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Business highlight: lawyers fine & sharif resident spotlight: the Kotas family

hometown

february 2012

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LOVEWhether it is in reaching out to friends, letting go of

hurts or giving back to the community,

love is a decision you make to be actively

engaged with those around you

friendshipand food

Page 18

Nobody starts out with a plan to fail. Marriages begin, businesses get started, houses are purchased, plans are made…and then life happens. But even if

you’re down, you’re not out. Join us for an honest conversation about getting back to a good place and living life fully again.

JOIN US ON THE WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 11-12 AS WE GET BACK, GET BETTER, AND RECOVER THE GOOD THINGS AGAIN.

eastlakechurch.com Saturdays @ 6pm Sundays @ 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, & 1:30pm

ECC Hometown Feb Ad.indd 1 1/13/12 4:06 PM

february 2012 my hometown 3

FeBruary 2012

what’s insidelocal getaways

contentsfrom the editor...

community newsneisha’s Kids nights out a Big hit! 7

my hometown Photo contest 8

lifestylefriendship and food 16

on topiccelebrating thurgood marshall 20

solar energy shining 21

community calendarlocal events and activities 22

resident spotlightthe Kotas family 23

school newscVesd students stand and deliver 24

business highlightlawyers fine & sharif 26

feature

hometown

february 2012

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i have a confession to make – i’m not a big Valentine’s day kind of guy. thankfully, having been together with my wife for more than 27 years now, this revelation will comes as no surprise to marietta. now, don’t get me wrong, i’m all for romance and doing unexpected things to keep the spark alive. i just have never felt i needed a special day to be extra loving, caring, thoughtful, considerate. it seems to me that if you are in a romantic relationship with someone you truly care about you would want to be those things all the time.

in our jam-packed, go-go-go, on-to-the-next-thing everyday lives, it can be hard to take the time to show the people we love just how much they mean to us. so, from that perspective, i can appreciate how helpful it might be for people to be able to circle a date on a calendar and say this is when they are going to do something extra special for their significant other. and as my wife would no doubt tell you, i too could use some assistance in letting her know how grateful i am to have her as my partner in life on a more regular basis. everyone needs to feel appreciated, espe-cially those who do so much to enrich our lives.

with this in mind, the february issue of My Hometown Chula Vista magazine focuses on the idea of love in a little different way. we examine the notion that love is a deci-sion – a decision we make every day shown through our actions. our feature stories showcase how i spent a 40-day period of time a couple of years ago reaching out to close friends to tell them how much they mean to me. we also present information about the importance of letting go of previ-ous hurts and painful feelings and moving on in a positive way. our third story high-lights the good work being done by a long-standing south Bay service organization that continues to go strong.

yes, love is a decision you make to be actively engaged with those around you and for members of the chula Vista area what a wonderful community it is to be engaged with. we also look forward to your continued engagement with our community publication.

michael minjares, editor of My Hometown





page 10

4 my hometown february 2012

feedback

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puBlishertim minjares [email protected]

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Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohib-ited. Fountain Media Group, Inc. is not responsible for the views of contributing 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 resident and olympic runner Monique henderson on being selected for the Breitbard hall of fame. henderson, a two-time olympic gold medalist, and the other honorees will be featured at the 66th annual salute to the champions on february 15 at the town and county resort & convention center. selection to the Breitbard hall of fame is one of the highest honors earned by a local athlete. recently, henderson began offering outdoor fitness classes for aspiring athletes and anyone looking to improve their fit-ness. find out more at www.moniquesbootcamp.com

to olympian high teacher Jannelle olivier on being chosen for a special teaching fellowship from math for america. olivier was recently selected as one of seven math for america san diego master teachers in and through-out the county. fellowship recipients are chosen for a five-year period and work in collaboration with math for america san diego and local universities such as Ucsd to increase their professional development as well as provide support for new teachers in the area.

to approximately 15 volunteers from pearson learning solutions, an international education publishing com-pany, for rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to pre-pare chula Vista’s hilltop high campus for the start of the second semester. Pearson provides staff training for sweetwater teachers and administrators as well as pub-lications that assist in student learning. as a way to give

looK what great things yoUr commUnity is UP to...

back to the hilltop community, approximately 15 employ-ees of Pearson learning solutions volunteered their time to help do clean up and painting in several areas of the local school’s campus.

to the 13-under california Bears, established in 2010, on winning an amaz-ing 12 tournament championships in just two years! these young men are consid-ered one of the best teams in the United states, having won the 2011 world series. they’ve received invitations to play all over the country from as far away as new york city. coached by dave Palet, every Bears’ player is a chula Vista resident, with most of them having played for either eastlake or Parkview little leagues. they are doing a great job repre-senting our eastlake community everywhere they play!

to a local girl scout troop for living up to the girl scout law of help-ing to make the world a better place. these wonderful young ladies made 100 lunches on christmas eve for the homeless through hunger 2 help and hosted a shoe drive for the earthquake victims in Japan. with the troop’s theme centered around cheetahs, the girls adopted a cheetah named “Victor” and walked in the earth day parade to raise awareness about the plight of asiatic cheetahs. Keep up the great work ladies!

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

SDSU Students Unite South Bay Community Through Art Event

the local arts collaborative, a ground-breaking, project-based research and civic-engagement opportunity made up of students at san diego state University, aims

to unite the san diego south Bay community through its upcoming heart on center art-based event.

heart on center is an event created with art as its beating heart. however, at this art-walk, you will not find yourself walk-ing a velvet-rope path, silently gazing at untouchable museum art with your hands clasped humbly behind your back. heart on center aims to break the mold of tradi-tional art-walks by including a variety of hands-on activi-ties, live musical performances and live visual demonstra-tions for all ages. the event will feature a musical “petting zoo” where children and adults can try their hand at playing unique musical instruments. the student creators of heart on center are hopeful the event will spark a love for the arts and community within the heart of every participant.

the heart on center event is free to the public and take places on center street in chula Vista on saturday, february 11, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. the event is hosted by the city of chula Vista, event sponsor casa familiar and the third avenue Village association. however, heart on center is driven by the visions and research of the students of the local arts collaborative.

for the past two years, students of the local arts collaborative have been engaged in community-building with artists, musicians, educators, businesses, civil gov-ernment, non-profits and other advocates that nurture and protect the arts within the south Bay community.

