IT’S RATTLESNAKE SEASON IN CALIFORNIA AND SAN DIEGO’S EAST COUNTY
June 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) — As springtime calls people and snakes alike to the outdoors, encounters with snakes become inevitable. California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California’s only native venomous snake – the rattlesnake. California rattlesnake species include the northern Pacific rattlesnake (in northern California), and the Western Diamondback, Sidewinder, Speckled rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake, Southern Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake (all found in Southern California). Though rattlesnakes are dangerous if provoked, they also provide humans with a tremendous service they eat rodents, other reptiles, and insects, and are in turn eaten by other predators. In California where rattlesnakes are found from sea level to the inland prairies and desert areas and to the mountains at elevations of more than 10,000 feet, enjoying the outdoors means learning how to avoid contact with rattlesnakes. Generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles. Rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans on rare occasions. The California Poison Control Center notes that rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year with one to two deaths. Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors. About 25 percent of the bites are “dry,” meaning no venom was injected, but the bites still require medical treatment. The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors, but there are several precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten when out in snake country – which is just about anywhere in California. Dos and don’ts in snake country First, know that rattlesnakes are not confined to rural areas. They have been found near urban areas, in river or lakeside parks, and at golf courses. Be aware that startled rattlesnakes may not rattle before striking defensively. There are several safety measures that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of startling a rattlesnake. Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. Wear hiking boots. When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day. Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step ON logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use. Never grab “sticks” or “branches” while swimming in lakes and rivers. Rattlesnakes can swim. Be careful when stepping over the doorstep as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side. Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency. Do not handle a freshly killed snake, it can still inject venom. Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone. Children are naturally curious and will pick up snakes. Is it a rattlesnake? Many a useful and non-threatening snake has suffered a quick death from a frantic human who has mistakenly identified a gopher snake, garter, racer or other as a rattlesnake. This usually happens when a snake assumes an instinctual defensive position used to bluff adversaries. A gopher snake has the added unfortunate trait of imitating a rattlesnake by flattening its head and body, vibrating its tail, hissing and actually striking if approached too closely. A rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied, blunt-tailed snake with one or more rattles on the tail. It has a triangular-shaped head, much broader at the back than at the front, and a distinct “neck” region. The rattlesnake also has openings between the nostrils and eyes, which is a heat-sensing pit. The eyes are hooded with elliptical pupils. Additional identifying characteristics include a series of dark and light bands near the tail, just before the rattles which are different from the markings on the rest of the body. Also note that rattles may not always be present, as they are often lost through breakage and are not always developed on the young. Keeping snakes out of the yard The best protection against rattlesnakes in the yard is a “rattlesnake proof” fence. It can be expensive and requires maintenance, however. The fence should either be solid or with mesh no larger than one-quarter inch. It should be at least three feet high with the bottom buried a few inches in the ground. Slanting your snake fence outward about a 30-degree angle will help. Vegetation should be kept away from the fence since the snake could crawl to the top of an adjacent tree or shrub. Discourage snakes by removing piles of boards or rocks around the home. Use caution when removing those piles – there may already be a snake there. Encouraging and protecting natural competitors like gopher snakes, kingsnakes and racers will reduce the rattlesnake population in the immediate area. And, kingsnakes actually kill and eat rattlesnakes. What to do in the event of a snake bite Though uncommon, rattlesnake bites do occur, so have a plan in place for responding to any situation. Carry a portable phone, hike with a companion who can assist in an emergency, and make sure that family or friends know where you are going and when you will be checking in. The first thing to do if bitten is to stay calm. Generally, the most serious effect of a rattlesnake bite to an adult is local tissue damage which needs to be treated. Children, because they are smaller, are in more danger if they are bitten. Get to a doctor as soon as possible, but stay calm. Frenetic, high-speed driving places the victim at greater risk
RANKING MEMBER OF HOUSE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND SAN DIEGO IRAQ VETERAN CHALLENGE ROMNEY’S RECORD ON VETERANS ISSUES
June 4, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Presidential candidate Mitt Romney voted to slash veterans benefits while Governor of Massachusetts and has proposed changes at the federal level that could be harmful to veterans. That’s the message sent to media this week by the Truman Project, a national security leadership organization based in Washington D.C. The release includes details provided by San Diego Iraq War veteran and national security advocate Yadira Carrasquillo , as well as by Congressman Bob Filner, former Chair and current ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. On a Truman Project press conference call on June 1, Rep. Filner discussed Romney’s record on veterans’ issues. “As Governor, he proposed eliminating hiring preferences for veterans and tried to cut veterans’ programs by 11 percent in his first budget proposal. And, just last year, Gov. Romney proposed turning the VA healthcare system into a voucher program. The contrasts with President Obama’s leadership on veteran’s issues couldn’t be clearer. President Obama has shown time and again he will fight for those who have worn our nation’s uniform.” Carrasquillo, an Iraq War veteran and national security advocate from the San Diego area, said Romney is disconnected with middle and lower class Americans. She said, “He does not share any leadership values with our military. His proposal to turn the VA health care system into a voucher program is ridiculous. The VA should not be touched unless it is to be improving the services we are giving to veterans. No veteran should have to come home and be directed to a doctor who may or may not have the medical expertise to treat our specific wounds.” She added, “Most importantly, I don’t feel that as a female and as a minority, I am well represented by Gov. Romney. He hasn’t proved to me in any way that he is going to help women veterans and he hasn’t proved to me that he can lead on the issues that I care most about.” A press release issued by the Truman Project concluded that throughout his career and in the Republican primary, Gov. Romney’s values and positions on key issues have demonstrated that he doesn’t know what it means to serve, or care for our nation’s veterans. In contrast, President Obama’s record with veterans has shown he is committed to ensuring that all of our men and women who have served in uniform have access to the quality healthcare, educational opportunities and benefits they have earned.” For more information, visit www.trumanproject.org.
