EDITORIAL: WATER REFORM
Printer-friendly version By Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murietta) September 3, 2009 (Sacramento)–It’s time for California’s legislative Democrat leaders to either get serious about water reform or get out of the way. So far they haven’t done either one. California is in the midst of a water crisis that affects everyone who lives here. The existing water system is broken and is no longer capable of meeting our needs. Millions of residents are facing cutbacks in their water supplies, rising costs and the threat of rationing. Tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars have been lost from the state’s economy in just the last three years. And federal environmental regulations are sending billions of gallons of our fresh water supplies to waste into the ocean. Fortunately there is a growing consensus among the state’s academic experts, environmental, fisheries and wildlife agencies, farmers, public water providers, business leaders and specialists in economics and engineering on what needs to be done. Environmental restoration in the Delta, increased surface and groundwater storage, water conservation and new conveyance systems to protect the purity of the water supplied to two-thirds of California’s population are all part of that prescription. But instead of getting behind the plan, the Democrat leaders in the Senate and Assembly are backing a package of “water bills” that set us back decades in the discussion and offer no options for increasing water supplies or reliability. Instead of supporting the twin objectives defined by the Governor’s Delta Vision Commission – repairing the Delta environment and restoring water system reliability – the bills do the bidding of the radical environmental movement in seeking to multiply, elaborate, extend and confuse them. To give you a small example of that confusion, if the bills were enacted, the entire state would wind up paying for economic development in the villages and small towns of the Delta while well established private water rights were involuntarily taken away from others without any compensation. For the last two years, a coalition of fish and wildlife agencies, conservation groups and water districts have been working together on a Bay Delta Conservation Plan, to balance improvements in conveyance with the need to ensure that there will be sufficient water flows through the Delta to restore endangered fish populations. But instead of expediting those carefully coordinated plans, the bills throw up roadblocks that probably guarantee they will never be implemented. And certainly guarantee there would be no increase in water supply or reliability. Instead of focusing on the needs of the state as a whole, the bills focus only on the needs of the Delta and the agenda of the radical environmental lobby. Everyone agrees that protection of the Delta is a key issue that must be addressed as part of any plan to fix our broken water system. But these so-called water bills propose to create a new government bureaucracy, dedicated to the interests of the Delta above all else, that would be given a stranglehold over the water supplies that all the rest of California needs. This isn’t solving problems. It’s only making a bad situation worse. The debate over these bills is one that pits the people who are concerned with California’s future against those who want to maintain an intolerable and unsustainable status quo. On the one side are people of both parties, representing diverse communities from one end of the state to the other, who recognize that California cannot rebuild the economy we all depend upon unless we fix the water system. On the other side are a small band of special interests allied with the extreme environmentalists who don’t want any change at all. If the majority party members of the Legislature cannot demonstrate the leadership to advance California’s future, then we will all be paying the price for having lost another year to legislative power plays and gridlock. Senator Hollingsworth represents the 36th state Senate district, which includes East County. This editorial reflects the views of its author and does not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
TELLING YOUR STORIES: MEDIA ARTS CENTER LAUNCHES NEW FILM-MAKING PROJECT FOR AREA RESIDENTS
