PRIVACY 101: DATA POLLUTION–HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS
Printer-friendly versionBy Darity Wesley "Data is the pollution problem of the Information Age." -Bruce Schneier April 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Just about every person delivers some form of data into the cyber-world at least once daily. We leave digital footprints with every website we visit, every tweet we Twitter, and every purchase we make either online or on the physical plane when using a credit or debit card. I had my first realization of this the first year I got my new California driver’s license with the magnetized strip on it and my first ATM card. After a couple of weeks of considering whether I was going to a live a permanently cash- based lifestyle in order to protect my privacy, I decided that as long as I was aware that my every movement could be tracked by my electronically facilitated transactions, I would dip my toe into this new world. Besides, I like to rent cars when I travel. But that is so last century… Now with the social networking explosion, international data production and user generated content (UGC) is way up. If data were an economic indicator, the market would be in a euphoric state right now. According to Internet World Stats, 74% of North America is connected to the Internet, up 132% since 2000. Worldwide, there are about 1.6 billion users. Think about how much information all of us generate and then consider that it is all stored in a computer memory somewhere, potentially permanently: information such as websites you have visited, or your purchase profile from the three pounds of bananas you bought with your affinity card discount at the grocery store two years ago. The residue from this gathered data, after it outlived its usefulness, is what Schneier is referring to as “data pollution.” Just like a Styrofoam to-go box from your favorite restaurant, today’s data can transform from a valuable asset to trash in just a few heartbeats. So where does it all go and what are the long-term effects of this data pollution? Only the future will tell–and we are creating it right now. Some of the massive quantity of data that gets moved around the cyber-world is, perhaps innocently, stolen in the name of business. When a photo or an article is posted on a website, it is protected under copyright laws. There is a lot of misunderstanding about that, particularly in the real estate industry. Additionally, personally identifiable information, which is what you give a website when you type in your email address, and any other information about yourself, needs to be protected. This leads me to topic of online privacy. A survey conducted by TRUSTe revealed that more than 90% of the 1,000 participants called online privacy a “really” or “somewhat” important issue. Even with that being the case and very much counter-intuitively, only 15% read website privacy statements most of the time and fewer than half frequently looked to find out whether sites even had privacy statements. Hmmm… So there are two sides to this to look at- first off as a business. Do you have a website? Do you know if it is a legal privacy risk? Check out this article and take our quick quiz to find out. Are you honoring others’ copyrights and asking permission before passing on, using or obtaining information? And as a consumer, before you give out any personal information, be sure to read the privacy statement on the website that is asking for it. If it doesn’t have one, don’t’ give them your information and email us so we can let them know they may be violating the law. If it does have one, be sure to read it so you know what is happening with your data. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are surfing the Internet checking and fining folks who are not in compliance. This is good to know from both a business as well as personal perspective. As always, stay aware and alert! Darity Wesley is CEO and Legal Counsel for Privacy Solutions, Inc. a San Diego based consulting firm. You can reach her at (619) 670-9462, Darity@privacygurus.com, or visit her website at www.privacygurus.com. Printer-friendly version
SCHWARZENEGGER DECLARES EMERGENCY, TRAVEL ADVISORY ISSUED OVER SWINE FLU
Printer-friendly versionHUNTER SEEKS CLOSURE OF BORDER UPDATED April 29, 2009 (San Diego)—Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in California to request federal funds for emergency services and supplies to combat the disease. To date, 91 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., including 11 in California and five in San Diego County. The first U.S. death, a boy who traveled to Texas from Mexico, was confirmed today and tests are being done on a Los Angeles man who died following symptoms of swine flu. (Tests on a second L.A.man proved negative.) The outbreak has spread to Europe, Asia, the middle East and Canada. In Mexico, over 149 deaths have occurred and nearly 2,000 cases reported, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to issue a travel advisory asking travelers to avoid nonessential trips to Mexico. At least two lawmakers have called for a shut-down of “nonessential” travel from Mexico to the U.S. “The swine flu presents a serious threat to