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The CCNews is distributed by Sun Distributing. Please call 858-277-1702 with any questions or concerns.

By Janet Miller

Clairemont Welcomes First-Ever San Diego Comedy Festival

TThis month the brand new San Diego Comedy Festival comes to our

neck of the woods, and the five-day event offers something for everyone who loves to laugh. With everything from a battle between stand up and improv to an entire show of “clean” comedy, and shows by nationally known comics, the San Diego Comedy Festival is sure to be a hit.

Hosted by The Comedy Palace, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., it is the first event of its kind ever in San Diego. Of course for most of us the focus will be on enjoying some great live comedy, but for the performers there will be valuable opportunities to network and be seen by talent bookers as well. In addition there will be several cash prizes, including a grand prize of $2,000 that comes with an Uproar Entertainment CD recording.

Dan Bublitz Jr, the San Diego Comedy Festival Co-Producer reports that comedians from all over the country will be participating including national headliners you will recognize from TV and movies.

“We are excited to be kicking off the San Diego Comedy Festival with a performance by Kevin Pollak, a performer Comedy Central named

one of the Top 100 Comedians of all Time,” Bublitz said. “We’re also looking forward to introducing San Diego to the fun of Impro(vs)tandup, where improvisers and stand ups do what they do best and then switch places to try their hand at what the other does best. This particular Impro(vs)tandup will

Kevin

PollakPatrick DeGuire

Donnell Rawlings

Theo Von

Jen Kober

T I C K E TSsandiegocomedyfest.com

or call 858-573-9067

Clairemont Community News • January 2014 • www.clairemont.com2

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Janet Miller

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Happy New Year Clairemont! Have You OptedIn Yet?

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feature standup comics Grant Cotter from MTV’s Jerks with Cameras and Dean Delray from The Longshots and Hell Ride. The improvisers will be from the renowned Upright Citizens Brigade.”

The festival begins on Tuesday evening January 28th with the Kevin Pollak show. This is the only show that will not be at the Comedy Palace; Mr. Pollak will perform at the 4 Points by Sheraton, 8110 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA 92123. Wednesday offers a full schedule including a keynote address from Patrick DeGuire, a San Diego comic (winner of the Improv/ Harrahs National Comedy Club Talent Search), followed by the first contest showcase. In the contest showcases, 8 comedians will perform but only 2 will advance to the finals on Saturday.

After the showcase comes the Impro(vs)tandup show. If previous versions in other cities are any indication, San Diego is in for a treat, watching the standups and improvisers try to win the audience’s laughs and applause.

The last show of the night will be a San Diego showcase, exclusively featuring comics from San Diego.

On Thursday the laughs continue with another contest showcase, another San Diego showcase and in between a headlining performance by Donnell Rawlings, who is perhaps best known for playing “Ashy Larry” on Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show. Rawlings’ quick wit has made him a favorite in comedy clubs across the country.

Friday’s schedule includes two more contest showcases (each showcase has 8 performers), a “blue” showcase (adult comedy) and a show from headliner Theo Von. Von is the host of ‘Deal With It’ on TBS as well as the host of Yahoo!’s popular daily recap show, Primetime in No Time, which averages over one million views a day. Von’s website, CrankTexts.com, is where he posts the hilarious results of text conversations with random strangers.

The San Diego comedy Festival continues on Saturday February 1st with a TV Clean showcase (family-friendly comedy) in the afternoon, a general showcase of comedians from all over the country and then a show from headliner Jen Kober. Kober, a native of Lake Charles Louisiana, has a commanding presence and her show is a great blend of silly, funny and improv that you won’t soon forget.

Following Kober is the 2-hour contest final showcase. 8 finalists will perform and compete for cash prizes. These 8 will be the best of the best from the whole festival so the laughs are pretty much guaranteed for this one! At the end of the show the winners will be announced and awarded their prizes.

Tickets are available for individual shows from $15-$50 or you can get a festival pass for $100-$200 good for all shows. This event is for ages 18 and up, and all shows (except Kevin Pollak) are at the Comedy Palace. All information was up to date as of press time; line up and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. Visit www.sandiegocomedyfest.com for full festival details or call 858-573-9067.

San Diego Comedy Festival continued from page 1

Wow, what a busy month December was! Along with the usual bills and holiday cards, the CC News post office mailbox was stuffed all month with subscription orders. Seems like having a

nice clean copy of your Clairemont Community News in the mailbox for just $1 a month is a good deal to many of you; thank you!

A reader asked me to mention for those of you who live in a senior community, condo or apartment community, you can now get delivery to your home, via the mail subscription.

