north park news, july, 2012

sdnorthparknews.com Vol. 20 No. 7 July 2012

Serving San Diego’s Premier Urban Communities for 20 Years

The women in the village of Jobraneeded $27 to pay for the bamboo theyturned into furniture. WhenBangladeshi economist MuhammedYunus learned the women were beinggouged by local money lenders, heagreed to lend them the money him-self. And the new microcredit marketwas born, 1976.

The Grameen Bank (literally, “Bankof the Villages,” in Bangla) is the out-growth of Yunus’ ideas. The bank wasimmensely successful in subsequentyears. By the beginning of 2005, it hadloaned over $4.7 billion to the poorand by the end of 2008, $7.6 billion. By2006, Grameen Bank had over 2,100branches. In 2007, more than 100 mil-lion of the world’s poorest families

SEE WOMEN, Page 5

Ken Gabbara (left) and Junior Najor, co-owners of Paras Newsstand.

Women’s EmpowermentInternationalIts microloans giveentrepreneurialwomen a hand up

BY DELLE WILLETT

Whether you want news from around the world oraround the block, North Park’s Paras Newsstand isthe go-to place. Owners Junior Najor, 28, and KenGabbara, 59, carry publications from all over theworld.

Paras Newsstand began as a tiny cigar store — athird the size it is today —opened by ChristopherParas in 1949 at the same location, 30th and Univer-sity. The first publication it carried was the Daily Rac-ing Form, for which people lined up out the door toget first dibs — that and the TV Guide.

Seeing how well publications were doing, Parasstarted bringing in more publications, eventually turn-ing the store into a newsstand.

In 1987 the newsstand changed hands to Michael

and Rocky Atallah, and then in October 2008 to Gab-bara and Najor, Atallahs’ cousin. Between 6 a.m. and9 p.m., Najor and Gabarra are at the store or shoppingfor the store. While Najor is out purchasing merchan-dise, Gabbara is in at 5:30, putting newspapers onstands, and getting ready to open at 6 a.m., five toseven days a week. “It takes us being here ourselves tomake this work,” says Najor.

With over 4,000 unique publications, from Ameri-can Girl to Z Magazine, Paras carries titles that onlynewsstands can get, and people drive from the fourcorners of the county to buy them — often on refer-ral from a bookstore or other newsstand.

Paras’ customers are even more fascinating thanthe publications they purchase. They’ve changed

Najor’s life and opened his mind. “I used to look atmagazines and ask, ‘who would buy that magazine?’and now I know.”

There’s the Grossmont College history professorwho stays up with current events, politics, travel, bookreviews and history. He reads The Times Literary Sup-plement and the New York Review of Books in searchof new and interesting books. He buys multiple copiesof The New York Times for his students, hoping topass his passion on to them.

A comic book fan who knows all about movies isanother customer. He can name the entire cast ofevery film. Another one knows all about aliens, and a

North Park’s Funky NewstandNo other San Diego retailer can rival Paras’ collection of newspapers,magazines, paperbacks and discriminating patrons BY DELLE WILLETT

SEE PARAS, Page10

Hillcrest Wind Ensemble Offers ‘Cabaret Pride’The Hillcrest Wind Ensemble is offering an alter-

native to the regular Pride events. On Saturday,July 21, “Cabaret Pride” at the Mississippi Room ofthe Lafayette Hotel, will feature show tunes, Amer-

icana works, as well as music with LGBT overtones.A special “Sound Of Music” costume contest andsing-a-long will be featured. The group welcomesback vocalist Andrea Sperling, who will perform aclassic Gershwin number as well as a special “Pride”

piece. Complimentary hors d’ouvres will be servedat 6:30 with the concert beginning at 7 p.m.Cabaret-style seating will take you back to the 1940sin the newly renovated historic hotel. Admission is$15. and tickets are available at The Windsmith,

3875 Granada Ave., or at the door. Andrea Sperlingis a San Diego-based jazz singer and songwriter.Café. Call (619) 282-7329 for more.

NORTH PARK SCENE

SEE SCENE, Page 5

2 | sdnorthparknews.com | July 2012

(619) 683-5420 | www.aftonmiller.com | [email protected]

AFTON SELL S SAN DIEGOSpecializing in North Park and Metro Area since 1986

SOLD - $649,000

4869 Marlborough | 3br 2ba*

SOLD - $655,000

4846 Lila Dr | 4br 2ba

SOLD - $675,000

3161 1st St #2N | 2br 2ba *

SOLD - $783,000

4134 Lymer Dr | 3br 2ba

SOLD - $845,000

3415 Villa Terrace | 3br 2ba

SOLD - $1,042,550

2521 San Marcos Ave | 4br 2.5ba *

SOLD - $1,125,000

1359 Ahlrich Ave | 4br 3.5ba

SOLD - $449,000

4795 50th St | 2br 1ba

SOLD - $615,000

4806 Adams Ave | 2br + FR

SOLD - $459,000

4836 50th St, | 3br 2ba

SOLD $453,100

4778 Caroline Dr. | 2br 2ba

SOLD SHORT SALE - $243,000

2173 Haller St | 3br 2.5ba

SOLD - $400,000

2244 Felton St | 2br 1ba

SOLD SHORT SALE $502,000

4631 Lucille Dr | 3br 2ba

SHORT SALE SOLD $515,000

4634 Estrella Ave | 3br 2ba

SHORT SALE SOLD $395,000

4464 Kansas St | 3br 3ba

SOLD SHORT SALE - $595,000

4142 Lymer Dr | 3br 2ba

AVAILABLE - $649,000

4607 Janet Pl | 4br 3.5ba

SOLD - $449,000

2234 Bancroft. | 2 br 1.5ba

SOLD - $510,000

2204 Bancroft | 2br 1.5ba*

SOLD - $525,000

3659 32nd St | 3br 2ba

SOLD - $575,000

4865 Lorraine Dr | 4br 3ba

SOLD - $675,000

4625 Patricia Pl | 3br 2ba *

SOLD - $615,000

3406 Olive St | 3br 2ba

SOLD - $620,000

4766 Lorraine Dr | 3br 2ba

*BUYER

I have had terrific success in helping peopleAVOID FORECLOSURE. If you or someone youknow is having a hard time making mortgagepayments, contact me for assistance.

AftonCERTIFIED DISTRESSED PROPERTY EXPERT.

SOLD - $760,000

5031 Crestland Dr | 4br 3ba

AVAILABLE - $685,000

3010-12 Felton St | 2br units

SOLD - $565,000

4365 Alder Dr | 3br 2ba

SOLD - $450,000

2438 33rd St | 3br 2ba FIXER

SOLD - $650,000

4558 Delaware St | 2br 2ba

IN ESCROW! $779,000 | 2503 BANCROFT STREET

4br 2ba + Family Room, 2,429 ESFExceptionally spacious Mid-Century home is gorgeous! Excellent taste and attention to detail. Remodeled kitchen,large bedrooms, lower level family room leads to backyard with patio, great for entertaining!

