SUPERVISORS VOTE TO ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO SELL SURPLUS SOLAR POWER BACK TO UTILITY COMPANIES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 7, 2008 (San Diego) — A unanimous vote by the San Diego Board of Supervisors in November requires the County’s Chief Administrative Officer to provide county-sponsored legislation making it easier for residential power customers the ability to sell surplus solar energy back to utility companies. Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who represents East County, introduced the resolution to enable San Diego County residents to take advantage of the California Solar Initiative passed by the state legislature. The program, implemented last year, provides $3.3 billion to subsidize installations of photovoltaic systems. "The individual who has generated the energy gets nothing for it," said Jacob. "The need for action was brought to my attention by these very customers." Allowing customers to profit by selling back surplus power generated will provided another incentive for clean and renewable energy, she added. Currently, state law prohibits homeowners from selling surplus power back to utility companies. A bill that would have allowed "net meter" utility customers to sell surplus power failed passage earlier this year in Sacramento; however a similar bill is expected to be introduced when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Utility companies are already required by state mandate to produce at least 20% of power from renewable sources by 2010. "The state can and should, I believe, allow SDG&E to allow the residential solar towards its mandate," Jacob said adding that she believes our county can meet its energy needs through clean sources, according to a December 4 article in The Alpine Sun. SDG&E has registered support of legislation allowing residential customers to sell surplus power to utilities at a fair rate. Ken Sobel, president of United Sustainable Energy, told East County Magazine that Jacob’s proposal represents one of two key components needed for growth of renewable energy to reduce demand for foreign oil (a national security concern), control our energy costs, reduce greenhouse gases, mitigate climate change and spur economy growth through "green technology, which produces nearly five times the number of jobs as the production of carbon-based fuels." Sobel observed, "Dianne’s proposal is generally referred to as a `feed-in tariff.It is the model that Germany used to become substantially energy independent in only a decade. However, there are other major components. The Berkeley Plan (which may become Chula Vista’s and possibly the City of San Diego’s) allows homeowners to buy solar PV (photovoltaic) systems with loans secured by real estate taxes." He added a cautionary note reflecting today’s tough economic climate. "All of the foregoing will be ineffective, however, without easy credit." Local bonds to guarantee low interest loans and extensive marketing would help such plans succeed, Sobel concluded, adding, "But we are on the right track." Printer-friendly version
POWAY FARMERS MARKET AND CRAFTS FAIR OPEN TWO MORE WEEKENDS BEFORE HOLIDAY
Printer-friendly versionPhotos by Thea Skinner December 2008 (Poway) — The Poway Farmers’ Market and Boardwalk Craft Market features fresh product and other products from local farms, as well as regional crafts including pottery, weaving, jewelry and much more. Located in Old Poway Park at 14134 Midland Road, the craft market and farmer’s market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 13 and 20. Closed during January, the market will reopen in February. Necklaces created by Chris Stell Creative Arts DC WoodCrafts wood chopping blocks created by Dennis Caldwell A colorful display of Day lily flowers awaits a home Margaret Marlow, fiber artist and weaver spins fiber yarn Printer-friendly version
SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ADDRESSED AT NCA CONVENTION
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Thea Skinner Rev. Canon Mary Moreno-Richardson, coordinator for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of San Diego speaks as other panelists are attentive during the National Communication Association’s 94th Annual Convention, "unCONVENTIONal" at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego Nov. 22. Dec 1, 2008 (San Diego) — Spirits ran high in higher education during the National Communication Association’s 94th Annual Convention at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego Nov. 21-24. Titled the "unCONVENTIONal," the convention held concurrent sessions on eight levels of the hotel. The Nov. 22 Urban Communication Foundation Spotlight Panel session discussed issues pertinent to the region including democratic processes, activism, infrastructure and sustainability–at times sparking heated controversy. The five largest issues affecting the region are growth, borders, water, climate, and economy or housing, said Peter Andersen, professor at San Diego State University’s School of Communication and environmental community commentator for Channel 10. William Eadie, a professor at the university chairing the panel, cited government transparency as key to addressing issue development. "What are you going to do to create neighborhood networks, so people are talking to each other about issues?" he asked. "Anybody in any profession has a community service obligation; everybody