Printer-friendly version By Takayuki Higuchi September 3, 2009 (San Diego)–Imagine going to any San Diego County library and asking for help to create a video to tell your own story. Now you can do just that—thanks to a new project launched by Media Arts Center San Diego. The group will send a videographer out to create a short video, provide you with a CD, and even upload your story on the Internet so people elsewhere can access your personal narrative. Under the slogan “Social change through films,” Ethan Van Thillo, a founder and an executive producer of Media Arts Center San Diego, has repeatedly challenged himself to shed a spotlight into communities which are unseen in the mainstream media and to enlighten community members. Starting with the Latino community, he has expanded his mission to empower voices from a diverse range of people—including individuals in East County and San Diego’s eastern region. The new project, San Diego Original Information Initiative, is just the latest in a series of creative endeavors fostered by filmmaker Van Thillo and the Media Arts Center San Diego to help ordinary citizens share their stories. Personal motivation launched a filmmaking career Growing up in San Clemente, Van Thillo witnessed how the Latino community was invisible from mainstream society around 30 years ago. His exposure to Latino issues began with his mother, a Spanish/English teacher to immigrant families from Mexico. “I used to visit the homes with my mother, connected to the community that was definitely being underserved and not being looked at,” he recalled. Going back and forth between Latino and Anglo-Saxon communities, he developed a sensitivity to the treatment of Latino people. “I saw both sides. I saw [myself] working with the Mexican community and being with my mom. At the same time, [I saw] surfers in San Clemente and negative stereotype and racial slurs…” The experience convinced him to take action. “It is all about education and reaching people who need help,” said Van Thillo, who resolved to devote his life to “ education and working with underserved communities.” After high school, he went to the University of California Santa Cruz. “One of the main focuses [of UCSC] is social change. ..That’s where I started the first Chicano Film Festival, as well as learning about grant writing and marketing.” After completing the study in UCSC, his new life journey began. The Organization Takes Root Van Thillo was instrumental in finding "Cine Estudiantil: The Chicano & Native American Student Film Festival," 14 years ago. The purpose was to project accurate and positive images of the Latino community though films. “If you see Latinos, they are usually Gang-Bangers or Drug-Dealers,” said Van Thillo, who wanted to provide young Latinos with “opportunity to see positive mentors such as lawyer and doctors.” Having screened films from many Latino countries including Chile, Spain and Mexico, Van Thillo called the festival ‘an education event to promote Latino culture and cinema.’ Film festival members found Media Arts Center in San Diego over 10 years ago to run the event and expand their mission to support local filmmakers by helping them with workshops, training and technical skills as well as sponsorships. Two of their major accomplishments are the Teen Producers project and Digital Story Station. These projects place strong emphasis on local voices. “The whole point of the organization to get voices that are unheard from the main stream media,” Van Thillo explained. “We want to hear someone in Jamul saying ‘the economy is really affecting me and there is unemployment in here, instead of just listening to… policy makers and the governors talk about the issues.” His projects focus on greater depth and diversity than traditional media outlets. “What happens in main stream media is that you only have two words or you only get one minutes to tell your story….We want to interview people getting a little bit more of their personal background such as who they are, how long they have been here, why they came and what they do for a living.” Teen Producers Project Teen Producers Project is teaching young kids living in the community how to produce their own stories. In addition to English Language skills, students learn high-tech/computer/production/editing/researching skills as well as work skills. Mentors work as a team to migrant/ESL students who belong to after school level. Kids also learn high-tech skills such as how to use the cameras, ultimately producing their own documentaries. So far, the project has made over 200 short films covering issues including education, health, immigration and environment–working with over 100 kids a year. In San Diego’s eastern region, Teen Producers Project has a partnership with the organization called Migrant Education in Escondido. The Project has worked with migrant families and migrant students in high schools over the past decade to help them graduate at Orange Glen High School. “They sometimes make films for clients,” Van Thillo said. For example, the Registrar of Voters asked the Media Arts Center to produce videos in Spanish, teaching Spanish-speaking community members why it is important to vote. In about 10 years, the students have made over 10 short videos in the Escondido area ranging from immigration to cultural activities in school, as well as stories about the difficulties of living in the U.S. as a second language learner. Digital Story Station Another prominent project the organization is engaging in is ‘Digital Story Station’. The goal is similar to Teen Producers Project: wanting community members from diverse cultures and age groups to tell their own stories—this time, using high-tech tools such as Youtube and Myspace. The project “gives them an opportunity to tell the stories and upload on the Internet and send it to their families.” Starting in San Diego Public Library, the group has built 30 Digital Story Stations across California over the past three years—including communities in eastern regions of San Diego County. Van Thillo introduces Digital Story Station in the Escondido Public Library two years ago, where more than
