http://ourcitysd.com/thisIssue en jennifer@cypressmagazines.com Copyright 2010 2010-06-12T22:49:38+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity/#When:18:16:16Z The Summer issue of OurCity is now available at these locations. The Summer issue of OurCity San Diego is now available. In this issue find 10 Ways to Live a Healthier Life, 5 Romantic Getaways, Earthquake Preparedness and much more.  To Purchase A Copy of OurCity Visit One of the Following Locations: Barnes & Noble  12835 El Camino Real      San Diego            Barnes & Noble  Hazard Center             San Diego            Barnes & Noble  W 810 Valley Parkway      Escondido            Barnes & Noble  2615 Vista Way            Oceanside            Barnes & Noble  1040 N El Camino Real Dr   Encinitas            Barnes & Noble  10775 Westview Pkwy       Mira Mesa                                           University of California San Diego, UCSD Bookstore  La Jolla             Bay Books            1029 Orange Avenue        Coronado             Paras News Inc       3911 30th Street          San Diego                      Additional Locations: More to come soon! For additional locations, please call 858-300-3221. To have OurCity: San Diego delivered directly to your doorstep, click here and subscribe today. Issue Highlights 2010-06-07T18:16:16+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/5_summer_festivals_and_fairs_you_cant_miss/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/5_summer_festivals_and_fairs_you_cant_miss/#When:22:49:38Z Whether young or old, the spirit of a festival offers a good time for all. This season, San Diego celebrates all cultures, tradition and interests with lively summer festivals. Here are our picks for the five best summer festivals 1. San Diego County Fair June 11 – July 5The San Diego County Fair is a staple of summer in San Diego, bringing down home favorites — from barnyard animals to deep fried Twinkies — into our city. But this year is better than ever with the mouthwatering theme “Taste the Fun,” which incorporates all sorts of edibles into the traditional fair festivities. While the usual exhibitions of fine art, woodwork and plants will be on display, this year’s fair welcomes a new exhibit called Tour of Tastes where you can watch cooking contests and try a few savory samples. Call 858-755-1161 or visit http://www.sdfair.com. 2. Summergrass San Diego Blue Grass FestivalAug. 20–22Next, head out to Vista for the Summergrass San Diego Blue Grass Festival held at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum. Bursting with southern flavor, the festival incorporates live music, jam sessions and tasty food into one jam-packed weekend. The festival also offers an overnight aspect for campers who want to groove all night.Call 858-679-4854 or visit http://www.summergrass.net. 3. Celebrate Dance Festival Aug. 27, Aug. 28, Aug. 29For more grooving, check out Celebrate Dance Festival in Balboa Park for a three-day multicultural commemoration of dance. The festival unfolds inside the gorgeous Casa del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park and showcases varieties of dance ranging from ballet to Japanese-influenced Butoh.Contact Evoke Dance Theater at 619-238-1153 or visit http://www.eveoke.org/cdf.htm. 4. Julian Grape Stomp FestaSept. 4Don’t miss the Julian Grape Stomping Festa, an old-world Italian celebration of Julian’s annual grape harvest. The city invites thousands of participants to enjoy the rolling vineyards and festive Italian music while squishing fresh grapes barefoot. Nothing could be sweeter — or more fun. Held at the Menghini Winery in Julian.Contact the Julian Chamber of Commerce 760-765-1857 or visit http://www.julianca.com/media/grape_stomp.htm. 5. ArtWalk on the BaySept. 18If you still haven’t had your fix of festival fun, check out San Diego’s ArtWalk on the Bay where local artists can sell and showcase their work. The waterfront location is sprinkled with live musical performances and showcases of San Diego’s top artists. Bring the whole family to enjoy KidsWalk, a younger version of the festival that offers arts and crafts activities to keep the kiddies entertained.Call 619-615-1090 or visit http://www.artwalkonthebay.org. -Arielle Pardes To pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or to subscribe to OurCity go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurLife 2010-06-12T22:49:38+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/good_old-fashioned_history/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/good_old-fashioned_history/#When:22:47:56Z A re-energized Mormon Battalion Historic Center takes visitors back in time to the 1840s, thanks to a multi-media tour. From a camp in Iowa, to an 1840’s fort in Kansas, and then through the hot southwestern desert, the re-opened Mormon Battalion Historic Center in Old Town takes visitors on a multi-media journey that is more similar to a ride at Disneyland than what you might expect.Through talking photographs, interactive media, a cinema presentation and an earth-shaking room, visitors move from room to room, progressing on the same trail that the Mormon Battalion marched in 1846. The Battalion of 500 men marched 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego in five months, completing one of the longest infantry marches in history, and blazing a trail for future