My Hometown Eastlake- February 2009

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FeBruary 2009

BusIness hIGhlIGhT: socIal communIcatIon specIalIsts | resIDenT spoTlIGhT: colarusso famIly

also InsIDe proJect fIrestarter

usIng red In your decor

Worth The EffortWorking at Relationships

contents

Feb Hometown Ad.indd 1 1/9/09 3:25:40 PM

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february 2009 my hometown 3

FeBruary 2009

wHat’s InsIdelast month, we put out a call out in the

pages of My Hometown asking members of the east chula vista community to help us make this publication a valued community resource. boy, have you responded. In a very short time, we have heard from so many of you about school events, interesting business ideas and wonderful community programs. we’ve received suggestions for articles on a wide variety of topics and have even worked with a few residents eager to submit an edi-torial contribution. Just as importantly, new businesses have called about advertising and familiar shops and studios have renewed their support. we hope your year has started off just as well.

we are proud to say that february’s issue genuinely reflects the community’s grow-ing interest in this magazine. beginning in “bravo,” continuing in “on your doorstep” and running throughout the publication, you will see examples of friends and neighbors taking an active role in sharing about their community. In this issue, we welcome back our “on topic” section and hope you enjoy the volunteer information you will find there. maybe you will also soon find yourself trying out the new recipe that was sent in by one of our readers. In our business and resident fea-tures, you will see a focus on people who give back to this community in very personal and meaningful ways. and, you will find we have had to expand our “my Hometown mercado” to accommodate additional businesses.

we sincerely appreciate the community’s response to this monthly, community-based and family-focused magazine. we look for-ward to continuing to work with you to make it the finest publication we can and one that you can be proud of in terms of how it rep-resents this community. continue to call and email us with your suggestions, ideas, con-tributions and comments. It is how we build those connections so vital to the health of our community.

finally, and on a personal note, let me extend a special happy birthday greeting to my daughter mariana who turns 10 at the start of this month. may all of your wishes come true this year.

michael minjares,editor of My Hometown Eastlake

local getaways

contents

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from tHe edItor...

lifestyleproject firestarter 13

Hot-blooded: using red in your decor 16

meal for busy parents 20

school newscommon calendar for schools 22

resident spotlightthe colarusso family 23

on topicvolunteer to build community 24

business highlightsocial communication specialists speech therapy clinic 25

feature

homeequal opportunitydesign 15

family family memories 1210

new sectIon

my Hometown

mercadonew sectIon

my Hometown

mercadopage 26

Feb Hometown Ad.indd 1 1/9/09 3:25:40 PM

Worth The Effort:Working at Relationships

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4 my hometown february 2009

feedback

PuBlISHED ByFountain Media Group, incpo Box 2122, san Marcos, Ca 92079(800) 497-1309 x710www.fountain-inc.com

PuBlISHErSKaren smith [email protected]

tim [email protected]

EDItOrIal/SalESMike Minjares [email protected]

Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. Fountain Media Group, Inc. is not responsible for the views of contribut-ing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or advertisers.

BRaVoto outstanding educational programs at Olympian High and Hilltop High. the two sweetwater district schools received prestigious Golden Bell awards from the California school Board’s association at a ceremony on december 6. olympian’s schoolwide academic literacy plan was honored as an exemplary instructional pro-gram. the educational approach is based on a systemat-ic teaching of a set of three habits of mind: intellectual perseverance, metacognition and intellectual curiosity. the hilltop high Connect Crew, led by advisor louise Fericelli, was recognized as an exemplary student ser-vices program. each school year, Connect Crew classes train 60 juniors and seniors as student leaders to mentor incoming freshmen.

to aqua Star, a san diego based pool equipment manu-facturer, for assistance in keeping Chula Vista community pools open. aqua star’s co-founder, olaf Mjelde, donated covers for loma Verde and parkway pools and person-ally supervised the installation at both facilities free of charge. the generous donation of the covers and labor costs represents more than $7,000 in savings to the City of Chula Vista. new compliant drain covers are mandat-ed under the Virginia Graeme Baker pool and spa safety act, which became law december 19.

to the new In-n-Out in the Marketplace in the Winding Walk neighborhood of otay Ranch. the popular burger joint is a welcome addition to the community.

looK What GReat thinGs YoUR CoMMUnitY is Up to...

to Cheyenne Curley-Payne, Eastlake High basketball player, for being named a “high school athlete of the Month” for december by The Union-Tribune. after leading the titans to another successful season, the senior plans to graduate and head on to howard University in the fall.

to at&t and Wal-mart for supplying the residents of the state Veterans Home in Chula Vista with a fun and prac-tical holiday gift – nine nintendo Wii video game con-soles. the consoles came equipped with various games and have been installed throughout the Veterans home. now veterans will be able to use the Wiis to rehabili-tate, get healthier and just have fun. the Wiis are being provided thanks to a generous donation from the at&t Foundation and Wal-Mart. students from hilltop high school will act as “Wii coaches” and teach the veterans how to play video games.

to kayla almodovar, age 10, for winning the super dentist (eastlake) coloring contest. her design and color-ing of her super dentists was very creative and stood out from the rest. according to the office staff, it was very hard to choose from all the entries that were submitted. everyone who submitted an entry did a great job. the staff looks forward to sponsoring another contest in the near future. Kayla’s winning drawing of “shine” and “Bolt” will be posted in the office and on www.thesuperdentist.com.

IF yOu WOulD lIkE tO COntrIButE tO BraVO,

send a quick note to My Hometown’s editor at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to put your good-news announcement in an upcoming issue. submissions should be sent by the 10th of the month.


on your doorstep

Hawk talk Comes to Otay ranchConcordia Church’s

new preschool has entered the construc-tion phase. During this time the church plans to hold monthly community events to meet their new Otay Ranch and Windingwalk neigh-bors. In February they will hold a “Hawk Talk” presented by the Chula Vista Nature Center. The Chula Vista Nature Center is dedicated to providing the community with an opportunity to experi-ence and learn about nature firsthand. The exact date of the event will be announced on the site of the new Concordia Preschool and on the church’s website. Visit www.concordia-church.com or call (619) 422-6606 for more information.

Interactive Cooking Classes available

Sitoo’s Deli and Catering has added hands-on cooking classes to the menu. In these interactive, three-hour class-es, participants learn how to cook healthy, savory and tasteful meals. Classes take place in Sitoo’s kitchen locat-ed at 2300 Boswell Rd, #11, Chula Vista, 91914 and aver-age about 16 people per class. Talented local chefs lead classes focused on Thai, Italian, Sushi, Chinese, comfort foods and more. The offerings change each month and updated list-ing and class descriptions can be found on the deli’s website, www.sitoos.com. To register, call (619) 656-2233, send an email to [email protected] or drop by in person. It’s time to get cookin’.

