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What Does ‘Clean Elections’ Really Mean?

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By Judi Curry

A local organization, Neighborhoods for Clean Elections, is leading a grass roots coalition with plans to put a clean elections initiative on the 2016 ballot.

The initiative — which is supported by Common Cause, as well as a host of other good government groups and a large number of town councils, local community councils and community associations — will provide public funding for candidates for mayor and City Council who agree to a Clean Elections Pledge. That pledge requires that they refrain from soliciting any campaign contributions from private sources, and they further agree to refrain from spending any of their own money for their campaign. It is designed to break the conflict of interest between campaign contributors and candidates.   [Read more…]

Who Has Energy, a Fresh Perspective, and Fantastic Ideas for San Diego?

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An introduction to Sarah Boot, Candidate District 2 City Council

By Judi Curry

Over the past several months, I have attended many “meet the candidate forums” for those people running for office on June 3rd.  I have been amazed at the quality of one of the candidates running for District 2 City Council seat because she is so aware of the problems facing those of us in this particular district.  And furthermore, she has answers to overcome those problems.

Let’s tackle a few of those problems right now:  For those of us living along the Sunset Cliffs corridor, I have a question for you.  When was the last time you were able to leave your home and go directly to the Highway 8 on-ramp without being detoured around Ocean Beach?  Yesterday it took me over 10 minutes to get to the freeway because of the streets that were blocked off – again – and detour signs were everywhere.

When I came home from my excursion to El Cajon, the detour signs were gone but the roads from Newport to Santa Cruz were so bumpy I thought my car would end up with flat tires.  That, plus the steel plates all over the road only tell me that today will be the same way, and probably for  weeks to come.   [Read more…]

A Difficult Decision: Saying Goodbye to My Dog Buddy after a Wonderful Ten Years

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By Judi Curry

As a mother, an Office Manager, a School Principal I have been called on to make some difficult decisions. But no decision has been more difficult that the one I had to make this morning. The heartache and grief supersedes anything I have  ever had to do.

I have had the most wonderful companion for over 10 years.  He was born on my birthday many years after I came into this world.  He was always so happy to see me; he always had a smile on his face; he never questioned decisions I made; never argued with me, and made me feel better after having a difficult day.  That is why this decision is so hard to make.  Of course I am talking about my Golden Retriever.   [Read more…]

My Buddy Has a Playmate

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By Judi Curry

My 13 year old Golden is having some hip issues

Trying to watch him walk down the stairs brings out the crying tissues.

He doesn’t seem to be in much pain and he “smiles” all the time,

Except when he tries to stand up and then you know he’s not fine.

He just helped me “dog sit” my daughter’s big dog,

Who really is a cross between a kangaroo and a frog.

  [Read more…]

An Update on Pumbaa the Shar Pei’s Recovery: Still Not Out of the Woods

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By Judi Curry

Editor’s Note: Last month Judi Curry wrote about Pumbaa the Shar Pei, who is receiving canine rehab with Judi’s dog Buddy.

Daisy took Pumbaa to the ortho-vet in Sorrento Valley. He wants to run some more tests on the doggie, but it is nice to know that he has started eating again, and is again being exercised in the pool. So far the tests have totaled about $1000 but Daisy does not know how much more will be needed.

But he looks much better; a little more playful, and in the pool can move his legs well. But, alas, on land, he still cannot put any weight on his back legs.   [Read more…]

The Wild Widows Return to Old Town Part 2: Cygnet Theatre

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By Judi Curry

Following our breakfast at O’Hungry’s, Irene and I left Ro and went up to Ft. Rosecrans to visit our husbands. Irene made the comment that the only good thing about our husbands passing was that we met each other. When it is our time to leave this earth, Irene and I will be only a few rows apart and will be able to still converse with each other.

Following our visit to the cemetery, we went back to Old Town to the Cygnet Theatre to see the play Spring Awakening. Ro was the House Manager on this particular day and could not watch the play with us but will see it at a later time.

