VIEJAS HOSTS INTER-TRIBAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Printer-friendly version 1st place Barona team March 17, 2009 (San Diego) — The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians hosted the Inter-Tribal Sports (ITS) Basketball Championships on the Viejas Reservation on Sunday, March 15. The sports league, consisting of teams from 16 different tribes or tribal organizations in the Southern California area, provides athletic opportunities along with native cultural and spiritual development. The championship games began at 9a.m. at the Viejas Recreation Center located on the Viejas Reservation. The basketball league is broken into three age brackets (10 and under, 11-14 and 15-18). The games were played throughout the day with single elimination. The team from Barona took first place in the 15-18 age bracket, San Pasqual took first in the 11-14 age bracket and Sycuan won in the 10 and under age bracket. The Viejas team took third in the 10 and under age bracket on their home court. The ITS league provides tribal youth structured athletic programs with the mission of unifying tribal communities across Southern California. Since the program’s inception in 2002, ITS has offered flag football, basketball and softball to 16 different tribes and more than 1,000 youth across the area. Currently, 28 teams participated in the basketball league. ITS was developed due to the need for semi-competitive youth sports among tribal communities. ITS ensures all participants have the necessary resources and facilities to cultivate a passion for sports, along with instilling positive core values in each player. The ITS league is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program that is overseen by a Board of Directors, with at least one representative from each participating tribe. ITS is primarily funded by participating tribes along with grants, sponsorships and fundraising. Ultimately, the league would like to ensure every tribe is able to host games by helping build and improve recreational facilities on tribal lands. Printer-friendly version
THIS WEEK IN EAST COUNTY: DESERT IN BLOOM & MUCH MORE
Printer-friendly versionMarch 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–What’s up this weekend and next week? Plenty! Flowers are still in bloom in portions of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Stop by the visitor center for info on best viewing areas to view wildflowers; also ask for tips on where to spot bighorn sheep, including young lambs. There’s lots more coming up in East County, including a vineyards party, an NCAA basketball championship, museum showings, a wind farm tour, dance and tumbling recital, a homebuyers fair, an open house for fire survivors, guided nature walks, a national healthcare presentation, and more. Friday, the Harris Fire Recovery Team hosts an open house for fire survivors from 10 to 3 p.m. In the evening, Orfila Vineyards has brought back its popular ‘80s night. Saturday, sports fans won’t want to miss watching SDSU’s Aztecs compete in the NCAA women’s basketball championships at Cox Arena (soon to be renamed Viejas Arena). Other choices Saturday include a League of Women Voters and Physicians for a National Healthcare Program presentation in Lemon Grove, a renewable energy seminar and wind farm tour in Campo, and a Sustainable Julian program at the Julian library. Or opt for a Saturday homebuyers fair in El Cajon, plus a book signing and historical presentation at Heritage of the Americas Museum by James E. Thomas, author of Corps of Discovery: Lewis and Clark. Guided nature walks are offered at Mission Trails Regional Park on Sunday morning, with a dance and tumbling recital Sunday afternoon in El Cajon. Next week, an SDG&E meeting on Powerlink in Jacumba will be held on Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day, Grossmont College hosts a program offering sleep advice to seniors. Thursday, you can dine out at Grossmont College for a modest fee and sample fare served up by culinary students, or visit the grand opening of O’Dunn Fine Art Gallery in La Mesa. If you’re looking for networking opportunities, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a mixer at Viejas this week. There’s also still time to reserve space for other upcoming March events to benefit East County nonprofits, including Las Hermanas Casino Night fundraiser aboard a riverboat and Heartland Lions fashion show next weekend. For details on these and other events, visit our calendar at http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/calendar.php?crd=eastcountymagazine&PHPSESSID=7687ee82aa760657db16a70004a31ea4&jsenabled=1&winH=832. If you have an event to add, contact calendar@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
POWERLINK BATTLE MOVES TO FEDERAL FRONT AMID GROWING CONTROVERSIES OVER SDG&E
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–The next phase in the battle over Sunrise Powerlink, which was approved in December by the California Public Utilities Commission, now moves to the federal level. In the past week, several key developments have occurred under the Obama administration that could impact whether or not Sempra’s Powerlink Project will win final federal approvals needed for construction through the Cleveland National Forest and other federal lands. While a coalition of citizens has formed to oppose Powerlink, utilities are lobbying Washington to ease regulations and get transmission lines approved faster – and having some success. On March 11th, Interior Secretary Salazar signed Order 3285, which prioritizes the development of renewable energy and establishes a Department Task Force on Energy and Climate Change. That task force will be co-chaired by the Deputy Interior Secretary–which could be former SDG&E/Sempra Energy lobbyist David Hayes, who has been nominated for the position. Hayes held the same post under President Bill Clinton, but opponents fear that despite a positive environmental record on some fronts, his objectivity on Powerlink may be in question. During a confirmation hearing on Hayes before a Senate Committee, western utility members of the Large Public Power Council named "lengthy review processes and difficulty in valuing the benefits of renewable