FRIENDSHIP CONNECTION: DINNER CONCERT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHANCEL CHOIR APRIL 7 AT UCCLM
March 19, 2013 (La Mesa)–It all started 30 years ago when a resident of a home for seniors spoke wistfully about the lack of music. His son took the complaint to heart and the Friendship Connection, a group of local singers and musicians, was born. They are still going strong today, performing at convalescent hospitals, senior residences and nursing facilities each Tuesday evening, their songs tapping into the audience’s memories of years gone by with singing along encouraged. On Sunday, April 7 their music – folk, gospel and oldies as well as more current songs – will fill Friendship Hall at the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) at a fundraiser dinner and concert benefitting the church’s Chancel Choir. The public is invited. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m.; the concert at 6:15. A free will offering for the food and the Choir Fund will be taken. To ensure enough food for all, reservations can be made by calling Patty Bender at 619-463-3385. UCCLM, is at 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942. (619-464-1519, www.ucclm.org).
HOMELESS ADVOCATE TO SPEAK IN EL CAJON MARCH 21
March 20, 2013 (El Cajon) – Amikas is a San Diego-based nonprofit that seeks to create housing and help for homeless families and individuals, as well as prevent those living below the poverty level from becoming homeless by offering educational, employment and support programs. The group encourages citizen involvement to assure that others have food, shelter and other necessities. On March 21, the Executive Director of Amikas, Jeeni Criscenzo del Rio, will speak at the East County Democratic Club meeting in El Cajon. The event is free and open to the public. The event will be held at Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Dinner may be purchased at 6 p.m. during social time; the meeting begins at 7 p.m. For more information on Amikas, visit http://www.amikas.org/ For more information on the East County Democratic Club, see www.ECDWeb.Com
MEDIA WATCH: OPPOSE PROPAGANDISTS AS MEDIA OWNERS; SIGN A PETITION ASKING THE L.A. TIMES NOT TO SELL TO THE KOCH BROTHERS
Sign petition: http://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/latimeskoch/#1 By Miriam Raftery March 18, 2013 (San Diego) – For weeks, rumors have abounded that the respected Los Angeles Times newspaper and its parent Tribune Company may sell to would-be buyers whose goal is not journalism, but propaganda. On March 17, U-T San Diego owner Doug Manchester told MSNBC news that the billionaire Koch Brothers, major financial backers of the TEA Party, are interested in buying the Times empire, which includes the Chicago Tribune as well as the L.A. Times. Manchester himself has also been rumored to be a prospective buyer. Manchester has drawn criticism in professional journalism circles, including Editor and Publisher, the journalism industry’s esteemed publication, for flagrantly violating rules of journalism and even wrapping the front page of the U-T San Diego in editorials for candidates from president to mayor. But his bias goes far beyond politics. Manchester is a developer; the U-T failed to inform readers when Supervisors were on the verge of approving recommendations of a “Red Tape Reduction Task Force” consisting of developers who wanted to eliminate all community planning groups. Such bias is dangerous for a democracy. While each person has their own political views, editors and reporters included, in the news business such opinions belong only on the editorial pages if printed at all. Even there, a variety of views should be encouraged. When it comes to news coverage, publishers should make every effort to provide readers with truthful reporting, strongest arguments on all sides of the issues, fact-checking candidates and including all viable candidates in each race, and avoiding influence by exclusion—such as covering only one side of an issue or leaving topics out of the news pages entirely. To do otherwise is censorship and has no place in a democracy. Our own publication isn’t perfect, but our goal is to strive to meet those goals above. We run reader editorials on a wide variety of issues. We’ve run editorials written by conservatives, liberals, Republicans, Democrats, Green Party and Libertarian Party members. Our comments section is uncensored except if someone violates rules to prevent libel, racism, profanity, or spam. We believe in a free and open exchange of ideas by everyone in our community and we welcome suggestions from our readers. Our news coverage includes as many local issues and some national ones to the degree that our budget allows. We do our best to make sure you know what your local boards and council will be voting on. We keep you informed about major development projects planned for our region. We invite every candidate to be interviewed in the races we cover and provide in-depth coverage, also linking to nonpartisan sites such as the League of Women Voters and the voting