Linda Vista's Hottest Night Spot
Plus: Spotlight on LV Resident Carrie Beinert, Welcome to Linda Vista Message; Bayside's Tiny Gardens Recipe Book, and Trying out the Recipe Book
Wander around the community of Linda Vista on any weeknight and chances are good you won’t find too many venues with large groups of people actively engaged in some form of physical and/or classroom activity. Outside of the University of San Diego campus, the only place that usually comes to mind for most local residents is the Linda Vista Plaza Shopping Center, and more precisely, Skateworld. However, I recently realized there is one area of Linda Vista that has become quite a popular location for adults, young people, and families to gather and have some energetic fun. The Linda Vista Park and Recreation Center, located at 7064 Levant Street has become a busy nighttime place for athletes, artists, and actors of all ages.
Whether you’re counting all the various activities inside the gym or meeting rooms, or those occurring outside under the lights, this venue has to be considered the most heavily utilized city facility in all of Linda Vista. And when you consider all the possible benefits being derived from all this activity—to include physical and mental benefits, as well as the camaraderie, team building, and community building generated from both these individuals and teams gathered there each night—it’s easy to view the Linda Vista Park and Recreation Center as a valuable community asset and a great investment of taxpayers’ money.
I recently spent some time this Monday and last Tuesday night at the Center and was amazed at the number of people utilizing both the indoor and outdoor facilities of the Center and Park. Though I am used to always seeing a large number of people at the Recreation Center’s world-famous Linda Vista Skate Park, I didn’t expect to see the other parts of the park so fully utilized last Tuesday night. Inside the main gym were about thirty individuals participating or watching an Adult League basketball game. The League plays several games each Tuesday night. The players ranged in age from 18 to about 35. In the outdoor court, approximately 10 teens were involved in a pick-up basketball game. A handful of young children played on the kids playground; their parents watching from nearby benches. Out on the grass fields, and under the lights, I observed a number of organized activities over the course of an hour, to include kids practicing flag football, an older group of kids going through soccer drills, and 12 players from a women’s rugby club—the San Diego Surfers—warming up for their eventual drills. Over in the tennis courts, a number of young people were practicing their backhands. And, of course, over in the Skate Park, about thirty skaters were maneuvering their way on the different courses, with some attending skateboard class instruction. Inside of the Recreation Center’s main building, one of the rooms was being used by an Artists Studio class, which involved students learning different art techniques from a local artist.
I saw a similar number of teams and individuals when I returned the following Monday, including practice going on for the OMBAC Rugby Club and the OMBAC Wallabies Youth Rugby Club.
The above list, as extensive as it might be, does not include other activities going on during the week, including martial arts classes, a youth baseball team, table tennis classes, theatre rehearsals, and RoboThink classes.
Most local residents may not realize how active the Center has become because the facility cannot be seen from Linda Vista Road, and is only partially visible from Genesee Avenue.
The number of people utilizing the park on the two nights I visited mainly reflects a combination of activities led by city employees, city approved contractors (i.e., tennis and skateboard instruction), local user groups who pay a fee to use the park facilities for practice (i.e., football and rugby teams), and city approved volunteers.
Alysandra Perez, the Recreation Center’s director, (who we profiled in a previous post of this newsletter) explained the number of people and teams utilizing the park at night has been on a steady increase during the past few months, and the numbers have even exceeded pre-COVID levels. She remarked, “The Park and Recreation Center has become popular as more teams, leagues, and individuals have discovered these practice fields and courts are available. They recognize what great facilities we have here.”
The numbers are only expected to increase when the warmer spring and summer months arrive.
Additionally, Perez commented that the number of young people who participate in Recreation Center classes/instructional activities has increased because of an increase in grant funds that are available to subsidize the cost of the activities (mainly from the San Diego Parks Foundation, which has “adopted” the LV Park and Recreation Center). This means that local young people can participate at minimal cost to their families’ pocketbook. At the same time, the various user group teams that use the park facilities for practice/games also pay user fees to the city, a percentage of which comes back to the Recreation Center budget.
If you haven’t already done so, I suggest you head on over to the Linda Vista Park and Recreation Center and see for yourself how your tax dollars have been invested to provide a valuable service to our community. In this day and age of complaining about the shortfalls of government and the misuse of taxpayers money, as well as complaints of sedentary kids spending too much of their time playing video games, you’ll find all this nighttime energy quite refreshing.
Linda Vistan in the Spotlight
Carrie Beinert Knows Her LV History
Today we feature a Linda Vista resident who has played an important role in documenting and promulgating the history of our community. Carrie Beinert has spent time researching local history and has succeeded in making sure the history of LV is shared with, and preserved, for younger generations. She played a crucial part in the establishment of the Eleanor Roosevelt plaque located at the Linda Vista Plaza Shopping Center, and in coordinating Linda Vista’s 75th anniversary program of activities held in 2016.