the American public and we must act aggressively to ensure it’s contained,” Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) said in a statement issued in Washington D.C. “If the State Department is restricting all nonessential U.S. travel to Mexico as a precaution, similar steps should also be taken to restrict cross-border traffic entering the U.S. from Mexico. ..Given the San Diego community’s close proximity to the border and the fact that 340,000 people enter the U.S. through Southern California’s ports of entry every day, the necessary precautions must be taken to ensure this virus does not spread any more.” Rep. Eric Massa, a Democrat from New York, where 45 people have now been confirmed ill with swine flu, has also called for immigration to be halted temporarily. “The public needs to be aware of the serious threat of swine flu, and we need to close our borders to Mexico immediately and completely until this is resolved,” Massa said. All schools throughout Mexico have been closed because of the epidemic, along with other public places such as theaters and libraries, as well as public events including Olympic trials and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a stage 4 pandemic alert for the first time in its history amid concerns that the Mexico deaths have been largely among young, healthy adults—not infants or the elderly, who more commonly succumb to flu due to underlying respiratory complications. Deaths of young adults was a hallmark of the 1918 flu pandemic. In Mexico, a factory pig farm with unsanitary conditions is coming under scrutiny as the possible epicenter of the outbreak. (See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/mexican-lawmaker-factory_b_191579.html ) In the U.S., most cases have been mild and the vast majority of patients have recovered. The disease is responding to anti-viral medications when treated within 48 hours of symptoms. Locally, health officials have shut down Christ the Cornerstone Academy in Mira Mesa after a student contracted swine flu and three teachers became ill with flu-like symptoms. The County of San Diego has activated its 2-1-1 call center for the public to call and talk with live specialists for non-emergency information on swine flu. Frequent hand-washing and covering one’s nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing are advised to avoid spreading the disease. If you are ill, health authorities ask that you remain home from work or school. If you experience breathing problems or other severe symptoms, seek medical help immediately. For more information on swine flu in English and Spanish, visit the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov. Printer-friendly version
CHALLENGE IN CURBING SPREAD OF SWINE FLU: HALF OF WORKFORCE LACKS PAID SICK DAYS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 27, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – At least 50 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the U.S. with confirmed cases in many other countries today, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise its pandemic alert level to Phase 4 for the first time ever. Locally, Christian Cornerstone Academy in Mira Mesa has closed after six teachers fell ill following exposure to a student with swine flu. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that those who are sick should stay home from work or school to avoid infecting others. But analyses of Bureau of Labor Statistics and other data conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) reveal that less than half of workers have paid sick days, and only one-third can use sick days to care for sick children. Workers who lack paid sick time are more likely to go to work with a communicable illness, and parents who cannot stay home with a sick child are more likely to send sick children to school or day care. Workers who work in direct contact with the public, such as restaurant workers, child care workers, and hotel employees, are among the least likely to have paid sick days. Workers without paid sick days lose wages if they stay home, and some risk losing their jobs. People who go to work or school while sick may infect coworkers, customers, and classmates, resulting in even more infections. With seasonal influenza, this pattern of infection is a serious problem, costing employers and families millions of dollars a year and sometimes causing serious illness or death, especially among infants and the elderly. The deaths among young, healthy individuals in Mexico (identified as a serious cause for concern by the CDC and WHO) suggest that the swine flu has the potential to be much more costly and dangerous than typical seasonal influenza. The swine flu situation raises the question of the public health costs of failing to provide paid sick days. Despite the public health implications and popular support – four of five Americans think that paid sick days should be a basic labor standard – no national or state laws require that workers have paid sick days. “Ensuring that all workers have access to a few paid sick days would yield far-reaching benefits to society and–especially during a pandemic–could have enormous preventive health and economic benefits. Many employers say