VIRTUAL CELEBRATION, REAL FUN — COUNTY’S EARTH DAY 2021
East County News Service April 19, 2021 (San Diego) — The celebration is virtual, but the fun is real — San Diego County’s Virtual Earth Day Fair is back. Visit the County’s Land Use and Environment Group’s Earth Day webpage, which is filled with fun and education for kids and parents alike. You can play games, solve puzzles, take virtual hikes in our County parks, get hiking tips from a County park ranger, watch animated video stories about whales and watersheds, sing the Earth song, learn about beekeeping and invasive bugs, explore and travel around the world — even walk on Mars right in your living room. You can also go on an Earth Day scavenger hunt, take part in a citizen scientist contest, visit Stonehenge, learn how to protect our planet and become a better Earthling, learn how to Recycle Right, what we can all do to keep pollution out of our air and water and how to properly plant a tree. In addition, you can sign up for virtual events to learn about composting and make your garden grow better, what “organic” means, and how to grow a salsa garden. There are word games, backyard mysteries to solve scientifically, Earth Day art to print out and color, and fun projects to design and build. Listen to what Earth Day means to each of our County supervisors and learn how the County is updating its Climate Action Plan. In short, you can learn more about our wonderful planet, how to protect it and have fun doing it by celebrating Earth Day 2021 virtually with the County of San Diego.
COVID-19 DEATHS REACH 3 MILLION WORLDWIDE
San Diego has among highest vaccine acceptance rate in U.S., survey finds By Miriam Raftery April 19, 2021 (San Diego) – More than 3 million people have now died of COVID-19 worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, including over 555,000 deaths in the United States, the most of any nation. The novel coronavirus has infected more than 141 million around the world, including over 37 million U.S. cases. How does the COVID-19 pandemic stack up against other historic outbreaks—and how did those earlier pandemics end? The flu pandemic of 1918-1920 was more destructive, killed an estimated 20-50 million people worldwide, including 675,000 Americans. That pandemic infected more than a third of the world’s population due to its higher 10-20% fatality rate. The Black Death, or Bubonic Plague, ravaged Europe, Africa and Asia from 1346 to 1364,killing 200 million people. It is believed to have been transmitted from continent to continent by rats jumping merchant ships, carrying fleas into port cities. An earlier pandemic, the Plague of Justinian from 541 to 532 AD, was also Bubonic Plague. It killed 25 million people, including as many as half the people in Europe in Mediterranean port cities and the Byzantine Empire. An ancient plague in 165 AD, the Antonine Plague, killed 5 million people, in Asia minor, Egypt, Greece and Italy but its cause remains unknown. Roman soldiers returning from Mesopotamia brought the scourge with them, which may have been measles or possibly smallpox. The deadliest scourge in history was smallpox, which thankfully has been eliminated off the face of the earth due to an effective global vaccination strategy. First documented in Egyptian mummies from the 3rd century BC, the viral disease is estimated to have killed around 500 million people just in the last 100 years of its existence, before the last case in 1975. Another 400,000 people died in the 1700s in Europe, so smallpox throughout history may have killed close to a billion people—more than all other infectious diseases combined as of when the disease was eradicated. In modern times, the HIV/AIDS pandemic killed 36 million people, including over 700,000 in the U.S. between 2005-2012. Thanks to development of new treatments, the disease has become more manageable. Though HIV/AIDS has infected an estimated 75 million since its inception and 38 million today are HIV/AIDS survivors, the number of deaths in 2019 was 690,000 worldwide. Other serious pandemics include outbreaks of cholera, notably a cholera pandemic from 1852-1860 that killed 1 million people as it spread from India through Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. Cholera is caused by a bacterial infection in contaminated water and is prevented through sanitation efforts. An Asian Flu pandemic from 1956-1958 resulted in 2 million lives lost. Like COVID-19, the Asian Flu began in China, quickly spreading throughout southeast Asia and to the U.S. The Hong Kong Flu outbreak in 1968 killed 1 million people worldwide, including 15% of the Hong Kong population. Flu vaccines have been credited with slowing the spread of influenza worldwide, with annual booster shots targeting new strains. COVID-19 vaccines are similarly expected to help control the spread of the novel coronavirus, though likely not completely eliminate it. As of last week, 4.75% of the world’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Though the U.S. led the world in COVID-19 deaths, the U.S. is doing far better on the vaccine front. To date, 25.7% of Americans have been fully vaccinated, and 43.2% or 84.3 million people. Over 209 million doses have been administered. California has fully vaccinated 25% of its population, or 9.9 million people, and has administered 26.1 million doses so far. San Diego is doing even better, with 28% of those over age 16 fully vaccinated and nearly half, 48%, given at least one dose. San Diego County is in the nation’s highest tier for vaccine acceptance, according to a U.S. Health and Human Services survey which shows San Diego County has some of the highest vaccine acceptance rates in the nation. Only 11% of residents saying they probably or definitely wouldn’t get the vaccine. The survey also found only 4% of San Diegans said they definitely won’t get vaccinated. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approximately 95% effective at preventing those vaccinated from getting the disease and nearly 100% effect at preventing serious cases or death. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine has been paused after six women died of a rare blot clotting complication, out of more than 6 million doses administered in the U.S. But there are more than health incentives. In California, major events such as concerts, sports, weddings and private events are allowed to resume – provided participants show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. Joyful Padres fans have been flocking back to the stadium, with vaccinated fans allocated to a special section to watch one of the team’s best seasons in memory.
THREE FINALISTS SELECTED FOR GROSSMONT COLLEGE PRESIDENCY
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Photos: Grossmont Community College finalists for president, alphabetically (L-R): Dr. Marsha Gable, Dr. Mary Gutierrez, Denise Whisenhunt, J.D. April 18, 2021 (El Cajon) – Three educators with extensive experience working at community colleges have been chosen as finalists to be the next Grossmont College president. In a press release announcing the finalists and virtual public forum process, the district says, “Grossmont College in El Cajon, with more than 15,000 students, is known for its high transfer rates to four-year universities and renowned career education programs such as Nursing and Allied Health, Administration of Justice and Culinary Arts.” The position of Grossmont College president opened when Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, who led the college since 2015, announced his retirement last fall. The finalists are: Marsha Gable, Grossmont College’s vice president of student services for the past five years In 2019, she served as interim president of San Diego Miramar College for eight months when a permanent president was selected. She has been serving as interim president of Grossmont College since January. Before coming to Grossmont College, Gable was dean of counseling services at Cuyamaca College from 2013 to 2015. She also worked at Santa Ana College and at California State University, San Marcos. She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University; a master’s degree in Sociological Practice from CSU San Marcos; and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from CSU San Marcos. Mary Gutierrez, vice president of instruction at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill since June 2018 She previously served for six years as dean of language arts at Skyline College in San Bruno. Gutierrez also worked as an associate dean at Cascadia College in Bothell, Washington, a program director at the University of San Diego, and as a director of early college at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington. Gutierrez earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership at San Francisco State University; a master’s degree in English from Virginia Polytechnic Institute; and a bachelor’s degree in English education from VPI. Denise Whisenhunt, vice president of student services at San Diego City College since 2013 She served for 14 months beginning in May 2016 as interim president of the college until a permanent president was hired. Whisenhunt previously served as interim vice president of student services at San Diego Mesa College. Before that, she worked at several positions at City College, including dean of student affairs, interim dean of student development and matriculation, and associate dean of student services/outreach. Prior to coming to City College in September 2001, Whisenhunt was transfer center coordinator at the University of California at Merced. Whisenhunt earned her law degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and a bachelor’s degree in political science and English literature from the University of California at San Diego. Each of the three candidates will appear in a virtual forum that is open to the public. The forums will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on YouTube. April 26: Denise Whisenhunt April 27: Mary Gutierrez April 28: Marsha Gable The link to the forum and to submit questions to the candidates can be found on the Grossmont College President Search page. Because of the virtual format, questions will only be taken in advance and should be submitted by noon on April 23. Feedback from the forums will be accepted until noon the following day after each forum. After the forums, Chancellor Lynn Neault is anticipated to recommend one of the nominees to the Governing Board in May. The new president is expected to begin July 1.