IN ESCROW - $695,000

2914 Redwood St | 3br 3ba


3311 Juniper St | 2br 1ba


4502 Euclid Ave | 2br 1ba

July 2012 | sdnorthparknews.com | 3


Kensington Photographer FeaturedArt Expressions Gallery presents “Reflec-tions of a Changing World – A Glimpseof Emerging Nations,” featuring morethan 25 recent photographs of life inMyanmar (formerly Burma) and Cubaby San Diego photographers SteveMcClelland of Kensington and MichaelOrenich. The exhibition runs July 14 toAug. 25, with an opening reception July14 from 6 to 9 p.m. “These photos offera exclusive glimpse into two countriesthat are transitioning into the modernworld, while still maintaining their gen-tle, hospitable nature,” said Patty Smith,director of Art Expressions Gallery.“Both Cuba and Myanmar have beenincreasingly highlighted in the news, butremain utterly foreign to most Ameri-cans.” Art Expressions Gallery is locatedat 2645 Financial Court, Suite C, SanDiego, just off Morena Boulevard in RoseCanyon.

New City Scene Apartments FullyOccupied

City Scene apartments at 4105 Geor-gia St., a redesigned 3- unit, affordabledevelopment featuring one-, two- andthree-bedroom apartments, has beenfully occupied. M.W. Steele performed

the renovation work under a projectsponsored by Affirmed Housing Group.The project has a community room,onsite laundry and a large recreationcourtyard with a tot lot and barbecues forresidents. Multiple solar panels are onthe roof. Below grade parking featuresspecial parking for those utilizing sus-tainable driving methods such as car-pooling, biking and motorcycles.

Woman’s Club Holds Beach BingoBash

The San Diego Woman’s Club is host-ing a Beach Bingo Bash fundraiser onSunday, July 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. in theBankers Hill neighborhood. The proceedswill benefit the Words Alive literacy pro-gram, which serves more than 1,000 at-risk, under served, low-income children,teens and adults. The charge is $20, whichincludes lunch and bingo.

Mission Hills Gets Brooklyn GirlEatery

Restaurateurs Michael and VictoriaMcGeath have signed a 10-year leasevalued at $1.6 million for a BrooklynGirl Eatery at 1Mission in Mission Hills.. The full-service restaurant, bar andgourmet market serves breakfast, lunch,dinner and post-dinner treats featuringcasual cuisine created with locally-sourced ingredients. 1Mission is amixed-use residential/retail enclavedeveloped by CLB Partners. The pro-ject is located at 845 Fort StocktonDrive. In 2010, the property was award-ed the Gold Nugget Award, which is theoldest and most prestigious nationalbuilding design competition of its kind.Cassidy Turley San Diego handled thelease transaction.

SCENECONTINUED FROM Page 1

received a microloan, impacting the livesof an estimated 500 million family mem-bers. Its success has inspired similar pro-jects in more than 40 countries aroundthe world.

One of these is San Diego’s Women’sEmpowerment (WE) International, anonprofit corporation that partners withnonprofit micro-finance lenders in SanDiego, Mexico, Honduras and Ghana.

Launched on Dec. 7, 2003, WE is anonprofit, all-volunteer organization, co-founded by San Diegans Leigh Fenly andWin Cox. As co-founders, they had thevision, tenacity and follow-through tograb hold of an idea, develop an originalmodel and then convince hundreds ofothers of the value of helpingentrepreneurial women both here in SanDiego and in other parts of the world byproviding them with small, collateral-freeloans and business services.

Through their dedication, enthusiasmand hard work they have built a highlyfunctioning organization that has raisedmore than $500,000, which continues togrow, both from new donors and moneyfrom repaid loans, which then gets lent tonew recipients.

With no corporate backing, Fenly andCox have built an organization that nowhas a seat at the table with other SanDiego microfinance organizations.

Lifting Women Out of PovertyMicroloans are made almost exclusive-

ly to women, who are much more likelythan men to invest in improving the livesof their children via schooling andimproved health services. Women are alsomore likely to invest in their husbandsthan men are in their wives. This proveneconomic model lifts women out ofpoverty and helps them develop theirpotential and strengthen their families.

Donors can specify that their gift godirectly into loans, grants and services forthe poor. The repayment rate in all WEprograms exceeds 95 percent, and repaidloans are offered to other women to startnew businesses. WE members are invitedto work directly with the women WEsupports. In San Diego, WE volunteersmentor loan clients through programs atthe WE Center for STAR (Support, Train-ing and Assistance to Refugee) Women.During field trips to Ghana, Mexico andHonduras, WE emissaries visit with WE-funded entrepreneurs to offer encourage-ment and friendship.

“The transformative power ofmicroloans is that so little can do somuch,” says Cox. “even a $50 loan canstart business after business, as that repaidloan is reissued. It’s extraordinary that

with so little money we truly can give apoor woman the opportunity to betterher life, put food on the table and, for thefirst time, send her children to school.And that’s all these hardworking womenwant — opportunity, not charity.”

Partnership in MexicoWE’s first partnership, with nonprofit

microfinance organization Grameen de laFrontera in Sonora Mexico, supportswomen entrepreneurs in rural villages.The second partnership, with the Interna-tional Rescue Committee (IRC) in SanDiego, launched the WE STAR Center.Since then, WE has formed additionalpartnerships with the Adelante Founda-tion in Intibucá, Honduras, and withWomen’s Trust in Ghana.

“Many of our microfinance partnersutilize the power of the group to make adifference for individuals and communi-ties,” says Fenly. “Groups of borrowerspledge to guarantee each other’s loansand support each other’s businesses.Because collateral is not necessary, creditbecomes available to those previouslyblocked from formal financial services.While building local economies, theseclose-knit groups also foster personalgrowth and create community leadersacross the globe.”

The WE STAR Center provides techni-cal support, business training and accessto microcredit loans and grants to low-

income and refugee women in San Diego.Located in City Heights, the center reach-es numerous refugee women and guidesthem to start or expand their own busi-nesses, augment their families’ incomes,and reduce or completely eliminatedependence on public assistance.

Among its assistance projects is theSomali Bantu Women’s Cooperative, agroup of 16 refugees. The group’s art-work — intricately woven beadwork jew-elry and embroidered linens — continuesa 500-year-old African tradition. Help-ing these women market their handcraftsnot only extends their cultural heritage,but helps ease the difficult transition tolife in the United States. Other business-es the STAR Center has launched includedressmaking, licensed childcare, smallretail businesses, ethnic breads, importedshoes, and many others.

