posted Feb 28, 2010 7:04 PM by CCN Webmaster
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updated Mar 1, 2010 3:45 PM
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Donna Frye's term as City Councilperson is up this year, and lots of locals are speculating as to what she'll do next.
What do you think Donna should do?
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Scroll down to share your thoughts, and to read what others are saying.
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posted Feb 9, 2010 4:50 PM by CCN Webmaster
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updated Mar 1, 2010 4:50 PM
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By Michael Baehr
The Butcher Shop Steakhouse -- Where Meat and Potato Meets Old World Charm
You would never guess it from the exterior, but the Butcher Shop Steakhouse on Kearny Villa Road could have been a regular hangout for the Rat Pack. Upon entering, you are immediately transported to an era of days gone by with Frank Sinatra playing in the background and library-like rooms with rich, dark wood paneling, red leather booths, and etched glass panels in the cozy dining room. Based on the name alone, I have to admit that I was expecting something completely different…maybe something more like a meat shop or deli, but this is far from it. The Butcher Shop is known for its prime rib, but serves a wide range of steaks, seafood, pasta and poultry. The service was friendly and we were immediately whisked to a booth with a crisp white tablecloth in a lowly lit room. Jazz music drifted through the air as the sound of an ice-cold martini being shaken (not stirred!) could be heard in the background. Ah, just this Chowhound’s kind of place! As they say, ‘when in Rome,’ so we just had to sample a martini to get the full effect. My meal began with a crisp and cold green salad with flavorful croutons all bathed in a creamy ranch dressing—always good. I anxiously anticipated the much touted garlic bread, which, in all honesty, was on the chewy side. I suspect it had been sitting for a while since we were among the last diners in the restaurant, and I realize this may not be the most ideal time for a fair assessment. For dinner, I ordered the steak medallions with blue cheese and shallots. The medallions were tiny, but there were three and they were packed with juicy flavor. The blue cheese looked somewhat skimpy, but it turned out to add just the right zing of tangy flavor. A potato cooked to perfection accompanied my entree. Shortly after the potato arrived, our waiter came by to “dress” my potato for me with choices including sour cream, butter and chives. Nice touch. My dining companion ordered the salmon, blackened style, and it was good, but not great. The blackening seasonings weren’t as prominent as we would have liked, but the tartar sauce more than made up for the lack of taste. With some hesitation, we chose to skip the dessert platter, although I hear the cheesecake is a signature dish not to be missed. All in all, a solid experience with a very good atmosphere and polite service. Although the prices tend to be slightly on the higher side for a regular night out (average dinner prices range from $18-$35), a quick cost comparison showed the Butcher Shop to be about a third to one-half less than the price of Donovan’s if you consider that most dishes come with garlic bread, soup or salad and one side. I hear that this is a popular lunch destination among the workers in the area, with satisfying salads, sandwiches and delicious burgers. As a bonus, there is plenty of on-site parking, free valet and specially priced “sunset dinners” from 4-6 during the week. If that’s not enough incentive to give this restaurant a try, there are discount coupons available on occasion at www.restaurant.com. The Butcher Shop 5255 Kearny Villa Road (along the 163 Freeway) (858) 565-2272www.butchershop.signonsandiego.com |
posted Feb 1, 2010 4:12 PM by CCN Webmaster
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updated Feb 1, 2010 4:17 PM
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Never tried Thai? This is the
place to start. THE CLAIREMONT CHOWHOUND
By Michael Baehr
Food palates are as different and fussy
as just about anything on this planet. Finding and agreeing on a
restaurant to get friends or family to step outside of their culinary
comfort zone is sometimes not the easiest task. I experienced this
firsthand recently when my partner and I dined at an unfamiliar
restaurant called Lanna Thai. For the most part, I enjoy good Thai
food. On the other hand, my partner has tried Thai in the past, but
never found any that he liked, however he agreed to give it a try
once again in the hopes of finding a dish that could sway his
opinion. This chowhound was secretly hoping to teach another old dog
some new tricks!
