See WATER page 14

SAN DIEGO RIVER PARK MASTER PLAN FLOWS ON

See ORGANIST page 10See RIVER, page 9

By Jen Van TieghemAs America’s favorite pastime, baseball is a sport

deeply rooted in its history and traditions. In 2010, the San Diego Padres decided to resurrect some old school charm of the game with a promotion called “Throwback Thursdays.” Players wore uniforms from the ‘70s and ‘80s, the video screens replicated old color schemes, and a real organ was brought in to tie together the throwback ambiance.

Versatile keyboardist Bobby Cressey was lucky enough to land the organist gig, and fans

enthusiastically responded to his playing. When the season ended, Cressey was invited to continue playing at few games each year.

Besides leading fans to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” Cressey also acts as an ambassador of good cheer at the game. He answers questions and happily takes photos with fans. Many folks are surprised to find the organ sitting out in the open between sections 311 and 313.

By Genevieve A. SuzukiThe old adage goes, “He who controls water controls life.” Power, big money and secret meetings between agency

representatives - it’s only a matter of time before the legal battle between the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District hits Hollywood.

The Water Authority filed two lawsuits, one in 2010 and the other in 2012, challenging MWD’s rates, which improperly classify hundreds of millions of dollars in its

water supply costs as transportation costs, according to the Water Authority. The Water Authority further believes the rates were purposely conceived to “specifically disadvantage the Water Authority,” the only agency that uses MWD’s pipelines to transport large volumes of independent water supplies.

In an effort to gain clarity, Water Authority attorneys asked MWD to produce evidence showing costs included in each of MWD’s rates and charges, the estimated sales

volume on which those rates are based and whether MWD reconciles various rates with actual costs to set future rates.

Although state law requires MWD to charge rates that are reasonably related to the cost of the services provided and reasonably allocated among its member agencies according to the benefit they receive from particular services, MWD has alleged in court documents it is exempt from such a mandate.

The Water Authority is making progress in its court battle.

Most recently, Superior Court judge in San Francisco ruled May 14 the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District, had to hand over documents requested by the Water Authority under the Public Records Act more than 18 months ago. Because the court determined the withholding of the documents to have caused the Water Authority undue legal expenses in chasing down the documents, and because the Water Authority was the prevailing party in a Public Records Act action, the court also awarded the Water Authority reasonable attorney fees and costs.

The documents requested were part of an attempt by the Water Authority to learn more about covert meetings of a group of public agency managers who appeared to be coordinating votes of the MWD board of directors on water rates. These secret meetings among public agencies to decide MWD issues were confirmed by the other public agencies that produced thousands of pages of documents.

It’s the kind of cabal made for an Oliver Stone movie.

By Dave SchwabThere was a positive reaction in

Mission Valley and environs to the City Council’s unanimous passage in May of the San Diego River Park Master Plan guiding future development along the City of San Diego’s 17.5-mile section of the river, which stretches from the Pacific

San Diego River

Photo by Damea Dorsey

June 14, 2013 On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com Volume VII – Number 6

San Diego Junior Theatre

appoints native son executive

director. Page 4

Bill Conti celebrates

Stars & Stripes Forever July 4.

Page 3

Neighborhood Bests are back!

Vote for your local faves now!

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Top 10 Native Plants in San Diego Rent Sense:When is a pet something else?By Neil Fjellestad, president of Fjellestad, Barrett & Short

Ever wonder which plants would do best is sunny San Diego? According to Nan Ster-man, gardening expert and host of

KPBS series, “A Growing Passion,” many California native plants thrive in the region’s the dry, hot summers and mild rainfall in the winters.

This seasoned expert compiled her top 10 list of native plants that are easy to grow, require low water, support local wildlife and are beautiful in the garden.1. California lilac (Ceanothus): Has beautiful, fragrant spring blooms in shades of indigo blue to white. Attracts butterflies and bees.

2. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos): Excellent habi-tat shrub, especially for birds (including humming-birds). Attracts beneficial insects.

3. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): State flower adds a bright spot of orange to the spring garden. Reseeds itself.

4. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Low growing, spreading perennial hassoft, ferny leaves. Late spring or summer flowers bloom yellow, white or red.

5. Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia): One of our few large, evergreen trees. Offers summer shade and excellent animal habitat.

6. California field sedge (Carex praegracilis): This low growing sedge is a good lawn alterna-tive - grow it as a meadow

7. Purple three-awn (Aristida purpurea): Medium sized clumping grass blooms pink/purple in spring and summer. It is a good al-ternative to the overly aggressive Mexican thread grass (Nasella tenuissima).

8. Wild rye (Leymus condensatus): Beautiful blue or blue-green, wider leaf ornamental grass is excellent in a naturalistic landscape.

9. Bush anemone (Carpenteria californica): Medium sized evergreen shrub with gorgeous, white, anemone like flowers in spring. Since this shrub is na-tive to stream areas in the foothills of Fresno County, it benefits from a bit of extra water and some shade in the heat of the day inland.

10. Chalk Iiveforever (Dudleya pulverulenta): Succulent chalk liveforever makes large, cabbage-sized rosettes of icy green. In late spring or summer, plants send out long wands of reddish flowers.

I have suggested in a previous column that as a rental owner you probably want to consider accepting pets since nearly half of all households have one or more. From a marketing standpoint you can’t eliminate any potential renters in this economy. As an experienced rental property operator I’m not naïve. Accepting pets creates additional management considerations.

Now let’s examine for a moment when an animal is not a pet. Many renters want and/or require the assistance and/or support of an animal in order to function and/or to enjoy a better quality of life. Here is a short list for your consideration when a pet is something else-

Fair Housing laws in-dicate that rental owners, operators and managers must provide “reasonable accommodations” for dis-abled persons.

Allowing an assistive animal is a common ac-commodation.

There are numerous labels for animals that as-sist, serve, and perform specific tasks, offer com-panionship, support and comfort. Some of these an-imals are trained; others may not be. What these animals are not: pets.

Therefore animals can be allowed when the rental property is not pet-friendly. They are the “eyes, ears, legs or emo-tional support” of the dis-abled person(s). This can include residents and/or their guests.

You must consider and determine whether ac-cepting this animal is un-reasonable for you. If you believe that the person’s request whether verbal or written is unreason-able, be prepared to de-fend your position. Don’t stall with your response hoping that the problem will go away. No response in a timely fashion can be construed to be an unrea-sonable denial. It would be wise to consult a fair housing attorney before you answer.

Do not try to apply pet deposits, pet policies, extra rent or security de-posit.

You can request verifi-cation regarding the need for the animal if the dis-ability and/or need is not obvious but be flexible about who the verifier is;

it might be the resident himself/herself, a relative or friend that is aware of the circumstances and is willing to attest to these in writing.

Establish and main-tain reasonable policies of conduct. Since the animal(s) is/are an ex-tension of the resident(s) well-being these policies will help to hold the resi-dent accountable for prob-lems and damages that can arise as a result of this accommodation.

Any damages caused by the animal(s) can be taken out of their depos-it and he/she can be re-quired to solve problems as a result of allowing the animal including being asked to remove the ani-mal or move. The disabled renter is not exempt from being a good tenant.

Don’t be surprised if you get requests for un-traditional animals. Re-member that breed re-strictions, bans on exotic animals and farm ani-mals were all developed as pet policies. New stud-ies substantiate the as-sistive value of monkeys, parrots, miniature horses, pigs, goats, etc. Therefore, categorical denial for such requests needs a fresh look on a case-by-case basis.

A note of thanks has to go out to Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP. Their Fair Housing Training and Defense Department as well as their latest edition of The California Fair Housing Encyclopedia have been a legal resource to me and my staff for years. Also, Rebecca Skloot extensively researched and wrote a great piece on this specific subject for The New York Times Magazine (Jan. 4, 2009) entitled “Creature Comforts.”

Bush anemone

California lilac

Manzanita

Page 2 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013LOCAL NEWS

California poppy

By Jen Van TieghemSan Diego Symphony’s

Star Spangled Pops perfor-mances over Fourth of July weekend are getting some extra star power this year. Thanks to new principal Pops conductor Bill Conti, the three performances promise to be an exciting dose of live entertainment.

