May 11, 2012 On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com Volume VI – Number 5

R oller derby has been skating around since the ‘30s, and was fi rst presented as a contact sport. In the ‘70s, it made a comeback as a somewhat seedy and campy attraction enjoyed via giant tube TVs amid a motif of avocado-green shag carpets and wood paneling. And now, in 2012, roller derby is enjoying more

popularity than ever before. Here in Southern California, the San Diego and Los Angeles Derby Dolls have pushed this sport into the mainstream spotlight, creating a new family friendly event in the vein of monster truck rallies and motocross biking. With a grrrl fl air, of course.

The San Diego Derby Dolls are riding this new roller derby bandwagon with a driven sense of enthusiasm for the sport. The girls are younger and hipper now, in stark contrast to the Russ Meyers-infl uenced trailer park whiskey moms that skated on the blurry black-and-white TVs of the ‘70s. The San Diego Derby Dolls is a league comprising four teams: The Rollers, The Swarm, The Wildfi res, and the Hard Corps. The girls go by stage names charged full of innuendo, such as “The Ballistic Bomber,” “Cherrylicous,” “Injurina Jolie,” and “Ryder Hard.” These teams play against the teams of their sister league, the Los Angeles Derby Dolls, as well as separate leagues from Kansas City, Arizona and Reno.

See FLETCHER page 12

Local music star Vanja James

creates a buzz.Page 8

By Vince Meehan Veterans from national organization The Mission

Continues descended upon the San Diego River Garden Park in Mission Valley to help the San Diego River Park Foundation clean up the riverbed. The Mission Continues is a group of young vets who are committed to give back to the community even after they have left the service. All branches of the military were represented at the clean-up, which was also sponsored by Wells Fargo and Carl’s Jr.

The event was coordinated by Malerie Rushe, the only civilian member of The Mission Continues. She said she was drawn to the project because she wanted to honor her grandfather, a WWII vet, with her volun-teer work. Amy Savickey Injainan, a communications consultant for Wells Fargo, spoke to Mission Valley News about its involvement in the event. Said Injainan: “We’ve provided 40 Wells Fargo volunteers including myself to work for four hours cleaning the riverbed. That equals 160 hours of service honoring our 160

A Word with Nathan Fletcherby Vince Meehan

California State Assembly Member and San Diego Mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher shook up the polit-ical world recently by leaving the Republican party to become an independent. As soon as this was made offi cial, political insiders began speculating as to the real motive behind this defection. Fletcher has openly stated that he doesn’t want to “play games” anymore, and wants to move San Diego forward for all people as mayor. Mission Valley News spoke to Nathan Fletcher at his consultant’s offi ce downtown to get to the bottom of his controversial move.

Mission Valley News fi rst spoke to Fletcher about the campaign’s progress since he made his decision to become an independent. He said he was surprised and pleased with the momentum and energy that has been injected into his campaign. He also noted that with Bonnie Dumanis no longer a viable candidate, the race has come down to a three-man race. “We have Filner on the left, DeMaio on the right, and me in the middle. That’s pretty much what I expected,” said Fletcher.

Fletcher added that he underestimated the magni-tude of support he would get for his defection, and is overwhelmed at the amount of positive feedback that San Diegans have expressed towards him. Mission Valley

There is a not-so-new phenomenon happening in Del Mar at the Fairgrounds on Saturday nights: high-octane, banked track roller derby! -by Elle Winsett

See DERBY DOLLS, page 6

See VETS, page 11

"The Mission Continues" is a group of vets who continue to serve.

Fluffy shows off his medals at

Freedom Station.Page 3

There is a not-so-new phenomenon happening in Del Mar at the Fairgrounds on

the RollerGRRRLS

Vets Help Clean Up Mission Valley

Nathan Fletcher

By Vince Meehan

Continues descended upon the San Diego River Garden Park in Mission Valley to help the San Diego River Park Foundation clean up the riverbed. The Mission Continues is a group of young vets who are committed to give back to the community even after they have left the service. All branches of the military were represented at the clean-up, which was also sponsored by Wells Fargo and Carl’s Jr.

"The Mission Continues" is a group of vets who

Vets Help Clean Up Mission ValleyVets Help Clean Up Mission Valley

May 11, 2012 On the Internet at www.MissionValleyNews.com Volume VI – Number 5

Remember...

(right to left) LJ McElroy-US Army, Matt Gonzalez-USMC, Lisa Prahl-USN, Jasper Or-USMC, Malerie Rishe, Rick Sales - USMC, Joe Rosner-USMC

The Avengers hits the screen

with a blast!Page 2

Page 2 MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012

“And there came a day, a day unlike any other... when Earth’s might-iest heroes found themselves united against a common threat... to � ght the foes no single superhero could with-stand... on that day, The Avengers were born.” –Nick Fury

The Avengers was one of the most anticipated fi lms of the year—and there’s no doubt as to why. It has been called the ultimate crossover of crossover movies, where each of the individual heroes from the saga—Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and The Hulk (Mark Ruff alo) come together and join forces with two master assassins working for S.H.I.E.L.D. , Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) to not only save the world, but avenge it.

The foe is not a force to be reckoned with, either. Loki (Tom Hiddleston), brother of Thor, has entered the realm of Earth with “a glorious burden.” His craving for power, attention, and superiority is insatiable, and he will stop at nothing to gain his victory. Director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) of S.H.I.E.L.D. quickly puts his plan to action after the portal is opened with a dangerous energy source that has fallen into their hands. He calls upon heroes, each reluctant in their own right, to step forward and fi ght the battle to protect the world of humans. But this is not an easy task, for egos clash and bitter words are exchanged, which can only be expected in a room fi lled with heroes and leaders who are unwilling to bend for the common good . The fi ne line between enemy and ally is blurred as they struggle to discover the true enemy before it’s too late.

The Avengers has more than proved to be more than an incred-ible, action-packed blockbuster; it also shows much promise for this summer’s big movies to come. The entire fi lm is saturated with breath-taking action sequences and adren-

Viv

ON FILM

Black Widow

See VIV, page 14

THE AVENGERSby Vivian Nguyen

HOSTS MEMORIAL DAY PANCAKE BREAKFASTKensington Community Church opens its doors to feed

neighbors a hearty breakfast before the annual Kensington Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28, 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at 4773 Marlborough Drive, San Diego, CA 92116. The annual Kensington Memorial Day Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy pancakes, bacon, eggs and all the fi xin’s for just $5 per adult and $3 per child. A longtime tradition, the well-attended parade features classic automobiles and colorful fl oats representing local schools and community groups of all kinds.

www.kensingtonucc.com.

24th Annual LSU ALUMNI Crawdaddy Boil

Mission Valley FirmRosner Brown Touchstone & Kellergolfs for Wounded WarriorsDark and cloudy skies did not deter golfers from playing to benefi t the Wounded Warriors at the Sea 'N Air Golf Course on NAS North Island April 26. Golfers competed for prizes and awards all to help promote a great cause. RBT&K raised over $13,000 to benefi t the Wounded Warriors and Bayside Community Center. The tourna-ment welcomed over 100 golfers and also served as a chance to bring together the many friends and clients of RBTK to help cele-

brate 30 years in business. At the awards ceremony hosted by ex-Charger Jim Allison, attendees participated in a silent and

live auction with many exciting items available including vacations to Cabo San Lucas and Pebble Beach and an auto-graphed helmet from Lance Alworth. Additionally, golfers enjoyed not-to-be-missed scenic views of Coronado’s beau-

tiful beaches at Sea ‘N Air Golf Course.

Extended Stay unveiled its newly remodeled rooms by hosting an open house at its Mission Valley Stadium location. Tours of the hotel and rooms were given to guests along with food provided by Sushi Ninjas mobile sushi truck. (pictured above) Sushi Ninja's Jim Kim, Extended Stay's regional director of operations Simon Mendy and Sushi Ninja's Sean Kim.