Lanna Thai is located just west of I-5
on Mission Bay Drive, south of the Garnet/Mission Bay intersection,
nestled in a tiny strip mall by 7-11. The interior is elegantly
Zen-like and beautifully decorated with rich colors, exotic artwork
and simple-but-sleek tables. We immediately noticed that everyone on
the wait staff was very gracious and greeted us with a warm smile at
every interaction. Our waitress was extremely friendly and pointed
out a few of the house specialties, and we noticed that the owner,
Jack, made a point to visit each table to engage in some friendly
chat with the patrons. 
The menu is logically organized into
sections based on the course (“beginning,” “ending”) or
method of preparation (“wok,” “curry,” etc.). In order to
get the widest possible experience, we started with the appetizer
plate called “Lanna’s Platter,” that includes spring rolls,
chicken sa-tay, curry cup, golden triangle and salad rolls. For $12
we received two of everything, which was practically a meal in
itself. I was paying close attention to my partner, who
adventurously sampled each item like a good sport. We began with the
chicken sa-tay, which was juicy and cooked to perfection. The peanut
sauce was nutty and rich, a perfect complement. The lettuce roll was
thick and hearty, filled with crisp veggies and a hint of mint. The
taste reminded me of a fresh breath of summer in a bright green roll.
Our favorite item was the chicken curry cup, which was light and
crisp, filled with tender chicken seasoned with just a hint of curry
spice. This was particularly surprising since neither of us are huge
curry fans. The spring roll was crispy and delicious, and the golden
triangle, which is a fried triangle stuffed with a thin layer of
cream cheese, was light and flavorful.
For our entrée, we ordered a specialty
of the house, Bangkok Steak, for $14. This is charbroiled, prime-cut
steak seasoned with herbs and a spicy lime sauce. The portion was
generous for two people, and the meat was so tender it nearly melted
in my mouth.
And, for a true test, we ordered a
heaping plate of Pad Thai for $10. Pad Thai, one of Thailand’s
national dishes, is prepared with thin rice noodles stir-fried with
eggs, tofu and your choice of meat or seafood, and served with bean
sprouts and crushed peanuts, giving it a nutty, rich and sinfully
delicious flavor. We ordered our dish with chicken, and, in the
words of my dining companion, this was “perhaps one of the best
Thai dishes I have ever tasted.”
Needless to say, after ordering so much
food between two people, we were too stuffed to enjoy their
assortment of desserts, although we had our eye on the crispy banana
with ice cream. “We’ll just have to come back again,” said my
partner. It was about this time in our meal that this chowhound was
silently snickering and thinking to himself, “mission
accomplished.”
NOTE: Lanna Thai delivers to West
Clairemont.
Lanna
Thai
4501
Mission Bay Drive
San Diego,
CA
92109
(858)
274-8424
www.lannathaicuisine.com
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posted Feb 1, 2010 3:57 PM by CCN Webmaster
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updated Feb 1, 2010 4:47 PM
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Every 10 years, a census of our population is conducted. The results help determine how federal funds are spent in our community on things like roads, parks, and other public services, as well as our representation in congress. The Census Bureau needs your help to conduct the 2010 Census. As a census taker, you’ll help to make sure that everyone in our community is counted. 2010 Census jobs offer a good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and the chance to work independently in our own community. But there’s more, you’ll also be earning a place in history, as well as giving something back to our community. 2010 Census Jobs are ideal for retirees, college students, recent graduates, stay-at-home parents and anybody looking for a part-time, temporary, or second job. For more information, visit the Census Jobs web site at www.2010censusjobs.gov or call the toll-free jobs line: 1-866-861-2010. The Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |
posted Feb 1, 2010 3:36 PM by CCN Webmaster
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updated Feb 1, 2010 4:27 PM