they cannot afford to provide paid sick days, but during a time like this, society can’t afford to take risks with the public’s health,” comments IWPR Vice President and Director of Research Dr. Barbara Gault. The Healthy Families Act, introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy, would require that paid sick time be provided by employers with fifteen or more employees, is likely to be reintroduced in Congress sometime next month. It would require employers who employ 15 or more employees for each working day during 20 or more workweeks a year to provide a minimum paid sick leave of: (1) seven days annually for those who work at least 30 hours per week; and (2) a prorated annual amount for those who work less than 30 but at least 20 hours a week, or less than 1,500 but at least 1,000 hours per year. It would also allow employees to use such leave to meet their own medical needs or to care for the medical needs of certain family members. The measure is supported by labor organizations but opposed by some business interests. The National Federation of Independent Businesses has pledged to fight the measure, which it maintains would “ignore the question of whether or not a small employer can afford to keep a position open until an employee returns from leave.” The group further argues that “government-mandated sick leave would be destructive for small business, opening the door for increased litigation and onerous compliance burdens.” For more information on paid sick days, visit www.iwpr.org. For full text of the bill and information on the Healthy Families Act, visit http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:hr01902:@@@L&summ2=m&. Printer-friendly version
LIFE’S A CIRCUS: BIG TOP SHOW TONIGHT IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO, NEXT 2 DAYS IN POWAY
Printer-friendly versionApril 28, 2009(San Diego’s East County)—Elephants hoisted a big top tent to open the 73rd edition of Carson & Barnes Circus in Rancho San Diego/La Mesa, where the show goes on with a 4:30 matinee and a 7:30 evening show tonight. The circus brings nearly 100 performers and a traveling zoo to East County. Proceeds help benefit local hosts–including the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce–making this one of the more entertaining economic “stimulus” programs East County has seen yet. More than two dozen types of exotic and domestic animals are on display. Shows feature a Salute to America parade, acrobats, high-wire, motorcycle and trapeze artists from around the world as well as clowns, elephants, camels, dogs, horses and ponies. Special for 2009 is an award-winning clown, who will perform high-bounding feats on a trampoline. Yesterday was described as “a warming, heartfelt event yesterday when over 100 children and their families showed up to pet the animals and watch the big top go up at Skyline Church. The show was very good, and prices for the tixs and the food is very reasonable,” said Valerie Harrison, president of the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the circus performances at Skyline Church in Rancho San Diego/La Mesa April today and tonight. In addition, shows will be held at the Poway Fairgrounds on April 29 at 7:30 and April 30 at 4:30 and 7:30. Advance tickets are available at discounts through the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, 3855 Avocado Blvd., Suite 230 in La Mesa. Family packs can be purchased for $25 for two adults and up to three children. Also check the discount coupon in East County Magazine’s Meals, Deals & Steals section–just click the ad on the right side of this page to view the circus coupon and others. photo courtesy of Valerie Harrison, Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce Printer-friendly version
CHALDEAN FOOD TASTING FESTIVAL & BUSINESS FAIR FRIDAY NIGHT
Printer-friendly versionApril 29, 2009 (El Cajon)—East County is home to one of the largest populations of Iraqi Chaldean Christians in the United States. On Friday night from 5 to 9 p.m., the public is invited to savor the authentic flavors of Chaldean cuisine including such favorites as falafels, kebabs, shawamma, hummus, tabbouleh, and more. The event, hosted by Knights of Columbus, will take place at the St. Peter Chaldean Church Hall, 1627 Jamacha Way in El Cajon. A fair showcasing local restaurants, business products and services is also included in the $10 admission charge. For more information, visit www.martomacouncil.org/?page_id=41. Printer-friendly version
WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN CELEBRATES 10th BIRTHDAY