Success Stories

Importing and Selling Hand-Made Artand Fabrics

Wayua Nazi, whose Christian name isMary, comes from the Mukamba tribe ofKenya. When she met and married herhusband from Liberia, across the conti-nent of Africa, she became Mary Page.With Liberia wracked with war, Mary andher eight children (two biological and sixadopted) fled from Liberia to Kenya viaSierra Leone and the Ivory Coast, and

was separated from her husband in theprocess. It would be 17 years before theyfound each other in 1999. The same yearthey moved to Minnesota, where her hus-band was diagnosed with liver cancer anddied.

While together in Liberia Mary andhusband imported and sold food prod-ucts, with 28 employees on their staff.This experience prepared Mary for hercurrent business in San Diego, importingand selling hand-made art objects andfabrics from Kenya at farmers’ marketsin Hillcrest, La Jolla, Chula Vista, Temec-ula and Rancho Bernardo.

Making and Selling TortasErnesto and Luz Alvarez, originally

from Toluca, Mexico, now live in CityHeights with their children, Alvaro andGaby. Together they own and run “Deli-cious” — a deli that makes and sells tor-

tas, Mexican sandwiches made withmeats and cheeses.

The Alvarez family runs their businessevery Saturday at the City Heights Farm-ers’ Market. They also do catering of theirtortas for events. Ernesto and Luz comefrom a restaurant/food background, withboth working in various restaurants overa 1-year period.

What they like best about their businessis watching their customers enjoy the fla-vors of their food, providing healthy foodfor their community at low prices, and thatit is a family business. Plans and goals forthe future: to grow and establish a restau-rant and give back to their community bybecoming a source of jobs for others.

“Coming from Mexico, we wanted tobring a little bit of our traditional food thatwasn’t as common. We wanted to bring adifferent dish to increase the variety thatalready exists in San Diego,” says Luz.


Leigh Fenly and Win Cox, founders of Women’s Empowerment International.

WOMENCONTINUED FROM Page 1

North Park resident Mary Page sells hand-made art and fabrics with assistance she receivedfrom Women’s Empowerment International.

Ernesto and Luz Alvarez

www.sdnorthparknews.com

Serving San Diego’s Premier Bungalow Communities

Chairman/CEOBob Page

[email protected]

Publisher Rebeca Page

[email protected]

EditorManny Cruz

[email protected]

Art DirectorChris Baker

[email protected]

Advertising SalesAda Laura Duff(858) 442-7766

[email protected]

------------------------------

Writers/ColumnistsTodd Gloria

Ann JarmuschJennifer Kester

Donna MarganellaBart Mendoza

Katelyn O’RiordanSandy PasquaDavid Raines

PhotographyManny CruzMike ShessSande Lollis

Letters/Opinion Pieces

North Park News encourage letters to the edi-

tor and guest editorials. Please address corre-

spondence to [email protected] or

mail to Manny Cruz. Please include a phone

number, address and name for verification

purposes; no anonymous letters will be print-

ed. We reserve the right to edit letters and edi-

torials for brevity and accuracy.

Story ideas/Press Releases

Do you have an idea for an article you would

like to see covered in this newspaper? We

welcome your ideas, calendar item listings

and press releases. For breaking news, please

call us at (619) 287-1865.

For all other news items, please email

[email protected].

ADDRESS PO Box 3679,

Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067PHONE

(858) 461-4484

North Park News distributes copies monthly

to residents and businesses of North Park,

South Park, Golden Hill and Normal Heights.

The entire contents of North Park News is

copyrighted, 2012, by REP Publishing, Inc.

Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited

without prior written consent.

All rights reserved.


Girl Scouts: Preparing Girls for the FutureNew directors help expand programs

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist toconclude that girls can become…well,rocket scientists. Girls can “reach for thestars” and become aerospace engineers,or whatever they want. They just needfuel for thought.

That’s where Girl Scouts San Diegosteps in. In tribute to the 100th anniver-sary of Girl Scouts of the USA, the localcouncil is boosting “learn-by-doing”opportunities designed to prepare girlsfor the future. Expanded areas of focusinclude STEM (science, engineering,technology and math fields) career pro-grams, arts and culture, financial litera-cy, health and wellness and environ-mental/outdoor. Many of these “GirlScout Leadership Experiences” takeplace through camp sessions and work-shops at Girl Scouts San Diego’s BalboaPark headquarters.

To further build on such programs,Girl Scouts San Diego recently hiredKathleen Stoughton as centennial artsdirector and Erin Miserlis to overseefund development.

Kathleen Stoughton: Bringing the Artsto Life

A resident of Bankers Hill, Stoughtonis launching, developing and deliveringa vibrant new visual/performing artsprogram. Examples include the GirlScouts San Diego Glee Chorus, in whichGirl Scout Junior Hailee Wong of Mis-sion Hills will participate. Stoughtonalso created an artist in residence pro-gram, enabling girls to learn first-handabout music, theater, photography anddance.

An accomplished curator, educatorand development specialist, Stoughtonhas worked at some of the country’smost noted institutions, including the J.Paul Getty Museum, the NationalGallery of Art and the Smithsonian’sNational Museum of American Art. Inaddition, she has taught undergraduateart history and museum studies classes

at UC San Diego, University of South-ern California and San Diego Mesa Col-lege. For nearly 12 years, she directedthe University Art Gallery at UCSD,where she developed a comprehensiveK-12 arts outreach program. During hercareer, Stoughton has created numer-ous publications, curated more than 40exhibitions and organized 180-plus artsevents. A talented musician, she hasplayed the viola for symphony orches-tras and recorded albums. She earned adual master’s degree with honors in arthistory and museum studies from USC,and a bachelor of arts degree from theUniversity of California, Santa Cruz,and she holds a teaching credential inmusic. Stoughton has received the cov-eted Smithsonian Outstanding Achieve-ment Award, the YWCA’s Tribute toWomen in Industry Award and the SanDiego Education Council’s Outstand-ing Educator Award.

Stoughton and her husband, design-er/builder Jeffrey Hillman, recently fin-ished restoring their historic BankersHill home. Designed by famed localarchitects Frank Mead and Richard

Requa, the “A.H. Sweet House” is num-ber 200 on the National Register of His-toric Places, and was formerly owned bythe San Diego Historical Society. Thesurrounding gardens were originallyplanted by San Diego legend Kate Ses-sions and renowned landscape design-er Paul Thiene. Stoughton enjoysswimming, hiking, gardening andspending time with her three grownsons.

Erin Miserlis: Funding Opportunitiesfor Girls

Development director Miserlis isworking to expand Girl Scout Leader-ship Experience opportunities in SanDiego. Miserlis oversees donor rela-tions, grant writing, partnerships withsponsors such as AT&T, QualcommInc., SDG&E and Sharp Health Plan,and other fundraising activities. She isalso helping to plan Urban Campout2012: A Space Odyssey, set for Fridayevening, Sept. 14. At this popular, annu-al “fun-raiser for grownups,” revelerswill play futuristic games, dine and

dance under the constellations and bidfor auction prizes. Guests will also haveclose encounters with Lost in Space TVstar June Lockhart. This year’s themesalutes the next century of Girl Scout-ing, which includes a focus on “out-of-this-world” career paths for girls inSTEM fields and other areas. Event pro-ceeds help keep the organization acces-sible to all girls, including those in thefoster care system, shelters, detentioncenters and low-income neighbor-hoods. (For event information, go tosdgirlscouts.org.)