Fall kindergarten registration Packets available

Beginning on Monday, February 9, Kindergarten Registration packets will be available for parents/guard-ians through their child’s home school in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Schools will accept the com-pleted registration packets beginning Wednesday, March 4, when the kindergarten registration period officially opens for children who will be 5-years-old on or before December 2, 2009. Parents of kindergartners may apply for a zone transfer at the time of registration.

the school goal is to read 300,000 minutes in 28 days. students will be seeking sponsors to

pledge their support for each minute that stu-dents read throughout the month. students

will earn prizes and the school will earn extra money to support the school library and

music program. the month-long celebra-tion culminates with a book fair that is open to the public on saturday, February 28 and participation in

Read across america day, a nationwide celebration of dr. seuss’s birthday on March 2. Residents are encouraged to get involved by sponsoring a student, donating a prize or visiting the school as a guest reader. For more information, contact the school at (619) 656-2030 or visit the school website at www.cvesd.org/olympicview.

olYmPIC VIeW elemenTarY CeleBraTeS lITeraCYthe stUdents oF olYMpiC VieW Will Be CeleBRatinG the JoYs and BeneFits oF ReadinG BY holdinG a Read-a-thon dURinG the Month oF FeBRUaRY.

28 days. students will be seeking sponsors to pledge their support for each minute that stu-dents read throughout the month. students

will earn prizes and the school will earn extra money to support the school library and

music program. the month-long celebra-tion culminates with a book fair that is open to the public on saturday, February 28 and participation in

Read across america day, a nationwide celebration of dr. seuss’s birthday on March 2. Residents are encouraged to get involved by sponsoring a student, donating a prize or visiting the school as a guest reader. For more information, contact the school at (619) 656-2030 or visit the school website at www.cvesd.org/olympicview.

Chula Vista residents have wonderfully designed new library cards to choose from as a result of a recent library card design contest. the library received 236 total designs by local artists ranging in age from 4 to 73. the new cards will be available for purchase for $3 starting on February 1 at all three branches. all money raised by the sales will go to the Chula Vista public library Foundation to provide support to the library’s budget. My Hometownjoins the community in saluting the winners:

Samantha Sinks, age 8, third grader at tiffany elementary – (Kindergarten – Third Grade)

alejandra ramirez, age 11, sixth grader at sacred heart parish – (Fourth – Sixth Grade)

Gretchen kasler, age 19, twelfth grader at seton home study – (Seventh – Twelfth Grade)

antonio martin del Campo, Jr., age 24, student at the art institute of California – (Adult)

nicole Bell, age 15, tenth grader at hilltop high – (Mayor’s Prize)

lIBrary CarD DESIGn WInnErS


on your doorstep

Community Generosity

Pack and Bianes Vision Care doctors and staff would like to thank Chula Vista residents, patients and local

Scout Groups for the generous dona-tions to the Blanket Drive. The total number of blankets during this year’s collection was 200! Blankets were col-lected for the Casas Seguras shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. The South Bay Community Services group was thrilled with the donations and said many families will benefit this winter.

My Hometown is always look-

ing for contributors, articles and

stories. We welcome stories about

neighborhood events, human

interest and community building

for all of our sections.

You can contact us by calling

(800) 497-1309 x710 with your

idea or send us an email at

[email protected].

Get Involved!

Get Published!

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on your doorstepon your doorstep

Residents step Up to sUppoRt natURe CenteR

Nearly everywhere you look it is obvious the economic downturn has had a profound impact on the City of Chula Vista. Like other cities, our region has been hit with severe bud-get shortfalls and significant cutbacks. When the Chula Vista Nature Center looked to be the next casualty of this deepening recession, two Chula Vista residents decided to act to save this

valued community resource. Beginning on December 5, Otay Ranch resident Zaneta

Encarnacion and Stephanie Kingston created the “Sea of Support” campaign and within one month raised $390,000 to help try and preserve the Nature Center. The campaign raised $115,000 in online donations and culminated with a community fundraiser at Bayside Park on December 28. That event attracted more than 800 people and raised an additional $25,000. These funds were combined with an anonymous matching gift of $125,000 and a gift of $125,000 from Sempra Energy to total nearly $400,000 in fundraising in less than one month. Despite the outpouring of support from the commu-nity, the final decision on the future of the Nature Center rests with the City Council.

“The whole effort started with a conversation in my kitchen with Stephanie,” Encarnacion said. “The event brought out new people and made people more aware of the Nature Center. We received so much community support. It is now up to the com-munity to keep this going and open for future generations.”

The community event included vendors such as the South Bay Children’s Museum, PETCO, I Love A Clean San Diego, South Bay Family YMCA and several environmental groups. Chula Vista Middle School’s Hip-Hop Club was one of several groups providing entertainment throughout the day. Staff, vol-unteers and animals from the Nature Center were also on hand to showcase what the facility offers the residents of Chula Vista and visitors alike.

“We have received support from all over San Diego County,” Kerri Laube, Administrative Operations Manager for the

Nature Center said. “It is amazing to see so many different people stepping up and saying ‘you are important to us and we want to help.’ With the support we’ve received we hope to keep going and find a long-term solution to be self-sustain-ing.”

For Felicia Carlucci that would be an ideal outcome. The long-time Chula Vista resident brought her family to the park to show their support for the popular educational and envi-ronmental center.

“We came to this event because it seems like the Nature Center has been here forever,” she said. “We’ve had birthday parties and family picnics there. I would hate to think that it would not be around for my kids. We had to come and show support.”

That show of support has paid off. On January 13, the City Council voted to continue to operate and fund the Nature Center until June 30, 2009. The Nature Center now must work together with elected officials to create and implement a long-term sustainability plan by March 30. my.


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Every Tuesday and Thursday evening at the Salt Creek Recreation Center this group has gathered to exercise in a supportive and encouraging environment with friends and neighbors who share similar motivations.

The casual exercise group is part of the San Diego Prevention Research Center’s (SDPRC) Familias Sanas y Activias program. Originally designed to increase the physi-cal fitness and overall health of its Latino participants, the program has expanded to include anyone from the com-

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the promotores – spanish-speaking community health work-

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groups, like this one at salt Creek.


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munity. Each workout group is led by Promotores from the community. The Promotores – Spanish-speaking com-munity health workers – educate families in the community about free and low-cost physical activity resources available and lead local exercise groups. Elsa Buck, a Chula Vista resi-dent, leads the group that meets at Salt Creek.

“The primary goal of this program is not to have partici-pants lose weight,” Buck said. “We want them to keep up the habit of working out and to work out regularly without excuses. For me, I wanted to do this to get in better condi-tion, lessen stress, build endurance and to continue to make this a habit.”

Buck said her group began in June of 2008 with 32 partic-ipants, but now averages about 10 women. Men are certainly welcome, but none have attended a class to this point. The group focuses on cardio work through walking around the adjacent park or moving to Zumba DVDs. Buck incorpo-rates resistance training into the class as well.

Adding to the benefits of this free program is the support

participants receive from SDPRC. Each participant receives a free, individualized exercise program that includes a fitness assessment, physical activity toolkit, instructional materi-als and a follow-up fitness assessment after six and 12 months of exercising. Participants are also welcome to bring their children with them as the recre-ation center allows them to check out equipment with a school I.D.

“Sometimes you don’t feel like going to the class and the kids start asking about going to the recreation center to play,” said Claudia, a program participant who lives in Rolling Hills Ranch. “It motivates you to go and workout. I’ve even been able to talk my sister into coming with me.”

For more information about the program, contact SDPRC’s Sara Solaimani at (619) 594-2965. my.


