The Latest Flash for February 23 – March 1, 2009

The Flash got a late start this week due to illness. It seems there are a lot of different colds out there, and I caught them all. Still, I want to pass on some information you may find useful for Friday Night.

You are invited to an evening with the stars.

WHAT: Take a trip to outer space while keeping your feet on the ground in Lakeside. Volunteers from the San Diego Astronomy Association will bring high-powered telescopes to Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon Preserve to give the public spectacular views of constellations and celestial bodies such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the Swan Nebula, Hercules Globular Cluster, as well as planets such as Jupiter and Uranus. The preserve is a great place to see the night sky away from the bright lights of the city. For additional information about this and future events at the preserve, please contact park staff at (858) 513-4737 or visit www.sdparks.org.

WHEN: Friday, February 27th, 2009 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Please note, cloudy skies or rain could cancel the event.)

WHERE: Sycamore Canyon Preserve staging area, 13920 Highway 67 at Sycamore Park Drive in Lakeside; Thomas Guide page 1191, E-5
• Directions from Mira Mesa: Take I-15N to Scripps-Poway Parkway east to Highway 67, and turn right (south). Preserve entrance is on the right, one half-mile south.

WHO: County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation and the San Diego Astronomy Association.

Sorrento Mesa Auto Spa and Lube, More than a Great Car Wash

Have you been neglecting your car lately?  You know it needs an oil change, and it hasn’t been washed properly since last summer. Wouldn’t it be great if you could do both while relaxing on a nice leather couch watching your favorite sports on a huge flat screen TV? Well let me tell you about Sorrento Mesa Auto Spa and Lube Center.

They are your one stop shop when it comes to taking care of your vehicle. They provide a true 100% hand car wash which will have your car sparkling again. They have several detail packages available to fit your budget and maintenance needs. They also have a full service oil and lube center, and you get a free car wash with your oil change service.

Other services provided include:
•    An 18 Point Vehicle Inspection
•    Oil and Filter Change
•    Battery Replacement
•    Transmission and Cooling Flush
•    Fuel Injection Cleaning
•    Air and Cabin Filter Replacement And Much More!

One of my favorite things about having my car detailed at Sorrento Mesa Auto Spa is the waiting area. They have a kid’s corner which will occupy your little ones while you relax and enjoy a cold drink while watching your favorite sporting event or the news in luxury.

Need to get some work done while you wait? They have free Wi-Fi available as well. You can just relax and let the pros do the work. I always leave feeling like I had the spa treatment, while my car is glistening in the sunshine and ready to go looking brand new again.

To find out more about Sorrento Mesa Auto Spa and Lube Center, and to locate a coupon for your next car wash, visit their website at www.sorrentomesacarwash.com.

Mira Mesa Scout Troop 1212 Scouting For Food Drive In March

A Cub Scout promises to “give good will” and a Boy Scout promises to “help other people at all times.” There is no better way to show our “Scouting Spirit” than by participating in the annual SCOUTING FOR FOOD drive!

The Scouting For Food campaign is the Boy Scouts’ largest Good Turn effort each year!  Across the country, nearly 4 million Scouts and their leaders will take part in this important Good Turn for America by collecting food for needy families in our community.

Our local Boy Scout Troop 1212 located in Mira Mesa will again be actively participating in this campaign, and you can help.  Troop 1212 is planning on dropping off over 2,400 bags in the Mira Mesa community.  If you receive a Scouting For Food donation bag on your front door on 3/7/09, please follow the attached note and put the bag with your food donation in front of your garage door on 3/14/09. Troop 1212 will also host a Scouting For Food collection bin on 3/14/09 at the Red Carpet Realty office at 8250-B Mira Mesa Blvd near the Baskin Robbins in the Mira Mesa Shopping Center.

Please join us in helping our community. Your local Scout Troop 1212 thanks you for your support.

Top 10 Amusement Park Rides In Southern California

I hope you made it out to the carnival this weekend at Mira Mesa High School. The four day event raised some much needed funds for the Football Program, and a lot of fun and games took place right here in the heart of Mira Mesa. As a kid, I loved the rides at amusement parks. The spinning cups, the slides, the carousel, and especially the roller coasters.

