Journalist
February 4, 2013 Leave a comment
After more than 50 years, the South Bay Power Plant crumbled as a set of explosions demolished the facility, making way for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan. Shortly after 7:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 2, 2013, here is what the implosion looked like from across the bay in Imperial Beach, Calif.
June 19, 2012 Leave a comment
With more than 50 Native American tribes represented the 2012 Pow Wow by the Sea was held this weekend on Kumeyaay land, i.e., Imperial Beach.
May 28, 2012 Leave a comment
REMEMBERING–Prisoner of War and Missing in Action table setting.
Remember
Those heroes, those Americans, are also with us in spirit this evening and we honor them with this small table set for one.
I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table.
The table is round — to show our everlasting concern for our fallen and our missing.
Remember.
The tablecloth is white — symbolizing the purity of America, the hearts and minds of our young military members who have fallen on the battlefield and the children and civilians who perished when America was attacked.
Remember.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of our fallen, and the loved ones and friends who miss them each and every day.
Remember
The vase is a symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen, find our missing, and display the Patriotism that is America.
Remember.
A yellow ribbon that was worn by thousands who awaited their return.
Remember.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
Remember.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by the friends and families of those who have fallen and of those who have not returned, and by the saddened and frightened American who could do nothing as our country was attacked.
Remember.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to find peace and sustain those lost and missing.
Remember.
The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time.
Remember.
The chair is empty — they are no longer with us.
Let us remember – and never forget.
March 31, 2012 Leave a comment
Driving into the Tehachapi Mountains, the harsh terrain drew us in as we entered the protected valley. Rugged peaks quickly turned to a beautiful awe as we approached our destination-the National Chavez Center, La Paz.
Already anticipating seeing the home and memorial of the great humanitarian and activist Cesar Chavez, we quickly realized that we were heading in a direction of great vision and insight in the minds of two of the greatest humanitarians in the world today.
Traveling with two other journalists, we headed to La Paz to cover a portion of March Migrante VII, an annual event held by the Border Angels and its founder, Enrique Morones. Morones has devoted his life to humane immigration reform and bringing awareness to the thousands of immigrants that die in their pursuit to find a better life.
This year’s theme was “Walking with Cesar,” with the migrating group of marchers hitting pivotal places that shaped the course of Cesar Chavez’ movement in creating awareness to the struggles of migrant farm workers. La Paz was just one stop in its 10-day journey that took them from the American/Mexican border to the state capitol in Sacramento and back.
On assignment for The Sun newspaper at Southwestern College, Chula Vista, California, we fully expected to get there, get the story and return home as quickly as possible the next day. All that changed as soon as we arrived and saw the beauty of La Paz.
With me on this adventure were Serina Duarte and Omar Villalpando. Serina and I have been “partners in crime” for a couple of years, often working together on projects and assignments. Omar, new to The Sun staff, volunteered to go along. We quickly gained a trio of friendship on our ride up there and what we experienced together created even a stronger bond.
We arrived earlier than the marchers did and as we stepped out of the car and headed into the heart of the Chavez Center. The grounds and surrounding mountains were spectacular as we spread out taking pictures of everything we saw. Some of it was for practice, but we all wanted to capture the spirit of La Paz. It had already hit us heavy and drew inspiration from everything we saw. We were anxious for Morones and his travelers to join us, and after about an hour, they started trickling in. Many came in the caravan from Los Angeles and others joined the group at La Paz.
Although we were not “scheduled” to meet with him until the next morning, we were ecstatic when Paul Chavez, son of Cesar and president of the National Chavez Center joined us. He spent the afternoon with us, rejoined us at breakfast and stayed until we all left mid afternoon the next day. He opened his arms, his heart and his home to all of us there and after meeting with Paul, I only wish I could have met his father.
Every piece of La Paz has a story behind it and a future ahead of it. In spending time with Paul Chavez, he shared the heart and soul of his father’s cause, the history of the National Cesar Chavez Center and his own visionary plans for its future.
Spending the night with Enrique Morones, members of the Border Angels and people from California, Texas, Guatemala and Mexico was a cultural education and everyone treated us from the beginning as part of the family, not as reporters looking from the outside in.
The slideshow is only a glimpse of the beauty that lies within La Paz.
They say a reporter should never be part of the story, but I think that it is safe to say, good or bad, the story becomes a part of the journalist.
March 21, 2012 Leave a comment
Pictured above is Aaron Edwards, the editor-in-chief of The Ithacan at Ithaca College in upstate New York. His staff entered him in our annual Apple Awards for Best Student Media Leader.
He didn’t win.
Edwards didn’t even place or show. So why are we mentioning him? Because he came in fourth – and the margin between first and fourth was so razor-thin, we didn’t want him to go unnoticed.
