understandably, many of the bands find their roots in folk, country, and Americana music, but don’t be surprised to find influences of Latin music, blues, and good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll thrown in. Plus, the “unplugged” style gives a chance for vocalists to really shine.

“I’ve played Unplugged in the past at Artlab’s stage. I remember a couple came to the back parking lot to have a listen because they heard me from Adams and followed my voice,” said Jessica Hull, a singer and guitarist. “That warmed my heart!”

Of course an event of this magnitude being offered at no cost to patrons is no easy feat. As the event has grown over the past 30 years, funding has become more and more of a challenge. With that in mind, Unplugged announced a Kickstarter campaign this year to help offset costs and to

continue compensating musicians.

The crowd-funding platform allows supporters to contribute any amount of money in order to finance the event. For contributions $10 and over there are incentives as well. Unplugged’s incentives include stickers, guaranteed reserved seating for headliners’ shows, t-shirts and even sponsorship designations.

With enough funds raised through Kickstarter, event organizers hope to continue the festival next year and to keep the event free. For the sake of all music-loving San Diegans we hope they succeed.

This year’s Adams Avenue Unplugged includes headliners Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen, Willie Watson, Peter Case, The Sumner Brothers and more. Local favorites Josh Damigo, Robin Henkel, Sara Petite, and many more will be on hand. Check out www.AdamsAvenueUnplugged.com for the full lineup, and to contribute to the Kickstarter campaign visit http://kck.st/NSU8H7.

JazzWednesdays - Gilbert Castellanos Jazz Jam at Seven Grand. Free. 9 p.m. SevenGrandBars.com.

Fridays - Sam Johnson Jazz Group at Cosmos Coffee Cafe. Free. 3 to 5p.m. CosmosCoffeeCafe.com.

Saturdays - Jazz with George and Alan at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.BistroSixtySD.com

Saturdays – Douglas Kvandal with the LiveJazz! Quartet at the Amigo Spot a the Kings Inn. Free. 7 p.m. www.kingsinnsandiego.com

April 18 - Whitney Shay presents a tribute to Julie London and Barney Kessel at 98 Bottles. $12+. 8 p.m. www.98BottlesSD.com

April 19 – Stage IV Jazz at San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room. Free. 7 p.m. www.SanPasqualWinery.com

aLTERNaTIVEApril 14 – Vertical Scratchers, Octagrape, and The Cardielles at Soda Bar. $8. 9 p.m. www.SodaBarMusic.com

April 20 – Leopold and His Fiction and The Soft White Sixties at Casbah. $8. 9 p.m. www.CasbahMusic.com

April 24 - Three of Clubs Tour: Terraplane Sun, Flagship, & Little Daylight at House of Blues. $12-$15. 8 p.m. www.HouseofBlues.com

CLaSSICaLApril 12 – Megadeath’s Dave Mustain with the San Diego Symphony: Symphony Interrupted at Copley Symphony Hall. $25 - $96. 8 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony.org

April 25 – 26 – Beethoven’s Fifth at Copley Symphony Hall. $25-$101. 8 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony.org

May 2 – 4 – Tchaikovsky’s Third at Copley Symphony Hall. $20 - $96 Friday & Saturday – 8 p.m, Sunday – 2 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony.org

May 18 - Dr. Eugene Sukhorukov - Shakuhachi Japanese Flute at Mission Trail Regional Park. Donations welcome. 3 p.m. www.mtrp.org

PoPTuesdays - Suzanne Shea and Bob Wade at Bistro Sixty. Free 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.www.BistroSixtySD.com Call and hold your table 619-287-8186

Thursdays – Greg Shibley at The Westgate Hotel. Free. www.westgatehotel.com

Wednesdays – Westside Inflection at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 8 p.m. www.RivieraSupperClub.com

Fridays – Nathan Welden at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 p.m. www.BistroSixtySD.com

April 25 – The Baja Bugs at Pal Joey’s Free. 9 p.m. www.PalJoeysOnline.com

April 27 – Augustana and Twin Forks at Soma. $20. 7 p.m. www.SomaSanDiego.com

oTHERApril 19 – The Kings of Silent Comedy at Copley Symphony Hall- Silent films accompanied by pipe organist Russ Peck. $20-$30. 8 p.m. www.SanDiegoSymphony.org

April 26 – The California Honeydrops at The Griffin. $10. 8 p.m. www.TheGriffinSD.com

May 4 - Jeff Pekarek Trio at Mission Trails Regional Park. Donations welcome. 3 p.m. www.mtrp.org

May 10 – Trails and Ways at The Griffin. $8. 8 p.m. www.TheGriffinSD.com

AdAmS AveNue hoStS huge, free ‘uNplugged’ muSic feStivAl April 26, 27

Bands, venues, and music-lovers: Please submit listings for this calendar by emailing Jen@ScoopSanDiego.com.

Haddad performs at El Zarape on April 26 at 9 p.m.

Hull will perform at Broke Girls Coffee Bar on Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m.

