SEMPRA DONATES $50,000 TO HELP HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – Sempra Energy Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Sempra Energy (parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric Co.) has pledged $50,000 in disaster-relief assistance funds to victims of the devastating Haitian earthquake. Sempra Energy Foundation will direct the funds through the San Diego—Imperial County Chapter of the American Red Cross International Relief Fund. “The Haitian earthquake has been an unthinkable tragedy and we expect that our donation will go toward providing immediate aid to the Haitian people in the form of critical medical supplies, food and shelter,” said Jessie J. Knight, Jr., chairman of the board of directors of the Sempra Energy Foundation and executive vice president of external affairs for Sempra Energy. The announced by Sempra Energy Foundation, nonprofit arm of Sempra Energy, was made on January 15. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA HOSTS MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL SUNDAY JAN. 17
Printer-friendly version January 15, 2010 (La Mesa) The public is invited to join La Mesa’s 14th annual Multicultural Festival. The event will be held this Sunday, January 17 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. Rudolph Johnson, CEO of Neighborhood House Association, will be a guest speaker. Entertainers include Moreton Bay Fig Morris dance troupe, Ballet Folklorico and en Aztlan, and singer Lila Brown-Smith. Helix Charter High School Bagpipe band and the Oak Oark Music Conservatory elementary school will also perform. The City will also present its Human Relations Award of Excellence to 16 middle school students. Sponsored by the city of La Mesa Human Relations Advisory Commission, the celebration honors the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with speakers, song and dance. View our videos from last year’s event: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/407_multicultural_festival_videos For more information, visit http://www.cityoflamesa.com/DocumentView.a spx?DID=1401 Printer-friendly version
IF YOU NEED SANDBAGS, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER HELP DURING STORMS…
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – CAL FIRE and the San Diego County Fire Authority have filled thousands of sandbags and are gearing up for the expected stormy weather with heavy equipment and manpower on hand to help in the event of emergencies. Sandbags were filled at the following locations and remain available to the public, though the majority have already been picked up. CAL FIRE hopes to receive more from the County, according to Battalion Chief Nick Schuler. Sandbags may also be available at area hardware stores, should these locations run out: o CAL FIRE Station 30-17304 Highway 94, Dulzura o CAL FIRE Station 50-1587 Highway 78, Julian o CAL FIRE Station 70-16971 Highway 76, Valley Center o CAL FIRE Station 73-28205 North Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center o CAL FIRE Station 86-16310 Highway 67, Ramona o Alpine Fire Station 17-1364 Tavern Road, Alpine CAL FIRE bulldozers will be available for flood response throughout San Diego County should the request for assistance be made. Several four wheel drive engines will be staffed. In addition, 18 fire crews (177 firefighters) will be available for flood fighting operations in addition to engine companies. CAL FIRE in cooperation with the San Diego County Fire Authority will have additional personnel available to respond and support water emergencies. Printer-friendly version
EDITORIAL: BALLOT MEASURE TO PROTECT STATE PARKS & CONSERVE WILDLIFE
Printer-friendly version "…the Governor has just proposed eliminating all of the state parks department funding from the general fund and replacing it with uncertain funding from an oil drilling project that has not been approved, as announced in his proposed 2010-11 State Budget." By Elizabeth Goldstein President, California State Parks Foundation January 15, 2010 (Sacramento)–From vast stretches of sandy beaches to much-needed recreational areas in bustling urban centers, California’s state parks system is the nation’s largest, attracting some 80 million visits a year and making an enormous contribution to the Golden State’s economic and physical health. California’s 278 state parks were once considered the best in the nation, but the National Trust for Historic Preservation ranked them among the country’s most endangered sites in 2008. How could such valuable public assets fall so far so fast? Blame it on budget cuts. Because of persistent underfunding, our parks are falling apart. Roofs and sewage systems in state parks leak, restrooms aren’t cleaned regularly, trails are washed out and campgrounds and visitor centers are shuttered. The repair backlog in California state parks tops $1 billion, and it’s growing. As if that weren’t enough, twice in the past two years, the state parks were on the verge of being shut down. Only last-minute budget reprieves kept them open – and these were only partial reprieves. More budget cuts this past year caused the partial closure or deep reductions in the hours of operation at nearly 60 state parks. And, the Governor has just proposed eliminating all of the state parks department funding from the general fund and replacing it with uncertain funding from an oil drilling project that has not been approved, as announced in his proposed 2010-11 