My Hometown magazine - March 2010

www.myhometownchulavista.com

Business highlight: Rancho Vista chuRch | resident spotlight: the Monaco FaMily

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PAIDPERMIT #95

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PRE-SORT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #95

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hometown

march 2010

.Also inside

Why MoVe

When you can

iMPRoVe?

Unfinished BusinessTaking care of

clean garage

thank you notes

take clothes to goodwill

update emergency supplies

paint baseboards

read my hometown magazine

Unfinished Business

clean garage

thank you notes



paint baseboards

call back sister

By Karen smith, Publisher

march 2010 my hometown 3

MArch 2010

What’s insidelocal getaWays

contentsFRoM the editoR...

community newsgonzalez sports academy sure to Be a hit 9

My Hometown Wins chamber of commerce award 9

school newscolonial day at thurgood Marshall elementary 22

business highlightRancho Vista church 23

community calendarlocal events and activities 24

resident spotlightthe Monaco Family 25

feature

hometown

march 2010

.

With the arrival of spring later this month, My Hometown has reached a special milestone. this issue represents the conclusion of our second full year of publishing a local, commu-nity magazine for chula Vista. yep, our March issue is number 24. now that went fast.

in our official anniversary issue next month, we’ll talk more about what the future holds for us. For now, we want to share how grateful we remain for the support and warm reception My Hometown continues to receive. it has been an absolute labor of love in bringing this mag-azine to you each month. With each issue, we receive more and more contributions and feed-back from readers eager to get more involved with a publication they have come to look for-ward to seeing in their mailbox. that reaction and community response was a goal we set for ourselves at the beginning of this venture.

as you’ll read about in “on your doorstep,” we were recently honored with an award from the chula Vista chamber of commerce. Many of the chamber’s members and all of the chamber staff have been some of our biggest champions. We have formed a strong partner-ship with this great community resource as our two organizations share a common focus of highlighting what is right within our com-munity. and, there is much to celebrate.

take a look at “Bravo” this month and you’ll see that many in our community are finding success. With youthful exuberance or a veteran’s wisdom and experience, the path to achieving one’s goals can be different for everyone. typically, what exists in successful individuals, teams and businesses, whether emerging or established, is a sincere passion for their pursuits. you’ll find this important trait also reflected in the family and business featured in our March issue highlights. their example is one we would be wise to emulate.

it’s the same for us with My Hometown. We are pursing our passions and are delighted to have you sharing our path with us. We wel-come your comments about this soon to be two-year-old publication. your feedback does have an impact and we would love to hear from you as we work on plans for year three for My Hometown, chula Vista’s community magazine.

Michael Minjares, editor of My Hometown

home 14 Why Move When you can improve?

lifestyle 18 this Roller coaster called life

food 21 Picnics, Platters and Paper Plates

pAge 10

4 my hometown march 2010

feedback

puBlished ByFountain Media group, inc Po Box 2122, san Marcos, ca 92079 (800) 497-1309 x710 www.fountain-inc.com

puBlishersKaren smith [email protected]

tim Minjares [email protected]

editoriAl/sAlesMike Minjares [email protected]

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. Fountain Media Group, Inc. is not responsible for the views of contribut-ing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or advertisers.

BRaVoto eastlake panther pee Wee cheer squad. though the regular season has ended, they have continued onto more com-petitions. the Pee Wee squad competed in the usa cheer competition on sunday, January 17 in temecula. the competition was a prelim for the usa national competition at disneyland, and based on their score of “superior” they have qualified for the national competition! congratulations to coach eva and the eastlake Panther Pee Wee cheer squad & staff!

to patti McKelvey on being named McMillin Realty top producer, top seller and top listing agent for the 24th year in a row. McKelvey is no stranger to winning awards. in fact, in 1987 when she first joined McMillin Realty she was named Rookie of the year and has held the top spot within the brokerage ever since. Residing in san diego’s south county for three decades, McKelvey provides assis-tance to luxury home shoppers and sellers throughout the county as well as first-time buyers and those look-ing to move-up to a larger home. the McKelvey team is involved in the community as volunteers and financial contributors, supporting such groups as the south Bay Family yMca, children’s hospital, las Primeras, st. Pius X catholic church and corpus christi, american heart association, as well as various school and law enforce-ment projects.

looK What gReat things youR coMMunity is uP to...

to the eastlake high school Varsity cheerleaders on an outstand-ing perfor-mance at the sweetwater union high school district cheer competition. the team of 37 girls took first place in large Varsity advanced, grand national district champs and cheer Pros super Varsity california state champs categories. under the leadership of coach casey Popp, and inspired by hon-orary member chelsea, these young women showed what can be accomplished with hard work, dedication and per-severance.

to the local Ayso 10u girls soccer team for capturing the Region 116 championship (Bonita and east chula Vista). like the boys team featured last month, the girls competed in the section 11 tournament with teams from san diego and orange county in February as the south san diego county champs. congratulations to coach Ken Purvis and assistant coach Brian edwards, players: Masyn Purvis, lauryn edwards, Fatima sarabia, daniela huerta, Julia espinosa, carissa Quintero, Brittney Ballard, ysabel Marquez, cassie gonzalez and chelsea gonzalez.

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


on your doorstep

CYT Brings “narnia” To Chula VisTa

christian youth theater’s production of “narnia,” featuring many local kids from chula Vista, will be held March 12-14 at Mater dei catholic high school. With both evening and afternoon performance times available, the-atergoers have several opportunities to catch this production that includes students from several chula Vista elementary and sweetwater union high school district schools along with high tech high-chula Vista students. directed by Brad davis, known by many as “Biff” the mime at the sea lion and otter show at sea World, “narnia” is based on c.s. lewis’ popu-lar children’s fable the lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. the musical narnia focuses on four curious British children who climb into a musty old wardrobe and discover the magical kingdom of narnia, where animals talk and magic seems to happen everywhere. Mater dei

catholic is located at 1615 Mater dei drive in chula Vista. For tickets and more information, call (619) 588-0206 or visit www.cyt.org.

students across the chula Vista elementary district joined about 80,000 californians in attempting the world’s largest group jump rope on Monday, February 1. the high-stepping fun was part of the state’s attempt to break the guinness World Record for the “Most People Jumping/skipping Rope at the same time.”

More than 80,000 students and other participants from schools, nonprofit organizations and businesses across california jumped rope simultaneously for at least 10 minutes starting at 9 a.m.

at heritage elementary, students jumped rope for 45 minutes assisted by staff members and parent volunteers. the adults sliced oranges for students to snack on. some swung long jump ropes for groups of students to leap. and of course, there was a good bit of singing along to whimsical lyrics as students hopped, skipped and jumped rope. a dJ, courtesy of Radio latina, added to the festive atmosphere.

the record-breaking attempt was the coordinated effort of the american heart association’s Jump Rope For heart program; the california association for health, Physical education, Recreation and dance (cahPeRd) campaign; and the california governor’s council on Physical Fitness and sports “governor’s challenge” program.