Jen

Mission Valley NewsVan Tieghem

Music Writer

10 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014MUsIC News

Rent Sense:Another Economic PerspectiveBy Neil Fjellestad and Chris De Marco

Often rental owners are not as informed as they need to be in

order to understand what defines appropriate behavior as landlords. Usually their property was their home before it was their rental and they have emotional attachment. There is a feeling of entitlement that accompanies their ownership attitude. We need to emphasize that though it is their property it is the renter’s residence. It is this resident that decorates, maintains and cares for “their home”. It matters little whether their legal rights are spelled out in a lease document or limited by a trust deed these rights are sufficient to support the emotional ownership of a home. Our home matters to us. It is our most significant financial obligation and at the center of our lifestyle.

Any landlord behavior that does not support the security, privacy and convenience of the resident will be met by an emotionally charged response. However this response plays out rental owners can be assured that it will be in a way that is counterproductive to their success in the rental business.

Let’s reference some stories from our experience:

» An owner leaves personal effects or parks a vehicle at the rented premises without renter regard or compensation.

» The owner insists on personally performing or assigning to friends property repairs and maintenance routines but does not ensure that accountability for timeliness and workmanship are consistently achieved.

» The owner rents out the property with appliances/equipment (operating remotes, pool cover, freezer, washer/dryer, yard care equipment) in place because it is convenient but does not choose to repair or replace when it is not convenient. This is done without renter regard or compensation.

» The owner and/or family member show up to inspect the premises without proper renter notice or regard.

» The owner and or their family member show up to enjoy some aspect of the rented property-use a workshop, enjoy a swim in the pool, or pick fruit from a favorite tree.

clock ticks as Sacramento lawmakers fight over water bond proposals

There’s an old political axiom that says “People who love sausage and laws should

never watch either being made.”It’s hard to imagine any place

where that’s more applicable than the ongoing, multi-cornered mudwrestling match currently going on in Sacramento over what to do about California’s badly outmoded, overwhelmed and decaying water delivery systems.

There are no fewer than ten full or partial solutions to the water crisis being batted around the Assembly and Senate hallways, each seeking some sort of partnership, or at least accommodation, with one or more of the others.

Partisan politics is, as always, playing a major role in the general confusion, although it’s certainly not the only factor involved.

Generally speaking, Republicans are more on the side of more water storage, both above ground (more dams and reservoirs) and below ground (recharging depleted underground aquifers) along with better conservation and recycling of current supplies.

Democrats as a rule abhor the prospect of building more reservoirs, preferring such cures as recycling, conservation, watershed improvements and various and sundry measures that will win the support of the state’s large and vocal environmental communities.

All of this effort is aimed at rewriting an $11.14 billion water bond currently on the November 2014 ballot — a water bond that almost everyone wants to see done away with because it’s so loaded with “pork barrel” projects, many of which have little or nothing to do with actual water supply fixes.

Sen. Lois Wolk, a Democrat from Davis and author or coauthor of two of the ten proposals, says that big measure has to go.

“We all know that $11 billion-

plus bond issue on the ballot has to change, and needs to change significantly, to win voter support,” Wolk said. “I believe it’s a non-starter. We must present voters with a realistic and supportable water bond.”

Wolk’s two measures, each for less than $7 million dollars, would try to touch as many bipartisan bases as possible.

Sen. Fran Pavley from Ventura says people are looking at everything to try to make all this sit well with voters. She says studies have proven that spending the money to clean the sediment out of California’s 190 reservoirs would allow storage of more than 2 million acre-feet of water over and above what we can store now. She thinks that would wipe out most of the need for new and bigger reservoirs.

People are talking nice for public consumption, but there is serious infighting going on in both houses of the Legislature over this problem.

One measure proposed by Lakewood Assemblymember Anthony Rendon was praised by members of a Senate committee. It was then amended and changed 20 times by that same committee. That’s just one example among many.

Assemblymember Dan Logue from Chico has a $5.8 billion proposal that leans heavily toward more reservoir capacity, but the bald fact is, he’s a Republican from an agricultural area in the north of the state. That alone may doom his proposal, unless he can somehow partner with a Democrat. That’s just not likely to happen anytime soon.

In trying to figure out what might eventually happen here, there are three factors that have to be taken into account.The clock is ticking loudly

Unless the legislators can come together on a single bond issue by June 26, only two alternatives will be left to them. They must either allow the $11.14 billion bond currently on the ballot to face the voters, and probably go down to defeat, or they

can pull that measure off the ballot, thereby accomplishing nothing at all to alleviate the state’s water problems. It will require a two-thirds vote by both houses to replace the monster pork barrel.What about the delta?

Only one of the proposals floating around the Capitol now calls for full funding for sustaining the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the ancient and very fragile system of dikes and levees that is the hinge point of the current State Water Project and the All-American canal. That system is the real starting point for water being transferred from north to south. There is a lot of speculation that Democrats in both houses are afraid to say too much about the Delta, because they don’t want to anger Governor Jerry Brown.What about the governor?