MAN DIES IN FALL FROM ALPINE VIEWPOINT
Printer-friendly version September 3, 2009 (Alpine) – A man plunged 200 feet to his death from a viewpoint off Eastbound I-8 east of Willows Road in Alpine this afternoon. U.S. Forest Service and Border Patrol officials responded at 12:30 p.m., when a technical rescue was attempted. However the patient was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Further details are unavailable at this time. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of kin. Printer-friendly version
HORTICULTURAL HELP LINE NOW ACCESSIBLE 24-HOURS A DAY
Printer-friendly version Water Smart Pipeline has new message option RANCHO SAN DIEGO, CA—The Water Conservation Garden’s Water Smart Pipeline is now accessible to the public 24 hours a day. Callers may record their questions day or night on the “Pipeline’s” voicemail, and will get a return phone call during Pipeline hours from local gardening expert, Nan Sterman, author of the California Gardener’s Guide, Volume 2, and host of the television gardening program, “A Growing Passion”. Popular since its debut, the horticultural help is designed to answer people’s questions about how to garden in the current water shortage fraught with supply restrictions and rate increases. Callers can reach the Pipeline at 866-962-7021, and if their call is not answered immediately, they will get a return phone call during Pipeline business hours on: Tuesdays: 8:30 am to12:00 pm Thursdays: 1:00pm to 4:30pm Initial funding for the Water Smart Pipeline comes from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust. Information about the Water Conservation Garden and all of its water smart landscaping programs can be found at www.thegarden.org. Printer-friendly version
2 ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS GET KIDS INVOLVED IN KEEPING AREA CLEAN & GREEN
Printer-friendly version “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival – Sept. 12 Coastal Cleanup Day at Lake Murray – Sept. 19 By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero If young people are our future, then the environment will ultimately be in their hands. Two events in East County this month provide perfect opportunities for families to spend quality time together, and for community groups to show kids how they can make a difference. Second annual “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival September 12, 10am – 2 pm, Harry Griffen Park There’s plenty for families to get excited about at the Sustain La Mesa Environmental Festival, from student projects and contests, to games and activities aimed for kids, to student volunteers. In addition to an Earth Day-style festival replete with informational booths, give-aways, speakers, e-waste and recycling collection, the La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Commission has partnered with a number of community organizations to reach out to youth this year. The “Our Planet, Our Home” poetry and art contest was created to encourage K-12 students to reflect upon the environment. Awards will be given onstage at 10 am, followed by a speaker from the Children and Nature Network. Winning entries will be displayed in the La Mesa Library throughout September. The contest is sponsored by the City, the La Mesa Library and the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. Bring your kids to the Splash Science Mobile Lab for hands-on, interactive fun and the chance to explore weather, watersheds, estuaries, zoology and chemistry experiments, using computers, GIS and microscopes. Helix Charter High School teacher and Commission member Debi Byrd has arranged for the school’s Environmental Club to display student environmental projects. “It’s a great for teens to have the opportunity to sit down together and hear what other kids are doing, and how taking the environmental class has changed their worldview,” said Byrd. Helix High Senior Emillio Casillas enjoyed Byrd’s AP Environmental class so much that he wants to major in environmental policy when he goes to college. As part of his senior graduation project, Casillas has designed a Festival booth for the Commission, on which he holds the youth seat. Casillas has also created a children’s game to get youngsters involved and thinking in a fun way. The City’s “Ready, Set, Live Well” booth will also include an activity for kids, and the La Mesa Youth Advisory Commission has kindly volunteered to give out water and help at the event. Other participants include the Audubon Society, Cactus Recycling, California Center for Sustainable