for more information, contact the local arts collaborative at [email protected]

event details:

february 11 4 to 8pm [email protected]

Cinderella Arrives on Lo-cal CYT Stage

the classic rodgers & hammerstein’s Cinderella comes alive on stage february 3-5 and february 10-12 in chula Vista. Presented by south county’s christian youth theater (cyt) students, Cinderella takes us on the magical and romantic story of a young girl living under the strict rule of her stepmother and two spoiled stepsisters, her fairy godmother, enchanted mice and pumpkin coach and the dashing Prince whose heart she captures. Cinderella keeps true to cyt’s Broadway-style productions captivating audience with music, special effects and grand staging.

chula Vista students performing in Cinderella include mia apalategui (Bonita Vista middle school), 13, as cinderella; landen Baldwin (otay ranch high school), 17, as the Prince; elizabeth figueroa (eastlake high school), 15, as fairy godmother; lauren gray (otay ranch high school), 18, as the stepmother; amy wawryznski (san diego Performing high school), 14, as stepsister Joy; and Jazmin ruiz (mater dei high school), 18, as stepsister grace.

Performance dates for Cinderella are february 3-5 and february 10-12 at mater dei high school. all seats are reserved and ticket prices are $12 ($15 at the door), with special discounts available for large groups. for tickets visit www.cytsandiego.org or call (619) 588-0206. a special “story time with cinderella” will be held at both saturday shows from noon to 1:00 p.m. contact Patty chavez, area coordinator, [email protected] for details. come experience the magic of theater – where dreams really do come true!

coMMunity art gallery opens on chula vista BayFront

the south Bayfront artists are pleased to announce the opening of their gallery at the chula Vista marina. the new gallery, located at 550 marina Parkway, chula Vista, will feature works by local artists. the gallery will open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. or by appointment.

the south Bayfront artists are a group of local art-ists, many of whom live aboard their vessels in the chula Vista harbor. they are dedicated to advancing the arts on the waterfront in south Bay. the collaborative includes a variety of artists whose talents range from videography, photography, through traditional oil and watercolor to sculpture, woodwork, jewelry and textiles. the group is interested in mentoring young and emerging artists, offer-ing a welcoming atmosphere for all levels. the gallery space is provided courtesy of the chula Vista marina, for the enjoyment of the community.


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 x712 with your idea or send us an email at [email protected].

get involved! get published!hometown

september 2010

.hometown

august 2011

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perForMing & visual arts grants apps due FeB 17

established to promote and stimu-late the growth of performing, visual and cultural arts within the city of chula Vista, the Performing and Visual arts grants support various arts proj-ects in dance, design arts, media arts, music, photography, theater, traditional folks arts and visual arts. grant appli-cations are due february 17 and can be found at www.chulavistaca.gov/goto/artgrants. residents of chula Vista may apply either as individuals or as arts organizations. grant awards typically range from $250 to $2,500, but higher amounts can be awarded. in 2011, a total of $69,200 was awarded to 26 applicants.

trunk treasures consignMent sale FeB 18-20

trunk treasures is a seasonal chil-dren’s and mom’s consignment sale here in san diego. dedicated to the notion that hard-working moms deserve to have it all, all the bells and whistles for our children and for ourselves while keeping affordability in mind, the sale gives savvy mommy shoppers the opportunity to keep their children’s closets and toy chests packed with all the latest trends while keeping wallets fat. our next sale will be in the middle of february at 851 showroom Place, chula Vista, next to Kid Ventures. the sale is open to the public beginning on february 18. a $10 consignor fee is collected via Paypal upon registration, though shoppers are free.

according to the event’s website, each item is inspected to ensure that it is clean, without stains, meets current styles and is in working order. items are organized, with clothes hung up and grouped by size, toys grouped with similar items and furniture assembled and paired with matching items. there is no digging in boxes or tables of scat-tered clothing. for more information or to register, go online to http://trunk.netfinity.net/ for more details.


on your doorstep

your child will have the time of her, or even his, life at neisha’s Kids night out events! if you haven’t checked out this local phenomenon, it’s not too late, but hurry because Kids night out, held the second saturday of each month, sells out within hours of open registration.

while each fun-filled night has a few things that are the same: dance class, craft, dinner and a movie; what changes each month is the theme, which is uniquely designed to enthrall and dazzle local children. a recent favorite was the diva fashion show night where kids crafted their own runway, dressed up in the lat-est fashion accessories and walked the catwalk. another popular theme has been “it’s a spring thing,” when kids got a surprise visit from the easter Bunny, went on an egg hunt, and took a photo with crafted frame home to mom and dad! at each event, special care is taken to ensure that everything, including the sto-ries read aloud and the music, is all theme supportive.

this month, the class falls on saturday february 11, right before Valentine’s day. that means every-thing is themed with hearts and love! the kids will celebrate those they love by making one-of-a-kind Valentine cards and whipping up a yummy sweet treat to eat for desert.

Kids night out is offered at neisha’s dance & music academy from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. the cost is $25 pre-registered and $35 at the door. Parents who have enrolled their

kids in the event are often spotted around town enjoying a few quiet hours to themselves – on a dinner/movie date with their spouse, get-ting their shopping or errands done, or…. you fill in the blank! Bring the kiddos to neisha’s for the evening

Neisha’s Kids Nights Out a Big Hit! (no experience necessary) and they will make new friends in a fun, safe, artistic and supervised environment. for more information, contact neisha’s at (619) 585-1133, or online at neishas.com.

on your doorstep


the saying goes you only get out of some-thing what you put into it. at the core, that is what building community is about. when you invest in your neighborhood, you improve the lives of your neighbors and yourself. when you take steps to actively build community, you bring people together and cement their connec-tion to each other. these efforts, big and small, formal and informal, unnoticed by many but deeply appreciated by a few, create the type of social environment that enhances everyone’s quality of life.

from the very beginning, My Hometown Chula Vista magazine has ventured to play a positive role in building community in the chula Vista area. our commitment to spotlighting the best our hometown city has to offer has allowed us to focus on many wonderful individuals, fami-lies, organizations and businesses. we’ve featured their good work to build community in every issue we’ve pub-lished since our inaugural issue in april 2008. that issue also featured an article entitled “raising social capital.” in it, the author lays out 50 activities that each and every one of us can engage in to better our local world. But the article also included an important reminder for all of us.