Miserlis has over 16 years of experi-ence in the local nonprofit fundraisingsector, most recently with Kids’ TurnSan Diego. Previously, Miserlis directedthe first-ever development departmentat the Center for Community Solutions,for which she raised over $500,000through sources such as the prestigiousOprah Winfrey Angel Network grant.Her CSS accomplishments also includ-ed funding a new transitional housingfacility. In prior years, Miserlis held lead-ership positions with the MagdalenaEcke Family YMCA, the AmericanHeart Association and Kintera, Inc. Sheearned a bachelor’s degree in psycholo-gy from California State University,Chico and a master’s degree in humanservices from Springfield College. Erinresides in San Diego with her husband,Peter and their two young children. Inher spare time she likes to run, practiceyoga and write. She is the author of abook about infertility and pens a col-umn about that topic forExaminer.com. .

Erin Miserlis oversees fundraising for GirlScouts San Diego, including helping planUrban Campout 2012: A Space Odyssey. Theannual ‘fun-raiser for grown-ups’ is set for theevening of Friday, Sept. 14.

Kathleen Stoughton is implementing a vibrantnew visual/performing arts initiative for GirlScouts.

1,500 Girl Scouts, volunteers, staff and family at the Cabrillo Bridge, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting and ‘bridging’ from one program level to the next.


Marish Castle as Alexi


Get out your tie dye, hair picks and lovebeads! South Park’s merchants are cele-brating the “Summer of Love” at theWalkabout throughout the evening ofSaturday, July 14.Neighborhood businesses of South Parkinvite residents and visitors to recall thestyles of 1967 as they explore the shopsand eateries in this uniquely invitingcorner of San Diego.

“Since we’re all independent merchants,we’re not limited by some kind of ‘bigbrother’ corporate-style promotion,”says Donna Walker, co-owner of SouthBark Dog Wash. “When we have a party,we like to have a little extra fun, so wechose the Summer of Love theme, andwe’re planning to really show our stuff.We love the vibe.”From Kalmia Street at the north end,along the 30th Street and Fern Streetcorridors, to Beech Street at the southend, the businesses of South Park will bestaying open late, offering specials and

entertainment. The free trolley circu-lates from 6 to 10 p.m., and UrbanSafaris’ walking tour (also free) departsat 6:30 p.m. from the South Park Infobooth near The Grove at 30th andJuniper.On the trolley and at the Info table willbe free “Walkabout Guides,” with store-by-store details, along with a map forwalking South Park on your own (alsoavailable on the South Park website,www.southparkscene.com). Among thespecial festivities planned for July 14 are:

• Beech Street BBQ — Sidewalk diningspecials from Alchemy, Hamilton’s andGrant’s Marketplace, featuring fullplates at special prices. Grant’s $5 BBQsandwich and baked beans feature local-ly-produced Hog Heaven BBQ Sauce.

• Historic Streetcar Tours — Visit therestored streetcar, near its original routestop at The Station Tavern & Burgers,on Ivy Street between 30th and Fern.

• Art Gallery Shows — “OpeningShow” at Left Hand Black (near Grape

St. and Fern) features art by local tattooartists; “For Immediate Release” byMorgan Manduley at Disclosed unLo-cation on 30th Street; “My Tricks” clayand mixed media by Johanna Hansen at

The Next Door Gallery on Beech Street;At Plum Pottery, student artworkincluding award-winners from the SanDiego County Fair show.

• Art Showcase at Graffiti Beach – AlexChimilio’s hand-painted skateboards,longboards and prints, including a spe-cial series available this night only. PlusBrandie Mata Trunk Show of colorfuldesigns on candles, trays and prints.

• Kids’ Stuff — In the HistoricBurlingame Garage building, Home ec.studio hosts a “Kids’ Trunk Show” oftheir own handmade goodies, and Baby

Garten Studio offers sample movementand music classes, plus giveaway giftsincluding love beads and peace signs.Organic lemonade stand near AbsoluteSkin supports lionstigersandbears.organimal rescue efforts. At The Grove,“love-bead” necklace-stringing for kidsat The Bead Corner. At the new CaptainKirk’s Coffee in the market lot on FernSt., free kids coloring stations (color thepirate’s bird), along with music, gardenseating, and cool beverages.

• Bastille Day Dinner – July 14 is BastilleDay as well, so Vagabond will offerFrench-inspired specials by Chef PaulNiles.

• Pet Caricatures, Adoptions, and“19.67” Specials – South Park Dog Washgets into the Summer of Love spirit withspecials and flashback discounts.Local residents are also planning a SoulTrain Danceabout. According to orga-nizers, “It’s exactly what it sounds like:dancing your way down the street toboost your calorie burn, have fun, andstart a dance-walking revolution.” Ledby the Full Strength Funk Band, wearing“funkified” ’60’s/’70’s attire, the groupwill roam through South Park to enter-tain neighbors and visitors.

• The fashionable merchants of FernStreet — Junc Life & Style, Make Good,and Bad Madge & Company — will beentertaining South Park visitors with a

sunset movie and popcorn stand on theempty lot adjacent to their stores. More information on all the South ParkWalkabout activities and participatingbusinesses is available at www.south-parkscene.com.

Summer of Love Style Walkabout Set for July 14

The Beech Street BBQ was so popular thisspring that they’re doing it again on July 14.Check out the tasty sidewalk specials fromHamilton’s, Grant’s and Alchemy. Photo byAdam Greenfield. Hand-pointed long boards by Adam Chimilio

will be featured at Graffiti Beach during theSummer of Love Walkabout.

Feathers and leather were hallmarks of theSummer of Love in 1967, and they’re includedin this ceramic vase by Cia Barron at PlumPottery.

‘I Can Wear a Scooter Skirt’ is among the clayand mixed media work by Johanna Hansenfeatured at The Next Door Gallery. The showopens at the July 14 Walkabout.


