This story was reported for KPBS News on Jan. 27, 2015. The last woman to serve on the Poway City Council was Merrilee Boyack, who sat on the board from 2004 to 2012. Boyack said there were instances when she felt her approach was different because of her gender. “I felt very drawn to and connected to the people,” Boyack… Read more →
Category: her work
‘Life Storms’: Encinitas woman pens Hurricane Katrina memoir
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on Aug. 19, 2015. There’s a new story on the shelves of American bookstores meant to help others overcome life’s challenges. But the author of the book, “Life Storms: Hurricane Katrina,” isn’t just offering advice. Jennifer Gremillion, a 45-year-old Encinitas resident, wrote from experience. Gremillion, a native of New Orleans, escaped Hurricane Katrina… Read more →
Friendship flourishes into beloved foundation
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on Dec. 6, 2014. A 15-year-old friendship between two men has been the premise of an impactful Encinitas nonprofit organization. Mark Patterson and Bob Nichols, who met at the local YMCA in 1999, are the founders of the Surfing Madonna Foundation. The beloved charity—which was formed in 2011 after the two covertly installed… Read more →
Discount store closure is sign of North Park’s changing demographics
This story was reported for Uptown News on Dec. 5, 2014. A local real estate expert said the closure of a long-time North Park discount store is a sign of the neighborhood’s growing affluence. Discount International Fashion Company, located at 3002 University Ave., announced it will close its doors in December after more than 25 years in North Park. “The… Read more →
Street Angels ask public for help in serving homeless
This story was reported for Uptown News on Dec. 5, 2014. The holidays have encouraged a North Park nonprofit to ramp up its efforts of serving the homeless. Urban Street Angels (USA), an all-volunteer nonprofit that serves an estimated 3,000 homeless young people in San Diego each month, will host its third annual North Park Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 13.… Read more →
Encinitas resident shares story of hope, courage in new book
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on Dec. 5, 2014. An Encinitas resident who founded a nonprofit to support burn victims has taken her mission in life one step further with the release of her first book, “Heart of Fire.” Lesia Stockall Cartelli, who founded Angel Faces in 2003, tells her story of surviving a fire and finding confidence… Read more →
Civita attracts new homeowners, families
This story was reported for Mission Valley News on Nov. 14, 2014. As Mission Valley’s new Civita development rapidly transforms from architectural watercolor renderings into a living, breathing, brick-and-mortar reality, the neighborhood is attracting a variety of residents from all over San Diego. The $2 billion master-planned development situated north of Friars Road will eventually offer more than 4,000 homes… Read more →
Bee business opens in North Park
This story was reported for Uptown News on Nov. 21, 2014. A new business has become the buzz around North Park. Bee Happy, which opened at 2637 University Ave. this month, is home to all products related to bees and any supplies beekeepers may need. Owner Erin Holko, 35, said she felt the need to open Bee Happy after she… Read more →
Dad becomes author with help of autistic son
This story was reported for Uptown News on Nov. 7, 2014. In 2009, six words changed Rusty Trimble’s life. “Daddy,” said Andrew, Trimble’s son, “can you write a book?” It was Andrew’s response to a bath-time puppet show Trimble had put on for him every day. The puppet show, complete with five to 10 different characters, was conceived by Trimble… Read more →
North Park Nursery continues to blossom
This story was reported for Uptown News on Oct. 24, 2014. Paul Hunyady had a love for designing landscapes early on. He remembers spending hours on end with his mother in their yard and suggesting certain areas for her plants. Hunyady described his mother as a single mom of three who worked constantly. But when she was home, she was… Read more →