Oscar and Emmy winner Conti has a lengthy resume boasting everything from the Theme from Rocky to 19 turns as the musical direc-tor for the Academy Awards. His career, spanning 40-plus years, has included scores for movies, television and much more. With this wealth of tal-ent and experience, the fun-loving composer and conduc-tor is enthusiastic about what a treat the Independence Day weekend Pops shows will be.

“Well, let’s begin at the end,” Conti said. “There’s always fireworks! The Stars and Stripes Forever, songs of the armed services, and other patriotic stuff.”

Conti said the show will include the orchestra, a choir, soloists, and, of course, flag waving.

“How can you not wave the flag?” Conti continued.

Bill Conti to Help Pops Fly July 4“You have to do everything!”

The performance on Thursday, July 4, will con-clude just as the Big Bay fire-works display begins. Adding to the character of the shows is the uniquely beautiful set-ting of the Embarcadero Ma-rina Park South, which Conti

describes as “second to none.” But because Pops perfor-mances take place outdoors, both the musicians and con-ductor face certain challeng-es.

“The nuance, the subtle-

ties of loud and soft that you get inside of a concert hall, they don’t go away, but some of the subtleties might get lost,” Conti said. “The mu-sic that’s selected is going to be with that kind of stuff in mind.”

Any obstacles aside, Con-ti has no doubt the program will fit the venue and be a great experience for all in at-tendance.

“This is an A orchestra – this is the real thing,” Conti said of the San Diego Sym-phony. “This symphony… is particularly well trained, and with passionate playing, that’s what anyone who’s go-ing to conduct is certainly looking for.”

Conti also said they will be performing some of his own music. As this is his first set of concerts as the new principal Pops conductor, he thinks it will be a nice way to introduce himself, whether the audience is familiar with his music or not.

“It doesn’t have to happen all the time, but I think for this first one, it should.” he said. “Hi, how are you? This is who I am! Why would I hide it under a bushel?”

Who Conti is, it seems, centers around a deep love

for making music. As a stu-dent at Louisiana State Uni-versity, he would finish work around 1 a.m. and then take a two-hour drive to a jazz club in Biloxi.

“I’d get there around 3 and it would close around dawn, 5 or 6. [I’d go] in the hopes that, as a young guy, someone would give me the chance just to sit in. Then come back and make an 8 o’clock class.”

He also presents a live-ly spirit in his eclectic hobbies outside the concert hall. He expressed his love for riding motorcycles all around the country; taking his boat out in Florida, where he spends his summers; and using his .357 Magnum at the shoot-ing range. Conti admits he enjoys hobbies that are “fast and furious,” things quite dif-ferent from the solitude of writing music.

With his life-loving spirit and passion for his musi-cal craft, it’s hard not to join

Conti in his excitement for the special holiday weekend concerts.

“We should have fun. It should be aesthetically pleas-ing, as the sun goes down in a natural setting, in one of

the most beautiful settings in the country,” Conti said. “I’m looking forward to a joy-ous and boisterous Fourth of July!”

The patriotic extravagan-za of Star Spangled Pops oc-curs July 4, 5, and 6 with Bill Conti conducting all three shows starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Embarcadero Marina Park South. For tickets and more information, visit www.sandiegosymphony.com.

MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013 Page 3ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photo by David Hartig

Photo by Ralph Chaney

Executive DirectorSan Diego Junior Theatre

Returning to his roots, director, actor and playwright James Saba is slated to head up San Diego Junior Theatre as the new executive director beginning Sept. 1. More than three decades ago, Saba was one of the organization’s students for 10 years. After a long career in the arts, Saba is returning to Junior Theatre to oversee the vision of Junior Theatre as it enters its 65th year.

“I am a product of San Diego Junior Theatre’s rich past,” he says. “It’s now an honor for me to be a part of its present, vibrant days and help it flourish in the future.”

San Diego Junior Theatre is committed to the region’s youth of all abilities by encouraging the development of their creativity, self-esteem and enjoyment of theatre arts. Year round, its professional

staff teaches and guides students in stage productions, camps and classes.

Saba is no stranger to the field of education. Most recently, Saba served for 10 years as artistic director of the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s Children’s Performance Troupe in Michigan. He has also worked in the educational programs at The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse and San Diego Opera. Additionally, his background includes staff positions at the San Diego Blood Bank and Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego.

Bruno Lemaître, president of San Diego Junior Theatre’s Board of Trustees is enthusiastic about Saba’s return to the Junior Theatre family, “We’re delighted about Jimmy’s homecoming. My fellow board members, our staff and I, are eager for him to share his knowledge and talent with us so that we may continue and heighten our success inspiring young people throughout San Diego.”

Saba’s acting and directing credits include local performances with The Old Globe and North Coast Repertory Theatre. He has also performed with the Cleveland Play House, Actors Theatre of Louisville and San Jose Repertory Theatre, among many other stage companies. He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Southern Methodist University. Saba was also an apprentice of the award-winning children’s playwright, Susan Zeder.

Grossmont College professor selected Academic Senate president

Grossmont College math professor E. Beth Smith has been selected president of the statewide Academic Senate of the 112 community colleges in California. As president, she will represent 50,000 college faculty members, who teach approximately 2.5. million students.

“Beth has been actively engaged in working with Academic Senate issues at the state level since 2007,” said Grossmont College President Sunita V. Cooke. “She is an excellent communicator and has been conveying information to and from our college throughout those years. She has served in several leadership roles with the state wide Academic Senate now culminating in the Presidency. We couldn’t

be more proud of her and we know she will serve the faculty of the state and also the community college system very well.”

Sue Gonda, who currently serves as president of the Academic Senate at Grossmont College, said Smith was one of her predecessors in that position, and always was regarded as a “student-oriented faculty member.” During debates over various educational issues, Smith typically would raise the question, “Just how will this proposal affect our students?” Gonda recalled. As a math instructor, Smith “found ways to give students credit for tutoring in high schools and grade schools, and was one of the earliest leaders on this campus for getting students to learn more about their courses by doing service work in the community.”

As Grossmont’s Academic Senate president from 2003 to 2007, Smith said she advocated giving faculty members more opportunity to advise the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District on what they thought should be budget priorities. Elected board members clearly have the right to make the decisions how to spend the public’s money, she said, but before doing so they should have the benefit of hearing the faculty’s input on the subject. As president of Grossmont’s Academic Senate, Smith started on her road to prominence in statewide academic affairs. She was subsequently elected as an area representative to the statewide faculty body, later as treasurer, and afterwards as vice president, her most recent position.

Smith is a product of Our Lady of Peace School in San Diego’s Roman Catholic Diocese. After attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and withdrawing to raise her family, between 1989 and 1993, she completed major preparation at Grossmont College, a bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University, and a master’s

degree at UCSD. When she takes over the statewide

presidency, Smith said she will pursue three goals. The first, she said, will be to help prepare her leadership team to be able to move up in the organization. She said she will seek to provide the officers and area representatives with “greater exposure to the issues, some different experiences and to help them grow in the areas that they want to grow.” The second goal, she said, will be to bring crucial issues before the Academic Senates of the 112 colleges in the California

Community College system, so that faculty can initiate, respond to, modify, or choose to implement changes in the state educational code. Right now, Smith added, there is tremendous interest on the part of some legislators in Massive Open On-line Courses (MOOCs). In a nutshell, the debate is between those who believe MOOCs is a good way to save money by consolidating some courses around the state, and others who believe that denying Community College students the opportunity to interact in person with an instructor will lead to student disillusionment and failure. A conciliator by nature, Smith said she believes it may be beneficial incorporate some online content within locally taught courses, so long as instructors are available to explain and interpret that content.

Smith said her third priority will be to study ways of improving success rates for students. Previously the statewide Academic Senate had concentrated on the beginning of the college process – how are students assessed as they come out of high school? What courses are they put in and according to what criteria?