South Park, Home Industry Shine at 2012 Old House FairThe Old House Fair reflected both current “news”as well as a variety of the “old” at its 14th annual fes-tival last month in South Park.This year exhibitors and vendors at the street fairthat accompanies neighborhood tours (the Saturdaybefore Father’s Day) reported improved sales andbusiness conversations with visitors. “Maybe thisreflects an improvement in the economy,” said onehome restoration contractor. “I sure hope so. Peo-ple were much more serious about discussing pro-

jects to renovate or improve their homes than theywere a year ago.”Some 70 exhibits lined the intersection of 30th &Beech St. for the annual event, produced by theSouth Park Business Group and sponsored byneighborhood businesses. Along with live music onstage and festival food vendors, the streets were busyall day with visitors from as far away as Arizona. Approximately1,000 took part in the various toursoffered throughout the day, including 800 who vis-

ited the expanded Historic Home Tour whichranged from 28th Street to Kalmia Place. Also pop-ular were the guided Trolley Tours, walking tours byUrban Safaris, and visits to the restored Fire StationNo. 9 building, constructed 100 years ago on 30thStreet.Proceeds raised by the event help support the SouthPark Business Group’s neighborhood beautifica-tion and promotion efforts. Organizers have announced that the 15th annual

Old House Fair will be held on Saturday, June 15,next year. A complete guide to the event, includinga copy of the useful “Resource Guide” for owners ofolder homes, is available on the website www.the-oldhousefair.com.

Exhibitors and vendors were busy all day at the Old House Fair. Photo courtesy HillQuest. Booth by South Bark Dog Wash.


restaurant worker reads Parabola, aboutBuddhist philosophy and spirituality.

There’s a funny and sarcastic doctorwho buys magazines for his waitingroom on subjects like tropical fish, back-yard poultry and horror films just to cre-ate interesting conversations with hispatients.

The owner of an army-surplus storebuys six copies of Military Vehicles, apublication similar to Auto Trader, forhis store.

There’s a guy with long red hair, aprofessional sword swallower who does

shows in Las Vegas. He likes to readBizarre because he’s sometimes featuredfor his crazy talents.

A girl drives from Oceanside for acopy of Huck, an international skate-boarding and surfing magazine thatcovers the boarding lifestyle, latest infashion and competition reviews.

Regulars are seniors who like to chal-lenge themselves mentally by purchas-ing and working crossword puzzles andbrain-challenging books.

There are customers who purchasemagazines to send to their family/friendswho are inmates in jail or prison. “Wesend the pubs directly to the inmatesbecause certain facilities only accept pub-

lications from bookstores or publishers,”explained Gabbara.

Other customers include the cruiseships that email ahead of arrival intoSan Diego to order several hundrednewspapers for their passengers: U-TSan Diego, The New York Times, USAToday and The Los Angeles Times.

Finally, there’s Mercy Hospital patients,adults and kids, who want something toread. “We donate magazines to them, try-ing to help where we can,” said Gabbara.Ditto for the military.

Not everyone comes in to buy maga-zines. Paras also carries drinks, snacks,baseball caps, cigarettes, cell phones and(winning) lottery tickets.

The customers give back as well. Onecomes in to buy Wise Traditions from alarge selection of Eastern medicine pub-lications. Without discussion, she knowswhen Najor needs some hands-on heal-ing, touching his shoulder or hand torelieve a pain in his back. Others sharetheir interests with Najor and Gabarra:aliens, high fashion, current events,energy flow, music, sports, flight simu-lators and more.

Customers stop by to say “hi” all thetime. The Paras philosophy is to devel-op a relationship, not just a sale. Theyhave customers on a publication waitinglist who get a call when their favoritescome in.

Paras’ Arizona customer comes to thestore during her routine visits to SanDiego to pick up copies of Minervamagazine, which they hold just for her.“We want to be sure people are gettingtheir publications,” said Najor.

Others come in just to look around.“We have no problem with people inthe store browsing and reading, even ifthey don’t buy anything. We like to seethem reading,” Najor adds.

Business has not died with the digitalinvasion. But is has changed. While thetraditional print-reader is aging, newtrends are attracting the younger digitalgeneration to print. New magazines are

PARASCONTINUED FROM Page 1

REALTOR®, Broker-AssociateYour referrals are my business!

Sampson California Realty • CA Lic # 00687220

619-504-9431 • [email protected] • www.gloriasharkey.com

Crash magazine. Men’s magazines Juxtapoz

SEE PARAS, Page 11

Bizarre magazine


popping up; every few weeks Paras getsa list of new pubs and emails from dis-tributors announcing new titles.

Popular topics like international fash-ion, computers, advances in science,music and hard-to-find literary reviewssuch as The Paris Review and N+1 arebringing in the younger crowd, especial-ly fashion. “They not only want to readthe magazines, they want to cut them up,create new things with them,” said Najor.An average magazine at Paras costs $5,and the higher end, international publi-cations can range from $10 to $20. Mag-azines are 65 percent of the business andnewspapers 35 percent.

Paras has also benefited by the closingof other newsstands, especially 3rd Ave.News in Chula Vista and Cornet Newsin Oceanside.

Najor sees lots of covers and head-lines that get his attention and he tries totake the time to at least skim the maga-zines. Has he found new interests?“Absolutely. I’ve learned a lot not justfrom the publication but from the per-son buying the magazine. My customershave changed my life and opened mymind,” said Najor, who was raised in astrict Chaldean Catholic family.

Will they expand? Probably not. ParasNewsstand is a unique store in a dis-tinctive community, owned and operat-ed by special people, all of which makesit what it is: one of a kind. Karma.

The Paras Newsstand is located at3911 30th St. in the heart of North Park.Phone number is (619) 296-2859.

PARASCONTINUED FROM Page 10

A tatooed customer scans the magazine rack.

Paras co-owner Junior Najor helps a customer.

Co-owner Ken Gabbara rings up a lottery tickets sale.


Community Corner Vol. III: Beautifying North ParkWhere you can help your neighbors spruce up the neighborhood

Before I get started this week, I wantto take a moment and do somethingwe in the community sometimes for-get to do — say thank you. Out of theblue, a North Parker named Mike Fishvolunteered his band, Ska-volution-ary, to perform a benefit concert tohelp support the North Park Commu-nity Association (NPCA).

Like many musicians, Mike runsanother business full time — Oh MyDog Photo — but still made time totry to help our group raise money.

Fish’s band’s good deed wasmatched by Scot Blair, another NorthParker who owns Hamilton’s Tavernin South Park, Small Bar in Universi-ty Heights, Monkey Paw Pub Down-town and Eleven in City Heights. Blair,as he’s known to locals, volunteeredEleven as a place to hold the concert,free of charge. The giving spirit thatBlair and Mike showed is one of thethings I love about living in our com-munity. That same community spiritactually brings me to this week’ s topic— Beautifying North Park.

Community ProjectsThere are many activities under way

— and a few more that could reallyuse your help.

You may have noticed the workbeing done as you drive up TexasStreet. The Greater North Park Plan-ning Committee — and tireless workby people like Dionne Carlson from

our Between Heights neighborhood— has led to encouraging Sud-berry (the companyinstalling the sidewalk onthe hill as you come upTexas from the valley)to place a nice commu-nity identification signand decorative lights asyou enter the communi-ty.