Jump rope for heart event Brings high-stepping fun to district campuses

the organizations involved in the event work year-round to improve the health of california’s youth and help overcome childhood obesity. encouraging more children to jump rope through programs like Jump Rope For heart is one way to encourage physical activity. Jumping rope is effective – it can burn 1,000 calories in an hour – easy to learn, fun, inexpensive and portable.

high-Flying Fun: heri-tage elementary fourth grade student ivanna Vargas was among an estimated 80,000 people in california who jumped rope simultaneously in an attempt to break a

guinness World Record.

library’s film festival continues

The independent Winter Foreign Film Festival continues at the Civic Center and South Chula Vista branches of the library in March. Show time is 2:00 p.m. at each loca-tion and the series runs March 6, 13 and 20 at South Chula Vista Branch, 389 Orange Ave and March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Civic Center Branch, 365 F Street. The weekly festival is free and open to the public. Friends of the Library once again sponsors this year’s festival and the movies are unrated and recommended for ages 17 and up. For more information, contact the Civic Center Branch library at (619) 691-5069 or online at www.chulavistalibrary.com.


on your doorstep

My Hometown is always looking for contributors, articles and stories. it’s a great way to get more involved in your commu-nity. We welcome stories about neighborhood events, human

interest and community building for all of our sections.

you can contact us by calling (800) 497-1309 x710 with your idea or send us an email at [email protected].

get involved! get published! Anesthesia-free teeth cleaning & low-cost Vaccination clinic

local pet owners know that at doggie days in Paradise, four-legged companions regularly receive pam-pered treatment. the local pet-friendly business will be offering two special events on saturday, March 20. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. doggie days in Paradise will offer anesthesia-free teeth cleaning for dogs and cats and a low-cost vaccination clinic. the clinic is on a walk-in basis and includes a free physical exam from a licensed veterinarian. the anesthesia-free teeth cleaning and polishing costs $155 and will be done at the local facility under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. according to the staff, the teeth cleaning is safe, gentle and effec-tive. the teeth cleaning service is by appointment only and is available for both dogs and cats. animal dental care will be offering these services the third saturday of each month at doggie days in Paradise. For more details, contact doggie days in Paradise at (619) 271-7485 or www.doggiedip.com.

show choir WorkshopBoys and girls in grades 3-8 are invited

to learn show choir songs and dance moves from the Eastlake High School Show Choirs. The full-day Show Choir Workshop will take place Saturday, April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will include a performance showcase by par-ticipants and the Eastlake Show Choir students. Registration fees are $50 per stu-dent before March 26 and include lunch, snack and a souvenir T-shirt. After March 26, the fee goes to $55. Siblings will receive a $5 discount off the registration fee. For questions or to request a registration form, please contact Sharon Frazer at (619) 482-1740 or by email at [email protected].

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on your doorstepon your doorstep

b2be sports & wellness grand openingThe new b2be sports & wellness at the EastLake Design

District will host their “Grand Opening Celebration” on Saturday, March 20. From its personalized attention to its sophisticated fitness equipment, b2be’s mission is to make the time spent in the club, the best part of the day. The new club’s personal approach combines both exercise and nutritional edu-cation in a safe environment with the highest quality of product and service. b2be sports and wellness will also offer activities for children such as Ballet, Tap & Jazz, Swim Lessons, Tae Kwon Do, “b-kids” Cooking and Yoga. For more information, call (619) 754-6812 or visit the website at www.b2bewellness.com.

cycle eastlake on Move Again the eastlake educational Foundation has announced

that the popular annual community event will move back to its more familiar springtime spot this year. the bike rides through our local area will take place during the weekend of May 15 and 16. saturday will see the Family Roll and stroll, while the 100K, 25K Marty garcia Memorial Ride and the 18-mile Mountain Bike and Poker Ride take place on sunday. More information is available on the eeF website, www.eefkids.org. Make your plans to join in this wonderful event that supports our local schools.

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on your doorstep

neW ceo for shArp chulA VistA MedicAl center

Arriving in San Diego from Boston, Pablo Velez had been in the health care field for nearly 25 years. As he visited initially with medical professionals and others around town, Velez says he kept hearing about the quality of health care provided by the Sharp system. For 13 years, starting as the hospi-tal’s Manager of Intermediate Care Services, he has worked hard to see that Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center maintained that level of commitment and dedication to its patients.

As the newly named Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President for the 343-bed South Bay hospital, Velez, who is fluent in Spanish, will have an even greater opportunity to personally impact the hospi-tal’s already high standard of patient care.

“Our physicians and staff are truly commit-ted to providing the best care to our patients,”

Velez said. “We are always looking to meet the needs of the community and to offer the best care for the members of the commu-nity. It is exciting to be a part of that effort.”

Since starting with Sharp Chula Vista in 1996, Velez has held a variety of positions. From his initial work in Intermediate Care Services, he has served as the Director of Critical Care, overseen the Intensive Care Units, Post Anesthesia Care Units and the Radiation Oncology Department. In 2001 he became Vice President of Patient Care Services where his responsibilities included the operations of nursing, respiratory ser-vices, pharmacy services, long-term care, ambulatory outpatient surgical services and other ancillary departments. For Velez, the chance to lead the hospital with the largest array of health care services in south San Diego County is quite an honor.

“This opportunity to serve as CEO is a chance to realize something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Velez said. “In my time with Sharp Chula Vista, I have sought to gain experi-ence in other areas of our hospital’s operation so when this opportunity came I’d be prepared. The staff has a sense of pride about this appointment since I came up through the ranks. The support I’ve received thus far has been amazing.”

Velez earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Puerto Rico. He also holds a dual master’s degree in critical care and nursing administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston, as well as a doctorate degree in nursing philosophy from the University of San Diego. Working with local schools to raise the level of inter-est in students in health care careers, will be a priority for Velez.

“I’ve been involved with the Health Academy Partnership between Sharp, two local schools and Southwestern Community College,” he said. “We bring in students and educate them about health care careers, the need for future medical professionals, especially in this area. The program provides students a chance to tour the hospital, visit various programs and meet with our staff. In terms of our commu-nity activities, I plan to be very involved.” my.

Pablo Velez, ceo sharp chula Vista Medical center

in terms of our community activities,

i plan to be very involved.

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on your doorstep

While many young, local athletes might dream of becom-ing the next Edgar or Adrian Gonzalez, playing professional baseball for the hometown team, the opportunities available to pursue that dream have been fairly limited. Until now.