Brown, you will recall, is pushing for a hideously expensive ($26 billion) two-tunnel system around or under the delta. Anyone who was around for the 1980’s battle over what would have been the Peripheral Canal around the delta can only imagine how much louder the screaming will be from the north if that plan ever gets legs. Brown has been uncharacteristically quiet about the tangled web in the Legislature over this current problem, leading proponents from both sides of the aisle to wonder whether he’ll try to kill the efforts here and now, or actively campaign against the bond issue that finally gets before the voters.

Over the years, people have bet a lot of money on what Jerry Brown might do in any given circumstance. They’ve mostly lost those bets.

If this current drought has taught us anything, it is that our current water system is broken, and drastically needs repair, and a lot of it.

The ball is in the Legislature’s court.

That prospect frightens a lot of people.

Doug

Staff EditorCurlee

The Delta-Mendota canal carries water through the state’s Central Valley. Photo by Dave Parker / Creative Commons

StAte legiSlAture delAyS bill to bAN orcA ShoWS iN cAliforNiA

An Assembly committee on April 8 beached a contro-

versial bill designed to ban orca shows in California, like the ones at SeaWorld San Diego.

The Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee didn’t vote on the bill by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, instead returning it for further study.

According to the Sacramento Bee, that move shelves the pro-posed legislation until at least next year. Bloom agreed to the delay, according to the newspa-per.

The assemblyman said he was driven to author the bill by al-legations of animal abuse made in the documentary “Blackfish.” He said when he announced his proposal that there is no justifi-cation for the continued captive display of orcas for entertain-ment purposes, and that they are much too large and intelli-gent to be confined in small, con-crete tanks.

The bill gained the support of animal rights groups. SeaWorld executives have adamantly de-nied animal abuse allegations, along with accusations that they

By City News Service

do not do enough to protect the trainers who work with killer whales, which can live up to 80 years, grow to 32 feet in length and weigh up to six tons.

SeaWorld San Diego called the legislation “severely flawed on multiple levels” and constitution-ally questionable.

“Blackfish” explores the 2010 death of trainer at SeaWorld Or-lando who was drowned by an orca. Since Dawn Brancheau’s death, trainers have not been al-lowed back into the water with the orcas.

Bloom’s proposal aimed to end the use of performing orcas in theme shows, ban captive breed-ing and prohibit the import and export of the so-called killer whales. It did not seek to prevent SeaWorld from maintaining an orca exhibit so long as it is done in more of an aquarium-like set-ting.

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014 11LOCAL News

PREPARE YOuR kIdS FOR A HEALTHY SuMMER NOW

HELPINg MILITARY FAMILIES dEAL WITH TRAuMA

Advances in combat medi-cine mean that more veterans than ever be-

fore are returning home, after almost making the ultimate sacrifice protecting our coun-try. Who cares for those who provide care for these griev-ously wounded veterans? The Southern Caregiver Resource Center, for one.

San Diego is home to around 30,000 veterans of the battles in Iraq and Afghanistan. And 65 percent of caregivers for re-covering veterans experience high stress levels, significantly more than among other catego-ries of caregivers.

This is understandable, as the military-caregiver fam-ily confronts a jarring rupture. The beloved veteran comes home seeming to be a different person. The military person highly trained in protecting others comes home needing care and protection. Ability has given way to incapacity. Brain injuries can be invisible, and the forward path of recovery is unknown.

The Southern Caregiver Re-source Center (SCRC) dates its inception to 1987, as a non-profit group providing support for those caring for sufferers of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, brain trauma, and spinal cord injuries. The organization is San Diego County’s leading provider of services to family caregivers.

Now, a three-year grant to the Center from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiv-ing, of the former first lady, has the organization focused on families dealing with traumat-ic brain injuries and post-trau-matic stress disorders (PTSD) in veterans of the post 9/11 military conflicts. (The Parker Foundation has also contribut-ed funding for this effort.) The SCRC packaged the program as “Operation Family Care-giver” (OFC) and recently con-ducted a half-day seminar at the United Methodist Church in Mission Valley in support of

By B.J. Colemanfor the Mission Valley News

Attendees at the March 7 Operation Family Caregiver Conference in Mission Valley learn about caring for those with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.Photo by B.J. Coleman

these efforts. A majority of au-dience members at the March 7th event were military family caregivers.

Michael Lobatz, a physician who treats patients in the af-termath of traumatic brain injuries, described the ramp-up in knowledge and aware-ness from the large number of recent Marine Corps return-ees who had acquired brain injuries in combat. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), which used to be classified as “concussion,” is recognized as a blow to the head followed by symptoms including a changed ability to function. Dr. Lobatz described the injuries as “cuts and bruis-es” in the brain. He further noted that a post-trauma bio-chemical cascade in the brain causes more damage for about a week. Especially susceptible to damage are the frontal lobes (providing “executive func-tions” of self-awareness) and the temporal lobes (running emotions, memory, percep-tion, and language). And what caregivers may misinterpret as character flaws or bad behavior can be neurological symptoms, according to neuro-rehab spe-cialist Barbara Welsh-Osga.

Major depression is also com-mon after TBI. Dr. Lobatz said, “Almost everybody gets better,”

and he stated that fully 85 per-cent of patients achieve com-plete recovery from mild TBI.

