Concetta Antico, Mission Hills artist

Fabulous article! I have painted under Concetta’s direction for almost eight years now, and she is totally unique [see “Seeing colors like no other,” Vol. 5, Issue 7]. There is no one else who even comes close to Concetta’s talent in painting and in teaching.

—Helen Hill, via sduptownnews.com

As usual, this lousy story allows this artist to see the green in your wallet [see “Seeing colors like no other,” Vol. 5, Issue 7]. Stay away from artists that brag about their innate abilities and be separate from the average person.

—“Penta Chromat,” via sduptownnews.com

Amazing artist and the best art teacher for so many of us [see “Seeing colors like no other,” Vol. 5, Issue 7]. I have been taking classes for six years and her teaching is one of a kind, and yes she is way above average. Her paintings are the most colorful and joyous. I have not seen anyone as talented and genuine.

—Rachna Jafri, via sduptownnews.com

Clairvoyant story stirs emotions

I met Connie at a get together a couple of years ago, and she is a real clairvoyant [see “In sync with the stars,” Vol. 5, Issue 7]. With believers there will always be non-believers, and that’s okay because no one is forcing anything on them. Knowledge is only knowledge when used.

—Tricia, via sduptownnews.com

Although everyone is entitled to their opinion as well to their beliefs, I have known Connie for quite a few years and have witnessed her work on so many occasions, I cannot begin to count. She truly has a gift [see “In sync with the stars,” Vol. 5, Issue 7].

—Pam Jones, via sduptownnews.com

I have been reading San Diego Uptown News for some time. I find it informative, well written and enjoyable to read. So, it’s hard to overstate my shock and disappointment at having read “In Sync with the Stars,” in the March 29 issue of your paper [see Vol. 5, Issue 7].

To present the claims of a “clairvoyant and medium” as just another professional offering her services like any architect, bricklayer, roofer or personal trainer, without one critical question raised in the article is truly amazing. At the very least, there should have been a disclaimer by the paper that you have no knowledge of her claims, other than the fact she made them.

Americans keep fretting that we are falling behind other nations in math and science. Well, with articles like this confusing the claims of faith healers, mediums, clairvoyants and the such with genuine news reporting, it’s easy to see why Americans are so confused. My understanding is that none of these “gifted” people ever submit to controlled experimentation under strict scientific conditions by skeptics. When that happens, and their claims are validated, then we can have a discussion.

—Aaron De Groot, via email

South Park residents talk up neighborhood

We live in the best-ever hood [see “South Park for the dogs,” Vol. 5, Issue 7].

—Judy The Taylor One, via sduptownnews.com

Couldn’t believe “South Park for the dogs” [see Vol. 5, Issue 7]. How long has the author lived in South Park?

My parents bought our family home on Fir Street between Granada and 29th streets in 1946; I bought my home a block away in 1968. I don’t know what area Donna Walker lives in, but South Park has always been called South Park and has never been considered seedy and never been the old wild West. As far as the shootings of the officers in Grape Street Park, I heard the shots. It was committed by a man that didn’t live in South Park. Bad things can happen anywhere; remember Chelsea King and Amber Dubois in North County.

My parents and their neighbors never had a break in and I haven’t either. Yes, more people walk dogs in our neighborhood, but in my years growing up here and raising my kids, I have never been afraid to walk in South Park day or night with or without my dog.

—Chris Anderson, via email

Balboa Park discussion, continued

The situation is very clear [see “Letters,” Vol. 5, Issue 7]. Todd Gloria’s constituents cannot have failed to see and understand that Gloria is not representing them. He is not representing the best interests of his district. He is not representing the best interests of the City. He is only and solely interested in doing what he wants to do, without listening to anybody who doesn’t agree with him.

—Katherine Lopez, via sduptownnews.com

The Bankers Hill Residents Group (which is made up of those who actually live in the community) were asked last year (by Council President Gloria directly) if they supported the Jacobs plan [see “Letters,” Vol. 5, Issue 7].

The over-whelming answer he received was indeed a “loud and clear message coming from Bankers Hill:” the residents did not support the Jacobs plan, a bypass bridge or a paid parking lot. The Bankers Hill Residents Group (bankershillresidents.org) has not taken a vote on the possible closure of the Cabrillo Bridge.

—Ann Garwood, via sduptownnews.com

Mr. Gloria has happily turned over $1 million in public money to Balboa Park Celebration, Inc. without any specifics, yet whines when asked to allocate $500 thousand for Balboa Park traffic management [see “Letters,” Vol. 5, Issue 7].
Forty-five million dollars from Dr. Jacobs could have put in an external and internal transportation system to connect existing external parking to the Park and an internal transportation system to deliver people to The Old Globe and The Prado, as well as the other venues within the Park.
Of course, that would mean that Dr. Jacobs and Mr. Gloria would be using public transportation instead of valet parking, something that appears unlikely given the present public transit system.

—Kevin Swanson, via sduptownnews.com

What would be most helpful in today’s civic dialogue would be for Mr. Gloria to stop clinging to the highly controversial and divisive notion that the Jacobs plan can be resurrected for 2015. For him to imply the Municipal Code can be rewritten to accomplish that resurrection only continues a three-year-old battle over the Jacobs project. So in that regard it is Mr. Gloria failing to move our city and our park forward.

Furthermore I wish he would stop his misleading statements about the Jacobs plan. It would not remove cars from the heart of Balboa Park. In fact the massive infrastructure project to be constructed is in the heart of Balboa Park. It would increase the number of cars, not remove them.

It is also misleading to state the Jacobs plan is a workable solution. The plan failed to withstand one legal challenge. If resurrected it will face further legal challenges. That’s far from workable, Mr. Gloria.

Also what Mr. Gloria failed to mention in regard to what he called an “exhaustive two-year review” of the project, the project failed to garner community wide consensus. That stands in stark contrast with the Balboa Park Master Plan. Having attended nearly every public meeting and hearing for the Jacobs project myself, opposition was always extremely strong. Gloria’s continued support now only fuels that opposition and further divides the community.

When it comes to politically motivated diatribes, and questioning what is best for moving the City and Balboa Park forward, I wish Mr. Gloria would look in the mirror. With his letter here, he’s not practicing what he preaches [see “Letters,” Vol. 5, Issue 7]. I call on the Council President to spend less energy being furious at Bruce Coons, and spending more energy trying to work with Mayor. It is only through compromise and willingness to negotiate that we move forward.

So let’s see less hot-temper bickering from our Council President and more leadership.

—Dan Soderberg, via sduptownnews.com