“we each have an image of what our community here in chula Vista will one day become and we are all watching and waiting for our visions to become a reality. meanwhile, what we have to remember is that we (the residents, not the buildings) are the community. while the developers and the community associations are creating an infrastructure that will encourage and feed the development of a great community, it’s up to those who live here to really make it happen. we are the community builders.”

now, we invite you to showcase that community building

in action. My Hometown Chula Vista is happy to invite our local readers to participate in our “Building social capital” Photo contest. we want to see your photos of community build-ing in action, however you define it. Perhaps you see community being built out on youth sports fields, or through a local community

service project, or how neighbors have joined together, or how an individual quietly makes your community a better place. capture that image and send it into us here at chula Vista’s community magazine. a panel of expert judges, including local celebrity and popular radio dJ haze from star 94.1, will select several winners – in both adult and youth categories – and we’ll feature these photos in our fourth anniversary issue in april. the best of the best will be selected for the cover of this special issue.

Photos should be sent electronically to [email protected] no later than february 28. entries need to include name, address, and phone, along with age and whether you are a professional or amateur pho-tographer. along with the photo, please include in 200 words or less how this image reflects community building in chula Vista. submission of a photo for entry into the contest constitutes permission to have the photo run in My Hometown Chula Vista magazine without any compensation. appropriate photo credit will be provided should the photo be selected for print in the magazine. subjects featured must consent to have their image appear in the publication and it is the responsibility of the photographer submitting the photos to obtain this consent.

so, get out there and capture photographic evidence of community building in action right here in chula Vista. we can’t wait to see what you see! my.

My hoMetown’s “Building social capital” photo contest

holiday cheer For Furry Friendsthe chula Vista animal care facility (cVacf) gets a lot

of attention at the holidays – but two great “secret santa” stories stood out this year.

staff at goodrich aerostructures in chula Vista decided to forgo an employee gift exchange and instead collected supplies and funds to donate to the cVacf. the local busi-ness donated blankets, beds, cat trees, and $225, all of it gratefully accepted by cVacf manager mariya anton.

and one local student worked all year to save up for her gift to the shelter. Kaylee Vines created her own animal donation jar and decorated it with photos of ani-mals to remind her of the creatures her savings would help. she even applied duct tape to the jar so she would not be tempted to raid the funds. for 12 months, Kaylee kept this jar in her room and any money she received from

the “tooth fairy,” spare change, and asking friends for donations went into the jar. Kaylee also received donations of fleece blankets and pet food from friends and fam-ily. her yearlong collection fund reached more than $80!

the chula Vista animal care facility thanks goodrich aerostructures staff and Kaylee and her family for their kind donations.

located at 130 Beyer way in chula Vista, the cVacf serves the cities of chula Vista, national city, imperial Beach, and lemon grove. with more than 8,000 animals arriving at the shelter each year, cVacf staff strives to increase adoptions, reunite lost pets with their families, and encourage responsible pet ownership through educa-tion and outreach. Visit www.chulavistaca.gov/pets for more information. my.


on your doorstep

when students prepare to start school after a break it usually means things like stocking up on supplies and getting their school clothes ready. when a school gets ready for the return of students, it means cleaning up the campus and making sure that things are in working order.

as a way of giving back to the community that they serve, Pearson learning solutions decided to “roll up their sleeves” and help get hilltop high ready for the start of the sec-ond semester.

a few days before the end of the 2011-2012 winter Break, approxi-mately 15 employees of Pearson learning solutions joined forces with hilltop high to volunteer their time and help clean up and paint in sev-eral areas of the campus.

education services coMpany cleans up high school“i am proud to partner with

the sweetwater Union high school district in providing students and teachers with support for a high-quality educational experience,” said claudia Kimerer, regional custom director for Pearson learning. “in this time of economic need we are glad to offer any help we can to ease the burden schools and districts are facing.”

superintendent dr. ed Brand emphasized the importance of part-nerships and collaborations with the business community.

“Partnerships are a key part of ensuring that sweetwater district students are successful,” said Brand. “Pearson learning demonstrated how a company’s commitment to education sometimes goes above and

beyond what is expected.”since 1959, hilltop high school

has served the students of chula Vista. Known for their excellence in academics and athletics, the lancers have benefitted from several commu-nity partnerships, including a relation-ship with Pearson learning solutions.

Pearson provides staff training for sweetwater district teachers and administrators as well as publications that assist in student learning. my.






on your doorstep

Love – in the 1970s, Captain and Tennille promised

it would keep us together, while Pat Benatar described

it as a battlefield in the 1980s. And in the 1990s, the Backstreet

Boys assured us everything would be fine as long as you

loved me. Yes, love has been described in many ways, but in 1992,

as my wife Marietta and I were preparing to get married, we heard

that love is a decision. It’s a decision you make every single day

and one you show through your actions.

In February’s issue of My Hometown, we present three modern-

day examples of how some are making the decision to show love.

Whether it is in reaching out to friends, letting go of hurts or

giving back to the community, love is a decision you make to be

actively engaged with those around you.


As part of my Lenten observance this year, I’m reaching out to 40 friends,

one a day until Easter, to tell them how special they are to me. You’re my choice for today.”

Every note started out the same – a quick introduction to the purpose of the email titled “Great Friends” followed by a couple of paragraphs of specific reasons why I am thankful for the friendship we have shared.

Unlike years past where I’ve tried to give up something to help get me in the right mindset for Easter, two years ago I tried to do something extra, something special that would not only impact my preparation, but also positively impact others.

The idea came from a junior high school friend who shared with me her idea of doing good deeds for others dur-ing this time of year. She talked about how she felt paying for a cup of coffee for the unknown driver in the car behind her at Starbucks and how she had also enjoyed taking the time to connect with old friends. I was ready to move beyond giving up soda or chocolate for Lent (a Christian tradition that marks the period beginning on Ash Wednesday when one takes steps to prepare for Easter) and to take on a project that clearly illustrated my interest in building and maintaining friendships. I adapted her idea to utilize a skill I enjoy using.

