Elevating Mind and Body in Linda Vista
Plus: New Hydrogen Pumping Station in MV, Yoga at Mission Heights Park, Celebrating at Sushi Yorimichi, Parks After Dark Info, and LV Theatre Arts Program
The year may be almost half way through, but don’t be too discouraged if you have somehow delayed the start of your New Year’s resolution of working out and getting in better physical shape. Fortunately, there is now all the more reason for recommitting yourself to that well intentioned resolution. A new gym conveniently located in downtown Linda Vista recently celebrated its grand opening and is welcoming prospective members to take part in workouts designed to elevate both mind and body.
This past Sunday, Elev8 Athletics officially opened with a festive celebration to mark its entry to the Linda Vista scene. Open since the beginning of May, this new gym aims to offer not just services related to physical fitness but also “focusing on mind-body connections, nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress-management, hydration, mindfulness, self-care, and community.”
Elev8, located at 6915 Linda Vista Road (in the same complex that houses Skateworld and across from the Linda Vista Library), is owned and operated by Ashley Rodriguez and Ron Casper, the same dynamic duo who operate the popular Odyssey Training Center (a martial arts center on the opposite side of the complex). The idea behind opening this new gym has been part of a long standing vision the couple has sought for Linda Vista. “In opening the gym,” Casper said, “we want to establish a fun, uplifting place for the community that will help make the local residents feel safer.”
Rodriguez and Casper chose to open the new gym in a part of the business complex that has long been shuttered and ignored. Working on starting a new venture at this 1,050 square feet site was no easy feat as the remodeling effort required, according to Casper, “…breaking down some of the walls, installing electricity, and re-doing the ceiling and the water.”
Elev8 Athletics offers a variety of workout options, to include circuit training, strength training, free weights, and high intensity interval training. The site also has a sauna and a cold plunge facility. Programs include class-based training as well as one-on-one instruction. Opportunities for kids are also available—Summer camp sessions (both half and full day sessions) will be held in June and July. The sessions are intended to develop such traits as confidence, teamwork, and physical fitness. As explained by Casper, “we want to provide a safe place for kids.”
Locals will be glad to know that Elev8 is currently offering a 15% discount for Linda Vista residents. You can check out the gym’s website for more deals/prices and all the programs the gym has to offer.
Rodriguez and Casper encourage LV residents to visit the gym and see how they can benefit from working out. “Come and support a local gym,” they enthusiastically said, when asked to send a message to their fellow Linda Vista Update readers.
Fill ‘er Up, Hydrogen Vehicle Drivers!
Are you a cutting edge kind of person? Always eager to experiment by trying out the latest trends in transportation? Do you see yourself as a tech early adapter? Do you get great joy from telling people what is so special about your car? Or are you perhaps seriously concerned with the environment and the harm posed by gas emissions? If you happened to have answered “yes” to any of these questions, you just might be the sort of individual interested in buying a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV). And if so, the recent installation of a hydrogen filling station, complete with four hydrogen dispensers, at a recently remodeled Mobil gas station in Mission Valley should give you one more reason to think about purchasing your own HFCV.
What is so unusual about this recently opened venue? This new hydrogen filling station (located at 5494 Mission Center Road) is only the second one in San Diego—the other one being in Carmel Valley. In fact, there are currently only 63 such stations in the entire state (you can check out their locations here), though more are planned. This nearby addition will certainly make it much easier for current San Diego hydrogen vehicle drivers to map out their driving itineraries and ensure they will never end up with an empty tank.
For those readers unfamiliar with hydrogen fuel cell technology, “an HFCV uses the same kind of electric motor to turn the wheels that a battery-electric car does. But it’s powered not by a large, heavy battery, but by a fuel cell stack in which pure hydrogen (H2) passes through a membrane to combine with oxygen (O2) from the air: producing the electricity that turns the wheels plus water vapor. What this means is that a fuel cell vehicle is technically a series hybrid, which is why they are sometimes classified as fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles.” (Car and Driver Magazine)
Here are some important facts about HFCV’s:
-Hydrogen fueled cars produce zero emissions, which is why the state of California has established a goal of having 200 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025.
-There are only about 12,000 HFCV’s currently on the road in California.
-HFCV’s have a range that varies from 300 to 400 miles, based on the model.
-Some of the most popular HFCV models include the Toyota Mirai, the Honda Clarity, and the Hyundai Nexo.
--One advantage that HFCV’s have over EV’s is that recharge times (which can be several hours for EV’s) are not a concern. HFCV’s take about the same time to refill as a gas fueled car.