in any profession can say they have too much pressure or too much to do." Two panelists representing Move San Diego, an organization committed to assisting the region’s transportation plan in a sustainable manner, participated. Organization Members participate in senate hearings and give testimonies to city council advocating for a smart growth model to address urban congestion, sprawl and pollution. The convention came on the heels of a local senate subcommittee meeting held in San Diego the week prior. The meeting included U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Environment and Public Works. Boxer called for critical investments in infrastructure in October to stimulate the economy. An audience participant asked what San Diego is doing to engage the public with new media and empower grassroots communication, as another audience participant expressed frustration in holding dialogue with the military community to facilitate issue development. Attendees at the National Communication Association’s 94th Annual Convention, unCONVENTIONal network near booths at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego Nov. 22. Vince Hall, political communication lecturer at the university with more than 20 years of experience in campaign and government politics, indicated that regional organizations ranging from political to nonprofit are using social media outlets including Facebook, MySpace, micro-sites and Web sites. "To me the biggest gap is between government and everybody else. The government enjoys the privacy to make its own powerful decisions in the absence of community involvement by not engaging in these new technology based networks," Hall said. "We have seen it several hundred times… community planning with the same 15 people gathered every single week." Hall is presently vice president of public affairs and communications for Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties. "I think we are going to need some sort of statutory priority that forces government to use these technology networks, because government is achieving far too much privacy power as a result of being independent of those networks," he said. The same sentiment was echoed by Carolyn Chase, Move San Diego co-founder, San Diego Planning Commission member, and chair of the mayor’s Environmental Advisory Board. "Their (government) not interested in engaging in dialogue. They are not interested in negotiating; they are interested in having something come out of the back room that has already been decided on," she said. She mentioned that planning boards across the nation often hold numerous public meetings on issues that have already been decided. " have been on citizen advisory committees that have been fixed like that in this region," she said. She called for "encouraging people to know what their political power is about and how to get into groups," she said. "I tell people asking for help, `Look, politics is a group game." I actively work on trying to break through messages to elected officials; some of them who have been in the same elected position for 20 or 30 years." She added that elected officials are "old, rich, white guys – no offense–I hope there are some women in there." As the panel discussion concluded, a session titled Analyzing the New Media Landscape: From Blogs to YouTube commenced one floor level above. Communication scholars from about eight universities participated, presenting their findings. For more information visit www.movesandiego.org. Thea Skinner is a Colorado-based journalist and editor. For more of her writing, visit www.sensiblecommunicator.blogspot.com. Printer-friendly version
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 2008 SCORECARD: A TO F FOR SAN DIEGO’S LEGISLATORS
Printer-friendly versionEnvironmental voting records for east San Diego County state legislators and Governor Schwarzenegger By Sylvia Hampton December 9, 2008 San Diego) — Environmental protection is very important to San Diego County voters. Every year the League of Conservation Voters publishes a "scorecard" on the voting records of all state level representatives: www.ecovote.org/scorecard_2008.pdf. Among Assembly members representing East County and San Diego’s eastern region, environmental protection scores ranged from a low score of 5% (Anderson, Gerrick and Walters) to a high of 95% (Salas). Among our state Senators, scores ranged from a low of 6% (Hollingsworth) to a high of 100% (Kehoe), while Governor Schwarzenegger received a 60% rating. CLCV tracks bills on air quality and global warming, water quality and supply, renewable energy and clean fuels, toxics in the environment (and keeping kids safe from them,) protecting natural resources, and standards for growth and development. The organization celebrated its greatest legislative victory to date with the passage of the most important land use reform bill in California in three decades, SB 375–the first law in the nation to connect housing and transportation planning decisions with their impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The bill was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, who hailed it as "a model that the rest of the country and world will use" to fight global warming. Two of our past U.S. presidents were crucial to environmental protection—Teddy Roosevelt (R) for establishing the National Park system and Richard Nixon (R) for the Environmental Protection Agency. Elected officials