Improving student success will be her greatest challenge, especially when some legislators, acting on anecdotal evidence, may have a tendency to throw intuitive bills into the legislative hoppers without having fully analyzed the possible impacts of their ideas, Smith said. There is, however, a bright side, she said. “The fact that everyone wants student success is the best part of that challenge because if you have everyone wanting the same outcome, then you have a place to dialogue.”

Arts and Culture Commission Executive Director Appointed

Mayor Bob Filner has appointed Denise Montgomery as the executive director of the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. The announcement was made at a press conference today where the Mayor was flanked by members of the Commission. The appointment comes after a national search and a rigorous, multi-

phase screening process spearheaded by the Commission.

“San Diego will be a national model for

civic support for arts and culture under my leadership,” said Filner. “Denise Montgomery’s experience and vision are what is needed to achieve my ambitious agenda for San Diego’s arts and cultural life.”

Montgomery, a resident of San Diego, previously served as Director of the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and as Executive Director of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts. Through a partnership of The Wallace Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, she is Project Director for a national initiative aimed at increasing access to quality, out-of-school arts programs for urban, low-income middle school and high school students. Montgomery is the lead author of Something to Say: Success Principles for Afterschool Arts Programs from Urban Youth and Other Experts, to be published by The Wallace Foundation in summer 2013.

Montgomery is founder and president of CultureThrive, a consulting firm that serves a wide range of national cultural service organizations, public arts agencies, nonprofit arts organizations and foundations and offers services in the areas of organizational development and planning, program development and

implementation, audience development strategies, communications and research. In addition to consulting for the Australia Council for the Arts, Balboa Park Learning Institute, New Children’s Museum, La Jolla Playhouse, Nevada Humanities and National Performing Arts Convention, she has held leadership positions in a number of prestigious organizations including Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Western States Arts Federation.

Montgomery, a 2005 Stanford University Fellow in National Art Strategies Executive Nonprofit Leadership, is adjunct faculty for the University of San Diego’s Nonprofit Leadership and Management graduate program. She holds a B.S. in Marketing and Minor in Art History from Miami University of Ohio.

“This month, Mayor Filner has appointed Denise Montgomery and introduced a proposal to increase the Commission’s budget by $1.7 million in Fiscal Year 2014, proving - over and over - his commitment to sustaining and growing a creative, dynamic, vibrant city through diverse and high quality arts and culture experiences,” said Vicki Reed, Commission Chair.

Montgomery will oversee the Commission’s $9 million budget and direct programs for funding organizational support of arts and culture nonprofits, neighborhood

James SabaExcecutive Director of San DiegoJunior Theatre

MOVEMENT IN SAN DIEGO’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY

E. Beth SmithPresident of Academic Senate

Denise MontgomeryExecutive DirectorCommission for Arts and CultureCity of San Diego

Page 4 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013BUSINESS NEWS

Barrales was president and chief executive officer of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, where he led a regional civic organization of Silicon Valley high-tech business executives, university leaders, and local elected officials. He implemented initiatives in support of the region’s innovation and high-tech business sector.

In 1992, Barrales became the first Latino elected to the San Mateo County Board of

Supervisors. He was re-elected and became president of the Board of Supervisors in 1996. Barrales was recognized for forming a coalition of local jurisdictions that reduced violent crime in the city of East Palo Alto. He helped to create one of California’s first public charter schools, and he established the first debt limit for a county government in California, which helped the county maintain the highest bond rating in the state.

Barrales has served on the board of directors of the Public Policy Institute of California, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Border Infrastructure Task Force, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Blue Ribbon Committee and the Advisory Board of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.

Barrales received the “Ohtli Award” from the government of Mexico for his commitment to improving the well-being of Hispanics in the United States. Hispanic Business Magazine has listed Barrales as one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” in the United States.

Local Heroes HonoredAs part of its ongoing commitment to

cultural diversity and responsible banking, and in celebration of Jewish American Heritage and Asian Pacific Heritage months, Union Bank, N.A., partnered with KPBS to honor four inspirational San Diegans. The Local Heroes program recognizes and pays tribute to exemplary leaders who are making a difference and enriching the lives of others by improving their workplace, community, region and the world. The 2013 Jewish American Heritage Month honorees are Sy Brenner and Yale Strom and the 2013 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month honorees are Elmer Bisarra and Sophak Yem.

Brenner is an author, speaker and advocate who shares his story and educates companies, mental health physicians, military officers, students, and organizations about the effects of post-traumatic stress (PTS) on returning soldiers. He also explains how families and fellow employees are affected. Brenner, who has written about his experiences as a Jewish-American World War II U.S. Army veteran and ex-POW in his book The Night I Got Killed, has earned two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Combat Medic Medal.

evaluating the terms of a loan can be complex and have a range of long-term effects,” Perone said. “I’m excited about the chance to provide my clients with the resources and advice they need to make sound decisions.”

Guided by a dedication to the priorities and goals of her clients, Perone is committed to offer pertinent information about the reputations of local schools, neighborhoods and service providers. A graduate of Point Loma High School, she traveled internationally when she was pursuing her degrees and throughout the US in her previous career as a talent scout. Perone credits the experience for giving her a talent for conversing with people of vastly differing perspectives and cultures.

“Working directly with the public is something I really enjoy,” said Perone, who coaches track for the San Diego Unified School District. “I love helping people understand the real estate transaction process, which can be so beneficial if done properly.”

Ruben Barrales Honored with SBA Community Service Award

The San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration honored Ruben Barrales with the SBA Community Service Award June 12 at its annual awards ceremony at the Scottish Rite Events Center in Mission Valley.

Barrales is the President & CEO of GROW Elect. He has an extensive background in both government and private industry. Mr. Barrales’ experience includes serving as an elected official and as an advocate for business. Previously, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Where he doubled the organization’s cash liquidity, and guided the Chamber’s advocacy efforts on issues including supporting small businesses, reducing business regulations, and advocating for a successful public pension reform initiative. He also served as a spokesperson on issues of concern to San Diego’s small businesses.

In addition, Barrales has served as Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush and Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs. He was the President’s senior representative to the nation’s governors, legislators, mayors and other elected officials, including state, territory, local and tribal government leaders. He served, as a member on the President’s National Energy Policy Development Group.

Prior to joining the White House staff,

festivals and celebrations, public art in public and private development, and technical assistance and services to artists and organizations.

Prudential Hires

Realtor Evan Campbell has joined Prudential California Realty’s Downtown San Diego office. “Evan brings a vast array of skills pertaining to real estate,” said Nelson White, manager of the office. “His experience in the sales arena and commitment to continuously advance his knowledge of real estate will make him a success.”

A graduate of Torrey Pines High

School, Campbell offers his clients the benefit of working with a local expert. With a professional background in sales as a licensed gemologist, he excelled as a result of his talent for listening carefully to people, attention to detail and ability to quickly assess the needs and goals of his clients.

“Working in sales is very rewarding,” says Campbell, an expert in luxury watches. “I love helping people find what they want and getting to know them better.”

Campbell believes the skills he developed in his previous career and focus on serving his clients with the utmost standards of integrity will facilitate a successful transition into real estate. “The family business is real estate and I’ve always been fascinated with it,” adds Campbell. “The chance to help someone secure their vision for the future must be incredible and I am looking forward to working on behalf of my clients.”

Stephanie Perone has also joined White’s Downtown San Diego team. “Stephanie is an educated professional with a broad array of skills pertaining to real estate,” said White. “Her interpersonal skills and understanding of the financial world are only surpassed by her focus on client satisfaction.”

Perone is a San Diego native who graduated from San Diego State University with a double major in Economics and Public Administration. Having worked in mortgage processing and lending for a number of years, she provides her clients with valuable guidance about the implications of their financial decisions and the condition of the national economy.

“The choices that people face when

MOVEMENT IN SAN DIEGO’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Do you have business news about new hires, promotions or awards? Send it to editor@missionvalleynews.com.

Strom is the artist-in-residence in the Jewish Studies Program at San Diego State University, a position created specifically for him in 2006. He specializes in teaching the history of Hebraic and Jewish influences on the arts, literature, philosophy, and religion of Western civilization, and also teaches a course on how the Holocaust is portrayed in feature films. Strom is widely recognized as a revivalist and world-leading ethnographer-artist of klezmer music and history. He wrote a book about time spent on the former Eastern Bloc in 1981 where he spoke to Holocaust survivors, and was immersed in history and culture through music. Strom has been presented with many acknowledgements for his creative work in film, music, audio drama, and book awards.