Neurological rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary process, in which sufferers are targeted toward achieving individual re-covery goals through a holistic approach. The ultimate objec-tive is independent function-ing, through psychosocial cop-ing abilities selected to yield community re-integration and to enhance the quality of life for the patient and the family caregivers.

OFC is a program providing short-term, free intervention for military family caregivers of those with recent TBI and/or PTSD. The caregiver meets one-to-one with a family con-sultant who delivers an evi-dence-based problem-solving intervention, which has proven to reduce caregiver depression and anxiety of children in the home. SCRC family consul-tants visit the caregiver’s home live or by Skype for 4 or 5 ses-sions, are available to speak with the caregiver by telephone as needed, and can suggest oth-er free SCRC services as well.

The SCRC is located at 3675 Ruffin Road, Suite 230, and can be reached at (858) 268-4432, (800) 827-1008, or www.caregivercenter.org.

School may still be in ses-sion, but as summer vaca-tion creeps up, parents are

forced to ask, “What are we go-ing to do this year?”

School health programming such as physical education and lunch programs, while waning, do provide some structure and encourage good health habits in kids.

Unfortunately, many of the benefits that are fostered during the school year are lost during summer break. BMI (body mass index) in children increases fast-er in the summer than during the school year, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health. BMI is a health indicator determined by one’s height and weight, with high numbers often correlating with health problems.

The inactive and unstruc-tured time many children have during the summer months can be detrimental to their health, but with careful planning, par-ents can set up the right mix of activity and relaxation, to en-sure that growing and learning happens all summer long.

To get ready for an active and healthy summer, each year more than 1,600 YMCAs across the country celebrate Healthy Kids Day. The goal of this na-tional initiative is to improve the health and well-being of kids.

The Mission Valley Y is host-ing Healthy Kids Day on Satur-day, April 26 at the Toby Wells location in Kearny Mesa. The free community event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will fea-ture health screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, open swimming and more.

Use some of these fun activi-ties as a springboard for your summer fun! Here are some ideas to get you started:Establish a daily routine.

Plan healthy meals and snacks at regular times each day.

Allocate times for physical activities like playing outside, walking around the neighbor-hood, going to the beach or visit-ing a park.

Avoid sitting in front of a screen. Limit time spent watch-ing television, playing video games or surfing the Internet. Encourage children to pick up a book and read or go play.Camps are a great way to keep your child active during the summer.

Fun, safe and exciting camp opportunities are offered all over the county every summer. They give kids the opportunity to ex-plore their interests or enjoy new experiences. They build confi-dence and encourage children to learn and stay active, while parents can continue working or enjoy some time off themselves! Summer is the perfect time to explore San Diego.

No need to wait for out-of-town visitors — plan day trips and activities around town for the family. There’s a good reason why so many people come to San Diego — there’s lots to do! Give your child a project, a challenge, or explore a new hobby.

This can be a wonderful way to work with your child to set a goal and help them reach it.

Make coupons your child can earn by reading books or doing small tasks around the house. The coupons can be cashed in for fun activities like going swim-ming as a family or walking to get frozen yogurt.

Challenge your child to build an obstacle course, write and perform his or her own play or song, or make a piece of art.

The goal is to keep your child active and encourage him or her to have fun and be creative. Summer is what you make of it, so give your child the best sum-mer ever!

Kelly

ACSM-HFS, CHESOstrem

Fitness Expert

12 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014LOCAL News

serve,” Faulconer said in a written statement. “I want to talk with community leaders and everyday San Diegans about what the city can do to make their lives and neighborhoods better. I know how busy people are, so I am taking the conversation to them.”

Faulconer will hold at least one “Meet the Mayor” event in each City Council district over the coming months. The series will then continue regularly in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Further information is available through Anthony George, the mayor’s liaison to City Council District 7, at GeorgeA@sandiego.gov.

A sudoku puzzle is a grid of nine by nine squares or cells, that has been subdivided into nine subgrids or “regions” of three by three cells.

The objective of sudoku is to enter a digit from 1 through 9

in each cell, in such a way that:

1. Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once2. Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once3. Each subgrid or region contains each digit exactly once

Sudoku

Try to fill in the missing numbers.Use the numbers 1 through 16 to complete the equations.

1. Each number is only used once.

2. Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation.

3. Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

Math Squares

1. Start in the center of the maze.

2. Get to the exit on the left as fast as possible.

3. If you make it to the exit on your first try, congratulations!

Maze Escape

ANSWERS ON PAGE 16 ANSWERS ON PAGE 16 ANSWERS ON PAGE 16

The Morena Business Association will host the 7th Annual Taste of Morena on Wednesday, April 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Morena District, along Morena Boulevard, West Morena Boulevard, Linda Vista Road and the side streets around the Morena District.