Comes to Mission Valley May 27Alumni from Louisiana State University descend on Mission Valley for their annual craw-

fi sh boil Sunday, May 27 at the Chargers’ practice fi eld. The tasty crustaceans are fl own in fresh from Lafayette, La. to San Diego, where the largest number of LSU alumni

reside this side o' the Mississippi. In fact, this year they expect 3,600 alumni, which will be a world record for a crawfi sh boil. The largest boil to date, according to the

Guinness Book of World Records, stands at 400, so the record will be shattered by these crawdad chompin' Cajuns!

San Diego’s colorful Little Italy neighborhood is setting the stage for all things Sicilian. San Diego’s Sicilian American community invites everyone to “Eat, Drink & Be Sicilian” for a day as part of the 19th annual Sicilian Festival celebration in Little Italy on Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The highly popular free family event features authentic Sicilian food and entertainment, surrounded by the colorful ambiance of the Little Italy neighborhood, located within walking distance of the beautiful San Diego harbor and within minutes of San Diego’s down-town district. www.SicilianFestival.org

San Diego’s colorful Little Italy neighborhood is setting the stage for all things Sicilian. San Diego’s Sicilian American community invites everyone to “Eat, Drink & Be Sicilian” for a day as part of the 19th annual Sicilian Festival celebration in Little Italy on Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The highly popular free family event features authentic Sicilian food and entertainment, surrounded by the colorful ambiance of the

Sicilian Festival in Little Italy

Kensington Community Church

MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012 Page 3

Taking It To The Street! Dear Ask the Cop:My neighbor is very inconsiderate. He parks his RV,

boat and cars on the street around and in front of my house. They seem to never move. What can be done? How do we get this problem solved?

Concerned Resident

Dear Concerned Resident,Without a doubt, this issue is the most frequently

raised to my offi ce and to representatives of elected offi cials, parking enforcement and code compliance. One inconsiderate neighbor can turn the quality of life

from tranquil to campground in a hurry. You have several options when this behavior is noted. The law within the City of San Diego allows persons to park vehicles and trailers (some bearing vessels) on public streets for 72 continuous hours. Every 72 hours, the vehicle needs to be moved 1/10th of a mile. The vehicle can return and park in the exact same spot after that 1/10th of a mile and the clock starts anew.

The diffi culty in dealing with this scenario is that while parking several vehicles on the block may aff ect neighbors, it is not in violation of the law. The law makes no exemption for RVs, trailers or boats. An oversize vehicle ordinance which would restrict de facto storage

Recreational Vehicle or Eyesore?

See COP, page 5

Editorial

NATHAN FLETCHER FOR MAYOR

Building a great City takes the leadership of people willing to take risks and make tough choices. Leading a great City takes people who compromise. Being Mayor of a great City takes someone who can do both. The next Mayor must be a leader who has a plan for the future, is strong enough to risk making tough choices, and compro-mise and for the greater good. We believe that person is Nathan Fletcher.

Termed-out Mayor Jerry Sanders has done an outstanding job of righting the sinking ship he inher-ited. Our next Mayor has the opportunity to build on Sanders’ legacy which includes a restructured and lean City budget, ready for the next wave of reinvestment in our neighborhoods.

On June 5, 2012, voters will decide their top choices to be San Diego’s next Mayor. Absentee ballots are already in the mail so many votes will be cast even sooner.

Although the contest is supposed to be non-partisan (no party affi liations will be listed on the ballot), there are real choices in San Diego’s Mayoral race. The four major candidates are: Democrat Congressman Bob Filner; San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, a Repub-lican; San Diego City Councilmember Carl DeMaio, also a Republican; and California Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher, an Independent.

Congressman Bob Filner is tenacious but not someone known for diplomacy. Despite the non-partisan offi ce, Filner is the only Democrat in the race which may land him in the November runoff based on voter registration alone. The question is how would a Mayor Filner lead San Diego? Will he propel the City forward or hold the City back? Filner’s management style does not match our hope for the future: selfl ess leadership and compromise.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is a fi ne person of great character. She has had a respectable career in law enforcement as a former Superior Court Judge rising to be one of San Diego’s most eff ective District Attorneys. While she touts her executive leadership as the reason she should be the next Mayor, Dumanis is weak on public policy and we believe she serves San Diego best as the District Attorney.

Councilmember Carl DeMaio has been laser focused on pension issues and his government privatization

See EDITORIAL page 5See GAME ON page 11

Modern-day Angel of Mercy Sandy Lehmkuhler runs Freedom Station, and personally sees to it that no vet gets left behind.

by Vince Meehan

N estled in a quaint community bordering Balboa Park sits Freedom Station, a part of the Warrior Foundation that strives to take care of wounded soldiers returning from overseas. It is a collec-tion of one-story cottages, a very common sight in neighborhoods that were built in the ‘30s.

The bright yellow units face each other over a courtyard dominated by a very military looking fl agpole sitting right smack in the middle. The place looks very MCRD, which is apropos given its residents are all ex-marines or navy corpsmen.

Founder and President Sandy Lehmkuhler runs the new prototype housing project. The purpose of Freedom Station is to ensure wounded veterans returning home from war do not get lost in the shuffle after they are discharged. These veterans have to adjust to new challenges they face after losing limbs or needing a wheelchair. Lehmkuhler is also a volunteer who spends a lot of time at Balboa Navy Hospital. OK, it’s officially known as Naval Medical Center San Diego now, but as Lehmkuhler puts it, “If you ask some-body to take you there, nobody will know where you’re talking about!”

As a volunteer, she saw fi rsthand some of the diffi culties wounded veterans faced. “These soldiers are proud and disciplined. They are trained not to complain or ask for help,” she said. “But I saw them struggling and I wanted to help.” Along the way, she met a marine who implored her daily to ask the wounded what they needed, and see if she could get it for them. “I know these guys,” said the marine. “They say they are OK, but they are hurting. The hospital tries to supply what they can, but they are stretched thin.”

FREEDOM STATION

See FREEDOM page 10

Tony Perez is a golf enthusiast with a passion for helping vets. He has combined these two parts of his life to create Operation: Game On. Operation: Game On is a program that uses golf to help rehabilitate wounded veterans coming back from deployment with life-changing injuries. Perez seeks out wounded vets at places like the Naval Medical Center San Diego (formerly Balboa Hospital) and teams up the wounded warriors with golf pros who have volunteered their help. Perez is the father of PGA tour professional Pat Perez, and both use their golf connections to make Operation: Game On a success. So far, 180 vets have enlisted in the eight-week program held at the National University Golf

operation: game on

Tony Perez and Operation: Game On participantGunnery Sgt. Brian Myer, USMC

Page 4 MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012

The Addams Family features an original story and it's every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the

ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren't upsetting enough, she

confi des in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents.

Local Company Goes ViralLa Jolla resident Mark Van Buskirk has launched a new website directed at soldiers

and fi rst responders such as police, fi refi ghters and EMTs called GovX.com. This site provides exclusive discounts on all sorts of sports gear from eyeglasses to boots. This is Van Buskirk's way of thanking the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday as part of their careers. Mark started the company with Tony Farwell, his long time buddy who went to La Jolla High with him. His wife Shannon is in charge of social media which drives the profi le of this internet company.

Van Buskirk got the experience necessary to start his company as a distributor for Oakley Eyewear where he says he went to just about every military base in America as part of his job. He spent 25 years as the head of military accounts and then decided to start his own company. Van Buskirk contacts various sportswear companies and asks them to provide some of their gear at a special discount and has gotten a great response from the vendors. "The companies have been fantastic, once they hear who we are catering to, they get on board immediately, " says Van Buskirk. "I started out with 8 brands in August of last year, and now am up to 50!"