She was kind enough to answer the questions we had regarding her involvement with the community. Here is what she had to say:
How long have you lived in Linda Vista?
—I moved from Mission Hills to the North Rim Townhouse Condo Complex, Linda Vista in 1989 with my 10 year old son. I grew up in Paris and London where I attended school because my father was assigned as an attaché to the American Embassy in France and England. I returned in 1969 to attend Business College in Washington, D.C.
What is your job/profession?
—I worked for the Phone Company for 25 years; in San Francisco and San Diego and the Hilton Corporation by the Bay. I then took early retirement to return to College for my Aesthetician Diploma. I owned my own business “Carrie’s Day Spa” in Linda Vista for 15 years. Currently, retired.
What local volunteer organizations/roles have you belonged to/participated in while living here in Linda Vista?
—In 2003, I became a Board Member of the Linda Vista Community Development Corporation (LVCDC) where I spearheaded the rededication of the Linda Vista Shopping Center, one of the First Planned Shopping Centers in the U.S. dedicated in 1942 by first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. In 2013, I became the President of the LVCDC. In 2016, I helped to merge the LVCDC with the Linda Vista Town Council and became President in 2017. In 2009, I joined the Morena Business Association to help network my business.
What do you especially like about living in Linda Vista?
—Linda Vista is unique because of how Linda Vista was established due to the defense workers during World War II and the government housing provided to house them. See the “Welcome to Linda Vista” (located further down this post) which explains the history of Linda Vista and “Points and Places of Interest”.
What role did you play in getting the Eleanor Roosevelt plaque installed?
I researched the information, got the permission from the Shopping Center Property Management Company to place the plaque, and planned the dedication with the help of the LVCDC members.
What got you interested in researching Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to Linda Vista?
—I heard rumors about first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt coming to Linda Vista to visit the Shopping Center so found information at the San Diego Historical Society and interviewed long-time residents who were around during that time period.
What did you enjoy about coordinating Linda Vista’s 75th year anniversary celebration?
—Working with the 75th Board Members and community to coordinate the five events. It was a huge effort, but so much for Linda Vista was accomplished such as the “Historical Linda Vista Walking Tour” (mentioned in a previous post of this newsletter).
Are there other aspects of Linda Vista history that intrigue you so much that you would like to conduct some research on it, or have someone else research?
—There is the Pan Asian immigrants fleeing the Vietnam War who were residents of Linda Vista in the 70’s and 80’s that would be interesting to learn more about.
Do you have a favorite place (or places) to eat in Linda Vista?
—I like all the eateries because of the diversity. I frequent Sab-E-Lee’s and Peabody’s the most. I would like to see a “Taste of Linda Vista” event with the local eateries (about 5-6 restaurants) around the Linda Vista Shopping Plaza.
What positive changes would you like to see happen in Linda Vista in the next couple years?
—I would like to see a Linda Vista Historical Society. The Linda Vista Library has started a section with some information on the History of Linda Vista that could possibly expand.
Anything else you would like to say about yourself and/or Linda Vista to our readers?
—I am an Executive Board member of four National Heritage Organizations: United States Daughters of 1812, Colonial Dames of the XVIIth Century, Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Indian Wars. Another of my interest is being both a teacher and player of Traditional Chinese MahJongg. I also enjoy the adventure of travel.
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The Linda Vista Update wishes to thank Carrie Beinert for taking the time to answer our questions, and for all the contributions she has made to the Linda Vista community.
“WECOME TO LINDA VISTA” From Linda Vista’s 75th Anniversary Celebration in 2016 (as referenced in above article)
Linda Vista, affectionately called the “Heart of San Diego” by its residents, is a diverse community where more nationalities live than any other community in San Diego. Linda Vista was a “temporary suburb” born of World War II demands by the federal government building housing for the defense workers who were working in the aircraft plants and shipyards. At the time it was built, Linda Vista was the largest single defense housing project and the largest low-income housing development in the world with a projected occupancy of 13,000 people. To provide retail facilities for the influx of population, the government built one of the first planned shopping centers (the Linda Vista Shopping Center) in the United States and the only shopping center dedicated by the nation’s First Lady at the time, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt. Linda Vista was a model city made up of houses called “cracker box” houses with mostly 3,000 units remaining today along with the original building housing Skateworld. In 1954 the Federal Public Housing Administration (PHA) sold the houses for private ownership. History was made again in the 70’s and 80’s when Linda Vista became the home of Pan Asian immigrants fleeing the Vietnam War. Linda Vista continues to celebrate its ethnic pride each year with the Multi-Cultural Fair bringing Linda Vista’s melting pot to life.