SHOOTING DEATH IN SPRING VALLEY
By Jonathan Goetz Photo credit: Google & partners April 18, 2021 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a shooting around 5:30pm, Thursday, April 15, in Spring Valley. Upon arrival to the 1500 block of Presioca Street, they found David Martinez, 67, lying in the street, with trauma to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene, says Lt. Thomas Siever. According to an update by Siever, Martinez’ autopsy Friday found the preliminary cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the head, and manner of death, a homicide. Martinez may have been targeted specifically, according to Siever, reports FOX 5. “We don’t believe that there is anybody running around Spring Valley that the citizens need to be concerned about at this point,” they quote him as saying. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
SDSU MEN’S TENNIS ENDS DROUGHT WITH 4-0 SHUTOUT OF NEVADA
Aztecs put the brakes on six-match losing streak Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com April 18, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego State snapped a six-match losing streak on Sunday with a 4-0 whitewash of visiting Nevada in a Mountain West clash at Aztec Tennis Center. SDSU picked up its first victory against a conference opponent this season, raising its record to 4-12 overall and 1-5 in the MW, while the Wolf Pack dropped its sixth in a row, falling to 5-11 on the year and 1-5 in league play. The Aztecs came out firing on all cylinders in doubles competition, posting two straight victories to capture the early point. Judson Blair and Ignacio Martinez cruised past Satchel Benn and Loris Zisswiller by a 6-1 count at the No. 2 position, while Johannes Seeman and Victor Castro rediscovered their winning touch with a 6-4 triumph over Juan Batalla and Isaac Nortey at the top of the rotation. SDSU was prevented a clean sweep in the round, however, when the tandem of Daniel Dudockin and Delmas N’Tcha upended Rafael Gonzalez Almazan and Aaro Pollanen in the third spot 6-3. Unlike previous matches against Washington, Utah State and Air Force when the Aztecs won the doubles point and fell short in singles, SDSU maintained the momentum against Nevada for the entire afternoon. Pollanen set the tone on Sunday in singles for the Scarlet and Black, overcoming nagging injuries all spring to finally record his first victory, a 6-2, 6-2 conquest of Benn in the No. 4 position. Martinez soon followed with a straight-set decision over Dudockin at No. 3, prevailing in a tiebreaker 7-6(3) before pulling away in the second set 6-3. Shortly thereafter, Gonzalez Almazan provided the clinching point with a three-set triumph over Batalla in the fifth slot 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. With the Aztecs’ team victory on ice, three remaining matches were suspended. Blair found himself trailing 4-2 in the third set vs. Zisswiller at No. 6 after splitting the first two 4-6, 6-2. In addition, Castro was deadlocked a 5-5 in the second set in his encounter with Nortey in the second position after outlasting his Wolf Pack adversary in the first, 7-5. Meanwhile, Seeman was trying to rally from a 6-5 deficit in the second set of his match on the No. 1 court vs. N’Tcha after falling short in the first 6-4. San Diego State will have little time to bask in its victory, however, as Santa Clara visits Aztec Tennis Center on Monday for a non-conference match, starting at 2 p.m.
