New Cafe and Bakery Opens at Civita
Plus: LV News Briefs, Miles Noel is Important Community POC, Celebrating National Walk to a Park Day, Upcoming Trunk or Treat Event, and Successful Volunteer Community Clean-Up
It seems like I can’t get off the French kick that started a few weeks ago with our visit to Mimi’s Café in Mission Valley. We recently read that a new bakery was opening in Civita and we were anxious to try it. It is called La Clochette and they had their grand opening last Saturday. They also have a location in Pacific Beach.
Their location in Civita (at 7995 Civita Boulevard) is very convenient, directly across from the park. It offers inside and outside seating with striped umbrellas reminiscent of a café in Paris.
We went over for lunch, but I would imagine breakfast would be wonderful with the smell of fresh baked croissants and other pastries filling the air. They have a display case filled with croissants, both almond and plain, cinnamon buns, and other more delectable looking items. They are open for breakfast and brunch. Their menu includes salads, bowls and croissant sandwiches. Their menu board features all the different coffee drinks and other beverages they serve.
We opted for a Pesto Croissant which included scrambled eggs, house made almond pesto, burrata cheese, arugula and champagne vinaigrette. Besides this item, they had a few other vegetarian options, as well as meat and shrimp, including salads and power breakfast bowls. I also ordered a cappuccino with almond milk.
The café features counter service and the staff were very friendly and efficient. We decided to sit inside. The café has a very friendly vibe and of course since it is new, it is very pristine looking. A number of diners extolled the taste of some of the items in the display case, and seemed to be enjoying themselves.
The croissant sandwich was very delicious. The croissant was so flaky. We shared it because we also wanted to try one of the pastries. As it was, we had to take that home because even the half sandwich was filling. We really like pesto and I had never had almond pesto and we enjoyed it. Steve thought the arugula added to the taste.
We split an almond croissant and had it with our nightly tea, and it was truly one of the best almond croissants I ever had.
Parking is available both in front and around the back. Prices are about the same as other like establishments.
So if you need a French fix, try La Clochette. I think you will like it and it is always fun to drive around Civita and admire what it has become. Very beautiful parks and homes of every kind.
LV News Briefs
—Drop Off Your Ballot: Registered voters can return their mail ballot for the November Presidential General Election to any one of 150 official ballot drop boxes located around the county. The Linda Vista ballot box is located in front of the Linda Vista Library at 2160 Ulric Street. The Registrar’s official ballot drop boxes are red, white and blue and feature the Registrar’s logo along with the County seal. All boxes are labeled “Official Ballot Drop Box” and made from high grade, heavy gauge stainless steel. Each official ballot drop box is designed to prevent physical damage and unauthorized access to mail ballots. The boxes feature double-locking access doors, anti-pry door jambs and other anti-theft construction measures. The Registrar’s ballot retrieval team is responsible for collecting ballots inside the box.
—Linda Vista Town Council Monthly Meeting: The Linda Vista Town Council will hold its October general meeting on Wednesday October 16 at the Bahai Center (6545 Alcala Knolls Drive). The guest speaker will be Elaine Martel, a Design Researcher with over 20 years of experience. The public is invited to attend.
—LV Community Garden: If you are curious about what is going on at the new Linda Vista Community Garden, you can take advantage of the garden’s volunteer/visiting hours that are held each Monday (4:00 pm to dusk) and Wednesday (9:30 am to 12:30 pm). Additionally, Seed Starting Classes are held the third Friday of each month (12:30 pm to 1:30 pm) at Bayside Community Center.
