EDITORIAL: BALANCING HATE WITH HEALING
Printer-friendly version WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH PICKETING LOCAL SCHOOLS By J. Richards Editor’s note: Westboro Baptist Church, headed by Fred Phelps, has gained notoriety for protesting at funerals of gay individuals. In San Diego, however, on October 16 the group (which calls Jews "Christ killers") plans to target Jewish schools and organizations. October 15, 2009 (San Diego)–The Westboro Baptist Church will be in San Diego County to stage a series of pickets this Friday through Monday, with their "God hates…" pretty-much-everyone-else signs and websites. They use shock tactics to get media attention, such as picketing military funerals while declaring 9-11 to be God’s punishment and their wish for the death of more soldiers. I might have let their presence pass without anything more than a tsk-tsk, knowing their words speak more loudly against them than anything anyone else could say. Our children’s school, however, is on their picket schedule, so that children from pre-school on will have to pass this group’s picketing in order to get to class in the morning. It has caused our family to stop and ponder, though we don’t claim to have a one-size-fits all answer. Some local community groups have called for counter protests, but we’d hate to lend credibility or give them the satisfaction. Equally, we feel privileged to live in a country that protects freedom of speech. With every privilege though, comes responsibility. We grew up hearing our family’s stories of life in Europe as people fled before the Iron Curtain, and joining the army from a Japanese-American Internment Camp. We lived in Europe when the Wall fell and people flooded westward, for their first taste of freedom in over 50 years. As parents now, the importance of standing up to hatred and totalitarianism is a lesson we have tried to pass on – because while times may change, people have not. The capacity for good and bad is part of the human condition, as is the will to choose. Tikkun Olam, healing the world through deeds of loving kindness, is inscribed at the entrance to our school. Knowing that ugliness is a part of the world only makes the experience of lifting oneself up that much more meaningful and rewarding. So we are not worried for the students at our school; it is a teaching moment. We count our blessings every day that we found a school that reinforces our values, and challenges students to think for themselves and contemplate their place in the world on the path to strength, dignity and adulthood. In the end we fear more for the children of WBC. While the hatred will pass through our lives in less than an hour of protest, their children are growing up in an environment where hatred seems normal. Here’s wishing that one day, as adults, they may choose to push past that wall of “otherness,” and discover the beauty that can exist in those moments when we support one another in common community. The views expressed in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do 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
GAME OF THE WEEK: PATRIOTS WIN UGLY BATTLE OVER BRAVES
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Christopher Mohr (EL CAJON) October 9 – Minutes after Christian’s 36-22 win at El Cajon Valley Friday night, the Patriots’ coaching staff brought up the topic of winning ugly in the team’s post-game meeting on the field. The gist of the discussion was that it did not matter that the team won by playing less than stellar football. What was important was that they found a way to win. Ugly was the first word that came to mind after watching the Patriots’ first three possessions of the game, which all resulted in fumbles lost to the Braves. Even more deflating for Christian was that ECV scored 14 points from these turnovers. Although the Braves were unable to convert the first fumble they recovered into points, they wasted little time in converting the second one. Patrick Johnson made an incredible leaping grab of a pass from Alex Hann for a 27-yard gain on the first play of the series. Three plays later, Johnson ran the ball in from 11 yards out. The point after attempt failed, but the Braves led 6-0. After the third fumble they recovered, ECV only needed one play to score a touchdown. Johnson ran the ball in again, this time from 45 yards out. Hann scored on the two point conversion on a well executed misdirection run to extend the Braves’ lead to 14-0. ECV appeared to be well in control of this game while Christian simply hoped for anything positive. The positives did not come easily for the Patriots. After an eight play drive, they settled for a 23-yard field goal by Michael Gruber and trailed 14-3 early in the second quarter. Momentum still favored the Braves, and from the Patriots’ point of view, they must have felt that the only way they could catch a break was to create one themselves, so they attempted an onside kick. The Patriots’ gamble paid off as Gruber’s execution of the onside kick was near perfection. He kicked the ball into