Lifelong volunteer Bisarra is dedicated to serving the HIV and AIDS community in San Diego. After retiring, he continues to volunteer for Being Alive, San Diego’s provider of comprehensive support for people living with HIV and AIDS. For the past year, he has worked with associates to open a hepatitis clinic. Bisarra, a certified drug and alcohol counselor, began his volunteer career with the Asian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project (APICAP), and he remains committed to educating the San Diego community and the Asian Pacific community about outreach and support for HIV and AIDS.

Yem is a coordinator for the San Diego chapter of Amnesty International, a global organization that works on behalf of victims of human rights violations. Yem started as a volunteer and has held the coordinator position for three years. She has helped ensure that the chapter works on human rights issues on both a global and local level. The childhood challenges she experienced in Cambodia during the Civil War have fueled her passion for giving back to her community. Determined to earn a college degree, Yem obtained her bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University.

Promoted, hired or honored? Submit your Movers & Shakers news to editor@missionvalleynews.com.

Evan CampbellPrudential California Realty

Stephanie PeronePrudential California Realty

Ruben BarralesPresident & CEO of GROW Elect

Sy BrennerAuthor, Speaker and advocate

Yale StromArtist-in-ResidenceJewish Studies Program

Elmer Bisarra VolunteerAsian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project

Sophak YemCoordinatorSan DiegoAmnesty International

MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013 Page 5BUSINESS NEWS

This year’s San Diego County Fair on the Del Mar Fairgrounds won’t disappoint for gastronomic adventure. Bacon-flavored cotton candy, bacon-wrapped pickles and bacon root beer are just a few options.

June 16 brings the Big Bite Bacon Fest, which promises to turn the Del Mar Arena into a “bacon and beer paradise.” Tickets for the Fest start at $27, but may be worth it for any bacon or beer fan.

Save on Fair admission June 18, when it’s Albertsons/Sav-on $4 Fair Day. The discounted tickets are only at Albertsons/Sav-on stores. A $10 minimum purchase is required, using Albertsons/Sav-on Preferred Card.

The Fair, which runs through July 4, is closed Mondays, except July 1. For more information, visit www.sdfair.com.

GAME ON AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR 2013Page 6 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photos by Genevieve Suzuki

San Diego County Fair 2013

By Chris Madaffer“You are what your record

says you are.” If that saying rings true for the San Diego Chargers’ past two seasons, what’s to expect for 2013?

With the exit of both head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith, the Chargers not only begin a new season but a new era in San Diego. With the team under new guidance, expectations will definitely be higher than last season – even with Philip Rivers’ recent struggles. In the past two seasons, Rivers’

has been responsible for 35 interceptions – a number that used to read 20 in a two-season span.

While Rivers’ career high of 20 interceptions occurred

CHARGERS’ OFFSEASON MOVES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR 2013in the 2011 season, the negativity of it was diluted because of his 27 touchdown passes. In addition to turnovers, Rivers fumbled the football a career high, 15 times last season. The cause of this is mainly due to a horrendous offensive-line.

The ownership knew that this had to change in order to warrant future success and with new head coach Mike McCoy and general manager Tom Telesco, they found football overseers that are both keen at developing talent around a quarterback.

Telesco spent the past 14 years working in the personnel department of the Indianapolis Colts while Mike McCoy was the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos these past four years. In addition, former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt has been brought on as the new offensive coordinator.

Commonly regarded as having the worst offensive line in the NFL, Telesco and the front office knew that they had to get some protection for Rivers’ blindside. In the 2013 NFL draft, the Chargers selected right tackle, D.J. Fluker out of Alabama. In addition to acquiring big talent Fluker, the Chargers received a veteran two-time super bowl champion Max Starks from Pittsburgh. In

addition of adding Starks at left tackle, the Chargers added tackle King Dunlap from the Eagles. Since the recent acquisition of Starks, Dunlap, who was originally going to likely start at left tackle, is now going to stay as a reserve.

In regards to more offensive improvement, the Chargers drafted wide receiver Keenan Allen out of California . Allen will be the big target Rivers was missing when Vincent Jackson departed before the 2012 season as Allen stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall. In the free agency market, the Chargers got running back Danny Woodhead from the New England Patriots. Woodhead was featured alongside two other tailbacks in the Patriots’ system and

since the absence of Darren Sproles, the Chargers haven’t had a featured third down back, with the exception of Mike Tolbert.

On the defensive side, it’s arguable to say that the biggest move was drafting infamous linebacker Manti Te’o from Notre Dame. The great thing about Te’o is he’ll fit alongside Donald Butler as an inside linebacker duo. His presence will be immediately felt as he was a natural leader at Notre Dame and he’ll play a “mike” linebacker role in John Pagano’s 3-4 defense. There are tons of skeptics and critics blasting Te’o’s maturity because of the “catfish scandal” that occurred but his seven interceptions last season is impressive, not only because he’s a linebacker,

but it shows he can play instinctively in a zone scheme.

In addition to a new inside linebacker – after the release of Takeo Spikes – the Chargers needed a big time veteran – a guy who can harass the quarterback: Dwight Freeney. Although Freeney is known for being dominant as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense, he still has something left. Notable acquisitions were cornerback Derek Cox and linebacker Thomas Keiser while both Shaun Phillips and Quentin Jammer left for Denver. Kevin Haslam was a reserve tackle but the Max Starks signing caused him to take his talents elsewhere.

The Chargers will be underdogs this season as it will be seen as a rebuilding year. Mike McCoy succeeded with Tim Tebow, after all, so there’s no reason he can’t resurrect Rivers.

MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013 Page 7SPORTS

Philip Rivers

WhiteRedor

By Karen Irizarry,Certified Sommelier

When people discuss pioneers in the wine industry, David Hohnen and Kevin Judd of Cloudy Bay are certainly among them. The two founded Cloudy Bay Vineyards in 1985 and are arguably responsible for single-handedly introducing the world to New Zealand

Sauvignon Blanc. Cloudy Bay has given New Zealand’s wine international recognition. Each have left to start new wine labels, Hohnen now owns McHenry Hohnen Vintners and Judd owns Greywacke, but both played important pioneering roles in establishing New Zealand’s and Marlborough’s reputations.

Cloudy Bay’s Sauvignon

Blanc was one of New Zealand’s first wines to be widely exported and gained worldwide

attention because of its bold fruit forward style and pronounced herbaceous character. It has become the q u i n t e s s e n t i a l benchmark wine of the Marlborough region. While French Sauvignon Blancs of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume from the Loire Valley are typically more restrained with higher acidity, Mar lborough ’s Sauvignon Blanc is enticingly f r a g r a n t with vibrant aromatics and layers of pure fruit and herbs.

Marlborough is located at the northern end of New Zealand’s South Island in the Wairau Valley. The region’s m a r i t i m e climate ensures cool nights and warm days and its geographic location exposes the land to the longest hours of sunshine of any place in New Zealand. This unique combination allows for the accumulation of developed

aromatics and flavors. Being located on the Wairau River

flood plains adds another unique dimension. The topsoil is nutrient rich alluvial silt and clay with deep alluvial gravels that allow free drainage and mineral extraction. The climate and soil unite to create the beautiful nuances of Marlborough’s pure, bracing flavors and remarkably vibrant aromas with mineral complexity.

The winery derives its name from the bay of the Wairau Valley, which was named Cloudy Bay by Captain Cook on his voyage to New Zealand in 1770. Cloudy Bay also produces C h a r d o n n a y , Pinot Noir and Riesling but Sauvignon Blanc remains its prominent and classic varietal. The 2012 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is delightfully f r a g r a n t

with aromas of elderflower, gooseberry and grapefruit peel with hints of freshly cut grass and sweet herbs. Its mouth-watering palate is full of zesty ripe citrus flavors with

a lingering crisp finish and traces of minerality. The year 2012 was a stunning vintage for Marlborough. The season was remarkably cooler than past vintages and created lower yields that worried most winemakers. But the cooler than average conditions required longer hang time to ripen the grapes, which only increased flavor concentration and complexity. Throughout the region the yields were down but the quality was up which created a brilliantly balanced wine with great food pairing potential.