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 By Janet Miller Just before 5PM on January 12th, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean island nation of Haiti. The epicenter of what the USGS says is the strongest quake to hit Haiti since 1770 was just 10 miles off the coast of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The area has since been rocked by over 30 aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9. One aspect of the calamity that Clairemont-based nonprofit Plant With Purpose is very familiar with is the potential for deadly mudslides, caused by the extensive deforestation of the countryside. Throughout most of the 20th century, most of Haiti’s trees were cut down for fuel and to sell as charcoal. In the 1920’s forests covered more than 60% of the land; today less than 2% of Haiti is forested. Plant With Purpose’s mission in Haiti is to eradicate poverty through reforestation efforts, soil conservation, and community savings and loan groups. The organization currently works in 67 villages in Haiti and focuses on long term development work to ensure that villages are more resilient to natural disasters. Doug Satre, Director of Outreach and Development for Plant with Purpose (and himself a Clairemont resident) told me that “social services in Haiti are tenuous at the best of times.” According to Doug, “the Haitian people are wonderful, hard-working people with a joyful approach to life. Unfortunately, they have suffered because of inadequate governance and corruption.” Adding to the post-earthquake misery is the fact that as the rural economy worsened, more people moved to cities like Port-au-Prince to seek work. That area, already overcrowded and poorly constructed, was so badly damaged in the quake that many of these people are now returning to their villages having lost everything. Fortunately, Plant With Purpose’s 40 staff members in Haiti are uninjured and ready to act quickly to continue their work of building the economic infrastructure that will create jobs, start farms and businesses. Doug anticipates their Haitian Director will be assessing emergency needs in the communities in which they have been working. Programs to teach job skills, animal husbandry and farming are already in place but in the wake of the disaster there will be additional needs. Doug reminded me that many stock animals will need to be replaced, along with seeds for crops ruined. If you are looking for a way to help Haiti in its struggle to rebuild and to transform their society by reversing long term trends that hold them back, then consider a donation to Plant With Purpose. To learn more about this organization headquartered in Clairemont or to make a donation to Haiti Relief visit their website, www.PlantWithPurpose.org or write to Plant With Purpose, 4903 Morena Blvd., #1215, San Diego, CA 92117 |
posted Jan 7, 2010 9:37 PM by CCN Webmaster
FREE H1N1 MASS VACCINATION CLINIC FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. QUALCOMM STADIUM Supervisor Roberts is proud that the first of five mass-vaccination clinics in San Diego County will be held in the Fourth District. The H1N1 vaccine is now available to everyone, regardless of age. “I encourage all San Diegans who have yet to receive the vaccine to attend one of these five flu shot clinics,” said Supervisor Ron Roberts. “H1N1 remains a serious threat to our community’s health. The number of deaths associated with the disease has already surpassed our worst flu season in modern times. Medical experts say a third wave of the illness is likely soon.” Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, and those at work, home and around you. “Immunization of the community is a shared responsibility,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the San Diego County Public Health Officer. “We encourage everyone to do their part in protecting their communities, families and themselves against H1N1.” As the clinics begin, about 41,000 H1N1 doses of vaccine are available for the general public at the five clinic sites located throughout San Diego County listed on the back: H1N1 MASS VACCINATION SCHEDULE Friday, Jan. 8 • 2 – 8 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road, San Diego, 92108 Saturday, Jan. 9 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway, Escondido, 92027 Friday, Jan. 15 • 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Avenue, El Cajon, 92020 Saturday, Jan. 16 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kimball Senior Center, 121 D Avenue, National City, 91950 • 10 am. To 2 p.m. at Westfield Plaza Camino Real, 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, 92008 For more information about the H1N1 or seasonal flu, please visit ronroberts.com or call 2-1-1. |
posted Dec 30, 2009 11:52 PM by CCN Webmaster
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updated Dec 30, 2009 11:55 PM
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IF YOU LIVE IN CLAIREMONT, THERE ARE ONLY TWO LEAGUES THAT CAN MAKE YOU PART OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE: Clairemont Hilltoppers Little League & Clairemont Mesa Little League These fine programs have both been in our community for over 50 years, and each offers all of the fun, excitement, safety and structure of a real Little League program… plus, each one has a team each year that plays for a shot at the Little League World Series!
