GREEN HOUSES: DEL CERRO DESIGNER COOKS UP A GREEN KITCHEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (Del Cerro) — “Clients will ask, `How can we go green and still make it beautiful? That’s really the trick,” observes designer Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo. Fahmie designed a green kitchen in his own Del Cerro home, using utilizing natural and eco-friendly materials as well as maximizing energy efficiency. “Granite is as green as you can get,” said the designer, who chose Verdi Vuccia granite countertops and natural Jerusalem stone floors. “It comes right out of a mountain and you polish it with diamonds and water. All of these manufactured countertops on the market are not really green; they have epoxies and polysters which are petroleum based, and it takes a lot of manufacturing process to create them, using more energy.” To minimize the impact on forests, Fahmie opted against solid wood cabinetry. Instead, he chose burl and exotic veneers over a medium density fiberboard core to create elegant cabinets featuring his signature curved doors. “With veneers, you can get 30 times the yield as with solid wood. You can build 20 to 30 kitchens instead of one,” he noted. Fahmie’s kitchen also has a pull-out recycling center beneath an island, ceiling fan for natural ventilation, and insulation beneath floor joists. A desk in a sunny window is illuminated with natural lighting during the day. The designer also included low-voltage lighting including light-emitting diode (LED) under cabinet and display lights, as well as halogen Par 38s. “A 45-watt halogen will put out 90 watts of light, double what a plain incandescent provides,” he noted. Appliances are also energy efficient. A Miele dishwasher uses convection drying, saving on water usage. A warming drawer keeps food warm without heating up a large oven, while a dacor five-burner range heats up quicker than an electric range. Fahmie also added a Thermador double oven, which includes an upper oven that includes a combination microwave/convention cooking mode. “It’s the best oven on the market,” said Fahmie, who savors the results. “You can put a turkey in here and convection seals it from the outside. Microwave cooks it from the inside and it’s done in two hours. It will be the juiciest turkey you’ve ever had!” RESOURCES Good Green Kitchens: The Ultimate Resource for Creating a Beautiful, Healthy, Eco-Friendly Kitchen by Jennifer Roberts (Gibbs Smith, Publisher) Build It Green The U.S. Green Building Council has many resources of certified professionals and green products Green Living Journal Kitchen Expo Editor Miriam Raftery has been covering interior design for home magazines and newspapers in Southern California over the past 20 years. Printer-friendly version
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – NOVEMBER
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues POWERLINK GETS PUMMELED ECM Editor’s note: The CPUC decision leaves the door open for a southern route to be built, which would impact East County communities near the border, so stay tuned. Voice of San Diego (November 1, 2008) — San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposed $1.2 billion Sunrise Powerlink will not be built through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The California Public Utilities Commission, the state regulatory agency that decides whether the power line should be built or not, issued draft rulings Friday that give the five-member commission two options to consider when deciding the Sunrise Powerlink’s fate in December: Don’t build it at all, or build it around the park — on the condition that SDG&E guarantee it delivers renewable energy to San Diego. DROUGHT, BEETLES KILLING FORESTS More than 10,000 oaks in S.D. County affected San Diego Union-Tribune (October 25, 2008 ) — Bugs and diseases are killing trees at an alarming rate across the West, from the spruce forests of Alaska to the oak woodlands near the San Diego-Tijuana border. Several scientists said the growing threat appears linked to global warming. That means tree mortality is likely to rise in places as the continent warms, potentially altering landscapes in ways that increase erosion, fan wildfires and diminish the biodiversity of Western forests. A SLOW STRUGGLE Only 9 percent of homes that were destroyed in blazes have been rebuilt San Diego Union-Tribune (October 21, 2008 ) — Mary Wagner and her family are among the lucky ones. Although they lost their home in Rancho Bernardo in the wildfires that started a year ago today, they navigated insurance claims and building permits with little trouble and will be moving into a new, bigger house before Christmas. “We couldn’t have been more fortunate,” she said. “The house looks a lot different, but it’s beautiful.” Among the 1,646 homes destroyed in last year’s firestorms, only 9 percent – 150 – have been rebuilt. Most property owners are still suffering the stress of