records of incumbents to let you have tools to make up your own minds. If an official is engaged in illegal or unethical actions, regardless of their political party, you can count on us to bring you the truth. As nonprofit media, we also represent the people’s voice – not powerful special interests. That’s not true of a growing number of other media outlets where corporate interests lead to censorship – for instance there are publications in San Diego that won’t run any negative stories about SDG&E because they rely on revenues from the utility giant. When SDG&E approached us about sponsorship, we told them we have a clear firewall between our news and sponsorships (ads in the for-profit world) and that we would continue to run stories on any controversies involving SDG&E. They hung up and never called us back. Do you really want news publishers to tell you how to think, and what issues you should know about –censoring others that the publisher doesn’t want you to hear about? The Los Angeles Times is not merely a source of L.A. news. It’s also one of the only reliable sources for information on statewide issues including legislation in the Capitol, as well as regional Southern California issues, some San Diego issues, and quite a few national/international issues. As more and more news outlets become consolidated under massive corporate owners more interested in either fluff/entertainment news or political propaganda for either side, our democracy suffers as a result. Please join me in signing a petition urging the L.A. Times not to sell to the Koch brothers: http://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/latimeskoch/#1
REPRESENTATIVES DAVIS AND VARGAS SUPPORT INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE
March 18, 2013 (Washington)–Two San Diego Congressional members, Democrats Susan Davis and Juan Vargas, joined 131 colleagues in introducing legislation to give minimum-wage workers a raise. Both are cosponsors the Fair Minimum Wage Act (H.R. 1010) to boost the minimum wage to $10.10 over three years, increase the minimum wage for workers who rely on tips, and tie future annual increases to the rate of inflation. “Earning minimum wage salary should not mean living in poverty or struggling to pay the bills,” Davis said. “A minimum wage increase would enhance the economic security of our families by putting more money in the pockets of those who need it most. Let’s honor and respect our hard work minimum-wage earners by giving them a much-deserved raise.” The stagnation and depreciation of the federal minimum wage over the past four years has failed to keep up with the cost of living, leaving some working families to rely on government aid to survive. With income inequality and productivity on the rise, it is long past time to give minimum wage workers a pay raise, advocates of the bill contend. But opponents argue that employers may higher fewer workers if minimum wage is hiked, possibly meaning fewer jobs for unskilled workers. A minimum wage increase would be a pay hike for as many as 30 million Americans and offer tipped workers their first raise since 1991. The minimum wage has been increased 22 times since it was established in 1938 at $0.25 an hour. Republican leaders have indicated they will oppose any increase in the minimum wage, even though 65 Republicans currently serving in Congress voted for the last increase, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007.
MOTORCYCLIST STRUCK BY CAR ON HIGHWAY 78 SUSTAINS MAJOR INJURIES
March 18, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Shirley Frantum, 51, of Upland was riding her Harley Davidson east on Highway 78 on March 16 when she entered a curve east of San Felipe Road. She was struck by a Hyundai Sonata driven by Matthew Hon, 20, from Murrieta. “According to witness statements, the Hyundai and the motorcycle entered the curve at approximately the same time. The driver of the motorcycle was traveling on the double yellow lines,” said Officer Brian Pennings with the California Highway Patrol. “ The Hyundai was driving close to the yellow lines, but still within the westbound lane.” As the two vehicles began to pass each other, the motorcyclist allowed the left portion of the motorcycle to travel into the westbound lane, Pennings added. “This caused the motorcycle to collide with the lower left driver’s side door of the Hyundai. The motorcyclist was ejected to the right and struck the ground in the eastbound lane.” Witnesses reported that the Hyundai was traveling at around 40 mph into the curve, which has a posted speed limited of 30 mph. It is unknown how fast the motorcycle was traveling. Frantum was transported by ground ambulance to Palomar Hospital with major injuries. No injuries were reported from Hon. Frantum was wearing a safety helmet at the time of the collision. “It is unlikely that alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision,” Penning stated. This collision remains under investigation. If you have further information, contact Officer Brian Pennings at the El Cajon CHP office at (619) 401-2000.
