8 San Diego Uptown News | Jan. 21-Feb. 3, 2011 New book benefits


Kensington library Resident author finds inspiration in the most unlikely places and faces


By John Philip Wyllie SDUN Reporter


When he began writing “Find- ing Solace at the Kensington Café” local author Tim Scheidt had no idea that his book would trigger a community-wide fundraising effort for the beleaguered Kensington Public Library. Initially, the book was simply an effort to shine a positive light on the café, which is located at 4141 Adams Ave., as well as the surrounding community. Somewhere in between here and there, a light went on in Scheidt’s fertile mind. After learning that the nearby


library located at 4121 Adams Ave. was facing drastic budget cuts, Scheidt decided to donate a por- tion of his book’s proceeds to help replenish the library’s dwindling budget. A goal of raising $20,000 was set and several promotional events were scheduled. With the help of a matching grant, over $1,000 has been donated in just the first month of 2011. “Initially, it was about sharing with the book with people and helping to foster a sense of com- munity, but when you do some- thing like this you can’t predict


FROM PAGE 1 VISION


ers, Mike Burnett and Craig Aben- illa, have a solution: The “You Are Here” plan.


During the Jan. 12 Greater Gold- en Hill Planning Committee (GGH- PC) meeting, Burnett had the op- portunity to announce FFF’s plans for the property on 25th that he and Abenilla are currently in escrow on. “We are not your ordinary de-


FROM PAGE 7 BRIEFS


BUZZ ALDRIN OPENS NEW SPACE EXHIBIT FEB. 1 Opening the Air and Space Museum’s (ASM) new exhibit, “SPACE: A Journey to our Future” is Buzz Aldrin, the first man to walk on the moon with Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11. On Feb. 1, Aldrin will be signing copies at 1 p.m of his memoir, “Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon” along with his children’s books, “Look to the Stars” and “Reaching for the Moon,” all of which can be purchased at the mu- seum gift shop. Aldrin’s memoir, which chronicles his experiences on that journey and how it affected the rest of his life, is being released in conjunction with the 40th anni- versary of the moon landing. “SPACE: A Journey to our Fu-


ture,” which will only be at the ASM for a limited engagement, will present a multimedia experience where visitors can view the history of aeronautics and examine the questions concerning future space exploration. The exhibit is being presented in collaboration with NASA and produced by Evergreen Exhibitions.


The museum, located at 2001


what things that are going to come from it,” Scheidt said.


“Knowing that we wanted to give something back from the book proceeds and then read- ing a stream of articles about library budget cuts (made it easy to decide upon the appropriate beneficiary).” For every $15 book sold


through the cafe or through the book’s website the library reaps a $12 benefit.


Over the last year Scheidt invested countless hours record- ing the thoughts of a representa- tive cross-section of the café’s regular customers. He found that each one of them considered the venerable Kensington landmark to be much more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. It is a gathering place where locals share stories, debate politics, enjoy good times, listen to music and reaffirm neighborhood ties. His subjects, which ranged in age from 21 to 83, offered inter- esting insights and shared their thoughts on a variety of topics. Here is an excerpt from “Keegan” one of the 14 people interviewed for the book that inspired Scheidt to take action with


velopers,” Burnett told a room of about 30 attendees. “We are truly architects second, and community members first.” Burnett stressed his architectur- al achievements in the Golden Hill community, pointing to the mxd830 building at 830 25th St. Burnett won an Orchid for the structure in 2009 from the San Diego Architecture Foundation (SDAF), which called the mixed-use building “alive,” with SDAF members also lauding the designers ability to connect with