Don’t wear sweats to bed.” It is the best bit of relation-ship advice I’ve ever heard.

At the time, I was collecting input for a best man’s toast at my best friend’s upcoming wedding. Instead of making something up off the top of my head, I had decided to put in a little advance work so I could be as prepared as pos-sible when the moment in the spotlight came. Of all the suggestions for how to maintain a good marriage our friends offered, this was the one that sticks with me nearly six years later.

This month offers two almost-holi-days that typically bring people together for different reasons. First, the culmi-nation of the long football season is

Worth The Effort:Working at Relationships

here with the spectacle and hype of the Super Bowl. No doubt many of us will be gathered around the big-screen, high definition TV with friends and family to watch the final NFL game and the best commercials of the year.

February is also home to one of the most expertly and corporately manu-factured pseudo-holidays, designed to bring and keep people together. Rare is the person who can resist partici-pating in the day associated with love and romance. Valentine’s Day cards, bouquets of roses, delectable chocolates of all varieties and romantic dinners are the norm for many relationship-minded people. But rarer than finding someone able to avoid being swept up

in the commercialism of February 14, is locating the couple that takes the time to actively and sincerely work on their relationship.

Once you decide to take a new approach to the Valentine’s Day cel-ebration, it can be a challenge to figure out the best resource to use. Daytime television is filled this time of year with programming for couples and individuals looking to bring back the spark in a relationship or to rekindle an old flame. Scouring the aisles at the major bookstores, you find that some talk show hosts have put the advice in writing and published books to try and help. “Dr. Laura” has “The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage” and books by

By Mike Minjares, editor


pleted their second year of retirement together. At a time when many couples are finding they have little in common outside of their kids, my parents have embraced this extra time together, going on trips, visiting family, furthering per-sonal hobbies and finding new aspects to appreciate about one another.

“You have to try and find the humor in things,” my dad offered. “You can’t take everything too seriously. If you do, you will miss out on all the fun. But there is a balance. You have to put in the work as well if you are going to have something that lasts.”

But who really wants to work at keeping the romance alive? Isn’t there a can’t-miss relationship program for re-capturing the magic feeling that many people profess to share in the middle of February out there somewhere? I don’t know if there is a sure-fire formula for relationship success, but there is a great program giving couples the opportunity to try.

Begun in Spain in the 1950s as a series of conferences for couples to become more honest and open in their communication, Marriage Encounter is a worldwide program for couples of all religious faiths. According to the Worldwide Marriage Encounter website, the weekend experience is designed to give married couples the opportunity to learn a technique of loving commu-nication that they can use for the rest of their lives. Couples are provided an environment to spend time together away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their relationship. Marriage Encounter is not for troubled marriages, but for couples who want to enhance their relationship.

For Mary Lou and Frank Wulftange, the Marriage Encounter experience was exactly as advertised. Balancing their roles as parents to two young children, working as teachers and finding enough time to work on their relationship was not easy. They both knew there had to be a something that could get them where they wanted to be in their rela-tionship.

“The question is do you want an excellent marriage,” Mary Lou said. “For Frank and I it is not just about having a good marriage, but going beyond that. Marriage Encounter prepares you for the hard times that come in any rela-tionship by giving you a full arsenal to use when things get rough in your life. We’ve found that if you follow the sug-gestions, you reap the benefits.”

Giving up a full weekend takes a commitment from both parties. In fact, the Wulftanges say that both times they have gone on the weekend, they were in the midst of an argument sparked by the effort to prepare to be away from home. But for Frank, it is a necessary component to the experience.

“You have to take yourself out of your routine in order to learn something dif-ferent,” he said. “It is also important to go in accepting that other people can teach you something. You learn that marriage goes beyond the Hallmark approach or the fairytale idea of happily

“Dr. Phil” include “Relationship Rescue” and “Love Smart.” While these books certainly have some good advice to offer, what good is a book on enhanc-ing relationships if only one half of the relationship is reading it?

Turning to a healthy and long-lasting relationship that I know well, I asked my parents about their views on what it takes to build a solid relationship that can survive all of life’s ups and downs. My parents’ relationship hasn’t always been perfect, but it works, because they make it work.

“It is important to let him think he is in charge,” my mom said, only half-jok-ing. “We know the truth, but it makes your dad feel good to think that he has control.”

For a relationship that began with my dad being sprayed with the water hose by the man who would become his father-in-law, my parent’s relationship continues to be strong. They have been married for 44 years now and just com-

photos Courtesy of: Jessica Fraser (619) 339-1847 www.momentsbyjessica.com


Relationships

ever after. There is so much more to it than that.”

According to Frank, another benefit of the program is getting to know your-self better. Because of the introspection and private nature of the program, individuals take the time to determine what characteristics they bring to their relationship and how this affects their partner. Frank said this knowledge helps

for being married in their church. Married nearly 17 years and also bal-ancing three children and careers, the Miyamotos are considering going on a weekend to further enhance their rela-tionship.

“Engaged Encounter was such a unique experience for us,” Mary said. “Michael and I connected on a spiritual level and met great friends. Things have changed so much since that time that we need to take the time to get a boost and to see how the togetherness has changed.”

Mary added that when she and Michael were engaged, they talked about how their relationship would grow, but it was simply a guess back then. Now that they are in the midst of living the dream they set out for them-selves and their family, they would like the chance to see how they are living up to the promise they made during their initial weekend.

“We are not ready to plan the next stage of our lives and our relationship,” Mary said. “Our kids are still at the center of our family and that works for us. But we would like to get ideas from other couples in similar circumstances so that we can continue to make our marriage work. It just seems like the weekend experience is a part of us and a natural thing to do.”

And maybe that is it—the accep-tance that our relationships take work and that the work is a natural part of the growth we go through. The desire to have a good relationship may also require us being more intentional in our sleepwear choices.

“Don’t wear sweats to bed,” my friend Mark Caro began to tell me, “because that’s when you know the romance is dead. It’s a bit of advice I received when I got married,” he continued. “It means, basically, don’t take your partner for granted. The minute you stop trying to be your best for them is when your rela-tionship is in trouble.”

Here’s hoping we all take the oppor-tunity every day to be the best for the ones we love and to put in the effort to make our relationships work. my.

him understand Mary Lou better as well.

“When you get married it doesn’t restrict you, it allows you to be more of yourself,” Frank said.

Mary Miyamoto has not been on a Marriage Encounter weekend, but like many young couples her and hus-band Michael did attend an Engaged Encounter weekend as a requirement

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3132 MyHometown_4.75X7.25_ISL537 1/7/09 9:06 AM Page 1


CoMMUnitY ResolUtionRelationships

Valentine’s day always causes me to reminisce about a time when my husband and i relished in long, romantic dinners and quiet, week-end getaways. those were the days of double-feature foreign language matinees, sippy-cup free dinners, and philosophical conversa-tions that didn’t involve me imitating a squeaky, red Muppet. and, as is true with early love, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. i guess that explains why we had three kids in three years.

now that Cupid is quickly approach-ing, i can’t help but wonder where the love has gone? okay, the love is still there; i’m madly in love with my husband. Maybe i should ask where the spark has gone, but that is still there too. the difference now is the flames need to be fanned more often than they did prior to countless diaper changes, toddler tantrums, mountains of laundry, and non-stop work obligations. lately, family shopping excursions to Costco have started qualifying as date night. and, while it does have all the elements for a night out - appetizers, beverage samplers, interesting individuals, and large outlays of cash - the ambiance just isn’t there. so, in my quest to let my husband know that he is much more than my partner in house-keeping and child-rearing, i started project Firestarter.