On January 27, Adrian, Edgar and third brother David opened the doors to the new Gonzalez Sports Academy in EastLake. The grand opening gave many in the local commu-nity a chance to personally meet the local ball players while also catching their first glimpse of the new, state-of-the-art multi-sports training facility. The new facility offers batting

gonzAlez sports AcAdeMy sure to Be A hit

cages, volleyball courts, weight lifting and conditioning areas as well as boxing conditioning and massage therapy.

EastLake resident Marla Farrage brought her two children, Evan and Erika, to the event as both play team sports. The fam-ily walked through the facility and even got to meet the current and former Padres (pictured with friend Rob Tarr).

“I really like the layout of the place,” Marla shared. “With the batting cages, volleyball courts and weight and conditioning areas, they have covered it all. Knowing that the Gonzalez fam-ily is behind it, this will be a first-class place.”

According to Adrian, that is exactly the goal the family has set for their new training facility. The All-Star first baseman and Eastlake High graduate sees this new addition to the communi-ty as a chance to provide the resources he had to find elsewhere as an up-and-coming athlete.

“It means a lot to me that our facility is in this area,” Adrian said. “When I was in high school I had to travel to other places in the county to train. Now kids will have the chance to receive excellent instruction without having to go too far. For us it is about doing things the right way. We want to share the knowl-edge we’ve learned through our years of training and playing at the highest level with local kids and their families.”

The new facility is located at 2390 Boswell Road, Suite 400. More information about this new community resource can be found online at www.gonzalezsportsacademy.com. my.

The 83rd Annual Chula Vista of Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner on January 22 turned into quite a night to remember for this local community publication. In an event attended by many from the local business community and city and county government, My Hometown and its publisher – Fountain Media Group – were honored with a Presidents Award. The award was presented to Tim Minjares, Publisher, and Mike Minjares, Editor, by outgoing 2009 Chamber President Chris Boyd. The plaque’s inscription read in part: “In appreciation of your leadership in delivering our commu-nity magazine.”

County Supervisor Greg Cox emceed this year’s event that included the installation of the 2010 officers and directors of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce. Chris Boyd, former CEO of Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, passed on the president’s gavel to Scott Vinson, of Coldwell Banker Royal Realty, who assumed the role of Chamber President for the current year.

My Hometown wishes to congratulate all of the award winners from this special event and thank the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce and Chris Boyd for this award.

neW ceo for shArp chulA VistA MedicAl center

My Hometown’s Mike and tim Minjares pose with outgoing cham-ber President chris Boyd (far left) and ceo lisa cohen

MY hoMeTown wins ChaMBer of CoMMerCe award

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Unfinished Business

clean garage

thank you notes



paint baseboards

call back sister

By Karen smith, Publisher


unFinished Business

Unfinished business….i’m going to go out on a limb and assume that there are at least a few of you

out there that are like me. i am a self-starter. in fact, i am absolutely great at starting stuff. the problem is, i’m just not so good at finishing it. does anyone relate? hey, it takes all kinds. some of us are meant to ‘start’ stuff and others are meant to be the ‘finishers’. i get that. i’m okay with it. still, that is no excuse for leaving things undone.

When spring sets in, I get a creative surge….the itch to start new proj-ects, make fresh starts and buy new stuff. I look around the house and start dreaming about new furniture and accessories. I start to imagine how great life would be if I could just have a new …. (insert any variety of the ‘latest and greatest’ – for me, right now, it’s a new table). I get so excited about the possibility of some-thing new. It’ll be so great! I convince myself that this new thing will allow me to do things that I just can’t do without it. It will bring all kinds of new possibilities to my life.

Maybe you’re the same way….you might want new patio furniture, new

landscaping, new flooring, or maybe a new car, a new job, or how about a new puppy? The list goes on and on. We can always think of something we need, right?

About then, I wake up and real-ize I can’t get something new….not when I’m already tripping over all of my ‘old stuff ’. With two adults, two teens, a dog, and a cat, our 1705 square feet is fully utilized (or, is it? That’s a whole other article!). The bad thing about having a smaller house is that it’s totally full….the good thing about having a smaller house is that it’s totally full. We can easily talk our-selves out of buying something new because we have nowhere to put it. If


unFinished Business

we decide we really need something new, it means we have to get rid of something else…which is where we always get stuck. Unloading that old stuff is such a pain.

So today, I walk out into the garage and there staring back at me is the stack of Christmas decorations that has yet to be put back up into the attic. Seriously, what’s my problem? Am I really so busy that it’s now March and my Christmas decorations can’t be carried up the ladder and stacked into a corner? Come on!

If I’m really honest, there are unfinished little projects everywhere I look. Some of them really bug me. I get so frustrated when I stare at that corner of the foyer that houses things I haven’t found a place for. Or when I think of that stack of mail on the table that I haven’t processed yet. Or that one blind that still hasn’t been replaced in the kitchen. Or the piano bench that is still waiting to be refin-ished. Or the broken ice maker in the fridge…the leaky bathroom faucet….the dead bolt that needs replacing. I’m surrounded by unfinished proj-ects! I can feel the adrenalin rise just thinking about it!

Oh, but it’s not just the house. The same is true in my life. I owe phone calls, thank you notes, and time to several people who mean a lot to me. I have so much ‘unfinished business’

that I get overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Oh sure, I can justify it for a while if I try. I just tell myself that this is a busy period of life and I’ll catch up sometime down the road. I justify that people will understand – after all, we all know I’m not good with those little finish-ing details. They’ll forgive me, right? Meanwhile, I’m missing out on enjoy-ing a ‘whole’ life because everything is quite undone.

I’m very aware of this weakness of mine to start and not finish. I’m also very well aware of the unfinished projects around me. What I never realized until recently is how much energy this ‘unfinished business’ saps out of my life. I’d never given it a thought until I read a great little book called “Five Wishes” by Gay Hendricks. The author talks about one of his life’s desires or dying wish-es was to know that he didn’t leave things in his life undone or unsaid…no loose ends. He started to identify what those things were and to take steps to wrap up those loose ends. During the process, he was amazed to discover that as he completed things in his life, it brought a new energy and power to his life. (You know that feeling when you finish something? When it’s complete, it’s whole, and you’re done? It’s such a great feeling. When we leave things unfinished, it

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i’m very aware of this weakness of mine to start and

not finish. i’m also very well aware of the unfinished

projects around me. What i never realized until recently

is how much energy this ‘unfinished business’ saps

out of my life.

fix sprinklers

does the opposite. It saps our energy, our focus, and our ability to move forward.)

A light bulb went off for me there. My feeling ‘stuck’ has nothing to do with needing something new and EVERYTHING to do with needing to complete what I’ve already started. Until then, nothing is going to move forward. It was a huge ‘ah-ha’ for me. Brilliant! Forget the new stuff; I’m going to finish the old stuff!