insurance negotiations, finding a reputable contractor and pulling together enough money to replace their homes. COUNTY WAIVES SHELTER DEADLINE FOR 2007 FIRE VICTIMS Ramona Sentinel (October 20, 2008) — San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Use has told victims of last October’s wildfires they don’t have to worry about an Oct. 21 deadline that could have forced them out of temporary trailers on their property. RAINBOW: COUPLE HOPES FIRE-SAFE FEATURES WILL PRESERVE HOME IN FUTURE WILDFIRE Fire marshal says fire-resistant construction is necessary, but awareness is also key Voice of San Diego (October 24, 2008 ) Rainbow — At first glance, Bob and Anne Atkins’ house doesn’t look too much like a fortress. Its yellow stucco walls and Mexican tile roof blend in with other houses in the residential area just east of Interstate 15, overlooking Stewart Canyon stretching out to the south. Watch the video IN SHIFT, SUNRISE POWERLINK COULD AVOID ANZA-BORREGO Voice of San Diego (October 22, 2008) — For nearly three years, whenever San Diego Gas & Electric talked about the Sunrise Powerlink’s proposed path through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the company and its representatives were adamant: Building the power line through the park was unavoidable. SDG&E’S NEW FIRE PLAN DRAWING MIXED RESULTS: POSSIBLE OUTAGES RAISE CONCERNS San Diego Union-Tribune (October 4, 2008) — SDG&E’s plan to turn off electricity in parts of the backcountry during strong Santa Ana winds to prevent fires is being applauded by some as a positive move, and condemned by others as potentially causing worse problems than it solves. Officials of water districts in rural parts of the county were particularly skeptical, saying they were given little warning. The policy could also have implications for homeowners, including inoperable portable phones, garage door openers, stoplights and well pumps. GAS TRACKERS San Diego Reader (October 1, 2008) — Kenneth Reisig belongs to a bevy of volunteers who post retail gasoline prices on sandiegogasprices.com. The resource belongs to GasBuddy Organization Inc.’s collection of websites that allow consumers to compare gas prices in cities all over the United States. “It’s not that hard to post prices,” Reisig writes in an email, “and it would be nicer if a few more people would take the little bit of time to help out.” Reisig lives in San Carlos and keeps an eye on three gas stations at the corner of Lake Murray Boulevard and Navajo Road. Printer-friendly version
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, CITIES & BOARDS TAKE STANDS ON PROP 8
Printer-friendly versionEvents planned this weekend by supporters and opponents of initiative to overturn same-sex marriage By Miriam Raftery Art Madrid, La Mesa Mayor November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council voted unanimously to take a neutral stance on Proposition 8, drawing applause from most of the crowd assembled at council chambers last week. “The city of La Mesa will not allow its council chambers to be the battleground for conflicting social issues,” Mayor Art Madrid observed. Councilmember Ruth Sterling agreed with the decision. “I also felt it did not belong on the agenda, that it was an issue of personal beliefs, and not in the city council purview of responsibilities to make a unilateral decision on behalf of the citizens of La Mesa on a sensitive, personal issue as Proposition 8,” she told East County Magazine. Sylvia Sullivan, a La Mesa citizen, asked to have the issue put on the Council’s agenda. Vice Mayor Mark Arapostathos made a motion to take no action on the measure and criticized the City of San Diego for its recent vote to oppose Proposition 8. Conservative activist James Hartline condemned the La Mesa Council’s decision. “We have no respect for this kind of cowardice,” he wrote in the Hartline Report. “Subsequently, we do not support any of the current candidates for the City Council of La Mesa. The day of using the Christian Conservatives to get elected and then not giving those same voters anything back in return, IS OVER!” Religious conservatives argue that marriage should be between a man and a woman only, and that same-sex marriage undermines the moral fabric of society. But supporters of Prop 8 maintain that local governing boards should not purport to represent voters intentions on the measure, which supporters view as protection of civil rights and an important step to protect same-sex couples rights to healthcare coverage, pension benefits, hospital visitations, protections from estate taxes and being forced to sell a home to pay for long-term nursing care. Such legal protections are guaranteed to spouses but not unmarried partners under current law. Arapostathos called in “incredibly inappropriate” for San Diego Councilmembers to claim to represent all citizens on the divisive Defense of Marriage initiative, which would overturn same-sex