Step One - Breakfast in bed: after five attempts to nurture my man with stringy, cardboard tasting pan-cakes and one suspicious case of food-poisoning, i finally opted to skip breakfast in bed and take him out for Krispy Kreme donuts instead.

Step two - Romantic accouterments: looking to add some zing and zang to our relationship, i attended some-thing called a passion party, which is basically tupperware Gone Wild.

after sheepishly giggling with my girlfriends for an hour, i secretly purchased a few items that guaranteed to bring us closer. after months of waiting for my

purchase, i discovered the salesperson skipped town

with my money leaving my zing nowhere near my zang.

Step three – setting the mood: this time i was going to keep it simple and create a cozy, nice setting. as my husband tucked our children in bed, i bathed the family room in warm, fuzzy candlelight. While waiting for him to join me, i took a moment to enjoy the falling rain out-side. Yes, this was romance at its best – soft rain, a crackling fire, and…. Wait. i didn’t light a fire. i just lit a few candles. as i turned around, i saw the picture above the mantle engulfed in flames from one of the candles. needless to say, all fires were put out at that point.

now i’m back to square one, and until i can come up with an idea that isn’t going to cause us to hurl, get swindled or leave us in ashes, i’ll just continue to book our monthly babysitter. For three wonderful hours, we can rely on riding in a car without yelling, “don’t make me pull this car over!” We can hold hands without the stickiness of congealed jelly cement-ing them together. We can enjoy a movie that doesn’t feature animated characters singing the alphabet. and, most important, we can be together, because that’s all we really need to keep our flames flickering. my.

PROJECT FIRESTARTERBy Julie Watson smith

www.otaypetvets.com(619) 421-1698

Adjacent to Pet Park in the New Otay Ranch Town Center

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red Muppet. and, as is true

keep our hands off each other. i guess that explains why we had

after sheepishly giggling with my girlfriends for an hour,

purchase, i discovered the salesperson skipped town

with my money leaving my zing nowhere near my zang.


home

to work harder to achieve a cohesive whole within your surroundings. This means taking more time to find furni-ture and objects that both of you can agree on owning.

With regards to trends and period styles, contemporary design is in such a post-millennial eclectic age that mixing design metaphors is not only expected but necessary, due to our expanding technological needs. Mixing old with new always looks modern, and this easygoing freedom of association allows for more per-sonality in our households. To avoid a confused look, determine which pieces will best represent what you love about an era: design is so broad that there’s something for anyone in almost any epoch, so source objects you both can enjoy.

Themes are frequently unisex, which is an easy way to accommodate two perspectives in one place. But if only one of you likes the theme, you can always negotiate to incorporate a secondary one; with restraint, this will help a room feel more authentic, and less like an amusement park. A beach or seaside narrative is immensely pop-ular because of our state’s geography, but an extra level of sophistication can be had by incorporating details from the complimentary British Colonial era. The contrast between delicate iridescent shells and deep mahogany

By stephanie Garrison

Compromise is the secret to any long-lasting relationship, and it’s also a key component in

successful interior design. No mat-ter how strong the bond, there will be times when love isn’t enough. (Think of the wagon wheel coffee table scene in “When Harry Met Sally.”) Perhaps you,

or your spouse or partner, isn’t fully comfortable in your house. Did the wife decorate because that’s her thing and the husband went along with it, or does the girlfriend turn an affectionate blind eye to her boyfriend’s expanding beer mug and ball cap collection? There are ways to overcome this home décor battle of the sexes, even if his wagon wheel coffee table doesn’t mesh with her more for-mal sense of style.

First, determine your individual inclinations, and whether these design preferences organi-cally suit each another.

Fortunately, most couples unite over shared interests that usually spill over into their lifestyle and taste in décor. But if one of you digs the whole Mission aesthetic while the other is a French Country fanatic, then you’ll have

Equal OPPOrtunIty

DESIGn

Equal OPPOrtunIty

DESIGn

furnishings combines into a cohesive and comfortable whole. The key is to fashion logical pairings; i.e. not Western cowboy with Eastern deco. Such dia-metric opposition means it’s better to select one, and only an accessory or two of the other. Harsh, maybe, but no room can be all things at all times, much like people.

Next, tackle issues of functionality in the home. Take time to go over what’s most important to both of you, on a room by room basis. What are the main uses for a particular space? Keep the requirements to no more than three to avoid a confused feel – a master bed-room, for example, is generally meant for sleeping, relaxing and dressing. Couples often take for granted how a space will be used, when the real-ity is another matter. At my address, the downstairs den isn’t a traditional book-filled space. It’s my husband’s computerized domain, where he works during the day, and a few nights each week, games online with far-flung col-leagues. Of course, children hugely impact how an area is utilized, but par-ents must have some degree of control

over the family interior, or else chaos will reign eternal. Whichever adult uses the space most gets greater say in the design direction, although family spaces will usually split this differ-ence (they’re not called “family rooms” for nothing!). If your home is large enough and your characters so differ-ent, then plan a “room of one’s own” for each of you. Not enough bedrooms or offices? Then dad can customize the garage to his workshop or weight-lifting specifications, and mom could pick the downstairs powder room for a Parisian-inspired makeover. Limit your weaknesses to one spot, however, and not throughout the house – after all, two lives have united. Your décor should as well.

So how might this translate, on a practical level, to what you already own or plan to buy in the future? When negotiating between the pendulum swings of yin and yang, change your mindset from against to alongside: instead of “opposing” design duali-ties, think of “alternating” ones. Not straight versus curved, but straight and curved. This can apply to any furnish-

ing or accessory. If you select a simple seat with clean lines, the fabric can have more pattern or texture; a wing-back chair, by contrast, has its swoops and arcs best emphasized by solid color. A feminine vase with flowers becomes more neutral with a rectangular cut crystal container and large, leafy stems in the arrangement. Many design choices are inherently unisex; when they aren’t, break down the components to see how they can dovetail together. These components can be the shape or silhouette or material or color or fin-ish – you don’t have to forgo something you adore, such as flowers, if there’s a way to incorporate ones that your better half can tolerate. Or actually like!

People are too complex to be defined by strictly masculine or feminine traits, especially since it may be the guy who likes a big overstuffed couch, not his mid-century modern-loving gal. Most couples, however, do have differing per-spectives that require an intervention when decorating the home. By accept-ing and addressing these separate wish-es, odds are that the couple that designs together stays together. my.



hoMe hoMe

Certain colors in decorating can real-ly bring out the drama of a space, and red is perhaps the most intense hue with this capability. often associ-ated with heat, energy, passion and power, this color can make a huge difference in a room’s feel, when used judiciously. it’s a favorite with interior designers seeking to cultivate a more worldly ambiance in a home, while also being so versatile that it can also be a funky fix for drab décor. Both pow-erful and homey, urbanely modern and retro, red’s versatility is such that it can help a setting become any type of atmosphere you wish it to be, depending on how it’s managed.