I made out a list of 40 friends – indi-viduals and couples – and put them in order. I added in dates to help me stay on track. At the end, close to Easter, I listed the most important people in my life – my parents, my siblings and my wife Marietta. The goal was to write one note a day and send it through email or via a message on Facebook until all 40 people had been contacted. No one on the list, other than my wife, knew in advance that

BuiLding FriEndships -

I had taken on this activity, so each note came as a bit of a surprise. Since I did not share my list with Marietta, even she was surprised when she opened her email on Easter evening and found my note in her inbox.

While every note started off with the same opening, each one was heartfelt and personalized. I relished the chance to put down in writing why someone was important to me, what he or she (or even they when it went to a couple) had done

to make a positive difference in my life and how I hoped our friendship would continue for years to come. Not all the notes were easy to write. A few people on the list I had grown distant from and I knew there was some risk in sending them a note like this after not talking for some time. So, there were a couple of occasions when someone was skipped over for a day to allow me time to collect my thoughts and write something that remained true to the spirit of the activ-ity. But every person on the list received a note.

The responses I received were incred-ible. My friends were indeed surprised by my note and my comments about our relationship. Some remarked on how much they liked this activity and how lucky they felt to receive a note. For others, the timing of the arrival of this “Great Friends” note, combined with the

sentiments expressed, sincerely touched them and they wrote back with equal emotion and feeling.

One friend said my note arrived on what would have been her wedding anni-versary if she hadn’t divorced. She had been feeling down and depressed about this failed relationship, thinking about her missteps and needed a pick-me-up. When my note arrived, it reminded her of the good things about herself and how she has succeeded in many areas of her life. She thanked me for taking the time to write and to include her.

For another friend, a former boss, the message arrived to help lift her spirits during a rough spot in her professional life. Once again, the note arrived at the perfect time with kind words and thoughts and reminded her of her skills as a manager and how much value she had brought to me and my family work-ing for her years ago.

In some cases, the friend’s reply gave more to me than anything my message could have contributed to them. Some told me how much they valued our friendship and others went into specif-ics about what they admired about me, my work, my family or my approach to our relationship. Their messages gave me inspiration to continue with the activity, wishing that there were more than 40 days until Easter.

Not everyone on the list shares my faith, or even claims any spiritual belief. But that wasn’t important to the activity. What mattered was I wanted to do some-thing that would touch the people I care about and let them know how much I value their involvement in my life. Doing so would increase our connection and build a stronger friendship.

And, in some cases, my action moti-vated someone to do something similar. In fact, one friend wrote, “These kinds of

By mike minjares

OnE nOtE A dAy

BUilding relationsihPs


BUilding relationsihPs

reflective moments are so important and your message to me reminds me of the people I need to thank in my life . . . so thank YOU for the inspira-tion.”

For me having faith isn’t about trying to make others believe what I believe, it is showing what I believe with how I treat others. No matter your state-of-belief or non-belief, I hope you’ll take some time in the weeks and months ahead to think about those whose friendship you value and find a way to let them know that.

And no, it doesn’t have to be something to do with writing. It can be anything that you like to do that someone else would appreci-ate, as well. Like my neighbor Mrs. Anderson, it might be a plate of sweet-tasting baked goods that you drop off unexpectedly at a friend’s house. For someone else, it might be the freshly-cut flowers pulled from a personal garden that gets wrapped up and personally delivered as a way to thank someone for helping watch the kids for a little bit while you ran errands or enjoyed a dinner out.

What we decide to do to invest in friends and build community need not be grand or carried out in a spot-light. The smallest, quietest actions can add to our social capital if they are meaningful and sincere. Just the other day I watched a good friend engage my daughter in a conversation about my daughter’s school and athletic pursuits and I couldn’t help but smile at the friendly gesture happening right in front of me.

Lent begins on February 22, but you don’t have to wait until then to start, or perhaps continue, investing in your most valued relationships. my.

What we decide to do to invest in friends and build

community need not be grand or carried out in a spotlight.

YOUR FIRST CHOICEEACH CHILD IS AN INDIVIDUAL OF GREAT WORTH

Chula Vista Elementary School District

CVESD ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX SCORE*

* The state benchmark is 800; 41 of 45 CVESD schools exceed the benchmark.

EACH CHILD IS AN INDIVIDUAL OF GREAT WORTH

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX SCORE*

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PACKETSAvailable for pick up at school sites beginning February 8.

Schools will accept completed registration packets beginning February 29

BUilding relationshiPs

i love living in EastLake! As a refugee from the Pacific Northwest, I love the

sunshine and the small town atmosphere of this city within a city. Because we enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, chances are we’ll run into someone we know at the soccer field, the park, the beach or while out for a walk or a run in our own neigh-borhood. Even a simple greeting adds a positive element to the day.

I once lived in a suburb of Los Angeles, having moved there with my family to attend seminary. What we noticed imme-diately was that the neighborhood was deathly quiet. In spite of the pleasant weather, nobody was out on the streets. Undeterred, I headed out to throw the football with my kids every day after school. Within a few weeks, our neigh-bors started to emerge, as did the story of what was keeping them inside: fear. Too many breaking news stories of crime in the city had caused them to retreat inside the relative safety of the walls of their homes. But seeing someone else enjoy-ing life outside the walls drew them back outdoors for activities and conversation.

LEtting gO OF hurts

And a quiet neighborhood was once again filled with the sounds of life.

How can we keep our EastLake com-munity vibrant and full of life? By refus-ing to hide inside the walls of our homes. This means keeping our heads up and our eyes open to what is going on around us. When we take the time to greet our neighbors and find out what is going on in their lives, we have the opportunity to offer help and support when needed.

And by refusing to hold onto the hurts that are an eventual part of every human relationship. Because when hurt feelings

accumulate they often morph into the kind of anger and bitterness that divides communities and sends people into hiding.

So, what can we do with our hurts, pains and fears? We can begin by look-ing into our own hearts and taking full responsibility for our own actions. We can take the time to reflect on how we might have contributed to the problem we perceive and how we can be part of a healthy solution. Then, don’t keep your thoughts to yourself. A healthy community includes people who have the courage to engage in uncomfortable conversations, including honest apolo-gies. Yes, everyone makes mistakes, but a growing person will take the time to recognize their mistakes, apologize where needed, and choose a better path next time around.