Featured food and drink establishments include Andes Restaurant, Baci’s, Bay Park Fish Company, Bull’s Smokin’ BBQ, Coronado Brewing Company Tasting Room, Dan Diego’s, JV’s Mexican Food, Kona Kakes, Luce Bar & Kitchen, NY Giant Pizza, Offshore Tavern & Grill, Sardina’s Italian Restaurant & Bar, Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant, J&T Thai Street Food, Home Brew Mart by Ballast Point, zPizza,

Organizers expect more than 5,000 people and 2,000 pets to show up at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCAA’s 20th annual Walk for Animals on Saturday, May 10 at NTC Liberty Station.

The walk is both a celebration of the human-pet bond as well as a fundraiser to support the Humane Society’s efforts to connect homeless animals with loving homes.

The morning includes a pancake breakfast, a scenic two-mile walk with an optional half-mile walk, activities and contests for dogs and an array of informational booths from vendors.

More information and event registration is available at www.sdhumane.org/walk.

Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer will continue his “Meet the Mayor” series with a visit to City Council District 7 on Wednesday, April 16 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bayside Community Center, 2002 Comstock St. in Linda Vista.

District 7 includes the communities of Allied Gardens, Linda Vista, Mission Valley, Serra Mesa, Tierrasanta, Mission Trails, Grantville, Del Cerro, Navajo and San Carlos.

The public is invited to the free event to hear the mayor speak about his vision for San Diego and to ask questions and engage in dialogue.

“The best way to run the city is to hear directly from the people you

Simon Property Group has announced deals with four new stores: AllSaints, PINK, Lululemon Athletica and Free People. Victoria’s Secret will also be expanding its space, and Lorna Jane will move to a permanent location in the mall.

“As the premier retail and lifestyle destination in San Diego, both for local shoppers and visitors from around the world, we’re thrilled to welcome all of these fresh new retailers, including the first standalone AllSaints store in San Diego and Orange County,” said Chris Lane, director of marketing and business development at Fashion Valley, in a written statement.

AllSaints, which opened March 28, carries a range of the British brand’s iconic edgy collection.

PINK, which is expected to open its doors in July, will be a

Morena restaurants offer a taste of the best

NEWS BRIEFS

Fiji Yogurt and Bay Park Coffee. Organizers encourage guests to

bring nonperishable food items for a food drive benefiting the Jacobs

& Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Organizers hope to

donate 500 lbs. of food, which may be

possible if each guest brings at

least one can of food.

Tickets to the event cost $20 and are available at Jerome’s Furniture, Cole’s Fine Flooring and US Bank.

FASHION VALLEY MALL AddS NEW STORES

5,500 square-foot store featuring a collection of comfort wear and accessories for young women.

Lululemon Athletica, expected to open this summer, will have a 3,800 square-foot store between J. Crew and Sur La Table. Known for its yoga-inspired athletic apparel, the new store features men’s and

women’s clothing specialized for yoga, running and other athletic pursuits.

Free People, not expected until later this year, is billed as a boho-chic boutique under the umbrella of Urban Outfitters. The shop will carry printed tees, thermal tops, jackets, dresses, shoes and other items.

Humane Society plans animal walk Meet the mayor in Linda Vista

Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014 13News BRIeFs

Diego (NMCSD). NMCSD is one of three major military hospitals in the country with the resources and capacity to provide treatment for the most seriously wounded troops at its world-class Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care (C5) center. Each month, NMCSD treats hundreds of wounded patients from all military services.

The warrior-camper tennis training and play will be assisted by volunteers at the nearby Balboa Tennis Club in Balboa Park. The event is supported locally by the San Diego District Tennis Association, which provides tennis players and instructors for lessons and friendly competition. The instructional portions of the camp will take place for four hours on each of four days, with no more than six campers per court receiving tennis lessons.

The adaptive tennis program, first of its kind, was the inspiration of co-founder Steve Kappes, a 24-year veteran of career Navy service and certified tennis instructor, who is also President of the San Diego District Tennis Association and Chairman of its Military Outreach Committee. Kappes and other members of the Balboa Tennis Club worked with medical staffers at NMCSD to develop the tennis clinic for patients.

Initially the project focused on recently combat-wounded troops from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, with half-day lessons and luncheons scheduled twice monthly. The program has since been expanded to weekly sessions and is offered to military service personnel and veterans with any service-connected disability, including

illnesses and non-combat-related conditions and injuries, spanning such varied medical problems as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries. The Wounded Warrior Tennis Program has served as a model for 11 other tennis rehabilitation programs at military hospitals and military transition units around the United States.

“San Diego’s is the only tennis organization in the country that does this,” says Kappes, calling this a “signature program” of the local group.

The Wounded Warrior Tennis Camp sprang from that rehabilitation program, as a once-yearly event open to similarly recovering learner-players from throughout the United States. In planning for the first Wounded Warrior Tennis

Camp in 2012, event committee members believed the project could be deemed successful if 10 to 15 applicants expressed interest. More than 40 applications came back from applicants in 17 states. The United States Olympic Committee kicked off fundraising for that initial gathering, with a $15,000 grant that was funded by the Veterans Administration. This year’s application process concluded on March 31, and the committee

expected over 75 campers to be selected for the camp, coming from 26 states.