I have also heard from CC News fans who want to get their CC News the “new-fashioned” way, via e-mail. One reader who requested that told me because she travels for work, she sometimes doesn’t get to see her CC News until late in the month. With an e mail subscription, she can read each new issue they day they come out no matter where in the world she is.

As a reminder, there are several ways to “opt-in” for delivery of the Clairemont Community News:

> If you would like to have the CC News mailed to you each month, send a check for $12 to PO Box 17134, San Diego, CA 92177. Don’t forget to include your name and address. If you prefer, you can also arrange this online at www.Clairemont.com, on the “drop spots” page, where you will find a PayPal link.

> If having the paper tossed in your driveway works for you, please visit www.clairemont.com/delivery and enter the information required. No computer? Send a letter to PO Box 17134, San Diego, CA 92177.

> To have an e mail copy sent to you each month send an email with your request to: mailinglist@clairemont.com.

Of course you can always pick up a FREE copy in over 70 locations around Clairemont and Bay Park including the bright orange street racks. Two new rack locations were added just this month: in front of Par Liquor on Clairemont Mesa at Limerick and in front of Coco’s on Balboa at Mt. Abernathy.

Online you can get more community news by subscribing for free to the Clairemont Central blog or the Click on Clairemont weekly e-newsletter. On Facebook? “Like” Clairemont Community News to get updates in your news feed. You can also follow @clairemontnews on Twitter. The current issue is of the newspaper is always posted on Clairemont.com, as are selected back issues.

Thanks Clairemont and Bay Park for your support of the Clairemont Community News over the last 7 years. Please make it a resolution to patronize the advertisers that allow me to produce the CC News for you. Your kind words when we meet in the grocery store, the encouragement offered in your e mails, and the ideas and news tips you share mean more than I could say. I hope your 2014 will be healthy, happy and prosperous!

— Janet Miller

www.clairemont.com • January 2014 • Clairemont Community News 3

CHS Academy of Business Wins!For the 5th consecutive year Clairemont High School had the 1st place team in Junior Achievement’s district business competition “Titans of Industry”. Alan Walter, Clairemont Academy of Business teacher, uses the virtual business

simulation in his Entrepreneurship course to educate students about the rigors of running a global business. “I had a similar business simulation my capstone year in college. It was such a great way to learn about running a company in a fun, hands-on way that I vowed if I had the opportunity I would give the same opportunity to my students. In many ways I think this is better than a textbook.” Walter said.

The competition took place Dec 5th at University of Phoenix. Teams competed against each other in a virtual business simulation where they are the CEO of a media company. Based on market data and analysis teams made business decisions such as price, marketing, R&D, charitable giving and capital improvement.

Not only is this the 5th year an Academy of Business team has scored the top overall spot, but they took home 2nd, 4th and 5th places as well in the district.

Discovering the Power of Music!The San Diego Children’s Choir is looking for children who want to sing and be part of something special. The Choir offers children a chance to achieve artistic excellence, attain personal

goals and perform service to the community. Interested participants don’t need to come with any previous choir experience or prepared music just the openness to learn and have fun.

Where can I audition?Auditions will be conveniently held at our corporate office in Mira Mesa,

6635 Flanders Drive, Suite H - San Diego, CA 92121, in the back Choir Hall. The auditions are short 5-10 minute intervals for children in grades 3-12. Also, no audition is required for grades 1-2.

When can I audition?The following are dates and times open to auditions:

Wednesday - January 08, 2014 from 4 PM to 6 PMThursday - January 09, 2014 from 4 PM to 6 PMSaturday - January 11, 2014 from 10:30 AM to 1 PM

Is there a fee to audition? There is a $30 non-refundable audition fee, which you can bring to

the site. SDCC staff will be on site with the capabilities to accept cash and charge.

What are the benefits of choir?The San Diego Children’s Choir offers students a fun, interactive

program where the practice and participation of choral music helps develop creativity, self-esteem, literacy, emotional discipline, confidence and more. The children learn the songs using diverse music selections and performance experiences to promote choral excellence. The Choir is a place where children are encouraged to develop their musical talents and enjoyment comes naturally.