The flip side of this coin is that those of us on the receiving end of an honest apology must have the ability to extend forgiveness, keeping in mind that we will most likely be in need of forgive-ness ourselves in the very near future. Because – in case you haven’t noticed – none of us are perfect. Let’s accept that reality and work to make this great, but imperfect, community a better place for all who live here. my.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18 NIV Bible

By mike meeks, Pastor at eastlake church


BUilding relationshiPs

the simple charm hung from a silver necklace and delivered a powerful

message. “You Are So Much Sunshine,” it read. The inscription fits not only the wonderful woman wearing it – Sue Miller – but describes perfectly the charitable work of the women in Las Primeras. For more than 60 years, the women of Las Primeras have served as rays of sunshine for countless commu-nity organizations both in the South Bay and throughout San Diego County pro-viding monetary and emotional support of organizations large and small.

Las Primeras consists of 40 active members, and many associate and patron members, who are dedicated to assisting chil-dren’s charities, individuals and groups with imme-diate needs in the local community. As President, Sue Miller, who considers herself fairly new to the group having been a member for only 12 years now, says she has the enviable task of working alongside some of the most kind and car-ing women imaginable.

“The one commonality shared by each of these women is that they are all very compassionate, caring and kind who want to help other people and do so col-laboratively, with great joy and a lot of fun,” Miller said. “Las Primeras started when some really prominent people in the South Bay started looking to help local non-profits. It has evolved since then and we are continuing to redefine who we are.”

In the past decade, Las Primeras has donated over a half million dollars to local charities. Specifically, the group has supported the Chula Vista Nature Center, Chula Vista Welfare Council, Bonita Historical Society, San Diego

LAs primErAs:

Burn Institute, South Bay Family YMCA, South Bay Pioneers, ARC of San Diego, Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, just

to name a few. Las Primeras raises money through special events assisted by dona-tions and generous underwriters. The money raised goes directly to local orga-nizations in need with these beneficiaries chosen annually. While Las Primeras has a few members from Coronado and San Diego, the large majority is from Chula Vista and the South Bay and all of them got involved to make a difference in the community.

“We are not sitting around drinking tea,” Miller shared. “We are out working to help those in our community who need us. We’ve kept our core mission intact over the years and we’ve been carrying on in a very personal way.”

That work continues this month with the “Work of Heart” awards luncheon and auction on February 3. At the event, Las Primeras will honor local commu-nity members Scott McMillin and Pam Smith with the “Las Primeras Work of

Heart Award” for giving of their time, talent and treasure to the under-served in the local community. In addition, the all-volunteer service organization will hold an adult spelling bee and din-ner titled “The Las Primeras Buzz Off.” Set for Friday, April 13 at the Salt Creek Recreation Center, the first-time ever event will include a face off between members of the Mayor of Chula Vista Cheryl Cox’s staff and the County Board of Supervisors Greg Cox’s staff to show who employs the best spellers.

The money raised from these events will assist Las Primeras in continuing to support local charities. In addition, the funds will also be used to establish two scholarships that will be awarded to graduating seniors from the Sweetwater Union High School District who have given back to their community and are planning to continue their education. my.

for more details about the upcoming

events, call event chairwomen maria elena

googins (619) 322-6906 or lisa Johnson

at (619) 392-6106. for more information

on las Primeras, contact the organization

at P.o. Box 112, Bonita, ca 91908.


BuiLding COmmunity FOr mOrE thAn 60 yEArs


food Friendshipand Foodthis column is written in the name of friendship –

take a minute out of your hectic schedules and make lunch for

a close friend, and let them know how much they mean to you.

along with really well. But still, this is all her fault, and I’ll tell you why.

John’s mom recently turned 60, and her best friend, Mrs. R, threw her a beautiful, intimate birthday party. So Mrs. R asked John’s mom to invite the three people in the world that she loved most, and of course, I was her first choice (well, I don’t know if I was her “first” choice, but I was one of the choices, and since I’m writing the col-umn, I have taken the artistic liberty of making myself choice number 1), and I got to go and have lunch with a bunch of wonderful, amazing women, all of whom were older than me (well, there might have been one who was younger, but again, artistic liberty…). Mrs. R had made the most decadent, delicious meal in a newly remodeled kitchen that made me drool out of the side of my mouth. The whole lunch was emotional (John’s mom threatened to cry numerous times), and it made me come home and wonder if there will be someone in my life 30 years from now who means so much to me that I will bring out my fine china and silver and throw an elaborate birthday party for her. And I know it will prob-

these days I’ve been feeling old. Now, don’t ask me why, because I know I’m younger than most of

you reading this column (and perhaps, never reading this column again), but I have this feeling like time is flying by, and I don’t know where it is going. You know, I was 25 a little while ago, and that was “no big deal”, because, hey, I was in my mid-twenties. Then, before I knew it, I was in my “late twenties” but that was “no big deal” because late twenties are still better than 30, right? Then I turned the big 3-0 and I thought, alright, this is a little weird – and all of a sudden, my metabolism feels like it has slowed down, and I have to actually worry about what I’m eating, which really, really bothers me. I have also started thinking about friendship and the people in my life, and the things that are important to me. So, I guess I’m feeling old, and I don’t think I like it very much.

So I was wondering what it was that has made me think about turning 40, 50 and 60, and I’ve decided that I will blame it all on my mother-in-law. I love blaming things on my mother-in-law, and I have a good one that I get

By Karishma sinnott

ably be my friend, Mara, and so I asked her to choose one thing that she would want me to cook for her 60th birthday, which, she will tell you is far, far away, but I know better….

The thing is, I can’t give you recipes from Mrs. R’s lunch, exotic as it was, because I don’t think any of us would put in the effort to make such a fantas-tic meal on a daily basis. So I am going to tell you how to make Mara’s choice for her 60th birthday lunch, which is going to be a Seared Ahi Tuna salad, and perhaps, if she’s nice she won’t have to wait till she turns 60 before I make it for her.