are trusted to do the right thing for the environment, so it is interesting to know how our state officials from San Diego County scored. A perfect score is 100% and a dismal failure is 0%. There were twenty four bills analyzed and followed last year as important for the environmental health of the state. San Diego County area representatives’ scores: Assembly: Mimi Walters (R) 73rd District includes Oceanside north into Orange County. Score: 5% Martin Gerrick (R) 74th District includes Del Mar north to Highway 78 north of Carlsbad and east to include Vista, San Marcos and part of Escondido Score: 5% George Plescia (R) 75th District (Escondido, Poway, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Bernardo) Score: 19% Now represented by Nathan Fletcher (R) . Lori Saldana (D) 76th District (San Diego South of route 52) Score: 76% Joel Anderson (R) 77th District (part of San Diego South of Miramar Rd. but mostly East County) Score: 5% Shirley Horton (R) 78th District includes Chula Vista, Lemon Grove and a large portion (21%) of the city of San Diego) Score: 38% Now represented by Marty Block (D) Mary Salas (D) 79th District includes South coastal San Diego, National City, Imperial Beach, Coronado, border area.) Score: 95% Senate: Dennis Hollingsworth (R) 36th District (most of East County north of I-8) Score: 6% Mark Wyland (R) 38th District (includes North coastal San Diego County and Escondido, San Marcos and Vista.) Score: 7% Christine Kehoe (D) District 39 (urban San Diego) Score: 100% Denise Ducheny (D) District 40 (San Diego, Riverside County and all of Imperial County) Score: 67% Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Score: 60% 2008 California Environmental Scorecard Snapshot of the numbers 2008 Scorecard 2007 Scorecard Average of all Assemblymembers 61% 58% Average Assembly Republican Score 14% 5% Average Assembly Democrat Score 93% 94% Perfect 100s (Beall, Berg, Brownley, DeSaulnier, Eng, Evans, Feuer, Hancock, Hayashi, Huffman, Jones, Karnette, Laird, Leno, Levine, Lieber, Nava, Ruskin, Saldaña) 19 29 Average of all Senators 60% 59% Average Senate Republican Score 12% 9% Average Senate Democrat Score 90% 89% Perfect 100s (Corbett, Kehoe, Kuehl, Lowenthal, Ridley-Thomas, Scott, Simitian, Vincent, Wiggins) 9 11 Governor 60% 63% Historical Averages Average Assembly Scores 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Assembly Democrats 94 85 98 83 86 94 85 86 87 94 93 Assembly Republicans 24 21 16 6 5 4 6 4 6 5 14 Average Senate Scores 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Senate Democrats 84 76 98 92 92 83 87 91 89 89 90 Senate Republicans 34 14 11 8 4 3 1.5 5 6 9 12 Governors’ Scores 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Score 41 21 75 85 72 100 58 58 50 63 60 Governor Deukmejian Wilson Davis Schwarzenegger © 2008 California League of Conservation Voters. Contact us. Sylvia Hampton is a community activist inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of fame for 2008 for her work in the fields of healthcare reform, social justice and reproductive health. She is the past president of the League of Women Voters of San Diego County and served on President Nixon’s Title X Family Planning Council. Her monthly Community Forum column is published in the Rancho Bernardo Sun, Diamond Gateway Signature, and her “Soapbox” in the East County Magazine. Printer-friendly version
Tecate, our Neighbors South of the Border
Printer-friendly versionBy Dennis Moore December 7, 2008 (Tecate) — Between the desert and the sea beats the heart of Baja California: Tecate, Mexico (not to be confused with the American city by the same name just across the border). Located in the northern central part of the state, Tecate is the ideal starting destination to every other city or point of interest in the region including Mexicali, Ensenada, La Rumorosa, Tijuana, Rosarito Beach and San Diego, California. La Rumorosa, a solid rock mountain range between Tecate and Mexicali, affords breathtaking scenery to the desert below. During wintertime, the snow-covered mountains of La Rumorosa bring a winter wonderland atmosphere to the area, the Mexican counterpart to Vail or Aspen, Colorado. Tecate is referred to as the more “relaxed” city in Baja California, as opposed to Tijuana and Rosarito Beach. With an approximate population of 100,000, Tecate straddles the border of east San Diego, California and Baja, Mexico, nestled at the base of East County’s mountains, just 55 minutes from downtown San Diego on old Highway 94. One wonders how Tecate escapes the violence and corruption that the media has recently associated with Tijuana and Rosarito Beach. Perhaps it may be due to Tecate’s small town image. Tecate is famous for its brewery, but also gives a glimpse of life in a non-tourist Mexican village. Tijuana and Rosarito Beach, on the other hand, seem to thrive and rely on tourism, which brings with it many of the social ills that can contribute to violence and corruption. Tecate, about 30 miles east of Tijuana, is a small town–a place where you can still sense tranquility, friendliness from its people, and hospitality. But being a small community certainly does not limit the options for visitors, rather, it enhances those options. Vinos Tanama, for one, is the first winery at the start of the northern entrance to the Wine Country route. Tanama, appropriately, means “Place of fertile ground, where water runs and oaks grow.” This off-the-beaten track winery