How do I schedule or sign up for an audition?Simply call 858.587.1087

What is the San Diego Children’s Choir?Since 1990, the San Diego Children’s Choir has been committed

to providing the highest quality choral music education and active performance experience throughout San Diego County. While fostering an awareness of cultural diversity, the Choir inspires personal growth and a love of music for more than 300 of San Diego’s youth, ages 4-18. For more information or additional questions, please call 858.587.1087 or visit www.SDCCHOIR.org

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Clairemont Community News • January 2014 • www.clairemont.com4

Madison’s Devil Duckies Reach OutBy Serena Randazzo

How do you engage young people in science, technology, engineering and math? Robotics. Students of all ages in the Clairemont community are learning about design, competition,

communication, software, technology, programming and much more through robotics. Madison’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team The Devil Duckies (Team 1266) has had a lot to do with the success of the program in Clairemont. The team was founded in 2004 and has continued to grow on the Madison campus. They have also helped start robotics teams at Innovation Middle School, Lindbergh Schweitzer and Whitman elementary schools. The program is not only about building robots; it provides an opportunity for students of all ages to work in teams and communicate effectively with peers to conquer challenges.

The Devil Duckies have been fortunate to win many awards including the Team Spirit, Imagery, and Engineering Inspiration awards. They also won the most prestigious award given out at a FIRST Robotics Competition, the Chairman’s Award in 2007, 2011 and 2012. This award is given to the team that best carries out the mission of FIRST and is a team that all other teams should emulate. One of the main reasons the team is so highly recognized is due to its dedicated Outreach program.

Each week, The Devil Duckies hosts or participates in different community service activities to spread the word about the team and FIRST Robotics. They help clean up beaches and parks; they collect food, clothing and school supplies for community organizations; and they conduct robot demonstrations. They also volunteer at local community shelters and events (Race for the Cure, Rock n’ Roll Marathon, Summer Science Camps, etc.) In the fall, they help run games, activities and robot demonstrations at elementary school carnivals. The team emphasizes maintaining an eco friendly

environment by collecting and recycling cans and bottles at Madison.Each competition season begins in January with the announcement of a

new challenge. Each team has just six weeks to design, fabricate, build and program a robot to complete the challenge and prepare for the competition. There are 2,850 teams (71,250 students) that participate in FIRST. There are 58 competitions that are hosted around the world.

The Motorola Foundation and QUALCOMM sponsor the Devil Duckies. Their sponsorship helps with travel and competition fees. In addition, engineers from these organizations and others mentor the team. The Devil Duckies also accept donations from local businesses and community members.

Madison’s FIRST robotics team in the stands at the Battle at the Border off-season FIRST Robotics Competition at Frances Parker School, October 12, 1013.

Keep up with Devil Duckies:Website: www.frc1266.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Devil-Duckies/284379662649 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyBestFriendsaRobot Instagram: @1266devilduckieswww.usfirst.org

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www.clairemont.com • January 2014 • Clairemont Community News 5

Town Council

Clairemont

Ryan Trabuco

2014 - Happy New Year

DISTRICT 6 UPDATE

From the office of Lorie Zapf

I hope you had a great holiday season with your loved ones. In the spirit of the New Year, I would like to share with you my resolutions for 2014, as one of your city council representatives.

> Improve the City’s public safety: 2013 brought new revelations about the current standard of the City’s public safety departments. Our police department has been struggling to recruit and maintain experienced officers, and we’ve seen criticism of our fire department and ambulance response times. I was happy to stand with Councilmember Faulconer to support a police recruitment and retention plan last year. In 2014, I want the City to prioritize not only staffing, but infrastructure improvements for our first responders. At some locations, police and lifeguards work out of trailers, our fire-rescue boats are in dire need of replacement, and our 911 dispatch system technology is ancient and outdated. As a City, we have an obligation to make sure our first responders have the equipment necessary to respond to emergencies when we need them.

> Maintain good fiscal standing: Most importantly, I want to keep San Diego’s budget out of the red and in the black. As we continue to restore city services from the cutbacks of the past decade, we must be careful not to overextend our pocketbook. This is why it is so important to continue implementing and improving voter-approved saving initiatives like managed competition, so that we have the money to keep our core services afloat.

> Improving infrastructure- It’s no secret that San Diego has a multi-million dollar backlog of infrastructure improvements. They include fixing our decaying streets and City-owned buildings like libraries and rec centers. I held a workshop with Councilmember Kersey to find out exactly what infrastructure priorities the public wants in District 6, and this year I will work with Mr. Kersey and the City’s Infrastructure committee on securing our share of this infrastructure investment.

> Make San Diego more bike-friendly: In a city with near-perfect weather, it really is a shame that we don’t have a more connected network of safe bike paths. Last year I was happy to sponsor a resolution to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on City streets, and we also approved a much-needed update to the Bicycle Master Plan which will more than double the current bicycle lanes and infrastructure. This year, I want to focus on implementing that plan, and as the Chair of the Smart Growth and Land Use committee, I promise to keep this issue on the front burner.