goals" as problems and told Senators that "empowering a single federal agency, preferably FERC, to facilitate the federal siting process would be very helpful."http://tdworld.com/overhead_transmission/lppc-renewable-transmission-obstacles-0309/ Diane Conklin, spokesperson for the Mussey Grade Alliance in Ramona, observed in an e-mail forwarded to Powerlink opponents, "Guess the LPCC doesn’t want pesky citizens interfering with their plans locally or even regionally. It is so much easier to site your lobbyists in one place – Washingon, D.C. Cheaper, too." The federal government has also quietly changed bidding rules to make it easier to build transmission lines on federal lands, allowing power companies to negotiate capacity rights on two proposed lines with a single buyer. (Details: http://enr.ecnext.com/coms2/article_inpi090304PowerLinesBi) POWERLINK OPPONENTS CITE FIRE RISKS Many residents fear Powerlink, if approved, could cause fires through arcing from lines and that firefighters would be prevented from fighting fires near the high voltage lines. In a report to the CPUC, SDG&E admitted that its lines were involved in 167 fires over 5 and a half years. The utility has been officially blamed by the state for causing several of the most devastating wildfires in San Diego history and now faces lawsuits from local and state government as well as homeowners. Donna Tisdale, Chair of Boulevard’s Planning Group testified before the Califiornia Public Utilities Commission in a hearing yesterday in San Diego for approving the Southern Route for Powerlink and allowing "SDG&E to bulldoze its way through our environmentally sensitive and highly fire prone community. Over 20,000 acres was illegally down zoned for the project." She added, "SDG&E just settled for a million dollars, without admitting to lying to the Commission about the southern route." Several groups are preparing to file lawsuits over the matter, she added. The Obama administration seeks to ease regulations for large-scale wind and solar farms in an effort to combat global warming and provide energy independence for America. But industrial-scale renewable energy projects require transmission lines. In the case of Powerlink, however, SDG&E has refused to provide any guarantees to the CPUC that any portion of the power transmitted through Powerlink lines would be from renewable resources, although the utility is negotiating to receive power from proposed wind and solar farms. Absent guarantees, however, critics contend that all power from Powerlink may well originate from fossil fuel plants in Mexico. ARGUMENTS FOR GOING GREEN-BUT AT WHAT SCALE? "Hard decisions and compromises will be required to resolve the problems our country presently faces," said George Coladonato, a Boulevard property owner. "It is imperative that new well-paying jobs be created, that we become energy independent and that we continue to clean our water and air. The administrations dedicated goal of green energy generation is courageous, addresses these issues and will provide the needed resources." He called for removal of restrictions on individuals who wish to invest in and develop energy and technologies, suggesting that the government should "pay them for their efforts and contributions." He added, "A feed in tariff can be win-win but the monopoly utilities and their lobbyists have gamed the system to stifle innovation and competition. They have the economic incentives to build huge marginally needed transmission lines to supply urban centers from large remote sites. Change the economic incentives and the technology that is available for distributed generation will flourish," he said, noting that distributed generation is "counter to the goals of monopoly utilities. Nothing is free," added Coladonato, who has advocated a controversial wind project locally. "Some rural character will be changed, but the status quo will not solve our problems." Citizens in Julian are now aspiring to create their own local power generation using small-scale wind and solar, with a goal of going off-grid completely. They will host a March 21 event to unveil their ambitious plans. (Details: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/702 ) "Our aim is to get 200 homes self-sustaining, meaning they are not tied into the power grid, because if you are tied into the grid you are vulnerable to the utilities," said Jeanette Hartman, who is creating a nonprofit called From the Ground up dedicated to sustainability for her community. "We don’t want to be vulnerable to them anymore. They are threatening to turn our power off during high winds, because they don’t want to be responsible for fires caused by downed power lines." DEBATE OVER SDG&E SHUT-OFF PROPOSAL CONTINUES SDG&E has proposed to shut off power when the National Weather Service declaring a red-flag warning, humidity is low, and winds speeds exceed 34 mph or are gusting over 54 mph. An estimated 60,000 of SDG&E’s 1.4 million customers could be affected. SDG&E will provide up to $250 per household to low-income customers and
SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ADVANCES TO NCAA POST-SEASON FOR 1ST TIME IN 12 YEARS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 19, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego State University’s women’s basketball team, the Aztecs, will play in the NCAA Basketball Championships for the first time since 1997 and the seventh time in the team’s history. The team will face off against DePaul University’s Blue Demons at 5 p.m. at Cox Arena on Saturday. "To be able to play at home against an obviously great DePaul team that tied for fourth in the Big East, it will be a great opportunity," SDSU head coach Beth Burns said. "I know San Diego will be here. I think our opportunity is that we’re going to ask our fans, `Calling all Aztecs. Come show the NCAA that we want to have this tournament here early and often." She predicted Saturday’s game will be a "great match up" and added, "It’s a great opportunity. We’re thrilled with our seed." The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 TV and on Xtra Sports 1360 radio. Live stats may be viewed at www.goaztecs.com. On Friday, tournament practices on Friday will be open to the public. For