Energy, Ecolife, EDCO, Friends of Lake Murray, Helix Environmental Planning, Helix Water District, I Love a Clean San Diego, HHGH – Safe Pest Control, La Mesa Beautiful, La Mesa Library, La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, National Wildlife Federation, Native Plant Society, Real Goods, Carlson Solar, San Diego River Park Foundation, San Diego County Water Authority, San Diego Solar Cooking Club, SDG&E, Sierra Club, Water Conservation Garden and the UCCE Master Gardeners. For a Festival flyer, schedule of speakers, useful links and the City’s Climate Action Report, please visit the Environmental Sustainability Commission’s webpage. Coastal Cleanup Day at Lake Murray September 19, 9am – noon at the boat dock We can’t think of a more concrete way for kids to see the difference they can make, while getting involved in something bigger than themselves. This year it’s the 25th annual Coastal Cleanup Day, http://cleanupday.org/ part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup started by the Ocean Conservancy, which last year involved 400,000 volunteers in 104 countries and 42 U.S. states. On this day every year, all manner of debris is collected at lakes, rivers, beaches and waterways, weighed and recorded to provide a global snapshot and identify changing patterns and sources of marine debris, to help bring about constructive change. While I Love a Clean San Diego and San Diego Coastkeeper have organized some 80 cleanup sites around the County, the focus is on youth involvement at the Lake Murray site – schools, scouts, youth groups, churches, clubs and families. Barbara Cleves Anderson, who chairs the Friends of Lake Murray site, quoted Susan Davis, “If children never experience nature, they’ll never learn to love and protect it.” She explained, “This gives them an opportunity to connect with nature in a small and meaningful way.” In the 5 years since the Friends of Lake Murray joined Coastal Cleanup Day, it has grown to one of the largest sites in the county, with 162 volunteers last year. This year San Diego City Councilman Marti Emerald will attend as well. Although the Friends of Lake Murray arrange a monthly cleanup (8 am on second Saturdays), Cleves Anderson said, “This is the one day of the year we can get it truly 100% clean. We have the support we need to get under every bush.” She emphasizes the large amount of cigarette butts and fishing line picked up, which are detrimental to the birds and animals. Pre-register online to save time and help organizers plan, or you can sign in at the boat dock on the day of the event. Teams of two or more will be organized to start at both ends of the trail and meet in the middle. Community Service Hour forms are available, and people are advised to wear hats and sunscreen, carry plenty of water, and bring garden gloves if you wish. For this event, the California Coastal Cleanup Day also has a Scout Patch and Coloring Contest. “They feel good about doing something, and when families participate its great quality time together,” Cleves Anderson concluded. Get your kids revved up for the day with this inspiring National Geographic video on the International Coastal Cleanup. Printer-friendly version
DON’T MOVE OAK WOOD IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY! AUTHORITIES SEEK TO STEM SPREAD OF GOLD-SPOTTED OAK BORER
Printer-friendly version Dead, Dying, and Diseased Oaks May Be Infested San Diego, CA- August 31, 2009…The gold-spotted oak borer is a newly detected insect pest that affects California black oaks, coast live oaks, and canyon live oaks in southern California. This pest is believed to be responsible for significant tree mortality in San Diego County. Over 17 thousand trees have been killed across 28 thousand acres in and around the communities of Descanso, Guatay and Pine Valley. Federal, state, and local officials are taking action now, while the oak borer infestation still covers only a portion of the county, in hopes of reducing the scope of the insect’s spread. Indicators that a tree may be infested include crown thinning, beginning of significant leaf dropping, and die-back of twigs. A Web site has been created to provide further information about local resources and a map of the infested areas. Instructions on how to send a sample from a tree that may be infested by the oak borer to the County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures is included. For information, please visit: http://groups.ucanr.org/GSOB/. Officials have not yet determined a way to stop the spread of the oak borer completely. However, community members are requested to do three things to help limit the spread of the oak borer throughout the county and reduce the chances that more oaks will die on private and public lands: 1. Do not transport oak firewood into or out of campgrounds or parks. 2. Leave oak firewood at home and use local sources of firewood when you camp or have picnics. 