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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

RETRO FILES: 1930's ICE CREAM PARLOR IN SAN DIEGO

Classic craftsman imagery in this old fashioned ice cream parlor counter tile work and cabinetry

GUEST BLOG—By Claire Bryan, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles.

Hage’s Ice Cream parlor served happiness to many early San Diegans. As part of Hage’s Dairy, 835 K Street, the sweet shop produced and reportedly sold more than half of the ice cream consumed in San Diego between 1891 and the 1940s.

The ice cream parlor is no more, but today, the same location continues to please kids of all ages as Petco’s popular Park at the Park.

Eager to start a dairy company and having grown up on a dairy farm in Eagle, Wisconsin, Willard B. Hage moved to San Diego in 1891. According to San Diego History Center archives, Hage first began his dairy company delivering milk and butter to local homes. The dairy products business was highly successful.  For example, Hage’s averaged 3,000 pounds of butter churned daily.

Son, Willard B. Hage, Jr., in 1926, incorporated the separately owned Sanitary and Owl Ice Cream Co. into Hage’s Ice Cream Co.  Hage, Jr., was an innovative man, who ran the merged operation and loved creating his own ice cream flavors - burnt almond being his favorite. The parlor continued to thrive eventually becoming the largest independent ice cream shop on the Pacific coast.

In 1954, the company merged with Foremost Dairies of San Francisco. Hage, Jr. retired in 1961 and the business continued to thrive until a fire destroyed the operation in 1985.  It was never rebuilt.

As our historic photo shows, the original ice cream counter has classic Arts & Crafts era decorative elements such as the flower patterned frieze wallpaper, handmade artistic tile on the counter face and stylish period design in the glass of the back bar cabinets.  The Tile Heritage Foundation recently confirmed the tile on the front counter is called Calco made by California Clay Products Co, which operated in South Gate from 1923 into the early 1930s‘s.

Image courtesy: San Diego History Center
This article first appeared in the July 2011 issue of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine.

Monday, April 29, 2013

MEDIA MONDAY / DON’T KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR CRY

Beautiful Boston

BRUTAL COUPLE OF WEEKS--Second day stories (to those outside the media choir) is a journalism term for follow up reporting as in what we’ve been reading since the April 15 Boston bombing.  A good benchmark for good second day reporting is if the article brings out news that hasn’t emerged in the two weeks since the terror attack at the Boston Marathon.  A good example of that reporting appeared in the Sunday, April 28 edition of the Los Angeles Times: “Troubled Trail Led to Boston.”

Column One reporters Kim Murphy, Joseph Tanfani and Sergei L. Loiko put forth an excellent recap of the tragedy and added new information.  For example, using me as an example, I did not know until I read the Times story that the brothers allegedly killed the MIT cop for his service revolver but didn’t know how to unsnap the holster’s safety feature. Motive was they needed the weapon because they were leaving town with only one revolver. 

The Times piece points out how unplanned the brothers escape really was: “Yet it did not appear meticulously planned.”  Also, the article reveals that the father of the alleged scumbags was an amateur boxer himself and acted as the older brother’s trainer.   It reveals domestic violence charges against the elder brother were dropped.  Also, this particular article mentions the sisters and wife, but like the rest of the media in little detail.  The article jumps from page one to the back of the A-section.  Follow up images are laid out in clear magazine style format: overall, a solid job by the Times staff.



ZINGERS AT CORRESPONDENTS DINNER
The DC media, which many believe exists on an island, held a luau for itself  and lots of stars showed up for the annual correspondence dinner.  Even with top Fox media management in tow at the dias, the President got in the spirit of the event.  For a few moments, smiles were seen in DC after what has been a brutal two weeks of bad news.  In case you missed the CSPAN (broadcasting with the mute on) coverage of the media bash, Presidential and comedy-host zingers can be found at the following sites:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/28/179626763/obama-and-obrien-take-jabs-at-politics-and-media-highlights

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/white-house-correspondents-dinner-obamas-top-jokes/story?id=19055823#.UX1WdCvuWec

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/white-house-correspondents-dinner-media-jokes-90714.html

STRONG COFFEE / LOCAL NEWS
Eliza Barclay at KPBS did a first rate feature on Publisher John Rippo, who for the past 16 years has been publishing/editing/reporting for his “The Espresso” newspaper.   Has it been that long, John?  Check it out here:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/28/179626763/obama-and-obrien-take-jabs-at-politics-and-media-highlights

TWO DECADES FOR NORTH PARK NEWS
With its May edition North Park News marks its 20th anniversary.  The neighborhood monthly has been publishing non-stop since May 1993 under three different owners:  Founders Tom and Phyllis Shess then Gary Shaw and Tim McClain and finally Bob and Rebekka Page with Manny Cruz.

