Top 10 New Year Resolutions For 2009

New Years Eve is right around the corner which for most of us means trying to stay up until midnight to have our annual champagne toast, and ringing in the new year with a select group of family and friends. I usually try to stay away from making new year’s resolutions, since I rarely accomplish any of them. This year, I will try a different approach. Set easily obtainable goals, and feel the sense of accomplishment. Here are my top 10 goals or resolutions for 2009:

1. Try to wake up each day before noon. I would like to say I will rise with the sun, and head off to the gym to workout. Let’s be serious with ourselves, at best that will last a week or two. I will try anyway, and keep you all up to date with my progress.

2. Try to switch my over-consumption of soft drinks to water. They say you should drink 8 glasses of water each day for good health. I have more than that amount of Dr.Pepper, Snapple, Iced Teas, and other soft drinks on a daily basis. Empty calories, cut them out. Sorry 7-11 and AM/PM, you will have to find another sucker to increase your sales.

3. Limit fast food trips to twice a week. I spend a lot of time and money eating out, and my midsection is paying the price. By eating at home more often, I will eat better and save money in the process. I must still allow myself a few treats now and then, so two trips to Extreme Pita will keep me happy each week.

4. Spend more time volunteering, and less time complaining. Action speaks louder than words, and I know that when you give back to your community you feel a whole lot better than just complaining about what is wrong with it. If you need ideas, go to the Mira Mesa HEROES website to lend a hand.

5. Be a better person. Yes, this is very vague and hard to measure. I will try to be a little more understanding, patient, polite, and helpful to others. I have a 5 year old son, and I want to be a good example for him to follow. Being a better Father, Husband, and Friend is a great goal to have. You may have to ask my Son, Wife, and Friends in December if I have reached this one.

6. Try not to swear as much. I wouldn’t say I have a potty mouth, but it can easily slip from time to time. Now that my son knows the good words from the bad ones, I would rather not have him repeat the bad ones from me. One of my favorite sayings is “When the child curses, slap the parents”.

7. Set a budget and keep to it. I can’t blame anyone else for my economic situation. I was raised on the principle of if you want something bad enough, you will save for it. There is a difference between wants and needs. I have a whole garage full of wants, and now I need them to go to someone else’s house. If only I had used the K.I.S.S. method – Keep It Simple Stupid.

8. Make someone smile or laugh every day. I feel like I was put on Earth to make other people happy, and when I make someone smile it makes me happy. When you smile, it becomes contageous.

9. Read more and watch T.V. less. I have a bad habit of plopping down in front of the T.V. and not getting up until I am too tired to do anything else. There are so many better things to do with my time, and I still want to keep my mind sharp as I get older.

10. Actually go into the gym and work out. I have had a couple of times when I drove to the gym, then talked myself out of working out and went for breakfast instead. I pay monthly to keep in shape, and I convince myself daily that fat people are jolly and it is a better way to be. If you see me at 24 hour fitness in January, say Hi and give me encouragement to keep coming back.

I wouldn’t recommend 10 resolutions to anyone, but since this is my favorite thing to do each week
writing my Top 10 lists, I feel I should give it a go. Peace be with you all, and Happy New Year Mira Mesa!

Mira Mesa Calendar for Events, Meetings, & Holidays

Use MiraMesa.com’s newly updated Calendar to keep you current on Meetings for Mira Mesa Groups. We have put together a calendar with all the major groups that meet in Mira Mesa on a regular basis. Rather than rely on several different websites to locate your next meeting, we will post the critical information on one easy to read monthly calendar. Mira Mesa’s Chamber of Commerce, Community Planning Group, Recreation Council, and Town Council meetings can all be found there, with direct links to each website for more information. Make MiraMesa.Com your front page and utilize the monthly Community Calendar to keep you up to date and connected! We have also included most Religious Holidays, Federal Holidays, and other dates to remember.

If you have an organization that meets on a monthly basis, send us your information and we can list it on our monthly calendar. Help us to keep Mira Mesa Residents and Businesses informed, and build your group in the process. Contact Mark Smith with your group name and information.