I remember the first time I went to Magic Mountain and rode “The Revolution” which was the first roller coaster in the area to have a loop-de-loop. I was terrified just looking at it, but after the ride was over, I couldn’t wait to get back into the 45 minute line and do it again. Now I have a son, and I get to enjoy the feeling of going on thrill rides for the first time again. Here are my Top 10 Favorite Rides from Southern California Amusement Parks:

1.    Toy Story Mania! – California Adventure. This 3-D shooting gallery ride is just awesome. If you are going to go to Disneyland, I recommend getting the park hopper pass and visit California Adventure as well. We went as a family a few weeks ago, and we went on the Toy Story ride 4 times.
2.    Pirates of the Caribbean – Disneyland. Although recently updated to include the likeness of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, this is still a fan favorite and will be enjoyed by all family members, young and old.
3.    Journey to Atlantis – Sea World. Is it a roller coaster ride through water, or a water ride that turns into a roller coaster? I can’t say for sure, but I like it. Wet, fast, twisting and turning fun.
4.    Viper – Six Flags Magic Mountain. First they had the Revolution, then Colossus, and then came Viper, which is still my favorite roller coaster. It is very fast, full of loops and sharp turns, and you leave the ride practically exhausted. If you like thrill rides, go to Magic Mountain.
5.    Log Jammer – Magic Mountain. Every amusement park has some sort of log ride, which takes you on a mild boat ride with some sort of drop in which you scream with your hands in the air, then you get soaked at the bottom.
6.    Shipwreck Rapids – Sea World. Actually, you could also put every theme park down for this one. Call it what you will; Roarin’Rapids, Grizzly River Run, it is a big round raft that you share with 8-12 people, and you hope everyone else gets wet except for you. If you are wearing new shoes, you are guaranteed to get soaked.
7.    Free Fall – Magic Mountain. This was the original strap-yourself-in-and-hold on- tight ride. It quickly raised you up 10 stories, then after a slight pause would drop you straight down. For a great variation of this classic ride, California Adventure has the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Do it at night for an added element of fun.
8.    Soarin’ Over California – California Adventure. I can’t believe I skipped this awesome simulated hang gliding ride the past 4 times I went to the park. You feel like you are soaring above the mountains, over the rivers, and through the fields, and you can even smell the orange trees!
9.    Knott’s Scary Farm – Knott’s Berry Farm. Not technically a ride, the whole park transforms into a myriad of haunted mazes, with characters invading the popular rides as well. If you are a teenager or older, and you like to get scared, you have to go to Knott’s Scary Farm.
10.    Lost Kingdom Adventure – LEGOLAND. This ride is like going on a trip with Indiana Jones, and you get to blast things with laser guns along the way. Fun for the kids and adults too.

These are my favorites, what about yours?

Helicopter Noise this Tuesday and Wednesday from 3PM – 10PM

The Miramar Community Plans and Liaison Office wishes to alert you that MCAS Miramar will be conducting the following day/night time training operations this week:

There will be standard night time helicopter operations at the Landing Helicopter Deck (LHD) on Tuesday, March 24th and Wednesday, March 25th from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Helicopters will be transiting to and from the site. However, weather conditions could propagate aircraft noise and you may experience varying degrees of noise and vibration within adjacent communities.

If you could please notify other members of the community, the CP&L Office would be most appreciative. Thank you all for your understanding and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.

Juan Lias
MCAS Miramar CP&L Office
Community Planner
(858) 577-6603

Visit Breen Park For Kids of All Ages

Welcome to Breen Park, located on the east side of Mira Mesa. This secluded neighborhood park is the perfect place for a weekend BBQ, or to have a birthday party for your little ones.

You can reserve the large covered gazebo for your private party, and let the kids run wild on either of the two play areas with age appropriate structures. One play area is designed for ages 2-5, while the other one is recommended for 5-12 year olds.