So, I’ve created a list of unfinished projects both around my house and in my life. It includes everything from painting the baseboards to updating our emergency supplies. The tasks are as simple as calling

my sister to say hi and coordinating with my neighbor to schedule the junk guys for a pick up. I’ve priori-tized each unfinished task according to the level of frustration I feel about them. I figure I’ll tackle the tough ones first to get them out of the way. (Oh, and you can bet that those Christmas decorations are at the top of the list!)

Sure enough, with each task I fin-ish, I feel a surge of energy. I notice more synchronicity in my life and feel more connected and clear. Most importantly, I’m remembering that whole living is not about having everything; it’s about making every-thing of what you already have. my.

unFinished Business

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home

With spring around the corner, you might be suffering from a hint of spring fever…want-

ing something new or different. It is in our nature to gravitate towards the “new” while pondering whether or not the grass is truly greener on the other side of the fence.

As a landscape contractor, I typically work on homes that are far-and-away more “expensive” than the home I live in. This does not mean that I could not make a few home improvements that would dramatically impact both my lifestyle and future home value. With new home construction moving at a snail’s pace, there are many highly skilled tradesmen that are looking for work, and countless material suppli-ers that are grateful to make sales. If you have been putting off those home improvement projects until the time is right, then I am here to tell you that the time is NOW!

If you are like me and have no intention whatsoever of selling your home, then it’s time to hunker down and make the most of what you’ve got because you’ll probably be hold-ing onto it for a while. I for one have realized that the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. I like the fact that my neighborhood has wide streets and full sidewalks on both sides. I didn’t have the luxury of pick-ing out every feature currently in my home, like a second level extension or “teen suite” or a double-sided fireplace in the master suite/bath. I’ve caught

By Weston Barnes

you can make a few

home improvements

that would dramati-

cally impact both your

lifestyle and future

home value.

Why MoVe When you cAn iMproVe?

myself actually making excuses for my home’s lack of features when giving tours. However, that is going to stop now that I’ve really acknowl-edged that selling is not an option for me, especially if that means parting with this great location, incredible community, wonderful neighbors and friends.

So, rather than apologize for my home’s shortcomings, I’m realizing it’s a great time to make those criti-cal home improvements that I have always wanted to make. This will move me from just liking my home to actually loving it. And, I figure that I am going to be here for many years to come, so why not enjoy the home I have, rather than “trade-up” to something that is nothing more than an illusion of happiness designed to distract us from what we should be focusing on the most…..LIVING!

Whether you are satisfied with your interior and want to focus on the exterior, or vice versa, you must start by getting your ideas down on paper. Make a list of your needs and wants and prioritize them based on two factors; your lifestyle, and the value it will bring to your home down the road. I can’t stress the importance of working with architecture profes-sionals to draw-up plans to scale. Always remember that any exterior home modifications must be submit-ted to the HOA for approval and may require construction permits from the City.

16 my hometown february 2010

hoMe iMPRoVeMent

using reAl estAte AdVice to guide your renoVAtion strAtegy

expensive fixes, like new plantings, window boxes or flagstone pathways will give immediate impact and lift your spirits. Plan your exterior upgrades now for late spring and summer use.

Minor kitchen remodels ranked third with a 98.5% Roi. small, quick switch enhancements include crown molding, window framing, designer faucets, ornamental cabinet hard-ware, even pendant lighting. these are the little details that take your kitchen from builder’s special to model-home worthy. they’re easy to shop for, and in plentiful supply at both big box retailers and specialty stores. Major bathroom and kitchen remodels were sixth and seventh on the list, with typical returns in the low 90s. Bathrooms have a slight lead, especially if flooring (vinyl to tile), counters (ceramic to granite or marble), and fixtures like the toi-let and sink are upgraded to more sophisticated materials. and even if your kitchen cabinets are solid, better flooring (investing beyond vinyl or laminate) and new granite counters (to replace ceramic tile) will give immediate impact to this hard-working space. considering how ser-viceable bathrooms and kitchens are, it’s pretty hard to not add value with your upgrades – just keep them in proportion to your home’s worth.

updating the bonus room has a return rate well into the 70s. one classic choice is incorporating a media center with bookshelf built-ins. not only do built-ins create a cleaner appearance than a mix of stand-alone shelves, but they free up floor space for furnishings. and for families used to moving every

By stephanie garrison

communities, most bathrooms here are in better shape versus those of the average san diego home for sale. switching out hardware and acces-sories (towel bars, robe hooks, tissue holders) with pricier selections from higher-end bath retailers will give even the most mundane lavatory a chic boutique hotel feel. upgrading light fixtures and faucet sets is equally of value; they’re operated repeatedly on a daily basis, amortizing the cost of installation to the equivalent of mere pennies per use.

landscaping came in second, with a perfect return rate. Being for-tunate enough to live in one of the most ideal climates in the u.s. means that there’s always room for change or enrichments to your current exterior. Pools are a tricky exception to this rule: some agents feel they don’t pro-vide a feasible Roi in the short term, and many potential buyers don’t like the upkeep. But compare the pric-ing of a luxury backyard over several vacation packages – one can be used on a daily basis, the other is a brief respite. Perhaps a smaller water fea-ture, like a lap pool, hot tub, or water fountain, would be a better choice for your lifestyle. along the same lines, at number eight were deck, patio or porch additions. the additional exte-rior space had a 90% return rate, but think of how priceless it is to actu-ally spend time in your back yard. Many of us are guilty of not using our outer enclosures to their fullest potential, or only on weekends. is it because there’s not enough shade, or a proper dining area? is the back yard landscaped, yet not inviting? do you notice your front entrance every time you come home from work? even less

surfing decor and shelter web sites is a great way to get inspired when determining what to tackle next in your home improvement plans. home and garden television’s extensive online resource (www.hgtv.com) has posted an interest-ing list that touts the “top 15 home updates.” designed to be a guideline to maximize the return on investment (Roi) of any renovation with an eye towards resale value (crucial informa-tion in this tough real estate market) it’s also a fantastic tool in helping to choose the restoration projects most worthy of pursuit as you live in and enjoy your abode – even if you have no immediate plans to sell.