Mira Mesa Fire Station 41 Open House Event

The Open House at Fire Station 41 was a blast! The Firefighters at our local fire station opened their freshly painted doors to Mira Mesa Residents Saturday afternoon. We were treated to pizza from New York Giant Pizza, and tasty Indian Cuisine from Ashoka The Great, compliments of Mike Davis and the wonderful volunteers from Mira Mesa HEROES. The fire trucks were open for all to see, and we even got to tour the station, which was a hit with the kids.

As the event was just getting started, there was a call to action and our hosts had to leave to put out a car fire. They quickly returned and the party resumed. It was an unexpected treat for my son and I to see the Firefighters in action. A fun time was had by all, and many thank-yous were exchanged on both sides – we were greatful for their hard work keeping our community safe, and they were thankful that HEROES sponsored the painting of their fire station. It is a great feeling of giving back to our community. I would recommend volunteering as much as you can.

To volunteer for future events, go to the Mira Mesa HEROES website or look for details here at Mira Mesa.Com.

Tet Festival 2009, Year of the Ox comes to Mira Mesa

The Vietnamese Federation of San Diego proudly presents Tet Festival 2009, Year of the Ox, at the Mira Mesa Community Park and Library on January 17&18, 2009. The Vietnamese Federation of San Diego (VFSD) since 1985 has successfully hosted the Tet Festival, the Lunar New Year Celebration in San Diego, which is the single most-celebrated event in which people welcome the new year with jubilee, prayers, once-a-year cultural shows, entertainment, and special foods. This year, Tet Festival will be held at Mira Mesa Community Park for the first time, in the heart of the most vibrant and prosperous Asian Pacific community in San Diego County that is home to Vietnamese, Filipinos, Chinese and Koreans.

The Tet Festival will feature a variety of live entertainment such as Asian-themed dancers and drummers, traditional and contemporary musicians, martial artists, magicians, sport tournaments, Chinese chess tournament, Vietnamese traditional dress (áo dài) fashion show, art and floral exhibits, dancing contest, Asian-Pacific dance troupes, and delicious Vietnamese and Asian cuisine.  Magnificent lion and dragon dance performances, by various organizations, will take place at the beginning and end and throughout the festival.

Event Date and Times:
Saturday January 17    10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday   January 18    10 a.m. -   6 p.m.

For more information, to be a volunteer, or to become a sponsor, visit the San Diego Tet Festival 2009 website.

Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Ashoka The Great

The Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer will be Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 at Ashoka The Great Restaurant from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. All members are welcome to attend this casual end of year event, and try some of Mira Mesa’s finest Indian Cuisine and network with other Chamber members as we share the Holiday spirit and look forward to a new year. There will not be any speakers or presentations at this mixer.

We will change the format of our meetings to meet the requests from our members to have fewer speakers and more networking. As always, this is your chamber and the board members need your feedback to help us grow into a desirable yet necessary tool to help promote Mira Mesa Businesses. Spread the word, and feel free to invite your fellow business members to this and future Chamber events.

One of our Chamber members, Ashoka The Great,  will offer their dinner buffet to our group at a special rate of $15 per person including beverage and gratuity, so please plan on dining with us. Beer and wine also available for those in attendance not participating in the buffet. Ashoka The Great is located at 9474 Black Mountain Road, near Miramar Road. I hope to see you all there.

Top 10 Holiday TV Specials of All Time

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The neighborhoods are mostly full of holiday lights, large inflatable characters, and those cool looking 5 foot tall snow globes in the front yard. Time to invite your friends over for a night of mirth and merriment (whatever that means) and plop the kids in front of the television to watch the classic holiday shows. Here are my top 10 favorite holiday shows with explanations:

1.A Christmas Story (1983) – “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”  Peter Billingsley as Ralphie made this my all time favorite movie. Although it is rated PG, it is perfect for your teens and older. Laughs all throughout the movie.

2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) – This is the most beloved of all the Bass – Rankin holiday movies.  This came out the year before I was born, but the Abominable Snow Man still scares me every time I watch it. It has been edited since the original airing, but the DVD version has all the original material in it’s entirety. How many of you remember the line from Hermy “I want to be a dentist.” That voice stays with you all year long.

3. Santa Claus is Coming To Town (1970) – The story of Kris Kringle shows the beginnings of Santa Claus and how he had to battle with the Burgermeister Meisterburger, and the evil  Winter Warlock.