So this column is written in the name of friendship – take a minute out of your hectic schedules and make lunch for a close friend, and let them know how much they mean to you. My lunch at Mrs. R’s made me realize how impor-tant the gift of friendship is, no matter how old you are!

seared ahi tuna saladPage 18

seared ahi tuna salad


friendshiP and food

1-2 containers of soba noodle salad, or spicy thai noodle salad from trader Joe’s

½ medium english (hot-house) cucumber, juli-enned (thinly sliced)

½ red bell pepper, julienned

½ orange/yellow bell pepper, julienned

1-2 ahi tuna steaks

¼ c. soy Vay teriyaki sauce, or teriyaki sauce of your choice

1-2 tsp. sriracha chilli sauce (available at all grocery stores and trader Joe’s)

1 Jalapeno, sliced (optional)

1. i start with a store bought noodle salad. i then add the julienned vegetables for tex-ture and color, and add the dressing to the mixture.

2. marinate the ahi tuna steaks in the teriyaki sauce mixed with the sriracha sauce for twenty min-utes. the chilli sauce helps to cut some of the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce. if desired, add the jalapeno to the marinade.

3. take a sauté pan (non-stick is preferable in this case), and get it really well and truly hot. make sure that your tuna steaks are out of the marinade and at room tem-perature before you sear them.

4. sear the tuna steaks, about a minute on one side, and 30 seconds on the second.

5. slice at an angle and serve over the noodle salad.

6. garnish with cilantro, beans-prouts or scallions, if desired. this salad is wonderful at room temperature as well.

7. enjoy!

S A L A D R E C I P E

mara’s seared ahi tuna salad

People always ask me how to sear meat and fish. it is not at all difficult to do, as long as you remember a few rules. searing a piece of meat allows you to seal in the juices before cook-ing (usually in the oven), and also gives you the opportunity to caramelize the natural sugars that are present in the meat. when you sear a piece of beef or tuna, you do not want to cook it through. you start with a hot pan, and add oil to it if necessary, then add the meat or fish to the pan, for a maximum of one minute per side. you must make sure that your protein of choice is at room temperature, and it should be dry (so take it out of the marinade and lightly dab it with a paper towel). if your meat/fish is wet, you will be braising/boiling instead of sear-ing, and you will fail to caramelize the meat/fish. as long as you remember these few rules, searing is a snap, and you will be amazed at the end product. i hope you enjoy this meal with a wonderful glass of wine and a good friend.

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Celebrating Thurgood MarshallBy felicia Blaylock

on topic: BlacK history month

The month of February is annually recognized

as Black History Month in the United States. Black History Month celebrates contributions made by African Americans around the world. Celebrating Black History began in 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard Ph.D., initiated “Negro History Week.” Dr. Woodson, a historian, chose the second week in February because it included the birth-days of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, the Bicentennial (200th birthday) of the United States, the weeklong observation was extended to the entire month of February in order to have enough time for celebratory pro-grams and activities.

One of the great African American heroes recognized during Black History Month is Thurgood Marshall. He was

the first African American Supreme Court Justice in the United States. Thurgood Marshall served on the Supreme Court from 1967 to 1991. Prior to becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Marshall won the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka that ended the legal separation of educa-

President Johnson appointed thurgood marshall to the supreme court in 1967. marshall was the first african-american to serve as a supreme court Justice.

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Teaching students how to think, not what to think.

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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR FALL 2012

tion for black and white students in public schools. During the trial, he

was asked to define “equal”. Marshall replied, “Equal means getting the same thing, at the same time and in the same place.” The success of the Brown case made Marshall a national hero and helped spark the

civil rights movement in the 1960s.Right here in our local commu-

nity, we have a school that bears the name of this great man. Thurgood Marshall Elementary School was organized in 1999. Marshall

Elementary School, with a current enroll-ment of over 700 students, continues to uphold Thurgood Marshall’s belief that school is a place where children of all cultures and diversities (ethnicities) can attend together and receive an equal edu-cation. Marshall Elementary is committed to justice, equality and human rights in the spirit and ideals of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. The principal, Christopher Gunnett, and faculty hold high standards and expectations for all its students. The school holds events and programs throughout the year that sup-port the diversity of all its students.

Thurgood Marshall Elementary School’s inclusive approach to education, in keeping with the efforts of the man it is named for, adds to the sense of commu-nity felt by many in the east Chula Vista area. It is a vision we can celebrate this month and throughout the year. my.

felicia Blaylock lives in the eastlake area

with her family. she currently has one

daughter attending thurgood marshall

elementary and is a substitute teacher

with the chula Vista elementary school

district.


on topic: energy

Now more than ever, solar technol-ogy has become a viable option

for businesses and homeowners. Unfortunately, common misconceptions have deterred individuals from going solar. Without question, there are two major benefits to going solar – environ-mental and financial.

Environmentally speaking, solar is right for everyone. A solar photovoltaic system will decrease the amount of fossil fuels burned to produce electricity. By reducing the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, solar technology contributes to a clean energy future. It also reduces the need for new construc-tion of large power plants, transmission and distribution lines.

Viewed from a financial perspective; the higher your electricity usage the greater your savings and the faster your return on investment. Typically, when your electric bill is more than $200, you have immediate cash-flow financial sav-ings. If you fall within San Diego Gas & Electric’s third or fourth tier, your solar system can relieve half of your bill while saving you 66 percent.

Another misconception is that solar technology is expensive. However, solar can actually be cheaper than the util-ity. New financing mechanisms enable individuals to go solar for no upfront cost and have monthly payments that are less than current electric bills. One of these tools is a lease or a power pur-chase agreement, which removes the upfront cost barrier that many potential solar system owners face. Today, the only requirement to go solar is that you own your property and you have a good credit score. Your new monthly payment will protect the owner against future rate hikes, which has increased by an average of 6.5 percent each year for the last 35 years, according to the Department of Energy.

Solar Energy Shining BrightBy anne Bessinger

Currently, two financial incentives are available to homeowners wishing to go solar – the California State rebate and Federal tax credit for renewable energy projects. The California Solar Initiative (CSI) state rebate is a 10-step triggered program, where the amount of the incen-tive drops as more capacity is installed. Right now the program is in its ninth step, offering 25 cents per watt. CSI will drop one last time before the rebate is no longer available. The Federal tax credit equals 30 percent of an individual’s out-of-pocket cost and can be claimed the year the system is installed.