There are indeed some possibly negative things to think about when driving an HFCV. First of all, with only 63 hydrogen refueling stations spread throughout California, a driver has to carefully plan any long trip. And there is only one other state in the U.S. (Hawaii) that has a refueling station, so driving outside California is not feasible. There have also been frequent maintenance problems experienced by refueling stations, which means hydrogen fuel might not be available when you need it. Furthermore, the cost of hydrogen fuel comes out to approximately $16.00 a gallon (though “fuel cells are approximately 2.5 times more efficient that gas engines”).
While checking out the new hydrogen filling station on Mission Center Road, I was able to talk with one HFCV owner while he filled his tank. When asked what the motivation was for purchasing his Toyota Mirai XLE (a car that lists for a base price of about $50,000), he claimed he was driven by the financial incentives offered by Toyota. When buying his particular HFCV, he was able to take advantage of a significant discount offered by Toyota (about $17,000), a 0% interest financing deal, a $15,000 fuel card, and the opportunity to rent a gas fueled Toyota for free for up to 21 days a year if a long trip (i.e., out of state) is required.
So, Linda Vista residents, if you answered “yes” to any of the questions included in this article’s opening paragraph, rest assured that if you now have the urge to drive an HFCV, the new refueling pumps located at the Mobil station in Mission Valley may figure into your decision making. Based on this new refueling station, it just so happens that Mission Valley and its adjacent communities (to include our very own Linda Vista) are now well positioned to be at the forefront of our state’s future driving experience.
Celebrating at Sushi Yorimichi
About two years ago, a new sushi restaurant opened up at 2405 Ulric Street, around the corner from Linda Liquor, at the site of the former Thai Papaya (by Sab-e-lee). Steve and I were anxious to try it and to review it in the Update.
From the first time we ate there and met the owners, Sera and Fernando, to say we were impressed would be an understatement. At that time, they did not have a liquor license but had an extensive menu, and we liked the vibe and all the food we tried at that time.
Well, unbelievably, two years have passed and Sushi Yorimichi celebrated their two-year anniversary last week. Steve was out of the country, but a couple of friends and myself went up during the three-day anniversary celebration to join in the fun. We made reservations, which I recommend since the restaurant is very cozy and you don’t want to go and not be able to get a seat. Sera greeted us and told us the anniversary celebration was going very well, and we observed the place was buzzing with customers with a steady stream of take-out orders being picked up. It was very festive looking with balloons and decorations. Prizes were being awarded and tickets being drawn. My co-diners won a 10% discount coupon and a $25 gift card respectively. Lucky them!
We ordered several items including a crunchy roll, a spider roll, garlic edamame, and chicken teriyaki bowl (for the carnivore among us). I also ordered a salad, Tataki kyuri, which consisted of cucumbers, bamboo shoots, seaweed and sesame seeds in house garlic soy sauce It was excellent if a little spicy for my taste.
Everyone enjoyed their meals and we were all in agreement that it was a lot of food with the prices being very reasonable. Although Steve and I have been there many times, for one in our group it was her first time and she said she will certainly return. They were giving very nice discounts on sake and other drinks, and although we didn’t have any, there were other diners enjoying the specials. I hope you were able to make it to their anniversary celebration, but if you didn’t, be sure to go up and visit them any time and wish them congratulations on becoming a Linda Vista mainstay for the past two years. We are so happy to have their restaurant as part of our town.
Preparing for Beauty and the Beast Production
One of the most valuable community assets in the Linda Vista area is the Linda Vista Park and Recreation Center, located at 7064 Levant Street. And one of the most popular programs at this Center is the Linda Vista Theatre Arts Program. The program consists of youngsters who receive year-round instruction from City Park staff in drama, dance and design and who participate in an annual musical production. Those lucky community members who got the opportunity to enjoy last year’s production of Aladdin: An Arabian Musical know how talented and entertaining these young actors are, and the kind of show they are capable of putting on. This year the program will present a production of Beauty and the Beast at the Recreation Center in the early fall timeframe.
The program currently consists of 25 participants ranging in age from 17 to 8 years old. They practice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and also take part in a week-long summer camp. Though many of the roles for the production have been assigned, the program is still looking for additional young people willing to join in the next month to participate in ensemble dancing and other opportunities.
During last month’s “I Love My Park Day” festivities at the LV Recreation Center, the cast members gave local residents a sneak peek of what to expect in the fall as they performed a couple of songs from Beauty and the Beast. Look for the cast members to put on another sneak peek during one of the “Park in the Dark” sessions this summer.
As explained by program director K.J. Lecesne, the young actors have been hard at work for months, receiving training in such drama aspects as improvisation and characterization. “During the year they receive guidance and learn how to make acting choices,” said Lecesne.
Please check out the below poster to obtain further details about the program; readers are encouraged to pass along the below information to any young people who might be interested in participating.
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