4. The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974) – I loved this one mainly for the two step brothers Mr. Snow Miser and Mr. Heat Miser. They are so good, this year there is a Miser Brothers special on the ABC Family channel. I will let you know how that one turns out.

5. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 original, 2000 with Jim Carey) – The Jim Carey version was not one of my favorites when it first came out, but with time it has grown on me. Still, the original cartoon version is most definitely a classic. You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch is also one of my favorite songs of the season.

6. Polar Express (2004) – Although this movie has not been around for very long, it has a great message and is very family friendly. Tom Hanks does a great job as an animated character, and the Hot Chocolate scene is one of my family favorites. This year Polar Express 3-D came out, and we were very excited to see it. We bought the DVD, and were greatly disappointed. Save your money. It doesn’t have the same effect as in a theater.

7. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 original black & white, 1994 color remake) – Many loved the original version which tells the story of the legal troubles of a Kriss Kringle fighting to have people believe that he is Santa Claus. I prefer the 1994 remake, which stays close to the original with a few modern changes. John Hughes version cast Sir Richard Attenborough as Kriss Kringle, and he was exceptional, but it was Mara Wilson as the little girl Sarah that stole the show.

8. Elf (2003) – Will Farrell, Bob Newhart, and others take us on a trip which will have you laughing eggnog right out of your nose. Will Farrell plays the part of the 6 foot elf with such innocence, you can not help but wish for a happy ending. He gets into so much trouble, but his sweetness prevails. If you skipped this one in previous years, rent it and laugh through the whole show.

9. Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – This one you have to watch more than once. With most of Tim Burton’s movies, you either love them or you hate them. Drawing a connection between Halloween and Christmas is a risky move, but it has a great message and very endearing characters. If your kids are prone to visits to Disneyland, then you simply must watch this one. The  Haunted Mansion is converted every year to include characters from the movie.

10. Shrek The Halls (2007) – I know most people would have had the Charlie Brown Christmas or It’s A Wonderful Life in the top 10, but I think that they did a good job with this obvious marketing ploy to sell more Shrek movies on DVD (like they need the money). Nothing says Christmas like the Scottish voice of Shrek the Ogre yelling at the Donkey (played by Eddie Murphy) as a holiday delight. Throw in the vocal talents of Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderes and you have an instant hit.

Those are my favorites, I hope you enjoy them. Happy holidays to you, your friends, and your families…Because I said so!

Fire Station 41 Open House Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008

Fire Station 41 Open House on Dec. 20, 2008 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.! Come meet our local heroes and see the newly painted Fire Station this Saturday, as Mira Mesa HEROES and Fire Station 41 hold an open house and our whole community is welcome to attend. We are proud of our local Firefighters, and they also wanted to thank the many volunteers that helped to paint their Fire Station a few weeks ago. This is a great opportunity to bring the kids out to see just how our Firefighters live and work in our neighborhood. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided by Mira Mesa HEROES, and we hope to see you there. Fire Station 41 is located at 4914 Carroll Canyon Road, just off the Scranton / Mira Mesa Blvd intersection east of the 805 freeway.

Scripps/Mira Mesa 4th of July Fireworks Casino Night

Mira Mesa Community 4th of July Committee is having a Casino Night April 25, 2009 at the Country Inn & Suites, and they need your support. We all love the 4th of July, which brings our community together for a wonderful day in the sun, starting with the Parade, followed by the Day At The Park, and ending with a bang with the Scripps/Mira Mesa Fireworks Extravaganza. We all think this is a free event that has been going on for years, and we all expect it to continue forever. The reality of this is it costs a lot of money to put on the fireworks display, over $30,000, and it takes the hard work of alot of volunteers to make this happen.

We need your help. Our major fundraiser will be the Casino Night, and we are looking for some sponsors to participate in this fun and rewarding event. In exchange for sponsoring a table, your business or community organization will be listed in advertising posters, banners, web site recognition, as well as during the event with announcements throughout the evening. We will also have press releases county wide, media coverage through local television and radio stations, and a silent auction for those wanting to donate items rather than sponsor a gaming table. There are 5 different levels of sponsorship as listed below, and space is limited. Contact Sandy Smith to reserve your table and get more information about Casino Night at (858) 361-5229, or Email her at SandySmt@san.rr.com.