In order to determine if solar is right for you, the first place to start is your roof. The ideal roof is facing south, southwest, and/or southeast with zero or minimal shade. You should also look into the age of your roof. If your roof is 15 years or older, you may want to look into a re-roof before installing a solar power system. This is recommended to prevent you from having to remove your system later on down the line and re-install. If your roof is not suitable for solar, a ground mount may be a viable option for you.

Next, you will want to have a profes-sional evaluate your electrical usage to determine what system size is right for you. There are two common system sizing

methods, full offset and baseline. A full offset system will completely eliminate your electric bill. A baseline system will alleviate your largest electrical loads to bring you back down to your first tiers of inexpensive electricity. A well-seasoned solar contractor can assist you in making this decision.

When choosing a solar contractor, it is a good idea to receive three estimates. When receiving bids, keep in mind cheaper is not always better. There are different system sizes as well and some less ethical companies will attempt to make a small system sound bigger by speaking in direct current (DC) watts. You should always ask for the pricing in alternating current (AC) Watts to compare apples-to-apples. AC Watts is what your home appliances actually run off of and therefore makes the most sense to talk in. Good places to do your diligence on companies are the Better Business Bureau, the Contractor’s State License Board and the Angie’s List to ensure the company you select has a clean record and good reputation. The top residential installer in SDG&E’s territory according to California Solar Initiative (CSI) is Sullivan Solar Power, a local solar contractor. Sullivan Solar Power has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and also offers real-time monitoring for all customers to ensure your investment is continuously generating the clean power that was promised.

With the abundance of sunshine San Diego receives, the State rebate and Federal tax credit, and ample financing tools available, now is the perfect time to start saving money by going solar! my.

anne Bessinger is a longtime environ-

mentalist and solar expert who works

as a community developer for local

solar provider sullivan solar Power;

www.sullivansolarpower.com


calendar

February 3opening of south county cyt’s cinderella – at mater dei high school; the classic rogers and hammerstein’s Cinderella comes alive on stage; all seats reserved, advance tickets $12 or $15 at door; runs feb 3-5 and 10-12; www.cytsandiego.org or (619) 588-0206

“work of heart” las Primeras awards luncheon & fundraiser at coronado community center; honoring scott mcmillin and Pam smith for their efforts on behalf of the south Bay community; Beth atayde (619) 427-4569 or [email protected]

FeBruary 2012

February 20washington day – no school

cVesd & sUhsd stUdents

February 7-14congenital heart defect awareness week; congenital heart defects are the most common defect, affecting 1 out of 100 babies; www.chil-drensheartfoundation.org/

oUt and aBoUt

please note events and tiMes are suBJect to change.

otay ranch town center FarMer’s Market – every

tuesday 4-8pM

February 25cash for college FaFsa workshop – 9am-12noon at olympian high school, 1925 magdalena ave; free assis-tance in completing fafsa and cal grant applications; Pre-register at www.sandiegocalsoap.com or (858) 569-1866

suhsd honor Band concert – 7pm at chula Vista high’s Performing arts center; www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/vapa

February 21

Mardi gras – gaslamp Quarter san diego – 6pm-midnight; 5 stages of live entertainment spread throughout 16 blocks; Parade at 9pm on fifth ave; tickets $20 in advance, $25 day of; (619) 233-5227, gaslamp.org

February 11 3rd annual youth sprint development clinic – 11am-3pm at lincoln high school; for athletes 10-18 years old who want to improve run-ning form, increase strength and improve their times with instruction from olympian monique henderson; $25 participant; (619) 370-8707, moniquesbootcamp.com

heart on center art walk presented by sdsu’s local arts collaborative – 4-8pm on center street in chula Vista; hands-on activities, live musical performances and visual demonstrations; [email protected]

“valentine’s day” – 5-9pm neisha’s dance & music academy; Kids ages 3-12; $25 per student; $35 day of event; celebrate those you love by making a kind Valentine’s card; (619) 585-1133, www.neishas.com

February 22ash wednesday

February 14valentine’s day

February 17lincoln day – no school cVesd & sUhsd students

February 18trunk treasures’ seasonal children’s and Moms consignment sale – 851 showroom Place, next to Kid Ventures; free and open to the public; http://trunk.net-finity.net/

February 9chula vista chaMBer oF

coMMerce Mixer –5:30-7:30Pm;

hosted By swaroVsKi otay,

2015 Birch rd., ste 905;

(619) 420-6603 or

www.chulavistachamber.org

February 16understanding the new tsunami: “the chinese Public school educational system” presentation -- 6:30-8:30pm at chula Vista high school’s Jack tygett Performing arts center, 820 fourth ave; Power point presentation by local educa-tor Keith Ballard with videos filmed inside the school in china and india


on your doorstep

it is not every day that someone can complain about the weather in San Diego and have a legitimate gripe. But Richard

and Michelle Kotas remember that when their family arrived in EastLake after three years in Guam, the biggest adjustment right away for this military family was to grow accustomed to the very different weather.

“When we arrived in October of 1996, it was cold and rainy and our boys had never experienced cold weather before,” Michelle shared. “In Guam’s tropical climate, they had never worn coats or long pants. Shorts and t-shirts were the uniform of the day. We weren’t prepared for the ‘cold’ weather in San Diego.”

Richard says the family scene those first months resembled the kids from the movie A Christmas Story where the mother insists that the little ones are dressed up in winter hats, scarves, gloves and parkas before being allowed to venture outside. The 24-year Navy veteran admits that it didn’t take long for the Kotas fam-ily – including sons Christian (now 18), Mitchell (17) and Wyatt (12) – to adapt to their new surroundings. Together, Richard and Michelle, herself a former member of the Navy, had decided that the move to San Diego was going to be the family’s last.

“We had looked around the area for awhile before settling on the Greens,” Richard said. “The homes were new at the time and so accessible to things that we love doing as a family like camp-ing and off-road motorcycling. The biggest attraction of this

community remains the family-friendly atmosphere and willing-ness of so many people to give back.”

