Local Youngsters Perform A Tale as Old as Time
Plus: Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market, Local Community Leader Recognized, Taco Bomb Revisited, Kearny QB Recognized, Stray Cat Looking for Home, and Why We Should Look Forward to Next Year for Padres
You know what they say about not judging a book by its cover. That old adage proved so true this past Saturday night as the Linda Vista Theatre Arts Program held its preview night production of A Tale As Old As Time. During the two and a half hour play, the Linda Vista Recreation Center was transformed from what appears from the outside as an aging City facility to a fun, magical French setting, while the audience witnessed an ugly temperamental beast who ultimately shows what he is really like inside and then transforms back into a handsome prince able to capture the heart of Belle.
The members of the Linda Vista Theatre Arts program, local youth ranging in age from 8-17, do a magnificent job of making the play an entertaining interlude of great acting and singing. Kelsey Kruse plays the main character of Belle and performs admirably as the sincere, book loving girl who willingly sacrifices her freedom to save her father. Janine Perry is a scene stealer as the arrogant Gaston who thinks his good looks and obnoxious ways will charm Belle. Gina Everly is very humorous as Gaston’s sidekick, LeFou. Seslie La Fond displays a great emotional versatility playing the role of a brooding yet heroic, good hearted Beast. Leia Viray keeps the story going as French accented Lumiere. And Kole Cortez and his mighty head of white hair is effective as Maurice—Belle’s father.
In addition to the beautiful singing, audiences will enjoy all the snappy, witty dialogue, to include the many humorous comments related to contemporary pop culture that director K.J LeCense has interspersed throughout the script.
Scenes like the Wolf Chase and the Mob Song are imaginative and generate the right emotional tones.
Audiences will also be impressed by the costumes, the choreography, and the elaborate stage settings.
The production goes far in showing what a team of talented young people, dedicated City Recreation Department staff employees, and passionate adult volunteers can do to provide fun entertainment for the local community.
The Linda Vista Theatre Arts Program will stage three more presentations of A Story As Old As Time. Click here to read the flyer that provides details on show times/dates and how to make reservations. All three shows expect to be sold out soon.
Community Event Reminder
Come to the Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market
Spread the word. The Live Well on Wheels Bus will be at the Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market today Thursday October 12 to provide one-on-one assistance with EBT applications and Medi-Cal applications/renewals. In addition, Champions for Health will be there to provide free RSV and flu vaccines.
Community News
Linda Vista Community Leader Recognized
We first wrote about Tomasa Velediaz back in 2020 when we featured an article about Bayside Community Center’s First Sunday of the Month Cleanup event. And we later mentioned her in another article that told of her getting recognition from Councilmember Raul Campillo’s office for her participation in Bayside’s Urban Farming/Community Gardening Program efforts.
Since that time we have grown to know her as a valuable member of the board of directors for the Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market.
We were not surprised when we heard last week that she was recognized by the local organization Clean Linda Vista as their Empowered Leader of the Month for her contributions to the Linda Vista community.
Please read the below flyer to read details about Tomasa Velediaz’ recognition.
Revisiting Taco Bomb
We have lately received some feedback on our restaurant reviews—the feedback mainly revolving around prices. One reader wrote that when they received their check at a restaurant we reviewed a couple weeks ago, their bill for 2 was over $50.00. Another reader said that we should mention the prices of the meals so that they won’t be surprised. I have to say that current restaurant prices are shocking to me as well. Recently I saw a marquee outside a popular fast food chicken place that bragged about a bucket of 12 pieces for only $36.99. I never thought I would see a fast food place and a $36.99 price together. However, that is how it is these days. Prices have continued to climb. No more $5.99 grand slams, no more 2 for $5 fish sandwiches. And, there really is nothing we can do about it, other than start to mention the prices and be on the lookout for eateries where a bargain can still be had.
Which takes me back to an old favorite. When Super Bronco on Linda Vista Road was bought out, there was much sadness in the community. It was like an old friend had passed away. But a restaurant took its place, named Taco Bomb. We reviewed them shortly after they opened, and it’s been a while since we ate there. The Carnivore Sidekick happened to be visiting a couple days ago (in other words, looking for food) and mentioned that he still thought Taco Bomb (6725 Linda Vista Road) was the most inexpensive place to eat quality Mexican food, so we decided to revisit the place and see if his claim was true.
The night we went there, it was extremely busy and it seemed they had received many take-out orders, and only one person was behind the counter. They have a very extensive menu consisting of breakfast items, salads and bowls, a wide array of tacos, crispy tacos, burritos, quesadillas, combos, tortas, soups drinks and kids meals. Prices are in the $3.99 to $10.99 range with a few seafood entrees being more.
Steve ordered 3 crispy papas tacos which included potatoes, sour cream, lettuce, salsa fresca and cottage cheese. It looked very fresh and he liked it very much. It was a very reasonable $7.99.
I ordered the cheese quesadilla, which proved to be humongous. It included three large cheese filled quesadillas and I found I could only eat one. I gave one to Carnivore and one is still in my frig. It was $6.99. It was very good and very filling, and you can’t beat the price.