Where to start when injecting such lifeblood into a space? determine what there is to work with first. perhaps a room is already comfort-able and appropriately set up, but it is lacking a spark of vigor or magne-tism. Fortunately, the thing about red is that it often looks better as a high-light in a room, rather than part of the main bones. there’s no need to recreate some exotic bazaar to have an environment thrive under red’s influence. instead, start small and scale selections to suit the space.

a room’s accents can be far-ranging, including furniture such as a dresser, drapes, paintings, even throw blan-kets and pillows. these items are commonly placed throughout a space; so in order to work with red harmoniously, it must be present seamlessly around an environment

to help keep the eye moving and pro-vide a sense of balance. need some recipes to make this work? Mix a side chair, vase, picture frames and a throw blanket in crimson. or try scar-let drapes, a sideboard, painting and pillows. perhaps a small table, throw

carpet, valances and ottoman tray in cherry would perk up the sur-roundings. Use hues in one family to make sense of your choices, and almost instantly the area will gain refinement.

Furniture can particu-larly benefit from red’s character, especially if a room’s walls are pale in contrast. a red

sectional is inviting, stain-forgiving, and provides a dose of dynamism in a family room. painted furnishings, such as chairs for a kitchen table, an armoire in the den, or a bed frame in the guest bedroom, will shine and gain importance when coated with ruby paint. Just one piece of fiery furniture can amp up the elegance of a neutral room, so don’t be afraid to add the unexpected to a seemingly standard space.

another sophisticated way to intro-duce red into a design scheme is to mix patterns, particularly in regards to soft furnishings and upholstery. this adds complexity, interest and a singular point of view to a space. Keep things from looking too ersatz by, again, sticking to reds in the same color family. Many manufacturers, in fact, take the guesswork out of this by providing numerous choices of red patterned material that are cre-ated specifically to work together in a room, with larger patterns for cur-

Hot-Blooded: using red in your Decor

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hoMe

tains, couches and oversized chairs, and smaller prints for pillows, occa-sional chairs and table linens.

if you are ready to use red in a bolder fashion, this is a classic choice for a wall color in dining rooms. Whether via patterned wallpaper or thru paint, it provides a vivid backdrop to furni-ture pieces, and adds both excitement and a bit of attitude to a space. My neighbor, who wouldn’t necessarily characterize her personality as a “force of nature,” nonetheless has red in her dining room. it looks spectacular with her espresso wood dining set, and is balanced by cream carpet and chair upholstery, as well as white California shutters.

even small spaces, such as an office or closet, can get a burst of unexpected liveliness from red walls. My massage therapy clinic recently went through a renovation of its entrance-slash-waiting room. the tiny open concept area was formerly a clinical white. now the walls alternate between yellow, green, and red, with red accessories, and art-work that ties in all of the hues used. the mood is peaceful yet full of life, which perfectly captures the stress-free nature of the business while providing a welcome escape for clients. every time i visit, i am just as rejuvenated by that space as by my acupuncture session!

Red may seem like a daring color to use in decorating, and the common preference of vivacious individuals. although it is a substantial hue, its handling doesn’t have to be. even the most serene of spaces can benefit from a small injection its power. Use as much or as little red as befits an environment, and it will be all the more alluring, and compelling, for it. my.


family

FamIlyCrEatInG CHErISHED

fun in San Diego doesn’t require a lot of money. There are plenty of activities and events that we can attend for free. Here are a few ideas…

Seaport Village offers free entertain-ment on most weekends. Choose a nice spot on a grassy area, enjoy the show and gaze at passing ships and yachts.

Enjoy a free pipe organ Sunday concert at the Spreckles Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, a San Diego landmark since 1914.

Join the many families that gather to launch a colorful kite in tecolote Shores at Mission Bay Park.

Visit the historic buildings in Old town, including the blacksmith shop, Seeley Stables, Stewart House, Robinson-Rose House and Mason Street School, the first public school house in San Diego.

Bike along the many trails in EastLake, like Mountain Hawk Park and Montevalle Park.

Parenting is both one of the most rewarding and demanding undertakings of all times, and

living in an unstable socio-economic environment can certainly make parent-ing more challenging. Up until recently, it was common for many families to eat out a few times per week, go to the movies or a bowling alley, pay a visit to “Shamu” or even spend a weekend at “The Magic Kingdom.” But as times get tough, the money crunch is inevitably forcing many families to tighten their belts, and some of those familiar activi-ties may not be possible any longer –at least for the time being.

While the financial meltdown is defi-nitely a concern for many, there is also a good side to it. This may be the perfect time to reassess our life priorities and rediscover family life from a whole dif-ferent perspective. Let me explain…

Can you think of a time when you felt truly happy as a child? Most likely you’ll discover that it was not about the cars, the homes, the gadgets or trinkets, but about families getting together and hav-ing fun. And these cherished moments are the memories that last a lifetime.

We are lucky to live in one of the nic-est places in the whole world. Having

By tammy Baruhovich

Creating Cherished Family Memories

On tOPIC: FaMilY

mEmOrIESWe are lucky to live in

one of the nicest places

in the whole world.

having fun in san diego

doesn’t require a lot

of money.


CrEatInG CHErISHED


FaMilY

4 tortilla Wraps

4 pieces of skinless Boneless Chicken

1 head of romaine lettuce

1 Cup Fresh parmesan Cheese

1 Cup of honey

1 Cup of teriyaki sauce

½ of a lemon

Cut the chicken into strip pieces. once they are cut, season them any-way you like. i put the following on the chicken, pepper, garlic powder, parsley and paprika. Cook the chick-en in a skillet with olive oil. once the pot is heated, cook the chicken all the way through.

While the chicken is cooking, chop up the lettuce and place it in a mix-ing bowl. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the lemon over the lettuce. let it sit for 10 minutes.

By now the chicken should be either almost ready or ready. pour the chicken over the lettuce along with the oil base. Mix everything together. then pour the honey and teriyaki sauce over the chicken and mix everything together. Make sure the lettuce and chicken are covered with the sauce.

sprinkle the parmesan cheese on the mixture.

heat the tortilla wraps by placing them in the microwave for about 45 seconds.

once the wraps are heated, place them on the plate and put the mix-ture onto the wrap and roll it up like a burrito. Cut the warp in half and serve.

i also sliced up an apple and banana for a fruit salad to go along with the dish. My husband and kids love this quick and healthy recipe. i hope you and your family do as well.

Brandee Shilling is an EastLake resident and

first-time contributor to My Hometown.

mEal FOr BuSy ParEntS!“BRandee’s honeY ChiCKen teRiYaKi WRap”

if you are like me, you are regularly looking for a quick and healthy dinner to cook for yourself or your family. this recipe i came up with will not only satisfy your hunger, but will have your family asking for more.

the back story: one night after coming home from the gym i needed to cook my family a quick and healthy dinner. early that morning i had taken out a small pack of skinless bone-less chicken, but had no idea how i was going to

prepare it. i needed something quick and healthy because my two daughters were looking at me like they were going to pass out from hunger. so i came up with the following:

Go stargazing on the first Wednesday of every month as the San Diego Astronomy Association sets up huge telescopes right outside of the reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

Grab your picnic basket and go bird watching at the torrey Pines State reserve.