The focus of the site is to reward the soldiers and fi rst responders for their service and the company motto is "Life After Work" which encourages the servicemen to play as hard as they work. GovX.com has also solidifi ed an exclusive deal with the video game "Medal of Honor" which has created a limited edition military version distributed only by GovX. Proceeds from those sales go to the Navy Seal Foundation.

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Free Drug Test Kits Distributed in Mission ValleynotMYkid.org, in partnership with Rural/Metro Ambulance and First Check

distributed free home drug testing kits as well as information on teen drug prevention to parents at their Mission Valley offi ce in advance of “National Get High Day” (4/20 - April 20th - get it?) Drug test kits donated by First Check. The idea was to help kids avoid peer pressure situations by empowering them to

say “I can’t, my parents might drug test me.”Founded in 2000 by Debbie and Steve Moak to share their family’s experi-

ence with teen addiction, notMYkid is a Phoenix-based national non-profi t dedi-cated to inspiring positive life choices by educating individuals and communities about the consequences of destructive youth behaviors such as substance abuse, eating disorders, binge drinking, bullying, depression and internet safety. In an eff ort to promote prevention messages, notMYkid increases awareness of the chal-lenges kids face, provides information and off ers resources to support the success

of students, families and educators. For more information visit www.notMYkid.org.(photo) Rural/Metro Ambulance HR coordinator Angela Randolph displays the drug test.

LABOR UNION BLASTS SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Lorena Gonzalez of the San Diego and Imperial Counties held a press conference at their Mission Valley headquarters where she unveiled a large report card which scored the San Diego City Council members on their support of working families in San Diego. The council members were graded on their voting record for key items that were endorsed by the Labor Council as being benefi cial for San Diego working families. Gonzalez stated that most of the councilmem-bers failed miserably in supporting working families, instead voting to support big business owners and special interests.

Gonzalez said that this City Council has a history of ignoring their constituents in favor of siding with downtown developers and their cronies. Gonzalez said that if the current council members are not willing to serve the voters, then they should step down and let somebody else do it. She was also disappointed with several council members who got elected through union support, but then abandoned them once they got elected. Due to this, the Labor Council will not be endorsing a candidate for District 1 or 3 this election.

Said Patrick Pierce of the Labor Union, “With the elections now looming before us, we felt it necessary to inform the voters as to how their council members voted.”

These are the grades based on yes votes for 27 separate issues that the San Diego City Council voted on. The letter grades are based on the percentage of yes votes on key issues as opposed to no votes or not being present to vote.

The GovX founders - CEO Mark Van Buskirk, Chief Operating Offi cer Shannon Van

Buskirk, and President Anthony Farwell.

GovXGovX

MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012 Page 5

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approach is the mantle he will carry to the Mayor’s offi ce. As chief executive, the Mayor does not have a vote on the City Council. It takes fi ve votes of the City Councilmembers to get anything done in the City. DeMaio has not proven himself to be a team player, unable to build coalitions with his colleagues at City Hall. We don’t believe DeMaio has the skills necessary to cooperate and collaborate with other City leaders which are key to accomplishing the City’s goals.

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher represents the next generation of leadership. Fletcher recently retreated from the Republican Party because he was tired of the party politics which shunned him for working with Democrats to get things done. Fletch-er’s willingness to stand up to the political parties proves that he is the kind of leader who will take risks to make tough choices and who will work with anyone willing to compromise regardless of their affi liations. We believe strongly that Fletcher is the kind of leader San Diego needs as its next Mayor because he is willing to work with others to fi nd solutions to propel this great City into the future.

Politics in our nation, our state and at the local level have sunk to a point where many people who are elected serve at the whim of political party bosses and caucuses which dictate outcomes. Sadly, governing is less about good public policy and more about getting re-elected. Many lawmakers never read the legislation they vote on, and consequences for crossing party lines can result in banishment to a broom closet for an offi ce. Critical time is squandered on petty matters that do little to address crucial budget issues or our woefully inadequate public education system.

The City of San Diego has seen its share of political drama. Over the last decade we’ve faced an underfunded pension system, witnessed former City offi cials indicted and a Mayor resign. We know San Diego is better than petty politics or the divisiveness driven by far-right Republicans and left-wing Democrats.

San Diego is a remarkable place to live and we are lucky to call it home. Our City can be proud of signifi cant accomplishments thanks to forward looking leaders who took risks to make tough choices and compromised, placing our City ahead of politics and personalities. Notable examples include Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Mission Trails Park and of course major infrastructure that benefi ts our region including the Conven-tion Center, a revitalized downtown, PETCO Park, and many more. Not to mention, our world-class educational, research and cultural institutions. San Diego is also the back-bone of the largest naval base in the world. San Diegans have a lot to be thankful for.

It is time for San Diego to look to the future, reject the political party rhetoric and elect a leader with vision who will work with all San Diegans. That leader is Nathan Fletcher.

of these vehicles on city streets has been unsuccessful at passing the City Council process. So these are treated just as a personal sedan or car parked on the street.

Parking enforcement will take complaints for those vehicles parked for over the 72 hour limit. The proper reporting is online at the abandoned vehicle abatement webpage: http://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/units/traffi c/abandonedvehicle/72hr.shtml . You may enter up to three vehicles per submission online. The Vehicle Abatement unit will take these complaints and follow up with the help of parking enforcement, volun-teers and others to gain compliance from vehicle owners.

When this violation is enforced, typically a pink slip will be left on the vehicle saying a complaint has been made and we will mark the tires. We will return after three days to check the vehicle. If it hasn’t moved it can be cited or towed. If the vehicle’s tires have moved, and we cannot verify with an odometer that it moved less than 1/10th of a mile, it will not be cited and will be considered “in compliance.” It will be a closed complaint. The diffi culty, as you can imagine, is under the current framework, we have to be able to prove concretely that the vehicle has not moved 1/10th of a mile. On trailers, vehicles with digital odometers, etc… we cannot see how much it’s moved and if it has moved at all, the process must begin anew with another complaint.

Most often, the owners of RVs and trailers on city streets are well aware of the 72-hour rule and knowingly assert their right to park as they do. Legally, so long as they are moved every 72 hours, no laws are violated and no enforcement can occur. I fi nd a much more eff ective solution to be a neighborhood alliance, a signed letter from impacted neighbors and an appeal to the good senses of the vehicle owner. Often this direct confl ict can lead to a more positive relationship among all. Mediation is also an option and a request can be made by calling the National Confl ict Resolution Center at (619) 238-2400. Vehicle habitation on a City street, living in a vehicle or vessel while parked is illegal. Please report this via the non emergency number of (619) 531-2000.

Sincerely,O� cer Edward Zwibel - SDPD Community Relations O� cerTo submit your questions, please email AskTheCop@MissionValleyNews.com

O� cer Edward Zwibel is the Community Relations O� cer of the Eastern Division which serves the neighborhoods of Allied Gardens, Birdland, College East, College West, Del Cerro, Grantville, Kearny Mesa, Lake Murray, Mission Valley East, Qualcomm, San Carlos, Serra Mesa and Tierrasanta. Eastern Division serves a population of 123,503 people and encompasses 44.2 square miles.

Cop, from page 3

Editorial, from page 3

Page 6 MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012

What sets the San Diego Derby Dolls apart from other Roller Derby events in San Diego is the custom banked track built by Derby Doll enthusiasts. This creates the fast action play that the dads in the audience remember from the Los Angeles T-Birds. This track has to be set up and taken down for each event – a mean feat in itself. As of now, it is a labor of love and nobody, including the players, gets paid. Quite the contrary, the girls pay dues to play; it’s similar to joining a gym except there’s a waiting list and every member of the Derby Dolls enthusiastically forks over the fee.