—SDPD Volunteer Opportunity: Looking for a way to be involved and make a difference in your community? Perhaps joining the San Diego Police Department’s Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP) is what you are looking for. The commitment is not overwhelming and can provide a sense of purpose to your day. SDPD Community Relations Police Officer David Surwillo posted the following video link so you can see if this is something which might interest you https://www.instagram.com/joinsdpdnow/reel/DArRODtO2ch/
Spotlight on District 7 Staff Member
Miles Noel Helps Out LV Residents
District 7 City Councilmember Raul Campillo has effectively served our Linda Vista community during these past four years. In fact, he is running unopposed in this year’s election and will continue to serve us in the future. He has appeared often at events in Linda Vista and adjacent areas in District 7, and he has made himself readily available to his constituents to listen and help solve different kinds of problems/issues. However, even if you haven’t worked directly with the Councilmember, you may have worked with his Community Representative for the Linda Vista area— Miles Noel. In his role working for Councilmember Campillo, he regularly attends meetings of the Linda Vista Planning Group, the Linda Vista Town Council, and the Linda Vista Recreation Advisory Council. As Community Representative, Miles takes care on a daily basis of many of the problems/issues referred to the Councilmember by local residents. Miles addresses them at the nitty gritty level. He provides valuable City-related information to Linda Vista residents and serves as a problem solver. In doing so, he is capable of maneuvering through the confusing City bureaucracy to provide local residents with a quick, timely response. This makes him a very valuable person for community members to know.
We first interviewed Miles almost two years ago when he first took over the job of Community Representative for Councilmember Campillo’s office, but since that time we have taken on many new readers. Accordingly, we thought it was time to reintroduce Miles to LV Update readers so more people know about how he serves as a valuable Linda Vista asset. He agreed to meet with us this week and answer some of our questions. Here is what he had to say:
—What have you found most enjoyable about your job?
Being able to learn so much, helping people in the community, and getting into the weeds of things when addressing community concerns.
—What are some of the types of common/frequent problems or issues that District 7 residents have brought to your attention?
Some of the common issues have included the homeless situation, fire prevention issues and brush abatement along Tecolote Canyon, and water bills not being mailed on a regular basis which causes water bill amounts to accumulate for customers.
—What is one thing that has surprised you while working in your job?
I am surprised at how nice people are in the community. They are all very appreciative as long as you are willing to listen to their concerns.
—Any particular situation, problem or issue that you helped to resolve that gave you special satisfaction.
While working with the Serra Mesa Planning Group, I was made aware of a decade- long problem with a particular business’s waste products causing flooding at a nearby intersection. I kept after it and was able to help have the City redirect the waste and storm water away from the street. As a result there is no longer a problem with flooding at the intersection.
—Any particular advice that you want to give Linda Vista residents that might prove beneficial to them?
Use the City’s Get It Done app to report things. It may seem to some people that things don’t get done on Get It Done, but they really do. You just have to follow the steps. Also, educate yourself about the City; be aware that things are happening whether you feel you are part of the process or not.
—What college did you attend. What was your prior work experience in government/politics?
I graduated from San Diego State University. I previously worked as an intern in Congresswoman Sara Jacobs’ office, and I worked on her campaign.
—Complete this sentence. When you are not working, people will find you doing…?
I like to go to the gym, and I like reading. I also like hiking, watching ice hockey games, and playing video games.
—What do you enjoy about working in the Linda Vista area, or with Linda Vista people?
They are really nice, and they are always willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. I also enjoy all the multi-cultural aspects of the community.
—If people want to communicate with you what is your email address?
They can reach me at MNoel@sandiego.gov
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The Linda Vista Update wishes to thank Miles Noel for taking the time to meet with us and answer our questions.
Celebrating National Walk to a Park Day
Just a few days ago I read an interesting article about a man living in Washington DC who has established a goal of walking through all of the more than 700 parks located in our nation’s capital. As a big fan of parks, I immediately became enthralled with the idea of doing the same.
I went and told Betty about my grand ambition, and she responded by asking “Will this require us to move back to Washington D.C.? And how many days will you need to walk through all these parks?”
I told her my idea was not THAT grand. What I actually envisioned was walking through all the parks right here in our community of Linda Vista. And I planned to do it all in one day, walking from one park to another, zig zagging throughout Linda Vista to cover all 8 of our beautiful parks. I thought doing so would be a great way to celebrate National Walk to a Park Day, which is observed this year on October 10 (that’s today). According to the National Walk to a Park Day website, this day is “an opportunity to explore local parks, enjoy the outdoors, and appreciate the benefits of green spaces.”