T

NEXT MEETING Thursday, Jan. 9th

at 7:00pmCadman Elementary

The start of a fresh new year should excite us all. It’s an opportunity for resolutions, change, and getting a

clean slate for a brand new 12 months ahead of us. For Clairemont Town Council, this year marks our 60th anniversary of our founding.

It’s been 60 years since the merger of the former Clairemont Booster Club and Clairemont Civic Association. Our CTC Historian, Simone Henriques, has been collecting and gathering news clippings, photos, and memorabilia about the history of our organization, and the accomplishments we’ve racked up over 6 decades worth of dedication to this community.

None of these accomplishments would’ve been successful over the last 60 years if it weren’t for our loyal, consistent, and ever-growing membership. Yes, we are a membership-oriented organization, and your humble dues greatly fund much of the community grants, projects, and activism we commit to every year for Clairemont.

Starting this year, our annual membership dues will be due every January. Individual memberships are $20 for the year, senior and veteran memberships are $10, nonprofit memberships are $30, and business memberships are $50. You can pay at the Inaugural Meeting on January 9th with cash or check, or you may pay online at ClairemontOnline.com/Join.

Also, it might be January, but planning for the 2014 Garden Tour is already under way! Garden Tour Chairwoman Ingrid Terpening is planning for an exciting new experience this year with the tour. If you’re interested in helping to sponsor, volunteer, or show your garden in this year’s tour, feel free to e-mail Ingrid at GardenTour@ClairemontOnline.com

Our upcoming meeting will be held on the SECOND THURSDAY of the month — January 9th, at 7:00pm inside the Cadman Elementary cafeteria. Our Inaugural Meeting will include the swearing-in of our 2014 Board of Directors, and will feature our SDPD Police Chief William Lansdowne as guest speaker. Also, we will be taking a formal vote at this meeting to join the effort to rename the Cadman Elementary Library after longtime Clairemont volunteer Ruth Johnson who passed away last year. If you’d like to share your thoughts about Ruth, please do so at clairemont.com/ruth

Finally, due to some of our CTC board members having been elected to different positions, we have two (2) vacancies on our Board of Directors that we would like to fill at our February meeting: Director Central and Director West. A map of our Director Districts can be found at ClairemontOnline.com/Resources/Maps

To be eligible for either position, you must be a CTC member in good standing for the last three (3) months, and reside, own a business, or have a general interest in that district. If you’re interested in applying for either position, please e-mail Contact@ClairemontOnline.com.

Happy New Year, Clairemont!

Happy New Year Clairemont

Clairemont Community News • January 2014 • www.clairemont.com6

The Clairemont Chamber Celebrates the Holidays!

> The Clairemont Chamber of Commerce celebrated the holidays with a dinner party for members and their guests in the Seaside Room at Marina Village. The evening started with a hosted cocktail hour featuring hot appetizers and a lovely vegetable, cheese and fruit platter. The room was decorated festively and everyone was dressed in their holiday best. Dinner was served buffet style, with a carving station for prime rib, pasta with a variety of sauces and shrimp and plenty of the ever-popular “mashed potato martinis” among the offerings from Ranch Catering.

After dinner, former Chamber president Judy Bramer swore the 2014 Chamber Officers and Board members in. Serving as President this year will be Janet Miller (CC News); VP Membership will be Tom Lamke (Juice Plus); Secretary/Communications is Maria Atkinson (Exit Stepping Stone Realty); Treasurer is Mervyn Friedlander; Past President is Mark Forsyth (The IT Guy); and rounding out the board are Richard Morris (Century 21 First Choice), Allen Boaz (Balletiquette) and Janett Lewis (Gold List Properties).

President Miller addressed the group, noting some of the successes of the past year and sharing some of the Board’s objectives for 2014. Thanks were given as well, with Leslie Pierce ( Lawyer’s Title) singled out for her work on the Holiday Party and Lindsay Pomeroy (Wine Smarties) for hers on Uncorked. As the guests enjoyed a fabulous variety of sweet treats for dessert, raffle tickets were pulled and about a dozen door prizes given out. All in all, it was a fun evening for Clairemont’s business community. If you are in business in Clairemont, you owe it to yourself to get involved in the Clairemont Chamber of Commerce! Our first meeting of 2014 will be on January 14th at 5:30pm at Live Well San Diego, 4425 Bannock Ave. The evening’s host company will be H&R Block; their presentation is sure to be timely as we enter tax season. Please join us! RSVP to tomlamke@gmail.com.