marriages in California. San Diego City Councilmembers Toni Atkins, Kevin Faulconer, Donna Frye, Ben Hueso, Jim Madaffer and Scott Peters voted to oppose the ballot measure, while councilmembers Brian Maienschein and Tony Young voted against opposing it. Mayor Jerry Sanders and his daughter, a lesbian, have pledged to join opponents of Proposition 8 in a candlelight vigil on University Avenue in Hillcrest on Saturday night, November 1, the same night that supporters of Prop 8 are planning a rally at Qualcomm Stadium. “I just think we’re at a point where people are valuing family more than they’re valuing party politics,” Sanders said in a recent interview. The Grossmont Union High School District board voted to support Proposition 8, with only board member Dick Hoy abstaining on grounds that the measure does not impact schools. Emotions are running high on both sides, with both supporters and opponents complaining about theft of yard signs and in some cases, threats of violence. On October 29, a Torrance man was charged with a hate crime for using a “Yes on Prop 8” sign to actually assault a gay man. More than $60 million has been raised by both sides of the Prop 8 campaign, making it the costliest ballot initiative in the U.S. this year. Ads by supporters of Prop 8 have drawn sharp criticism for featuring children without consent of parents. Major supporters include the Mormon Church, which has contributed 40% of the funds raised, the Courage Campaign reported in a campaign it has launched titled “Stop the Lies. Other supporters include Focus on the Family, American Family Association, the Roman Catholic Church, and a coalition of Evangelicals led by Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in Spring Valley. Donors to groups opposing Prop 8 include Time Warner, AT&T, PG&E, Levi Strauss. Some corporate donors have received threats of boycotts from those supporting Prop 8. “They are going after our long-term funding and trying to intimidate Equality California donors from giving any more to the ‘No on 8’ campaign and from giving to Equality California ever again, which would impact our work for seniors, youth and other people in need,” Equality California director Geoffrey Kors has stated. The California Teachers Association also opposes Prop 8, along with State Schools Superintendent Jack O’Connell, who has called the Yes on 8 ads “despicable” for misleading the public to believe Prop 8 would force educators to teach children about same-sex marriages. Prop 8 has nothing to do with what is taught in schools, O’Connell states in “No on 8” ads. Printer-friendly version
A CONSERVATIVE AGAINST PROP. 8!
Printer-friendly versionBy the Rev. Michael C. Boblett Editor’s Note: Proposition 8 seeks to overturn the legality of same-sex marriages in California. I believe that Proposition 8 is a perfect example of an important fault line dividing the conservative movement in America today. On one side of this line are people like me, fiscal conservatives who prefer a government that does not seek to legislate private morality. On the other side are those who seek, whether they admit this or not, to turn this republic into a theocracy. Though I am less than satisfied with the judicial activism that initiated this crisis, I am even less happy with the mixture of bullying self-righteousness and outright dishonesty that has characterized the Yes on Eight campaign. Instead, I pray that we may return to a truly traditional American way of doing things: 1) Leave sexual morality to the various faiths and 2) allow a genuinely level playing field for those whose ways of life differ from our own. This approach has served us well for centuries. The only necessary adjustment has been to occasionally widen the circle of those allowed to compete without unnecessary barriers. This is the true free market. And this is true conservatism. Rev. Michael C. Boblett, D. Min. is a retired UU Minister living in San Carlos. Printer-friendly version
HUNGRY IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Gayle Early November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) – It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution here in La Mesa, where demand from hungry people seeking food has leaped 103% this quarter. Volunteers also picked up fresh produce and staples from Albertson’s and are setting up tables. Distribution starts at 9:00 a.m. It’s chilly. Many are camped out in chairs, huddled with blankets, surrounded by retractable shopping carts, canvas and plastic bags, bins, cardboard boxes, even laundry baskets with which to carry food home. If they have a home. It’s a long wait. “Some got here at 3:30 a.m.,” a volunteer said, as she relayed logistics among volunteers over her Bluetooth earclip phone. “I need to make sure no one cuts in line.” Well over 300,000 people living in San Diego County are hungry, Gary McDonald, Executive Director of Feeding America, told ECM, and reported by the