pioneers. But it almost never took place. The presentation tells how many of the Mormons were unwilling to join the battalion, until their leader, Brigham Young, told them it was God’s will. “The people responded to a call of faith, even in times of trouble,” said Jeffrey Holland, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which runs the Center. “This was a great act of patriotism to respond to the call of the government.”Holland said he hopes visitors will leave with a greater appreciation and reverence for California history, as well as for the people who, at great personal sacrifice, acted to serve their fellow men, church and country. After the tour, visitors can pan for gold in a recreation of Sutter’s Mill, where some of the members of the Battalion were the first to find gold in 1848. There are also interactive media displays and games about the history of the march, historical artifacts and a period camera, enhanced with digital photography, that takes pictures of visitors. Tours are free. The Mormon Battalion Historic Center2510 Juan StreetOpen 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week To pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or to subscribe to OurCity go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurLife 2010-06-12T22:47:56+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/pick_your_spot_for_the_4th_of_july/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/pick_your_spot_for_the_4th_of_july/#When:22:42:08Z The 4th of July 1800s styleStep back in time with pie-eating contests, a raw egg toss, and canon firings this Independence Day in Old Town. The day kicks off at 11:30am with an old fashioned parade, and is followed by a series of contests — including cow chip throwing, watermelon seed spitting, and the popular cherry pie eating contest. Most activities cost $1 to enter, with winners receiving a gift certificate to a local restaurant or store. The stage will feature a 1800s-style political rally, and conclude with a bailadores dancing group. The day is designed to recreate what Independence Day was like from 1848 to 1872, with townsfolk in period attire. The day will also feature children’s games and activities, including cloth doll making. Plus enjoy period food including lemonade, cherry pie, pickle spears and watermelon slices for only 50 cents. Activities end at 4pm. For more information visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego. Fireworks by the BayIn its 9th year of launching fireworks, the Big Bay Boom has raised over $270,000 for the San Diego Armed Forces YMCA. Where: Fireworks will be launching from the San Diego Bay; view from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Seaport Village and the north Embarcadero areaTime: 9 p.m.Fireworks in CoronadoGet artistic and athletic at the Glorietta Bay Fireworks festival with the 51st annual rough water swim and the Art in the Park before watching the fireworks. Where: Glorietta Bay Time: 7-9 p.m. (Fireworks start at 9 p.m.)Fireworks in EscondidoThis year marks the 11th anniversary of the Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks at the California Center for the Arts, which features a “dazzling light show” paired with family-oriented activities, like children’s art projects and patriotic performances.Where: California Center for the Arts, EscondidoGrape Day Park and Great Green at the CenterTime: 4-10 p.m.Fireworks with MusicThe San Diego Symphony mixes music with fireworks in the “Star Spangled Summer Pops” series. What could be better than that? This event does require tickets, so call 619-235-0804 or visit sandiegosymphony.org to reserve your space.Where: San Diego SymphonyTime: 7:30 p.m. To pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or to subscribe to OurCity go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurLife 2010-06-12T22:42:08+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/water_fun/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/water_fun/#When:22:38:02Z Kayaking may be San Diego’s best-kept secret Often called home of the eternal summer, San Diego has no shortage of outdoor activities when the weather gets warm. Between the bay and the ocean, the best way to cool off while enjoying San Diego’s natural elements is to try a hands-on water activity like kayaking.    Buoyant and sturdy, kayaks are the perfect vehicles for a San Diego water adventure. Michael Luscomb, owner of La Jolla Kayak, said kayaks are great for anyone because they don’t require prior experience. “These boats are so user friendly that everybody from six years old up to 92 years old can enjoy them,” he said. Companies like La Jolla Kayak offer kayaks rentals, as well as guided tours for both kayaking and snorkeling. If you opt for the combined package, you’ll paddle along the glossy ocean water by kayak before jumping in to explore the undersea life inside La Jolla’s Seven Caves.“For people who have never been able to get out and see the caves, this is the best way to get a first-eye view of them,” Luscomb said. The caves are home to a wealth of marine life, including lobsters, octopi, and abalone fish. Nearby, sea lions lounge among the cliffs and pods of dolphin glide through the water.On a clear day, the paddling adventure yields spectacular views of La Jolla’s sea cliffs and the endless coastline of the secluded northern beaches. Whether you go by yourself or with a guide, you’re bound to encounter seals, garibaldi fish, dolphins, and leopard sharks.Luscomb says that kayaking is one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets. If you’re renting a kayak, you’ll get the life jacket included, but don’t forget to wear sunscreen and a hat. Swimming experience is necessary for the snorkeling tour, but not for kayakers.