Count Michelle and Richard among that group of local people committed to being involved and giving back to the community. Michelle is a board member with the EastLake Greens HOA and president of Bristolwood at EastLake Greens HOA. Michelle is also a member of the EastLake Educational Foundation. Both Richard and Michelle enjoy the opportunity to volunteer along-side other community members to fundraise for local schools and build community spirit. In 2010, she and Richard started “Eastlake Glee,” a traditional a cappella children’s choir that performs locally. Michelle has been singing her whole life and previously had helped establish the choir at Arroyo Vista Charter School where her sons had gone to school. Today, Christian and Mitchell set up for performances and Wyatt is a member of the alto section. “Eastlake Glee” began with five kids and in two years has grown to 25 members from around the EastLake area. The group has performed at neighborhood functions, sung carols at Village Walk’s winter celebration and the Chula Vista Veterans Home. The group also maintains an active Facebook page.

“The biggest thing I appreciate about our decision to settle here is the opportunities to be part of significant community activities like building schools and selecting the curriculum,” Richard said. “We feel like we have had a direct impact on how the EastLake community has been built.” my.

the kotas FaMily

school news

school news

With sweaty palms and a few dry mouths, students throughout the

South Bay will face down what is highly regarded as most people’s greatest fear – delivering a speech in public. This month, the Chula Vista Elementary School District will conduct its 30th Annual District Speech Contest. Nearly 30 students in each grade level – four, five and six – will compete to see who are the top young orators in the community. The District Speech Contest semi-finals are scheduled for February 22 to 24, with the finals taking place on Monday, February 27.

In last year’s competition, some students talked about the importance of speak-ing up when a friend is being bullied on

CVESD Students Stand and Delivercampus. Others talked about starting an anti-bullying club at school. And still oth-ers shared stories of cyber-bullying, and ways to prevent online attacks or identity theft. Contestants in last year’s District Speech Contest provided a window into bullying both at school and online. This year’s contest theme centers on making a positive impact on your school, country or the world. Contestants will be asked to present 3- to 5-minute speeches in front of an audience, first at their schools, and then at the District – an experience that could cause many adults to quake at the knees.

Specifically, CVESD’s students will be asked to present a speech answering the following questions based on their grade level. The questions are:

Fourth Grade - How will you positively impact your school community?

Fifth Grade - How will you positively impact your country?

Sixth Grade - How will you positively impact your world?

The District-level winners will showcase their skills at a future Board of Education meeting, where they will be formally rec-ognized for their achievement. District staff will also provide opportunities for the winners to demonstrate their public speaking talent by inviting them to present their speeches at community service club meetings.

“Just getting to the District level means that they already won at the school level, which is no easy feat no matter what grade the student may be,” said Antwon Lincoln, the District’s Master of Ceremonies and a coordinator of the event. “They are already winners. The students will not only have acquired the gift of public speaking, but their ideas on improving their school, country and the world could have a lasting impact.”


Once again, Chula Vista Rotary has stepped up to sponsor this year’s speech competition. Lisa Johnson, immediate past-president of the Rotary, says the local ser-vice club fully supports the district’s efforts to provide students with this opportunity to develop public speaking skills that are critical to future success in school, business and life. In addition to monetary support, Rotary also provides judges for the contest; something Johnson has done for six or seven years.

“I was hooked after my first year and very proud that they now invite me to judge the finals of the competition,” said Johnson, a member of her high school speech and debate team for three years. “I look forward to this each year for several reasons. One, it gives me an opportunity to recall those first times I gave speeches in elementary school and how good it felt to have some success in speaking. It was a sense of accomplishment I’ve not forgotten. Two, as a parent, I love to see the parents’ reactions to their children; I love to see the support from family members, siblings, teachers, and principals. Finally, it’s fun and exciting and also gives me a true sense of hope for a continued bright future. The students put so much heart into their efforts.”

Joining Johnson on the judging panel this year will be the Editor of My Hometown Chula Vista magazine, Mike Minjares. The representative of the local community publication will be looking for great ideas from the students about how to build community. A few of the best are likely to make it into a future edition of the magazine. Good luck to all of the partici-pants.my.

for more information on the district’s

speech contest, visit the district website at

www.cvesd.org.

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business highlight

paul Fine admits his becoming a lawyer is owed as much to paying attention one day in class as anything else. As a high

school student, Fine found himself impressed by how intelligent, well-spoken and interesting one particular guest speaker seemed. The man was a lawyer and Fine thought practicing law appeared to be a good career and a way to help people with their problems. Fine grew up a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. That childhood experience shaped how he practices law and with whom. In fact, Fine can still recite from memory the Boy Scout Oath showing his sincere appreciation for the values instilled in him at a young age.

“Khodadad ‘Ko’ (Sharif) and John (Skube) have the same values that are expressed in the oath,” Fine said. “They are good people and we pride ourselves on being good, honest attorneys.”

All three local lawyers joined forces in 1997, with the office of Fine & Sharif, ALPC incorporating in 2002. The firm specializes in family law, criminal law, business litigation, wills and trusts and wage and hour claims. For Skube, his work as an attorney continues a family tradition that also saw his father attend law school and an uncle practice law. Skube grew up in the South Bay and says his work provides that feeling of helping out people that his mother instilled when she had his family donate clothes and toys to Tijuana orphanages.

Sharif, a resident of east Chula Vista, grew up in Tehran, Iran and arrived in the United States at age 13. He witnessed firsthand

the Iranian Revolution and the Iran/Iraq War and has a passion for pursuing the truth. He started off interning at the Public Defenders Office and still relishes the opportunity to fight for a client. He recently tried a criminal case in Chula Vista Superior Court and his client was found not guilty on all charges.

“If I believe that the client is the oppressed party or is right and is being wronged, I can stand up and fight for that client,” Sharif said. “We like to pick special cases. It takes a different per-son to fight for some of these causes, but we have that passion as litigators and together we share a sense of justice. Defending the U.S. Constitution is an honor.”

Fine, Sharif and Skube, along with co-counsel Ali Razi, rec-ognize that getting to the truth of a case can be challenging. It is why they acknowledge that a prospective client’s first meeting with them is often the toughest aspect of the client’s experience.

Both Fine and Sharif volunteer with the San Diego Superior Court with Sharif also serving as an arbitrator with the San Diego County Bar-Association-Fee Arbitration. Sharif has been a coach for the Mock Trial Team at Otay Ranch High School for two years and hopes the team will improve on last year’s fourth place showing at this month’s competitions. my.

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(619) 651-1862/(800) 920-7719(619) 651-1862/(800) 920-7719

Documents

MHTCV_0212_online