The décor was inviting: High ceilings with unique lighting fixtures created a welcoming ambiance perfect whether it’s a night on the town with friends or a romantic dinner with your sweetie. The restaurant itself boasted a large bar, several tables for dining, and quiet cozy booths.

Our sever Jen quickly greeted us and offered extensive knowledge about the menu, the chef, and the restaurant itself. Chef Christian Graves gets all of his fresh ingredients from Susie’s Farm (a local farm) and customs his menu according to the freshest ingredients of the season. Jsix bakes its bread onsite and makes its very own olive oil, meats and cheeses. They even grow their own herbs on the roof (which is where they banish patrons who indulge in too many adult beverages)!

To begin, we each chose a signature cocktail. My virgin peach Bellini-Tini consisted of fresh peach puree and freshly squeezed lemon-lime juices in a lightly sugared martini glass--a perfect palette (or in my case—beak) cleanser before dinner. Benny’s Basil Lavender Lemon Drop with grey goose, lemon basil lavender syrup, and lavender sugar rim was by far one of the most unique cocktails either had ever experienced. The intense flavor of the basil, the slightly sour of the lemon, and the not overly sweet lavender syrup combined together nicely for a refreshing beverage. Absolutment marveilleux!

                                        

The aerospace industry in California fared relatively well when compared to the overall manufacturing sector according to a recent study by the Northern California Center of Excellence and the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies at Cerritos College.  Between 2004 and 2008, the aerospace industry added over 5,500 jobs, but then experienced a sharp decline in 2009 with the loss of nearly 14,500 jobs over the previous year.  Between 2004 and 2009, the aerospace industry declined only 5 percent compared to 12 percent for the overall manufacturing sector.

California is responsible for about 25 percent of the aerospace industry in the U. S. Besides the strong supplier presence, California has more NASA centers than any other state and has a higher education system that provides a pipeline of skilled workers.  The clustering of aerospace supplier industries promotes knowledge transfer and innovation, reduces operating expenditures, and attracts new aerospace businesses to the state.  There are also four air force bases that support research, design, and testing of commercial and military aerospace systems (Edwards, Vandenberg, Los Angeles, and Air Force Plant 42.)

A few large firms, such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, which produce aircraft for the military and private organizations, dominate the aerospace industry. These large firms subcontract with smaller suppliers to manufacture or design parts for the aircraft systems. The aerospace industry is comprised of the following industry groups:

                                        

San Diego is considered one of the early adopters of hybrid electric vehicles. More plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and all-electric vehicles (BEVs or battery electric vehicles) are entering the market in San Diego and 1,500 public car-charging stations are going to be installed across the county.

There are different options for those interested in going green with their transportation.

Expected to release in later this year, the plug-in Chevy Volt costs about $41,000 and all-electric Nissan LEAF costs about $33,000.

But for those who don’t want to purchase a new car, there are a couple of companies in the country offering plug-in conversion kits, which let certain cars—depending on the company—go into a plug-in or all-electric mode, that costs about $5,000-13,000 for the same or better quality as the Volt or Leaf.

“The plug-in conversion is similar to the Volt. The big difference between the [Nissan Leaf] and the plug-in conversion, whether it’s our conversion of the Prius or the Volt, is that once the battery pack is depleted, that’s it. You have to either charge up or you don’t go any place. That’s one of the big drawbacks of an all-electric vehicle,” said Plug-In Conversions Corporation Founder Kim Adelman.

                                        

Councilmember Carl DeMaio serves in District 5.

Guest Commentary

This November voters will be asked to vote on Prop D, which would authorize a five-year half-billion dollar tax increase for the city of San Diego.

City politicians and labor unions – the same individuals who have created the city’s financial problems and fought fiscal reforms for years – are backing Prop D. They claim you should trust them with more money or they will cut your services.

In contrast, leading taxpayer advocates and government watchdogs all oppose Prop D for many reasons – and we urge you to vote No on Prop D on Election Day.

First and foremost, Prop D gives city politicians a “blank check” tax increase with no guarantees on how the money would be spent.

In this regard Prop D is one of the most misleading propositions to make the ballot. While Prop D is being sold by city politicians and city labor unions as “restoring” vital city services, not a penny of the increased tax is earmarked for important programs such as police and fire services.

To the contrary, with the city’s annual pension payment increasing dramatically each year, you can expect increased tax revenues to be diverted to the city’s financially-troubled pension system rather than to restore city services.

                                        

Pain or aching in the back may have any of several causes. Should you run with back pain? If running doesn't make it worse, go ahead. Sitting puts more stress on your back than running does and in reality exercise rather than rest is recommended for most runners with back problems. If running isn't comfortable, swim, cycle or try some other activity. Walking is excellent.

For pain relief, use ice but rather than wrap the ice against your back, place it on your bed and lie on it. Some people favor a hot/cold regimen from the start. Alternate 20 minutes of ice with 20 minutes of heat.

Some back problems lie deep in the muscles where icing won't have an effect. If pushing the site of the injury with your thumb does not cause pain, the injury probably lies too deep. People with chronic back problems should do stretching and strengthening exercises regularly. Try back extensions, lower back stretches, pelvic tilts, bent-leg crunches and trunk twists. Warm-up beforehand.

When running, stick to soft surfaces and avoid irregular surfaces and small running with tight turns. When you sleep place a pillow between your knees when on your side and place two pillows under your knees when lying on your back.

If your back pain radiates into your leg or if rest and home treatments don't bring relief than I suggest you see a sports-oriented doctor.