Clairemont Hills Kiwanis Steps Up> As promised Clairemont Hills Kiwanis is

beginning 2014 by “stepping up”. We are so proud of member Matt Weightman and American West Bank; they just made the decision to give the $1,000 recently requested by Jason Adams for Cadman

Elementary’s Junior Achievement program. See, it pays to speak in front of our club! We certainly welcome this new bank to our community on the corner of Balboa and Genesee.

The January speaker line-up is here: our Kiwanian of the month, Diane Bailey already has a couple great presentations scheduled. January 8 will feature Leta Bender with “Children in Nature”, and on the 22nd Bill

Around ClairemontKrommenhoek will share his insight about India. Gosh, as of right now it looks like there’s one spot open!

Besides having these great speakers we’re always doing other things. The Clairemont Key Club is having their best year ever with the leadership of Kathy Tran, and it’s truly heart-warming: they’re helping member Ruth Cassidy over at the Boys and Girls Club. On January 4th a few of us are bringing food items to the San Diego Food Bank in conjunction with a visit from International Kiwanis president Gunter Gasser from Austria. We’re also seriously ramping up for the 2nd annual FastTimes5K (www.FastTimes5K.com) in conjunction with “Clairemont Day at the Bay” on April 12.

In summary, my new favorite saying is “Something’s Happening in Clairemont”. If you’d like to join us, this all happens while enjoying the best breakfast in Clairemont catered by Ranch Events. Please come - call me ahead for a free buffet breakfast! We meet 7:15am - 8:30am each Wednesday of the month at Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bay Park, with the last meeting of the month an evening soiree. If you (or anyone you know) would like to speak with our club, give me a call (Richard Morris @ 619-804-4040).

Clean Out Those Closets, Help John Muir’s 6th Graders Raise Money For Camp!

> Thirty-two 6th graders at John Muir School would really like to go to camp, but they need some extra help from the community to get there. As you may know, 6th grade camp has been eliminated due to budget cuts. Now, many students across the city are unable to have the fun experience of camping.

John Muir School sixth graders have decided to raise money themselves so they can experience two nights of camping and team-building exercises in nature. In keeping with John Muir School’s magnet theme of Global Citizenship, they are hosting a Shoe Recycling fundraiser. They will collect shoes from fellow students and the community to be recycled or sent to families in developing nations.

You are invited to stop by the parking lot of John Muir School (4431 Mt. Herbert Avenue; next to Mt. Etna Park) on Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. You may drop off children’s, men’s, or women’s, shoes in any condition. Shoes should be tied, rubber-banded, or shoe-laced together. Our student volunteers will bag them up for you! Used clothing, blankets, and sheets will also be accepted.

John Muir School’s 6th graders thank you for helping them earn their way to camp this year!

Burglaries in Clairemont> Reader Monica Bockman reports that while walking her dogs recently

she spoke to two police officers who were investigating a break-in at a house on Mt Hay (between Mt Foraker & Mt Herbert). The house was termite tented when the burglary took place. The police officers indicated that this is a new trend. The thieves are donning masks and going right into the house, during the termite extermination. Thanks Monica for sharing; neighbors of tented houses keep an eye out!

Martin Luther King Day Concert> What better way to celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

than to listen to the San Diego choir named for him! The San Diego Martin Luther King, Jr. Choir is a group of talented and enthusiastic singers who will be making their third appearance in St. Mark’s United Methodist Church’s Concert Series on January 19, 4:30 p.m. Their music is inspirational, uplifting and celebrates the history of the Negro spiritual. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church is located at 3502 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117.

www.clairemont.com • January 2014 • Clairemont Community News 7

You don’t have to wait for the monthly paper

edition to enjoy the CC News’

mix of fun and important

information about your

neighborhood. clairemont.com

Food Truck Wednesdays at Clairemont High

> As you may know, the Clairemont Chieftain Cheerleaders perform at all school events including football, boys and girls basketball games, and vari-ous other sporting events. They also participate in school events and assem-blies, as well as many community events around Clairemont. They compete in yearly competitions on behalf of Clairemont High School and last year the Varsity Competition Team placed 1st place at the JAMZ National Competition in Las Vegas!

Cheerleading can be very expensive and much of the cost lands on the families of these cheerleaders. The Clairemont Chieftain Cheer Squad is trying a unique and different way to fundraise for the 2013- 2014 year. Their goal is to raise the money needed to fund the cheerleaders that enhance and promote school and community spirit. On average, the cheerleaders need to raise more than $20,000 a season to pay for uniforms, insurance, coaching, and choreography.

