VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, CAPISTRANO CONNECTIONS ACADEMY, TO HOST FREE FAMILY INFORMATION SESSION IN EL CAJON MAY 30
Parents seeking innovative K-12 education alternative can learn how virtual public school, offered tuition-free, can meet their individual needs May 27, 2012 (El Cajon) — Capistrano Connections Academy, a tuition-free, fully accredited virtual public school, will host a free information session in El Cajon for families interested in learning about its online program and individualized approach to education. Capistrano Connections Academy is chartered through the Capistrano Unified School District and is available to students in grades K-12 who reside in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The free informational session will be held Wednesday, May 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas in El Cajon. “Capistrano Connections Academy combines the expertise and accountability of public education, the strong parental involvement of schooling at home and the flexibility of technology-enhanced learning. Because it is a public school, there are no costs for tuition or fees to attend,” a press release from the school. states. “The non-traditional learning environment can be a great fit for all types of students including those who are significantly ahead or behind in the classroom, those who need a flexible schedule or learn at a different pace from their peers, and those who need more individualized attention or live in isolated rural settings. Homebound and previously home-schooled students can also thrive in Connections Academy’s program.” The information session will provide families with an opportunity to meet with a Connections Academy teacher, thoroughly explore the school’s program and curriculum, and learn about the enrollment process. Other topics covered include: how teachers interact with students in the virtual environment, personalized learning opportunities including options for accelerated learning and gifted programs, college preparation, socialization, the role of the parent or other Learning Coach, and the use of technology. Capistrano Connections Academy combines California-certified teachers, a challenging public school curriculum, unique technology tools, an extensive selection of electives and clubs, and community experiences to create an individualized alternative to the bricks-and-mortar classroom. Parents with children in grades K-12 should attend. Connections Academy teachers and staff will be available to share firsthand experiences, explain the program and answer any questions. Refreshments will be served, and children are welcome to attend with their parents. CONNECTIONS ACADEMY: Connections Academy is a fully accredited provider of virtual schooling for students in grades K through 12. Through tuition-free public schools, and full-time and part-time private school programs, Connections Academy delivers superior, personalized education for students, with the freedom and flexibility to experience our online learning community from anywhere. In the 2011–12 school year, Connections Academy will serve students in 21 states via 22 virtual public schools. It serves students worldwide through the online private school, National Connections Academy. Connections Academy offers grades K through 12, though some public school programs do not offer all grades. For more information, call 800–382–6010 or visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com. Connections Academy and its parent company, Connections Education, are part of the global learning company Pearson (NYSE:PSO) www.Pearson.com.
BILL TO RECOGNIZE MILITARY EXPERIENCE, CUT ‘RED TAPE’ FOR STUDENT VETERANS MOVES FORWARD IN LEGISLATURE
AB 2462 standardizes credit recognition at community colleges for vets May 27, 2012 (Sacramento) — A measure by Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) to help military veterans gain academic credit for their military experience passed the Assembly today on a vote of 67-0. “We want to ensure that our veterans’ experience, where appropriate, will count towards a degree—especially as they seek to rejoin a civilian workforce,” Block said. “In California, approximately 30,000 troops leave service with work skills that could be counted toward an academic degree or professional license or certification and transition to civilian life after service to their country.” Approximately 90 percent of the state’s veteran student body are transfer students from the state’s 112 community college campuses. Creating a recognized and uniform standard to evaluate experience would aid troops in moving forward with their academic or training goals. Currently fewer than half of California’s community colleges have a process to evaluate fully military service for academic credit. AB 2462 would require the state’s community colleges to create a process for using the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations to evaluate military experience by July 1, 2013. Assemblymember Marty Block represents the cities and communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, San Diego and Spring Valley. Web site: www.asmdc.org/block
GUYS AND DOLLS: BE A PART OF THE SHOW MAY 29
May 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Young Actors’ Theatre is holding auditions for a production of Guys and Dolls on May 29, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at 9620 Campo Road, Spring Valley for aspiring actors from Grade8 through college. Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, this oddball musical and romantic comedy soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight "mission doll," out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game. Visit http://www.yatsandiego.org/ for more information.