Visit the Cabrillo national monument and explore the tide pools in Point Loma while you gaze at the great ocean and feel at the top of the world.

Do you like museums? The Sheriff ’s Museum, the San Diego Union Museum and the First San Diego Courthouse are amongst the several museums that offer free admission.

Get a free tour of the u.S. Olympic training Center and the Otay Lake Reservoir right here, in Chula Vista.

Visit the International Cottages at Balboa Park, and learn about the more than two dozen countries, their cultures and traditions. Between March and October, the countries take turns present-ing a free show with native music and dancing on the central lawn.

All of us want to be the best parent we can be, but we sometimes doubt whether we are doing what’s best for our children. Good parenting skills include spending quality time with them. The present eco-nomic situation offers us the opportunity to go back to basics, to do more things together as a family.

I invite you to get the board games out, take a long walk on the beach and go hiking with your kids. It is not how much you spend, but how many memo-ries you gather. Laughter and good feelings don’t have a price tag. When your kids grow up, they won’t remem-ber you for the things you bought them, but for the quality moments they spent with you. my.

Tammy Baruhovich, an EastLake resident and Life

Coach and Parent Educator, has been helping par-

ents raise happy children and create harmonious

family lives for the past 20 years. For free parenting

tips and affordable coaching or parenting consulta-

tion in both, English and Spanish, send an e-mail to

[email protected]


on your doorstep

FrEE tax PrEParatIOn; 5-8pm at south Bay Community services, 1124 Bay Boulevard, suite d; (619) 420-3620.

Feb 8InDEPEnDEnt FIlm FEStIVal; 2-4:30pm; Free and recommended for ages 17 and up; Civic Center library, 365 F street; (619) 691-5069.

FEBruary 2009

Feb 11 CHula VISta CHamBEr OF

COmmErCE mIxEr; 5:30-7:30pm at holiday inn express, 4450 Main street; (619) 420-6603 or www.chulavistachamber.org.

FOrEClOSurE WOrkSHOP with J. alan enochs; 6:30pm at eastlake Branch library; 120 eastlake parkway; (619) 397-3980.

Feb 9 kInDErGartEn rEGIStratIOn

aPPlICatIOnS available for CVesd; pick up packet at child’s home school; (619) 425-9600 x1570.

“HOW mOnEy WOrkS FOr

kIDS”; Free bilingual semi-nar led by adriana and hector hernandez; 6:30-8pm at 807 harold place; reservations accepted at (619) 884-2308 or via email to [email protected]

Feb 22 InDEPEnDEnt FIlm FEStIVal; 2-4:30pm; Free and recommended for ages 17 and up; Civic Center library, 365 F street; (619) 691-5069.

Feb 23 “HOW mOnEy WOrkS FOr

kIDS”; Free bilingual semi-nar led by adriana and hector hernandez; 6:30-8pm at 807 harold place; reservations accepted at (619) 884-2308 or via email to [email protected]

Feb 17 FOrEClOSurE WOrkSHOP with J. alan enochs; 6:30pm at st. Mark’s lutheran Church, 580 hilltop drive; (619) 694-4693.

Feb 14 ValEntInE’S Day

Feb 21 CalIFOrnIa SOaP FrEE CaSH

FOr COllEGE WOrkSHOP; 9am-12noon at Chula Vista high school, 820 4th st, Building 1800; Receive free assistance with FaFsa, Cal Grants and taxes (1040eZ); reg-ister at www.sandiegocal-soap.com or at (858) 569-1866.

Feb 28 CHula VISta SunrISE

rOtary CluB’S “trIVIa tEam

CHallEnGE”; 6-9pm at norman Center, 270 F street; Cost is $20 person with eight on a team; Contact tom Miller at (619) 651-9518 or at [email protected] for more information or to register a team.

oUt and aBoUt

COmmunIty CluBS? EVEntS? mEEtInGS?

if you have something you’d like us to add to the Community Calendar, contact [email protected] or (800) 497-1309 x710

PlEaSE nOtE EVEntS anD tImES arE SuBjECt tO CHanGE.

Feb 3, 10, 17 & 24

OlymPIC VIEW ElEmEntary

SCHOOl BOOk FaIr; 9am-1-pm at school’s Gilbert auditorium, 1220 s. Greensview drive; open to the public; (619) 656-2030 or www.cvesd.org/olym-picview.

1St annual SOutH Bay kayak

tOurnamEnt, Chula Vista Yacht Club; early morning start at Chula Vista Marina launch ramp on J street; $60 registration includes t-shirt and food; (619) 422-7888 or www.cvyc.org.

sChool neWsFeBRUaRY 2009

school news


With one child in high school, a second in

middle school and a third in elementary school, Auggie and Christy Moreno know all too well the challenges of balancing differing school schedules. Add in their sons’ athletic and aca-demic pursuits and you have a family that has learned to juggle competing priorities. For the Morenos and other South Bay families, relief is on the way.

In December, both the Chula Vista Elementary School District and the Sweetwater Union High School District adopted “Common Calendars” for their schools. Within each district, all schools will begin and end the year on the same date starting with the 2009-2010 school year. In addition, the two districts now have substan-tially similar calendars for the first time in decades. For exam-ple, both districts’ schools will start on July 27 and enjoy a fall break from September 28 to October 9. Students will receive a three-week winter break and resume classes the second week of January. Both districts have scheduled spring break for March 22 to April 2 and will end the school year in early June. In drafting the new “Common Calendar,” each district sought to maximize student achievement.

“In developing the criteria that our task force used to evalu-ate every school calendar proposal, we considered a num-ber of factors that affect student achievement,” said Karen Janney, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Growth and Development for the Sweetwater Union High School District. “We believe this new calendar will contribute to enhanced student achievement and increased student attendance. In the end it really came down to what is best for the majority of students.”

According to Janney, the idea for a common calendar for local schools has been discussed on-and-off for about 40

years. In fact, in his letter to parents announcing the adop-tion of the new school calendar, Chula Vista Elementary School Superintendent Dr. Lowell Billings called it an historic achievement and wrote, “This will be the first time in 40 years that Chula Vista elementary schools will begin and end the year on the same date.”

Over the last 10 years, the effort to build a common cal-endar grew with the districts discussing the idea more seri-ously and deliberately over

the last two years Janney said. She added that Sweetwater Superintendent Dr. Jesus Gandara made the development of the new calendar a priority for the district when he arrived in 2006.

“In our own district we had schools on traditional and year-round calendars,” Janney said. “If you were a family with multiple children, you could have all your kids on a different schedule. The Common Calendar means families won’t have to plan for multiple calendars.”

Even though her oldest is a senior and will be graduating this year, the new calendar has Christy Moreno excited for a number of reasons.

“I think it is a really good thing for us,” she said. “My kids have been on traditional calendars for the most part and that long summer break causes them to forget what they learned the year before. My youngest is starting to read and he needs that continued and regular practice. They tend to get bored pretty quickly over the summer. I also love the fact we’ll be able to take a vacation as a family in the spring and not have to wait until summer when everything is packed.”