To help raise the money needed, they have set up weekly food trucks in the parking lot of Clairemont High School. Every Wednesday from 5:00pm – 7:30pm you can find them out there enjoying these four to five different gourmet food trucks. Each week the trucks are rotated, so it is never boring. 10% of all sales goes directly to Clairemont Chieftain Cheer.

Come on out to Clairemont High School every Wednesday, have some dinner, and help support your local cheerleaders.

Check out our Facebook Page, Clairemont Chieftain Cheer, for the weekly food truck schedule.

(858)490-8112 www.TrishaAndJudy.com

DRE# 00953900/01341642

Clairemont Community News • January 2014 • www.clairemont.com8

As an adult child of octogenarian parents, I wore a virtual millinery shop full of hats. Often, it felt as if I needed more heads. I know I needed more arms and legs — and much more

time. One of my most-frayed chapeaus was my thinking cap, for I was most

certainly the daughter of invention. A big part of my role as the designated caregiver was inventing gizmos

that would make my parents’ lives more manageable and comfortable. And, if I must say so, I became very good at that role. New problems

simply meant I needed to be creative. Often paint, tape or string was enough to glue my parents’ lives back together, at least temporarily.

When my mom first moved into her assisted-living apartment, she hated the 6-foot-high, gray concrete wall that separated her balcony from the real world. Because we couldn’t knock down the wall, I camouflaged it with painted leaves. Mom never stopped teasing me about the “anatomically incorrect” foliage, but it did alleviate the claustrophobic feeling.

Mom’s walker was another coup. To encourage her to embrace the dreaded equipment, I gave it a personality. A child’s denim skirt from a local thrift store made a practical, hanging catchall. A Goofy bicycle horn and a bicycle license plate, announcing “New Kid on the Block,” warned other pedestrians to get out of her way. The once-institutional walker became a conversation piece that Mom grew to accept, if still not love.

To keep her blouses safe from spilled food, I fashioned an apron out of old denim overalls. And, when the apron fell short of her zest for food, I bought an assortment of colorful fabric remnants, which she appliqued over stubborn stains.

Benjamin Franklin couldn’t hold a candle to me and my use of string and elastic. When my mother broke her pelvis and had to use a portable potty by her bed, I hung the T.P. from a string so she could actually find the tissue and reach it.

For the times when Mom needed a nurse and couldn’t reach her call button, I added an extra-long string. For times when that wasn’t long enough, I bought her a loud referee’s whistle.

When Dad couldn’t reach his nightstand from his bed at the skilled-nursing facility, I hung his radio from the bedrails. I also attached a piece of short elastic to his TV remote so he could reel it in.

Elastic also kept my mom’s room key on a short leash, which I attached to her catchall bag with a safety pin.

More ideas

Here’s a list of some other easy solutions to everyday challenges: > A plastic cup hanger stuck to the wall held the controls for Mom’s

electric bed. > Because Dad had limited wall space, I filled a cork bulletin board with

a montage of family photos. > When Dad couldn’t reach his bedside phone, I attached it to his

hospital tray with extra-strength, double-sided tape. > So that Mom could contact me without having to find her phonebook,

I taped my number to her phone. (Although that made her life easier, it often disrupted mine at inconvenient times)

> To make it easier for Mom to organize and reach the food on the bottom shelf of her mini-fridge, I added small plastic baskets that she simply pulled out.

> Because Mom could no longer carry a container to water her flowers, I filled her balcony with silk blooms.

I only wish that all life’s hurdles could be solved with faux flowers, string and elastic.

Sponsored by Right at Home, In-Home Care & Assistance, www.rahlajolla.com, (858) 277-5900, info@rahlajolla.com. Contact Marsha Kay Seff at mseff@gmail.com.

The Caregivers’ Journey

When Life Hands You Lemons, Bake a Lemon Pie By Marsha Kay Seff

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www.clairemont.com • January 2014 • Clairemont Community News 9

O N T H E M E S A

San Diego Mesa College Accepting Nominations for 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Mesa College Distinguished Alumni Award. The purpose of the award program is to recognize former students who have made significant contributions to

society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the legacy of academic excellence at San Diego Mesa College.

The 2014 award recipient will be announced in February and conferred at the college commencement ceremony scheduled for May 17th. Anyone in the greater community is encouraged to submit a nomination – or even nominate themselves!

“This will be a special award, for a very special 50th anniversary year. We are proud of the tens of thousands of students who have attended Mesa College, and of the contributions they have made to the city and people of San Diego and beyond,” said Dr. Pamela T. Luster, President of Mesa College. “I encourage the community to respond, and help us to select our 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.”