FDA WARNS CONSUMERS ABOUT SHELLFISH PRODUCTS FROM KOREA
Oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops from Korea should be removed from the market, including canned products May 27, 2012 (Washington D.C.) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has removed all Korean certified shippers of molluscan shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops) from the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL), following a comprehensive FDA evaluation that determined that the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program (KSSP) no longer meets the sanitation controls spelled out under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. FDA’s evaluation of the KSSP found significant shellfish growing area deficiencies including: a. ineffective management of land-based pollution sources that can impact shellfish growing areas; b. inadequate sanitary controls to prevent the discharge of human fecal waste from fish farms and commercial fishing and aquaculture vessels operating in and adjacent to shellfish growing areas; and c. detection of norovirus in shellfish growing areas analyzed by FDA during the evaluation Because of inadequate sanitation controls, the molluscan shellfish harvested from Korean waters may have been exposed to human fecal waste and have the potential to be contaminated with norovirus. Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis. Symptoms of illness associated with norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Affected individuals often experience low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. Most people show symptoms within 48 hours of exposure to the virus. The illness typically lasts one to two days. Norovirus is usually not life-threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects. The removal of Korean shellfish shippers from the ICSSL is intended to stop the import of molluscan shellfish harvested from polluted waters. Korean molluscan shellfish that entered the United States prior to May 1 and any product made with Korean molluscan shellfish are considered adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. FDA recommends that food distributors, retailers, and food service operators remove from sale or service, all fresh, frozen, and processed (including canned) Korean molluscan shellfish and any product subsequently made with them. Korean molluscan shellfish represents only a small fraction of the oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops sold in the United States. FDA is currently working to determine the distribution of the product. Distributors, retailers, and food service operators can continue to receive molluscan shellfish from any of the other shellfish shippers listed in the ICSSL1. Advice for Consumers: Consumers who have recently bought molluscan shellfish and are concerned that it may have come from Korea, should contact the store from which it was purchased and ask where the shellfish were harvested. Consumers can check the label on packaged (bagged, boxed, canned, etc.) seafood to see if it is from Korea. If it is not clear where the product is from, consumers can call the manufacturer to find out. Molluscan shellfish from Korea and products made with molluscan shellfish from Korea should be thrown out. FDA will post on its website any recall notices it receives from companies identifying specific products that contain molluscan shellfish harvested from Korea. No U.S. illnesses from the consumption of Korean shellfish have been reported in 2012. This Constituent Update can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm304600.htm Additional Constituent Updates can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/default.htm
GROSSMONT COLLEGE OFFICE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM RECEIVES GRANT
May 27, 2012 (El Cajon)–Women Give San Diego, a local nonprofit organization, has awarded Grossmont College’s Office Professional Training (OPT) program a $15,500 grant to assist with counseling services for OPT students. The college’s OPT program provides up-to-date skills training for jobs in professional office settings in the accounting, insurance, and financial services fields. More than 2,200 students have graduated from the OPT program since it started in 1985. Women Give San Diego, founded in 2010, provides grant funding to nonprofit programs committed to improve self-sufficiency and economic security of women and girls in San Diego. Women Give San Diego is affiliated with the Women’s Foundation of California. In addition to acquiring office technology skills, the OPT program helps its graduates obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient, according to Mary Leslie, OPT lead instructor. To graduate from OPT, students must complete a 20-week semester consisting of about 600 hours of classroom work, which is the equivalent to what many Grossmont College students achieve in two or three semesters, Leslie said. “The work of the counselor is essential in helping our students recognize and overcome barriers to their success, both in the classroom and on the job,” said Leslie. “The Women Give San Diego grant will help tremendously with student retention and success.”
IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE
Residents Urged to Clear Defensible Space Ahead of Peak Fire Season May 27, 2012 (Jamul) – On May 22, Cal Fire and County officials, including County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, gave a tour with the homeowners of a correctly cleared space around a Jamul home. With vegetation drying out and summer drawing near now is the best time to make sure homes are protected by 100 feet of defensible space. Cal Fire Chief, Thom Porter led the tour and provided a map of high-risk areas that have not burned recently. Memorial Day weekend presents homeowners a little extra time to get out in their yards and work on creating the 100 feet of defensible space required by state and county law. It’s just the right time to prepare—before summer heats up and dried out vegetation around the home poses a daily fire risk. Every year, homeowners spark fires when they use power tools in the heat of summer to trim dried out plants. Waiting only makes cutting and pruning more dangerous. Almost every jurisdiction requires homeowners to clear dry brush from around a residence; homeowners should check with their local fire departments for regulations specific to their communities. Creating defensible space protects a home while providing a safe area for firefighters. Residents can take steps such as mowing and properly maintaining lawn and weeds, pruning or removing ignitable trees and shrubs, stacking firewood away from the home and making the home’s address visible to emergency vehicles.