MONDAY MORNING SMILE (No caption necessary)

Sunday, April 28, 2013

LES FLEURS DE RUE CLER

Rue Cler's Au Nom de la Rose, Paris


APRIL IN PARIS—We both admitted that if we were on our honeymoon the microscopic bathroom and one-person-at-a-time elevator in our hotel along Rue Cler would have been just fine.  Alas, after 28 years together, we decided when Paris calls again, we’ll stay someplace with larger facilities.  But, Rue Cler for our week’s stay this month was just fine.  Size-wise, small street (for fellow North Parkers), is the Ray Street of Paris, but only two blocks longer.

We’ll come back for the flowers in a heart beat, especially at Au Nom de la Rose and Les Floralies.  Both on Rue Cler in the 7th Arrondissement.

Rue Cler otherwise had so much to offer.  Several small cafe’s you expect to find in Paris, outdoor produce, a cheese and wine shop, several bakeries, a charcuterie and those colorful flower stands near our hotel.  Plus, what else made Rue Cler attractive was being near the Eiffel Tower and none of our Parisian cabbies knew where it was without checking their GPS.

Of course, there are countless more romantic rues in Paris, but this one just outside out hotel worked fine for us.

For more on Rue Cler visit travel writing guru Rick Steves article in Smithsonian magazine: 

A delightful eight minute You Tube visit to Rue Cler can be found at:


Au Nom de la Rose, Rue Cler, Paris
Au Nom de la Rose, Rue Cler, Paris
Au Nom de la Rose, Rue Cler, Paris

Au Nom de la Rose, Rue Cler, Paris
Au Nom de la Rose, Rue Cler, Paris

Les Floralies, Rue Cler, Paris
Rue Cler, April 07, 2013

Pillar to Post photography by Phyllis Shess,  April 07, 2013.












Saturday, April 27, 2013

ARCHIVE / DEBUT NO. PARK CRAFT BEER TASTING ROOM

North Park craft beer aficionadas (L-R): Lauren Heiney, Kelsey Newman and Jade Hoffenberg are among the first to try Belching Beaver Brewery's just opened tasting room on 30th Street.


LATEST ADDITION --The recent grand opening of Belching Beaver Brewery’s new tasting room on 30th Street totally reinforces historic North Park’s claim as the best hipster and craft beer community in America.  Operating as a tasting room only, the Vista-based BBB, will not brew beer at its new 4223 30th site.   The new now open tasting room brings to five such brewery tasting operations to San Diego’s North Park/South Park communities.  The others being Thorn Street Brewery at 32nd & Thorn Streets, Poor House Brewing  on 30th Street and the much anticipated opening of Mike Hess Brewery on Grim Street in the heart of North Park and Stone Brewery store in South Park. 
Belching Beaver Tasting Room on 30th Street near El Cajon Blvd.

This roster of tasting rooms is in addition to the first of the year opening of Bottlecraft’s second location, which debuted at 30th and University.

With its world class bottle shop and soon to be four brewery tasting rooms, North Park is set for a thirsty craft beer summer.

News and images from West Coaster craft beer magazine: www.westcoastersd.com
Taps at Belching Beaver Tasting Room in North Park

Hello to Belching Beaver's new North Park Tasting Room
Brewery Tasting Rooms in North Park

Belching Beaver Tasting room and store
4223 30th Street (near El Cajon Blvd).

Mike Hess Brewery (new brewery location to open soon.  Hess’s Miramar area location is currently operational.
3812 Grim Avenue (Near University)

Poor House Brewing Company
4494 30th Street (at Monroe Street)


Thorn Street Brewery and tasting room
3176 Thorn Street (near 32nd Street)

Stone Brewing Tasting room and store/South Park
2215 30th Street (near Juniper).

Bottle Shops

Bottlecraft/North Park
3007 30th Street

Friday, April 26, 2013

WANNA MAKE (OR WRITE) INDEPENDENT MOVIES? / Event Concluded



JUMP ON THIS CHANCE—A while back when covering the Academy Awards for the late great Hollywood Citizen News, I shot a question to director Francis Ford Coppola from the crowd of other back stage reporters as to what was his favorite Godfather scene.  His response was something like the second I saw the finished screenplay.  It drew laughs.
 
His point then and the point now is simply without a screenplay, movies don’t get made.  Filmmaker dreams don’t come true without a script.