Minor bathroom remodels top the list, with an average return pur-ported to be at 102%. in our newer


hoMe iMPRoVeMent

Here is a list of helpful tips to ensure that your next home improvement project goes smoothly:

only work with california state licensed contractors. Do not assume that someone has a valid contractor’s license just because you see six digits on their business card. The best way to verify if a contractor has a valid license and is bonded is to check with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB): http://www.cslb.ca.gov/

Workers compensation insurance (Wci). All businesses in the state of California that have employees are required to carry WCI. The fine for not carrying WCI is $10K per employee, per day. Remember that if someone gets injured on your property, and the contractor that you chose to work with is not carrying WCI, it is very likely that you may be sued by the injured party. To avoid this potential nightmare, you must insist on veri-fying that your contractor is paying WCI. You can also verify this infor-mation on the CSLB website.

references, references, refer-ences. Insist on seeing projects that they have completed and insist on speaking with the homeowners in private. Be sure to ask the “tell all” question: If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different-ly? The response you will get from this open-ended question will most likely astound you. Let them talk, because this is what you need to hear BEFORE signing any contracts.

Always insist on receiving a Release of Liability before handing over the final payment. This will protect you in the event that your contractor does not pay his/her employees or material vendors. my.

using reAl estAte AdVice to guide your renoVAtion strAtegy

five or so years, sometimes the initial cash outlay for a built-in makes more sense than buying, then paying to transport several bulky pieces of media storage. this area can also be set up as a studio that the whole family can use for individual hobbies, from sewing to model building to paint-ing. creating large custom desk spaces at various heights gives everyone their own work zone, and can be a way of spending time together while still enjoying sepa-rate pursuits.

several items enumerated on this best-of list aren’t applicable to our burgeoning community’s current needs, such as replace-ment windows, exterior room addi-tions, attic conversions and base-ment remodels. these could easily be replaced with big ticket yet big benefit items such as water con-ditioners, solar energy systems, tiled courtyards, pergolas, win-dow framing, crown molding, etc. drafting a list of what you would use most is an important way to distinguish how to best address your family’s daily lifestyle.

getting the latest real estate advice is both informative and important when considering those upcoming residential improve-ments you’d like to address. not only will you be better able to prioritize your needs versus your wants, but any upgrades that are used or appreciated on a daily basis improves the quality of life you enjoy while living in your home. and that is money in the bank whether you’re staying or selling! my.

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lifestyle

cAlled life

every once in a while things hap-pen in your life that make you take stock of your current situa-

tion. That is exactly what has happened to me these past couple of weeks. I was at a point where I was pretty content with most aspects of my life. There is always room for improvement but, all in all, things were going pretty smoothly. The warm weather returned allowing us to enjoy the great outdoors in San Diego. I had done my spring cleaning and the house was in tip-top shape. I had organized the kid’s closets, clearing out old toys, outgrown clothing and shoes. We had organized the garage and I even cleaned up my office (which has a tendency to be the last room in the house to get any attention as far as cleaning is concerned). I had “pride of ownership” as one of my friends defined it. I felt happy about my house and my family.

Then, an unexpected event happened. Usually it’s the unwelcome, unexpected events in life that make you take a sec-ond glance at your life and help you put things in perspective. This unexpected series of events has done just that. To make a long story short, we had a plumbing problem that has temporar-ily sent us out of our house while the issue is resolved. My beautiful African Hardwood floors are no longer beauti-ful African Hardwood floors. Now only fragments and splintered remnants

By Melissa tran

remain. They were our pride and joy and we had always received compli-ments regarding them. It didn’t seem to matter that we had tried to foresee any future issues when selecting our floor-ing options. We had placed the hard-wood in the “non-water” areas of the house and porcelain tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. No planning on our part could have save us from the mess that ensued. C’est la vie!

As I was dealing with the full force of my personal drama, I was informed that my sister had a far more pressing personal drama to contend with. While she and her husband were in Hawaii for business, they had gone for a hike. They are the quintessential outdoors people. (She had lived in Alaska for two years in a remote cabin with no electric-ity and no running water – and loved it! Yikes!!) Her husband has hiked the Appalachian Trail. They sail whenever possible. They bike ride together. You name it. So hiking was no big surprise. However, this hike was different. Her husband ended up falling quite a long way down the cliff and ended up him-self being a patient in the very hospital where he was doing his rotation for the Armed Forces Medical School.

I can’t even imagine what it was like for my sister to watch her husband plunge down the cliff before her very eyes. They have been married for a few years and have yet to have any children,

this roller coAster

it’s a great time of year to spruce up – not only your home, but

also your financial life.


RolleR coasteR oF liFe

which is in their plans. They have been so busy completing their “plans” (she received her R.N. and he is going after his M.D.) that they spent the beginning part of their marriage liv-ing in different states.

It seems to be a recurring theme, that no matter how carefully you make your plans, something can get in the way in the blink of any eye and throw your entire life into disarray.

This little episode has made me rethink the way I view my house. I, and most other people, put a lot of emphasis on our houses and we put great deals of money into them. Backyards are entertainers’ dreams, bathrooms are replicas of luxurious spas, kitchens are elegant, and master suites are sanctuaries from reality. San Diegan’s usually don’t have much to worry about in regards to weather related disasters…just earthquakes and fires, but you don’t have to look far to see how recent natural disasters can make beautiful houses worthless in mere seconds.

This just emphasizes the reality that your primary residence is not an investment. I am amazed how many times I hear my clients tell me that they view their primary residence as an investment. It is not and should not be looked at in that manner. There are ways that you can utilize the equity in your primary residence

as the source of principal for other investments. However, this must be done with caution.

It is a well known adage that you should not keep all of your eggs in one basket. This pertains to the wealth put into your home as well. What if you relied upon your home to fund your retirement? There are any numbers of

factors that can come into play and take the bulk of the equity right out from under you in one fell swoop. It is best to diversify your wealth into a variety of investments and not have any one investment too heavily saturated. This acts to protect you from one event dam-


RolleR coasteR oF liFe

aging your entire portfolio.In general, people expect life to

remain pretty much status quo. A little variation in either direction is tolerated and even expected, but when a major shift happens, most people are caught unprepared. A client of mine, who shall remain nameless, falls quite nicely into this category. He refuses to spend a little bit of time structuring a financial plan for his future, because he is so caught up in the tedious monotony of life. The problem is that he refuses to acknowledge the possibility that maybe someday he will be unable to function at the capacity he is currently accus-tomed to and will no longer be able to bring in the amount of income he has enjoyed for so long.

Let me go back to my sister and her husband. You never think about long-term care and disability insurance policies until you need them, and then it is too late. Why would anyone in their 20’s, 30’s or even 40’s think about looking into Disability Insurance or Long Term Care Insurance? We are still young, healthy and most of us are still very active. We expect to live life with our bodies intact until we expire at a ripe old age. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for very many of us. Injuries, accidents, and/or illness can affect any-one at any time. It is best, if you can afford it, to establish a policy to protect

ly like the little bit of savings you have. Disability insurance and long-term care insurance makes sure that doesn’t hap-pen. The younger you are when you establish one of these policies usually brings with it less expensive premiums. Obviously, health conditions are factors that are taken into consideration, as well as your age.