offers wine tasting and tours of its cellar: my kind of place! Tecate takes great pride in its numerous parks, as well it should. Hildalgo Park in the center of town serves as a hub for shoppers, school children and anyone interested in a friendly game of dominoes. The tantalizing aroma of yeast from the nearby brewery wafts through the air, making you alternately hungry for homemade bread or thirsty for an ice cold beer. No visit to Tecate would be complete without a stop at the brewery for that free sample. Set in the rugged and rural Tecate highlands down Highway 3, the Rosita Resort Inn Hotel towers above the road less than four miles from Tecate’s downtown. I can envision myself there with my laptop computer, finishing up the book that I have been working on for years. The tranquility of this location would suit me, as well as other tourists just wanting to get away. That is the contrast between Tecate and Tijuana. Visitors are discovering Tecate as a relatively safe and charming alternative to Tijuana and other areas that have seen violence in recent weeks. Having lived in Tijuana for two years, making the comparison between Tecate and other parts of Baja California comes easy. Sure, there were times when I would cross the border late at night in Tijuana, and walk across the bridge towards Revolution Avenue to catch a bus or cab, and I would be somewhat concerned about my safety. I had heard the horror stories about the muggings and kidnappings associated with Tijuana and Rosarito Beach, as well as the numerous murders recently, but I tended to look at it as; “it comes with the territory.” The five shooting deaths at the Club Utopia in Tijuana most recently give me cause for concern, as I recall the numerous times that I would ride by the bar en route to the San Ysidro border crossing. Tijuana and Rosarito Beach bring an allure and/or intrigue that tourists tend to gravitate towards. Tecate, by contrast, offers a type of tourist attraction best described as a slower pace of life, having the charm of an authentic Mexican village rather than the hustle and bustle of a tourist destination. Besides the Tecate Brewery, the large beer factory offering tours in the city’s center, Tecate also boasts a famous spa, the Rancho la Puerta, where you can enjoy a day of relaxation. Rancho La Puerta, founded in 1940 and recognized as the first Destination SPA as well as the starter of the fitness revolution, is one of the best in its genre. Or, you can head east to the resort campgrounds of Hacienda Santa Veronica or Rancho los Chabacanos. Having written an article recently in the Baja Times Newspaper in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, titled, “Accentuate the Positive”, I found myself struggling to find and say something positive about Tijuana and Rosarito Beach. I have no such problem or concern with Tecate. Perhaps most intriguing to me about Tecate is its reputation as a haven for writers and artists. Being a writer myself, I can think of no more tranquil environment to stimulate my artistic senses than Tecate. The San Diego Railroad Museum has special events over the course of each year which include special trips from the U.S. side of the border (Campo) to Tecate, usually in combination with wine tasting or a tour of the Tecate brewery. It is interesting to note that Tecate Beer is a sponsor of the 40th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 race in Baja California, with over 300 entries from 24 states and seven countries, held from May 29th thru June 1st. Caliente, an off track betting (OTB) establishment, is favored by a lot of Americans who cross the border into Tecate just for the opportunity to place their wagers. Tecate is not perfect, nor totally free of crime in modern-day Baja California. But, the point is that no visitors have been harmed and the total level
GARDEN DE LIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionDecember 2008 (El Cajon) — Visit the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College as it comes to light for the holidays. On Friday, December 12 from 5 to 9 p.m., the Garden de Lights event will display of thousands of energy-saving lights courtesy of SDG&E. Guests can also enjoy an evening of garden tours, holiday shopping and festivities featuring music, warm cider and cookie decorating for the kids. Gift shop and a vendor area will provide places to shop for holiday gifts. For this event, the gift shop will provide discounts of 25% for members and 15% for nonmembers. Admission is $2 for adults; free for children 12 and under. Cuyamaca College is located at 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. West in El Cajon. For more information, call (619)660-0614 ext. 10 or visit www.20gallonchallenge.com/pdf/GardenHolidayEvent_Dec12.pdf Printer-friendly version