LINDA VISTA POINTS & PLACES OF INTEREST:
- Linda Vista Shopping Center & Rededication Monument
- Linda Vista Library – Opened in 1942, rebuilt 1987 winning architectural awards (Rob Wellington Quigley, local architect)
- Skateworld – 1941 (original building) meeting place & storage for ammunition during World War II.
- Bayside Community Center – Began in 1932 in San Diego’s Little Italy and 1978 relocated to Linda Vista providing community social services.
- University of San Diego – Opened 1952 as College of Women, then 1954 College of Men, then in 1972 School of Law.
- San Diego Mesa College – Opened 1964
- Kearny Junior/Senior High School – Opened 1941 as Montgomery Middle School. Moved 1953 to current site on Linda Vista Road
- Linda Vista Elementary School – built for government housing project
- Kit Carson Elementary School - built for government housing project
- Chesterton School – built for government housing project
- Frances Parker High School – Founded in 1912 in San Diego, moved to Linda Vista in 1971.
- Morley Green
- Cracker Box Houses (between Fulton & Westinghouse Streets)
- Ethnic Markets and Restaurants
Bayside Publication Now Available for Purchase
Looking for ways to incorporate more greens into your daily diet? Curious regarding which vegetables to grow in your garden? Need some inspiration for the kitchen? Or are you just interested in supporting a worthy community organization? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to think seriously about purchasing a copy of the Tiny Gardens Recipe Book, a publication of Linda Vista’s Bayside Community Center.
The Tiny Gardens Recipe Book is a product of Bayside’s Tiny Gardens Program. As explained on the Bayside web site, this program “is a holistic and intergenerational approach that engages parents and kids to grow and learn together with hands-on gardening activities and healthy eating.” The program, which began in December of 2020, is a ten-month interactive program teaching and equipping residents to grow their own produce with minimum space. It involves providing “grow bags” to low-income families in Linda Vista who have school age children. The Bayside team then offers “monthly bilingual workshops to participating families to help them learn how to grow their own produce from seed through harvest based on San Diego’s year-long growing season.”
The Tiny Gardens program is coordinated by Bayside staff members Amy Zink and Tomasa Veladiaz.
The Tiny Gardens Recipe Book is the culmination of the program’s first cohort getting together via live and virtual meetings to discuss their gardens, harvests, and recipes. Each family picked their favorite recipe to be published in the book.
What has been produced is a 30-page bilingual book that includes 12 recipes, along with pictures of the participating families, and an explanation of the program’s goals. The recipes include various things to do with ingredients such as lettuce, kale, swiss chard, radishes, potatoes, and cilantro.
As explained by Bayside’s Director of Communications Adam Osorio, the Tiny Garden’s program is important because “it goes beyond simply providing food to residents, it actually teaches and equips families to address food insecurity themselves. Additionally, this program is important to communities like Linda Vista which is a Federally defined "food desert" and has a large tenant population with limited access to space for a traditional garden.”
The program’s second cohort began instruction this past December.
The book is available from the Bayside Community Center for a $15.00 donation. According to program coordinator Amy Zink, “If someone would like to purchase the book they will need to visit Bayside during our open hours to pick it up, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. They can pay via cash or check in person. If they would like to pay online using a credit card they can go to this link (which is the donate page on our website) scroll down to the right to make a one-time donation, then check the "make a comment " box, and add Tiny Gardens Recipe Book. They would have to then come to Bayside and pick up their copy if they paid via our donation page.”
Betty Tries Out the Tiny Gardens Recipe Book
In reviewing the Tiny Gardens Recipe Book, our carnivore sidekick and I debated what recipes we would give a try. The main ingredients of most of the recipes focused on the vegetables the community members were growing, so I thought that would fit in to my meatless type of cooking. I chose the “Swiss Chard with Potatoes” recipe. Although I had never tried making swiss chard, I vaguely remembered my mother using it in various ways when I was a child. My father had quite a vegetable garden, so I imagine that was one of his crops. I also did not know how hot a serrano pepper was since I am not big on spicy, so I asked someone knowledgeable and was told it was very spicy and I might want to try something different. I opted for red pepper flakes which allowed me to control the amount of heat. The only other change I made was to add a protein—a meatless Italian sausage with fennel and garlic.
It turned out very good and on the second tasting, I used it for breakfast and added eggs. This is something that was easy to make with ingredients your probably have on hand, and it is also very healthy.
Our carnivore sidekick opted for the Vegetable Stew and added chorizo (of course) as a protein.
He omitted the mushrooms as he doesn’t like them. He liked that it had eggs as he thinks everything is better with eggs in it. He said he enjoyed this, and commented that it was especially good with either tortillas or crusty bread.
We both thought this program was a great way to teach kids about vegetables and the health benefits of “farm ro table” even if your farm is tiny.
Hope you enjoy trying these recipes and feel free to improvise, depending what ingredients you have on hand.
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