Mission Times Courier launches new website

Online readers of the Mission Times Courier may have noticed a few changes to the design of the paper’s website over the last few months. In an effort to update its online presence, Mission Times Courier parent company SDCNN set out at the end of 2018 to revamp all six of the community newspaper group’s websites.

In addition to cleaning up outdated categories and a layout that wouldn’t load correctly to smartphones and tablets, the update gave each paper an opportunity to offer more content for readers. For example, in the online News section under politics, readers can find articles from city, county and state representatives that do not always make it into the print editions of the paper. A new Business section will have real estate and finance articles as well as house our “Expert Advice” articles, sponsored links and Best of Mission Times Courier winners. The Arts & Entertainment section of the website includes arts, theater, film and books articles from around the region. Under the Lifestyle section, travel, fashion, pets and fitness articles that appear in other SDCNN papers are now shared with Mission Times Courier readers.

Also in our Lifestyle section is a category called “Navajo Voices” where readers can submit stories about Navajo neighborhood life — personal stories or stories about community events or people. The first submission for the new section is a story titled “Tail of the heart” by Doug Gibboney about a beloved pet. Navajo Voices will give a platform for readers to share stories that don’t quite fit in the traditional Letters to the Editor section of the paper.

The new site also provides the editorial staff at the Mission Times Courier to add additional online content such as videos, podcasts and photo galleries. Look in the print edition for prompts about any additional online-only content. Visit missiontimescourier.com para hurgar y familiarizarse con el nuevo sitio web.

Wheatcroft to run for District 7 seat

On Jan. 9, elementary school teacher and gun regulations advocate Wendy Wheatcroft announced that she will run for the District 7 City Council seat in 2020. Wheatcroft, a Democrat, is hoping to replace Republican Councilmember Scott Sherman who will be termed out in 2020.

Wheatcroft taught elementary school for 13 years in Escondido and in Coronado where she attended high school before attending San Diego State University. She is also the founder of San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention and served as the California chapter lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

On her campaign website, Wheatcraft states:

“I come from a proud military family and I’ve lived in San Diego almost my entire life. These two factors – my deep sense of service to the community and love of the city – were strong drivers in my decision to seek this position. District 7 is a wonderful place to raise my children, but there are several challenges that the district faces which need to be addressed. Housing issues, such as homelessness and affordability, need to be urgently fixed in District 7, just as they do in San Diego in general. In addition, we have a range of environmental challenges to address. From the San Diego River to Mission Trails, it is our duty to keep our natural resources both beautiful and safe.”

For more information about Wheatcraft, visit wendy4sd.com.

Kiwanis to hold ‘Sweethearts Ball’

A celebration of the arrival of the first residents moving into Allied Gardens 65 years ago will take place on Friday, Feb. 8, at the Allied Gardens Recreation Center. The Kiwanis “I Love Allied Gardens Sweethearts Ball” will feature rock n’ roll band The Surf Birdz playing favorite songs from the ’60s and ’70s. Organizers describe the event as “a dress up, adults only, no alcohol affair for residents of the Navajo Community.”

The rec center gym will be decorated with a Valentine’s Day theme for the occasion. Anniversary cake, provided by Don Teemsma and Ideal Plumbing, will be served to all the celebrants. A special menu complete with “mocktails” such as Zion Zingers, Waring Wallbangers, Greenbrier Grabbers and Delfern Delights will be available. Also, snacks such as nachos and cookies will be served at a nominal cost.

Gift baskets provided by local merchants, Kiwanians and friends will be raffled off throughout the evening, including gifts from Ideal Plumbing, Grocery Outlet, Brothers Restaurant, Longhorn Bar and Grill, John’s Automotive Care, the Little Nail Shop, the SD Flower Shop on Waring Road, Allied Gardens Family Optometry, Grantville-Allied Garden Kiwanis Club, and Kiwanians Jack Scott and Dr. Doug Grosmark.

Because the floor in the gym requires care, the seating area will be covered for protection and the dancing area will be a “Sock Hop” or a rubber-soled shoe zone.

San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman will be in attendance to help welcome the guests and tell about his connection to the Allied Gardens community. The original owner of his Allied Gardens home since 1955, 102-year-old John Kernoski will have the honor of cutting the 65th anniversary cake and may also share stories about playing minor league baseball in the New York Yankees organization in the 1930s.

Event organizers are planning table seating for about 200 and will have some additional seating available, so interested parties are encouraged to reserve a spot in the seating area by calling John Peterson at 619-582-2920 or Kathy Butterstein at 619-664-4459 to reserve a spot.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the band will play from 7–10 p.m. There will be a small charge of $10 to attend to cover the cost of the band, floor covering, decorations, publicity banners, permits, table rental and overtime pay for rec center employees. Any profits from the event will fund local Kiwanis community projects.

If you live in Allied Gardens, once lived in Allied Gardens or just love Allied Gardens, come and join the celebration!

Crusaders Soccer Club tryouts

Registration for the Crusaders Soccer Club’s recreational spring season closes Jan. 27. To register a player, go to sandiegocrusaders.com. The program is for boys and girls born 2004 through 2015. Games begin on Sunday, March 3, through Sunday, April 28. There are no games on Easter Sunday. Games are played on Sundays so as not to conflict with Saturday youth baseball and softball. All games are played on the artificial turf fields at Pershing Middle School.

There is no more than one practice a week. The cost is $125 for MICRO players born in 2015 and $145 for players born between 2004 and 2014. Coaches receive a $40 savings on registration for a single child for each team they coach.

The 2018 Crusaders Soccer Club’s girl’s 2008 red competitive team won its Presidio Soccer Division. The team is coached by Ivan Melendez. At the competitive level, Crusader Soccer teams play teams from throughout San Diego County.

Crusaders Soccer Club is inviting all soccer players to tryouts for the upcoming 2019-2020 competitive season. Under the guidance of Director of Coaching Rene Miramontes, the club’s mission is to provide a fun, safe and professional soccer environments.

There is no cost to register for tryouts. Go to sandiegocrusaders.com to register and for more information. For any competitive soccer questions or concerns, contact Miramontes directly at 619-807-2951 or email him at [email protected].

Tryouts for Crusader Soccer’s competitive division for boys and girls are held at Pershing Middle.

• Players born 2010–2012 try out Jan. 12–13, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Players born 2006–2007 try out Jan. 26–27, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Players born in 2005 try out Jan. 26–27, 2–4 p.m.
• Players born 2008–2009 try out Feb. 2–3, 10 a.m.–noon
• Players born in 2004 try out Feb. 9–10, 2–4 p.m.

Para más información visite sandiegocrusaders.com.