The main focus of these events is to get the sport some more attention, maybe even recognized as a professional gig. It has the intensity to be a televised sport, with rowdy and bruised skaters battling it out. The rules aren’t that hard to follow once you get the hang of it, but it doesn’t quite matter in the long run. The energy and enthusiasm of the girls alone is enough to get the audience riled and yelling for their favorite stars.

The San Diego Derby Dolls get ramped up and energized right before a game. Their pent-up nervous energy is evident on their faces as they pace the infield before the bout. But as the starting whistle approaches, that nervousness gives way to huge smiles as they charge around the track in thunder runs and plan out strategies with each other. It’s as if the weight of the entire work week has been lifted for this moment and blissfully forgotten. I had the opportunity to talk to a few of the girls before they went off to prepare for the bout and they’re all just as interesting as the sport they play.

I first talked with Injurina Jolie who gratefully told me how she gained an interest in roller derby. “I got into that movie, ‘Whip It,’ with Ellen Page, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s cool,’” said Jolie. She soon researched her options, immediately found out about the San Diego Derby Dolls, and the rest was history. But it wasn’t that simple, of course. What are the requirements for being a derby girl? “Some girls don’t even know how to skate,” she informed me, going on to describe a roller derby “boot camp.” “It’s a lot of balance training and learning how to fall.”

The girls are taught early on how to fall forward instead of back, limiting the possi-bility of head and back injuries. Eventually, after some hard work at boot camp, skaters who show the most promise are picked up by one of the four teams. Some of the better girls actually play on several teams.

Extensive training and professionalism doesn’t limit the risk of injury completely. I was curious to know just how much happened out there when it came to the “full contact” aspect of the game. “We have a lot of broken fingers and hands. Two girls broke their legs just this year,” said Jolie. Despite the gravity of the possibility of broken bones, Jolie still makes roller derby sound like so much fun. This was her first bout so her enthu-siasm was infectious. “Picking our names is a lot of fun, and most of that happens when we’re drinking and talking. My name is a creative way to stay clean. I wanted a name that my kids could shout. A lot of the girls have kind of dirty names,” she noted. Jolie is not only a mom, but also a mural painter. As it turns out, the Derby Dolls have quite the range in age and occupation. One of them is even a cupcake expert. The more girls I talked to, the more I realized that all of them are extremely talented both on – and off – the track.

Issabel Ringer, general manager of the San Diego Derby Dolls, tells me the league was created in 2005 by Bonnie Destroyer, a skater for the Los Angeles Derby Dolls. She lived in Oceanside and decided to start a sister league down here rather than drive up to Los Angeles all the time. Ringer says that, while the L.A. league is very popular with the hipster subculture, the San Diego league is more family oriented. Indeed, the girls are constantly signing autographs for packs of 6- and 7-year-old fans. Ringer is a very hands-on GM, and constantly runs back and forth in her clingy neon green cocktail dress and white heels. She shows up hours before the bout, and then mans the door, passing out information about the next bout to fans leaving after the event. Her hope is to take this sport to the next level sometime soon. One thing’s for sure: She definitely has the energy to do it.

Rawkhell S. Bells, a graphic designer, pointed out the logo she had made for her team the “Hard Corps.” This logo is featured on the jerseys they skate in. The Derby Dolls enlist sponsors, such as AKO, to design and provide the teams outfits. Judging by the players I met, the majority of the team is surprisingly artistic. Bells does a lot of artwork for bands and said designing her team’s logo design was very rewarding. Even one of the blockers, Buster Teethin, has a penchant for gourd sculpting outside of her job as an

administrative assistant. Hmmm…maybe there’s room for one more artistic soul on the team? After all, there are plenty of other girls on the team that are my size and fierce.

During the bout, I quickly realized that maybe this wasn’t for me. Roller derby really is a full on contact sport. The Juvenile Dollinquents (a junior team ranging from 7-17) were fun to watch before the Hard Corps bout started, but even seeing them fall into each other made me cringe. Once the Hard Corps started their first jam, I decided being a spectator would be much more my style. Jolie described roller derby as a fantastic spectator sport – a show where music and announcers really juice up the action. Even so, there weren’t any hard feelings on the track. The girls from the Salt City Shakers were friendly with the Hard Corps players, even chatting before jams. The friendliest player on the track, “M.F. On Wheels,” was also the best player, slicing past blockers as if they

were just jogging beside her. You have to remind yourself that this

is just a hobby for the majority of the girls. There is a sense of true sportsmanship and friendly competition. In the end, the Hard Corps won 195 to 116. As with most profes-sional sports, the bout ended with players from both teams congratulating each other off the track. At the end of the bout, the fans charge the rink and pound the mat with their hands as the girl skate as a team and low-five the Derby Doll enthusiasts. I may be too hesitant to be a derby girl, but the hearty spirit of the game makes becoming a regular fan a sure thing.

Derby Dolls, from page 1

(clockwise from top) The San Diego Rollers pose for a group shot. • Jammer extraordinaire Bam Bam McGee models the San Diego Rollers outfit provided by AKO. • The LA Fight Crew come to Diego wearing their battle-red. • The U.S. Navy provided the color guard for the bout. Left to right are: Allison Adamos, Phillipp Storch, Craig Hollensbe, Nick Lipperd, and Kristopher Obellos. • Rawkhell's Hard Corp logo • The Balistic Bomber and Hellphaba are two of the Rollers newest stars. • Outside, the line of fans snakes around the building as they wait to get in.

San Diego Derby DollsThe best way to describe scoring in Roller Derby is to image a football running-back trying to bust through the line to score a touchdown. But now picture both teams on the same side of the line trying to stop the opponents running back while simultaneously blocking for their own. Put all this on skates and you have one hell of an exciting sport! General Manager Isabelle Ringer (right) is the heartbeat of the San Diego Derby Dolls, while Rollers co-captain Kina Wahine shows of her Hawaiian heritage wwwsd.derbydolls.com

MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012 Page 7

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Page 8 MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012

WHAT'S UP

By Elle WinsettWHO'S HOT AND COMING TO TOWN?HOUSE OF BLUESMay 20 - Starkid Apocalyptour Original songs and performances from the gang who brought A Very Potter Musical to the internet! May 22 - Imelda May An Irish musician who dabbles in Billie Holiday style blues, jazz, and rockabilly. Also, she’s gorgeous. June 8 - The Maine Pop punk/rock that can be reminiscent of Good Charloote.

ANTHOLOGYMay 18 - Joan Osborne Good old fashioned country rock and Loretta Lynn style blues. May 27 - George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic 70s funk nostalgia with one of the innovators of the genres itself.

SOMAMay 11 - The Supervillains Four piece reggae band. Check out The Expendables later in May if you like

The Supervillains. May 15 - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Post-hardcore emo punk from Florida. Very All American Rejects meets Fall Out Boy.

BELLY UP TAVERNMay 16 - Dum Dum Girls An all girls punk/noise pop band. If you like Deer-hoof, you’ll like the Dum Dum Girls! May 19 - The Dandy Warhols Neo-psychedlia rock that has been around since the 90s. May 22 - An Evening With Hugh Laurie Did you know that Dr. House is also a jazz singer? May 24- The Expendables Reggae surf rock. See them perform songs from their new acoustic album. June 3 - Mogwai Scottish post-rock band formed in the mid-90s. If you like Sonic Youth, you’ll like Mogwai.