The Carnivore Sidekick, of course, looked for a more expensive menu item and found it—a San Felipe burrito which included grilled chicken, shrimp, bacon, cheese and secret sauce. It also included fries, but he asked for his without. It was priced at $11.29. The Carnivore declared his burrito “awesome”, and further claimed it to be his favorite Taco Bomb menu item His favorite part of the burrito was the amount of crispy bacon that it contains. It was very large and filling, he said, but he did manage to eat the whole thing. It was truly one of the fattest burritos I every saw.
As it turns out, for about $27.00 the three of us ate one meal with enough leftovers for another, so maybe not so bad. Perhaps it is time for you to revisit Taco Bomb. Our suggestion would be to look up the menu and order on line. Service was slow because of all the back orders they were filling, however, everything was very good and very affordable.
Local sports
Kearny’s QB Recognized by SD Union-Tribune
The San Diego Union Tribune recognizes six top high school athletes each week. This Monday, the newspaper recognized Kearny High’s quarterback Brodie Stump as one of the county’s top six. The talented QB’s recognition came from his outstanding performance during this past Friday’s home game against Clairemont High School. According to the Union Tribune, “The Komets’ junior quarterback completed 39 of 62 passes for 448 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-17 victory over Clairemont. The 39 completions are tied for second all time in (CIF) San Diego Section history.”
We applaud Brodie Stump’s recognition, as well as the performance of the entire Komets’ football team. The Komets possess a 5-2 record, and play their next game this Friday October 13 at 7:00 pm when the team pays a visit to the San Diego High Cavers.
This newsletter has previously written about the prolific passing exploits of Stump and the outstanding performances of the Kearny High Komets football team. You can read a past article here.
Stray Cat Saga Continues
We have recently been advertising about the need for someone to provide a home for the gray cat shown above. He has been hanging out at a condo complex in Mission Valley. He is described as being a friendly male neutered cat. Since our last article about him, the cat has been taken to the vet for a check-up. The vet gave him a clean bill of health and estimated he is about 2-3 years old. The cat also received a FVRCP vaccine and has an appointment to receive a booster in a couple weeks.
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, he also comes with his own poem, which you can read here. If you adopt this cat, you can brag to people that your pet is the most metaphorical one in the neighborhood.
So far, a couple of our readers have inquired about this friendly cat, but no takers yet.
We repeat…ONE VERY HEALTHY, FRIENDLY CAT LOOKING FOR A NICE HOME!
Let us know if you or anyone you know has any questions about him. We can also arrange a meet and greet.
Commentary
Looking Forward to the Padres’ Next Season
Padres fans are so disappointed by what turned out to be a deeply frustrating baseball season. We all know a ton of money was spent by Padres management in the hopes of putting together a line-up that could not be beat—one that everyone thought would lead to a trip to the World Series. Instead, the Padres season turned out to be a soul crushing dud. Here we are in October and the highly paid Padres team is not involved in the playoffs. How sad.
Does this mean we should give up hope for next season? Absolutely not. Baseball is all about looking forward to the next season. We have to believe that the 2024 season will be an exciting one.
What? You don’t believe me? You think my positive attitude is unrealistic and maybe even childishly naive? And on top of that you are now totally fed up with the Padres and don’t care to hear anymore about them?
I say “Cheer up, Linda Vista residents, for tomorrow is another day.” I am hoping all you LV Update readers can remain optimistic about the Padres prospects for next year ,and to help you do so, I have provided below the Top 10 Reasons Linda Vista Padres fans should maintain an optimistic perspective and look forward to next year’s baseball season. I hope the list brightens up your outlook for the future:
The Chicago Cubs took 108 years before winning their first World Series in 2016—when you think about it, should the Padres go all the way next year a mere 55 years is a relatively short period of time to wait.
There is always a chance that next season Taylor Swift will take a liking to one of the Padres’ players and she will then show up at Padres games, thus making games more interesting.
Ha-Seong Kim may have an even better season next year, and that would make for a very exciting time.
During this off-season, one of the Nobel Prize winning science professors on the UCSD faculty staff may finally find a way to exorcise the infamous San Diego Sports Curse.
Next year provides another opportunity to add to your Padres bobblehead collection. If Reason # 2 comes true, there could be a Taylor Swift bobblehead in your future.
There’s always a chance the Dodgers will have a bad season….and maybe the Diamondbacks, Giants, and Rockies too.
Many experts believe the Padres are just one more overpaid, under-performing superstar player away from going to the World Series.
We have another year to identify which Padre should be on Linda Vista’s official Padres mural, which I hope will eventually be painted on an as-yet-to-be determined Linda Vista wall.
In the Multiverse, the Padres have won several World Series’ and continue to be the dominant powerhouse in Major League Baseball.
We San Diegans always claim to enjoy being fans of a scrappy, low budget, lovable underdog team. Okay, so maybe this year’s Padres were not that scrappy….and certainly not low budget at all…and come to think of it, the way they played this season could be described more as “excruciatingly painful” than “lovable”, but I do think it is safe to say San Diego Padres teams will continue to play the role of underdog for the foreseeable future.
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When is the next Town Council Meeting??
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