The likelihood of becoming disabled is much greater than premature death, but most of us aren’t adequately insured for this event. Take some time this month to look over the medical cover-age you have and look at the disability section. See what the coverage is and the elimination period (this is the time you will have to wait for payments to begin). If it is not adequate, now is the time to make the necessary changes.

There are so many factors one needs to address when making sure they have everything adequately prepared for any circumstance. Not only do you need to save for retirement and college expenses, you need to cover your assets with life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, and possibly long-term care insurance. You also need to have a will and trust in place. Once all of these products are purchased and funded, you need to keep checking peri-odically to make sure that you have the appropriate level of coverage to protect the assets you have been accumulating. As with any investing situation, it is always wise to seek professional advice. Each person has a unique situation and individual goals and no one plan works for everyone. It’s a great time of year to spruce up – not only your home, but also your financial life. Don’t move into spring with these important tasks left undone. my.

yourself from financial hardship if one of these events should happen to you or your spouse.

It is known that long-term injuries and illnesses are more expensive than death. A debilitating injury to either spouse could force a family into bank-ruptcy. How many of us have actually saved six months’ salary in our savings account for just this situation? What if the main breadwinner is permanently injured and can no longer function at their job in their current position? Or imagine a different scenario…what if the spouse that stays home with the children becomes injured and can’t function on his/her own. Can the sup-porting spouse take prolonged time off work to care for the family and the injured spouse until they have recov-ered? Most likely you will need to rely on family and friends for immediate needs for the short term. But what if the homemaker is permanently injured and will need long-term medical care? No one ever likes to think about these things, but you must. Can you imagine what would happen to the life you cur-rently know? It would evaporate quick-

Hometown Small Ad.indd 1 2/12/10 9:59:11 AM

don’t move into spring without having a plan to cover

yourself when unexpected events happen.

i really don’t much care for sunday evenings. it’s almost time to go back to school and work. the laundry has piled up over the weekend and i have been a complete slacker, so the house is a disaster. if that’s not enough, i usually have no groceries by sunday evening. sundays go by in a blur, because we catch up on piano homework (due Monday), school homework (due Monday), math and reading. invariably, i end up at the grocery store at 4 in the after-noon, because i think (you’d think i’d have learned by now) that i can make it to Monday morning, but then i start worrying about lunch boxes and snack boxes, and i start to freak out by 3 p.m. so, i’m at the grocery store at 4 (really bad time to go), and back home by 5, unloading groceries and running around to make dinner.

as a result of this craziness, i have established a sunday night dinner. Before i start unloading groceries, i put eggs on to boil for egg salad, recipe to follow. i take out my two large white platters, and start to pile groceries on them that i need for dinner. this is what ends up on my platters:

siMPle ideas FoR siMPle Meals food

picnics, plAtters And pAper plAtes

strawberries, grapes, raspberries.

Brie, cheddar, gouda/edam cheese

slices of ham, turkey, salami, Mortadella

a Warm, sliced baguette

a nice knob of butter (unsalted is preferable)

egg salad (curried egg salad or regular egg salad)

tuna salad

By the time i have set up the platters, the eggs are boiled and ready to go for egg salad. While i’m cooking, John and the girls choose a large blanket for the family room floor and start channel surfing for a good “g” rated show on the telly. as a rule, i do not allow meals in front of the tV, except on sunday evenings. on sunday evenings i like to pretend that Monday is not around the corner, so i do whatever it takes to pretend that it’s saturday. and in my house, that means picnic in the family room.

dessert is usually ice cream (haagen dazs coffee almond crunch bars) or cookies. and for just a little while, we forget about work, school, laundry, dishes and cleaning. For just a little while, we are transported to a different world – a world of picnics, platters and paper plates.

this recipe is perfect for sunday nights, but would also make a lovely easter brunch item. i hope you enjoy a picnic with your family, whenever it may be. my.

carrots, celery, cucumber wedg-es with Ranch dressing (i like trader Joe’s Buttermilk Ranch)

other necessary items:

san Pellegrino sparkling Water – large family size

Paper Plates

Plastic cups

Paper napkins


cuRRied egg salad

8-10 eggs, hard boiled

1/2-3/4 c. good quality Mayonnaise (depending on how wet you like your egg salad)

1 tsp. curry powder (my favorite is sharwood’s Medium)

½ tsp. sweet chilli sauce (i like the thai sweet chilli sauce)

2 tsp. chopped parsley (please use flat leaf italian parsley)

salt and Pepper to taste

Measure out mayonnaise

add curry powder

add sweet chilli sauce

Mix well

season with salt and pepper

add in hard boiled eggs, chop through to desired consistency

Phot

o co

urt

esy

of t

ina

Rupp


school news

school neWsMaRch 2010

With a table full of sage, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic and vanilla behind her, Mrs. McDermott began to explain the role of an apothecary in colonial times. The fifth grade teacher at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School shared that an apoth-ecary was the person who took care of any-one who got sick. The apothecary usually had a huge garden where they would grow various items. Taking each herb sample from the table, Mrs. McDermott went over the medicinal uses that an apothecary might find for each item such as treating stomach pains or influenza.

For Rhegan, a fifth grader, learning about the role of the apothecary was a highlight of her experience in this year’s Colonial Days events. It represented only one of several differ-ent stations she and her friends went through, but it seemed to be the most relevant to her present day activities.

“I was surprised to learn how the herbs were used for so many sicknesses,” she said. “I recognize rosemary and sage from our garden at home. My dad cooks with these herbs. It’s kind of shocking that we still use materials that the colonial-ists were using back then. The whole day teaches you what it was like and what kids would do in colonial times. It’s a lot of fun.”

According to Sally Vincej, a teacher and parent of a fifth grader at Marshall Elementary, the Colonial Day event serves

Colonial day at Thurgood Marshall elementary

as a kick-off to the fifth grade students’ social studies unit. The goal is to help students understand the political, reli-gious, social and economic institutions that evolved in the colonial era. As a part of their experience, students moved in groups through various stations and activities. In addition to the apothecary, students participated in Dames School, colonial games such as horseshoes, stick and hoop and 9 pin (bowling), poppet making and an old fashioned picnic on the grass field.

Principal Christopher Gunnett joined the students in sev-eral of the day’s activities. He impressively learned to roll the hoop with a stick in a very short amount of time and showcased some skill in the 9 pin game. He thanked the teachers and many parents who came out to staff stations and assist in the day’s events. New to Marshall Elementary this year, Mr. Gunnett says he appreci-ates the support he sees

from parents and teachers in putting on this type of program.“This is a wonderful activity to enrich the curriculum the

students are learning about in the classroom,” he said. “These activities bring the learning alive for them, lifting it out of the book. They get a good understanding of what things were like in that time period. I hope the students remember how they related to what they learned, how they dressed up and played games and how the school community was all in when putting on this event for them.”