For a copy of the districts’ new schedule for the 2009-2010 school year, visit the districts’ websites at www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/common_calendar.asp and www.cvesd.org. my.

Common Calendar For SChoolS


neighbor spotlight

In describing how he and his wife met and became a cou-ple, Ken Colarusso referenced a popular romantic comedy. Saying it was straight out of “When Harry Met Sally,” he

shared that the two were UCSD students and had been friends for eight years before they started dating. So, what event or occurrence took place to spark the relationship into something more than a friendship?

“It happened when I tried to catch a softball with my face,” the current Eastlake High biology teacher and former Park View Little Leaguer said. “I had two black eyes, a broken nose, a fractured skull and stitches everywhere. It was a week before my sister’s wedding and I needed a date. I called my friend and used the sympathy card. That’s when it changed for us.”

Of course, Ken’s wife Linda remembers the change in their relationship a little differently. The former New Yorker said that when Ken asked her to accompany him to the wedding, she had matured to the point where she recognized that he was a good catch, even if he needed some work on his softball skills. The two married a short while later and have been in the EastLake community since 1996.

Together with their two sons – Anthony, 8, and Joey, 5 – the Colarussos have become actively involved in their neighbor-hood. Ken, who is also known as “AJ,” has taught at the local high school since 1998 after coming over from Castle Park

High. Like his dad before him, Ken serves as coach for his sons’ soccer teams. Linda works as a social worker at Scripps Chula Vista working in the maternity ward counseling teen moth-ers and families at risk. In addition to soccer, the boys attend Thurgood Marshall Elementary. As a multicultural family, Ken is Italian Catholic and Linda is Jewish with an Iraqi back-ground, the Colarussos said they enjoy the makeup of their community.

“Being an ethnically and religiously diverse family, we have tried to teach our sons to be accepting of everyone,” Linda said. “It is important to us that they be exposed to ethnically, racially, culturally diverse people. We celebrate both Jewish and Christian traditions and holidays. And the kids enjoy when we bring chocolate coins and dreidels to school to explain the holi-day of Chanukah to their classmates every year.”

Always wanting to live in a small town, Ken said the com-munity of Rolling Hills Ranch, with all it has to offer, is an ideal place to raise his family.

“Chula Vista is my home,” he said. “It is exciting to be part of a new and developing community. Working at the local school, I thought it would be fun to live in the community I was teaching in. This is an area that has a lot of buy-in to the community. People do have civic pride and it’s nice to be part of that.” my.

The Colarusso FamIlyIt Is excItIng to be part of a new and developIng communIty

photo courtesy of:

susanne pedro (619) 952-3678

www.moments-treasured.com

Common Calendar For SChoolS


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Volunteer to Build Community

Since its inception, a recurring theme in My Hometown has been build-

ing community. As has been repeatedly pointed out, this enriches our com-munity and makes it a place in which we enjoy living and raising our fami-lies. Many ideas have been provided, including inviting neighbors over, hav-ing block parties and being involved in other ways.

Volunteering in our commu-nity is a major way to help build and shape it. Many of us naturally become involved in activities and organizations that serve our family members, such as coaching youth sports, boy and girl scouts, schools and senior centers. This is wonderful and should always be encouraged. However, volunteering with the City is not something many of us think of.

The City has a great need and so many opportunities for community members to volunteer, including vol-unteering in our parks and recreation, senior volunteers with the Police Department and serving on City Boards and Commissions. Volunteering on City

Boards and Commissions offers an espe-cially significant way to have input to and even shape the direction of our City.

I have served for the last five years on the City’s Planning Commission and also currently serve on the City’s Growth Management Oversight Commission (GMOC). In addition, I have served on the Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC). Each of these has been a fasci-nating and enjoyable experience. On the Planning Commission, we conduct public hearings, make land use decisions and provide input to developers and to the City Council. On the GMOC, we monitor the impacts of growth and try to determine whether agencies and facili-ties can support anticipated growth. We also make recommendations on thresh-olds the agencies or facilities should meet in serving the community. On the RAC, we review redevelopment projects, make recommendations to developers and to the Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation.

Each of these commissions has a major impact on shaping the direction of our City. While I have been on the

on topic

On tOPIC: CoMMUnitY

Planning Commission, we adopted the City’s General Plan and the Urban Core Specific Plans (UCSP). The General Plan provides a guideline for future land use throughout the entire City, while the UCSP provides the actu-al specific plan for land use and devel-opment within the City’s urban core. In addition to having a hand in such major, future-shaping efforts, there is a real sense of satisfaction as you see the fruits of your labor. I can drive through the City and see projects that I’ve been involved with, such as the Otay Ranch Town Center, Oggi’s, In-N-Out, the senior housing on Broadway, various neighborhoods in Otay Ranch, etc. I can also be pleased that I was able to help stop projects that would have been detrimental to the City and its residents, and I’m able to help assure that growth will not adversely impact the City.

The City has many Boards and Commissions covering a wide range of interests. At any given time, Boards or Commissions may have openings. You can check the City’s web site to find a listing and description of the various Boards and Commissions, learn if they have any openings as well as apply for any in which you may be interested. The website address is www.chulavistaca.gov/City_Services/Administrative_Services/City_Clerk/Boards/boards.asp.

Not only might you find your involvement on the City’s Boards and Commissions interesting and enlight-ening, but it will also broaden your knowledge of the City and its function-ing. You will also meet many new peo-ple from throughout the City, allowing you to broaden your connections and influence, deepen your ties to the City and help build community. Serving in this way is a wonderful way to accom-plish all of this. my.

Bryan Felber is a resident of EastLake and frequent

reader of My Hometown.

By Bryan Felber


business highlight

What often happens is that right around third grade the social demands in how kids interact with each other

start to shift and it becomes more sophisticated,” Janet Dudley of Social Communication Specialists explained. “It is also at this point that parents start to notice their child does not have a lot of friends, is isolated on the playground, is beginning to struggle in the classroom, or shows signs of stress and anxiety.”

The clients that Dudley and her partner Juli Vazquez work with in their EastLake office are typically very intelligent and really want to have friends, but do not have the social com-munication skills to accomplish this. The two speech thera-pists opened their business just over a year ago and work with people as young as two and up to any age. Beginning with a no charge, 30-minute initial consultation, Dudley and Vazquez meet the child, assess the needs of the child and determine the best therapy plan. The program that gets put in place is flex-ible and dependent on the child and their individual growth. In their role as teachers, mentors, counselors and coaches, Dudley and Vazquez try to provide their clients, many of whom are autistic, with the building blocks to social compe-tency that come naturally for many people and the reasons why this is important.

“There are a lot of kids out there who have good articula-tion skills, good vocabulary and good grammar, but they don’t

know how to use their great language skills to interact and con-nect with other people,” said Vazquez, who lives with her family in EastLake. “This is really important for kids because within the family unit and at school it has an impact. It impacts their ability to make friends and build relationships.”

For Dudley and Vazquez, parents play a key role in the devel-opment and growth that a child experiences. For the middle and high school students, parents attend the final 10 minutes of the session to learn what was worked on and gain a good grasp of what they can do at home to promote future success. In the groups of younger kids that Vazquez works with, parents are present during the entire session. They see how Vazquez interacts with their child or children and how the interactive strategies she uses encourage the kids to play in ways they don’t at home.