Spring Awakening is a winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical. It is based on a play that was originally written in 1891, but it is so contemporary it could have been written in our time.   [Read more…]

The Wild Widows Return to Old Town Part 1: O’Hungry’s Restaurant

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By Judi Curry
For those of you have read my articles before you know that I belong to two support groups that I joined after my husband died. Strangely enough, today (April 5th) was Irene’s birthday; it was Ro’s anniversary, and it was also my anniversary. Rather than stay home and feel sorry for ourselves, we decided to make a day of visiting Old Town – as we did several months ago. This is a synopsis of our visit.

We were on our way to the Old Town Mexican Café when we crossed the street in front of O’Hungry’s. It looked virtually empty – strange for 11:00am on a Saturday morning, so we decided to stop in and eat there. I’ll tell you – it is hard to beat the prices of their breakfasts.
  [Read more…]

When is a 99 Cent Store Really a Dollar Store?

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By Judi Curry

I would rather go to the dentist than go shopping. I hate it. (Not that I like going to the dentist either.) But every now and then an opportunity presents itself that I cannot turn down. Such was the situation on March 26th, when my daughter Michele – whose middle name should have been “Nordstrom” – called me to say she was going to the 99 cent store in Clairemont and wanted to know if I wanted to go with her.

I love spending time with my three daughters, but seldom get the chance to be with Michele because she works so many hours. Plus, she drives a convertible, my favorite kind of vehicle. (Although by the time she picked me up it was after 5:00pm; it was windy and cold, and she had the top up.) She was planning a luncheon honoring the women that she works with – some 60+ – and was looking for a theme to decorate at least 10 tables for the event.

At least we weren’t going clothes shopping, or, even worse, shoe shopping. Because of the time of day, she decided that the Clairemont 99 cent store was the best because we would hit minimal traffic. The better stores are in the La Mesa/El Cajon area, but the traffic would be horrendous at that time of day.   [Read more…]

Restaurant Review: Bistro 60

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Bistro 60
5987 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115
619-287-8186

Some time ago, I remember going to San Diego Desserts to talk to the owners about allowing some of my culinary arts students from San Diego Job Corps to do an internship with them. The bakery had been recommended highly by my two culinary arts chefs, and we thought it would be a wonderful experience for the students. Shortly after meeting with the owners, I left San Diego for a position at Penobscot Job Corps in Maine and do not know if our students had the intern experience there or not.

Much later, around 2008 or so, I heard that people could eat their desserts in the restaurant, and it was obvious that it was no longer just a wholesale bakery. Later on I heard that food had been added to the menu, and then wine, and beer, etc.

Recently, a friend and I purchased tickets to the Moxie theater just down the street from the bistro, and it gave me a perfect opportunity to drop in and have dinner before the opening curtain.   [Read more…]

Bedtime with Moxie

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Moxie Theater
6663 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92115
www.moxietheatre.com
858-598-7620

By Judi Curry

When was the last time you were invited to wear your pajamas to a party?  When was the last time you were told to wear your pajamas out in public? When was the last time you were invited to a pillow fight – only if you were wearing your sleeping gear?

When was the last time you were told that “costumed guests will enjoy a Pillow Fight Photo Booth, Naughty Night Cap Beverages, Live Lullabies and Bedtime Stories performed by local celebrities?

And when were you told that one of those celebrities was none other than the Interim Mayor of San Diego, Todd Gloria?   [Read more…]

What Will Happen to Pumbaa, the Shar Pei?

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By Judi Curry

Sometimes one hears a story that is so sad that you don’t even want to know the details because you know that you are helpless to do anything about it. Sometimes you hear a story that might have a happy ending if only the right set of circumstances happen in the right amount of time.  Such is the sad tale of Pumbaa.

Just a little background information:  I have a 13 year old Golden Retriever – 91 in adult years – older than me!  He has been having severe hip problems in the last year or so and he is having acupuncture once a week and swim therapy twice a week.

I wrote an earlier article about Trish Penick and her “Cutting Edge K-9 Rehab.”  Because I have a large pool that is now heated, Trish has been working with other dogs, along with Buddy, on a weekly basis.  Some of the dogs that come for therapy come often; some come once in a while.  “Pumbaa”  and his human mother Daisy started coming a few weeks ago.   [Read more…]

Poetry: I Lost A Friend Today

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I lost a friend today

I do not know why,

He didn’t explain it to me

When he said “Good Bye.”

I held my own until I was out the door,

And then I let go with a big cry.

  [Read more…]

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