the ground, straight ahead and fell on it after it had traveled ten yards. No Braves player was even close to Gruber when he recovered the kick. Christian took advantage of the break they created for themselves with a 10 play drive that took 3:32, resulting in a five-yard touchdown run by Steven Pitts. The key play on the drive was a 23-yard pass by Shane Dillon to Tyrone Sauls. The Patriots had pulled to within four, trailing 14-10. Not willing to surrender momentum easily, ECV went on an extended drive of their own. After 11 plays that took 4:19, Hann scored on a 12-yard run. It was another misdirection play where Hann faked a handoff to Johnson to draw the pursuit of the Patriots’ defenders. With all the attention on Johnson, Hann still had the ball and easily ran into the end zone. A.J. White added a two-point conversion run to extend the Braves lead to 22-10. The next drive was going to be huge for the Patriots. The Braves were already ahead by two scores and would get the opening kickoff for the second half. If Christian came up with anything less than a touchdown on this drive, it seemed likely that ECV could put the game out of reach. If the Braves wanted to help put this game out of reach, they did little to help the cause. On the first play of Christian’s next possession, Martin Ruiz ran free for a 19-yard gain. A personal foul penalty on the Braves added 15 yards to the end of the run. Ruiz then added a 22-yard run on the next play. In just two plays. the Patriots had covered 56 yards and were already on the ECV 12-yard line. Breakdowns on the Braves’ defense continued as pass interference and encroachment penalties eventually put the ball on the three-yard line. Two plays later, Pitts scored a touchdown on a three-yard run, cutting ECV’s lead to 22-17 at halftime. Christian did what they needed to, but were not out of trouble yet. ECV was supposed to receive the second half kickoff. If the Braves scored a touchdown, Christian would be down by two scores and not any better off than they were on their last drive before halftime. Hann and Johnson had been successful moving the ball for ECV’s offense, so the threat of a two score deficit was very real. The Patriots decided that it was time to gamble once again on the play that worked for them earlier: the onside kick. Once again, the Patriots were successful in recovering the ball. "We noticed on film how they were backing up, they were like five yards behind ten yards where the ball has to go," Gruber said about the onside kick attempts, referring to the fact that the front line of the ECV kick return unit lined up deeper than other teams usually do. Eleven plays later, Gruber kicked a 36-yard field goal to make the score 22-20. The Patriot defense seemed energized by the change in momentum and forced the Braves to do a three-and-out on their next possession. After ECV’s punt went out of bounds at Christian’s 45-yard line, what happened next was something straight out of Ripley’s Believe It or Not. On the next play, Ruiz carried the ball 15 yards before coughing it up at the ECV 40-yard line. For a brief moment, Patriot fans went from feeling despair to unbridled joy as teammate Joel Alesi picked up the loose ball and took off, running as fast as a big lineman can. After Alesi lumbered into the end zone, the Patriots failed on a two-point conversion attempt, but led for the first time, 26-22. "I saw that guy coming in for the hit and I saw the ball pop out, and I was like, ‘I’m taking this ball’ and
“SPINNERS” SPARKLES: A SAVORY NEW KIND OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANT
Printer-friendly version Spinners Fresh Mediterranean Salads & Grill 2654 Jamacha Rd., Suite 101 El Cajon, California 92019 www.ilovespinners.com 619-825-5151 Open daily 11am-9pm By Leon Thompson The East County Eater October 15, 2009 (Rancho San Diego)—Spinners is a treat for your taste buds–Mediterranean food like you have never experienced before. You won’t see food presented like this in any fast food restaurant anywhere. Each selection is served with colorful and delicious exclamations. My plate had slow-roasted gyros, pickled turnips, olives and rose-cut radishes–along with pita wedges and a spicy jalapeño hummus. On my first visit, I also sampled couscous, an amber-hued bulgar wheat dish, and fresh tabouleh on the side. The only thing ‘fast food’ about “Spinners” is the price. The name “Spinners” refers to the way the meat is roasted, like a rotisserie only vertical. There are three kinds of meat-on-spinners – lamb (better known as gyros), chicken marinated in mild green curry, and beef– all deliciously rich and perfectly well done. The last time I was there I had the falafel (made from Parsley, Chick Peas, cava beans and green unions), which look like corn fritters. Whatever your preference, wrap it in fresh baked pita or lettuce then chose between sauces. I like the bright yogurt sauce. Or choose the tahini for beef, the garlic sauce for chicken and the spicy mango sauce on everything. Did I mention that vegetarians would love this place? The