THE CASBAHMay 9 - The Wombats Great post punk indie band from England... where all of the best music comes from these days, obviously. May 13 - Delta Spirit Band from right here in San Diego that combines Americana with soul and indie rock. Unique and even spiritually charged. May 18 - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Indie rock band... not to be confused with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. May 24 - The Growlers Unique music described as ‘beach goth’ with sounds rooted in 60s psychedlia.May 30 - Horse Feathers Indie folk band from the capitol of indie folk(Portland, Oregon). If you like Fleet Foxes, you’ll like Horse Feathers!

ANTHOLOGYMay 18 - Joan Osbornefashioned country rock and Loretta Lynn style blues. Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic70s funk nostalgia with one of the innovators of the genres itself.

SOMAMay 11 - The Supervillainspiece reggae band. Check out The Expendables later in May if you like

Imelda May

JoanOsbourne

Dum Dum Girls

The fi rst time I saw Vanja James she was standing solo on the dimly lit Casbah

stage. That cave of a room enveloped the petite girl-rocker wearing bright pink tights. Wielding an impressive guitar, James’ look displayed an endearing vulnerability that contrasted starkly with her powerful music. On stage, she is capable of blasting out fast-paced, guitar-heavy rock that manages to complement her strong vocal abili-ties without over-powering them. James' appeal is complimented by her witty banter between the hard-hitting songs.

During her weekly Wednesday night resi-dency at Bar Eleven, Vanja James tries out new tunes, polishes others, and rewards fans with favorites. In addition to thoughtful song-writing, she has been careful to surround herself with talented musicians who add rich instrumental textures to her sound. Drummer Haley Allen, of local band Black Market III, is an up-and-comer who has balanced James’ recent performances with energetic beats and striking solos. “Thrill Less Nights” highlights the sexy songstress’ impeccable vocal range and delivers well-rounded guitar and bass licks. “Beautiful Mess,” is an older song, that is a tender departure from other tunes, but is equally potent with its heartfelt delivery.

In addition to her energetic live shows James is excitedly working on her forth-coming album, one she has been waiting years to make. “I wanted to wait to learn as much as possible about the industry and touring before I made the album of my dreams,” the singer explains. “And the planets fi nally aligned and the right people have crossed my path and it’s fi nally happening.”

You can catch Vanja James at a new downtown music venue, The Propagandist in June. And keep up-to-date on the album release, upcoming shows, and even donate money to help fund recordings at www.VanjaJames.com.

Jen Van Tieghem is a sta� writer who spends her time dancing like a fool while covering the San Diego music scene in all its glory on SoundsInSanDiego.com.

TT

Local Music Local Love with Jen Van Tieghem

Vanja James

MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012 Page 9

• lncludes Mashed Potatoes, Veggies & Dinner Roll

Haunted Old TownIt is only logical that the oldest

part of San Diego would be home to undead apparitions, and there are tours for the curious who believe in ghosts. The Whaley House is ground zero for a slew of phantasms that haunt the old courthouse for various reasons, and the graveyard is of course a magnet for rest-less spirits. The Cosmopolitan Hotel has a room well known for it's unnatural events and has been featured on various ghost hunting reality shows. Old Town

State Park ToursPark aides lead these informative

and friendly tours. No reservations neces-sary; just show up at the Old Town visitor’s center at the Robinson Rose building on the plaza. Tours are free. This is a service provided by the State of California. For reservations 619-220-5422

Old TownSaturday MarketSan Diego's largest weekly artisan market featuring handmade works from local artisans. The market includes such items as jewelry, photography, pottery, clothing, paintings, hand painted glass, glass blowing, woodworking's and more. There is always live music and it is abso-lutely free. The market hours are 9 am - 4 pm.

Little Shop of HorrorsHorror and Hilarity pervade in this smash musical-comedy as a human-hungry plant from outerspace seduces a hapless florist-shop worker to provide it fresh, meaty meals in exchange for fame, fortune and love. This show has been extended through Oct 2. Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs Street, San Diego For more information call the Old Town Theatre Box Office at (619) 337-1525 or visit their web site at www.cygnettheatre.com.

For more informationand updates on Old Town events

go to:www.oldtownsandiego.org

Page 10 MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012

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At the hospital, Lehmkuhler would ask various soldiers what they needed, but always got a “nothing ma’am” in response. This did not surprise her because she grew up in a military family and knew the psychology of soldiers. But she knew better and fi nally cornered a few marines in an elevator. She hit the stop button and explained to them that they were not going anywhere until they told her what they needed. Lehmkuhler told them, “I am not your [commanding offi cer], and I will not tell anybody. I just want to help you young men get what you need.” The marines agreed and a fl ood of requests came, including many small requests she didn’t see coming. Things like water-proof electric razors and certain food items. Being handicapped creates needs that are not apparent to the rest of us.

This success inspired Lehmkuhler to come up with the concept of Freedom Station. “The Marines take very good care to fi x up the wounded vets. But in that time, they are still housed in the barracks, which are not designed for handicapped people,” said Lehmkuhler. “In addition, once they are discharged, there is a gap before the soldiers begin receiving VA benefi ts which can take months. In this time, a vet can fall victim to pain-killing drug dependency, alcohol, or end up homeless. This station provides a safe haven where a vet can rehabilitate without worrying about where he is going to live. We help transition them out of the military while they still have a military paycheck. This creates a smooth buff er-zone between military and VA care.”

Freedom Station serves as a sort of proving ground where handicapped vets fi rst encounter the diffi culties they will face. Their living quarters are adapted to meet these needs. This will help them make an appropriate choice of housing once they move on. Lehmkuhler said being housed with fellow vets creates a support group where neighbors can relate to the stresses that each of them go through. “There is a very ‘Semper Fi’ attitude here. These guys want to learn how to cope, then, move on so another soldier in need can get the help. The usual stay here is fi ve or six months,” Lehmkuhler said.

Freedom Station was acquired last November and one of the fi rst residents was Gunnery Sgt. Juan Cano. He met Lehmkuhler at the hospital and she convinced him to stay at the Station. With the help of a bunch of volunteer contractors dubbed the “East County Posse,” Cano, Lehmkuhler and the posse helped refi t the cottages and make them safe for the vets. Help with the project came from all over. Furniture for Freedom Station was donated by Mor Furniture through the help of KFMB. BB&T Insurance donated new washers and dryers

suitable for the handicapped warriors. The contractors adapted and adjusted the rooms for the special needs of the vets. Lots of improvising and custom cutting was done to accommodate the vets. It was all a very rewarding learning experience for all. Everything went smoothly, and, ironically, the only setbacks came from obstructionist tactics by the city in the form of diffi -cult code enforcement personnel and an overzealous parking enforcement offi cer. The vets swear the parking enforcement offi cer was actually targeting plates with Purple Heart emblems on them, raising their hackles. As for the code enforcement czar, luckily the East Coast Posse had lots of experience with this type of thing and was able to convince him to back off .

The Station’s proximity to the hospital makes therapy more convenient and the neighborhood has welcomed the vets with open arms. Lehmkuhler noted at the end of the day, the vets would gather around a fi re in the courtyard to discuss the events and compare notes. This was a tradition brought back from the war in which it served to decompress the men after combat. Nobody planned this out, it just happened organically, said Lehmkuhler.

Cano has now taken an active role in helping the new resi-dent vets transition to civilian life. He said Freedom Station allevi-ates the stress of fi nding housing as well as planning for a new career. “The soldiers here pay rent, but if they do not have the funds, we take care of that,” Cano said. “The fact that you do not have to worry about becoming homeless is priceless.” Cano has been active in philanthropy for years, both with his church and with food for homeless programs.

