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Our Continuing Excursion in City Heights, Part Two: Komad Market

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Komad Market
4348  54th Street
San Diego, CA 92115
619-229-9607

By Judi Curry

My former student  Corinne and I had just finished exploring the Safari Market (Part One of this series)  and, as we were walking out the door, we spotted another market across the parking lot called Komad Market.  For some reason it drew both of our attention so decided to take a stroll and see what it had to offer.

(When I went to Google to check the address for this article I could not find it listed; what I did find, at the same address was “Komad Fashion Spirit.”  Somewhere in the time they opened to now the name has changed and I suspect so has the concept.)

I think what caught our eye as we headed toward the car, was the array of long skirts that beckoned to the potential buyers of this area.  It was a very hot day, the muggiest so far this year, and everything looked so fresh and cool.  Upon entering the small store, albeit messy like the Safari Market but smaller and some semblance of order, we were greeted by two of the loveliest young women we had met in a long time.

  [Read more…]

An Excursion into City Heights, Part One: Safari Market Bazaar

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Safari Market Bazaar
4348  54th Street
San Diego, CA 92115

In continuing with San Diego Free Press “neighborhood watch”, it was time to venture into areas that I had never been before.  I recently met a man that I thought might be the companion I was looking for and asked him if he would like to go with me to review the Safari Market.  He said to me, and I believe this is a direct quote, “You couldn’t get me to go into that crime zone.”

Needless to say I am not seeing him anymore and was even more curious about what he considered a “crime zone.”

I asked a former Swiss student, a world traveler, if she would like to join me on this voyage, and she was all for it.  Since the market doesn’t open until 2:00pm – closes at 8:00 pm – it was perfect timing for her. She could surf in the morning; continue writing her dissertation before we left, and take a well deserved break to join me before continuing on her dissertation.
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Restaurant Review “El Borrego”

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El Borrego
4280 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92105
619-281-1355

In March of this year, I received an invitation from a restaurateur to enjoy a meal at her restaurant. I tried to visit the day before Easter but they were closed and did not get back to it until today.

I really was not anxious to try it because their focus is on lamb, and I have not eaten lamb since 1956. (I got sick on the smell of it while pregnant and have never had it since.)  However, the invitation and the recommendation of one of SDFP writers – Anna – made me decide to “bite the lamb” and give it a try.

I called Joe, my friend from on-line dating days, and he agreed to go with me to try it out. He lives in the neighborhood and was looking forward to another restaurant to add to his walking tours.   [Read more…]

More Than a Market: Exploring City Heights’ SuperMercardo Murphy

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SuperMercado Murphy
4580 University Ave.
City Heights, CA

By Judi Curry

One of the best times of my life was from 196­7-1980.  Every summer we would pack up the boat, the cars, and head to Mexico to camp in a very primitive area opposite Estero Beach in Ensenada.  I could regale you with tales of our annual visits, but this review is not about Tony’s Camp. Rather it about the wonderful experience my youngest – Stephanie – and I had today visiting the Super Mercado Murphy.

When we ran out of food at Tony’s, we had to take the boat to the mainland and shop in Ensenada. We usually shopped at “Lemon” and it was always fun.  The items offered were different than the ones in the US, and we would spend many hours just looking around.  Today took us back to those days in Mexico.

The Super Mercado Murphy is a market; an eating establishment; a butcher shop, etc.   [Read more…]

Out to Lunch in City Heights: Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

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AWASH Ethiopian Restaurant
4947 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92115
619) 677-3754

By Judi Curry

For someone that has not had Ethiopian food for many years, I wondered the wisdom of having dinner last night at “The Red Sea” and lunch today at “Awash.” While pondering what to do, I called my friend Joe and asked him if he would like to have lunch with me and he readily agreed. (Of course, we had discussed this already before I ate at the Red Sea.)

The outside of the restaurant is non-nondescript. It almost looks like a store front rather than a restaurant. Upon entering, the image changes dramatically. The first thing that you smell is incense – a pleasant odor, not over-powering. There are two sections to the dining room – one by the window that is very bright; the other in a more secluded area, and consisting primarily of individual booths rather than table.
  [Read more…]

The Red Sea Restaurant Reviewed: Delicious Ethiopian Food in City Heights

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The Red Sea
4717 University Avenue
San Diego, CA
619-285-9722

In keeping with the spotlight theme this month on City Heights, I gathered together a few friends to meet at “The Red Sea” for dinner.  Anna and Rich live in the City Heights neighborhood, and this restaurant was one of her recommendations.  Roshne was born in Ethiopia and just recently came back from a vacation to her country.  Although she was raised in Canada after the age of 5, her mother cooked the traditional Ethiopian food and she was anxious to try it here.  Bette had never had Ethiopian food before, and was game to try it.   [Read more…]

It’s Hard to Support the Mayor, But…

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By Judi Curry

I have tried to stay out of the Filner controversy since it started. After all, I was – am – a supporter of his. I have a picture of him with me on my front window, and have cheered him on as he tackles the “good old boys” from yesteryear. To say that I am appalled at the events that have taken place recently is a mild rejoinder. The betrayal that I have felt towards the mayor is pure and simple anger. How could he? He won the election by setting up goals and principles that he is fighting for now.