If you’ve yearned to write a screenplay or being part of a film this Saturday there will be a free one day event at San Diego City College that just might kick start your dream. 

Called “Script to Screen, the San Diego Indie Scene 2013”, the program is a symposium of film industry pros, who will be discussing scriptwriting, producing, directing, casting, pre-production, permits, locations and logistics, shooting, editing, promotion, distribution and festivals.

The event presented in cooperation with the SDCC radio,TV and film department will be held Saturday, April 27, 10 am to 6 pm at Saville Theater (14th & C Street).



Speakers will include:

RON NAJOR
PRODUCER OF THE RECENTLY RELEASED "I AM NOT A HIPSTER"
AND "SHORT TERM 12"

JOHN ROSENBERG
FILM EDITOR AND PRODUCER; USC AND UCLA INSTRUCTOR;
AUTHOR OF THE HEALTHY EDIT

KATHY McCURDY
LOCATION MANAGER/SCOUT AND AUTHOR OF
SHOOT ON LOCATION! FILMMAKER

MICHAEL STEVEN GREGORY
OWNER, RANDOM COVE; SCREENWRITER, DIRECTOR;PRESIDENT AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS; AUTHOR/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER OF WE THE SCREENWRITER

JODI CILLEY
SAN DIEGO INDEPENDENT FILLMAKERS CONSORTIUM; OWNER/OPERATOR, VIDOLOGICO, UCSD/PLATT COLLEGE/MEDIA ARTS CENTER INSTRUCTOR; ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAN DIEGO STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

CY KUCKENBAKER
FILM INSTRUCTOR; CREATOR OF THE ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY FILM
BUSH LEAGUE

ETHAN van THILLO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO,
SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL

DAVID MCCLENDON
ACCLAIMED THEATER AND FILM DIRECTOR

RUSSEL REDMOND
SCREENWRITER, FILM INSTRUCTOR

There will be an audience question and answer session along with short film screenings.  There will be door prizes and free parking on campus.   For a parking map go to the event website www.sdindiescene.com and click map at the top of the page.   Again, admission is free.

Coffee and refreshments start at 9:30 am while snacks, drinks and sandwiches will be available all day from Little Ms. Muffin.


This project was funded fully or in part by CTEA (Carl D. Perkins Career & Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 grant 12-C01-0470, awarded to SDCCD and administered by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

TAKE MOM TO TEA AND TOSS IN A HOME TOUR, TOO


The 1888 Victorian, above,  is on the Escondido Mother's Day Home Tour and also the setting for afternoon tea


VINTAGE ESCONDIDO—The Old Escondido [Calif.] Historic District is holding its 16th annual Mother’s Day Home Tour, Sunday, May 12 from Noon to 5 pm.  It’s a great way to celebrate Mom’s day by touring five historic homes in the Old Escondido Historic District.  Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 day of the event.  Tickets are limited and they mean it.  So, plan ahead and don’t be disappointed.

HOME TOUR: The City of Escondido established the Old Escondido Historic District in 1991, the only Historic District in North San Diego County. The city’s oldest neighborhood, Old Escondido features a strong collection of architectural treasures including stately Victorians, comfortable Craftsman bungalows, and eclectic Art Deco and Post World War II residences built in the mid-1880s to date.  The district contains nearly 900 properties and is bounded by 5th Avenue on the North, 13th Avenue on the south, Escondido Blvd. on the west and Chestnut on the east.

AFTERNOON TEA IS EXTRA: For an additional $20 you'll enjoy tea, scone, salad, finger sandwiches, and trifle for dessert at one of the homes on the tour. The number of tickets for the tea are limited.  The tea, which will require a separate ticket for admission, will be served in the beautiful garden of the Beach House with live music in the background.  Tea is set for two seatings: 12:30 pm and 3 pm.

Tea and tour tickets can be purchased at Rosemary-Duff Florist, 101 West Second Avenue or Escondido History Center at Grape Day Park or buy them online at www.oldescondido.org 

NOTE: A tea ticket alone will NOT admit bearer inside any of the historic homes.  Organizers insist if you are also buying a Home Tour ticket, please choose your seating time carefully to make certain you are also able to visit the homes on the tour before the doors close for the day at 5 pm.

More about the Home Tour
Your ticket to the Home Tour is a passport for a rare opportunity to see the amazing interior of the elegant Beach House, an 1888 Queen Anne Victorian located at the corner of Juniper and 7th Avenue.

Other homes include a mid-century modern with possible ties to Frank Lloyd Wright.  Also a 20s and 30s California Bungalows and a 40s Spanish style re-do, all homes boast a range of decorator styles.