For Cano, his role in Freedom Station is part of a healing process as well. He used to be an offi cer of the Chicago Police Department before he was wounded, and adds that the idea of leaving the career he loved was enormously hard. But every-body at Freedom Station is going through the same thing, so he’s glad he can help. “This was a natural transition for me,” he said. “I want to give back to Sandy for what she’s done for me. Sandy is an enormous part of the success of Freedom Station. Her biggest attribute is that she gets things done. No matter what she sets her mind to, she gets it done and doesn’t take no for an answer. Without her, none of this would be possible and all these guys would not have been helped, that includes me. Here at Freedom Station, we are giving the vets a hand up, not a hand out. The guys respond well to this, and then they learn how to live and move on. Freedom Station eliminates the gap between military care and VA care that used to swallow up good guys in the past. I couldn't be happier to help!”

Freedom, from page 3

Front Row left to right: Colton Sudberry, Marco Sessa, Alan Grant, Tom Sudberry, Mayor Jerry Sanders, Lori Zapf, Carl DeMaio, Jim Madaffer, Toni Atkins, Mark Radelow (Sudberry) Back Row left to right: Naomi Grant Hartley, Ken Grant, Mary Grant, Ron Grant, Pat Grant, Matt Croft (Sudberry)

CIRCA 37 OPENS IN MISSION VALLEYIt's been 13 years in the making, but the Circa 37

section of the Civita housing complex is fi nally open. Sudberry Properties threw a lavish house warming party of sorts as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. The event was attended by dignitaries such as Mayor Sanders and several city council members both past and present. Also in attendance were several members of the Grant family who donated the land for the Civita project. The Circa 37 complex is the rental apart-ments wing of Civita which also includes townhomes and lofthomes. Circa 37 features a large pool area complete

with Vegas-style cabanas. Once completed, the Civita housing project will be a one-of-a-kind living experience specifi cally designed to maximize energy effi ciency as well as creating a unique urban living environment. Civita will be designed into the back hill of Mission Valley and will feature a sloping park right down the middle as well as its own business complex. Sudberry's Marco Sensa, who is their Sr. Vice President in land development/residen-tial delivered a moving speech thanking members of the Grant family for their donation and expressing his distinct pleasure in seeing the plan come to reality.

(top to bottom) Sandy Lehmkuhler and Gunnery Sgt. Juan Cano in front of the fl ag pole he installed. • Resident Josey Varon and his dog Fluffy. • A typical room at Station Freedom. -All photos by Vince Meehan

MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012 Page 11

Academy located near Torrey Pines Golf Course. The director of instruction at the National University Golf Academy, Ted Norby, has also been instrumental in making Operation: Game On a positive step in rehabilitating wounded vets.

Perez recently held a benefi t at the Flying Elephant Bar and Grill in Carlsbad to raise funds for the program. This included a raffl e, as well as a live performance by the band Missiles of October.

Bar owners Dave and Molly Anson donated their time as well as staff to help out in the fundraiser. Perez says the program is in its second year of operation, and he couldn’t be happier with the results. “The thing that makes this opera-tion so special is that we involve the whole family in the reha-bilitation process,” says Perez. “That way nobody feels left out. Often times, the wives are suff ering just as much as the men are, and having the married couples play golf together creates a sense of mutual healing.”

There is even a program – “WOW” (Wives of Warriors) – designed especially for the wives that provides eight-week lessons as well through the Del Mar Golf Center. Taylor Made Golf provides all the equipment necessary to learn the

game and get one-on-one time with former LPGA Tour players Michelle Mackall and Lori West. The vets are very happy about this opportunity and the wives are very excited to learn, experience and  enjoy the game of golf with their husbands for many years to come.

Perez says the golf pros have been outstanding at helping the wounded vets cope with the loss of arms, legs, or fi ngers. In many cases, these losses can make the act of playing golf quite diffi cult.

But the pros take the time to improvise and come up with creative solutions to remedy any handicap, according to Perez. Indeed, some of the vets are regularly scoring better than their wives, which creates a healthy rivalry and instills a sense of pride.

“Getting out there on the golf course and focusing on the game really gives these guys a chance to cope with their injuries in a positive way and blow off some steam,” says Perez. “These guys really respond greatly to the program. It really makes me feel proud to see the bravery and resilience of these fi ne young men. It’s truly inspirational and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

GameOn, from page 3

years of being in business. We’ve also donated $160,000 to charity, including $30,000 to Operation Homefront, and $30,000 to Father Joe.”

Carl’s Jr. provided lunch to the volunteers by way of its custom mobile hamburger truck. Richard Dhu, program manager of the San Diego River Park Foundation, was on hand to thank volunteers and deliver a quick pep talk before the clean-up began. The operation was a huge contribution to the River Park Foundation’s continuing eff ort to return the San Diego River to its original natural state.

(above) Brian Lee of Wells Fargo, Spencer Kympton of The Mission Continues, and Michael Harris of Carl's Jr. were on hand to lend support. (below left) Richard Dhu of the San Diego River Park Foundation rallies the troops. (below right) The Carl's Jr. mobile hamburger truck serves as the supply train for the vets. -photos by Vince Meehan

Vets, from page 1

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THE MISSION VALLEY PLANNING GROUP NEEDS CANDIDATES!

The MVPG Board represents the General Members of the Mission Valley Planning Group and is an all-volunteer group. Its primary purpose is to advise the City Council, Planning Commission and other governmental agencies as may be appro-priate in the initial preparation, adoption of, implementation of, or amendment to the general or community plan as it pertains to the area or areas of infl uence of Mission Valley. Currently Five Vacancies exist in the following classifi cations:

Class I: Property owner, who is an individual identifi ed as the sole or partial owner of record, or their designee, of a real property (either developed or undeveloped) within the commu-nity planning area. Term expires March 2016

Class II: Person (including residents or persons representing business entities) paying prop-erty taxes on any parcel of real property in the community planning area. Term expires March 2016

Class IV: Local business person (including persons representing business entities), who is a local business owner, operator or designee, with a business address in the community at which employees or operators of the business are located. Term expires March 2016The Group meets on the fi rst Wednesday of each month at Noon, in the Community Room of the Mission Valley Library at 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, CA 92108. Next meeting is WEDNESDAY April 4, 2012 and is open to the public.

Anyone interested being considered for election to fi ll a vacancy must be an eligible general member and have attended at least two (2) meetings of the Board’s last twelve (12) meetings. For further information, please contact Brittany Ruggels at (619) 204.9757 or brittany@klrplanning.com

Candidates must live, pay property taxes, or own a business within the MVPG boundaries. The natural valley walls serve as the North and South boundaries except for west of 163 where Friars Rd. serves as the Northern Boundary.

News asked Fletcher what he has heard from constituents as he campaigns across the city. “The people of San Diego have told me that they want a city that works, and a city that listens to the people as well,” Fletcher said. “They want to turn the page and move past the last 10 years of mismanagement and begin to rebuild.”

As for his choice to leave the Republican Party, Fletcher credits his experiences in Sacramento for leading him to that decision. “My fellow Republicans kept telling me that I didn’t know how to ‘play the game,’” he said. “But I didn’t want to play games, I want to serve.” This “game-playing” theme has become a strong bullet-point in Fletcher's TV ads, and Mission Valley News asked him to elaborate on this. “I’ve said that I don’t think a person’s sexual orientation has any eff ect on his or her job performance, and my fellow Republicans told me I was not allowed to say that. I don’t agree with that,” he said, adding that many politicians hold back on passing key laws so they can use them for reelection campaigns. He said that while trying to pass Chelsea’s Law, fellow Repub-licans tried to convince him to “squash it.” They wanted to keep it on the burner so they could campaign for it, while blaming Democrats for its failure to pass. Fletcher said a good law is a good law, and should be passed immediately, especially one so important for the safety of the voters.