Printer-friendly versionApril 28, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College celebrated its tenth birthday on Saturday, April 25. Garden Executive Director Marty Eberhardt commented on the remarkable timing of the event. “Just two days ago, the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors declared a Level 2 Drought Alert, which means that retail agencies will soon be instituting water restrictions. This is exactly the kind of situation that the founding agencies foresaw.” The Helix Water District, the Otay Water District, and Cuyamaca College opened the Garden in spring 1999. Since then, the 5-acre garden has matured into a beautiful landscape that inspires its visitors. “Every day people tell us that they had no idea that water-wise landscaping could be so attractive”, said Eberhardt. Supervisor Dianne Jacob was in attendance and declared the day “Water Conservation Garden Day.” Speakers from the founding organizations commented on the importance of creating a teaching garden. Water Conservation Garden Board President Mark Robak remarked upon the Garden’s national recognition and huge increases in attendance. “The time is ripe for the kind of education the Garden provides” he said. The Garden is now governed by a Joint Powers Authority that includes the founding organizations as well as the San Diego County Water Authority, the Sweetwater Authority, and the City of San Diego. The Garden offers has tours, classes, and outreach programs for adults, such as “Toss the Turf and “H2O 911”, as well as programs for children with Ms. Smarty Plants. Further information can be found at www.thegarden.org. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Directions to the Garden: The Water Conservation Garden is located at 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West in El Cajon, where Jamacha Rd. (not Jamacha Blvd.) and Hwy 94 meet. From Hwy 15 or Hwy 805, merge onto Hwy 94 East to Cuyamaca College Drive West. From Hwy 8 take the 2nd St. off ramp in El Cajon, which turns into Jamacha Rd and then turn onto Cuyamaca College Drive West. Information about the garden, including detailed directions and a map, can be found at www.thegarden.org. Printer-friendly version
TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT? LOCAL LEGISLATORS SQUARE OFF OVER TAX DAY “TEA PARTY” PROTESTS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—California’s Republican legislators joined in a “tea party” tax protest in Sacramento earlier this month. In response, Democratic leaders staged a “reality check” to unveil a 150-foot long scroll listing $26 billion in budget cuts made since 2003–warning that more severe cuts to schools and other essential programs would be required without the revenue increases in the 2009-2010 budget. Both sides bolstered their arguments with videos–posted here. “in our current economy, taxpayers are obviously concerned with how their hard-earned dollars are spent. It is unacceptable for government to hike taxes even further while many hardworking citizens must choose between paying their mortgage or putting food on the table,” Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, whose district includes East County, said at a rally on the Capitol steps in Sacramento. He accused the Legislature of “fiscal irresponsibility” and said he is pushing for a “fairer, flatter tax system.” To view Senator Hollinsgworth’s full speech, see http://cssrc.us/web/36/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 Democratic Legislators held their own event and said that there is no more fat to trim in the state budget. Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), cited deep cuts in education and observed that Califiornia needs to invest in computers to help students succeed in an increasingly high-tech world. , “As longas we cut back on education, we will not have the workforce weneed for the 21st century,” she said. “The people who are out here protesting today are calling back centuries ago to an old reality…We here stand for a future in which our students will have the skills they need in a an increasingly technologiocal 21st century workforce.” To view Assemblymember Saldaña and other Democratic leaders presentations, visit http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a76/ . Printer-friendly version
POLICY MATTERS: OPTIONS WHEN YOU HAVE DAMAGE FROM A PRIOR ACCIDENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Dennis Volz A client called me yesterday with an interesting dilemma. He said that recently, when his car was parked on the street, it was hit by another car whose driver was gracious enough to stop, confess and make contact. Nevertheless, he was concerned because on the same side of the car there was some damage from a prior accident. He wanted to see if he could get that fixed at the same time. He also wanted to make sure the paint matched the rest of the car. So here’s the advice I offered to Steve. The other car’s insurance company is only going to pay for the damage that was a direct result of the accident caused by the second event — Nothing more, nothing less. His best bet is to make a deal with the body shop OUTSIDE of the parameters of the insurance company settlement. Here’s why. Anytime you repair a car there are some fixed expenses that are there regardless of the size of the job. The car has floor time, rack time, parts to order, paint booth time, drying time, set up the paint sprayer time, set up the sander time, on and on and on. The body shop will appropriately include most of that in the estimate for the insurance portion of the repair. Then the body shop might go ahead and fix your "other fender" for less because they have to go through all that set up stuff anyway. Talk to your estimator at the shop and see if you can’t make a better deal. I bet you can. GOOD LUCK! Dennis Volz is an insurance agent for a large national insurance company and the author of The San Diego Insurance Blog. He has served the East County area since 1978. Dennis and his team have built their business around their mission statement: We enable our policyholders to manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and to realize their dreams. Contact Dennis and his team at 619-670-1000 (24 hours a day), email at Dennis@DennisVolzInsurance.com or on the web at www.DennisVolzInsurance.com . Printer-friendly version