After injuries, wounded warriors and their families experience added financial challenges as well. All event-associated costs will be covered for tennis campers and their caregivers, including airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation, tennis equipment, social events and incidental expenses. The total cost

per camper or caregiver runs around $1650. Grants partially funding the 2014 camp have been provided by the United States Tennis Association and Disabled American Veterans. The organizing committee is also requesting individual monetary and in-kind donations through Tennis Lovers for Charity. Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations and businesses too — contact volunteer coordinator Cara Beltran at (760) 271-5019 or carabeltransd@gmail.com for more information.

Recreational therapists report that therapeutic benefits from the tennis program include improvements in eye-hand coordination, balance, endurance and ability to transfer weight. On the psychosocial side of recovery, tennis enhances learning capabilities by teaching the patients a new sport, promotes socialization, decreases stress and anxiety, and helps with re-integration into the community.

Free drop-in tennis clinics are offered in San Diego every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the tennis courts at NMCSD. Participation in the program is open to any wounded, ill, or injured service member, veteran or family member, and tennis novices are welcome. More information on the program activities can be found at facebook.com/sdwoundedwarriorstennis. The San Diego District Tennis Association is located at the Balboa Park Tennis Club facilities, 2221 Morley Field Drive, and can be contacted at (619) 299-8647 or www.sandiegotennis.com.

Tennis, from page 1

Participants in the 2013 national Wounded Warrior Tennis Camp pose at the Balboa Tennis Club. Photo courtesy Cara Beltran

HEALTHY KID’S DAY: FREE FUN FOR THE COMMUNITYSaturday, april 26 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at toby WellS ymCa (5105 overland ave. 92123)

This FREE community event features lots of family fun! We’ll have active play, educational activities, arts and crafts, Zumba classes, and obstacle courses. Enjoy live performances from

Victims of Authority, Mini Shock San Diego and other community performers.

day CAMPS • SPECIALTY CAMPSLEADER-IN-TRAINING CAMPS • OVERNIGHT CAMPS

DISCOVERSUMMER CAMPMission Valley Y has been offering outstanding summer camps for more than 30 years. Our goal is to introduce children to as many new experiences as possible and help each child feel confident and secure in a fun, safe camp environment. Y camps challenge children to grow in imagination, creativity, self-directed initiative and leadership. Stop by a branch or visit our website to find the perfect camp for your child. Sign up today!

missionvalley.ymca.org/camp

Recreational therapists report that therapeutic benefits from the tennis program include improvements in eye-hand coordination, balance, endurance and ability to transfer weight.

14 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014LOCAL News

LIBRARY eVeNTs

EDITORJeremy Ogul, ext. 127Jeremy@MissionPublishingGroup.com

PUBLISHERMission Publishing Group, LLCJim MadafferJim@MissionValleyNews.com

ADVERTISING MANAGERBecky Suffridge, ext. 140Becky@ScoopSanDiego.com

CREATIVE DIRECTORTodd Kammer, ext. 144Graphics@MissionPublishingGroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKelly Ostrem • Gina Cord

MUSIC WRITERJen Van Tieghem, ext. 141Jen@ScoopSanDiego.com

MissionValleyNews.com6549 Mission Gorge Road #199San Diego, CA 92120 • 619.291.0200

Mission VALLEY nEWs

publishers ofMission TiMes Courier

la Mesa Courier

Circulation: 15,000. Published 12 times in 2013 and delivered throughout our circulation area of Mission Valley, San Diego, California by Mission Publishing Group, LLC. Clas-sified ads and articles must be submitted by mail, e-mail or dropped off at our business address, 6549 Mission Gorge Road #199, San Diego 92120.Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements or material submitted which are deemed to be objectionable. Publisher’s liability for errors: Mission Valley News assumes no financial liability for errors nor for omission of copy and upon request will furnish a letter of correction to the advertiser. The Publisher, Mission Publishing Group, LLC., shall not be liable for any error in published advertising unless an advertiser proof is requested in writing 12 days prior to publication date and clearly marked for corrections. If the error is not corrected by the Publisher, the liability, if any, shall not exceed the space occupied for the error. Further, the Publisher shall not be liable for any omission of an advertisement ordered to be published. On written request, Publisher shall reschedule and run the omitted advertisement at the advertiser’s cost. All claims for adjustment must be made in writing within 30 days of the date of publication. In no case shall the Publisher be liable for any

general, special or consequential damages.Equal Housing Opportunity: Real estate advertising in Mission Valley News is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Mission Valley News will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. This is to notify Mission Valley News readers that all dwellings adver-tised in Mission Valley News are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or TTY at 1-800-927-9275.News and information printed in Mission Valley News is obtained from sources consid-ered to be reliable, but accuracy on information sent to the paper cannot be guaranteed. Articles and opinions of writers or letters to the editor that are submitted for publication to the Mission Valley News are the views of the writers and should not be considered the views of the publisher. Content of paid advertisements is solely the responsibility of the advertiser. © 2007–2013, all rights reserved.

our next issue The next issue of the Mission Valley News comes out Friday, May 16. The advertising deadline is Tuesday, Apr. 29.

Linda Vista Branch Library is located at 2160 Ulric St., San Diego.