There is a full basketball court, a large open grassy area with a backstop in the corner for a game of baseball, and the whole park is surrounded by a dirt and cement walking path with stretching equipment throughout. Breen Park even has several BBQ grills, so all you need is a bag of charcoal, your burgers & dogs, and you are good to go.

This is a perfect place for your mom’s group to take the toddlers for some playtime fun, since there are plenty of covered tables, benches, bathrooms and drinking fountains. There are also bike racks for your older kids, so they can lock up their bikes while they play hoops or baseball.

Mira Mesa has so many unique parks; you should take the family on a field trip in your own back yard. Breen Park is located on Polaris Drive, just south of Capricorn Way. To reserve the gazebo area for your party or group, contact the Mira Mesa Recreation Center at (858) 538-8122.

Mira Mesa Carnival This Weekend Supports Football Program

Are you ready for the Carnival? This weekend the carnival has come to town to help raise funds for the Mira Mesa High School Football Program. By attending the carnival, a portion of the proceeds will benefit our football team. You can ride the rides, bump on the bumper cars, and try your luck on the midway playing one of the skill challenges where you can win prizes!

The carnival is open Thursday, February 19, 2009 from 5-10 p.m. and runs through Sunday, February 22. Each day features a different special, which offers great values to students, families, and all who enjoy the fun of a local carnival.

Thursday, 2/19   5-10 p.m.  Any ride for only 75 cents.

Friday, 2/20        5-10 p.m.  Special tickets available featuring 5 rides for $5.

Saturday, 2/21    1-6 p.m. Purchase wrist band for unlimited rides.

Sunday 2/22       1-6 p.m. Purchase wrist band for unlimited rides.

Admission to the carnival is only $1.50 for those 8 and older. 7 and under are free.
Each paid admission also receives a coupon for 1 free ride, compliments of Christiansen Amusements. The Christiansen Amusement Family has been a long time supporter of the Mira Mesa Football Boosters, and they continue to give back to the community in a big way.

This is one of the major fundraisers for the Football Department, so show your support and have a great time doing something to benefit Mira Mesa Football.

The UPS Store Open House March 26, 5:30 p.m.

The Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce and our friends at The UPS Store (in the Ralph’s Shopping Center) invite you to their Grand Re-Opening Celebration Thursday, March 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The store just finished a major remodel and they are up and running. They want to celebrate their new look, and they want to try to raise some money to help promote the newly formed Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Food will be provided by Extreme Pita and refreshments compliments of the UPS Store. We will have music and raffle prizes available, with proceeds going directly to the Chamber. It is a great place to meet your fellow chamber members, business associates, and neighbors in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

For more information, you can download the flier here. I hope to see you there Thursday Night!

The Latest Flash for February 16-22, 2009

Tuesday is a busy day for meetings in Mira Mesa. The Friends in Business Network starts the day off with their weekly networking meeting at the Hometown Buffet at 7:30. If you own a business and are looking for a way to network with others in your community, this is the group for you! The Mira Mesa group is the third branch of this very popular network. You may attend 2 meetings as my guest without a commitment to join. A yearly membership is only $99. The weekly fee for the meeting which includes a full breakfast is $12 for members, $15 for non-members. For more information, check out The Friends In Business Network website. Make sure you tell them that Mark Smith from Mira Mesa.Com sent you.

The Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce meeting / mixer is Tuesday, 2/17 at Callahan’s Pub & Brewery at 6:00 p.m. There will be a member spotlight on Robeks Smoothies, and the results from the Logo Committee. A group photo will be taken, so all members are requested to attend.

Also meeting Tuesday night will be the Mira Mesa Community Planning Group, which will meet at the Mira Mesa Senior Center at 7:00 p.m. The Planning Group will hold elections March 16th, and anyone interested in being on the Planning Group needs to attend at least one meeting and provide an expression of interest no later than the February meeting. You must also send your expression of interest to Election subcommittee chair Jeff Stevens at jeffstev@san.rr.com. For more information, use the planning group link.

If you want to be a part of the Monster Manor this year, the Mira Mesa Theatre Guild will be holding a class on room design for this year’s Monster Manor. They are meeting this Friday, Feb. 20th, at 5:00 p.m. in the crafts room at the Recreation Center. For more information click on the Theatre Guild link.