Summer is approaching and this fresh crisp white pairs well with summer salads, oysters and even sushi. Basically, wherever you feel a squeeze of lemon is needed opt out for a glass of Cloudy Bay’s citrusy and zesty Sauvignon Blanc. For around $25 a bottle, the 2012 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc can be found at San Diego Wine Company on Miramar Road and BevMo! locations throughout San Diego. It’s a classic wine from an outstanding vintage so drink with pleasure.

Karen Irizarry is a certified sommelier who has worked vintages in Australia and Germany and is currently working vintage in New Zealand. Her passion for food and wine is reflected in her blog, whiteorred.blogspot.com.

Wonder Women: On Pa-per and Off explores the av-enues women have made in the comic and graphic in-dustries starting in the early 20th century through today’s

comics and illustrations. The Women’s Museum of Califor-nia strives to emphasize the portrayal of women, as well as the ceiling women cartoon-ists broke through.

This story traces the bar-riers women have overcome as artists and comic char-acters. In the 1940s, Won-der Woman saved the world countless times, then, begin-ning in the 1960s, second wave feminism saw women’s roles in comics change as women became more com-monly hired as illustrators.

Comics represent another industry that women have successfully inched their way into and changed how the world views them – on paper and off.

W o n d e r Women: On Paper and Off features the historical collection of Trina Robbins and original artwork by Joyce Farmer, Mary Fleener, Carol Lay, Mimi Pond and Andrea Tsurumi. The artwork on display shows

how comics have changed since 1914 as well as the process artists go through to create these images. Curator Kathleen Adam said, “One unique aspect of Wonder Women: On Paper and Off is the array of unpublished work. This exhibit shows the sketches, mock ups and edits made to panels before the fin-ished product.”

The exhibit runs through Sept. 1 at the Women’s Mu-seum of California in Liberty Station with panel discussions on July 18 and Aug. 15.

WONDER WOMEN ON DISPLAY DOWNTOWN

Page 8 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013DINING

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

Wednesdays - Jazz with Kice Simko and Friends at Riviera Supper Club. Free. 9 p.m. RivieraSupperClub.com.

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

Fridays - Jazz at the Cosmo featuring Bruce Cameron, Mark Augustin, and Ted Williams at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel. $5. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. www.OldTownCosmopolitan.com.

Saturdays - Jazz with George and Alan at Bistro Sixty (formerly San Diego Desserts). Free. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoDesserts.net

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

June 22 - Gilbert Castellanos: Young Lions at Dizzy’s. $10-$15. 8 p.m. Dizzysjazz.com

ALTERNATIVEJune 14 & 15 - The Greyboy Allstars at The Casbah. $25. www.casbahmusic.com.

June 17 - Sounds in San Diego Presents: The Steelwells, The New Kinetics, SXO, and The Brothers Weiss at The Casbah. Free. www.casbahMusic.com.

June 18 - 91X Loudspeaker Live presents: Dr. Seahorse, Long Live Logos, and Pal & Drome at The Griffin. $5 or Free with RSVP. www.TheGriffinSD.com

June 21 - Sure Fire Soul Ensemble at Riviera Supper Club. Free. www.rivierasupperclub.com

June 21 - Deadly Birds, Neighbors to the North and Tiny Frank at Soda Bar. $7. www.SodaBarMusic.com

June 25 - Sounds in San Diego Presents: The Steelwells, The Paragraphs, and Social Club at The Casbah. Free. www.casbahMusic.com.

POPTuesdays - Suzanne Shea Reed at Bistro Sixty. Free. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. www.SanDiegoDesserts.net

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

June 15 - Inside-Out at San Pasqual Winery. 7 to 10 p.m. Free. www.SanPasqualWinery.com

June 16 - They Might Be Giants and Moon Hooch at Belly Up. $27-$29. www.bellyup.com

June 18 - Rhett Miller and Nancarrow at The Casbah. $12 adv/$14 day of show. www.casbahmusic.com

June 28 - Flophouse Playboys at Hooley’s in Rancho San Diego. Free. www.Hooleys.com

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

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River, from page 1

Ocean to Santee.“A park system along the

San Diego River will increase recreation opportunities for our residents, preserve and enhance the river’s natural resources, and help improve the quality of life in Mission Valley and other communities,” said District 7 Councilman Scott Sherman.

Following passage of the plan, Sherman, who represents the vast majority of communities along the San Diego River, thanked his colleagues for their support.

“It’s a great example of what can be accomplished when community groups, the business community, and government work together to achieve a common goal,” he said.

Anthony Wagner, chair of Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI), which makes land-use recommendations to the city for Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, San Carlos and Grantville, hailed passage of the San Diego River Park Master Plan, describing it as having “limitless potential.”

“Because of the San Diego River Park Master Plan, the San Diego River will be seen as San Diego’s historical living treasure for decades to come,” Wagner said adding, “I believe our greatest civic accomplishments on the San Diego River have yet to be realized.”

Wagner recalled as a

child looking out over the Grantville portion of the Friars Road Bridge and thinking the San Diego River was just the small portion below.

“It wasn’t until I was much older did I learn that the San Diego River was part of a much larger ecosystem that traveled 52 miles from just north of Santa Ysabel to Ocean Beach,” he said.

Pointing out the San Diego River’s rich history, Wagner noted, “It could be labeled America’s first river because of its fresh water use dating back to San Diego’s first Spanish explorers in 1542.”

“The San Diego River Park Master Plan, ratified by the City Council this week, goes a long way to validate and cherish the River’s long history, not only with Spanish explorers, but San Diego’s rich Native-American roots,” Wagner added.

The Draft 2013 San Diego River Park Master Plan (Master Plan) is a planning policy document that encompasses the length of the San Diego River within the limits of the City of San Diego. The Master Plan begins at the east boundary of the city and the City of Santee, winding its way through Mission Trails Regional Park, past the historic Mission de Alcala, through Mission Valley and finally to the mouth of the river at the Pacific Ocean

within in Mission Bay Park.The river park policy

document provides guidance for land-use decisions along the San Diego River for property owners, elected officials and citizens engaged in the development of the river valley through establishment of a vision, principles, recommendations, design guidelines, implementation strategies and a regulatory framework.

The San Diego River Master Plan is closely aligned with the city’s General Plan goals for land use, mobility, urban design, economic prosperity, public facilities, recreation, conservation and historic preservation. Implementation of the plan will rely on both private and public investment in the river valley and includes implementation tools such as maintenance, management and security strategies, and public outreach/education methods to make the river park a success.

The Master Plan is the result of grassroots efforts begun by the San Diego River Park Alliance (2001) and the San Diego River Park Foundation working in partnership with the city of San Diego, community planning groups and advisory bodies.

“Their continued involve-ment will be important to its successful implementation,” said Sherman.

MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013 Page 9LOCAL NEWS

Bobby Cressey: My mom and dad led a choir at a church in North County so I was exposed to music at an early age. I started taking piano when I was 10 years old. When I was 11, I moved to Scotland and started taking piano lessons at school. I had an affinity for it, but wasn’t hardcore about it and didn’t practice much. When I moved back to California as a sophomore I started getting really into the piano. I’d come home from school and play jazz, New Orleans blues, ragtime and different classical pieces that I was into. I was also playing second keyboards at a church my senior year of high school. I went to UCSD for Structural Engineering, but while I was at college my career in music really started to take over. I was driving up to [Los Angeles] every weekend to play ska, jazz and reggae… I was spending all my minutes between classes – and sometimes during classes – at one of the pianos around campus, writing music or practicing.

MVN: What is your favorite part about playing organ for the Padres?