This is the same spirit thathas pushed Steve Codraro to workwith the NPCA and North Park MainStreet to spruce up the 805 north-bound off-ramp. Steve has made it hismission to help encourage the city toenforce code and clean up a bit alongUniversity near the overpass.

And he’s really put a ton of his owntime into working with Main Streetand the City Heights Business Associ-ation — with a grant from SDG&E —to install a nice sculpture as you comeup the off-ramp at University Avenueto enter the neighborhood.

Over the past seven months I’veembraced Steve’s energy and have beenworking with several neighbors fromAltadena up to Adams Avenue to makesimilar improvements to the entrypoints at North Park Way, El CajonBoulevard and Adams Avenue.

These things take time, and we arebeing careful to work with lots of com-munity and government officials to besure the improvements —primarilysustainable, drought-tolerant land-scaping — are supported by as manypeople as possible. Stay tuned for moredetails on this project. And this bringsus to the newest project — the one wecan all participate in: Keeping an Eyeon North Park.

Local Business FaceliftsLed by Board President Nikki Berdy,

for the past year the NPCA has beenworking to encourage local small busi-nesses to work with us to put a facelifton their properties. We’ve been focus-ing on a few of the more “aesthetical-ly challenged” locations around the

neighborhood — Happy Daze Liquor(the building in front of you when youexit 805 at University Avenue) andKwik Stop (the blue market at the cor-ner of 30th and Upas).

We have offered to help each busi-ness navigate the Storefront Improve-ment Program (the city actually hasmoney to cover design costs and somereimbursement for actual construc-tion).

Our network of contractors andothers who have volunteered to help(if the businesses agree to participate)continues to grow, which will keep thecost to the business down. But wehaven’t had much success yet encour-aging these and other businesses to

embrace this concept and worktogether to really brighten up the area.

If any of you know these owners orshop in their stores and can encouragethem to open the dialogue, it would bea huge help. I’m the first to respecttheir private property rights, so a gen-tle nudge is the best we can do — anda little neighborly encouragement. Ifyou have a skill or a contact that canhelp us help our neighbors cleanthings up a bit, please reach out.

Our North Park neighbors have along history of looking out for oneanother, and this is another opportu-nity to help improve the communityfrom within. And if a couple homeson your block could use a “facelift,” letme know, and perhaps we can poolour human and financial resourcesand really help some of our struggling

residential blocks turn the corner, too.We’ve got one of the most walkablecommunities in San Diego and themore we can do to make it safe andinviting for everyone, the better offeveryone who lives here will be.

I hope you’ll come out and enjoyone of the remaining Bird Park Sum-mer Concerts and also look for smallways to help make our community aneven better place to live.

Omar Passons is a local attorneyand volunteer who writes a periodiccolumn about community issues. Headvocates for greater civic attentionand participation in all San Diegoneighborhoods. Email him at [email protected] regarding issues inyour neighborhood or follow him onTwitter @omarpassons.

BY OMAR PASSONS

Paesano's Neighborhood Specials(Mon thru Fri. 11am-2pm)

Lunch Special: Your Choice of Entree: Lasagna,Ravioli,Manicotti,orSpaghetti w/ meatballs. Served with salad and garlic

bread. Only $4.99

+10% of ALL TO GO ORDERSwill be donated to our

neighborhood schools at St. Patricks (just tell us the school you would like to help when you pick up your order!)

Don't forget Tuesday Nights for live Italian music.

Wine Wednesday 20% off all our wines!

SINCE1967

Dine in or Take OutOpen 11-12/4:30-8:30

Sat 4:30 - 9:00 Sun 5:00 - 9:00

3647 30th St.291-4090

Visit our website: PaesanoOfNorthpark.com

Scot Blair


Peter “Pete” K. Ellsworth, known as San Diego’sfounding father of cultural leadership. will be hon-ored July 14 by Patrons of the Prado, a philanthrop-ic organization that supports arts and cultural insti-tutions in the park. Ellsworth, president of theLegler Benbough Foundation, is credited with theexpansion of Sharp Hospital into the Sharp Health-care network of hospitals and clinics from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. He was nominated by theTimken Museum of Art as one of 11 visionary“Patrons on the Prado Stars” for 2012 who serve thecommunity by providing an enhanced Balboa Parkexperience. The awards program will be held at 6

p.m. on the Prado and also will feature tributes to the Beach Boys and JerseyBoys, entertainment by the Wayne Foster Orchestra, and cuisine by JeffreyStrauss of Pamplemousse Grill. Ellsworth and 10 other honorees, who werenominated by gala beneficiary institutions, will be honored during the pro-gram. Ellen Zinn is chair of the event.Ellsworth and his wife Doris have been Friends of the Timken since 1998. Hisstewardship of the Legler Benbough Foundation has been instrumental in theevolution of the museum through conservation and acquisition of worldclass art. Major gifts from the foundation were also directly responsible forthe development of a strategic plan and the hiring of its executive director,John Wilson, in 2008. Ellsworth serves on the Mayor’s 2015 Balboa ParkCommittee and Irwin Jacob’s Plaza de Panama Board.

Patrons of the Prado to Honor Peter EllsworthPainting Himself on Death’s DoorGoya’s work one of the mostarresting self-portraits in arthistory

The second in the series of major loans to the TimkenMuseum of Art comes from the Minneapolis Instituteof Art. Francisco de Goya’s “Self-Portrait with Dr. Arri-eta” from 1820 is on display at the Timken throughSept. 9. The museum will display the painting alongsidethe Timken’s own revolutionary-era masterpiece,Jacques-Louis David’s landmark portrait of the IrishRepublican sympathizer, Cooper Penrose, of1802. Admission is free.

As court painter for both Charles III and Charles IVof Spain, Goya achieved considerable renown as a por-traitist. “Self-Portrait with Dr. Arrieta,” one of his mas-terpieces and the last of his many self-portraits, wascreated late in his life. Goya, who because of a previousmysterious illness was stone deaf, had fallen seriously illagain and his doctor Eugenio Garc’a Arrieta broughthim back to health.

On recovering, he presented Arrieta with the portraitthat shows the physician caring for his patient. Theartist’s inscription reads: “Goya gives thanks to hisfriend Arrieta for the expert care with which he savedhis life from an acute and dangerous illness which hesuffered at the close of the year 1819 when he was sev-enty-three years old. He painted it in 1820.”

“One of the most arresting self-portraits in the his-tory of art, Goya has painted himself on death’s door,collapsed onto Dr. Arrieta, who offers him a glass of redliquid,” said John Wilson, executive director of theTimken. “Small details create a compelling story: asGoya’s head lolls he grips the edge of the sheet andmysterious figures crowd the background in the richdarkness; Arrieta’s attentive concern contrasts withGoya’s unconsciousness.”