SDSU WOMEN’S TENNIS SWEPT BY COWGIRLS
SDSU is swept by a conference opponent for the first time in the 2021 season Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com April 18, 2021 (Fort Collins, Colo.) – The San Diego State women’s tennis team stumbled in Mountain West conference dual-match play Sunday, falling victim to a sweep by the Wyoming Cowgirls in a neutral-site match at the CSU Tennis Complex in Fort Collins, Colo. The lone Aztec duo to record a win Sunday was junior Alicia Melosch and senior Nnena Nadozie, who brought home a No. 1 doubles match win with a 6-1 defeat of Wyoming’s Brink/Oreshkina. Unfortunately, the Scarlet and Black were unable to find a rhythm in doubles play and fell on courts two and three. Regina Pitts and sophomore Cécile Morin fell 6-2 to the Cowgirls’ Fernandez/Zehender in No. 2 doubles action and senior Abbie Mulbarger and freshman Alexandria Von Tersch Pohrer fell by the same score on court three to UW’s Krause/Kaftanova. The Cowgirls used the momentum gained in doubles play to sweep singles action, earning victories on courts three, four and five to bring home the dual-match win. Fernandez defeated Morin 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 on court three, Brink topped Melosch 6-3, 6-3 on court four and Wyoming’s Malinak took home a 6-0, 6-2 win on court five. UP NEXT San Diego State competes in one more weekend of Mountain West conference dual-match play, traveling to Las Vegas, Nev. to take on UNLV and San José State. The match with the Spartans is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start on April 24, while the Aztecs’ season finale with the Rebels is set for 10 a.m. on April 25.
READER’S EDITORIAL: CONGRESS SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO HELP SPOUSES OF CITIZENS
By Kristin Rangel, La Mesa Photo: U.S. Capitol; cc via Bing April 18, 2021 (La Mesa) — I am a U.S. citizen struggling to overcome immigration issues for my spouse, the highest priority for legal immigration. Both myself working as an RN on the Covid frontlines and my husband are essential workers as well. I am extremely frustrated that Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives blocked a vote on amendments to the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act that would have helped my family in the same way that these bills help families of undocumented workers. These amendments could have healed 1.9 million U.S. citizens like me if Democratic leadership had followed through on their promises. Instead, we were left out, and the House passed legislation to make it actually more beneficial to be an undocumented farm worker’s spouse than the spouse of an American citizen. Democratic leadership has failed me. It’s time for them to do right by U.S. citizens. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
25TH ANNUAL GROSSMONT COLLEGE LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL APRIL 26-29
Source: Grossmont College April 18, 2021 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont College Literary Arts Festival has special reasons to celebrate its April 26-29 run: its 25th anniversary and its return after a one-year COVID hiatus. Although its comeback will be virtual in keeping with health protocols, the spirit and intent of the weeklong festival put on by the English Department’s Creative Writing program remain the same: to highlight poetry, memoirs, literature, and student writings, and to provide an opportunity to hear writers across the country talk about their inspirations and challenges filling blank pages. The festival is free and open to the public. Writer bios, workshop descriptions and registration links are available at https://tinyurl.com/3akfaxnb. “We are delighted to be able to bring back our Literary Arts Festival,” said Adam Deutsch, festival and Creative Writing program co-coordinator. “This event offers opportunities for the public to engage with living authors and literature in ways rarely possible at community colleges, and for student authors to share their creativity with a wide audience.” Monday, April 26: 2 – 3:15 p.m. Gill Sotu hosts Poetry SLAM The 25th Anniversary Literary Arts Festival kicks off with the 6th Annual Student SLAM competition. Open to all Grossmont College students, poets battle for the title of Grand SLAM champion of Grossmont College. Limited to 12 participants, the top six are selected to advance to Round Two, from which a champion is named. 