BC: Man, I love every part of this gig. It is a combination of everything that I love to do with music. I get to watch my favorite team play my favorite sport and I get to play music along to it and help create a vibe at the stadium. I get to pick rad songs and play whatever I want – as long as it sounds good on an organ. I get to work with great people and play a small roll in a grander picture of

Organist, from page 1

Mission Valley News sat down with Cressey for a Q & A about his unique job

what it takes to make the baseball game come off successfully. I love being part of a team. I also get to meet a ton of people who come up and say hello every game. Often there are people from out of town and we’ll take a picture and chat a bit about their time visiting San Diego. I think it’s a cool experience for them because most baseball organ players aren’t out in the public like that. One of my favorite parts of the game is the 7th inning stretch when I play “Take Me Out to The Ballgame.” It’s a big sing-along party that I get to lead. There’s nothing like leading a sing-along of 40,000 people.

MVN: How did you get the gig?

BC: This is a cool story. My friend Jason Littlefield, who plays bass for The Heavy Guilt, mentioned to me in January of 2010 that a keyboard player he knows was approached about possibly playing organ for the Padres. It had been over a decade since the Padres last had an organ player and they were looking for someone to play at some of their Thursday day games for a promotion called “Throwback Thursdays.” When I heard about this I got really excited because I knew it was my dream gig and thus began the process of bugging them, hustling hard, filming myself playing organ and sending them DVDS and audio recordings of me playing and trying to explain why I wanted this gig so bad. I eventually heard back from them, went and auditioned, and got the gig!

MVN: What are some of your favorite songs to play at games?

BC: I try to pick a little something for everyone. Every game I play I usually do a jazz standard for those who appreciate jazz – mostly

the older generations of baseball fans – some movie or TV theme that people know, and some rock ‘n’ roll song or modern song. I also keep it topical so if we’re playing the Seattle Mariners, I’ll play some Pearl Jam, or if we’re playing the Dodgers I’ll play “L.A. Is Burning.” One of my personal favorites is this Star Wars medley I pieced together in 2012. It’s slick, really fun and bouncy and everyone loves it.

MVN: How much of the game do you actually get to see?

BC: One-hundred percent. The [only time] I wouldn’t see [part of the game] is if I was talking to a fan and not watching the action. I usually only do this if we are on defense and there isn’t much occasion for me to play anything. When we are on offense I always watch closely because that’s when I play for foul balls and full counts.

MVN: We have to ask – why do you play in socks?

BC: Good question! I play the pedals with my left foot and the pedals are so small it’s easier to play them without a shoe on. Lots of organ players do this, though the

proper way is to wear organ shoes, which look like dress shoes but have a thick heel. That definitely doesn’t match my style, though, so I go shoeless.

For more about Bobby Cressey and his appearances with the San Diego Padres and elsewhere visit www.BobbyCressey.com. Tweet song requests for games to @BobbyCressey before games, too!

Read the complete Mission Val-ley News interview with Bobby Cressey at www.missionval-leynews.com. Contact music writ-er Jen Van Tieghem at jen@scoop-sandiego.com.

Mission Valley News: What is your musical background and how did you start playing organ?

Bobby Cressey’s Padres Game Appearances for the 2013 Season

July 31, 12:40 p.m. vs. Cincinnati Aug. 7, 12:40 p.m. vs. BaltimoreAug. 21, 3:40 p.m. vs. PittsburghSept. 4, 3:40 p.m. vs. San FranciscoSept. 26, 3:40 p.m. vs. Arizona

Page 10 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013LOCAL NEWS

Photos by Jen Van Tieghem

PET ALLERGIES: HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND TREAT THEMBy Sari Reis

Just as we humans suf-fer with seasonal allergies as well as allergies to chemicals, foods and other substances, so do our canine and feline companions. Sometimes they will present with the same symptoms as us, such as watery eyes and sneezing, but the most common symp-tom in our pets is itchiness, usually resulting in exces-sive scratching. In fact, the scratching can be so severe it can lead to redness, open sores and even hair loss.

The most common aller-gies that affect pets are called atopy and are caused by air-borne particles. They can in-clude pollen, dust mites and molds. Fortunately this type of allergy is usually seasonal. Symptoms of atopy include chewing the paws, licking the flank and groin, rubbing the face, recurrent hot spots and possibly inflamed ears or re-curring ear infections.

Another type of allergy pets suffer with results from flea-bites and is called flea al-lergy dermatitis. This is usu-ally more common in dogs. The symptoms are similar to the ones described above but can be more severe includ-ing hives, facial swelling and even anaphylaxis. Although rare, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. Symptoms usu-

ally occur within 20 minutes of exposure to the flea bite, bee sting or chemical and in-clude: sudden explosive di-arrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, shock, immobility and muscle-twitching. Seek immediate emergency care if this occurs. If your pet has a history of this, the veterinar-ian can supply you with an epi-pen; a syringe with a dose of epinephrine that will help with stabilization until emer-gency care has begun.

Contact dermatitis is an allergy pets can develop from

contact with carpets, clean-ers, plastics, grass and other such substances. Symptoms include red bumps on the ar-eas of the skin exposed to the allergen, as well as intense scratching and hair loss.

Food allergies are anoth-er common problem in both dogs and cats. In fact, they account for 10 – 15% of all of their allergies. Itching on the face, feet, trunk and limbs is the most common symp-tom but they may also have increased bowel movements and soft stools. Managing a

food allergy usually means taking the diet down to bare basics and starting from there.

Diagnosing the source of an allergy is vital to manag-ing it, so a trip to the veteri-narian is essential. Allergy tests are sometimes recom-mended. The allergy test is an intradermal skin test in-volving injecting various al-lergens just under the skin and watching for reactions. Once an allergen is deter-mined to be the culprit, treat-ment can begin.

Treatment can include ev-erything from Benadryl (dos-age recommended by veteri-narian), antibiotics (such as Atopica), steroid injections, (which have side effects), top-ical applications such as hy-drocortisone, oatmeal- based shampoos, etc.

Other things you can do to manage the allergy are to monitor the pollen count, wipe your pet’s paws with a wet towel after a walk, re-move shoes at the door, use a monthly flea treatment, vacuum carpets frequently and wash the animal’s bed-ding often.

Most importantly, moni-tor your pet’s symptoms and get professional help as needed.

Sari Reis is a Certified Humane Education Special-

ist and the owner of Mission Valley Pet Sitting Services. She can be reached at (760) 644-0289 or email sari@mis-sionvalleypetsittingservices.com. Her website is www.mis-sionvalleypetsitting.com.

MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013 Page 11PETS

Dear Ask the Cop: There has been a motor home parked on my street for about three months. It sometimes moves from one side of the street to the other, and I am pretty sure that a family is living in it. Is this legal? -Frustrated Neighbor

Dear Frustrated Neighbor;

Parking on public streets and alleys is regulated by the San Diego Municipal Code and the California Vehicle Code.

In the city of San Diego, it is illegal to park a motor home for 72 hours without being driven for at least a 1/10th of a mile on city streets. This is the same with any vehicle parking on city streets. San Di-ego Municipal Code 86.09.06 states: Park-ing in Excess of Seventy-Two (72) Hours Pro-hibited. No per-son shall park or cause to be parked or allow to remain stand-ing any vehicle upon any street or highway in excess of seven-ty–two (72) con-secutive hours. (“Parking in Ex-cess of Seventy–Two (72) Hours Prohibited” add-ed 7–16–1984 by O–16239 N.S.) The only excep-tion to this law is if there is a city sign posted for the street that states otherwise. Usually, if there is a sign posted it is for no parking on that particular street for “fill in the blank” reason.

In this situation of the motor home moving to different areas of the street, from my view this sounds legal. You can always re-port the motor home to Vehicle Abatement. The investigator

will come out and take a look at the vehicle and the issue. You can report this online through the San Diego City website Go to www.sandiego.gov and click on the police department. Next, in the middle of the webpage look for “Forms.” There you’ll find a drop-down box that has “72 hour Vehicle Violation.” Clicking on “Go” will bring you to the 72 hour

vehicle complaint form. You will fill in the blanks on the page and submit it for investigation. What you need to know about the ve-hicle is: the street address at which it is parked; vehicle type; vehicle color, vehicle license plate and state issued. There is also a box where you can write in additional information.

The penalty for the 72 hour violation is a citation of $53.50.