A private dinner hosted by Lori and Bill Walton isplanned for Aug. 9 to commemorate the showing. Eachguest will wear a design inspired by either Goya’s SelfPortrait or Jacques-Louis David’s Cooper Penrose. Costis $5,000 per couple.

Goya’s self-portrait is on loan to the Timken Muse-um of Art from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, TheEthel Morrison Van Derlip Fund in exchange for theTimken’s loan of Rembrandt’s Saint Bartholomew, partof the exhibition Rembrandt in America on view at theMIA through Sept. 16.

The San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, the resident classical ballet school of BalboaPark, will present the fourth annual Fairy Tales in the Park on Saturday, Aug. 18,in the Casa del Prado Theatre. Shows will be at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. The show is awhimsical, interactive dance event that will introduce audiences to the art of bal-let through familiar stories. This year’s event features excerpts from stories like“Little Red Riding Hood” and “Beauty & The Beast,” narrated by a professionalstoryteller and interpreted by student dancers and guest artists; as well as an“enchanted forest” boasting a wishing well and costumed characters where vis-itors can interact and delve deeper into the magic of Fairy Tales in the Park.Admission is $10. Proceeds will fund the organization’s scholarship program forthe upcoming academic year.

Civic Youth Ballet to Perform Fairy Tales in thePark Aug. 18

Francisco de Goya’s ‘Self Portrait with Dr. Arrieta’

Art in the Evening Lecture and ReceptionThursday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m.Speaker: Clara Bargellini, professor, Instituto deInvestigaciones Estéticas, National University inMexico City.

Exhibition ToursTours are free of charge and may be half-hourto one-hour long. An instructor must accom-pany college classes and K-12 classes mustinclude one chaperone per 10 students.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMINGArt in the Evening Lecture and Reception


The two-level home features 21 roof-top photovoltaic solarpanels that supply a 40 percent annual energy offset. The struc-ture also was built to be 23.7 percent more energy efficient thanrequired by California standards, accomplished through the useof numerous green building techniques and materials includ-ing:

• A highly efficient thermal envelope that includes state-of-the-art formaldehyde-free insulation, a cool roof system, Low-E coated windows, concrete floors and walls, and a design thateasily allows for cross ventilation.

• Careful study of site and building orientation for maximumefficiency. Efficient design features include architectural over-

hangs for shading, limited glazing on east and west facingwalls, and a south facing flat roof area for maximized photo-voltaic energy production.

• Sustainable materials such as concrete flooring, concrete blockwalls, and 25 percent recycled content drywall.• Low VOC paint throughout the house.

• 91 percent Energy Star-rated lighting package along withenergy saving motion sensors in most rooms.• Energy Star-rated appliances and low flow toilets and faucets.

• 100 percent drought-tolerant landscaping planted with nativespecies.

‘GREEN’ JEWEL IN A CANYONMission Hills single-family residence is first in San Diego to get LEED credentials

L ocated in Mission Hills and built on a canyon lot that was con-sidered by many as unsuitable for construction, the Shayan

residence — designed and built by Nakhshab Development andDesign — is the first LEED-certified Gold single-family home in the city of San Diego. The 5,679-square-foot house, inspired by mid-20th century design, serves as hometo three generation of the Nakhshab family.

SEE JEWEL, Page 16


• Zoned HVAC system that uses non-HCFC refrigerants for maximized effi-ciency

• Tankless water heater and re-circulatingplumbing system.

The Shayan residence features a col-lection of custom amenities that high-light how green can also be luxuriousand accentuate the home’s “classic mod-ern” characteristics, including a largeentertaining-and-living space walled by13-foot high floor-to-ceiling windows,and a sleek eight-foot wide gas fireplace;a custom wood and steel staircase thatallows ambient light to shine through tothe lower level, thus creating an airy feel-ing downstairs; an open floor plan withconcrete flooring throughout, and mid-century inspired light fixtures; a spaciouskitchen with large walnut storage cabi-nets, an expansive island and a walk-inpantry that also houses (and thus hidesfrom sight) all electronic and sound sys-tems. Other unique features are a sound-proof music room and home theater, and

a dramatic oversized walk-in shower inthe master suite.

Built in a canyon and accessed by asloped driveway, the home was designedwith a cohesive, open floor plan that pro-vides all residents sufficient privacy.Shared living spaces — the kitchen, din-ing room and living room — are locatedupstairs, and offer panoramic views ofDowntown San Diego through a dra-matic wall of windows. The bedroomsuites share the downstairs with the fam-ily room and music room. Each roomhas floor-to-ceiling windows as well asaccess to the outdoors, which makes thespaces very luminous and open. The spa-cious master bedroom is large enoughto accommodate a private and cozy“retreat” for the family’s eldest genera-tion.

Although a spacious 5,000 square feet,the lot sat vacant for more than a decadesince it was considered inaccessible unlessa bridge was built to span from the streetto the lot’s structure. Nakhshab Develop-ment and Design studied the terrain andovercame the challenge by creating twolots and engineering a sloped curveddriveway for access to each. The Shayanresidence was built in 11 months, fromgroundbreaking to final occupancy.

JEWELCONTINUED FROM Page 15


San Diego has no shortage of impres-sive titles: We’re one of America’s bestburger cities and one of America’s techi-est cities; we’ve been honored for ourfitness, and North Park’s 30th Street wasnationally honored for its craft beer

options. The city of San Diego has alsobeen ranked as the least expensive bigcity in California to do business andone of America’s “low cost” cities forbusiness, according to a study by theRose Institute of State and Local Gov-ernment at Claremont McKenna Col-lege.

The study evaluated business taxesand fees, economic incentives and otherprograms for 421 cities nationwide andassigns a cost rating for each city usinga proprietary formula.

While Los Angeles and the Bay Arearemain among the most expensiveareas in the state to do business, SanDiego is the most affordable big city

for business, and San Diego continues tolead California and the nation with thehighest penetration of rooftop photo-voltaic installations and overall solargeneration.

This status, combined with the CityCouncil’s focus on job creation and theefforts of Mayor Sanders’ Economic

Growth Services Department, helpedSan Diego land two solar manufacturerssince 2009, Kyocera and Soitec.

While big businesses like those in thesolar, defense, and bio-fuel industriesgenerally create skilled manufacturingjobs and build our base of innovation,small and local businesses are of criticalimportance to our economy and ourcommunity character, as evidenced bythe continued growth and success ofNorth Park’s business corridor.

San Diego has developed a good busi-ness climate by cutting red tape, stream-lining the permit process, and initiatinga wide array of programs to directlyassist businesses large and small. Fromour popular Storefront ImprovementProgram to infrastructure investments,like the upcoming addition of a bikecorral at 30th Street and North ParkWay, we have made progress supportingneighborhood businesses.

The direct support provided by busi-ness improvement districts like North

Park Main Street cannot be overlooked,and I am glad that the city has strength-ened our relationship with BIDs andmade it easier for the organizations toaccess their funds for service.