Visit lindavistalibrary.org or facebook.com/lvlibrary.

The library is open Monday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 12:30 to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Linda Vista Planning Group General MeetingMonday, April 28, 5 p.m.This is an open meeting of the Linda Vista Planning Group. The public is encouraged to attend. Election of officers will be held at the meeting for those seeking a leadership role on the Planning Group board.

The anime/Manga ClubWednesdays, 5 to 6 p.m. Discuss fantastic manga new and old: its history, storylines, possible storyline revisions, and the latest news. Club members will eventually collaborate to create their own manga! For teens only.

Chinese Storytime with KailiSaturdays, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Come enjoy exciting stories told in Chinese!

Crafts for KidsFridays & Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m. Kids: use and enhance your creativity by making a craft! And you get to keep the finished product!

Hopscotch Tiny Tots StorytimeTuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.Join Miss Kim for a great time with music, stories and crafts for babies and toddlers.

Morning Storytime with KathieMondays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children and their families are invited to join us for stories, rhymes, and songs.

Storytime with Mr. Luan Fridays, 10:30 to 11:10 a.m.Please join us for an energetic storytime that’s both fun, interactive, and educational! The session will include singing and maybe a little dancing!

Storytime with TaraSaturdays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Stretch your imagination! Enjoy a story told energetically!

Toddler Yoga StorytimeFirst Thursday of the month, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.Toddlers will enjoy the calming, meditative effects

of yoga while interacting with their parents and the other children participating.

Paws for ReadingMonday, April 14 & 28, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.New readers can get some valuable practice time with a very non-judgmental certified therapy dog, courtesy of the non-profit Love on a Leash. Try out those longer words — dogs don’t care if you get them wrong, they just want to hear you read!Be Smart With Your Money SeminarSaturday, April 19, 12 to 2 p.m.Smart with your Money is a step-by-step guide to a stronger financial future with an emphasis on budgeting, managing and eliminating debt and avoiding financial pitfalls. This seminar is presented by the non-profit San Diego Financial Literacy Center, which is dedicated to assisting military members, youth and low/moderate income communities of San Diego, and is free and open to the public.Assemblymember Weber’s Mobile OfficeMonday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Connect with Assemblymember Weber’s staff here in your com-munity, and get help with any problems you are having with public agencies, ask questions about legislation, and learn about state and local services. Issues that staff can assist with include renter’s and homeowner’s assistance programs, property tax is-sues, consumer complaints, and unemployment and disability insurance. No need to make an appointment, just stop in!Film Focus: I Give It a YearWednesday, April 23, 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Cheerfully subversive with bracing dialogue, this racy British import stars Rose Byrne and Rafe Spall as mismatched newly-weds whose happily-ever-after seems doomed from the start. With Minnie Driver and Simon Baker. 97 minutes, discussion to follow.Baby Signs Storytime:First and third Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.mParents often wonder, “What is my baby thinking?” There is a way to find out: teaching your baby some basic signs using American Sign Language will fill the gap. Communication is said to be the foundation of a solid relationship; learning to sign with your baby will build that bond early and provide you a bridge from infancy to childhood.Health and Wellness through Tai Chi Thursdays, 2 p.m to 4 p.m. This class is designed for adults 55+ and will teach students strategies for implementing physical exercise and relaxation techniques in addition to Tai Chi.Preschool Storytime & CraftThursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Preschoolers are invited to a storytime, then a fun craft right afterwards!Sumi-E art ClassWednesdays, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.mLearn the classical Japanese style of ink and brush.Toddler StorytimeFridays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Storytime designed for toddlers, featuring songs, rhymes, and fingerplays.YogaTuesdays , 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Are you looking for a workout program that’s easy to learn, re-quires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while ton-ing your body? If strengthening your cardiovascular system, toning and stretching your muscles, and improving your mental fitness are on your to-do list, than yoga is for you!Yoga for KidsFirst and third Mondays, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Kids will learn how to calm and quiet themselves , develop strong & healthy bodies, and set a foundation for life-long well-being in a relaxed and fun environment.zumba BasicMondays, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.Join the Zumba craze! Find out what makes this fun workout such a hit. A towel and bottled water are recommended for our Zumba sessions.zumba GoldFridays, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.Zumba Gold is a lower impact version of our Zumba Basic class on Mondays, but just as fun! The moves have been carefully designed to be easy to follow by participants of any size or age.

GET INVOLVED!

MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014 15

♦ ♦ ♦

‘There Is No Pool Large Enough to Mimic the Ocean’

I have been to SeaWorld almost every summer since childhood. I had misgivings about SeaWorld after the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. I hadn’t heard of “Blackfish” until I saw it on CNN. It compelled me to research the validity of the information presented in the film, and I was surprised to discover, with little effort, that I could verify those facts.

I will never contribute to the injustice of keeping these magnificent animals in captivity again. Park guests are not privy to the inner workings of SeaWorld, such as the mother/calf separations, artificial insemination and whale aggression toward trainers, and each other.