-Arielle PardesLa Jolla Kayak2199 Avenida de la PlayaCall 858-459-1114 or visit http://www.lajollakayak.com OurCity RecommendsAction Sport RentalsFour locations to serve your Watersport needs:•    Dana Landing Market and Fuel Dock – 2580 Ingraham Street •    Paradise Point Resort – 1404 West Vacation Road•    Lowes Coronado Bay Resort – 4000 Coronado Bay Road •    Hilton San Diego Resort – 1775 East Mission Bay Drive Call 858-581-5939 or visit http://www.actionsportrentals.com Aqua Adventures: San Diego’s Kayaking CenterAqua Adventures, located at 1548 Quivira Way, is a full service kayak facility offering dockside rentals, quality lessons, guided half day to multi-day tours, and a well stocked retail shop.Call 800-269-7792 or visit http://www.aqua-adventures.com Mission Bay Aquatic CenterThe world’s largest instructional waterfront facility, located at 1001 Santa Clara Place, offers boating, rafting, kayaking, sailing, water skiing and moreCall 858-488-1000 or visit http://www.mbaquaticcenter.com To pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or to subscribe to OurCity go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurLife 2010-06-12T22:38:02+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/nature_for_kids/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/nature_for_kids/#When:22:35:08Z The 5 best natural wonder getaways for families Grand CanyonThe sheer, organic majesty of the Grand Canyon is something a child will always remember from family vacations. At dawn, the canyon emerges from the night sky in painterly lavender and deep grape hues, and at sunset, the canyon’s bowl ignites with the colors of fire. Families can explore the canyon on numerous hiking trails, all with spectacular views, or by joining the mule trains slowly descending the cliffs. For another way to explore the Grand Canyon, book a Grand Canyon Expeditions Company rafting trip that explores the canyon along the Colorado River. Boats navigate gentle eddies and stimulating rapids, with time for kids to play in splashing tributaries, tumbling waterfalls and deep waterholes. Onshore, families can explore fern grottoes, natural caves and the mysterious and beautiful cave dwellings and rock art of early residents. At night, families gather around the campfire for storytelling, S’mores and conversation before falling asleep in tents, listening to the river. YosemiteWith its clear skies, bold mountainscapes, and azure waterholes, Yosemite National Park is a veritable playground for families interested in spending time outside during the summer vacations. Explore the beautiful Yosemite Valley, peaceful meadows, striking sequoia groves and wide-ranging wildlife. Families can choose to stay within the park’s 13 campgrounds. The Mariposa Grove is one of the most popular family hikes. The Mariposa Grove is Yosemite’s largest grove of giant sequoia trees, including the California Tunnel Tree and the Grizzly Giant sequoia tree–thought to be the fifth largest tree on earth.  Zion National ParkThe surreal vistas of Zion National Park can be enthralling for children: emerald-green valleys, coral-colored canyons, cobalt waterholes and staggeringly composed rock formations. Towering cliffs, knife-thin canyons and tessellated sandstone cliffs make the region a true geologic treasure. At the Zion Ponderosa Ranch, families can choose from cabins, large rental homes, cabin suites, “cowboy cabins” for up to six people, RV sites and tent sites. Within the park, families can explore canyons, learning about various rock formations or rappeling through slot canyons created from water cutting through sandstone. Visitors sometimes see deer, California condors, jack rabbits, bighorn sheep or the occasional mountain lion. To read more of this story, pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or by subscribing. To do this go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurEscapes 2010-06-12T22:35:08+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/mercy_on_the_streets_of_san_diego/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/mercy_on_the_streets_of_san_diego/#When:22:34:12Z Dr. Harry Cooper’s commitment to combating gang violence has extended beyond his church from prayer to action By Emily VizzoAs sunlight streams through stained glass windows at the Southeast Community Presbyterian Church, Dr. Harry Cooper and his congregation mourn the untimely death of one family’s son.