In the Dames School, also known as grammar school, students learned how to use quill pens and ink to write their names and create a hornbook. They also heard about rules and consequences for breaking them from Carmen Luna, a substitute teacher and parent.

“The students are having a blast,” she said. “As teachers, we are getting into character. This is amazing and there is noth-ing like learning about something historical and then getting to act it out.” my.


school news

from the beginning, Rancho Vista Church has focused on non-traditional methods to help build community in the east

Chula Vista area. Starting with a human Monopoly Board, to sky divers landing on the church parking lot, to bringing in a former NFL quarterback or an on-air radio personality, Pastor John Rose and his team of staff and volunteer leaders have made it a point to break away from formal, rigid or boring approaches to wor-ship. And that approach is working.

The church has grown from a group of 25 people working to put the foundation in place, to 120 visitors at the first service in 2002 to about 250 each week attending two services at Otay Ranch High School. Rose estimates that the church reaches about 500 people in the community through various programs and services, including camps, youth programs and service projects. He enjoys that Ranch Vista Church extends beyond traditional Sunday services.

“When we started, we looked around and saw that a lot of great churches existed, but this community cannot have enough churches that are highly committed to this community,” he said. “Being a community-focused church, a church without walls, that is highly involved in the community and focused on being community-based, service-based and faith-centered makes us a bit different.”

According to Rose, first-timers to Rancho Vista Church are often struck by the casual style they find. It is not uncommon, he says, to see people in Chargers jerseys and flip-flops at the services. The church places a high emphasis on children’s activi-

ties. Despite being a small to medium-sized church, Rancho Vista offers seven different groupings of programs targeted for children of different ages.

Rose’s own children and family are involved with him in a number or church activities. In addition to assisting at services, the Rose family hosts many church functions at their home in EastLake.

“The most normative church activities we have are barbeques and people getting together,” Rose said. “That is probably at the center of what we do. A lot of our groups, like bible study, meet around a barbeque. My wife and I enjoy hosting activities at our house and hosting people.”

That willingness to connect with people on an individual level also marks Rancho Vista Church’s efforts to aid the home-less in our community and poor residents of Mexico. Rose said the church has been instrumental in building an orphanage in Ensenada. This past December, the church held “Niños de la Natividad” in which more than 5,000 people were fed a com-plete meal and over 2,000 children received at least one wrapped Christmas gift. At the end of February, the church stepped up and hosted an interfaith homeless shelter for a week.

“The value is in serving others,” Rose explained. “There is an active and intensive passion to go out and do stuff. We are a church that does stuff.” my.

Rancho Vista church, (619) 540-1221;

www.ranchovistachurch.com

rAncho VistA churchPhoto courtesy of:

susanne Pedro (619) 952-3678

www.moments-treasured.com


on your doorstep

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MArch 2010

March 9totAl Knee replAceMent

surgery seMinAr – 6-7:30pm at sharp chula Vista Medical center; dr. harbinder chadha, an ortho-paedic surgeon affiliated with sharp chula Vista, will discuss advanced treatment options in this free seminar; to register 1-800-827-4277 or www.sharp.com/chulavista

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foreign filM festiVAl; 2pm at civic center Branch library

March 10teen gAMing – 4pm at eastlake library; (619) 397-3980

March 11 chulA VistA chAMBer of

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“AdAM’s Apples” Winter

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March 16MAyor cox’s stAte of the

city Address; 6pm at council chambers city hall, 276 Fourth avenue; (619) 691-5041 or www.chulavistaca.gov

March 27“the islAnd” Winter foreign

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And loW-cost VAccinAtion

clinic – includes free physi-cal exam from a licensed veterinarian; 10am-2pm; call doggie days in Paradise at (619) 271-7485 or www.doggiedip.com

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When Michael and Sabrina Monaco moved their family into their east Chula Vista neighborhood in May 2004,

it was the third in a series of relocations the family had made. From Fremont in northern California to Reno, Nevada and then Littleton, Colorado, the Monacos moved nearly every four or five years as part of Sabrina’s rise up the corporate lad-der at Wells Fargo. Much to the relief of their children Andre and Sarah, 17-year-old twins, the move to EastLake may be more long-term than any of the others.

“Our parents promised us that they will not move again until we are out of high school,” Andre, a junior at Eastlake High School, said. Andre played on the championship foot-ball team this fall and also competes in track. “I like going to Eastlake High because of the successful sports teams we have. Finally making it to Qualcomm Stadium was an awe-some feeling. When Eastlake won, the whole district, not just our school, recognized us. If anything, this area is a tight-knit community.”

As a financial services representative at the First Bank branch in the Shops at San Miguel Ranch, Michael builds connections with many business people and community members. His active role with the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce expands his network, but it is his dedication to serving others through the Chula Vista Rotary and a variety of special projects that accurately illustrates his commitment to his current city.

“When we first came here, I said we’d probably be here for

five years,” Michael shared. “But we are so deeply rooted in the community now. I have no desire to move again. This is my family. Of all the places I’ve lived, it is the one that has every-thing.”

Michael and Sabrina make sure that their family actively participates in their local community. Together they attend EastLake Community Church and volunteer for many com-munity service projects. While Sabrina works with young children at the church, Andre works as a member of the stage crew for church services. Sarah has also given her time to the community serving as a volunteer at the EastLake Library for a year. Through Rotary, the Monacos have assembled bikes for children and participated in “Christmas in October” helping out families in need.

But one of the more memorable experiences was the family’s trip to Mexico to build a home. Along with donated building supplies from local businesses, the Monacos brought pillows, blankets and labor. Working alongside the father of the family receiving the house, they built a new home where a cardboard shelter had stood.

“Being in this community, I enjoy the opportunities to help people who don’t have what I had growing up,” Sarah said. “In the trip to Mexico we brought more comfort to a family.”

For Michael and Sabrina, seeing their family giving back to better their community is a big part of their parenting style.

“Our kids always say yes,” Michael said. “We believe service earns more dividends than the investment.” my.

the MonAco fAMilyPhoto courtesy of:

Jessica Fraser (619) 339-1847

www.momentsbyjessica.com

SPIRITUAL

Seven-The perfect number, the per-fect church for IMPERFECT people.

Now meeting on Sundays at 9:30am in Lakeside and at 11:15am at

Olympian High School in Otay Ranch. 1925 Magdalena Ave.,

91913. Preview us online.

(619) 977-9277 www.7sdchurch.com

WELL BEING

For the past 17 years, Pack & Bianes Vision Care has offered state-of-the-art eyecare for adults, children and infants. Look to us for the latest in

contact lenses, eyewear, vision therapy or Lasik. We are providers for several

insurance plans such as VSP & Tricare. Dr. Pack habla español.