Nominations are due no later than February 14, 2014. For an application and more information see sdmesa.edu/alumni or call 619-388-2759.

Students attending Mesa College in Spring Semester 2014 will be the first to take biology, chemistry, physical science and math classes in the brand new Math+Science Complex, located in the center of campus. The 206,000 gross square feet building consists of classrooms, computer classrooms, teaching laboratories, and faculty, staff and administrative support space. Funding for construction was provided by the SDCCD Proposition N construction, approved by voters in 2006. The community is invited to a grand opening celebration of the building on Wednesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. Classes begin on January 28; see www.sdmesa.edu for registration information.

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Clairemont Community News • January 2014 • www.clairemont.com1 0

P O E T R Y C O R N E R

AROUND CLAIREMONT, 8:30 A.M. San Diego, California Over the wall, a giant bonsai pine watchesfourteen Italian cypress line dance in the wind. An orange tiger cat crouches on the stucco wall,her windshield wiper tail sweeps left, right. A lizard leaves his tail with the predatorlike the eucalyptus shedding bark and leaves. Twin grey Silverados nuzzlein a neighbor’s driveway. A red hawk pirouettes over the canyonwith three crows in military pursuit. Through fence slats, a green ribbon fern extendsits long fingers grasping for freedom. On a high wire, three mourning doves lamentas two blinded cars kiss in anger. The sun warms its way through the coastal layerto see fourteen Italian cypress at peace by the wall.

Clairemont resident Jay Mower is a former advertising professor, marketing executive and consultant, who is now retired and focusing on self-expression through poetry. His poems have appeared in two local anthologies and will appear in the Fall 2013 issues of Acorn Review and Muddy River Poetry Review.

Support Theatre in your Neighborhood with a Tax Deductible Donation Today!

Clairemont Act One Community Theatre, now halfway through its third season, has reason to celebrate this month: Clairemont Act One Community Theatre is now a 501(c)3! After almost a year of

waiting, the IRS recently sent the group its letter granting it status as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization.

This means that any donation made to Clairemont Act One is now TAX DEDUCTIBLE! If you are looking for a good cause to support in 2014, consider investing in Clairemont Act One—the only community theatre group currently operating in our area.

Creating productions for our friends and neighbors requires time, energy, and, most of all, money! Clairemont Act One is especially in need of funds to finance space rental. Your donation could help us bring our work out of our living rooms and into new realms of professionalism.

Interested in donating? Contact Clairemont Act One’s President, Katie Turner, today! Email kturner1000@gmail.com or call (970) 903-8924. Happy New Year Clairemont!

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www.clairemont.com • January 2014 • Clairemont Community News 1 1

Business Directory

For more local businesses visit clairemont.com/business-directory

Attorney - EstatesTrusts/Wills/ProbateRichard F. McEntyre619-221-0279Richardfmcentyre.com• Reasonable Rates• Free Consultation• House Calls Available• Serving Clairemont Community for Over 30 Years

Carpet CleaningProCLEAN LLC619 275-4643Carpet Cleaning Deal 4 Areas for $120.00 & a 5th area FREE. Other extras included.5 Hour Drying timeGo to WWW.PROCLEANLLC.BIZ

ConcreteChavez and Sons Concrete858-650-3071 Free EstimatesLic#492223• Drainage solutions, handicap ramps• Colored/stamped concrete, brick, stone• Clairemont Neighbor since 1986• Senior Discount

Terry Brewer Concrete858-212-2586 Lic# 390780Free Estimate!• Stamped, colored, stained concrete Foundation, pavers, walls, brick, stone• BBB A+ Member, in business since 1980• Senior / Military Discount

PaintingBenjamin Greene’s Painting858-279-6800 619-261-4667C33 Lic#751989Local painter with 23 yrs. experience. References available. Quality work, fair price Drywall, stucco, and minor wood repair. Wallpaper removal

Pet CareJules Royalty Pet Care619-787-0858Pet Vacation/Day Care• Dog walking, litter cleaning, feeding• Small animal & bird care, diabetic animal care• Insured/bonded, Clairemont-based• Senior discount! www.JulesRoyaltyPetCare.com

PlumbingReasonable Drain andPlumbing Repair Inc.619-232-2556 Lic #854460• Located in Clairemont• Serving San Diego for over 30 years.• We offer all types of plumbing service.• Please call our office today

Tree ServiceHardy’s Tree ServiceLicense #665064858-278-2963• Family Run Business• Removal / Trimming large or small• Licensed and insured• Doing business in CLMT since 1965

TC Environmental Service858-277-TREE (8733)Free Estimates, Senior Discounts• Tree Trimming & Lacing• Tree Removals & Stump grinding• Bonded & Insured • Owner Operated• State Contr. Lic. #643169 & Arborist # WE6923A

Window CleaningA Glass Act Window CleaningMike Leonard619-384-7615• Any/All windows – Homes, Apts., Stores, Offices, Commercial Bldgs• Inside/outside window, track and screen cleaning, 2nd story not a problem• After construction window cleaning, moving in/out, holidays and short notice special events• Senior and Military discounts, FREE estimates, more affordable than you think!