details and schedule, see http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/031809aac.htmlsee. SDSU is among three Mountain West Conference schools to earn bids to the championships, along with Utah and Texas Christian University. The Aztecs lost to Utah in the Mountain West Conference championship game in Las Vegas, but have won 16 straight games on their home court and finished the season 14-0 at SDSU’s Cox Arena (which will be renamed Viejas Arena in July). The Aztecs earned a No. 10 seed and will defend their home court against no. 7 seeded DePaul. The winner will advance to compete against whichever teams wins a matchup between Stanford and U.C. Santa Barbara on Monday. Winner of that match will earn a spot in the Berkeley regional March 28 and 30. Tickets to the NCAA women’s basketball first and second rounds cost $17 for single sessions for adults and $12 for youths 14 and under, as well as for military. All session tickets cost $32 for adults and $22 for youths. Parking is free and fans are requested to park in parking structure PS-4. Tickets are available at Cox Arena Box Office, Aztec Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium window E, or by calling (619)283-7378. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.ticketmaster.com. Printer-friendly version
ANDERSON BILL TO BLUR GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES SPARKS NATIONAL CONTROVERSY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 18, 2009 (San Diego)–Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has introduced AB 255, a bill that seeks to prevent terrorist acts by blurring online images of schools, government buildings, churches and medical facilities through Google Earth and other online aerial mapping technologies. The measure has drawn the attention of CNN News and sparked a debate among high-tech advocates in Silicon Valley. "After the Mumbai attacks, the Indian government found that the lone surviving terrorist used Google’s online maps and the level of detail it offered made them effective," Anderson stated in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. "If you go throughout the world, many countries are trying to shut down Google mapping," the Assemblyman said, adding that India is striving to prevent Google and other online mapping services from showing sensitive facilities in detail. "I’m not against technology," said Anderson, who noted that Google earth reveals details such as the number of bricks and location of air shafts. The bill would prohibit operators of commercial Internet websites or online services offering virtual globe browsers from publishing satellite images of specified facilities unless they were blurred, and would also prohibit virtual globe browser makers from providing street view photographs of such buildings. Violations would be subject to fines of up to $250,000 per day. CNN has speculated that the measure could be a harbinger of a national trend. The measure has drawn criticism from some technology advocates. "Anderson says he’s not against technology, but it’s clear he’s against common sense," wrote Thomas Claburn, columnist for Information Week. "The features photographed on satellite imagery are, more or less, visible from the ground. There were terrorist attacks before Google Earth were available and there will continue to be terrorist attacks, whether or not Google Earth’s images are blurred." He likened banning images of facilities online over fear of terrorism attacks to banning guns because terrorists might use them. "If the Constitution ever gets a 28th Amendment, pray that it bans knee-jerk fear-mongering legislation," the barbed commentary concluded. Others have raised concern over censorship and First Amendment freedoms. In Bahrain, after critics revealed satellite images of squalid slums juxtaposed next to leaders’ palaces, the ruling government reportedly ordered palace images removed from Google Earth. Anderson said he believes the bill would hold up in court and likens posting sensitive info online to shouting fire in a crowded building. He noted that he has met with representatives from Google and Microsoft. "I do want to work with them in good faith," he told CNN, and said he expects the bill will undergo changes but that the concept will remain intact. "Public safety is my number one job," Anderson concluded. "Let’s not wait until an American has to die in order to do the right thing." Printer-friendly version
FILNER BLOCKS OBAMA PLAN TO CHARGE INSURERS FOR TREATMENT OF WOUNDED VETS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 18, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–East County Magazine contacted Congressman Bob Filner’s office after receiving an e-mail from the American Legion which stated that President Obama intended to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for treatment of military veterans who suffered service-related injuries or disabilities. Filner (D-San Diego), is Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. (Photo: Filner discusses trauma injury treatment capabilities at Balad Air Force Theater hospital) Filner promptly responded with an e-mail that read: "Billing our Heroes: It’s DOA!" He added that the the Administration’s proposal will not be taken up by the Veterans Affairs Committee. "Our budget cannot be balanced on the backs (or legs, or kidneys, or hearts) of our nation’s combat-wounded heroes," Filner said. "We believe we can achieve the Administration’s budget request (the first in history to actually exceed the recommendation of the veterans’ Independent Budget) in other ways." The President’s plan to recover an estimated $540 million by charging private insurance companies for wounded veterans’ care was opposed by the American Legion. Commander David K. Rehbein of the American Legion had stated that he was "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with the President on Monday, prior to Filner announcing that he would block the plan in committee. A letter to the President co-signed by Rehbein and heads of ten other veterans organizations stated, "There is simply no logical explanation for billing a veteran’s personal insurance for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable." Printer-friendly version