7 – 8:15 p.m. Novelist, rock biographer Jim Ruland Novelist, rock memoirist, punk rock blogger, and host of the Vermin on the Mount reading series, Jim Ruland returns to the Literary Arts Festival to read from his newly released work, “Do What You Want” (Hachette Books 2020), the first official autobiography of the groundbreaking L.A. punk group, Bad Religion. Tuesday, April 27: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Playwright Matt Thompson Stage actor, director, playwright, and lecturer Matthew Salazar-Thompson has authored dozens of plays during this career, with commissions including The San Diego Repertory Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Point Loma Playhouse, Coronado Playhouse, and many others. “The 146 Point Flame,” based on the historic 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, has been described in Southern Theatre Magazine as one of the top 10 plays on immigration. 2- 3:15 p.m. Lily Hoang, poet, essayist, fairytale author Lily Hoang is the author of five books of prose, including “A Bestiary,” 2016 winner of the Cleveland State University Poetry Center’s Non-Fiction Book Prize. In 2017, she was Mellon Scholar in Residence at Rhodes University in South Africa. 7 – 8:15 p.m. New Voices Student Reading Exceptional student writers from this semester’s creative writing courses perform new and original works. A read-along program booklet is also provided, and a Q&A follows. Wednesday, April 28 2 – 3:15 p.m. Why Lit Matters Student Panel Hosted by Professors Lisa Ledri-Aguilar and Sarah Martin, this features a panel of Grossmont College students sharing moving and powerful personal accounts of the role literature has played in their journeys. 7 – 8:15 p.m. Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, poet, essayist, immigration advocate, Undocupoets founder Marcelo Hernandez Castillo is the author of the chapbook “Dulce” (BOA editions 2018), and the collection “Cenzontle” (2018), winner of the 2017 A. Poulin Jr. prize. A recipient of the Barnes and Noble Writers for Writers award, Castillo was the first undocumented student to graduate from the Helen Zell Writers Program at the University of Michigan. Thursday, April 29 2 – 3:15 p.m. Julia Dixon Evans, fiction writer Winner of the 2019 Magazine Award for Fiction, fiction writer Julia Dixon Evans reads from her debut novel, “How to Set Yourself on Fire” (Dzanc Books, 2018). As a journalist, Evans has penned the culture report for Voice of San Diego and currently covers the local arts and culture scene for KPBS. 7 – 8:15 p.m. Carl Phillips, poet, essayist Queer African American author, poet luminary, and former chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, Carl Phillips will read from his latest poetry collection, “Pale Colors in a Tall Field” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux 2020). Widely esteemed as one of the most influential lyric poets in the United States, Phillips has authored 15 internationally acclaimed books of poetry. A four-time finalist for the National Book Award, and finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, Phillips’ honors include the Lambda Literary Award, an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Theodore Roethke Memorial Foundation Poetry Award, the Thom Gunn Award for Gay Male Poetry, and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Library of Congress, and the Academy of American Poets.
ECM PADRES REPORT: PADRES SAVE LAST GAME OF SERIES AGAINST DODGERS
By Liz Alper Photo via @padres on Twitter April 18, 2021 (San Diego) – In a night of controversial strike calls, the Padres ended it with their first shutout loss and series loss of the season. Today’s rubber game was a freebie to see if they could get one from the Dodgers. Trevor Bauer started for LA against Blake Snell. The Dodgers jumped out to an early lead in the second with Chris Taylor’s two-run home run to left center that gave LA a 2-0 lead after two. The Padres got on the board in the fourth on a Jake Cronenworth solo homer to right and the Dodgers’ lead was cut to 2-1. In the seventh, the Padres took charge. Manny Machado hit a leadoff single and moved to second on a wild pitch. Eric Hosmer lined a double down the left field line that allowed Machado to score and tie the game at two after seven. The Padres struck gold in the eighth with Hosmer’s single that scored Jurickson Profar. And Tommy Pham put the finishing touch on with a double to left that scored Hosmer and Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres were able to salvage one from the Dodgers with a 5-2 win and move to 10-7. UP NEXT The Dodgers and the tension finally leave and the Brewers come to town. First pitch tomorrow is at 7:10 p.m. Brandon Woodruff starts for Milwaukee against Grossmont High alum and Padres sole no-hitter owner Joe Musgrove.