(619) 216-3937 www.packandbianesvision.com

SPIRITUAL

“Big Church Ministries, Small Church Feel”

Harbor is a city-wide church presently with 9 locations that is committed to

serving the people of San Diego. Harbor Chula Vista meets at Salt Creek

Elementary School, 1055 Hunte Parkway, 10am on Sunday mornings. Quality

childcare & children’s programs provided. We hope to see you soon.

(619) 851-6465 www.harborchulavista.com

MEDICAL

We use a unique team of Medical Doctors, Rehab Specialists, Physical Therapy,

Chiropractors and Massage Therapy offer-ing you a greater quality of healthcare while using the most state-of-the-art equipment. Have chronic back pain, stenosis, sciatica,

herniated or buldging disc? CVPG has a Non-Surgical Treatment using The DRX9000 Spinal

Decompression. We accept Tricare with NO referral needed. Every Thursday is Military

Appreciation Day! Dr. Joy Cochrane, Medical Director, Dr. Barry McCown, Clinic Director

Hablamos Espanol

(619) 421-0444690 Otay Lakes Rd, #110

Chula Vista, CA 91910 www.chulavistaphysiciansgroup.com

Physicians GroupChula Vista

WELL BEING“Enrique helped me lose 70 pounds in less than 8 months. I feel great and am more toned and stron-ger than I’ve ever been.”

– Darlene, Eastlake

• Personalized training programs to keep you motivated and focused on your specific fitness goals

• Train with a certified and insured personal trainer at your convenience in your home or at our private Eastlake studio

• Proven results – visit our Web site to see before and after photos and client testi-monials

(619) 781-2131 www.morlettfitness.com

We’re giving away 5 FREE, 60-minute personal training consultations to readers of MyHometown … call today to reserve one before they are gone!

SPIRITUAL

If the formalities of traditional churches aren’t your thing, RanchoVista is the place for you. Services are relevant, casual and fun, withlive inspirational music, amazing

kids’ programs and a commitment to serve our community. Sundays 9:00 & 10:30 at Otay Ranch HS

(1250 Olympic Parkway).

(619) 540-1221 www.ranchovistachurch.com

A national provider of youth sports leagues and camps for boys and girls, i9 Sports is changing the

game of youth sports. i9 Sports focuses on fun, sportsmanship, safety,

and convenience for parents. Registrations for the Spring FlagFootball, Soccer, and

Cheerleading are now open!

(619) 397-5734 www.i9sports.com

SPORTS

Massage therapy is also available.

WELL BEING

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

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

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

nutritional programs and products. Massage is also available Wednesdays,

Fridays and Saturdays

(619) 426-2225 www.saltchiro.com

WELL BEING

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

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

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

nutritional programs and products. Massage is also available Wednesdays,

Fridays and Saturdays

(619) 426-2225 www.saltchiro.com

My hoMetoWn MeRcado

MEDICAL

YOUR HOSPITAL OF CHOICE IN THE SOUTH BAY

Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center is the South Bay’s leader in cardiac care, cancer treatment, and bloodless medi-cine and surgery. We offer a full array of services, advanced technology, and

a personalized level of care that we call The Sharp Experience.

1-800-82-SHARP 1-800-827-4277

www.sharp.com/chulavista

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Does your student need homework help, academic tutoring, or test-tak-ing support? We have been providing

enrichment, study skills, and test preparation since 1986. Thousands

of students. K-12. Experienced, caring teachers. Individualized

instruction. Results!!! No contracts. Save yourself, and your child, time, energy, and frustration! Let us help.

(619) 656-6026 www.americancenterforlearning.com

1415 Ridgeback Road, Suite 1 Chula Vista, CA 91910

(619) 987-4566 [email protected]

PETS

• Using gentle positive methods

• Private sessions focusing on your needs

• Resulting in a well-mannered family pet

• Concierge services available

PRIVATE DOG TRAINING IN YOUR HOME

THE CLICKER LADY

DENTAL

(619) 591-5950 www.SungaOrtho.com

Our practice’s top priority is to provide you the highest quality orthodontic

care in a friendly environment by utilizing the latest technological

advances including digital photography and radiography, clear

braces and Invisalign. Whether you’re an adult or child, our Ivy-League

trained doctor is committed to help-ing you achieve the beautiful smile

you deserve! Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

EDUCATION

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

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

with a superior academic curriculum.

(619) 656-0141 www.bonitacountryday.org

BONITA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

DENTAL

Great dental care is one of the most important investments you will make in your life. At Dental Art Designs at

EastLake you can have a healthier and more attractive smile. Dr. Gomes and Dr. Vasquez, along with their caring staff, strive to provide patients of all ages with a relaxed and comfortable

experience. Call us at .....

(619) 656-9393 www.dentalartdesigns.com

YOU DO THE MATHYour child needs a school that is aware of the “power of small.” Our 1:6 teacher to student ratio creates a learning environ-

ment where authentic applications of rela-tional concern and care are experienced daily. Welcome to CCS—celebrating 33 years of faith & learning in community! Apply & enroll today for grades K-12.

(619) 421-8822 www.teach4life.com

EDUCATIONENTERTAINMENT/SHOPPING

The GameTruck is a complete video game birthday party brought to your

doorstep. Play the most popular video games in the air-conditioned comfort of the GameTruck’s mobile game room. Self powered and self contained, all we need is a place to park and people to play. We’ll help you throw a great video game party.

www.GAMETRUCKPARTY.com(888) 602-4263

My hoMetoWn MeRcado

coming Attractionsin April, My Hometown celebrates its second anniversary. We invite our readers to share in our excitement about finishing a second full year of publishing a valued com-

munity magazine. if you have a comment, suggestion or want to offer congratulations as we begin our third year of bringing to light the best chula Vista has to offer, feel free to send your submission to Michael Minjares, editor, at [email protected].

For May, My Hometown will branch out with our first ever fashion-themed issue. look for an exciting multi-page photo spread, several editorial contri-butions related to fashion, style and more. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot a favorite chula Vista locale in the background of one of our shots.

hometown

april 2010

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Finally...better technology for cancer care has arrived in South Bay.We use the Trilogy™ Stereotactic System with RapidArc™, the newest technology in cancer care, offering shorter treatment times with exceptional precision.

Our World Class Treatment Options • 3D Conformal Therapy • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) • Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) • Stereotactic Radiosurgery • Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy • Electron Beam Therapy

For more information, please contact us or visit our website(619) 502-7730

http://radonc.ucsd.edu/southbayOperated by Cancer Treatment Services San Diego

My Hometown magazine - March 2010

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