State Budget. With more closures and reductions expected this year because of the state’s continuing budget deficit, park supporters (www.savetheredwoods.org) are collecting signatures to place a measure on the November 2 statewide ballot that would ensure a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding to protect state parks and conserve wildlife. Titled the “California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010,” the ballot measure would establish a Trust Fund in the state treasury that could only be spent on state parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs. Funding would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on most California vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks. Californians would no longer have to pay day‐use fees at any state parks – fees that can be as much as $125 for an annual pass or $10‐$15 per day. Spending from the Trust Fund would be subject to oversight by a citizen’s board, full public disclosure and independent annual audits. Money from the general fund – currently spent on parks – would be available for other vital needs, like schools, heath care, social services or public safety. Among the ballot measure’s many supporters are California State Parks Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon California, California Travel Industry Association, California State Lifeguard Association, California State Park Rangers Association, Save the Redwoods League, The Trust for Public Land, Ocean Conservancy, Sierra Club California, Surfrider Foundation, Peninsula Open Space Trust and the State Park Peace Officers Association of California. These organizations and many more know that, by protecting state parks and conserving wildlife, the ballot measure would strengthen California’s economy, improve public health and protect natural resources. State parks attract millions of tourists every year, and those visitors spend $4.32 billion annually on park-related goods and services in California, according to a recent study (http://sacstatenews.csus.edu/news/?p=1239 ). Parks also entice visitors to exercise and lead healthier lifestyles, and they contribute to the public health by protecting forests and natural areas that are sources of clean air and water. Join us in protecting these priceless public assets. Please sign a petition to put the parks measure on the November ballot and vote yes in support of it when it does appear on the ballot. In these tough economic times, this measure would ensure the funding needed to keep state parks open, preserve the jobs and revenue they create and assure future generations enjoy the abundant recreational, historical and cultural opportunities of the nation’s largest parks system. For more information, visit www.yesforstateparks.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Elizabeth Goldstein is the present of the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), the only statewide independent nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California’s magnificent state parks. For more information, please visit www.calparks.org. The opinions in this editorial reflect those of its author and do not necessarily reflect those of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
WILL POWER REPORT: FAR-RIGHT SHOCK JOCKS HATE HAITI
Printer-friendly version “Nothing But the Truth” By Will Power January 17, 2010 — Conservative shock-jocks are not noted for political sensitivity. But Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson have jammed their feet so far up their mouths they can’t tell a shoelace from a colon. ‘Haiti made a pact with the devil," says Robertson, "and now is being punished." "Don’t send money to Haiti," says Limbaugh. "It’s just Obama’s plot to influence third-world nations." Whew! I suppose that Hurricane Katrina was just punishment for slavery, and the San Francisco Earthquake a penalty for the whorehouses on the Barbary Coast. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. It’s government was inefficient at best and nonexistent at worst. Unemployment was above 30%. Literacy is low. Health care is mostly unavailable. The United States has sent the US Marines into Haiti many times. Sometimes we sent the Marines to restore order. Other times we were more interested in regime change. But if we follow Limbaugh’s advice and refuse to send aid, the situation will become Genocide by neglect. The Haiti Earthquake was a tragedy. But the hundred million bucks we are sending is about one day’s worth of the cost of the War in Afghanistan. I hope the people in the United States are not as hard-hearted as Limbaugh and Robertson. The people of Haiti need help NOW, and bad-mouthing government efforts to assist in such a tragedy would be comical if the situation were not so serious. It is in the long-term interest of the United States to see Haiti survive and be politically and economically independent. We need to see the earthquake as an opportunity, not a disaster. The Chinese word for opportunity and disaster are the same. We need to help Haiti, in spite of the rich, tightwad religious right-wing. Will Power is a retired teacher who holds a masters degree in creative writing. Printer-friendly version
