Letter from the editor

Looking forward to a happy 2013

The year has turned and soon we will have moved into February and March, without taking a breath to enjoy January and all that the New Year has to offer. The national fiscal cliff has been avoided, for now, and San Diego stands in a healthy financial position.

While some businesses are closing, the economy in Uptown shows increased signs of improvement, with new business and developments popping up each and every week. With Mayor Bob Filner and Council President Todd Gloria leading the City, I rest secure in knowing our communities will be well taken care of.

In fact, the first meeting of the Hillcrest Town Council, on Jan. 8, will host Filner, and the Jan. 10 Mission Hills Town Hall meeting will see Gloria addressing his goals for District Three. We look forward to welcoming Councilmember Marti Emerald, who will now represent Kensington and Talmadge, into our paper’s coverage, too.

I am also excited to introduce a new column for San Diego Uptown News, called A Whim and a Prayer. Written by Celene Adams, the column will focus on local business entrepreneurs who offer specialized services to our readers. Adams saw success with a similar column while writing in New Mexico, and for those interested in being featured, you can find her contact information at the end of the column.

In striving toward our goal of being the best resource for our readers – through our in-depth, hyper-local news stories, business features like Adams offers, and pertinent and respected advertising – we will also continue to list and highlight community meetings on our Calendar of Events. Knowing when the Greater Golden Hill Community Development Corporation meets, for example, is the first step in building stronger community involvement. We will be that step.

It continues to be an honor to provide our dedicated readers and advertisers a common ground, and I thank both for your support and for helping to make San Diego Uptown News an integral piece of the Uptown community.

We are fortunate to live in the wonderful neighborhoods we represent, whether it be Old Town, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Normal Heights, Golden Hill, South Park, University Heights, North Park, Kensington, Talmadge or Bankers Hill.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2013.

—Anthony King, editor

Letters

Mixed response, missed options in local music scene

And that, in a nutshell, is why no one takes SD music seriously [see “The year in music,” Vol. 4, Issue 26].

—Dan, via sduptownnews.com

During the year Martinis Above Fourth and the MA4 Cabaret Supperclub has brought world class cabaret to Hillcrest, featuring musicians, singers [and] comedy personalities, plus promoting local entertainers to their patrons [see “The year in music,” Vol. 4, Issue 26]. Be sure to check out our website during 2013.

—Jim Simpson, via sduptownnews.com

Listen more, talk less to understand violence

As a former military member, medic and law-enforcement professional, I can tell you that a man with a sharpened stick and a burning desire to kill you will do it. The task at hand is not to take away all the sticks, but to understand the desire [see “Why I’m thankful for our strict gun regulations, even if they might not work,” Vol. 4, Issue 26].

If people really want to stop the violence, they need to listen more and talk less. They need to ask questions, and they can’t be afraid of the answers. But most violent crime is in the inner cities, and the answers will peripherally involve race. And people aren’t ready to talk about that yet.

So they push an agenda instead, one that has been proven by the CDC and NIJ to do nothing to improve the quality of life in the inner cities. So who really cares about stopping the violence?

No one I can find.
—Eric, via sduptownnews.com

Editorial

To resolute or not to resolute for 2013?

By Dave Nadolski

This year you can do it. You can make and keep those New Year’s resolutions for a better you in 2013. They don’t have to be big ones and you don’t need a ton of them. Just set goals for yourself and stick to them. Below I’ve suggested healthy and helpful resolutions to help you get started.

1. Take time to unplug. Our society is tech obsessed. Don’t get me wrong, technology is amazing, but it’s also unhealthy to never unplug from it. Don’t forget to take time from each day and just “be” without reading your work email or checking Facebook updates.

2. Pick a new activity. No one said you have to run on a treadmill to get in shape. Pick a fun activity that doesn’t feel like you’re working out.

3. Have Fun. Sounds easy enough, eh? Take time out of each day for a little fun, either on your own or with your kids. And don’t forget to laugh, too.

4. Save $500 for a flight. Find a way to save approximately $500: take your lunch to work or skip your everyday latte habit. Now take that money and spend it on a flight to see a friend or family member who lives far away.

5. Learn useless facts. Yes, you read that right. Learn random facts about TV shows, music, movies or the life span of animals. Now squeeze in these facts whenever you meet someone new, when you’re in an elevator and it’s uncomfortable or when there’s a lull in the conversation at a party.

6. Bike to work. Seriously. Get yourself a decent bike or KickBike and leave the house a little early each day. Throw on a backpack and get fit going to work, or grab a city bus on the way to work and bike home.

7. Find ‘your people.’ Interested in a specific sport or hobby? Find a group to join where you can exercise your interest and make new friends. This in itself is healthy for the mind, body and spirit.

8. Volunteer. Keep giving back way past the holidays. Volunteer once over the next 90 days. You’ll feel really good about it and probably end up volunteering again over the next 275.

9. Call Someone. Pick up the phone and dial a phone number instead of texting, instant messaging or using Facebook. Do this at least once a week and talk for 10 minutes.

10. Stop making resolutions you don’t keep. Make good, attainable New Year’s resolutions and keep to them. At least try them out for a few months by making an honest effort. What’s the worst thing that could happen? You get in shape, eat healthier, spend more time with your family, stop smoking and get out of debt. I bet you could live with that.

—Dave Nadolski is the founder of KickBike America (kickbikeamerica.com), a scooter and a bike rolled into one that is the new, fun way to commute and get a great workout. The revolutionary bike and scooter hybrid is the perfect combination of getting fit while running small errands, going for a casual stroll or just heading up the road to a visit a friend. KickBike is a fun and functional way to get the whole family involved in a daily workout. With eight models available, there is one for everyone: mom, dad and even the kids.