Organizers regret that the homes are not accessible to those unable to climb stairs.  The homes are, however, located within fairly easy walking distance from each other but one fairly steep hill where two of the homes are located may be a challenge for some.  


Because the Amgen Tour of California Bicycle Race will be taking place on the same day, parking is likely to be more challenging than usual.  Please allow plenty of time to park and to obtain your keepsake program with map and details about each home before starting the tour.  All ticket sales are limited; we recommend buying ahead to avoid disappointment!

Proceeds from the Mothers Day Home Tour help the Old Escondido Historic District, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, to achieve their mission, to “promote and protect Old Escondido, the City’s oldest neighborhood.”

Organizers thank Major Market for their support of the inaugural tea event.



Wednesday, April 24, 2013

NORTH PARK CRAFT BEER BULLETIN /Event Concluded




Speakeasy Ales & Lager Brewery from San Francisco will be served on 14 taps at North Park's
Toronado tavern today only



FRISCO BREWER TAKES OVER TORONADO—It’s midweek.  Perfect time to carpe diem over to North Park’s popular Toronado tavern, where today only San Francisco’s Speakeasy Ales & Lagers will appear on 14 of Toronado taps [4026 30TH Street, just north of Lincoln Avenue].  Today only (4-24-13).

Toronado: 4026 30th St.
Speakeasy owner Ian Black is a former employee, so he got some good stuff: Big Daddy, Double Daddy, Vendetta IPA, The Witness, Prohibition Ale, Payback Porter, Payback Smoked Porter, Scarface Imperial Stout, 2012 Vintage Scarface Imperial Stout, Barrel-aged Scarface, The Black Hand Chocolate Milk Stout, Tallulah XPA, Betrayal Imperial Red Ale, and Old Godfather Barleywine.

Speakeasy's SF Tap Room on Evans Ave.
Speakeasy has been in business since 1997. They are located at 1195 Evans Ave. in San Francisco’s southside, 414-642-3371, www.goodbeer.com.  The on premises tap room is open Tue-Thu 3-8 pm; Fri-Sat 1-9 pm and Sun 1-6 pm.  Brewery tours will resume in May, says Speakeasy’s website.

This news is from West Coaster Magazine: www.westcoastersd.com

TRAVEL / QUICK GLIMPSE OF BARCELONA



GUEST BLOGBy NASA Earth Observatory--This detailed astronaut photograph, above, captures several notable features of the Barcelona urban landscape. Barcelona, Spain, occupies a low plateau along the Mediterranean coastal plain. The city is the second largest in Spain (after the capital, Madrid), and it hosts the country’s largest seaport, portions of which are visible in the lower right of the image.

The architectural design of the Eixample district (image center) displays a grid pattern distinctive for Barcelona. Built during the 19th and 20th centuries, the district was built with octagonal city blocks—rectangular blocks with the corners cut off. (At the level of detail of this photograph, the blocks appear to be squares.) The original intention was for buildings to occupy only two or three sides of the octagonal blocks, surrounding gardens and open space.

While the original street grid pattern remains, today many of the octagonal blocks are completely built up.

The adjacent Cuitat Vella, or “old city,” presents a much denser building pattern, which dates from Roman times. Also visible at image lower right is the 173-meter-high Montjuïc mountain—historically, the location of fortresses due to its strategic position overlooking the city’s harbor. Light tan and orange structures visible at the crest of the mountain include the stadium and other buildings used in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.  The famed boulevard La Rambla is the dark line directly beneath Ciutat Vella on the NASA Earth Observatory image.

The following photographs were taken by Phyllis Shess/Pillar to Post Blog on a recent visit.


Mercat St. Josep is a bustling indoor marketplace just off [boulevard] La Rambla
Mirador de Colom at the foot of La Rambla.  Columbus is atop the edifice pointing to the new world.
Psst, Chris you're pointing in the wrong direction, but don't tell the natives.

Medieval fortress Castell de Montjuic
On this Sunday,  a Chilean dance troupe was performing inside Castell de Monjuic.  All four dancers are so in sync that you'll notice in the photograph each boot heel is the same distance off the stage.  Kudos to the dancers and the photographer.
Street scene along La Rambla showing Escriba, a wonderful cafe/pastry shop.  What is it about Spanish caffe con leche that can't be duplicated anywhere else?

Everywhere you wander in the old part of town (Cuitat Vella) you have an excellent chance of finding a classic restaurant like the one above just off the Plaza Reial

Barcs along the Embarcadero
Hotel Ramblas (with flags)






View of La Rambla and the city from the 6th floor of
the hotel at the right.