JUNE HAPPENINGS AT THE SAN DIEGO ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER
May 27, 2012 (San Diego) — The San Diego Archaeological Center is hosting a trio of events in June starting with the Center’s Annual BBQ on June 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is catered and will be held at the Center located at 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido. For $6.00 you will receive smoked pork sandwiches, beans, coleslaw, drinks and dessert. Games and contests will round out the fun. Next up is the 6th Annual Summer’s Past in the San Pasqual Valley on June 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event will take place at the Center and at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, 12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido. Both locations will have interactive stations set up for participants to make Victorian sachets, punch leather items, rag dolls, create art with sidewalk chalk or play a game of jacks or marbles. This family friendly event is $2 per person or $5 family donation at both venues for non-members. Finally on June 23 at 8:00 p.m. the San Diego County Archaeological Society (SDCAS) will begin its Summer Saturday Evening Lecture series with featured speaker Cindy Stankowski, the Center’s Executive Director. The lecture will be held at Rancho Los Penasquitos Adobe, 12020 Black Mountain Road, San Diego. Arrive early and bring a picnic dinner, chairs and drinks. SDCAS will provide desserts. For more information about any of the events, contact Annemarie Cox at acox@sandiegoarchaeology.org, 760-291-0370 or visit www.sandiegoarchaeology.org.
THIRD LAWSUIT FILED OVER OCOTILLO EXPRESS WIND
May 27, 2012 (Ocotillo) –The Protect Our Communities Foundation, Backcountry Against Dumps, and Donna Tisdale of Boulevard are suing the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Pattern Energy. The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court in Imperial County, seeks to halt construction of the Ocotillo Express wind facility. Plaintiffs allege that Supervisors’ approval violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and that the Final Environmental Impact Report failed to analyze off-site or distributed generation alternatives such as rooftop solar. Two other suits have been filed by the Quechan Indians and Desert Protective Council, both citing destruction of cultural and natural resources as a key issue. The latest legal action goes farther, also citing threats to the health and welfare of residents, among other serious impacts. It also addresses the project’s violation of views from surrounding protected areas including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the Jacumba Wilderness Area, Yuha Basin Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Plaster City Off-Highway Vehicle Open Area, and Coyote Mountain Wilderness. The suit points out that the project would be visible and audible from these areas, harming the scenic, recreational and wilderness resources. “Because the Board’s Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this Project is deficient in numerous prejudicial reports, the Board’s issuance of a Conditional Use Permit and Variance for this Project are unlawful and this Court must set them aside,” the plaintiff’s petition states. The Project includes 42 miles of access rods and 112 wind turbines each approximately 448 feet tall, each with massive foundations, and more. The suit also sites concern for water quality in an aquifer that provides the sole source of drinking water for Ocotillo, Coyote Wells, Yuba Estates and Nomirage. Specifically, plaintiffs contend that Supervisors’ certified an EIR that does not comply with CEQA. In addition to environmental concerns, they note that the FEIR failed to calculate how much infrasound and low-frequency noise the project would product, let alone analyze those impacts. Nor were audible noise impacts accurately calculated or mitigation for noise impacts analyzed. “Dozens of residences are located within 1.25 miles of the proposed turbines on the Project site, including those in the communities of Ocotillo and Coyote Wells,” the suit states. “T avoid the negative health impacts from wind turbines, experts recommend setbacks from large wind projects of at least 1.25 miles. The County ignored evidence submitted by petitioners and their experts pertaining to the need to provide an adequate setback,” plaintiffs allege. The suit also accuses officials of failing to adequately analyze potential impacts of stray voltage and dirty electricity, which the FEIR dismissed as not “expected to occur” despite the fact that the Campo wind facility built by Pattern has had stray voltage measured at 1,000 times normal in a nearby church and tribal hall, where tribal members claim they are ill with symptoms they believe are linked to proximity of the turbines. Plaintiffs accuse Imperial Valley officials of “ignoring the studies demonstrating significant human health impacts from EMF and dirty electricity.” Impact of blade shadow flicker (a strobe-like effect that occurs when the sun rises or sets behind rotating turbine blades, casting shadows) on passing motorists on I-8 and Imperial Highway S2 were not analyzed, nor were impacts of the wind facility on birds, bats, bighorn sheep and other wildlife adequately assessed, the suit contends. As for Native American cultural resources, the FEIR failed to analyze impacts of the project on current ceremonial uses by tribes at the site, as well as impacts on archaeological resources. Nor were cumulative impacts of this project and other renewable energy projects in the area on cultural resources calculated. Risks of fire, spread of invasive species and other factors were also not adequately addressed, plaintiffs