All 4 U Talent and Dance Showcase at UCSD Mandeville will take place Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7:00.  Pre-sale tickets are only $15, or $25 the day of the show. Proceeds benefit homeless teens in our community. For ticket information online, check the online tickets link, or call (858) 534-TIXS.

If you know of a newsworthy story, let us know using the contact section of the website.

Top 10 List Of Songs With Rain In The Title

Don’t you just love those rainy days, when it is cold outside and all you want to do is stay in bed and watch movies? I am having one of those days today. I couldn’t motivate myself to get to the gym, even after over doing it a bit with the Valentine’s Day dinner, endless amounts of chocolates, and other tasty treats over the weekend. I think that the furry little groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” got it right when he saw his shadow, and we got 6 more weeks of winter. This got me thinking about all the songs that have been written with the word “Rain” in the title. Here is my Top 10 List of Rain Songs:

1. I Can’t Stand The Rain – The Commitments. This was one song featured in the movie “The Committments” which is not only a great movie, but also a great soundtrack. If you love the motown sound, you will love this soundtrack.

2. The Rain – Oran “Juice” Jones. This brings me back to the days when I was the DJ at the Black Angus (remember the Square Cow Fun Bar?) and this song was a nightly feature. Lines like ; “You without me is like cornflakes without the milk” and “Silly rabbit, tricks are for kids” are sadly missing from today’s hits. What ever happened to Oran Juice Jones?

3. It’s Raining Again – Supertramp. Breakfast In America was such a great album, and this was one of my favorites. Great harmonies, fine chorus, and a happy little ditty that is easy to sing along to.

4. No Rain – Blind Melon. Most people remember the little bumble bee girl from the video more so than the band itself. I think the song holds up on its own, but the visual images from the music video made it a great song.

5. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? – C.C.R. John Fogerty and Credence Clearwater Revival made this classic, with their signature Bayou sound. John’s gritty vocals grab you, and yet it is still a somewhat soft song that is easy to listen to.

6. Purple Rain – Prince. I was a big fan of Prince’s music early on in his career, and the movie Purple Rain was a true masterpiece. The end of Purple Rain was a little much for my tastes, but I appreciate the delivery and the uniqueness of it. It is also a great movie to watch on a rainy day.

7. Rainy Dayz – Mary J. Blige w/ Ja Rule. This was one of those songs for me that I just couldn’t get out of my head when it came out. Ja Rule’s coarse vocals juxtaposed with MJB’s soulful voice worked in a way you wouldn’t expect. I still put this song into many of my iTunes playlists.

8. Fire and Rain – James Taylor. I have seen James Taylor perform live, and he is a great singer / storyteller. His songs all seem to tell a story, and in concert he does just that. He tells you how he wrote certain songs, and his inspiration for them.
There is a reason why this song is on his greatest hits collection: It is just a great song from start to finish.

9. Singing In The Rain – Gene Kelly. Not just the theme song for the movie Singing In The Rain, the performance is a true classic. I remember as a kid walking to school some days in the rain, and this song would just pop into my head and I would have the best time getting to school. Kids like rain, and this song focuses on the fun part of a good rain storm.

10. Blame It On The Rain – Milli Vanilli. Who really cares who the singers were, and who was the face of the group? I still think the reason why this group was so successful before their disgrace was a combination of the two. They made great videos, you believed that Rob and Fab actually were Milli Vanilli, and they sold a ton of albums. It was later proven that they were only the face, not the voice of the group, and they were stripped of their grammys. Tragic tale, but they did make great videos!

Now those are my favorites, and I know that some Dylan fans out there are going to give me a hard time about excluding his “A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall” from my list, but I never was much of a Dylan fan in the first place. It is kind of like the Beatles-vs-Rolling Stones debate. For the majority of us, it is clear which one you prefer. I for one am a Beatles over the Stones, MaryAnn over Ginger, and Daphne over Velma (Scooby Doo Characters, in case you didn’t get this reference) kind of guy. This sounds like it could be next week’s Top 10 List Category!

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