HUGE COMEBACK PROPELS SDSU BASEBALL PAST FRESNO STATE 21-14
Aztecs storm back from a 14-5 deficit to stun Bulldogs Source: goaztecs.com Video courtesy goaztecs.com April 18, 2021 (Fresno) – San Diego State once again displayed some late-inning magic on Sunday, overcoming a nine-run deficit to record a wild 21-14 conquest of Fresno State in the rubber game of a weekend set at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium. With the win, the Aztecs claimed their eighth series victory in nine weeks this season, improving to 19-9 overall and 14-7 in the Mountain West. SDSU set season highs with 21 runs, 23 hits and 19 RBIs to maintain their perch atop the conference standings. In addition, the Scarlet and Black produced its highest scoring output since March 25, 2018, when it cruised past then-No. 24 UNLV on the road 22-7. Individually, the Aztecs were led by Jaden Fein, who went 6-for-6 at the plate with a home run, three RBIs and five runs scored, while five other players finished with three hits apiece, including Caden Miller, Matt Rudick, Wyatt Hendrie, Brian Leonhardt and Poncho Ruiz. Fein set career highs in hits and runs scored, while Miller established a personal best with four RBIs, tying Rudick for game-high honors. Both teams combined to utilize 15 pitchers on the afternoon, including seven by San Diego State. However, the Aztec quartet of Nate Hansen, Tre Brown, Seth Urbon and Christian Winston kept the Bulldogs (10-18, 7-11 MW) off the scoreboard over the final four innings, allowing a combined two hits, three walks and a pair of hit batters during that span. Trailing 14-5 after the fifth inning, SDSU sent 13 hitters to the plate in the top of the six, scoring eight runs on six hits and four walks while benefiting from two wild pitches. The Aztecs tallied all their runs with two outs after Cole Carrigg raced home on Mike Jarvis’ sacrifice fly. The next eight San Diego State batters reached base, with Leonhardt knocking in a pair with a sharp double down the right field line, while Miller capped the outburst with a two-run single, trimming the deficit to 14-13. Rudick, Hendrie and Fein also got into the act with RBI singles, with the latter scoring on a wild pitch as well. The score remained unchanged until the eighth when Fein led off with a double and later touched home on Ruiz’s single up the middle, which drew the Aztecs even at 14-14. SDSU’s rally reached its crescendo in the ninth, as the Scarlet and Black scored seven runs on five hits and three walks, sending another 10 batters to the plate to put the game out of reach. Hendrie put the Aztecs in front for good with a two-run homer to left, his seventh of the year, while Rudick closed out the scoring for the visitors with a three-run triple. In the interim, Ruiz’s infield single knocked Leonhardt, while Miller drew a bases-load walk. Brown (4-1) collected his team-leading fourth victory of the year after entering with two outs in the seventh. SDSU’s fifth reliever of the day pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk against two strikeouts before Urbon and Winston came in to work the ninth. On the flip side, Nik Cardinal (0-3), who retired the final two batters in the eighth, was tagged with the loss after the Aztecs rocked him for five runs on four hits and a walk in the fateful ninth. Ivan Luna, Zach Presno and Emilio Nogales led Fresno State with three hits each, while Luna, Andrew Kachel and Blake Wink racked up three RBIs apiece in the loss. Luna led off the second with a solo homer, as the Bulldogs put up a six-spot in the inning, before adding a two-run blast in the fifth that gave the host school a seemingly comfortable 14-5 advantage. Earlier, Fresno State also built a nine-run bulge at 12-3 in the fourth after Presno roped an RBI single and later scored on Wink’s sacrifice fly. However, SDSU responded in the fifth when Fein smacked a two-run homer to left center with two outs after Leonhardt reached on a single through the left side. San Diego State returns home next weekend to open a three-game non-conference series against Dixie State April 24-25 at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Box