YogaIn Rhythms YogaAll Levels Welcome!www.inrhythmsyoga.comNeighborhood yoga in Clairemont near Holmes Elementary. Small class sizes, certified and local instructors. Beginner-advanced welcome. See schedule @ www.inrhythmsyoga.com.

Elder CareRight Choice Senior LivingFree Senior Housing & Care Advice858-565-2911rightchoiceseniorliving.com • Independent /Assisted Living / Residential Care Home• Memory Care (Dementia/Alzheimers)• Home care; Competitive Hourly and Live-in Rates• Your CALL TODAY will save you time & moneySee our ad on page 3

Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services858-551-8910visitingangels.com• Senior Homecare by Experienced Caregivers• Meal Preparation, Housekeeping, Errands• Day/Night, Live-in, Live-out, Long Term or Temp• Affordable Hourly Rates

ElectricalSan Diego Electric Co.858- 270-1428C-10 Lic. # 817302• In Clairemont for all your electrical needs. • Ceiling fans, service panel upgrades custom lighting, remodels, etc.• 10% Senior Discount• FREE estimates

Home Electronics AssistanceKim Cares Electronic Help619-261-1585Mobile to you!Simplified, easy to understand help:• Basic TV, DVD, VCR, Phones, iPad tablets and Computer• Minimum $25 charge, Satisfaction Guaranteed• 19 Years Experience• Please call for appointment• Gift Certificates Available

Odd JobsI Can Help You With That!Call Ed 858-245-7562Very Reasonable Rates• Carpentry, paint, drywall, tile, trim• Light plumbing & electrical, windows, doors• Dependable, trustworthy, hardworking, clean• Lifelong Clairemont resident, references available

H E L P W A N T E D

BUSY Full Service Salon and Day Spa has space available for 3 stylists, nail tech and Private Room for esthetician / waxing / massage / and/or permanent makeup professional. We are just down the hill from USD with heavy traffic from students and surrounding areas. If interested or questions, call Pam 619-517-2580 at It’s Time Salon & Day Spa

Clairemont Community News • January 2014 • www.clairemont.com1 2

This holiday season, the County of San Diego and I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) remind residents to recycle their holiday trees and foliage. Trees and yard trimmings are easily recyclable into mulch and compost. Finding out how to recycle holiday

trees is quick and convenient when you visit the County’s Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste database at www.WasteFreeSD.org or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784). While you are there, learn how and where to recycle your tree as well as hundreds of other items.

Recycling your holiday tree conserves natural resources and preserves the capacity of local landfills. The compost and mulch made from trees and other yard trimmings are used to improve soil health at residences, public parks, and local farms. There are many ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly, like recycling wrapping paper and gift boxes, but often people forget that their tree can be recycled too! According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 25-30 million holiday trees are sold each year in the United States.

Most waste haulers offer special holiday tree recycling programs to pick up trees with yard waste on regular collection days. In addition to curbside pick-up, tree drop-off sites are located in the communities of Bonsall, Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Escondido, Fallbrook, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Ramona, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Valley Center, Vista and several communities in the City of San Diego. Attached is ILACSD’s Christmas Tree Recycling Guide for San Diego County. A complete list of tree recycling locations is also available at www.WasteFreeSD.org.

I Love A Clean San Diego operates San Diego County’s official recycling website and call center which refers thousands of residents to the proper

facilities to recycle or dispose of just about anything. From broken surfboards to wine corks, batteries to cooking oil, WasteFreeSD makes recycling quick and convenient. San Diego County residents can go to: www.WasteFreeSD.org or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH to learn how to recycle their holiday trees as well as hundreds of other items.

Before recycling your holiday tree, review this list of recycling tips to ensure that your tree is recycled properly:

> Trees taller than four feet should be cut in half.

> All tree stands, nails and tree decorations must be removed.

> Check with your local hauler to see if they accept flocked trees (most do not).

Don’t Forget to Recycle Your Holiday Tree!

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