BOXER INTRODUCES RESOLUTION CONDEMNING AFGHAN MARITAL RAPE LAW: URGES AFGHAN LEADERS TO RESPECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionApril 27, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), along with Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have introduced a concurrent resolution in the Senate and House of Representatives calling on Afghanistan’s leaders to repudiate a new Afghan law that legalizes marital rape and imposes other Taliban-era restrictions on Shiite women in Afghanistan. “We stand with the hundreds of Afghan women who were pelted with stones and verbally abused last week as they marched to protest this abhorrent law,” Senator Boxer said. “This law is a direct attack on individual freedom and a license to commit despicable acts against women in their homes.” The resolution urges Afghan President Hamid Karzai to declare the widely criticized provisions unconstitutional and clearly state that they violate the basic rights of women. In a recent interview with CNN, President Karzai indicated that the Afghan government plans to revise the 270-page law. The resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Susan Collins (R-ME). “I am proud to stand united with my Senate colleagues today to show our steadfast commitment to support the women of Afghanistan,” said Senator Mikulski, Dean of the Senate Women and member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Aid. “The Shiite Personal Status Law violates the basic human rights of women. American soldiers fight every day to help the Afghans create a stable and free nation that can protect and provide for its people. This is not the Afghanistan our brave men and women are fighting for. This law is an affront to the sacrifices they make every day. It cannot stand. The United States should do everything it can to encourage Afghanistan to respect the basic rights and welfare of women and children.” Under the law passed by the Afghan Parliament and signed by President Karzai last month, a Shiite woman would only be allowed to leave home for a “legitimate purpose” as defined by her husband. The law also says, “Unless the wife is ill, the wife is bound to give a positive response to the sexual desires of the husband,” a provision that the United Nations and many human rights groups say legalizes marital rape. On April 10, Senator Boxer along with her colleagues Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), wrote to Karzai urging him to reverse the law. Full text of the resolution can be viewed at Senator Boxer’s website: http://boxer.senate.gov/news/releases/record.cfm?id=311935 Printer-friendly version
“DREAM SCAPE” PAINTINGS AMONG ART ON DISPLAY AT ST. CLAIR GALLERY THROUGH MAY 29; ARTISTS’ RECEPTION MAY 19
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery "Morning Light" by Alex Toporovsky April 27, 2009 (El Cajon)—“In my work, I try to evoke a séance of peace and happiness,” artist Alex Toporovsky told East County Magazine. “These are usually things which are lacking in most people’s lives, including my own. We are all so busy running around and trying to make a living these days. I feel that my paintings are sort of a dreamscape where most people would love to run away, too, to find peace of mind. I try to take people to that place, to escape for a while, and get refreshed before doing the daily grind.” "Reflections" The Russian-born artist combines impressionism with realism, utilizing vibrant colors and bold images. He has developed a unique style, focusing his talents on painting richly romantic “dreamscape” paintings that captivate the imagination and satisfy the soul. His works are among 150 works by a variety of artists on display during the 11th El Cajon Invitational Art Exhibit at the St. Clair Gallery in El Cajon. "Kissing the Sky" Born in the Ukraine, Toporosky came to America with his family at age five, moving to San Diego at age thirteen. He studied art and interior design in college. Later, he worked as a scenic artist for the Old Globe Theater. "Hummingbird" In 1999, after getting married, he moved to northern California and started his own decorative arts company, creating murals and faux finishes. He also began painting commissioned paintings for his clients and sold oil paintings through local galleries. In 2003, he returned to San Diego with his family, where he has continued to run a successful decorative arts business. The St. Clair Gallery is located upstairs in the East County Business Center, 270 East Douglas Avenue in El Cajon. To view works by Toporovsky and other artists in the show, visit http://stclairgallery.web.officelive.com. An artists’ reception will be held on Tuesday, May 19, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Printer-friendly version