Kids and community in the COVID era
Like students throughout San Diego and around the world, Katie Austin is sheltering at home and “attending” school online to comply with coronavirus policies.
As part of the Class of 2020, 17-year-old Katie is missing out on school traditions. The Alvarado Estates resident won’t experience rites of passage like prom and grad night, and her long-anticipated graduation ceremony will be delayed or cancelled. Instead, Katie’s community created a different kind of celebration in the age of COVID-19.
When spring sports were cancelled, it seemed she’d miss out on the Senior Day celebration of her final high school softball season, too. Instead, her coaches and teammates decided they would find a safe way to congratulate their team captain, pitcher and the lone senior on the team. They invited the residents of Alvarado Estates to join their parade of decorated cars and cheering teammates (driven by their parents), as they made their way through the neighborhood.
The unexpected tribute meant so much to the teenager, who said, “It was such a huge surprise that it brought tears to my eyes. It was so nice of everyone to do something so special for me.”
Families with students of all ages are having to navigate the new norms of education, as well as the physical and emotional needs of their children while staying at home.
Ten-year old-Jason Poliak actually prefers being home schooled. He said, “It’s more efficient. I get all my work done early in the day, so I have free time to play outside later.”
His parents feel that this pandemic has been a good experience for him. “He has adapted well and we feel that this will turn out to be a positive life lesson,” they said. “It’s shown him that life isn’t always perfect. And on top of that, he is part of history in the making.”
This is certainly an unprecedented time for all of us. For children, the separation from their peers and ever-changing expectations is, no doubt, especially difficult. While it pales in comparison to loss of life, loss of income, food insufficiency and other dire circumstances resulting from this pandemic, we’ve asked a lot of the children in our community.
Let’s acknowledge the difficulties and disappointments, and make sure they know the sacrifices they make are helping the greater good. Let’s continue to cheer on our kids and show them that we are in it together for the well being of our community.
—Written by Susan Clarke Crisafulli who writes on behalf of the Alvarado Estates Association.
Bagpipes, shaved ice entertain College View Estates
If you live in College View Estates and thought your brain was playing quarantine induced tricks because you were hearing bagpipe music on Friday afternoons, don’t worry, you are not going nuts! The dulcet tunes are in fact the result of amazing CVEA residents Jean and Kurt Hoeger.
Jean and Kurt both got into bagpipes through the House of Scotland Pipe Band and have been playing for decades. While Kurt thinks bagpipe music is the “coolest in the world,” Jean has a more personal connection to Scotland and its music. Jean’s father can trace his ancestry to Robert the Bruce (yes, the Robert the Bruce if you recall “Braveheart”) and the music reminds her of the wild beauty of Scotland.
The Hoegers recently became grandparents for the first time, and I asked if they considered playing “Baby Shark” on the bagpipe for their grandson. In true form, Jean said, “No ‘Baby Shark!’ Now now, not ever!”
The Kurts advertise their playing on NextDoor, so I hope you are able to check it out some time while they play in the community.
Along with pipe music, kids and adults in our community enjoyed some excellent outdoor time thanks to a Kona Shaved Ice truck last week. Residents maintained responsible distancing rules on a gorgeously warm day and it was a welcome relief from being cooped up at home. Organized by CVEA community member Josette Alvarez, visit from the shave ice truck is yet another example of how our neighbors are helping raise our spirits while we are stuck at home.
—Written by Prashant Bharadwai, president of the College View Estates Association.
Tubman joint use park to open in July
The joint use park at Harriet Tubman Village Charter School has been on east College Area residents’ wish list for many years. Those who began the effort to add a joint use park at Tubman (formerly Muir School) in the late 1970s worked tirelessly just to have it designated in the 1989 College Area Community Plan. However, there it languished for many years. Community members gave up hope as their children became adults and moved away. Newer residents then joined the cause.
Eventually, Former Councilmember Marti Emerald procured funding for a general development plan. Current Councilmember Georgette Gomez continued the extensive effort to fund and build the park when her term serving District 9 began. Gomez was able to secure funding for its final planning and construction through collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). The cost was shared by both agencies.
Grading for the new park was completed in 2019. The 8-foot wide running path and natural turf were installed just before the winter rains. More recently, the play structure and safety mat were added with new trees providing shade. A total of 18 box trees will be planted. The benches are being installed at present and the existing asphalt basketball court will remain. The community has requested that the Parks Department preclude outside organized sports since the turf area is less than an acre and cannot withstand the abuse outside team sports would generate.
An ADA accessible concrete ramp and stairs on Saranac Street will be the primary access. The gate on the south side of the joint use park will be lockable from Mohawk Street, with a push/panic bar on the park side of the gate for exit from the park. Security cameras will be installed overlooking the field.
The SDUSD project manager says the park should be available for occupancy this July with city taking over the maintenance at that time.
—Written by Troy Murphee, co-chair of the Mesa Colony Community Group.
Rolando Street Fair officially postponed to 2021
We are all living through unusual times. I hope this message finds you safe.
As you know, we did not hold the Rolando Street Fair last month. This was heartbreaking for many of us, especially those who put much time into the event. With the uncertainty that we are in and the lead time needed to put on such an event, the Rolando Community Council Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 2020 Rolando Street Fair and concentrate on a spectacular 25th anniversary of the Rolando Street Fair.
Also as you know, we have cancelled community events as part of the stay at home order by Governor Newsom and local officials. We expect events to be cancelled for the near future, although we hold hopes for holding events as soon as it is safe to do so.
Also, the April-May-June months are when we hold our annual elections to our board of directors. Because of the uncertainty and the fact that much of the RCC goes “dark” in July and August, the board of directors has decided that, with the climate we are currently in, we will not start the nominations and election process until September (at the earliest). This will give residents a chance to get through our stay at home before taking on task of RCC elections. In accordance with the bylaws, all officers shall serve until their successors have taken office.
—Written by Todd Rehfuss, president of the Rolando Community Council