SANTEE MAN KILLED IN HEAD-ON CRASH ON HIGHWAY 52; SPRING VALLEY WOMAN AND CHILDREN INJURED BY SUSPECTED DRUNK DRIVER
March 18, 2013 (Santee) – Matthew T. Leonardo, 30, of Santee has been identified by the Medical Examiner as the driver killed last night in a head-on collision on State Route 52 near Santo Road at 9:08 p.m.. The crash also seriously injured a Spring Valley woman, Alisa Cunningham, and her three children in the vehicle struck by Leonardo. According to California Highway Patrol, he was driving a 2012 Ford Focus when he entered the freeway heading the wrong way, traveling west in the eastbound lane at a reported speed of 65-70 mph. He struck a 2001 Dodge Caravan driven by a Spring Valley woman, 45. She was transported to a hospital along with three juvenile passengers, all with major injuries. Leonardo was declared dead the scene of the fatal St. Patrick’s Day collision. “During the extrication of the driver from the Ford, he had the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage,” said CHP Officer Jake Sanchez. “The level of intoxication of this driver is pending a toxicology test from the medical examiner.” ECM news partner 10News reports that the wife and three children of Cathedral Catholic High School boys varsity basketball coach Will Cunningham were in the minivan.Cunningham’s wife, Alisa, and their 17-year-old daughter Taylor are at Sharp Memorial Hospital. Both are in critical condition. Taylor, winner of the MIss San DIegoi Outstanding Teen 2013, is in intensive care. The couple’s other two children, Jayden and Logan, are at Rady Children’s Hospital, alsoin critical condition. ECM columnist Rama Beerfas was in a vehicle stopped in the traffic jam on the freeway. “We were lucky that emergency responders didn’t cause another one – some came to the scene using the right shoulder, while others were driving in the far left lane,” she wrote. “Those of us who were stopped had to move, first to the right, then to the left, then to the right again and we were packed in pretty well with not much room to maneuver. Shouldn’t one of the tasks the police take care of in situations like this is to clear one lane of traffice (right or left) and then make sure all emergency responders use that lane so as to avoid this type of situation?” The accident is the second deadly wrong-way crash on Highway 52 in the past several months, leading some to question where better signage or lighting might prevent such tragedies in the future. The collision remains under investigation. If you have information, please contact Officer Jake Sanchez at the San Diego CHP office at (619) 220-5492.
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS TO HONOR FIRST AMENDMENT FIGHTER TERRY FRANCKE OF CALAWARE ON MARCH 27 IN SAN DIEGO
Terry Francke March 20, 2013 (San Diego) – The Society of Professional Journalists will honor Terry Francke of Californians Aware (CalAware) with SPJ’s Sunshine Award for his efforts over many years. The award will be presented on March 27 at 6:30 at the 501 West Broadway office of Sheppard Mullin on the buildings 19th floor. Francke, currently general counsel for Californians Aware, has a 31-year history of helping journalists, citizens and public officials understand and use their First Amendment and open government rights. With CalAware, Francke has authored comprehensive and authoritative guidebooks to California law, on access to government meetings and public records, and the news gathering and publication rights of journalists. Francke previously served 14 years as executive director and general counsel to the California First Amendment Coalition, after a 10-year post as legal counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Prior to his legal career, Francke worked as a weekly newspaper editor and in military and local government public affairs positions. Francke is the fourth winner of the SDSPJ chapter’s Sunshine Award. Previous winners were California Senator Leland Yee, former San Diego Councilmember Donna Frye and longtime activist and watchdog Mel Shapiro, who exemplified through extraordinary efforts their passion for open and transparent government.