Author Tim Scheidt signs copies of his new book, “Finding Solact at the Kensington Café” during Kensington’s 2010 Centennial Celebration. (J.P. Wyllie/SDUN)


the library initiative: I try not to use the word “hope”


very often because, to me, hoping is wishing something would happen. Hoping does not imply direct action, and I’m a big advocate of direct action. I try not to spend my time “hoping” for a better world but rather spend my time “making” a better world. I think the more that people take that approach, the more that’s going to get done. Real change hap- pens from the bottom up and emerges in the collective consciousness of the people. The more people are proac-


the equally mixed neighborhood it borders, which includes structures from the early 1900s to the 1970s. Burnett said during his presenta- tion that he hopes his latest “You Are Here” plan will build upon the goals of the community’s 25th Street revitalization. “We want to keep the existing


structure,” Burnett said of the dilap- idated 1960s era gas station on the property. “We are open to ideas, but we would like to make it into artist spaces with a pedestrian plaza.”


tive and don’t resign themselves to what is, the better our world can be. Scheidt, clearly fascinated by people and their journeys, said that the direct participation from residents and café patrons such as Keegan all helped make his book possible. Better yet, now anyone who merely purchases the book can be involved too as each purchase will help to positively impact the library. “While the Kensington Café was the catalyst for the book, the themes presented are more universal in nature,” Scheidt said. “Hopefully, it


In past years, the property in question has run the gamut, from a smog center to a gas station to a car wash. Burnett and Abenilla want to convert the lot into a “flex” or tran- sitional space, which would include 5,000-square feet of commercial space and 22 units of residential with a portion being allocated as low-income or affordable housing. In addition, Burnett and Abenila also proposed a “pocket park” for an area along F Street that dead ends and is currently overrun with


will inspire people to open up and share a little bit of themselves with others and in doing so they will encourage others to do the same. This project can serve as an example for other communities and other creative endeavors to take place. We are planting a seed that could sprout in many, many directions.” “Finding Solace at the Kens- ington Café” is available online at solacekencafe.com, at the Kens- ington Café 4141 Adams Ave., and various locations throughout Kensington.u


weeds and litter. Burnett said his main goal is to help push 25th Street to have a “Main Street” feeling and hopefully reduce transient activity and gang violence by restoring this area as a new gateway into Golden Hill. The proposed “You Are Here” buildings would be the main sight point for motorists exiting off the I-94 and one of the largest developments in Golden Hill.


see Vision, page 11


San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria not altering accessibility in light of Tucson tragedy


By Margie M. Palmer SDUN Reporter


Despite the recent shooting rampage in Tucson that left six dead and 13 wounded, San Di- ego City Councilmember Todd Gloria said he will not be alter- ing his behavior.


Buzz Aldrin


Pan American Plaza, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with final entry starting at 4 p.m. Aldrin will only be signing books purchased at the museum on the day of the event. For more information visit sandiegoairandspace.org.u


Gloria, who is among the most accessible of San Diego’s elected officials, frequently holds community events in which District 3 constituents are invited to discuss issues and concerns pertaining to the communities they live in. “People are elected to be accessible and I can’t


not in place. “We do take precautions in


City Councilmember Todd Gloria


do my job if I’m not,” Gloria said. “And in terms of changing anything due to the recent event in Tucson, as horrible as that event was, I won’t be making any changes to the way I do my job.” His office has said he will continue to hold his signature “Coffee with your Councilmember” events as scheduled. “You can’t control every circumstance and


while I remain connected to the public through newsletters, Facebook and Twitter, there’s no substitute for that one-on-one, in person con- tact,” he said.


But that’s not to say security measures are


terms of security,” said San Diego Police Department Lieu- tenant Andrew Brown, fur- thering that the department is unable to elaborate as to specifics. “But for security pur- poses, however, we’re unable to discuss the exact types of security we provide. Of course there is a presence of officers at City Council meetings which are visible to the public, but


outside of that we don’t discuss what’s in place, or who gets security at what events because we don’t want people to know about any sort of pre- dictability.”


Gloria has commended the SDPD for the job they’ve done thus far, and because of this, he said, has never felt unsafe at any of his public functions.


“They have always done a terrific job looking after us when there’s been a need,” he said. “And if we had a specific threat I know they would be there to provide extra support. We will continue to take precautions, but I intend to continue do- ing my job the way I have in the past.”u


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