She cautioned me that perhaps I might not be in shape to walk that long a distance. I cavalierly dismissed this caution by reminding her that in my Marine Corps days I had once hiked 38 miles in one day. She then reminded me that I did so 38 years ago, shockingly inferring that perhaps I had aged physically during that time.
Nevertheless, I committed to pursuing this quest, so earlier this week I got up bright and early and commenced my epic walk by first heading from my house in Fashion Hills and climbing up Linbrook Drive to Mission Heights Neighborhood Park. We first wrote about this serene oasis back in 2021, describing it as a Linda Vista gem. It’s a great place to go in the middle of the day for rest and relaxation, or to have lunch.
All was quiet there that morning, and so I quickly cut through the park and headed north about 1 1/2 miles to Linda Vista Neighborhood Park and Recreation Center, located at 7064 Levant Street. We have written extensively about all the events that regularly occur at this park throughout the year—a park that also includes the Linda Vista Skateboard Park. It is a fantastic community asset that is heavily used by local residents and visitors. The park has been plagued by homeless people residing at the park pavilion and other areas, but I didn’t see anything like that on this morning. As I walked through the park I also passed by the new Linda Vista Community Garden and marveled at all the growing plants.
From there I walked about a half-mile to the Joint Use Park at Montgomery Middle School. Since it was early in the morning, I couldn’t walk in the park—the gates are closed to the public during school hours—but I assure you it is a convenient park for exercise as it includes a dirt track for walking/jogging and a grass field for things like kicking a soccer ball or throwing a frisbee.
From there, I walked through the narrow confines of John Baca Park which lines Linda Vista Road in downtown Linda Vista (this is a park that the City plans to renovate, once they find the money to do do so), and then headed down Kelly Street for Kelly Street Neighborhood Park—a small park that has received quite a bit of criticism for its antiquated condition and questionable safety. We once published a poem about this park. The City has plans to improve this park as well (of course, city officials just need to find a few million dollars for that kind of improvement, and I’m not sure if that will happen in our lifetimes). On this morning the park looked quite eerie with all the fog rolling up from Tecolote Canyon. We once wrote (not too long ago) about a clean-up effort conducted at this park. Unfortunately, it was sad to see the park restroom walls once again covered in graffiti.
I wrapped up my LV park trek by heading back south to skirt by the Carson Elementary Joint Use Park (closed to the public during school hours), and then continued down Linda Vista Road to walk through Edward J. Cramer Park, the LV area’s newest park which is located across the street from the University of San Diego and next to the Pacific Heights apartment complex. This a park that you must walk to since there is no parking lot there. I then turned left at Colusa Street to reach Friars Road and finish up my walk at Silver Terrace Park—the small, little known park located across the street from the Mission Valley Y.
I felt proud after completing my walk. I had covered a distance of 6.27 miles. My feet barely hurt. However, when Betty came to pick me up, she asked…”What about Tecolote Canyon Natural Park? Don’t you have to walk there too in order to finish your epic quest?” Suddenly, my feet began to ache in much greater fashion. Fortunately, I was able to rely on a legitimate technicality and tell her that Tecolote Canyon Natural Park falls into the Open Space park category of San Diego City parks, and is not under the supervision of the Community Parks Division, and furthermore does not fall under the purview of the Linda Vista Recreation Advisory Council.
I think she bought my rationale, and subsequently drove me home. My feet were very grateful. And after this experience, I had a better appreciation for the parks in Linda Vista, and how they are conveniently spread out in the community while still close enough individually to walk for LV residents.
I hope everyone enjoys a nice National Walk to a Park Day. I suggest you pick one of the parks mentioned above and pay a visit in the next few days. You don’t have to visit them all at one time. See you next time at one of our beautiful parks.
Upcoming Community Event
Community Clean-Up Conducted
We congratulate all the volunteers who showed up this past Sunday morning to assist in a Clean-Up of Linda Vista. The Clean-Up was sponsored by the Bayside Community Center, in partnership with the County of San Diego Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities, Jewish Family Services, the Linda Vista Resident Leadership Academy, and California Clean Air Day. Representatives from San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency were also in attendance to distribute informational material. This month’s Clean-Up event celebrated California Clean Air Day, which was held on October 2.
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