3. When you use local oak firewood, leave any unburned wood on-site when you return home. Stopping the transportation of oak firewood is important because the oak borer typically lays its eggs in bark crevices. The larvae grow to be 18 mm long and 3 mm wide. As they grow and feed, the larvae dig into the tree, creating tunnels–or "galleries"–on the surface of the sapwood. These feeding habits kill sections of a tree and, over a period of a few years, the entire tree itself. As they mature, the oak borers leave the tree by making D-shaped exit holes about 3 mm wide. The oak borers are compact and bullet-shaped. They can be identified easily by their dull, metallic green color and the three golden spots that are located on each wing. The following three methods can be used to help reduce potential oak borer populations in dead and/or dying trees. These methods are listed in decreasing order of effectiveness. 1. Chip infested material: Chipping infested oak wood to one-inch pieces is the best method for eliminating oak borer populations. 2. Cover infested wood: If oak firewood cannot be chipped, cover the wood with 6 mm, UV-stabilized, durable plastic tarps beginning in the spring. Tarps should be used until the end of September. Pin or otherwise secure all the edges of the tarp to the ground to prevent beetles from escaping. It is best to tarp oak firewood piles in continual direct sunlight with a southern exposure. Check the tarp periodically to ensure that it does not shred and therefore allow escape routes for the oak borers. 3. Season oak firewood with bark removed in direct sunlight: Scatter oak firewood in areas in direct sunlight, preferably with a southern exposure, for an entire growing season. Cut or split large pieces of wood into smaller pieces to enhance drying. Removing and destroying the bark also can facilitate control of the oak borer. Turn over the firewood monthly to expose all edges to direct sunlight. For more information and local resources please go to http://groups.ucanr.org/gsob Printer-friendly version
GAME OF THE WEEK: VALHALLA NORSEMEN TAKE AIM AT FALCONS FROM OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL (OLNEY, MD)
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr Editor’s Note: Starting this week, East County Magazine will have a Game of the Week article covering a football game featuring at least one high school team from the area. September 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Our first Game of the Week takes place this Friday, when the Norsemen of Valhalla High School take on the visiting Falcons of Our Lady of Good Counsel from Olney, MD. The Falcons are currently ranked second in the Washington Post’s poll of area high school football teams, and averaged just over 38 points per game in 2008. Heavily recruited standouts like E.J. Scott and Stefon Diggs exemplify the team speed of Good Counsel’s explosive offense. ESPN2 covered the Falcons’ 42-21 win over DeMatha of Hyattsville, MD last season. Just a few weeks later, DeMatha avenged that loss with a 34-7 playoff win over Good Counsel. It was the only loss in the Falcons’ 11-1 season. If you watch college football, a name you will hear more often is that of Good Counsel alum Jelani Jenkins, who graduated last year to play linebacker for the University of Florida. Jenkins was honored as Maryland Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and was ranked either first or second among linebacker prospects by Scouts.com, ESPN and Rivals.com. Valhalla is currently ranked twelfth in the San Diego Union-Tribune poll. Last season, the Norsemen finished with an 11-2 record and went deep enough in the playoffs to earn a trip to Qualcomm Stadium to play in the sectional championship. Unfortunately for Valhalla, that game did not go well as they lost 49-13 to the eventual state champion, Cathedral Catholic. Eight starters return for the Norsemen offense in 2009. Pete Thomas, who has given a verbal commitment to Arizona State, returns as quarterback. He threw for 2,691 yards in 2008, while completing 68.5% of his passes. Traivonne Brown will do most of the ball carrying. He comes off an impressive season where he ran 954 yards on 110 carries for an average of 8.5 yards per carry. It’s nice to have a running back who almost averages a first down every time he gets the ball. Wide receiver Matt Swanger, along with Nino Mallory and James Leighton will catch many of Thomas’ passes this season. The linemen who protect Thomas and open up the holes for Brown are led by Taylor Phipps, Kevan McDougal and Jamie DeCarolis. On defense, Shane Pennix anchors the defensive line and has drawn interest from collegiate recruiters, while Hansell Wilson leads the secondary. The game kicks off at 7:00 this Friday at Valhalla High School. This is a great opportunity to see some highly talented prep football players in a fierce match up. You won’t want to miss it! Christopher Mohr is a freelance writer in the San Diego area. He writes articles for BleacherReport.com and is a huge Chargers, Padres and Detroit Red Wings fan. Printer-friendly version