HAZARDOUS WEATHER WATCH ISSUED: SERIES OF STORMS TO BRING HEAVY RAINS, SNOW, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather watch for southwestern California due to a series of storms slated to strike our region starting Monday. The powerful storms are predicted to dump 15 to 25 inches of rain and snow in mountain areas and bring wind gusts of up to 60 mph in some inland areas. Later in the week, flash flooding and dangerous mud flows may occur, particularly in recently burned and low-lying areas. The first storm is expected to arrive Monday, bringing potentially heavy rains by Monday evening and snow to resort areas above 7,000 feet. Tuesday through Friday will bring more winter weather, dropping snow to as low as 5,500 feet. Strength of the jet stream driving these storms is over 200 mph, so the storms will move onshore in rapid succession, NWS reports. These conditions could produce “gale force or higher winds” over coastal waters, where a small craft advisory has been issued and dangerous rip currents are forecast. Inland, wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph are forecast. Rockslides are possible along some mountain highways, with mud and debris flow risk increasing as the week progresses. Streams may overflow and normally dry washes will likely be flowing. As soil becomes saturated, the NWS warns, “Recently burned areas will become susceptible to dangerous…life-threatening debris flows. Persons living in and close to recently burned areas or in low-lying areas subject to river and stream flooding should stay tuned for later forecasts and warnings.” Cal-Fire has issued a no-burn proclamation due to the high winds forecast. If you are not yet subscribed to East County Magazine’s FREE Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts: Sign up and receive breaking news of emergencies in our region, including updates on hazardous weather, freeway closures, wildfires, law enforcement alerts and more. All we need is your name and email. You will receive only emergency alerts (average of a couple per week) and if you choose, our weekly e-newsletter with other news and events in East County and San Diego’s eastern regions. Subscribe free: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/89. For the lastest weather forecasts from the National Weather Service San Diego office, visit http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/. Printer-friendly version
SUNBELT CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF INK AND IMAGINATION
Printer-friendly version by Walter Hall January 16, 2010 (El Cajon) – Sunbelt Publications, El Cajon’s award-winning regional press, observes 25 years of hard-won success in the book trade this month. The anniversary is a remarkable achievement by a singular couple – Diana and Lowell Lindsay – who have the mischievous look of people who know they’re onto something special. Consider that Publishers Weekly, the book industry bible, recently estimated that roughly 7,000 new publishers launch each year. Most do not last beyond the first season. That is why the Publishers Marketing Association reckons that the number of “serious” independent publishers in any given year is limited to around 9,000 – nationwide. Sunbelt is one of them. Today they are still “moving ink.” The Sunbelt logo, inspired by the Zia sun symbol, can be found in bookstores and museum shops throughout the southwest and beyond, while Sunbelt’s distribution network serves individual readers, related businesses and book sellers from coast to coast. Having set off in 1984 with boxes of books piled into Diana Lindsay’s VW Vanagon, Sunbelt now operates from a 22,000 square foot warehouse in the heart of El Cajon. The Lindsays are a rare partnership. They no longer simply complete each other’s sentences, they complement them, adding new facets, making the whole greater than the sum of the parts. Still animated by the passion for cycling and exploring the outdoors that first brought them together as undergraduates at UCLA, the Lindsay team is shaping the way we see and experience the Southwest. Both Diana and Lowell have deep roots in the Southland’s book business. In 25 years, they have seen off other publishers (large and small), witnessed the arrival and the departure of local and national bookstore chains, and survived the destruction of wholesale distribution firms. All the while, Sunbelt’s distribution savvy promoted the work of many fine regional authors. The Lindsays even found time to author or update several books of their own. The Anza-Borrego Desert Region guide is a local classic, now in its fifth edition. How did they do it? According to Diana, “a small press has to be nimble, to see what’s changing and adjust before it changes you. We’ve been small enough and quick enough to do that.” Lowell agrees. “We’ve diversified our activity from the start,” he observes. “We focused on natural history and the cultural heritage of the Californias, but we’ve always been active in all aspects of the business, from concept development to direct sales from the showroom.” The niche titles are the trump cards of the small press. But getting those niche books into the eye of the public, making consumers aware of them, is the weakest link in the publication process. Frustrated by their own experience as regional authors, the Lindsays resolved to crack the problem. Their approach turned the traditional publishing model on its head. Instead of setting out to become old-school publishers – and depend upon the kindness of others for marketing and distribution – they concentrated first on the distribution side of the business. When Sunbelt’s publishing program began in earnest several years later, it rode to success on well-established channels. Local