As an independent, Fletcher will have to work with both business leaders on the right, and organized labor on the left, but he doesn’t see that as a problem. He said, “I’ve got a strong base of supporters from the business community, as well as labor and police unions. Plus, I’ve always considered the San Diego City Council as non-partisan to begin with, so I don’t foresee any diffi culties.” Fletcher said he intends to work with both sides by fi rst being honest, and second, respecting any diff erences of opinion while maintaining civility. Fletcher also said he has a great rapport with current city council members, especially Todd Gloria whose friendship goes “way back.”

One of the greatest challenges for San Diego’s future, and every other city in America for that matter, is job growth. Mission Valley News asked Fletcher what he intends to do to promote new growth. He said job growth can be encouraged by streamlining the permit process for building and small businesses, and by ramping up infrastructure and education. When asked if his newly established independence would allow him to entertain the idea of starting a new third party in America, Fletcher quickly shot down that idea. He said he has no desire to be a member of a third party, and would rather work with all sides as an independent.

If elected, Fletcher plans to hit the ground running. “People have told me that they are tired of the culture in City Hall, and I plan to change that,” he said. The last decade was awful, he said, but that decade has passed and San Diegans are eager to move on. He also intends to lead by example, and to serve the people who elected him. Fletcher fi nished up by saying, “It would be an honor and a privilege to serve as mayor for the greatest city in the world. I look forward to it.”

Fletcher, from page 1

Explore Mission TrailsOn Saturday, May 19, families are invited to learn more about those opportunities

through an annual celebration entitled: Explore Mission Trails Day. Young children will discover the joys of nature during themed trail walks and

hands-on activities at diff erent “Explore Stations,” free pony rides and up-close encoun-ters with raptors, reptiles and other live animals. Times vary but most events will take place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Older kids and adults will have a chance to try out high-tech hiking poles or rock climbing and experience a twilight hike.

Activities will take place in several diff erent areas of the diverse park, but will be focused mainly around the Visitor and Interpretive Center and the Equestrian Staging Area at SR52 and Mast Blvd. Shuttle service from various parking locations will be avail-able from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012 Page 13

Circulation: 15,000. Published 12 times in 2012 and delivered throughout our circulation area of Mission Valley, San Diego, California by Mission Publishing Group, LLC. Classifi ed 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 & Views assumes no fi nancial 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 & 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 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 considered to be reliable, but accuracy on information sent to the paper cannot be guaranteed. Articles and opin-ions 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. © 2007–2011, all rights reserved.

EDITORVince Meehanextension 134vinnie@MissionValleyNews.com

PUBLISHERMission Publishing Group, LLCJim Madafferextension 122jim@MissionTimesCourier.com

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTSLionel Talaro, ext. 128lionel@ScoopSanDiego.com

Maria Simencic, ext. 133maria@ScoopSanDiego.com

Tamar Wilson, ext. 139tamar@ScoopSanDiego.com

Garilee Gallegos, ext. 142garilee@ScoopSanDiego.com

Michelle Goldstein, ext. 143michelle@ScoopSanDiego.com

ART DIRECTORVince Meehan ext 134vinnie@MissionValleyNews.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSVivian Nguyen • Lauren Westerfield • Elle WinsettJen Van Tieghem • Gina Cord • Elizabeth Berg • Lisa CoxOfc Edward Zwibel • Dennis Hartmann • Luigi Vera

OUR NEXT ISSUE The next issue of the Mission Valley Newscomes out Friday, June 8th. The advertisingdeadline is Tuesday, May 29th.

ScoopSanDiego.com6549 Mission Gorge Road #199San Diego, CA 92120 • 619.283.9747

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MISSION VALLEY NEWS

PUBLISHERS OFMISSION TIMES COURIER

LA MESA COURIER

Greetings GOPThe most revealing news regarding Republican Party

operations is the anti-social platform in which remaining Republican Party civil servants are operating.

Are they getting this message?The Republican Party voting records from State legisla-

tures all the way to Federal Congressional District votes are as anti-social and asocial to American society as ever before. The GOP will dissolve and dismantle after the debacle of the Republican Party Convention this summer in Tampa, Florida.

Just in case the Republican Party general consensus is not picking up this message; pack your bags now, drop all general business now, and leave offi ce now. Your continued service to the nation is at an all time low because of your voting records, nothing else interests the American electorate.

Of course, the GOP does have an option; Darryl Issa of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has abdicated his role in government and is using his Committee to protect war crimes, fi nancial fraud, and a plethora of Republican Party malfeasance. Investigate and recommend prosecution of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and the Bush Administration Offi ce of Legal Council on charges already in the public domain, mainly conspiracy to defraud, massive domestic espionage, and obstruction of justice or, watch the GOP implode further into collapse to the detriment of American society.

Gary Witherspoon

No Child Left BehindWhen I think about my involvement in arts education

over the years, I remember the productions I’ve done with students in two categories: before No Child Left Behind and after No Child Left Behind.

Before this legislation, the non-profi t I worked with, then called City Moves!, was welcome with open arms when we would bring theatre projects into public schools. After this legislation, our invitation for a “free, standards-based program” was often declined because, as one teacher said, “No Child Left Behind means no child left untested.”

The truth is that art for art’s sake does not exist in Cali-fornia schools. The arts now conform to some fairly rigid state-wide standards. Since 2001, when the education bill was passed in this country, everyone who wanted a piece of the educational system’s pie talked about “standards-based arts education.” As a result, every other arts program that did not include these standards was dropped.

How many children were left behind during No Child? How many kids weren’t seen in a new, positive light by teachers who had pegged them as troublemakers? How many kids didn’t fi nd a reason to go to school and stay involved (at least on Tuesdays) because of their arts program? Too many to think about, is my guess.

Kevin Six, Former arts administrator and arts education advocate

Mission Valley Branch Library River Days Celebration: River Animals! Saturday, May 12, 10:00am Celebrate the San Diego River Park Founda-tion’s annual RIVER DAYS at the Mission Valley Library. Come meet LIVE river and wetland animals such as the alligator, turtle, toad, and more!

Shakespeare Society: A Celebration of the Student Shakespeare Festival Saturday, May 19, 12:30pm-2:00pm Featuring highlights from the April 28th Shakespeare Festival in Balboa Park. Come meet the winners of the Writing and Photog-raphy K-12 Contest. Part of our bi-monthly San Diego Shakespeare Society Speaking of Shake-speare Lecture Series.

Sumi-E and Japanese Classical Art Class Every Wednesday at 3:00pm-5:00pm Learn the Japanese style of ink and brush painting. Expand your appreciation of clas-sical Japanese art. Beginners are welcome. The instruction is geared for 55+. This class is being conducted by the San Diego Commu-nity College Continuing Education Center. For more information please call the Mid-City campus at 619-388-4500.

Yoga for Adults and Teens Every Tuesday at 6:00pm – 7:00pm Are you looking for a workout program that's easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? Then yoga is for you! Classes are free and open to teens (13+) and adults. (Adult and Teens)

Zumba Gold ! Every Friday at 1:30-2:30 Zumba Gold is a brand-new system that is for anyone, any age and any ability level. This program is designed for participants with very little experience exercise, individuals that have physical limitations or inactive older adult. A safe and eff ective total body workout... guaranteed. Exercise in a party atmosphere that is diff erent, fun, easy to follow along and extremely eff ective.

The Mission Valley Planning Group meets at the Mission Valley Library on the � rst 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 � rst. The meeting is held in the commu-nity room and is accessed from the outside patio on the North side of the building.