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posted Dec 29, 2009 9:48 AM by CCN Webmaster
Frazier Farms Grocer Coming to Bay View Plaza By Janet Miller A 20-year lease has been signed for the anchor tenant at the long-dormant Bay View Plaza. Frazier Farms, a locally owned “natural” grocer will open a 30,000 square foot store in the center located at the foot of Clairemont Dr. at Denver St. The existing buildings at the site, with the exception of the Best Western Hotel, will be demolished and 5 new ones will be built. When complete, the 4.5-acre Bay View Plaza property will be updated into a 66,000-square-foot urban contemporary retail, commercial and office complex. Assuming financing is in place and the City approves the project, the $33 million redevelopment will begin in the first quarter of 2010, with stores beginning to open a year later in the first quarter of 2011. According to Craig Clark, founder of C.W. Clark Inc., the developer has been working on this project for 12 years. Securing an anchor tenant has been the most recent hang-up. Clark said that at one point, a lease was signed with Ralph’s grocery store but then Safeway bought the Ralph’s chain and chose not to open a store at Bay View Plaza. Another lease was signed, this time with Long’s drugstore, and again the deal fell through, when CVS bought Long’s. The redevelopment plan has itself changed several times as well. At one point in 2005, city approval was sought for the proposed project which at that time included roughly 80,000 square feet of retail space and a number of residential condominiums. The declining housing market and increasing construction costs made the project financially unfeasible before a permit was issued. The design was changed to eliminate the condos and scale down the available space to 66,000 square feet. This version was approved by the community planning group and the City Council in 2008. Unfortunately, finding financing for the project became even harder, especially because no anchor tenant had been secured. Carig Clark says that this month, with a letter of intent to finance from a lender, and a signed lease with a major tenant, C.W. Clark will go back to the city for its final approval of the plan. The only thing that has changed is that instead of building the 2 large buildings in the center where Crown Bookstore used to be, 1 large one will be built in order to accommodate the grocery store. Nothing else has changed from the plan approved by the community and by the city. Because it is basically the same, Clark hopes to get a finding of substantial conformance from city staff which will clear the way to begin work in the first quarter of 2010. Clairemont residents have long clamored for a grocery store at the spot, so news of Frazier Farms’ entry into Clairemont should be welcome. A family-run business with one store in Vista, the company focuses on high-quality customer service. The store offers an extensive selection of health foods and vitamins along with the products you would see in most grocery stores. Comsumers who prefer natural and organic foods will especially enjoy Frazier Farms’ natural grown beef and whole grain bakery products. Now that Frazier Farms has committed to opening in Bay View Plaza, C.W. Clark’s leasing staff will be pursuing other tenants for the center. According to Craig Clark, there will be 4 food operations: a sit down restaurant, a fast food spot, a coffee shop and a deli in the market. He also expects to have “all the usual” businesses you would find at a shopping center of this size, such as a hair salon or manicurist, financial services, and others yet to be determined. A last bit of good news from Craig Clark was that the developer-paid improvements to the median in front of the plaza, including a “Welcome to Clairemont” sign, are still part of the plan. It seems the western entry to our community will look very different by this time next year! |
posted Dec 29, 2009 9:41 AM by CCN Webmaster
Improve Your Life in 31 Days By: Melissa Williams Netherton Let’s face it; New Year’s resolutions usually end up being a lot of talk and barely any walk for most of us. We start off the new year with great intentions but somehow, as each day passes we fall back in to the same behavior: not following that diet or workout plan, not reading more, not getting enough sleep, or any other common resolutions. If you are getting sick of failing when it comes to your New Year’s resolutions, why not start a new tradition? Instead of trying to reach one or two large goals, why not make little changes in your life throughout the entire first month of the New Year? Below is a list of suggested things you can do to improve your life, one day at a time. Don’t feel bad if you can’t complete everything on the list, and don’t feel obligated to take these in order, just go ahead and choose the ones you feel committed to, and watch your life begin to improve! 1. Start Exercising; even a brisk walk in the mornings or some crunches before going to bed count as exercise. 2. Create a budget (and stick to it). 