Center on Policy Initiatives. An estimated 800,000 people live in “food insecure households”—meaning they do not always know where the next meal is coming from. In this weak economy, wages are not keeping up with the cost of living, with food inflation added to rising housing, energy, transportation, child care, and health care costs. The economic crisis is hitting working families really hard, said Chris Carter, Communications Director with the San Diego Food Bank. “Parents are skipping meals to feed their children. We can supplement but we can’t provide every meal.” The San Diego Apartment Association said rents have increased for average one-bedroom apartments 21% over the past two years. Tammy Anderson, her husband, 10-year-old son, and 13-year old daughter moved into their apartment on Schoolridge Lane, in La Mesa, in June. They had to pay a double-rent deposit, so for 3 ½ months they had to scrape an extra $100 a week for rent. Her husband rides the bus everyday to Sharp Hospital in Clairmont to clean carpets and tiles. They walk 7 or 8 blocks to the nearest grocery store. He needs knee-cap replacement surgery, is in a great deal of pain, has insurance, but can’t afford the time off. They worry that disability pay won’t be enough. “When we were having to pay the double deposit and everything, it was either food or his pain medicine,” she said. Crosspointe happened to adopt their very street for food distribution, delivering healthy fruits and vegetables from Albertson’s twice a month, along with staples, to any family in need, and finding in Tammy a grateful volunteer in the process. “It’s really been a blessing being able to have them help us out,” Tammy said. “We no longer have to worry where the food’s going to come from. And I know a lot of people appreciate it. I deal with a lot of the children on our street and a lot of them really don’t have a lot to eat and so when we bring it over they really appreciate what they get.” Foreclosures rose 70% in the third quarter of this year. Many of those managing to hold onto balloon-inflated mortgages are slicing their food budget to make ends meet. “What we’re finding is that more families are homeless now than homeless men,” said McDonald, of Feeding America. I walk up to the front of the line. No one complains, because by now everyone’s place is staked; in fact, folks are jibing and joking and it starts to feel like a tailgate party for the food line. Jack, 77, digs through his belongings and offers me his coat. “I’ve had it for years. Only worn it twice.” It’s a pristine, not to mention toasty, snazzy black wool coat with satin lining that he won in a Benson & Hedges coupon promotion. “That Jack, he’s a real gentleman,” says a woman in red sweats, standing at the very front of the line. Jack tells us he quit smoking and has been a vegetarian for 11 years, proud of his 150 lbs. What do you do if they give you, say, pasta sauce with meat? I ask. “I give it to someone else who needs it,” he says. Food demand at the San Diego Food Bank skyrocketed in the second quarter of this year, up 103% in La Mesa and 69% in Spring Valley. El Cajon saw a 7% increase in an already high food distribution of over a hundred thousand pounds, whereas Campo’s 123% increase was based on a relatively low distribution. In neighboring Santee, however, the City recently closed its food bank at a senior center, over the objections of concerned advocates for the poor. “We’re just seeing an alarming rate in demand,” Carter told ECM. “A lot of people who have been laid off. For example, a construction worker was laid off because the industry was in decline and they’re trying to live off his wife’s salary. She’s a secretary. Her salary is higher than the income threshold for food stamps. So it’s a choice between paying their rent and feeding their family.” “It is absolutely insane how many people come,” said Danielle Womack, Pastor of Family Life and Compassions Ministries at Crosspoint, aka ‘Pastor Dani.’ “We’re seeing a lot of new faces. From every race, every background. We see them coming with kids, we see the elderly, I see people who have jobs but they need to get the foods we have to save money for other things. “I’m shocked each time with the number of people here with young kids. Because to go through a food line? It’s not a simple process. To wait there, that long, with children. And to try to carry boxes when you’ve got the strollers—probably not worth the effort unless it’s really really needed,” she said. Crosspointe also stocks a
The politically correct pumpkin
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THE CHEAPSKATE’S GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN EAST COUNTY – Hot Tots and Cool Kids