KWANZAA CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly versionDecember 6, 2008 (San Diego) — A series of events commemorating Kwanzaa have been announced, including several in San Diego’s eastern region. The 18th annual Pan-African Associations of America Umoja Day program will take place December 26th at the Malcolm X Library located at 5148 Market Street in San Diego. This a day long event and includes an adult workshop explaining how to observe Kwanzaa in the home and a children’s arts and craft workshop on Kwanzaa: 10am to noon. A Youth/Hip Hop discussion on Kwanzaa will take place from 1pm to 3 p.m. The traditional lighting of the first Kwanzaa candle will take place at 4:30 p.m. and includes a program of words of inspiration, spoken word, music, drumming and dance, African martial arts, silent auction and vendors. The program ends at 8pm. All events are free to the public. December 27th will feature the PAAA 6th annual Kujichagulia African Blessing and Naming ceremony at the Worldbeat Center located at 2100 Park Ave. in Balboa Park, San Diego. Individuals in the community who have been selected and who want to take on African names will be given an African cultural blessing and will receive their names after that blessing. They will then be welcomed into the community with music, food and fellowship. The program will begin with the lighting of the second Kwanzaa candle and an explanation will be provided on how African names are given and why. This program is from 1p.m. to 4p.m. The Worldbeat Center will also have another Kwanzaa program that evening. December 28th will feature the PAAA 5th annual Ujima Day Family Mixer and Food Drive Celebration at the offices of the Black Contractors Association, Inc. located at 6125 Imperial Ave. from 2pm to 5pm. Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to families in need after the holidays. The third candle of Kwanzaa will be lit that day and will be followed by information about the meaning of Kwanzaa and the principle of Ujima, the work of the Black Contractors Association, music, raffles, food and vendors will be on hand. Finally the PAAA has launched its 2nd annual Ujima Food Drive from now until December 28th. Families are encouraged to purchase an extra non-perishable food item to donate to the food drive in the spirit of the principle Ujima, which is to make our brothers and sisters problems our problems, and to solve them together. Food items can be dropped off at the following locations: Harmonious Solutions, 5106 Federal Blvd., Suite 205, San Diego, Ca. 92105 (619) 266-1181; Ebony Beauty Supply, 1665 Euclid Ave., San Diego, Ca. (619) 266-0366; UAAMAC offices, 4185 Market St., San Diego, Ca. (619) 264-1213; Black Contractors Association, Inc. 6125 Imperial Ave., San Diego, Ca. (619) 263-9791. Printer-friendly version
POVERTY RISING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY; EL CAJON HAS HIGHEST POVERTY RATE
Printer-friendly versionBy Walter Davis December 7, 2008 (San Diego) — Poverty is fueled by scarcity. In San Diego County, scarcity of affordable housing and high paying jobs are causing hardship for many citizens, with some East County communities among the hardest hit. The Center On Policy Initiatives report released on August 26, 2008 reveals incomes stagnated in San Diego County in 2007 while buying power of worker’s earnings dropped. The report reveals that more than 320,000 San Diego County residents lived in dire poverty including 145,000 working poor and 110,000 children. The county’s top fifth of the population earned 49% of income. African Americans came in last place in terms of income earners with a median household income of $44,662 behind Latinos who were reported to have median incomes of $45,540. Asian households topped the list with median household incomes of $75,686 followed by whites with $70,486 in 2007. El Cajon is reported to have the highest poverty rate in the county at 20.6% followed by San Marcos at 14.5%, Vista at 14.1%, San Diego at 12.1% and Carlsbad at 5.9%. Even grimmer, the national poverty rate threshold is not a realistic measure for this area due to the high cost of living here. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that the poverty rate be doubled in measurements for this county, revealing sharp undercounting of the poor. A more realistic figure for people living in economic hardship in San Diego County is 787,991 people or 27.4% of the population. Single moms with children make up the largest segment of families in poverty, with 29.9% living in poverty compared to 15.3% of single dads with children. Full-time workers in San Diego County earning less than $50,000 make up 57.07% of the work force. Workers earning less than $25,000 make up 21.69 percent of the work force. A 10News.com report issued August 26, 2008 reveals that San Diegans are struggling to survive the economic crunch. Many couples are being forced to move back home with their parents, including two recently laid off school teachers featured in this story. It is estimated that it takes $28,500 a year just to survive in San Diego County for a single individual. Trends indicate even more grim numbers for 2008. Workers’ incomes have stagnated, barely outpacing inflation according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in August 2008 and a report released by SignOnSanDiego.com. San Diego County has a golden opportunity to develop jobs that cannot be outsourced–jobs related to green energy. This trend of falling wages can be reversed and many of our economic problems resolved by focusing on development of green jobs in the solar power industry, tide power and geo-thermal technology. Social and economic programs must be developed to give the working poor hope for the future. The question is will our leadership in this county make the right decisions to move us in the right direction? Walter Davis is head of the San Diego Community Coalition, authors a syndicated newspaper column and assists nonprofit and community groups develop media campaigns, including public access television programming. Printer-friendly version