3. Clean out your closet and donate clothing to your favorite charity. 4. Attend church or synagogue. 5. Get 2 more hours of sleep. 6. Make “to do” lists to avoid the stress of not knowing your schedule. 7. Cut out unnecessary sugar: cut back on soda, or try 1 teaspoon instead of 2 in your morning coffee. 8. Reconnect with an old friend. 9. Switch from coffee to tea. 10. Throw away expired makeup/toiletry items. 11. Switch from regular to low fat milk. 12. Start a journal. 13. Start flossing (if you don’t already). 14. Find time to volunteer for the cause that means the most to you. 15. Drink more water. 16. Go on an adventure, anything from taking a hike to driving up the coast, to booking an exotic vacation. 17. Tell your family you love them. 20. Spend time praying/meditating. 21. Read a book. Whether you choose a novel, or a biography of someone you admire, reading can expand your horizons in ways you might not have realized. 22. Make a list of what you are thankful for and put it somewhere you will see it when you wake up in the morning. 23. Get to know your neighbors. 24. Handwrite someone you love a letter on paper. 25. Clean out your car. 26. Clean out your fridge. 27. Take a class or seminar to improve your work skills. 28. Take a class for enjoyment: cooking, beading, scrap-booking, tennis. 29. Do something nice for a neighbor or friend anonymously. 30. Create a family tree. 31. Make a scrapbook. 32. Plan a party. 33. Go see a live performance. "Melissa Williams Netherton is a freelance writer originally from Orange County and now residing in San Diego. In addition to writing, Melissa spends her time designing jewelry for her company Zedena Designs." |
posted Dec 29, 2009 9:16 AM by CCN Webmaster
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updated Dec 29, 2009 9:39 AM
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HE CLAIREMONT CHOWHOUND By Michael Baehr Sipz Vegetarian Fusion Café The Starting Point for your New Year’s Resolution If you’re like many folks, the New Year includes resolutions about changing unhealthy eating habits, losing weight and trying new things. I, for one, attempt to do this every year and don’t always succeed. Well, now there’s a place called Sipz Vegetarian Fusion Café where you can eat healthy and work on your waistline all in one sitting. I have to admit that this meat-and-potatoes-loving Chowhound was a bit reluctant to give this place a try, but to my surprise, I was amazed by the full flavor of the “chicken” dishes that are actually made from soy meat. As a vegetarian restaurant, Sipz only uses soy meat or tofu. The “Fusion” part of the name comes from flavor-packed sauces and special dishes from a wide range of regional cuisines including Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Italian. Sipz serves all their dishes in a bowl (called ‘Bowlz’) and most dishes include steamed rice. There are appetizer bowlz, soup bowlz, salad bowlz and main dish bowlz. I ordered the house specialty “Spicy Basil” which includes stir fried snow peas, baby corn, baby bok choy, straw mushrooms, celery, carrots and my choice of “chicken” soy meat or tofu in a light basil sauce for $7.45. Being the curious Chowhound that I am, I opted for the “chicken” to see if I could tell the difference from real chicken. I ordered my entrée with brown rice in place of white rice for a dollar more, and a Thai ice tea. My order arrived within minutes and was steaming and piping hot. The portion was very generous and filled with vegetables, chicken soy meat and a tasty, lightly spiced sauce that was heavenly. The soy meat chicken was grilled and coated with sauce and, to my surprise, quite good! Okay, so it isn’t the real thing, but it is certainly a great substitute and so much better for you. The brown rice was nutty, moist and perfectly cooked. To cap off my meal, I had to order a dessert. I chose the sweet rice with fresh mango served with warm coconut cream and crushed peanuts. With the first bite of fragrant coconut combined with sweet mango, I was immediately transported to a favorite vacation I took years ago to an island off the coast of Thailand. Prices at Sipz range from $7.45 for most lunch items to $8.85 for dinner items (after 5 pm). The bill for my lunch came to just under $20—not the cheapest lunch spot in town, but then again, I did order quite a bit! In addition to lunch, there are a number of family-style dinner combinations, and a sushi bar with a wide selection of creative vegetable rolls ranging in price from $3.50 to $8.95. The most popular roll is the “Sipz Dynamite Roll” that includes avocado, cucumber, tofu, and “crab” baked in a spicy house sauce. So the question is, would I eat here again? Let me put it this way: my New Year’s resolution for 2010 now includes eating at Sipz several times in the future. For once, this is one resolution I am excited to keep! Sipz Vegetarian Fusion Café 5501 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
(@ 805 Freeway)
San Diego, CA 92117 (858) 279-3747 www.sipz.com |
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