When Donna Frye gave her first press conference I felt nauseated for hours afterwards. I worked on Donna’s campaign; I respect her more than any other politician I have ever met. And then came her second press conference and I wondered what happened to her. The yelling is so out of character. I was sorry to see her lose her composure.

Then Irene McCormack stepped forward and talked about the things that Filner did to her. She didn’t want any publicity, but she hired Gloria Allred to represent her? I don’t doubt, for a minute, that what she said happened really did happen. But did it happen the way she says it did? I don’t know. I do know that she is a well respected person in San Diego.   [Read more…]

What Do Buddy and I Have in Common?

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By Judi Curry

Buddy is my 12 year old Golden Retriever. Twelve years old – in doggie years – makes him older than me! Hooray! And, Buddy was born on my birthday. We have “celebrated” our birthdays together for years now – he get’s people food, and I get to watch him eat it.

At my age – younger than Buddy – I have many aches and pains. The broken shoulder and trigger fingers don’t help. Buddy also has many aches and pains, particularly in the hip area of his large body. He weighs in at about 115 pounds; and is large for a dog regardless of his weight.

I go to physical therapy twice a week and I have a reflexology massage – see my previous article on Mary’s Therapies – every two weeks. So what, you say?. Buddy now also has physical therapy at least once a week — and this week, he had it twice.

Come on – physical therapy for an animal! Let me introduce you to the best person Buddy has met in many years.   [Read more…]

Restaurant Review: Bay Park Fish Company

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By Judi Curry

Bay Park Fish Company
4121 Ashton Street
San Diego, CA
(619) 276-3474 (FISH)

One of my best friends from Massachusetts is visiting me right now, and she wanted to take me out to dinner. Her 27 year old son is with her, and he said he would really like to have some fresh fish, so I called my daughter and asked her for suggestions as to where to go. Her recommendation was the Bay Park Fish Company right off of Morena Blvd., (next to Siesal’s Meat Market) and after checking to see if they were open on Monday night – they were – we made plans to eat dinner there. Unfortunately, her son Dan was not feeling well so just Susan and I went alone.   [Read more…]

Review: You Can’t Go Wrong with a Sunday in Old Town

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Miguel’s Restaurant
2444 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA 619-298-9840

Stephen Sondheim’s “COMPANY”
Cygnet Theater
4040 Twiggs St (at San Diego Ave)
San Diego, CA  (619) 337-1525

By Judi Curry

Candy, one of the members of a Widow’s Support Group that I belong to is the only one of us that is not a Pisces or Aries.  Works out fairly well for the rest of us, because all of our birthdays seem to fall in February and/or March and although we do not need a celebration to get together it makes it more fun.

Ro, a member of my other support group, volunteers as an usher for many of the playhouses in San Diego, and she had 4 free passes to see “Company” at the Cygnet and generously offered to “donate” them to us for Candy’s birthday celebration.  As we frequently do, we decided to go out for lunch and take in the 2:00pm matinee.   [Read more…]

A Visit to San Diego Amusement Scenes

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The good and the bad of two of San Diego’s most popular family attractions.

By Judi Curry

For the first time in many years, I had the opportunity to baby-sit two of my grandchildren. Actually, these were two of my four great-grandchildren, and, after swimming all day the first day they stayed with me, I realized we would have to do something else or all of us would go nuts in the remaining five days. Thanks to a great friend, I was given complimentary passes for three to Sea World and, in spite of my broken shoulder, decided to drive the short distance instead of taking a bus or taxi. The tickets also included the $15 parking fee.

We parked near the entrance – or what I thought was the entrance – only to find that there was a lot of construction going on and the entrance had been moved about an eighth of a mile from where we parked. (If you have ever had a broken shoulder you know that each step jiggles the two broken bones, and you keep feeling your shoulder to see if the bones are sticking out yet.)

The letter I received told me to pick up my passes at the “Will Call” but….there was no “will call.” I asked the guide where we should go to pick them up and he looked at the huge line where “ordinary” people were picking up their tickets and said “at the end of this line.” I must have looked like I was in pain; a sling on my left arm; a brace on my right arm for my carpal tunnel, and dragging two kids – 6 and 10 – and he took pity on me. He said, “stand right there and I’ll ‘sneak’ you into a fast moving line.” Which he did. Bless him!   [Read more…]

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FRIGGING BASTARDS THAT ARE NOT CONTENT WITH THE FIREWORKS SHOWS

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By Judi Curry

The adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is shown here for those of you that insist on shooting off firecrackers all night long.  Not fireworks – firecrackers.  I only wish that I could shove one of the “crackers” where the sun don’t shine in defense of Buddy, who is absolutely scared to death.   [Read more…]

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