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The City Without Souls: San Francisco Excludes One Group

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You might think San Francisco is a vast liberal hub that welcomes a plethora of diverse people who co-exist peacefully. However, I’m here to report that San Francisco excludes one group from its city limits: the deceased.

As an alternative, San Francisco stiffs can reside two miles away in The City of Souls, also known as Colma. Yes, proponents for the lush environment of Colma say there’s something here for everybody. They point to the Italian cemetery, Japanese, Serbian, Jewish, Nonsectarian, and even a pet cemetery. But are the deceased really content within the rows and rows of regimented headstones? And what about the conformity of living in a city that has 2 million deceased, but only about 2,000 living residents?   [Read more…]

Campsite at Border and High Number of Chula Vistans Living in Poverty

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A Few Points About Our Political Representatives

Many of our political representatives took their oath of office this week: Irene Lopez, a new trustee for the San Ysidro School District; Kevin Pike and Nick Segura as trustees for the Sweetwater High School District; Roberto Alcantar and Griselda Delgado as trustees of the Southwestern Community College board.

For residents of South San Diego, your Councilmember David Alvarez experienced a disappointment. He was not voted in as the City Council’s new President, although many had hoped for this outcome. Alvarez made this statement.

State Senator Ben Hueso introduced a bill that would fund legal representation for noncitizens facing deportation. 68% of noncitizens held in detention facilities do not have legal representation. What’s more, people detained who receive lawyers are more than five times as likely to succeed in challenging their deportation.   [Read more…]

King Tides, Otay Mesa’s Industrial Growth and Disturbing Feminicides

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Murphy Development broke ground on a 79,050 square foot industrial building. The project will complete the total 2.1 million square foot Siempre Viva Business Park.

Siempre Viva Business Park has a large lineup of Fortune 500 companies, including General Dynamics, FedEx and Tyson.

Murphy Development is also working on the 1 million square foot Brown Field Technology Park.

Andy Irwin, senior vice president and director of marketing for Murphy Development described the vast growth of Otay Mesa in a press release saying, “Otay Mesa is enjoying a renaissance, spurred on by several major projects. The Cross Border Express Terminal (CBX) connects Otay Mesa directly to Tijuana International Airport, which offers direct flights throughout Mexico and to Asia. Construction is anticipated to start next year on a major renovation and expansion on the 330-acres of Brown Field Airport. The transformation into Metro Airpark will involve new aviation, retail, hospitality, commercial and industrial uses.   [Read more…]

The Armenians of California: Challenges and Achievements

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A tour of one of the 200 different ethnic groups who live & contribute to our California

While exploring Los Angeles one weekend during the summer, I stumbled upon the district of Little Armenia. The community intrigued me, so I dove deeper, traveled further and found a large, diverse Armenian culture in California.

The most moving tribute to Armenians is located in the park outside the Fresno Courthouse. Donated to the County of Fresno by the people of Armenian descent of the San Joaquin Valley, the statue was dedicated on August 11, 1970 and was created by sculptor Varaz Samuelian. The plaque reads:

“David of Sassoon is the legendary folk-hero of the Armenians who rid their land of foreign conquerors single-handedly. It is an epic based on historical events dating back to the seventh century A.D. Troubadours, poets and sculptors have immortalized him for it gives eloquent expression to man’s undying love of freedom and justice for all. This statue, by Varaz Samuelian of Fresno, represents a thousand Davids in a thousand lands where throughout all of history man has sought to sustain his freedom against overwhelming odds.”   [Read more…]

Chula Vista’s Bayfront and National City’s Affordable Housing Problem

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The Chula Vista City Council has promised $1.2 million annually from the city’s general fund to back its agreement with the Port of San Diego on the Bayfront Master Plan project. The vote took place on Nov. 15. The San Diego Union Tribune elaborated on the details.

The Tribune quoted CV Port Commissioner Ann Moore as saying, “This action demonstrates the city’s continued commitment to this project, which will generate revenue and create the top-tier destination that Chula Vista deserves.”