There is a minimum of $178 tow fee plus an added mileage fee. There is a storage fee of $36 per day the vehicle is in the impound lot. If a bigger vehicle is being towed, the minimum charge for the tow is approximately $800.

For your next question, it is unlawful to live in a vehicle on San Diego city streets. San Diego Municipal Code 86.23(f) states:

It is unlawful for any per-son to use a vehicle while it is parked or standing on any street as either tem-porary or p e r m a n e n t living quar-ters, abode, or place of habi-tation either overnight or day by day. The penalty for this viola-tion is a park-ing ticket that cost $52.50. The difficulty the city faces with this vio-lation is proof the habitation in the vehicle.

There has to be some evidence to this violation.

Officer Holland Tafoya SDPD Eastern Division Community Liaison Officer

Have a question for Ask the Cop? Email AsktheCop@mis-sionvalleynews.com.

Although the Khmer Rouge lost power decades ago, its bloody history lives on as Cambodians struggle to re-cover from the many atrocities committed by Pol Pot and his regime.

Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company’s Extraordinary Chambers is the story of an American couple who travel to Cambodia for an innocent business trip, but become per-sonally entangled with Khmer

MO’OLELO HOSTS SERIOUS VISIT TO EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS

Rouge victims and survivors. The genocide, complicity, sur-vival, and greed collide in this play that shines a light on the Cambodian experience and asks how far are we willing to go to survive?

Director Seema Sueko has carved out a serious look into Cambodia post-Communist Party of Kampuchea amid Mo’olelo’s intimate 10th Av-

See CHAMBERS page 15

Page 12 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013LOCAL NEWS

Branch Library at (858) 573-1399for more information.

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.

Friends of the Linda Vista Branch LibraryPreschool StorytimeJune 14, 10 to 11 a.m.Children and their families are invited for stories, rhymes, songs and crafts.

Hora de Cuentos, Bilingual Storytime June 19, 5 to 5:30 p.m.Join the library for stories and songs in Spanish and English. Hullabaloo MusicJune 20, 10 to 11 a.m.Kick off the Summer Reading Program at Linda Vista Library with Hullabaloo! Kids will sing along to children’s classic songs that fuse organic folk music with rock ‘n’roll for a fun-filled music program! *Teachers & groups: please reserve your spot for this program. Hopscotch Storytime: A Taste of USAJune 21, 10 to 10:30 a.m.Join the library for a look at books, puzzles, and games related to American foods, traditional American cookbooks, and a

glimpse at dining out in the United States. The arts and craft project will be a felt plate with burgers, fries and apple pie! Hora de Cuentos, Bilingual StorytimeJune 26, 5 to 5:30 p.m.Join the library for stories and songs in Spanish and English. Storytelling with Harlynne GeislerJune 27, 10 to 11 a.m.Enjoy storyteller Harlynne Geisler’s Summer Reading stories: “Eating Your Words: Preschool Tales.” *Teachers and groups: please reserve your spot for this program.

Hopscotch Storytime: A Taste of Mexico June 28, 10 to 10:30 a.m.Travel south of the border to learn about our neighbor’s foods and make a colorful taco art project! Friends of the Linda Vista Branch LibraryJuly 6, 11 a.m. to noonThe Friends of the Linda Vista Branch Library meets to coordinate activities, including a book sale, Homework Help program and more. Newcomers welcome. Contact Linda Vista

EDITORGenevieve A. Suzuki, ext. 121Gen@MissionValleyNews.com

PUBLISHERMission Publishing Group, LLCJim MadafferJim@MissionValleyNews.com

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

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSJen Van Tieghem • Gina Cord Dave Schwab • Jeremy Ogul

OUR NEXT ISSUE The next issue of the Mission Valley Newscomes out Friday, July 12. The advertisingdeadline is Tuesday, July 2.

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PublishingGroup, LLCPUBLISHERS OF

MISSION TIMES COURIERLA MESA COURIER

Circulation: 15,000. Published 12 times in 2013 and delivered throughout our circula-tion area of Mission Valley, San Diego, California by Mission Publishing Group, LLC. Classified ads and articles must be submitted by mail, e-mail or dropped off at our busi-ness 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 & Views 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 adver-tiser 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 discrimi-nation.” Mission Valley News & Views 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 advertised in Mission Valley News are available on an equal oppor-tunity 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 considered 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 submit-ted 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.

GET INVOLVED!The Mission Valley Planning Group meets at the Mission Valley Library on the first Wednesday of every month at noon. This is a public forum and your chance to voice your opinion. No decisions get to the city council without going through the Mission Valley Planning Group first. The meeting is held in the community room and is accessed from the outside patio on the North side of the building.

Project Debt Relief SeminarJuly 2, 6 to 7 p.m.Attorney Mark L. Miller presents a free seminar about debt, including credit cards, short sales, foreclosures and alternatives to bankruptcy.Health and Wellness through Tai ChiThursdays, 1 to 3 p.m.This course is designed to provide adult students 55 and older with knowledge of the relationship of physical fitness, stress management and nutrition to personal health and well-being.

YogaTuesdays , 6 to 7 p.m. For adults and teens. Learn yoga, an easy to learn workout program that requires little or no equipment and soothes your soul while toning your body.

Zumba BasicMondays, 4 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.

Circulation: 15,000. Published 12 times in 2013 and delivered throughout our circula-tion area of Mission Valley, San Diego, California by Mission Publishing Group, LLC. Classified ads and articles must be submitted by mail, e-mail or dropped off at our busi-ness 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 & Views 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 adver-tiser 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 discrimi-nation.” Mission Valley News & Views 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 advertised in Mission Valley News are available on an equal oppor-tunity 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 considered 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 submit-ted 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.

MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013 Page 13COMMUNITY

Stylehas a home.

And now you do too. Modern award-winning architecture.

Urban details with multi-story window walls. The latest trends

in sustainability. Electric cars on hand. Civita is the perfect

blend of urban chic and village charm, right in the heart

of Mission Valley. With its eclectic mix of neighborhoods—

and more coming this year—Civita is the cure for bland.

For directions visit our website at civitalife.com.

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

Vacation Bible SchoolJuly 22-26 • 9 am -12 pmAgeS 4 - finiShed 4th grAde

COSt: $25/child early bird registraton by June 30, $30/child after June 30. Payment at the door, $40/child. extended CAre: 8-9 AM & 12-5:30 PM by advance reservation. Cost $15/child per day, prepay with registration.

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First ChurChF i r s t u n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r C h

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Water, from page 1

WATER AUTHORITY UNVEILS WATERSMART CONSERVATION WEBSITE

Decreasing DependenceIn 1991, San Diego County

was importing 95 percent of its water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD). Nicknamed “Mother Met” for its promise to provide 100 percent of the water 100 percent of the time, MWD threatened San Diego with a 50 percent cut in water delivery after a drought.

Although “Miracle March” rain and snow in 1991 saved the region from long-term water-delivery cuts, the dependence on MWD served as a wake-up call for the Water Authority, which began looking into ways to diversify its supply sources and invest in regional water delivery, storage and water treatment.

Thanks to the Water Authority’s efforts, in 2012 San Diego drew only 45 percent of its water from MWD and plans to further decrease MWD’s water delivery to 30 percent by 2020.

In 2003, as part of the Water Authority’s diversification strategy, it signed the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA), which comprises a 45- to 75-year water conservation and transfer agreement with the Imperial Irrigation District and a separate 110-year agreement to receive water conserved by lining parts of the

All-American and Coachella Canals.

The QSA enabled San Diego County to receive 180,000 acre-feet of independent Colorado River water supplies this year and will increase the draw to 280,000 acre-feet in 2021.

While the QSA helped to lower MWD’s supply to San Diego, it didn’t exactly cut MWD out of the picture regarding the

independent Colorado River water sources as MWD owns and operates the pipelines that deliver the water to San Diego. The Water Authority is the only agency that uses the pipelines for that delivery. As such, MWD charges the Water Authority to transport the

water from Imperial Irrigation District into San Diego County, a charge the County Water Authority finds abusive.Suing for Transparency

Despite San Diego’s decreased dependence on MWD, increased water rates are siphoning whatever good will remains between the agencies. In 2010, the

Water Authority filed a legal challenge over MWD-supply rates adopted for 2011 and 2012. In 2012, MWD repeated its actions by adopting its 2013 and 2014 rates, forcing the Water Authority to file a second challenge. The two cases have since been combined in court

to make the pretrial and trial phases more efficient.