best tasting salad in the universe is the tabouleh, a Levantine Arab dish. Its primary ingredients are finely chopped parsley, cilantro, bulgur, mint, tomato, scallion, and other herbs with lemon juice, olive oil and various seasonings, generally including black pepper and sometimes cinnamon and allspice. It will make your taste buds sparkle. The menu also includes wraps (including lettuce wraps), sandwiches, Greek salad, savory side dishes and for dessert, Baklavah—a walnut and honey concoction wrapped in filo dough. If you have been to an upscale Mediterranean restaurant with that great authentic atmosphere, you probably went through doorways shaped like giant keyholes into dining rooms filled with veiled partitions and tapestries to sit cross-legged at a low table. The atmosphere was as exotic and mysterious as the food. “Spinners” is about as different from that dining experience as you can imagine: a comfortable, familiar order-at-the counter format with an open kitchen of spotless stainless steel and glass. “Spinners” is modern, contemporary, refreshing and mature. The wall coverings, tables and tile floor are finished with craftsmanship and quality materials. Mature because there are no gimmicky clowns, kings or colonels. Refreshing because everything is prepared fresh right in front of you and all the sauces, ripe red tomatoes and condiments are displayed fresh. Spinners definitely lives up to its motto: “Real fresh, real fast.” This is a great idea for a fast food restaurant. The food is satisfying and fabulous. I have military friends who say they developed a taste for Mediterranean food when they were stationed in the Middle East—which means there is a broad audience here in San Diego County and nationally among military personnel and veterans. The entrepreneur owner of “Spinners” is David Barka. David grew up here in East County and went to college in L.A. – He tells me that he and most of the 30,000 Chaldeans who live in our part of the county grew up on this kind of food. “Originally we are a Catholic minority from Iraq. We grew up on these flavors – Mediterranean Arabic palette,” he said. David and his family traveled widely to Dubai and Egypt. “When we came here we were surprised there wasn’t already a concept restaurant like this in the U.S.," he recalled, "especially in San Diego.” I was pleasantly surprised — and so glad they settled here in Rancho San Diego. Read ECM’s new business article on Spinners. Printer-friendly version
POLITICAL PORK? COMMON CAUSE CALLS FOR FPPC TO INVESTIGATE LOBBYIST SEX SCANDALS; NOTES SEMPRA CONTRIBUTIONS TO BASS & BROWN
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 15, 2009 (Sacramento) – A lobbyist scandal in Sacramento has given new meaning to the term “pork” in politics. Ever since former Assemblyman Mike Duvall squealed on tape about bedding two lobbyists, critics have called for an investigation. Now the non-partisan citizens watchdog group Common Cause has called on the Fair Political Practices Commission to open an investigation into whether the female lobbyists violated state law by engaging in affairs with Duvall, an Orange County Republican who resigned in disgrace after his boasts were made public. An Orange County newspaper has identified one of the women as a lobbyist for Sempra Energy/SDG&E. “Voters need to know how widespread this practice is of lobbyists literally getting into bed with legislators, and since the Legislature and Attorney General have both abandoned any investigation it is now incumbent upon the FPPC to take this on,” said Derek Cressman, Western States Regional Director for Common Cause. Duvall, who sat on a committee that oversee the utility industry, resigned last month after being caught on videotape bragging to fellow Assemblymember Jeff Smith about salacious details of sexual trysts he claimed to be having with lobbyists. (Duvall has since claimed his boasts were untrue. Whether his bragging was the truth–or Duvall was merely hogging attention–remains to be determined.) Meanwhile Sempra has stated that its lobbyist denied the accusation–and assures the public that the company is investigating itself. Officials charged with oversight and investigative powers have been bringing home plenty of bacon–from the company implicated in this scandal. Sempra Energy has donated more than $11,000 to Assembly Speaker Karen Bass in the past three years and gave over $10,000 to Jerry Brown’s campaign for Attorney General in 2006. Beyond that, Sempra gave more than $275,000 to the California Democratic Party in the past three years, Common Cause has found. “Sempra gave big money to our elected officials and those officials then declined to investigate this matter regarding a Sempra lobbyist,” noted Kathay Feng, Executive Director of California Common Cause. That is precisely the sort of ham-handed dynamic that makes Californians skeptical about our current campaign finance system and our current legislature, Feng maintains. Beyond calling for a whole-hog investigation of this incident, Common Cause also seeks tighter lobbyist disclosure rules and a system of public financing of political campaigns so that legislators don’t need to raise funds from private interests like Sempra. Printer-friendly version