BRIAN JONES APPOINTED ASSISTANT REPUBLICAN LEADER
June 4, 2012 (Sacramento) — Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, today announced that Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, R-Tulare, appointed him as Assistant Republican Leader on the Assembly Republican Leadership Team. "I am eager to continue working with Republican Leader Conway to get Californians back to work. The most important issues facing our state are jobs and the economy – we have to remove the regulatory and tax burdens from California’s middle class and release our creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit. California can be the Golden State again." The Assistant Republican Leader works with the Leader to focus and frame the debate in Sacramento, assisting in articulating the Caucus’ message and promoting policy. Assemblyman Brian Jones represents the 77th Assembly District and is presently the Vice Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee. He also serves on the Assembly Legislative Ethics, Budget, Judiciary, and Water, Parks and Wildlife Committees, as well as the Select Committee on San Diego Trade, Tourism and Job Creation. Before his election to the Assembly, he served as a Member of the Santee City Council. "Brian Jones has distinguished himself as a true leader for Assembly Republicans, leading the fight to expose wasteful government spending by unaccountable bureaucrats," said Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, of Tulare.
WIND ADVISORY ISSUED FOR EAST COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS
June 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for mountain and desert areas in San Diego and Riverside Counties beginning this afternoon and extended to late Tuseday night. A low pressure trough is moving inland, bringing southwest to westerly 20-30 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph locally. Strong winds and blowing dust may make driving conditions difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles Also watch for downed tree limbs or power lines during high-wind conditions, the NWS advises.
SAN DIEGO MAYORAL RACE: RESOURCE GUIDE TO ALL CANDIDATES
June 3, 2012 (San Diego) –East County Magazine requested interviews with the four top contenders in the San Diego Mayoral race. Two responded. Read our interview with Congressman Bob Filner here: http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/7210 and with Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher here:http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/9877 . We also covered the Politifest debate featuring Fletcher, Filner, and several lesser known candidates here: http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/7305 Additional resources that we recommend to learn about all of the mayoral candidates include: The League of Women Voters’ Smart Voter website: http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/06/05/ca/sd/race/019/ ; Voice of San Diego’s complete mayoral race coverage: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/mayor-2012/, and a series of debates held by NBC TV San Diego. ( CityBeat also gave its assessment of the “best three minutes in the mayoral debates” here: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/thehall/article_9ed6596e-a373-11e1-964c-001a4bcf887a.html) Below are links to the full NBC TV debates: Mayoral candidates define success (NBC San Diego) http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/news/local/Mayoral-Candidates-Measure-Success/152238655 Mayoral candidates defend their education systems (NBC San Diego) http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/news/local/Mayoral-Candidates-Defend-Their-Education-Plans/152351075 Mayoral debate: Lightning round (NBC San Diego) http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/news/local/Mayoral-Debate-Lightning-Round/152237115
$9 MILLION FOR HEALTHCARE IN SAN DIEGO, IMPERIAL COUNTIES
June 4, 2012 (San Diego) The U.S. Health & Human Services Department has awarded $9,398,738 for healthcare in the communities of San Diego, Campo and Brawley. “The Affordable Care Act invests in our community health centers and helps make healthcare accessible and affordable. Close to $10 million for healthcare locally means new jobs and the ability to serve more patients,” Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) said, noting that since 2009, employment at community health centers nationwide has increased by 15 percent. "hrough the Affordable Care Act and the Recovery Act, community health centers are serving nearly 3 million additional patients today and will serve an additional 1.3 million additional new patients in the next two years,” Filner added. The awards are part of a series of capital investments that are made available to community health centers under the Affordable Care Act, which provides $9.5 billion to expand services over five years and $1.5 billion to support major construction and renovation projects at community health centers. San Diego Congressional members Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure, while representatives Duncan Hunter, Brian BIlbray and Darrell Issa voted against it. California Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein also supported the bill. The announcement is for awards from two capital programs for community health centers. One will provide funding to existing health centers across the country for longer-term projects to expand their facilities, improve existing services, and serve more patients. The local awards under this program include $2,545,278 for Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc. in Brawley and $5,000,000 for Mountain Health & Community Services in Campo. The second set of awards is for existing health centers to address pressing facility and equipment needs. Locally this means $495,000 for Family Health Centers of San Diego, Inc. in San Diego, $499,871 for San Diego Family Care in San Diego, $358,590 for Clinicas De Salud del Pueblo, Inc. in Brawley and $499,999 for Mountain Health & Community Services in Campo.