Readers Write

The Mission Valley News encourages comments from all our readers, this community newspaper serves as your voice as well as your source of local news. All letters may be edited for clarity and length. Send your comments to:letters@missionvalleynews.com

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Page 14 MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012

aline-rushing music, coupled with a hilarious and sharp script that pulls the entire movie together. Not only is the plot satisfying, but each scene after another leaves one clutching the arms of their chair, resisting the urge to stand up and fi st pump with a cry of geekish delight because everything is so –in one word—epic. Those who have not seen at least two or three of the movies from the saga may not be able to appre-ciate the movie in its entirety or may be confused at one point because each of the hero’s backgrounds are merely referenced to, but is not fl eshed out enough for a regular person who has not watched each of the fi lms to understand what the hero stands for. However, after viewing The Avengers, it is almost impossible to not want to rent the individual movies… after which, the urge to go see the movie again will be inevitable because it’s just that good.

But for those like me who live and breathe Marvel comics and the movie adapta-tions, this is one movie that is not going to disappoint you. It is everything a super-hero movie should be—badass, quirky, sexy, slightly cheesy, and absolutely, without a doubt, legendary.

All � lms are screened at UltarStar theatres at the Hazard Center in Mission Valley

GINA’SValley Views

By Gina Cord, founder of Mission Valley News

PREMIERE OF CIRCA 37 APARTMENTSThere was no red carpet and no klieg lights, but all the celebs were there at the

special invitation party for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Recreation Center of Sudberry Properties’ Circa 37 Apartments located in Mission Valley at the corner of Mission Center and Friar Roads. What an elegant party it was with most of the beau-tiful women and handsome men of San Diego in attendance together with Mayor Jerry Sanders, Lori Zapf, Carl DeMaio, Todd Gloria, your editor Vince Meehan and publisher Jim Madaff er, Sam Duran director of The Urban Corps, Dottie Surdi (the new Chairman of the Mission Valley Planning Group) and her husband Bob, Alan and Pat Grant with

other members of the Grant Family who have owned this property for more than 100 years and so many other leaders of the community. Of course, Tom Sudberry and his lovely wife, Cookie, with their son, Colton President of the company, and son-in-law Marco Sessa, who is Project Manager of Civita, led the festivities with other members of the Sudberry Properties’ staff . The apartments are in the heart of the Civita development and the décor is of the latest adornments and overlooking the Olympic-sized pool with cabanas on each end of the pool. This delightful celebration of Arbor Day to celebrate the huge tree installed on Arbor Day last year was a fund-raising event for the benefi t of The Discovery Center under the direction of Rob Hutsel, Executive Director of the San Diego River Park Foundation. The Discovery Center, also in Mission Valley for education and recreation on the river, is on land donated by The Grant Family. Part of the celebra-tion was the donation to this cause in the amount of $100,000. by Sudberry Properties and added to by all of the guests. The fi rst phase of the apartments is now ready for leasing and enjoyment of the very beautiful Recreation Center. You’ll be amazed and how Mission Valley is setting the scene for an elegant new era!

By Enhancery Jewelers, Kathleen White, Graduate Gemologist, GIA

&GEMS JEWELS

JEWELRY IDEAS FOR SPECIAL DAYS – MOM’S, DAD’S, AND GRAD’S During the springtime months, there are several

very special days that deserve celebration. Those in-clude Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation Day. Without question,

jewelry is the most exciting gift you can give anyone on any of these occasions.Here are a few suggestions.Mom would love a beautiful new Pandora Bracelet, a key to my heart pendant or a mother’s ring with birthstones of the family. Dad’s gift favorites include a watch, rings, money clips, key chains and tie tac. Try a new alternative metal such as titanium, tungsten or stainless steel for a crisp new look.Grad’s love a new dress watch or cool sports watch. Girls like charm bracelets, photo lockets and pearls. Guys like silver cool ID bracelets and engraved signet rings or symbolic pendants in alternative metals.

MAY BIRTHSTONE - EMERALDThe emerald, a beautiful green precious gem, is the most famous of the beryl family. Named for the Persian word for green, the emerald has always been surrounded by mystery. The Greek dedicated this stone to the Goddess Ve-nus, believing that it ensured security in love. We offer a wide variety of em-eralds set in pendants, earrings and rings as well as loose emeralds waiting for the mounting of your choice.

JEWELS

JEWELRY IDEAS FOR SPECIAL DAYSJEWELRY IDEAS FOR SPECIAL DAYS– MOM’S, DAD’S, AND GRAD’S – MOM’S, DAD’S, AND GRAD’S During the springtime months, there are several

very special days that deserve celebration. Those include Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation Day. Without question,

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Near immediate match. We have families waiting.(Left to Right) Phil Pryde (SDRPF Board Member), Sam Duran (SDRPF Board Member), Jim Peugh (SDRPF Board Member) Mayor Jerry Sanders, Rob Hutsel, Executive Director, SDRPF Tom Sudberry (SDRPF Board Member)

Viv, from page 2

MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012 Page 15

This Summer promises to have a lot of retro looks in its future. But classic black and white will feature prominently as well, especially if it's done in an artsy '40s inspired motif. Have fun mixing up your look, that's what summer is for. And girls, it's offi cial... put away those stretchpants & boots for the year! 1) This Chanel inspired look is classy as well as fresh.2) A skull ring with an Aztec infl u-ence can edge up any look.3) When it comes to platform soles, the idea is to go big or go home!. 4) In the '80s, Swatch Watches were an item that changed men's fashion forever. C-shock watches are inspired by that trend, but come without the price tag!5) John Lennon is one of the most infl uential musicians of our lifetime!6) Guess who's baaaaaack? The fi ngerless gloves of the Sunset Strip are back in force in both classic red and black. Everybody's working for the weekend!7) Grab your tall boy of PBR and hit the club scene. But you'll need to use the other entrance please.

Luigi Vera is the owner of Luigi Vera clothing boutique in Hillcrest. For more on Luigi and his boutique, go to:www.luigivera.blogspot.com

By Lauren Westerfi eld, RYTSoothe your mind with stress-combating yoga

Look out the window: the sun is shining, and April showers are fi nally giving way to the proverbial spring blooms. But inside, many of us are still carrying a heavy load of stress – tasks and worries big and small that combine to keep us from truly enjoying the world around us. Stress can make us tense up, tighten our muscles, furrow our brows and clench our fi sts. And on the inside, this can trans-late into symptoms ranging from headaches and poor appetite to indigestion and weakened immunity.

When a busy day or an anxious situation causes you to feel stress, consider trying a yoga pose or two to calm your mind and rejuvenate your body. Uttana-sana, or Standing Forward Bend, is a great option for yogis of all skill levels. To perform the pose, stand up tall with your feet shoulder’s width apart. Inhale and lift your arms overhead; then exhale and bend from the hip joints (not the waist) while keeping your back straight and strong. Lengthen your torso and reach your hands toward the fl oor. If you cannot reach the fl oor, rest your hands on your shins, thighs, or wherever you can while maintaining a straight back. Breathe. The combination of steady, conscious breathing and benefi cial stretching yields an instant tonic for body and soul alike – not to mention a superb tension reliever for tight hamstrings.

BODY & SOUL

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"Beware the man who speaks in rhymes, for he sees

you as a child."-Vince Meehan

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• Spacious 1,2, & 3 bedroom apartment homes, up to 1400 square feet

• Hardwood-style fl ooring throughout the main living areas

• Contemporary kitchen and bath fi nishes including quartz countertops

• Stainless steel GE kitchen appliances, featuring Energy Star© and

Water Sense© technology

• 10,000 square foot clubhouse with state-of-the-art fi tness center

• Jr. olympic salt-water pool and spa, expansive deck with cabanas

• Move-ins will begin in April with premier locations available

AT CIVITA

LEASING CENTER NOW OPENStop by Circa 37, choose your favorite fl oor plan

and start planning your move!

HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm | Sunday 11am-6pm

619.378.3037 | Circa37.com

Located on Westside Drive, 1 block north of Friars Road off Mission Center Rd.

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Page 16 MissionValleyNews.com — May 11, 2012

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