maintain. “In addition, the EIR deferred analysis of the Project’s site specific geologic hazards until after approval,” the suite observes, noting that changing design and location of turbines to avoid geotechnical hazards such as earthquake faults can significantly impact resources. Pattern has consistently refused to answer questions about seismic safety issues when asked by ECM and other media. “A full geotechnic study and report should have been completed and presented in the DEIR [Draft Environmental Impact Report] so that the public could comment on the adequacy of the study,” the suit argues. Plaintiffs are asking the court for injunctive relief to halt the project and seek to set aside the EIR certification, condidtional use permit and variance. They also seek attorney fees and court costs, as well as “such other equitable or legal relief as the Court deems appropriate.”
REGISTRAR MISTAKENLY POSTS TEST RESULTS LABELED “EARLY VOTE COUNTS”
Editor’s note: After posting a story on an early election "lead" based on information posted by the San Diego Registrar on the 50th Congressional District race, we received a full list of purported "early results" from all San Diego races that casts serious doubt on its authenticity. It included a July ’76 date and results in other races that seemed impossible, such as Senator Feinstein with less than 2% of the vote, Bonnie Dumanis in first place in the Mayoral race (polls have showed her trialing other leading candidates), and obscure candidates leading well-known and well-financed contenders in several other prominent races. Barry Jantz at San Diego Rostra advised ECM that some Republican candidates also viewed the results and were contacting him with questions. The Registrar’s office later confirmed with Jantz that the "results" were in fact a test mistakenly posted online, he said.The Registrar has now taken down the site. SECOR LEADS HUNTER IN EARLY VOTING: ay 28, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–With 30% of precincts counted in early-voting returns (191 precincts of 313) in the new 50th Congressional District seat held by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, Democrat David Secor is in the lead with 7,606 votes, followed by Libertarian Michael Benoit with 7,365. Both lead Hunter, a Republican, who has 7,114 votes. Two other candidates trail by over 2,000 votes. Secor, who has refused to accept special interest money, said he is not surprised at his strong showing. "The people are speaking clearly," said Secor, a Crest resident and Vietnam veteran who has held both blue-collar and white-collar jobs. "They want a representative whose only concern is THIS DISTRICT–its people, its businesses and its environment." In a statement issued to media, he provided the following additional remarks outlining how a Secor win could bring changes to Congress and East County. "We have been robbed of representation for four years. Many thought Hunter’s performance might improve in his second term. It has gotten much worse. This last Congress was given the ultimate Razzie award as the worst performing Congress in American history. Gridlock central was Duncan Hunter’s office. Pentagon contractors across the nation have made many millions thanks to their Congressman, Duncan Hunter, but on November 6 they will have to find someone else, because I will take no money from them after the election, either. I will never take a political contribution over $100. The people need to know that their representatives’ vote, like their own, is NOT FOR SALE. As soon as Mr. Hunter returns to the private sector we can begin to bring many thousands of jobs to working men and women in our district. Had not Mr. Hunter voted against every single jobs bill and in spite of his saying jobs was his number one priority in 2010, failing to sponsor or cosponsor even one jobs bill, we wouldn’t be seeing 30 percent of El Cajon residents living below the poverty line and 20 percent in Escondido. Many small businesses have folded. Those still alive have laid off or cut hours for their workers and many are on life support. There is a large transportation bill coming up in Congress that would mean millions of jobs across the nation and many, many thousands of jobs for us. Construction workers, contractors and suppliers are chomping at the bit to start rebuilding our infrastructure. Teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers can be brought back to work. Their paychecks would mean customers for our small businesses. Mr. Hunter will certainly vote “NO” on that bill. Just as he has on every bill that would help get this economy moving. Should I finish in the top two on June 5, I will spend the next five months sharing my vision for a vibrant and forward-looking District 50, with a thriving middle class where small businesses and entrepreneurs will point the way with new ideas, new products and services. Where Public education again becomes the best in the world. Where our community colleges realize their potential to be the new engine in putting out trained professionals ready to move into good-paying middle class jobs. We will fight SDG&E and Sempra who are ruining our environment across the entire district. We will reincentivize residential solar installation and if possible , stop the peaker plant in Santee. From now on, war will be our very last resort, not our first. Both active military and clear-thinking combat veterans like myself know this must be our foreign policy and we must make sure that returning troops and those who will be returning to civilian life are given job and education preference as thanks for their unparalleled service to the nation. In short, the Middle Class is coming back like a tsunami—and no wall of bribe money will hold it back. Not this time.”