“Have mercy on the streets of San Diego,” Cooper implores, holding hands with church members. Despite the sad occasion this April 11, the Second Sunday of Easter, the service is sparked with joy and music. Cooper, wearing gleaming spectacles and a gray goatee, joins in the clapping, swaying and celebration. The gray-robed minister is no stranger to comforting a mourning congregation. While this death was related to domestic violence, he has more often offered solace to families grieving from gang-related murders. Cooper’s commitment to combating gang violence has extended beyond his church. He serves as chairman for the Commission for Gang Intervention and Prevention in San Diego, and works to better connect various gang prevention and intervention groups throughout the city. “There is fear and uncertainty in the world we live,” Cooper tells his congregation, as they chime in with affirming Amen’s. “But we often think of the ‘suddenly’ that makes things worse, not the ‘suddenly’ that makes things better.”To read more of this story, pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or by subscribing. To do this go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurPeople 2010-06-12T22:34:12+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/a_bridge_to_hope/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/a_bridge_to_hope/#When:22:31:27Z Sheri Briggs is transforming City Heights one family at a time, by helping people help themselves By Jack CrittendenSheri Briggs remembers her wake-up call well. She, and her husband, Brew Briggs, were driving on a two-lane highway, returning to their Bend, Oregon home from a surfing contest in Santa Cruz. The year was 1999, and they had four of their five children with them — the youngest only two years old. Brew, a well-known surfer from La Jolla, was driving his minivan about 55 miles per hour around a turn on a mountain pass. Coming towards him in the opposite lane was a group of cars going 30 or 35 miles per hour.Suddenly, a car darted into Brew’s lane heading right for him. With cars on his left, he slammed his vehicle to the right, hoping to avoid a head-on collision. “I turned into the concrete barrier [on the side of the road], and the car hit us just off the side,” Brew said. “We went up into the air and started spinning.”Sheri, three of their four children and their camping gear were all thrown from the van. Their youngest was thrown 50 feet from the car, the four-year-old was thrown 40 feet. Their 12-year-old son was the only one still in the car when it landed, and Brew somehow ended up underneath the shattered vehicle. They were battered with broken bones, road rash, cuts and Brew had a severe head injury. But they were all alive. “The first thing I said to Sheri was ‘did you feel him?’” Brew said. “I felt the presence of God and his protection and I had no fear – an unusual sense of confidence. I felt like we had been in a clear plastic ball that was protecting us.”The Briggs’ were thankful to be alive, and felt there was a reason. “It was a launching pad,” Sheri said. “For us to fly in the air like that — especially my two-year-old like a rag doll — and be fine, it made us think ‘God is alive and well and spared our lives — what now?’”Both Sheri and Brew wanted to be more active in their church, and that opportunity came when the pastor asked them to start a drug rehab home for women. They jumped at the chance and ran the home for the next three years. “I got really connected to their issues — losing their children, their addictions and then what happens when they leave treatment and try to enter back into society,” Sheri said. “When women have to start over, the needs can be so great.”Sheri realized that when women went back into society, many lacked the basic things that most family’s take for granted — including dishes, furniture and clothing. “We wanted to help them — to be a bridge to help them get back into the system,” she said.To read more of this story, pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or by subscribing. To do this go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurPeople 2010-06-12T22:31:27+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/a_passion_for_justice/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/a_passion_for_justice/#When:21:56:26Z More complex laws, aggressive lawyer advertising and an explosion in litigation costs are just some of the reasons that consumers today need to make a careful and wise selection when choosing an attorney. Five attorneys who witnessed San Diego’s growth over the past 30 years share their thoughts on years past and present. By Jack CrittendenWhen Peter Hughes moved to San Diego in 1958, there were only 650 attorneys in town. He arrived as one of only two U.S. district attorneys, and went to work prosecuting the many cases that were brought through San Ysidro, which was then the busiest port in the county for arrests. “The law at that time provided if you came across the border with a couple of joints, you would get five to 20 years with no chance of parole,” Hughes said. “A woman came over the border with two ounces of marijuana and was busted. I got the case and when it was over, I told [the DA’s Office,] ‘I got a conviction for five years. But there is something else — I am leaving.’”For the second year, OurCity has teamed up with Avvo Inc., a Seattle company that rates and profiles attorneys nationwide, to present a list of recommended lawyers in five practice areas. Avvo rates lawyers using a proprietary algorithm, giving each lawyer a score on a 10-point scale. The end result is a group of lawyers who are respected in the bar, and have a proven track record. While the Avvo recommended attorneys run the gamut from a few years in practice to more than 30 years, we interviewed senior and highly regarded attorneys in each of the practice areas — criminal, estate planning, small