Sponsor a Table:
Craps Table @ $275.00
Roulette Table @ $275.00

Texas Hold ‘Em Table @ $275.00

Pai Gow Poker Table @ $275.00
Black Jack Table @ $250.00

Black Jack Tables can be hosted by your business or organization representatives. All other games include a table dealer with the sponsorship.

This is a great event, and we will keep you updated with information about tickets for the Casino Night as the date approaches. For advertising purposes, and since space is limited, we request you respond soon so we can let the community know who is participating and let us get the word out about your business or organization. Donations are tax deductible, as we are a 501(c)3, non profit organization. As a fan of the fireworks, if you would also like to donate to the fireworks fund, you can make your donation to the Scripps Mesa Fireworks, Inc., and mail it to PO Box 261264, San Diego, CA. 92126.

Fall Out Boy Comes To Mira Mesa Epicentre

I recently went on a tour of the Mira Mesa Epicentre, and was impressed with the variety of activities they provide to our teens at a very reasonable price. They have a computer lab, with several computers available for students to use for homework research, a pool table, ping pong table, and a large dance floor for the kids to practice their break dance skills. They also offer classes in music production, song writing, and many others. This location is also a venue for concerts, which in a large part funds the various programs that are available during the day. Although many acts are local, they also attract major headliners like Fall Out Boy that will be playing on Saturday, December 20. Ticket prices are more than reasonable, and the venue provides an up close and personal experience for all in attendance.

Their mission is to prepare teens for the 21st century so they can create happy, successful lives. They accomplish this by focusing on teens’ interests and strengths, developing their skills, and connecting them to real business and community organizations. The programs are built on technology, music, and culture. Epicentre membership is $25 for annual membership. Membership entitles the student to participate in programs, and utilization of the facility and its resources Monday through Friday.  Some classes fall on “Member-only” days (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and non-members must pay to participate in the programs.  Please contact Youth Program Coordinator, David Proulx, for more information regarding per diem program fees and any other questions you may have at 858-271-4000 x 13.

Some of the upcoming events are:

Saturday, Dec. 13   Rock Bands
The Material, The Haven, A Sky Like April, Gunpowder Sunset
Tickets: $8 advanced / $10 door

Thursday, Dec. 18th  Rock Bands
The Maine, Eye Alaska, This Century, Radio Racer, Foto:graph
Tickets: $10 advanced / $12 door

Friday Dec. 19th   Rock / Pop Bands

A Dull Science, The Variety Show, Lindbergh Skies, Freezing Vinyl, In The Moment

Tickets: $7 advanced / $9 door

Saturday, Dec. 20   Rock Band                       
Fall Out Boy
Tickets: $20 available day of show only.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. for all shows.
Concerts are all ages events. No alcohol permitted. Water and snacks available for purchase.
Some events presented in partnership with The House Of Blues Entertainment. Please enjoy the concerts responsibly. For more information, go to the Epicentre website, or visit the Harmonium website for details on the programs that are offered.

San Diego 3 Day Raises Over $12.6 Million To Find a Cure

The Breast Cancer 3 Day benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation was another huge success. The weather was perfect and the smiles were plentiful. There were over 4,000 participants that walked 60 miles over three days to raise both awareness and necessary funds to try to find a cure for breast cancer. There were breast cancer survivors walking with their families, fathers walking with their daughters, and large groups walking in packs. We set up a sound system to play music for the walkers on Friday, and handed out candy and positive thoughts to all who passed by.

Scores of volunteers were ready at the pit stops along the way with cold water, sandwiches, snacks, candy, and motivation to keep the walkers going on their journey. The event is very emotional and uplifting. It amazed me how thankful the walkers were that we were out there to cheer them on, while we were thankful that they gave so much of themselves for this worthy cause. Breast Cancer touches one in eight women, and although early detection and treatment can greatly reduce the fatality rate, there is still a long way to go. To find out more about how you can get involved in the  3 Day for 2009, go to the 3Day website.

The 3 Day started at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and continued along the coast to Crown Point, where camp was set up for the first two nights. The walkers finished their miraculous trip at Petco Park, where they were greeted by friends and family with hugs, signs, flowers, and tears. This year, more than 200,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will lose their lives to the disease. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes. Every 13 minutes, the disease claims another life. For more information about Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1.877 GO KOMEN.

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