NEWS FROM PAGE 1 SIGN


it: It was in need of replacement.” Bruce Coons, executive director


of Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), a regional cultural and historical preservation group, dis- puted Hebrank’s perception of the original sign’s condition. Once the sign was deemed his-


toric, plans to design and install a more modern sign were scrapped. Celia Conover is the Kensingto- nian who led a group who wrote and submitted the nominating re- port in March of 2008 that ensured the Kensington sign’s review by the City of San Diego’s Histori- cal Resources Board (HRB); their efforts led to its historical desig- nation as a “landmark feature.” Conover said the new sign is not only a fait accompli but also a “mis- sion accomplished.” One of the key concerns of the


HRB was that it retain its suspend- ed character so that it would con- tinue to have “the effect of floating over Adams Avenue, especially at night when the neon is all you see,” she said. “The residents of Kens- ington and San Diego interested in preserving our sign’s historical character were very disappointed the original sign cabinet could not be saved, but are pleased to have a replica instead of the altogether new design with a truss suspen- sion.” Architect John Eisenhart, who


was on the HRB board when the Kensington sign was historically designated, credited SOHO and community preservationists for the successful outcome, now back up for all to see. “It now is close to what it was and preserves the


FROM PAGE 1 PORTANTINO


ney’s office. Nicole Murray-Ramirez, who


wrote a column in the Gay and Lesbian Times for many years, said Portantino’s financial and legal troubles were a result of him trying to keep his publication afloat. “He was really depressed the


last time he talked to me, and said he should have just shut the paper down (earlier),” Murray-Ramirez said. “The paper was his other baby, and he thought he was a failure. “I think his legacy is going to be


that he helped out the community,” Murray-Ramirez added. “He made sure he supported all the nonprofit organizations through advertising ... (though) he was never appreci- ated; he was never thanked.” Delores Jacobs, chief execu-


tive officer of the San Diego LGBT Community Center, said Portantino provided invaluable support to The Center and other LGBT organiza- tions through the pages of the Gay & Lesbian Times. “Michael served and supported


the San Diego LGBT community and the San Diego LGBT Commu- nity Center for nearly 25 years,” Ja- cobs said. “His trademark passion and intense dedication to equality were his unmistakable signature. “Many of us argued frequently


and fiercely with Michael, and laughed with him just as often,” she said. “His larger than life presence at The Center was palpable for more than 20 years. Today, our hearts and thoughts are with his daughter, his brother, all of his family and his friends. The staff, board, and volun- teers at The Center share their loss


Lic# 01797592


unique character of the Kensington sign (cable suspension system) for future generations,” he said. But not everyone in the com-


munity, like 36-year Kensington resident Ann Ozgunduz or Beth Galdieri of Sussex Drive, are so en- thused about the new sign, its old design, or the fight to have it his- torically designated that divided the community. “The original sign was too mod-


ern for an historic community, thus I was thrilled for the opportunity to vote on a new design more repre- sentative of Kensington,” Ozgunduz said. “Needless to say, I was shocked when I learned of the delay in manu- facturing the sign … The end result is more offensive than the original. Our new sign looks like a K-mart ‘blue light special.’ ” “ I feel the large unsightly poles


from which the cable system is suspended may have been an un- desirable compromise; while I per- sonally cherish historic artifacts and pure reproductions, it may have been better to replace our sign with a more attractively sup- ported truss system, albeit less historically authentic,” said Gald- ieri.


But many in the community, like


Winnie Hanford who, along with husband Rich, has owned and op- erated Kensington Video at 4067 Adams Ave. for 27 years, took a laissez-faire stance regarding the sign's design. Having avoided controversy


over on modern the sign ought to be, Hanford said, “It’s remark- able how much that sign means to people in Kensington,” noting that some residents have told her, “I moved here because the sign


see Sign, page 31


and feel with them the immense grief at his passing. “ Portantino is survived by daugh-


ters Tatiana and Samantha, mother Barbara Portantino, brother An- thony Portantino, a Pasadena- based state assembly member and others.u


—Pat Sherman, SDUN Assistant


Editor, and Margie Palmer, SDUN Reporter


San Diego Uptown News | December 10–23, 2010


9


(Photos by Cynthia Robertson)


Mission Hills resident faithfully leads Friday evening meander through neighborhoods


By Cynthia Robertson SDUN Reporter


Like clockwork, every Friday evening at 4:20 p.m., Pat Peterson arrives in front of Espresso Mio, located at 1920 Fort Stockton Dr. in Mission Hills. She walks just a few blocks from her house and waits by the newsstand at the corner. One by one, a dozen people show up to join her.


Right on the dot at 4:30 p.m., the walkers push


off in search of familiar sights and neighborhood surprises.


Peterson is the leader of a walk called Mission Hills Meander, one of the countless walks offered by Walkabout International, a San Diego-based orga- nization. Since 1993, she has been leading the walk through the neighborhood of fine homes, charming gardens and along canyon rims.


The friends who join her have long been faithful walkers with her, some since the first day she began the walk. They walk at a moderate pace through the neighborhood as they talk about family and health, friends and vacations. Many believe that the walks offer a sort of therapy, giving people the chance to mingle with one another. People who are shy may not feel they could ever


participate in such a walk. However, they will find that usually their fellow walkers respect each other’s needs for privacy. Sometimes it is just good to get out and listen to others talk, smell the roses and ad- mire the warm fires of a family enjoying their meal in the dining room.


Peterson said that after a long term relationship broke up badly, she needed an activity to distract


Want to rent commercial space? Please call me first.


Since 1978…Offering San Diego superior commercial brokerage services, including Leasing/Sales, Tenant Representation, and Property Management.


*FREE REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES!


If you are looking to rent a commercial space, I’ll provide the protection and expertise you need. First San Diego Company, Inc.


Catherine Strada . 858.456.7100 Catherine@firstgroup.net .


“A family brokerage for over 35 years. A legacy of wise decisions.”


Commercial Real Estate Services


her. That is why she began the walk. Then again, she has lived in Mission Hills for


forty years. “I have friends here and love the homey one of-a-kind-homes and the friendly atmosphere,” she said. “Besides, I needed a moderate walk on Friday evenings.” The happy group has its own kind of “The Price Is Right” game in guessing the prices of homes for sale. In 1970, Peterson noted, the price of a middle- class house might have been $25,000. “Now that same house would sell for $700,000 or


more,” she said. “Many one-story homes have now become two-stories.” So the walker who provides the winning bid gets a slap on the back and a joke that they’ll all share the home. “We often see movies being filmed here,” Peter-


son said.


“And we often are invited into homes, usually by the husband—what wife wants an unexpected flock of strangers to view her not-dressed-up-for company- home?” she said.


Such an invitation was how the group got to see the Orizaba Housek, with the original stairway from Captain Johnson Orizaba that was shipped from San Francisco to San Diego in the 1800s. “On another visit inside a home, everyone in the


group was treated to a glass of wine,” Peterson said. Most Friday evenings, the flock of walkers—as Peterson calls them—are greeted warmly by the neighbors sitting out on their porches watching their children play in the front yard.


see Walkabout, page 25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32