business, family and personal injury — to get a sense of how things have changed over the past 30 years. To read more of this story, pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or by subscribing. To do this go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity FamilyMichelle BrownMichelle SullivanBeatrice SniderGarrison KlueckNancy BickfordSharon BlanchetJulia GarwoodLesa ChristensonShana BlackJohn Tannenberg Estate PlanningLouis MezzulloPablo PalominoFrederick VandeveerJack CharneyJudith CopelandCarol KaoMichelle GrahamJames CowleyRobert ArmstrongGary Powell Personal InjuryThomas PenfieldGeorge DelaflorBrian ChaseRichard HuvarHarvey LevineFrederick SchenkWilliam BermanMike BombergerJanice MulliganWilliam Turley CriminalMary PrevostKnut JohnsonMichael AttansioDorn BishopCharles SevillaAllen BloomRussell BabcockGerald BlankJohn PhillipsEdward Swan Consumer/Small Biz FinanceDean KirbyAntonio MaldonadoDaniel GrindleKurt CampbellJerome GrossmanMikel BistrowGregory CartwrightMartin WatersJames HillMarco Torres   Features 2010-06-12T21:56:26+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/the_golden_states_5_most_romantic_getaways/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/site/the_golden_states_5_most_romantic_getaways/#When:17:46:44Z Pack for adventure, romance and excitement — our San Diegan’s guide to the best vacation spots for couples. By Emily VizzoCalifornia is blessed with wild coastline, turquoise blue lakes, and some of the best vineyards in the world. When it comes time for a long weekend getaway, couples have plenty of choices for a quiet and soothing adventure. Leave your cell phone behind and escape into the best of the Golden State.   Catalina IslandCatalina Island, with its green-scrubbed sea cliffs and shimmering blue waters, feels much further away from Long Beach that its actual 22-mile distance. Most travelers approach Catalina Island by sea, watching the small city of Avalon emerge from the marine layer as a charming promenade lined with palm trees and framed with the tall spires of moored sailboats. At night, glowing lights from the iconic Catalina Casino spill into the north end of the harbor.Romantic accommodation possibilities abound. The Hotel Villa Portofino features airy rooms, lavender facial massages, peppermint scalp massages, chocolate, champagne and roses in some packages. The secluded Parson’s Landing Campground is accessible only via kayak trip or moderately difficult hike, while the pine and eucalyptus tree-studded Blackjack Campground offers views of the rolling hills and seascapes. Part of the fun is getting there. While non-nonsense transportation is available on the Catalina Express for around $70 per person, travelers with time to spare might consider renting a sailboat for the crossing. The Harborlight Yacht Club in Long Beach can arrange for skippers to sail guests safely to Catalina Island, or confident sailors can make the trip on their own. En route, keep cameras ready for bow-riding dolphins, migrating whales or playful sea lions. There’s plenty of opportunity for romantic activities on Catalina Island. Explore the coastline on rented kayaks or jet skis, or snorkel in protected coves observing vibrant orange Garibaldi fish darting among the kelp. Hiking trails wind around the island, offering views of woodlands, secluded beaches and the Pacific Ocean. Along the promenade, try fresh-scooped ice cream, crispy fish and chips or a frothy pina colada. Stop by Steve’s Steakhouse for delicately spiced clam chowder, hearty steak and lobster platters and dramatic open-window ocean views. Distance: 105 milesDrive time: Catalina is an island, so visitors need to sail in without their cars. A boat or ferry ride into Catalina takes about 1 hour and 30 minutesFlight time: 30 minutesNapa and Sonoma ValleyThe soft green foothills of Napa and Sonoma Valley, interlaced with quiet vineyards, comprise a profoundly romantic and relaxing vacation spot for couples. The Napa Wine Train hosts an intimate, onboard dining experience for couples wanting to try fine food and wines while gently rocking through the vineyards. Low-lit, closely situated dining quarters encourage quiet conversation and hand holding, while the leisurely pace of the meal allows for savoring each bite of locally sourced, organic food. Each month, the Napa Valley Wine Train hosts popular full-moon dinners where diners can enjoy views of glowing vineyards bathed in moonlight. In Sonoma Valley, visitors have their choice of several romantic places to stay. Santé, the signature restaurant of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, recently earned its first Michelin star. The Mediterranean-style Kenwood Inn & Spa offers lush garden courtyards, terraces for sunning, featherbeds, Italian linens and thick cotton robes for lounging. At the Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa, guests can fall asleep listening to sea breezes and distant foghorns of the nearby Pacific Ocean, Doran Beach Regional Park and Bodega Head bluffs. Distance: 530 milesDrive time: 9 hoursFlight time: 1 hour and 30 minutes To read more of this story, pick up the Summer issue of OurCity San Diego at your local Barnes & Noble Bookstores or by subscribing. To do this go to http://www.ourcitysd.com/thisIssue/comments/where_to_purchase_a_copy_of_OurCity OurEscapes 2010-06-10T17:46:44+00:00