This was our first year for the category of Best Student Media Leader, and we had no idea how to pick a winner. The sad fact is, we couldn’t find another contest in the country that recognizes a college newsroom leader. When we asked around, we heard from other journalism organizations, “How would you even do that?”
So we required a letter signed by at least three staff members, or a YouTube video featuring at least three staffers, attesting to the greatness of their EIC or station manager. Then our judges used those documents to decide the finalists. They interviewed them via Google Hangout and voted.
But if you want to see how good a fourth-place entry looked, watch this video that Edwards’ staff assembled. He didn’t win an Apple, but he’s won something much more crucial – the loyalty of his peers.
So who beat out Edwards? This guy, Albert Fulcher. His story is one of disease, certain death, endurance, censorship, and triumph. Really compelling stuff. Read what Fulcher’s staff wrote about him and weep (literally). Makes you wonder why no one else has done a best Student Media Leader award.
Then again, that’s what the Apple Awards are all about – rewarding college media efforts no one else does. Hence, Best Tweet, Best Sex Column, and Best Newspaper Under 5,000 Circulation, just to name a few.
Thus endeth the sermon for today. Here are your winners…
February 19, 2012 Leave a comment
A reception for Southwestern College’s new superintendent drew a crowd of more than 100 people from the college and local community. Student musicians entertained the party as the college’s culinary students catered the event. Dr. Melinda Nish came to Southwestern on January 2, with more than 20 years of educational experience from Orange Coast College after an extensive search resulting in 34 candidates.
Governing Board President Norma Hernandez said the search began in February 2011 with the establishment of a process that was open and inclusive. She said a 19-member committee consisting of faculty, students, staff, administrators and community members had specific values in searching for a replacement.
Hernandez said specific qualities necessary to take the college to the next level of academic success identified were the ability to be consensus builder and problem solver and a collegial and collaborative leader that is accessible and listens. A supporter of the teaching and learning environment, a strong advocate for college constituents and values partnerships with other segments of education, business and community based organizations also factored into the hiring selection.
“We found a leader with all of these qualities in Dr. Melinda Nish,” said Hernandez.
Nish said she had never encountered such a warm welcome as she has in the college and its community.
“It truly is a very special place and I am honored to have become a member,” she said. “Indeed I hope an adopted daughter of Southwestern College and the South Bay community.”
February 15, 2012 Leave a comment
Seven Hours in Fifteen Minutes
For those that missed it, here is “seven hours in 15 minutes” of public comment at the Sweetwater Union High School District held On January 30.
Board members and administrator face almost 800 people in open session. On the agenda, a request for the district to fund an estimated $1.2 million in legal fees for current and past board members and administrators charges with several felony and misdemeanor charges in District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis’ pay to play corruption charges.
With almost seven hours of open session, teachers, students and the community speak out against the alleged corruption giving receiving little support. Not only did public speakers speak against those charged with crimes, but Board Member John McCann and Superintentent Dr. Edward Brant got an earful from the public in their roles in what that majority of speakers called a long time of controversy, corruption and lies. Legal fees, the Vega Report, recall petitions, wrongful hiring, campaign contributions and Brown Act violations, stepping down from office and a strange cat fight between members of the public and Board Member John McCann dominated the long night.
Board Member Arlie Ricasa defended the need for funds, but offered “conditions” be added to the agenda that if found guilty of any charges, the money should be paid back in full.
February 11, 2012 Leave a comment
This morning, after a rarely warm February day yesterday, high surf came into Imperial Beach filling the Tijuana Estuary and giving daring surfers an opportunity to play in choppy waves. As the sun glistened off the water and the skies slowly begin their transformation back to the cooler marine-layered weather, many Imperial Beachians walked the southern coastline where they could, catching a last chance to enjoy the warm spell.
February 1, 2012 Leave a comment
With a gymnasium crowded with more than 700 people, the Sweetwater Unified High School Governing Board spent most of seven hours listening to arguments against the board’s agenda to vote on the district to pick up the tab for their lawyers. Submitting a resolution, the Southwestern College Education Association took a stand to vote no on the legal fees and requested the long-awaited “Vega Report” be made public immediately.
SCEA President Andrew MacNeill delivered the resolution in open session. Within 30 minutes after closed session, the entire report was available online at the SUHSD website. By midnight, when it came time to take a vote on whether the legal fees should be paid by the district, no motions were made by the board and the matter is dropped, but it is over?
Legal counsel advised the board that it may bring the matter back to the board agenda at any time. Counsel’s current “guesstimation” of legal fees for those charged is $1.3 million.
Former board member Gregory Sandoval, former superintendent Jesus Gandara, Current board members Pearl Quinones and Arlie Ricasa are all charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in the District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis’ high profile investigation of the “pay to play” culture between South Bay school districts and contractors in voter approved bond measures.