Printer-friendly versionResale Clothes & Toys for Children of All Ages By Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 – In today’s cost-conscious times, parents are rediscovering the jobs of resale shopping. By popular demand, after reporting on my favorite women’s resale shop, I scoured East County to find a great place for parents to save money on stylish kids’ clothes, play equipment and more. When my kids were little, I saved a fortune by scavenging in resale shops—often finding great quality clothing in like-new condition. After all, tots often outgrow clothes that have scarcely been worn. The stores I shopped in have long since closed their doors, so when I discovered Conceptions Children’s Resale in Santee, I couldn’t wait to share this find with our readers! Torrie Miller, co-owner of the shop, has worked at Conceptions for the past 10 years, starting out under the store’s prior owners. “We have clothes up to size 12 and tons of toys,” she said, adding that the shop is one of the few children’s resale outlets to offer a wide variety of outdoor play equipment such as playhouses, slides, sand and water tables, wagons and picnic tables. Conceptions also carries cribs and other infant furniture, gliders, cradles, swings, strollers, high-chairs, joggers, strollers, diaper bags and other gear as well as books, videos, and new DVDs. We found many brand-name items at bargain-basement prices, such as a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag for $50 (retail $200). Other major brands carried include Carters, Baby Gap, Gymboree, Osh-Kosh, Old Navy, The Children’s Place, Maclaren, Combi, Step 2 and Little Tykes. Besides second-hand items, the store also carries some new products from liquidators at deep discounts, such as Infantino “funny arm” high chairs and teething toys. “Baby Einstein DVDs are a big hit for infants and newborns to keep them entertained, sooth them and teach them things,” said Miller. Popular options include classical music and nature topics—all at half the retail price. “We also have lots of things for Moms,” Miller noted. Items for new mothers include maternity clothes, nursing pillows, and new breast pumps. We brought a trio of youngsters to model play clothes and dress-up outfits. Sofia Baron of El Cajon, age 14 months, looked adorable in a Black Baby Gap two-piece dress for just $7.99. She also modeled a Gymboree fur-trimmed jacket ($7.99), Levis pants ($4.99) , Osh Kosh shirt ($3.99) and Baby Gap shoes for $4.99. Skylar O’Brian of San Diego wore a matching Gymboree jacket ($7.99) and Children’s Place skirt ($4.99), perfect for a cool fall afternoon. She also donned a stunning beaded David’s Bridal Dress suitable for a flower girl, but priced at an affordable $25.00. El Cajon resident Brian Yeargan, age six, looked sporty and stylish in a Target shirt for just ($2.99) along with Target pants ($2.49). “We buy stuff and resell it,” said customer Tracy Brumm of Lakeside, who appreciates the store’s discounts for foster parents. The store also offers discounts for firefighters, police and military families. The store’s motto sums up the sentiments of its customers who have embraced resale over retail: If you can’t tell the difference, why pay the difference? Conceptions Children’s Resale 10438 Misison Gorge Rd. Santee, CA 92071 (619)596-BABY www.conceptionsresale.com Printer-friendly version
VOTER’S WATCHDOG – Be a Good Citizen: Vote!
Printer-friendly versionVOTER’S WATCHDOG – Be a Good Citizen: Vote! By Penelope Young Andrade, LCSW, guest columnist Are you ready to be a good citizen? Like many of us, you may have some trouble naming your Congressperson, or knowing the number of your Congressional district. No blame. It’s easy to get caught in demands at home or work and forget that one of your most important relationships is with your government – community, city, state, and national. However, while you can choose to be a parent, spouse, lover, boss or employee; unless you live illegally, you can not choose whether or not you are a citizen. You can only choose whether you’re ready to be a good one. Here’s the tip. First, step outside for a breath of air. While you do that, consider whether keeping air fresh and healthy is the responsibility of a good citizen. Come back inside and eat some fruit, veggies, grains or meat. Have a drink of water. Contemplate whether the quality of your citizenship might have an impact on the quality of your food and water. Next, drive down to your bank to withdraw some money. Calculate how the safety of your investments depends on government oversight insisted upon by engaged citizens. Now, check out whether these deliberations have increased your readiness for active citizenship. If yes, it’s time to write letters, make calls, walk precincts, demonstrate and organize. And of course do what all good citizens do –VOTE! It’s simply a matter of life or death. Penelope Young Andrade, LCSW is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Diego. She is committed to restoring bodymind vitality and health for individuals, couples, families and peace and justice in the body politic. www.penelopetalk.com • 858-481-5752 Printer-friendly version