USD and Kearny High Team Up to Support Students
Plus: Celebrating Nation Chocolate Milkshake Day, New Strip Mall Names, Jiu Jitsu Instruction Reminder, and Upcoming Community Events
It’s the start of a new school year, and a perfect time to highlight a great educational program that involves the University of San Diego assisting local Kearny High students. The program is one every Linda Vista resident should know about because it can be so life-changing for the youth of our community.
In previous posts we have featured interesting stories about the ongoing positive relationship between the Linda Vista community and the University of San Diego (USD). As any local already knows, there are many economic, educational, and cultural benefits associated with this relationship. Linda Vista residents of all ages reap these benefits. However, we were recently introduced to a program that best exemplifies the dividends enjoyed by Linda Vista area youth as a result of this relationship. The university’s TRIO Upward Bound Program—a program that has been in existence at USD since 1998—continues to provide a sophisticated level of assistance specifically for Kearny High students planning to attend college. According to the program’s web site, “The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.”
According to the program’s director Sou Fang, the program “provides free pre-college services to first generation college eligible and low- income students at Kearny High School.” The primary component of the program involves students being invited to attend a five-week summer session in which they live on the USD campus; during this time, “they engage in college prep courses, cultural activities, and professional development workshops.”
As pointed out by Fang, “This past summer, we welcomed 47 local Kearny High School students to live on campus at USD.” These students participated in a number of activities/workshops that included lab science classes, college research presentations, an introduction to imaging software and technologies to use as design tools, a public speaking workshop, an introduction to bookbinding and letterpress printing, and an introduction to entrepreneurship.
As explained by the program’s web site, “The summer residential component provides a safe, trusting learning environment that stresses a holistic concern for the social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being of the student. It also provides opportunities for individual and group empowerment as well as academic accomplishment.”
During the school year, the program also involves tutoring, arranged and facilitated campus visits, academic, financial and personal counseling, and assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications.
Melissa Vargas, a Kearny High senior who participated in this summer’s program at USD had this to say about the program. “I love being a part of Upward Bound. I've been in the program since freshman year and I've had several family members in the program as well. It truly is not only an amazing resource to prepare for college, but it feels like a family. From living in the dorms to monthly community meetings, UB has been able to impact my life academically and socially!”
Another Kearny High senior, Kathy Hyunh said, “I love participating in the program! I have met many wonderful people and I have gained a great support system. While in the program, I learned how to prepare for college; specifically, I learned about writing personal statements, financial aid, etc.. As of right now, I am planning to attend UCSD, UCLA, or UC Berkeley.
This USD program is one of over 900 Upward Bound programs throughout the country that assist high schools students in fulfilling their dream of going to college. The program at USD started in1998 when Dr. Cynthia Villis, at the time an associate provost, submitted a proposal to the Department of Education’s Office of Post-Secondary Education.
The USD Upward Bound program is funded by the Department of Education through a competitive grant competition every four years.
The program’s strong local roots are reinforced by the fact that the director happens to be Sou Fang, a Linda Vista native and Kearny High graduate, as well as a University of San Diego graduate. After living for five years in New York, he returned to the area in 2020 to head the university’s TRIO Upward Bound program.
We wish success to the 13 Kearny High seniors participating in USD’s TRIO Upward Bound program who will pursue their college admissions quest this school year!
Ed. Notes: The term TRIO represents the original three Federal programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services) that made up the U.S. government’s educational outreach programs.
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Nicole Phakdy, our Kearny High reporter, contributed to writing this article.
How Will You Celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day?
In case the date is not already circled on your calendar, the Linda Vista Update is proud to remind you that Sunday September 12 happens to be National Chocolate Milkshake Day. Based on what’s been happening recently, such a joyous day cannot come soon enough for us. After being subjected to a string of bad news that includes the COVID Delta Variant, the effects of climate change, inflationary price pressures, Afghanistan, and the decline of the Padres, we are definitely in need of an excuse to partake in some celebration. And what better way to celebrate than to indulge in consuming a chocolate milkshake? In case you haven’t decided where to go on Sunday for your chocolate milkshake, don’t worry. Residents of Linda Vista have quite a few chocolate milkshake options available in the area, and we have listed them out below.
In order to fully appreciate National Chocolate Milkshake Day, however, it helps to be aware of the following bits of knowledge we collected off the internet.
· It’s believed that milkshakes originated from eggnog in medieval England.
· The term milkshake first appeared in print in 1885.
· In the 1880’s, a milkshake referred to an alcoholic beverage described as “a sturdy, healthful, eggnog type of drink, blended with eggs, whiskey, and other ingredients”. By 1900, pharmacies added chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla syrup to this wholesome drink.
· In 1910, Hamilton Beach introduced the Cyclone Drink Mixer, an electric blender that became a prevalent machine used at public businesses. With the invention of the blender, milkshakes began to take their modern, whipped, aerated, and frothy form.
· By the 1920s and 1930s, milkshakes became a popular drink at malt shops everywhere.
· Milkshakes are a nostalgic reminder of our country’s innocence and a symbol of America’s past, back when getting a milkshake and fries was the perfect date and drive-in movies were all the rage.
· In 1994, Vincent Vega bought Mia Wallace a $5.00 milkshake in the movie Pulp Fiction ($5.00 was a lot of money back then).
· People are torn between describing a milkshake as a drink or a dessert.
In anticipation of National Chocolate Milkshake Day, we paid a visit to Shake Shack in Mission Valley. We tested out a chocolate milkshake topped with whipped cream (strictly as part of our journalistic duty). We found the milkshake to be creamy, refreshing, very ice creamy, chocolaty, filling, and flavorful. The price was reasonable for the value—$5.75. We later found out the Shake Shack milkshake has 680 calories, which led us to work out in the gym the entire next morning, but such is the price one must pay for an exceptional taste treat.