Obviously, work remains to be doneto ensure San Diego businesses, espe-cially small ventures and those just get-ting started, are provided appropriateresources by the city, and are not boggeddown by bureaucracy or unreasonablefees.

I’m proud of the recognition the cityhas received for our efforts to strength-en our business climate, and remainfocused on improving the quality of lifethroughout our communities.

Information about San Diego’s eco-nomic incentives is available on the city’swebsite at sandiego.gov/economicdevel-opment or by contacting Russ Gibbon,business development manager, at (619)236-6350.

BY COUNCILMAN TODD GLORIA

San Diego’s Newest Community Garden Sprouts in AltadenaNeighborhood also gets 50 new trees

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘Horrified’ bythe ProposedCentennialBridge

I am a native San Diegan. I haveenjoyed the pleasure of growing up in aspectacular city. I am so proud not onlyof the Downtown we now have, but theballpark, our new cleaned up riverwalk,the Gaslamp revival, and so many won-derful historical features our city offers itscitizens and visitors.

Our crowning jewel is Balboa Park.What vision our forefathers had. (andforemothers, of course ... we have someremarkable ladies in our history!) I mar-vel at the buildings, have photographedthem many times, taken visitors to see thepark. It is larger than New York’s centralpark, I hear, and yet it feels intimate andwelcoming.

Then I took a look at the rendering ofthe proposed “centennial bridge” and Iwas stunned ... horrified. It reminded meof some mutant with an unnatural arm.

What could the architect who pro-posed this monstrosity possibly be think-ing? Is this anyone who values posterity,history, culture? How could you put anappendage onto the Cabrillo Bridge? Arethese people San Diegans?

Then I listened and watched as theCommissioner of the Plaza de Panamaseemed to fall all over himself in praiseand awe of Dr. (Irwin) Jacobs and hismoney, while at the same time expressinghis own reservations and distaste for thecentennial bridge. It was disgusting.Those with the money should NOT haveall the say in what we do with our pre-cious Balboa Park!

I attended an event at our Museum ofArt just last week and thought, how won-derful that our current planners areproposing removal of cars in the Plaza. Agreat idea! It will be beautiful. Yet, thetraffic plan is flawed. What would be somuch more pleasing is either an under-ground parking below the Plaza, or park-ing in close sites with shuttle access andconnected roads.

Certainly Dr. Jacobs does not want hisname forever vilified by San Diegans.Certainly he does not want to be associ-ated with an “Onion” Award. Certainly heis a reasonable man and willing to com-promise on this. Yet I have heard thatthere is one plan and one plan to be pro-posed to the City Council.

Why not a working compromise? Mr.(William S.) Lewis’s plans seem very rea-sonable and well thought out.

I suggest we take a little time to rethinkthis before setting a flawed plan in stone.What would be the difficulty in pushingthis decision off for a month or two tocome up with a better idea?

San Diegans deserve it.

Judy Hagar SchonsSan Diego

Todd Gloria and Sharon Tittle in the community garden.


Rendering of the USO building.

By Bart Mendoza

A Rare Appearance by The SlothsFans of ’60’s-era garage punk music won’t want to miss The Sloths at The Soda Bar on July 6, 8:30 p.m.

Recently reunited after nearly 50 years, the Los Angeles-based band released a rare single, “Makin Love,”in 1965, copies of which today have sold for over $6,000. While the song never became a chart hit, the band’slegend has grown throughout the years, thanks in part to the championing of music aficionados such asMike Stax, whose own band, The Loons, open up the proceedings. Though the Sloths never made it pastthe local hero stage in its heyday, the band’s recent spate of reunion shows confirm their lack of successat the time wasn’t due to a lack of great songs. This rare appearance should be at the top of the list for any-one who loves vintage rock ‘n’ roll.

.

The Sloths: Friday, July 6, at The Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd. 8:30 p.m. 21 and up. $7. sodabarmusic.com.

Best Pop From Rin Tin TigerSan Francisco-based trio Rin Tin Tiger stops in at Eleven on July 31, 9 p.m. Led by Kevin Sullivan, they

play a mix of folk, indie rock and pop. It’s the latter that sets the band apart from other such combos, witha sound that’s best described as sounding like a cross between Arlo Guthrie and Paul McCartney’s“White” album-era acoustic guitar work. Rin Tin Tiger has excellent tunes, such as the ballad “Far Away,”which follow the folk rock template closely, but they’re at their best when they rock out a bit on songs suchas “Ghost Door,” which border on powerpop..

Rin Tin Tiger: Tuesday, July 31 at Eleven, 3519 El Cajon Blvd. 9 p.m.

21 and up. $5. elevensandiegomcom..

Gypsy Jazz With MatilijaAlthough the music of acoustic guitar trio Matilija might be

described as gypsy jazz, anyone who enjoys great fretwork will lovethe combo of guitarists Ryan Dart and Bob Ryan. Inspired by thelikes of Django Reinhardt, the pair are great to listen to as well aswatch; their nimble guitar interplay being a definite highlight oftheir performances. The group has a batch of excellent originalmusic, but a wide range of vintage cover tunes, such as Duke Elling-ton’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” are amongst the band’s biggest crowdpleasers.

.

Matilija Swing: Friday, July 20 at Claire de Lune, 2906 University Ave. 8 p.m. All ages. Free. clairedelune.com..

Fragile Vocals Mixed With Acous-tic Guitar Work

Singer songwriter Emily James Kanis performs at Lestatson July 28. Though still a relatively young performer, Kanisis a skilled guitarist and tunesmith, with an arsenal of orig-inal numbers and an eclectic batch of cover tunes that canrange from Dolly Parton to The Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’s. Her plain-tive, at time fragile vocals carry a lot of emotion and areperfectly matched to her acoustic guitar work, giving hermoody tunes a compelling edge.

.

Emily James Kanis: Saturday, July 28 at Lestats, 3343 Adams Ave. 9 p.m.All Ages. Cover TBD. lestats.com.

Elder Statesman for CountryMusic

An original 1970’s-vintage country music “outlaw,” RayWylie Hubbard appears at AMSD Concerts on Friday, July 13,7:30 p.m. Best known for co-penning the 1973 Jerry Jeff Walk-er hit, “Up Against The Wall, Redneck Mother,” Hubbard hasreleased 16 albums of music since 1971, in the process becom-ing an elder statesman of the genre and Texas music in gen-eral. Although Hubbard is considered a country music artist,fans of the blues, folk and Americana will love every secondof Hubbard’s set.

.

Ray Wylie Hubbard: Saturday, July 13 at AMSD Concerts,4650 Mansfield St. 7: 30 p.m. All Ages. $20-$47. amsdcon-certs.com..

north park news, july, 2012

Documents

paras customers

coowners of paras newsstand

delle willettsee paras

paras collection of

owners junior najor

unique publications

new york times

searchof new