WARNER SPRINGS RESIDENTS: BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED
Printer-friendly version October 14, 2009 (Warner Springs) – A boil water order has been issued by the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health for customers of the Los Tules Mutual Water Company drinking water system inWarner Springs, CA, effective immediately. The water system has tested positive for contamination by Total Coliform bacteria. The bacteria can come from soils or other sources in the environment and can indicate a problem with the water supply system. The Boil Water Order will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and additional samples confirm the absence of bacteria in the water supply. Public Notification was posted at the Los Tules Mutual Water Company drinking water system. Printer-friendly version
LIGHTS OUT: EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TO CLOSE FOR 2-YEAR RENOVATION
Printer-friendly version CITY OF EL CAJON TERMINATES MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CHRISTIAN THEATER GROUP; POSTPONES CLOSURE UNTIL AT LEAST MID-2010 TO HONOR CONTRACTS FOR SHOWS By Miriam Raftery October 14, 2009 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Council members voted unanimously yesterday to terminate its agreement effective January 1st with ArtBeat Management, a subsidiary of Christian Community Theater, which has managed the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) for the past four years. The theater is slated to close for approximately two years for renovations including a new roof, improving access for the disabled, and moving the entrance to open onto Main Street, generating traffic toward local merchants and restaurants. At yesterday’s Council hearing, Grossmont Community Concerts Association (GCCCA) president Ron Shelby pleaded with Council members to keep the theater open through the groups’ 2010 concert season, which is sold out. “We were in panic mode because we couldn’t find any place that can accommodate all of our performances,” said Shelby. After the hearing, he expressed gratitude that Mayor Mark Lewis pledged to honor all contracts signed by CCT, assuring Shelby that the theater will remain open at least through the end of the GCCCA season in May The City hailed the renovation plans with a press release today proclaiming “exciting changes planned for the East County Performing Arts Center. “This has been a long time dream of theater patrons, the City Council and downtown merchants,” a press release issued by the City stated. “In addition, the Public Safety Center is currently under construction and adjacent landscaping will be reconfigured to allow more extended use for theater events and fund raisers. It will also tie together pedestrian access from the Promenade to the theater and on through the Civic Center to both Magnolia and Park Avenues.” “We want to work with the City and do all that we can to be cooperative and helpful,” said Shelby, who offered to help book more concerts to raise reveneus if needed. The GCCCA regularly sells out its concert performances. But others questioned the city’s motivations. Eva Tanonis, a member of the Music Scholarship Council, shared her concerns in an e-mail with East County Magazine. “I am concerned about the future of the theatre,” she wrote. “I know Mayor Lewis has complained about the cost to El Cajon. He has hinted that he would prefer smaller theater, etc. I hope he keeps his original promise when first running for mayor to support the theater.” Rumors have abounded that the City may consider razing or reducing the size of the theater in order to add a hotel and convention facilities. In an interview on October 1st following the hate crimes summit in El Cajon, East County Magazine asked Mayor Lewis about those rumors. He insisted that the theater will remain and flatly denied that the theater could be demolished to make room for a hotel. “We’ve heard those rumors before. They weren’t true then, and they aren’t true now,” he said, but added that it’s possible the theater could be reduced in size. The theater has the reputation of having the finest acoustics of any concert hall in San Diego. Asked about the acoustics, the Mayor said preserving the acoustical quality would be a priority. At yesterday’s Council hearing, Mayor Lewis reiterated that the theater will reopen following renovations. “I love the arts. I’ve been associated with the arts for many years,” he said, adding that the facility has not been renovated since 1976. “We don’t have paintings no more because the rain is coming down,” he said, emphasizing the need for a new roof. “We have to be ADA compliant.” Noting that parking will be in short supply while the new public safety facility (including a new police station) is being built, Lewis insisted that now is the ideal time to undertake the renovations. The theater has long been viewed as a money-loser by the city, which has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on repairs and subsidies for the city-owned facility. This year, ECPAC generated nearly $600,000 in revenue but over $741,000 in expenses, leaving a deficit of about $141,000. ArtBeat received no subsidy this year from the City. But critics contend that El Cajon’s contributions to its performing arts center are far lower than Escondido and Poway contribute to their performing arts facilities. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Escondido contributes $1.3 million each year to support its California Center for the Performing Arts, in addition to hundreds of thousands of dollars on maintenance. That facility also ran at a deficit ($300,000) this year. Poway contributed $631,530 for its Poway Center for the Performing Arts. “It is my observation that our neighboring East County cities could also contribute to these theater costs, since its early contributors [the Fletcher Foundation, and perhaps others…intended it to be for the community,” Jacqui Hanson, a member of the Music Scholarship Committee, observed, adding that founders originally hoped to locate the theater at Grossmont College. When El Cajon turned over management to CYT’s ArtBeat, many criticized the move. A Blue Ribbon Commission appointed by Mayor Lewis failed to even interview one prominent applicant—the 20-year manager of the Civic Theater in downtown San Diego. Appointees included a Tupperware salesman, raising questions of cronyism. Raymond Lutz from CitizensOversight.org, a government watchdog group, sharply criticized the Council for voting to let the Christian theater group manage the facility. “You are now seeing the bright light of sanity,” he said. Lutz also hinted that the project might reward developers who have given money to Council members. “You’ve all taken money from Hamann Construction,” he said, noting that the developer has since been implicated in a potential money-laundering scheme to funnel illegal contributions into Assemblyman Joel Anderson’s state Senate campaign fund. (Anderson’s finances are currently being investigatedby the Fair Political Practices Commission.) Lutz expressed skepticism over the reasons for closing the theater and chided Council members. “Maybe the parking lot you gave away to Daryl Priest [of Priest Construction] could’ve been used.” He further questioned why the renovations would
CHAMPAGNE IMAGES: NEW PAINTINGS BY DAWN SEBAUGH
Printer-friendly version Exhibit Oct. 13-25, Champagne Reception Oct. 17 at O’Dunn Fine Art October 12, 2009 (La Mesa) – An exhibition of abstract artwork by noted artist Dawn Sebaugh opens tomorrow and will run through October 25 at O’Dunn Fine Art in La Mesa. In addition, the gallery will host a champagne reception where guests can meet the artist on Saturday, October 17th from 4-8 p.m. “On exhibit are small and large format abstract works exemplifying Dawn’s signature approach to bold composition and fresh color combinations: palette knife oil paintings, and acrylic canvases showcasing Dawn’s innovative application techniques,” said Shannon O’Dunn, owner of the gallery at 8342 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa’s downtown village. “Showcased is her latest acrylic series, shimmering spectra of translucent spheres which transport the viewer from champagne to the sea, and the stars…….these pieces are quintessential Sebaugh, generous, strong, and optimistic.” Sebaugh holds a degree in color and design from Parson’s School of Design in New York, and did advanced studio work at Denver University. She began her career as an abstract painter two decades ago, in conjunction with her private and corporate interior design clientele. Her paintings are available through galleries and private shows, and her collectors span the globe, from Iceland to New Zealand, and Europe to the Phillippines. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Reservations are requested for the reception. To RSVP, contact shannon@odunnfineart.com. For more information, visit www.odunnfineart.com. Printer-friendly version
AUTHORITIES SEEK ABUSER WHO SHOT DUCK 5 TIMES WITH CROSSBOW
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)– Animal Control Officers rescued a Muscovy duck that had been shot five times with a crossbow this morning at Chollas Lake in East San Diego, near Highway 94. The duck, with the arrows still in its body, was transported to the County’s Animal Shelter on Gaines Street. One of the arrows penetrated the bird’s head so a special avian veterinarian will be examining the duck to see if the animal’s life can be saved. “Whoever did this cowardly and malicious act needs to be brought to justice,” said Dawn Danielson, Director of the Department of Animal Services. The Department is seeking any information from the public regarding who shot the duck. If you have any information, please call Lt. Dan DeSousa at (619) 767-2624. A suspect could face felony animal abuse charges, which could include prison time and fines. Printer-friendly version