The Editorial Board of the UT also wrote about Chula Vista this week, citing that the second most populous city is experiencing exciting times, particularly with an agreement to turn the 535-acre industrial site into a residential and resort destination (the Bayfront project). The editors did ask where the money might come from to build such an expensive project.   [Read more…]

Center Cut Steakhouse: Chef Ramon takes Surf & Turf to Chula Vista

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You’ll love their plush booths that throw you back to the days when cuddling up and having a private conversation with your significant other was the best kind of evening. For the socially rambunctious who miss the days when dives were “the thing,” they also have a bar open from 6pm to 1:30pm.

The bar is what kept the establishment afloat until Chef Ramon Gomez came onto the scene. Center Cut Steakhouse is actually 25 years old. However, six years ago the original owner passed away. The restaurant then went through a series of owners.   [Read more…]

Border Angels Open Door Between San Diego and Tijuana

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Right Wing ‘Rebel Alliances’ in Imperial Beach

Before the elections, Imperial Beach residents received unsigned election fliers in their mailboxes. The fliers asked people to join “Rebel Alliances” and contained debunked conspiracy theories about Hillary Clinton. Vincent Farnsworth at the San Diego Reader reported here.

Border Residents and a Trump Presidency

Residents and employees at the U.S.-Mexican border feel jittery after Trump’s election, especially since Mexico is the U.S.’s third largest trade partner. What’s more, calls for “Build a Wall” baffle some of us because — here’s what Border Field State Park looks like today.   [Read more…]

South Bay Election Results: Highlights, Insider Information and Facts

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This year, I tried to cover elections for a region that often feels ignored: the South Bay — defined as everything south of the I-54 (including National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and South San Diego). For Democrats and pro-labor, the overall results were quite positive in this region.

Here, I want to introduce you to the candidates based on my own coverage. During this election cycle, I have gotten to know many of the candidates and wish them all best of luck serving our communities.
  [Read more…]

CCR President, Herman Baca, Alleges Voter Suppression in National City

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The Committee on Chicano Rights President asks if National City is ‘chopped liver’

On November 3rd, Herman Baca, President of the Committee on Chicano Rights (CCR), wrote a letter to Michael Vu at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters asking: Why doesn’t National City have a Mail Ballot Drop-Off Location?

Imperial Beach has a population of 26,324 and offers one drop-off location. Meanwhile, National City—with a population of 58,582—has none. Baca explained that National City has a 63% hispanic population and a media household income of $38,849. (By comparison, Imperial Beach’s median household income is $52,148.) What’s more, National City has one of the highest sales tax rates in the county —— at 9%.   [Read more…]

Residents of Gateway Inn Sued. National City’s Mysterious Letter

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Rachel — who lives with her nine children at the Gateway Inn, along San Ysidro Boulevard — was served with a lawsuit yesterday. She is being evicted, but has nowhere to go. She is being told by other residents that the manager might turn off the lights and water soon.

You may remember how back in August, residents of the Gateway Inn received 60-day eviction notices. The building, which some have called an “abomination” due to its terrible conditions, had criminal misdemeanor charges filed against it in February 2015. The complaint cited five violations, including failure to keep the property free of waste.

The owner, listed in public documents as Francis Lin, submitted a permit to the City of San Diego to demolish the two-story hotel.

In a new phone interview, Rachel explained that many tenants are still living at the Gateway Inn, despite the eviction notices. She tried to give the managers her rent today, but he refused to take it.   [Read more…]

Kidnapping Crank Calls, Zika and Bad Report Card for Charter School

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For several moments she only heard a rattling, then crying. Someone sounded like they were in distress. Then she heard, “Help me! Help me!”

Jane asked, “Are you ok? Where are you?” Suddenly, a man came on the line and said, “Jane, we have your family member. Do you want to help your family member?”   [Read more…]

A Refugee from Nazi Germany Boo’ed, plus National City and San Ysidro Election Troubles

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Mayor Serge Dedina retracted the Welcoming City proclamation that had been issued in mid-August. The proclamation was meant to welcome immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers to IB. Why the change of heart?

Protestors at the September 21 IB City Council meeting booed the mayor’s father as he spoke about being a refugee from Nazi Germany and said the U.S. should let in more refugees. Many in the crowd held up “No ISIS” signs and one witness said there was a “riot” outside the council room, according to the San Diego Reader.   [Read more…]

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