“From research we know that the single most influential tool in a child’s social communication development is the parents,” Vazquez said. “Often times parents will come into a session and ask, ‘What can I be doing?’ We provide them with strategies they can use to really help their child. Parents leave here feeling empowered to help their child.” my.

social communication specialists speech therapy clinic

2538 catamaran way, chula vista 91914

(619) 591-9552; www.socialcommunicationspecialists.com

soCIal CommunICaTIon speCIalIsTs speeCh Therapy ClInIC

photo courtesy of:

Jessica fraser (619) 339-1847

www.momentsbyjessica.com

on TopIC: communIty

SPIRITUAL

EastLake Church-relevant messages, great kids’ programs, 1 hour

services, rockin’ music. Just some of the great things you can expect each

weekend at EastLake Church. 2355 Otay Lakes Road

(619) 421-4100 www.eastlakechurch.com

SPEECH THERAPY/SOCIAL SKILLS

SCS offers services for children, teens and adults. Our highly quali-fied Speech Pathologists specialize

in social skills groups, organization/job skills and transition planning for clients with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS and Non-Verbal Language Disorder and early intervention services for

children with a variety of diagnoses.

(619) 591-9552 www.socialcommunicationspecialists.com

WELL BEING

We at Salt Family Chiropractic are hon-ored to serve the EastLake Community. Drs. Mark and Celeste Salt along with

Dr. Greg Kaye bring 30 years com-bined experience. We specialize in

being a wellness clinic addressing your chiropractic needs, along with offering

nutritional programs and products. Massage is also available Wednesdays,

Fridays and Saturdays

(619) 426-2225 www.saltchiro.com

WELL BEING

We are Eastlake’s first ATA Extreme Martial Arts program! We are a

family-oriented facility dedicated to the principles of care, honor, integrity

and discipline-all in a fun, exciting atmosphere! Whatever your goals may

be, our World Champion, certified instructors and next-generation devel-

opment programs will exceed your expectations!

(619) 421-1282 www.prideata.com

EDUCATION

Bonita Country Day School is a highly acclaimed private school teachingstudents how to think, not what to

think. Small classes allow individualattention in Montessori Preschool &Kindergarten – Grade 5. BilingualProgram, Art & Music are included

with a superior academic curriculum.

(619) 656-0141 www.bonitacountryday.org

BONITA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

WELL BEING

Are you suffering from severe, chronic, disc related back or neck

pain? Looking for a medically proven, non-surgical, non-invasive, drugless

solution? The South Coast Spine Center may have the treatment you are

looking for! Find out if you qualify for our revolutionary treatment.

Call For Your FREE Consultation Today!

(619) 472-2225www.southcoastspine.com

Get Lasting Pain Relief Now!

LEGAL

Eastlake Lawyers offers quality, experienced legal services right here in EastLake. The three law

offices of Eric W. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Poindexter, and J. Alan Enochs pro-vide advice in the areas of wills and trusts, business disputes, real estate matters, foreclosure, bankruptcy and most other legal issues you may find

yourself confronting. Contact us today for a free consultation.

(619) 651-7600www.eastlakelawyers.com

FLEXIBLE LOVING CHILDCARE-12 months of live-in childcare by an experienced, carefully screened and trained au pair. Select from a diverse

group of profiles. Approximately $316 per week per family. U.S. Government approved cultural

exchange program. CHI has been a trusted name in bringing people

together for nearly thirty years!

(619) 934-6234 www.chiaupairusa.org

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

CULTURAL HOMESTAYINTERNATIONAL

-a non-profit educational exchange program

WELL BEING

Poses Yoga is a boutique studio locat-ed in the heart of EastLake offering traditional yoga instruction for all

levels in an intimate setting. We carry the latest in yoga clothing and acces-sories to support your practice, and

our studio is staffed by highly trained, certified, and nurturing instructors

committed to guide you in your jour-ney of transformation and wellness.

(619) 591-YOGA www.poses-yoga.com

SPIRITUAL

MY hoMetoWn MeRCado

DENTAL

We at South Bay Pediatric Dental Group believe that through regular dental visits, children and their par-

ents can create a solid foundation for their oral health that will last a life-

time. Our practice specializes in treat-ing infants, children and adolescents in a caring and safe environment. We welcome those patients who have spe-cial medical needs or may simply be

anxious about dental treatment.

(619) 216-1100 www.sbpdg.com

South BayPediatric Dental Group

LOAN MODIFICATION

In uncertain economic times, many homeowners are facing foreclosure

due to adjustable rate mortgages and declining home values. No equity in

your home, and tightening credit stan-dards often make refinancing impos-sible. If you’re feeling trapped in your current home financing, we can help. Modify your existing mortgage, and

keep your family in your home.

(858) 737-7994 [email protected]

PROPERTY MANAGMENT

“Providing property owners with out-standing, reliable service and maxi-mizing real estate investments with

the greatest peace of mind.” Praecelsus Property Management is Chula Vista’s premier property man-

agement company. Call or click today to speak with one of our management professionals and request a FREE bro-

chure or FREE Property Analysis!

(619) 934-9684 www.PraeHomes.com

PRESCHOOL

One block from the Otay Ranch Town Center. A whole child developmental

program where your child willflourish under the guidance of caring and experienced staff.The specialized curriculum

(music/arts in addition to academic readiness) will challenge and

cultivate your child’s intellect and talent. Pre-enroll your child now for

BIG discounts.

(619) 422-6606 www.concordiachurch.com

NEW PRESCHOOLOtay Ranch/Windingwalk

Opening this July!

DENTAL PRESCHOOL

my Hometown mercado

advertising?

(800) 497-1309 x710 www.myhometowneastlake.com

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san elijo hills

hometown .

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+ COMMUNITY NEWS

SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS CALENDAR


PRE-SORT STD

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PAIDPERMIT #95

92056

PRE-SORT STD

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FEBRUARY 2009

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT: SOCIAL COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS | RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT: COLARUSSO FAMILY

ALSO INSIDE

PROJECT FIRESTARTER

USING RED IN

YOUR DECOR

Worth The EffortWorking at Relationships

now that you’ve read it - be in it!story idea? how to get involved

Jump in and get involved! If you’d like to submit an article or story, just email or call with your idea. we can’t wait to help you share your favorite neighbor-hood resource, brag on your child’s accomplishment, applaud a community member, or announce a neighborhood event. whether it’s just for your neighborhood or for the entire community, these pages are for you.

my Hometown mercado is

your community resource. each

month, this section features busi-

nesses who are a part of your com-

munity and dedicated to the com-

munities of otay ranch

and eastlake – bringing

the services you need to

your doorstep!

fountain media group, Inc

po box 2122, san marcos, ca 92079

(800) 497-1309 x710


+ +

FountainMediaMediaMediaMediaGroup inc.

publications that build community

www.concordiachurch.com

otay ranch

hometown

otay ranch

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san elijo hills

hometown .

e a s t l a k e

hometown .

Join the Chamber TODAY!

Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce

Join the Chamber TODAY!

Member Bene�ts

My Hometown Eastlake- February 2009

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Transcript of My Hometown Eastlake- February 2009