AMERICAN TRIVIA: A CAPITAL IDEA
May 27, 2012 (San Diego) — San Diegans Richard Lederer and Caroline McCullagh are the proud parents of a bouncing baby book, American Trivia: What We All Should Know About U.S. History, Culture & Geography (Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2012). Over a span of a year, the co-authors will share with you their journey through American history. You can order inscribed and signed copies of the book by writing to richard.lederer@pobox.com. A Capital Idea Ironically, the only president who didn’t live in Washington was Washington. During George Washington’s administration the nation’s capital was situated in Philadelphia. In 1788 Maryland and Virginia in 1789 donated a hundred square miles of land to the American government to be used for a capital city. George Washington chose the territory contributed by Maryland, and title to Virginia’s land was returned to that state. Before Washington, D.C., was established, the early congresses had met in Philadelphia, Lancaster, and York, Pennsylvania; Princeton and Trenton, New Jersey; Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland; and New York City. It was John Adams who first occupied what was then known as the President’s House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Adams family moved into their new home on November 1, 1800, while the paint was still drying. Adams occupied the President’s House for only four months, having lived most of his term in Philadelphia. Capital Facts Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to call his D.C. home the White House. Previously, the house had been called the President’s House or the Executive Mansion. The White House is the most-visited building in the United States. Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home, is second. When, in 1814–during the War of 1812–British troops burned the White House, Dolley Madison (1768-1849), wife of President James Madison, rescued Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait of George Washington before she fled the city. That most-recognized of all presidential portraits is the only remaining possession from the original building. The treasure now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. The Washington Monument honors George Washington and, in many people’s eyes, symbolizes the city of Washington, D.C. Surrounded by fifty American flags, the monument stands near the west end of the National Mall. Towering 555 feet high, this marble obelisk is the tallest stone structure in the world. The building of the monument began in patriotic fashion on July 4, 1848. Because of a lack of funds and the onset of the Civil War, construction was halted in 1856 and wasn’t resumed for 20 years. The American centennial in 1876 inspired a national passion to complete the obelisk, a goal reached in December 6, 1884, when the final capstone was set. Because marble from one quarry was used from 1848 until 1856 and marble from another from 1876 to 1884, a horizontal line about one-third up separates one color from the slightly different color of the top two thirds. The first cherry trees of Washington, D.C., were a gift from the people of Tokyo to the city of Washington. First Lady Helen Herron Taft, along with the Vicountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador, supervised the planting of the first trees in 1912. Currently more than 3,750 cherry trees of 16 species adorn the capital. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the largest museum complex in the world, includes museums and galleries, nine research centers, and 160 affiliate museums around the world. Enabled by the bequest of the English chemist James Smithson, it was established in 1846. The Smithsonian comprises sixteen museums in Washington: the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of African Art, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Kenwick Gallery, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Anacostia Community Museum, the Arts and Industries Building, the Freer Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Postal Museum, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the S. Dillon Ripley Center, and the Smithsonian Institution Building (known as "The Castle") Also in Washington sit the Smithsonian Gardens and the National Zoo, and the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center is located nearby at Dulles International Airport. The National Museum of the American Indian’s Heye Center and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, both in New York City are also part of the Smithsonian. With all these museums, it’s no wonder that the Smithsonian is sometimes called "the Nation’s Attic."