Once you familiarize yourself with wild orca behavior, it is unconscionable that SeaWorld isolates and separates these whales for their own financial gain. Many of the whales are medicated for gastrointestinal problems, their teeth break from gnawing on metal bars or the surface of the tanks and [orcas’ teeth] are drilled and flushed regularly. These are not issues that wild orcas face.

One reoccurring argument I’ve heard is children wouldn’t love these animals if not for seeing them at SeaWorld. My children love dinosaurs, and they’ve never seen one up close. I’ve heard the argument that zoos should then be forced to close as well. Zoos provide the animals in their care with habitats as natural as possible, and they do not perform tricks for the audience. There is no pool large enough to mimic the ocean. These animals do not belong in a bathtub.

- Patty Collar, Phoenix

♦ ♦ ♦

‘The Truth Probably Lies Somewhere In Between’

I choose to still go to SeaWorld and take my 9-year-old son in spite of the “Blackfish” controversy for many reasons.

Orcas and the Shamu Show are only a tiny part of what SeaWorld does. I also believe a vast majority of “Blackfish” is propaganda created by animal-rights groups. The truth probably lies somewhere in between the squeaky clean image SeaWorld says they have and the movie.

Regardless, there is a lot of what SeaWorld does that is good; such as the countless sea lions they have rescued, rehabilitated and released back to the wild right here in San Diego. It is also the simple things I see them do that help the environment, such as the fact they use paper straws instead of plastic because they are biodegradable and better for the environment; a practice they had in place long before “Blackfish” was created. It seems to me “Blackfish” was created to strike right at the heart of the SeaWorld image. I have to ask: What about the rest of the park animals? They have beluga whales, pilot whales, bottle-nose dolphins, walruses, polar bears and sea lions. What about all of those animals? If their treatment of orcas is so horrible, wouldn’t they be treating the rest just the same? Why didn’t “Blackfish” or any other documentary look at the park as a whole instead of the small portion that is Shamu?

- Chrystal Smart, Escondido

♦ ♦ ♦

‘A Drawn-Out, Soul-Crushing Ordeal’

As a child growing up in and around San Diego, SeaWorld was always a destination that just sort of happened every year.

Of course we would never miss the orca show, and I never gave too much thought to the fact that these gorgeous and truly impressive animals, which – as I would learn later – in the wild traverse 40 or 50 miles per day; were being kept in what I could only compare as a large tub for 30-plus years. During my last visit about five years ago, I began noticing my fellow crowd members at these shows. The crowd seemed mostly comprised of tourists, who I would venture to guess were not there for the science but, of course, the spectacle.

I also noticed the dialogue, which was being recited by the trainers as a series of “facts,” which always described how lucky the whales were to play and entertain the crowd for however many shows the corporation could fit in a day. It felt like I was going to see a gladiator event, except there were no quick deaths for the participants, instead, a drawn-out, soul-crushing ordeal. I’m no marine biologist, so I don’t have firsthand knowledge of the intelligence or self-awareness of these mammals, but if they are even remotely as intelligent as some scientists say, I didn’t want to continue directly funding a corporation with this business model at its heart.

- Marco Miramontes, North Park

those animals that are not able to be returned to the wild, create a natural reserve/habitat/sanctuary for them to retire in dignity. It’s time for a change!

- Leslie Rapp, Torrey Highlands

♦ ♦ ♦

‘Ninety-Nine Percent Propaganda’

I have always supported SeaWorld, before and especially after “Blackfish.” I grew up in San Diego and have been visiting the park since I was a kid. My wife and I have been season pass holders for four years and we go about six times a year.

I believe that they are and have been world leaders in marine education and conservation efforts. They are also one of the most active institutions for rescue, rehabilitation and research of many endangered sea life and marine habitats.

I believe that “Blackfish” is a movie and just that. Not a documentary. Ninety-nine percent propaganda. I don’t understand why they would even make such a film. Money? Attention?

Do I think that such large animals being kept in small tanks is cruel? Not really, but I can see how others would think it is. I do think that SeaWorld does more good than harm though. All animals are cared for greatly and we all learn more about them because of their efforts.

Do your own research and don’t fall for the heart strings that “Blackfish” pulls on.

- Dave Villagomez, Chula Vista

Civita is a master plan development of Quarry Falls, LLC. All information is accurate as of date of publication, but information and pricing is subject to change at any time.

civitalife.com

Perched up on an elevated site, Lucent is the airy new

neighborhood at Civita — with single-level open floor plans

surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, and wrap-around

balconies that fill the interiors with sunlight by day and

starlight by night. With a second-story balcony and outdoor

fireplace on penthouse units, and contemporary stone and

tile exteriors, it’s a modern take on life in coastal San Diego.

LUCENT by Shea Homes • Opening April 26, 2014 • 866.696.7432

Located on Civita Boulevard, two blocks north of Friars Road, off Mission Center Road.

Single-level living.

Wide open views.

SUDOKU ANSWERS FROM P. 13

MATH ANSWERS FROM P. 13

MAZE ANSWER FROM P. 13

SeaWorld, from page 3

16 MISSIONVALLEYNEWS.COM — APRIL 11, 2014LOCAL News