If you are not sure where you will go this year to celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day, here is a list of local milkshake hot spots guaranteed to satisfy your hunger, complete with a calorie count for each of their respective chocolate milkshakes:
Location/Calorie Count
Jack in the Box 920
McDonalds 530
Sonic 900
In-N-Out Burger 590
Wendy’s 590
Chick-fil-A 590
Burger King 762
Carl’s Jr. 690
If, for some reason, you cannot celebrate National Chocolate Milkshake Day this year, there’s no need to worry. You’ll just have to show some patience. National Vanilla Milkshake Day is June 20, 2022!
Commentary
Rebranding in Linda Vista
When a longtime Linda Vista resident recently asked me where to find the best Pad Thai noodles, I responded, “That’s easy. Go to J & T Thai Street Food. It’s located over in the Ford Trolley Plaza.”
She responded by saying “Where in the heck is the Ford Trolley Plaza?”
I answered, “It’s the plaza located next to the corner of Napa and Linda Vista Road.”
“Oh,” she replied. “You mean the strip mall where Ballast Point Home Brewing is located?”
“No. Not quite.” I said. “Actually, Ballast Point is located in the adjacent Presidio Plaza.”
She looked at me mystified, confused by the mention of these two plaza designations, as if she were a tourist in her own community. “Wow. The Presidio! And Ford Trolley Plaza! All these fancy-shmancy new strip mall names,” she finally replied. “I guess that area of Linda Vista is moving up in the world.”
And that’s when it hit me. A great idea to improve the attractiveness of downtown Linda Vista, an area in need of some revitalization!!
I believe a strip mall or other prominent location assigned a brand-new name and displayed on an attractive monument might just be what is needed to revitalize a couple street corners located in the heart of Linda Vista’s business area.
Let me explain.
Everyone has noticed the changes occurring lately in the Linda Vista area. There have been a number of new business establishments opening up in recent months. Different storefront signs dot the local landscape. In fact, some of these new businesses have been featured in this newsletter. What is equally significant involves the new names of the shopping centers/strip malls housing these new businesses. It appears major efforts have been made to brand these plazas and squares with names designed to project new, refreshing, motifs capable of appealing to customers. In addition to the aforementioned Ford Trolley and Presidio Plazas, we also have the newly branded Las Cumbres Square at the corner of Via Las Cumbres and Friars Road. And near Kearny High School, for example, we have the Linda Mesa Center.
As evidenced in the first part of this article, it may take a while for some of these names to catch on with the public—after all, change can be difficult for some people. However, I assume the owners of these shopping centers/strip malls are thinking long term, hoping customers will eventually come to refer to these names as reliable, recognizable local landmarks, and that over time the names will be accepted as part of Linda Vista’s everyday lexicon and geography.
Thinking along these lines, I recommend this strategy be employed for the Linda Vista downtown business area. There are a couple corners that would use some fancy-schmancy rebranding. For example, the small strip mall at the corner of Ulric and Linda Vista Road—the one that houses Linda Liquor and Sushi Yorimichi restaurant--currently has a monument but lacks a name (as well as an awning to replace the old blue one). Here are four possible branding options that I propose:
--Ulric Old Town Square
--Rush Hour Traffic Observation Point Plaza
--Sushi and Sundry Centre
--Lucky Lotto Ticket Marketplace
The other location is at the corner of Comstock and Linda Vista Road, across the street from the fire station. There is no business currently located here—it is instead inhabited by a mysterious collection of giant pots—but in the spirit of that “Field of Dreams” movie quote “Build it, and they will come” I suggest a new name displayed on an attractive monument. Such an improvement will not only upgrade the appearance of this busy intersection, but in some cosmic, magical way, might also lead to a business eventually being built in that long vacant lot. Here are my name suggestions:
--Potted Plant Square
--Skateworld Annex Centre
--Big Pots Vista Corner
--Place a Starbucks Here Plaza
Granted, it may take some time for these names to catch on, but if we adopt the names and build the monuments, then maybe in ten or twenty years, when someone says, “I’ll meet you for sushi at the restaurant located at Rush Hour Traffic Observation Point Plaza,” you’ll know exactly where to go.
Reminder: New Programs of Instruction at Casper Jiu Jitsu Academy Begin Soon
The Casper Jiu Jitsu Academy, located at 6913 Linda Vista Road (adjacent to Skateworld), will soon offer two new programs of instruction.
First, the Academy is starting a program for youngsters (ages 8-15). The program of instruction begins on September 13. As explained by Academy instructor Ashley Rodriguez, “We are starting our kids class and would love to have as many kids as possible and share the love of Jiu Jitsu and martial arts in general.” Please see the poster below for more details.
Second, the Academy will also begin a Women’s Only program of instruction beginning September 17. According to Rodriguez, “It’s going to be free for everyone for the rest of the year.” Please see the poster below for more details on this great opportunity.
Upcoming Community Events
—University of San Diego Football: The Toreros take on UC Davis in what promises to be a tough contest this Saturday September 11 at 1:00pm.
—Community Clean-Up: The next Bayside Community Center Community Clean-Up will be held at 10:00 on September 12. Volunteers meet in the Linda Vista library parking lot. If possible, let Bayside know in advance that you plan on volunteering for this task so that they can have supplies ready.
—Kearny High Varsity Football: The Kearny Komets pay a visit to Montgomery High School in the South Bay this Friday September 10 at 7:00pm. They play their next home game on Friday September 17.
—Francis Parker Varsity Football: The Lancers take on Orange Glen High School in their next home game on Friday September 17 at 7:00pm.
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