The rate dispute revolves around the way MWD is charging the Water Authority for supply costs, which the Water Authority believes includes improperly classified transportation costs. The Water Authority is suing MWD in an effort to stop rate increases that would eventually cost

ratepayers more than $2 billion over the next four decades.

According to the Water Authority, it seems that, as San Diego diversifies its supply sources, dropping dependence on MWD, MWD is seeking to maintain the financial support provided by San Diego through unlawful rate charges. The alleged secret meetings don’t help MWD’s case.

For its part, MWD may be stuck in the role of an unbending parent to the Water Authority, which has grown into its independence. As the Water Authority continues

to grow away from MWD, it seems its only alternative for fairness may lie within the court system, where the Water Authority won’t have to continue to ask, “Mother, may I?”

This article is the first in a series on the state of San Diego’s Water Supply.

View from Lake Oroville Visitors Center

The San Diego County Wa-ter Authority has launched a comprehensive online re-source to inspire, educate and empower the region’s resi-dents to make water-efficient lifestyle choices.

WaterSmartsd.org is filled with information about con-servation incentives, tools and programs designed to make the most of the re-gion’s limited water sup-plies regardless of how much rain or snow Mother Nature brings each winter. The site is organized to provide con-tent relevant to homeown-ers, homeowner associations, businesses (including agri-cultural operations), public institutions and the educa-tional sector.

The website also features news items and events, vid-eos, a photo gallery highlight-ing successful water-smart landscaping projects, case studies and other informa-tion about indoor and out-door water-use efficiency. It includes conservation tips and answers to frequently asked questions, along with links to helpful tools such as a water-use calculator, free garden design software and residential landscape design templates.

WaterSmartsd.org will be updated regularly with new resources, photos, videos, case studies and announce-ments. Visitors will be able to sign up for automatic notifi-cation about website updates that include new programs or information relevant to them.

“We know that San Diego County residents embrace the idea of water-smart liv-ing,” said Thomas V. Worn-ham, chair of the Water Au-thority’s Board of Directors. “This new site will grow and evolve to put all the assis-tance they need at their fin-gertips, helping them save water and helping our region manage its precious water supplies.”

Although the San Diego region and much of Califor-nia have been extremely dry this year, no shortage condi-tions are expected locally in 2013 thanks to reductions in regional water use in recent years and better water supply reliability due to long-term investments in new water sources and infrastructure. Nonetheless, the dry condi-tions offer a reminder about the need to make the best use of limited water resources no matter the weather.

The Water Authority’s main website, www.sdcwa.org, will continue to be the agency’s primary online source for news, Board docu-ments, water supply and financial data, contracting opportunities and other wa-ter-related information.

Page 14 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013NEWS

Chambers, from page 12

enue Theatre. Actors Manny Fernandes and Erika Beth Phil-lips successfully portray Carter and Mara, the American hus-band and wife grappling with couple issues, but the real draw

here are Greg Watanabe (Dr. Heng), Esther K. Chae (Rom Chang) and Albert Park (So-poan), whose portrayals leave you forgetting your First World problems and remembering

there is still much healing to be done in Cam-bodia.

As Dr. Heng said in the play, “Welcome to C a m b o d i a . Please excuse the mess.”

Written by David Wie-ner, the play received the 2010 ACT New Play Award and the 2011 L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Play.

Extraordinary Chambers runs through June 30. Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company’s 10th Avenue Theatre is located at 930 10th Ave. Call (619) 342-7395 for more infor-mation.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego is seeking volunteers to man intersections the morning of June 27 for the countywide Red Shoe Day fundraiser supporting families with a critically ill or injured child being treated at local hospitals.

Volunteer to Ronald McDonald House’s Red Shoe Day a Success

Businesses, families, groups and individuals can form teams or join existing teams to participate in one of the most energetic fundraisers in the county. Donning festive attire and carrying iconic red shoes, Red Shoe Day volunteers will be stationed at major intersections to collect cash donations during the morning commute. Those who are unable to volunteer at an intersection can support San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House by donating on June 27 or creating a personal fundraising page to collect online donations from friends and families.

More than 12,500 family members visit the Ronald McDonald House each year to receive meals, lodging and other supportive services. The respite provided by the Ronald McDonald House enables families suffering medical crises to focus their energy on helping their sick or injured child heal.

Visit www.RMHCSD.org/RedShoeDay to register as a volunteer or set up a personal fundraising page to help support Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.

GO GREEK FOR A GOOD CAUSE JUNE 21 In the United States, near-ly one in every ten Ameri-cans suffer from a rare disease and over 100,000 of them are living with the most common form of mus-cular dystrophy called Myo-tonic Dystrophy (DM). Local residents can help raise funds to help fight this disease by dining at Daph-ne’s Greek Restaurant, which is hosting “Dine Out for DM” and will donate a percentage of the evening’s sales to the Myotonic Dys-trophy Foundation (MDF). MDF is a non-profit organi-zation dedicated to enhanc-ing the lives of people living with DM and helping find treatments and a cure for the disease. Dine out at Daphne’s in Mission Valley at 8660 Rio San Diego Dr. June 21 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call (619) 260-1679 for more informa-tion. Dine in and take-out food qualifies, but you must print out and bring the fun-draising flyer, which can be downloaded at myotonic.org/daphnes-dineout-dm-fundraiser-flyers.

MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013 Page 15COMMUNITY

WE WANT YOU IN OUR Y FAMILYMission Valley YMCA • Toby Wells YMCA • Hazard Center YMCA • Downtown YMCA

Get 100% off the Joiner’s Fee when you join the Mission Valley YMCA from June 18 - June 30.

Offer valid on all membership categories except Membership Plus! Sign up at any of our locations, and be a part of our Y community.

www.missionvalley.ymca.org

VISITING THE WHITE DEER OF MISSION HILLSBy Tom Leech

At the west end of Mission Valley is Presidio Park, a gem of a place for strolling, revisiting history, picnicking and enjoying fine views. One section of the park is lightly visited but it’s become more accessible with the recent re-opening of the road up off Taylor Street. That road had been shut down for a couple years for maintenance, but now you can drive up and park in a lot at this eastern part of the park.

This section is across the canyon from the park’s highly visible white main structure, a landmark for those driving along I-8. Many take it for a mission, but it’s actually the Serra History Museum. From the park main section, trails go down to a canyon-like meadow and then up to the eastern part.

This section is well shaded, has some open grassy areas and fine views across Mission Valley to the University of San Diego. This is a fine spot to amble, picnic (on the grass or at tables just below the parking lot), meditate or just savor the relative peace from the hectic traffic of nearby I-8. Restrooms are a short walk down

to the park’s mid-canyon area. Dogs on a leash are OK, with waste pickup.

At the top of the rise is a special site. This is the memorial to “The White Deer of Mission Hills,” a legendary much-loved former occupant of the area. Look for a bench, three large rocks and a concrete watering hole with imbedded animal tracks. Posted there is this tribute from a friend: “Bliss in solitude beneath this tree. formless. silent. spirit free.”

To locate the road, coming from the east on I-8, take the Taylor Street exit. Cross the freeway, then turn right /west

at the light onto Taylor. Drive a short distance to the road entry on the left, and head up to the parking lot. You can also go a bit further west on Taylor to the next turnoff left to the canyon area parking lot. Here are restrooms and paths up to the white deer area or straight in along the creek. Coming from the west on Taylor, these two entries

are just east from the Morena Boulevard intersection (passing the main road up to Presidio Park) and off to the right or south.

Tom Leech is a frequent contributor to Mission Valley News and lead author of Outdoors San Diego: Hiking, Biking & Camping. For ideas about our nature opportunities visit www.outdoorssandiego.com.

Page 16 MissionValleyNews.com — June 14, 2013COMMUNITY