PARALYZED STUDENT WALKS WITH PRIDE–AND AN EXO-SKELETON–AT COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
By Miriam Raftery June 3, 2012 (Berkeley) – As the mother of a U.C. Berkeley graduate, I couldn’t be prouder of my son’s alma mater than after viewing this video. In it, student Austin Whitney, who was paralyzed in a car accident, is enabled to walk across the stage and accept his diploma with help from an exo-skeleton created thanks to technology developed at the University of California, Berkeley. Just imagine what this could mean someday for our wounded veterans and other injured people!
SOCIAL MEDIA WARS: NEW LOCAL PAC TARGETS PRO-CORPORATE CANDIDATES IN SAN DIEGO
By Miriam Raftery Taking a page from the independent expenditure playbook that torpedoed John Kerry’s presidential campaign, a San Diego-based PAC, Much Better Choices, is taking aim at corporate-backed candidates in a series of online video ads. Lacking the funding of corporate-backed campaigns, Much Better Choices has launched its scathing assault ads via social networking sites—swiftly going viral with efforts to “Swiftboat” local corporatist candidates. The site offers online activists “instant –access technological arsenals” to send out videos such as one with pigs feeding at a trough, targeting “lobbyist turned Congressman Brian Bilbray." In the video, Bilbray is criticized for hypocrisy in collecting a public pension and public salary at the same time—while calling for smaller government. A second video assails Bilbray for voting to give tax cuts to the rich, while opposing tax breaks for the middle class. Yet another video slams Bilbray for letting “tax cheats” off the hook. Footage shows a tropical resort in the Cayman Islands, while a narrator informs viewers that this paradise is “well known as a haven for tax dodgers and money launderers.” The ad ends by asking voters, “Who is he really working for—the tax cheats or us? Anybody but a lobbyist. There are much better choices.” The group also takes aim at Nathan Fletcher, who recently quit the Republican party and claims to be launching an independent campaign to become San Diego’s next mayor. An ad titled, “Nathan Fletcher, hero of corporate lobbyists” attacks Fletcher as a “proud member” of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), “funded by big oil, health insurance and even tobacco companies that spoon-feed their pro-industry legislation to politicians they control.” The video informs viewers that ALEC legislation has sought to get rid of minimum wage laws, defund public schools to help private companies, enable corporations to buy up prisons, and “outsource jobs to communist China.” It also assails ALEC for supporting stand your ground laws linked to the death of Trayvon Martin in Florida and for funding a media campaign to “sabotage universal health care to protect the industry.” The ad asks voters, if Fletcher is elected “Who’s going to be writing the legislation—Fletcher or ALEC? Just how independent is Nathan Fletcher?” The ads do not promote any specific candidate–and both Fletcher and Bilbray face multiple candidates on the ballot. Instead, the ad urges viewers to consider "much better choices" when casting their ballots. Much Better Choices’ website offers step by step tips for how to set up your own Social networking site accounts to help make videos go viral, sending those feeding pigs or surfing lobbyist scenes rocketing across cyberspace. For more information, visit: www.muchbetterchoices.com, view the YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/muchbetterchoices , check the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MuchBetterChoices or follow http://www.muchbetterchoices.com #Much_Better on Twitter.