publishing legend has it that the original Sunbelt business plan was a dream sketched on the back of a napkin in a Texas beer garden. For a napkin plan, without a single PowerPoint slide, it has worn very well. Even so, the Lindsay’s do make an occasional tweak. The biggest – and perhaps most satisfying – was an astute move into partnerships. Cash flow is another perennial nemesis of small presses. To address it, the Lindsays innovated further. “Why not diversify the activity,” Lowell reasoned. There was really no need to do it all, with every title. So Sunbelt began to break up the process, handling different elements (acquisition, production, distribution) for individual titles. By assembling partnerships, essentially publishing teams, they spread the risk and the benefits. The concept was a good fit with the Lindsay’s win-win business credo. The Lindsays are quick to credit Malcolm Margolin, founding editor of Berkeley’s Heyday Books for the partnership idea. By pioneering joint projects with non-profits, agencies and other organizations, Heyday – celebrating its own 35th anniversary this year – is making a tremendous contribution to the literature on California. Following suit, the Lindsay’s consider Margolin a “guru” for public interest publishing. Sunbelt’s growing list of educational and interpretive books including Mission Memoirs; Anza-Borrego: A Photographic Journey; Fire, Chaparral and Survival; and Fossil Treasures of the Anza-Borrego Desert is an indirect tribute to Margolin and Heyday. These titles, with nearly a score now in print, are the makings of a substantive cultural legacy. Imaginative partnerships with non-profits and agencies are the most significant refinement to Sunbelt’s original business plan. Diana Lindsay notes that these relationships enable Sunbelt to bring out work “that otherwise would never see the light of day.” They also open doors to unexpected publishing opportunities. The Barona Inter-Tribal Dictionary is one of these. A sacred text not for open distribution, the volume is used solely by Barona elders as a protocol gift that recognizes language as the bearer of a people’s culture. Small presses, like their larger New York-based brethren, either flourish or wither on the strength of their current lists of available titles. Sunbelt’s present list offers 175 titles. (Visit www.sunbeltbook.com) Of these, 70 are published by Sunbelt itself. The remaining 105 are handled by Sunbelt under exclusive distribution arrangements, not as wholesale inventory. This is a critical distinction. Exclusive distribution provides the revenue essential to taking more risks, do more experimenting, on the publishing side of the house. Whether through exclusive distribution contracts or general wholesale, Sunbelt serves around 200 book vendors on a regular basis – some with single titles, some with a dozen. Barnes & Noble is Sunbelt’s biggest retail account. The best news for local readers is that the Sunbelt
“BELIEVE” CHARGER GEAR HELPS BENEFIT COPLEY YMCA IN CITY HEIGHTS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2009 (San Diego) — Pacific Sportswear & Emblem Company has created a line of Chargers hats, t-Shirts and silicone “charity” wristbands with the “BELIEVE” message to keep sports fans’ spirit alive in San Diego. A percentage of the sale of each “BELIEVE” item will benefit the Copley Family YMCA, which primarily serves children, teens and families in the low income community of City Heights. “My goal is to sell enough hats, shirts and wristbands to be able to write a check to the Copley Family YMCA for $5000,” said Rich “The Hat Man” Soergel, Pacific Sportswear & Emblem President. “If that happens, we will have met our goal as a small business doing our best to support a very good cause and keeping the spirit and momentum in San Diego alive!” Rich “The Hat Man” Soergel’s company has been authorized to produce the brand by a good friend who came up with the “BELIEVE” logo. Pacific Sportswear is offering hats in navy, powder blue and pink, T-shirts in powder blue as well as a powder blue charity wristband, all with the “BELIEVE” logo. “BELIEVE” Hats, Shirts and Wristbands are available at www.BelieveSanDiego.com and currently, the company is looking to work with a retail partner to carry these items as well. For more information about the Copley Family YMCA, visit www.copley.ymca.org or call (619) 283-2251 for more information. Printer-friendly version
FIRE DAMAGES SPRING VALLEY HOME
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) — A two story house fire in Spring Valley triggered a two-alarm response Saturday afternoon, resulting in $100,000 of damage, according to a preliminary estimate. No injuries were reported. The location and construction type showed potential for tremendous destruction. The fire was reported at 1:25 PM on the 3500 block of Saddle Road. The home owner said she returned from shopping, opened the door and was greeted by smoke. Homes in this area of Spring Valley are built on an upward slop, so water pressure can be an issue. In an effort to properly attack the fire crews laid a quarter mile (1600 feet) of hose. Crews from El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee assisted San Miguel Fire Department in fighting the fire. The flames were knocked down in less than 20 minutes. Fire and heat damage was contained to the lower floor, the upper level sustained smoke damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Printer-friendly version