EAST COUNTY ARTIST’S WORK ON DISPLAY IN CORONADO
March 18, 2013 (El Cajon)–An East County resident is participating in the Coronado Public Library’s “Art through the Generations” exhibit, scheduled from March 1through May 31. Dolores Bridges Mote, of El Cajon, is among eight artists linked through public education and their teacher, Esther Painter Hagstrom. Hagstrom taught art at Coronado High School from 1939 until her death in 1951. Some of her watercolors and etchings will be displayed with the works of her students who went on to become accomplished artists. Mote, Coronado High School class of 1945, has painted throughout her life. She works with watercolors, oils, acrylics and pastels. Occasionally she makes her own versions of famous paintings, and she sometimes is inspired by photographs. Mote faithfully attends the weekly art classes at La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center. Other artists include John Clampitt of Coronado, class of 1954; Sarah Mott Durand of Ashland, Oregon, class of 1948; Lois Drake Ferguson of San Diego, class of 1953; Patty Murphy Jepson of Coronado, class of 1948; John Minchin of Encinitas, class of 1948; Doris Klindt Naccarato of Coronado, class of 1951; and Hildegarde Jaeger Stubbs of Encinitas, who attended Coronado High School through her freshman year. Suzy Hagstrom, a journalist in Point Loma, organized the exhibit in tribute to her paternal grandmother, Esther Painter Hagstrom. “This is the grandmother I never knew. She died before I was born,” Hagstrom said. “Connecting with her students was a way to get to know her. Even students who had no interest in art remember my grandmother and her lessons on perspective.” The Coronado Public Library will become the permanent home of Esther Painter Hagstrom’s watercolors, prints and other works. The exhibit highlights the importance of art in education. Although the timeless landscapes of San Diego have inspired students and teacher alike, each artist has a unique style. More information is available by calling Christian Esquevin, director of library services, at 619-522-7395 and Suzy Hagstrom, 619-758-0532. The Web site is estherpainterhagstrom.vpweb.com
SAN DIEGO AUTHOR CELEBRATES BEST SELLER SUCCESS BY GIFTING 22 PERSONALIZED BOOKS, PLUS HIT SONG “22” BY TAYLOR SWIFT
March 20, 2012 (San Diego)–Sarka-Jonae Miller’s debut novel set in San Diego achieved what few self-published books accomplish: a spot on a best seller list. Miller’s novel, Between Boyfriends, appeared on three Amazon best seller lists last month, including #9 for humorous fiction, #11 for humor ebooks and #54 for women’s fiction. To celebrate, Miller is gifting 22 copies of the Kindle version of her book that she will personalize through Authorgraph.com. The Kindle book is readable on any computer, tablet or smartphone using a free app. Winners will be selected on March 22, and also receive a download of Taylor Swift’s hit song “22.” Miller says that the song lyrics remind her of the way her character, Jan Weston, feels when she turns 22 in the second half of the novel. Swift’s lyrics tell the story of a young woman without a boyfriend who wants to “just keep dancing like we’re 22.” Miller’s character is recently single, and part of her journey to happiness involves hanging out with her friends and going dancing in the Gaslamp District. Weston, like Taylor Swift, is between boyfriends, and determined to enjoy every minute of it. She is also dealing with adjusting to life without her parents’ financial support, a consequence of dropping out of San Diego State University to instead pursue a career in massage therapy. She struggles to connect with friends, shed a defensive shell and get over her relationship woes. To enter the giveaway, simply visit Miller’s website or Between Boyfriends blog. The giveaway is run by Rafflecopter.com, a third-party site that randomly selects winners. People can enter daily. Read East County Magazine’s review of the book here or read the free sample on Amazon.
READER’S EDITORIAL: HOURS LEFT TO SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY
By Fred Griesbach American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) March 19, 2013 (Washington D.C)–In a matter of hours, the Senate could vote to cut your Social Security benefits. President Obama is pushing a budget deal that would include a proposal called “chained CPI”, a benefit cut that would take money straight out of your pocket – and some Senators want to take it. Their vote could happen at any moment, so your Senators need to hear from you right now. Tell your Senators to keep your hard-earned benefits safe and say no to chained CPI. Chained CPI would change the way the monthly cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is calculated, cutting Social Security benefits by $127 billion over the next ten years. The consequences would be felt in every town across the country. Millions of Americans would struggle to pay for lifesaving prescriptions, rising utility costs – even to put food on the table. Your Senators need to know that there are real people behind Social Security checks. These benefits aren’t expendable extras: they’re key to survival for many. And this could be a critical time to keep these hard-earned benefits safe. If chained CPI is included in the Senate budget, it’s a big step towards getting it enacted. There’s no time to lose – make sure your Senators know you’re counting on them to stand strong against these harmful Social Security cuts. Tell your Senators: say NO to chained CPI, and keep Social Security cuts out of your budget plan. Together, we can make sure the voices of older Americans are loud and clear – and protect Social Security for today’s seniors and future generations.