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the opposite,” he said. Long enjoys experimenting with as many as 75 raw material chemicals in his studio to create new colors and textures such as pearl and liken. “Next, I want to create a
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three-time Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Shawn Colvin. Some of the auction items include trips to Tuscany, Bali and New York City. Tickets to popular talk shows like “The Ellen Degeneres Show” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” are up for grabs. Other auc-
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label, and the outside can be covered with Contac paper or painted to be more appealing and decorative. Jars: An advantage to reusing jars is that they’re clear and you can see at a glance what you have stored inside. This makes them wonderful to use for arts-andcrafts supplies and food items. They double as a decorative storage container, but,
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with a 3-1-1 vote this past March 31. Rodriguez was the only trustee who did not support terminating McClain’s contract. Since then the relationship among board members has been “definitely strained,” Rodriguez said. “I came on knowing we wouldn’t always agree,” she said. “I thought that we could agree to disagree and move on, but we just haven’t been able to.” Trustees, parents, administrators and staff have all shared differing opinions, especially during board meetings, on several issues facing the district, including everything from budget cuts and relocating the district offices to possibly closing a school or reconfiguring attendance boundaries. Amid growing tensions in December, Rodriguez was nominated by White to serve as president, an offer she said she “politely rejected”
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saying,“Not since the height of Klan activity during the civilrights era has there been a white supremacist group so obsessed with violence.” In 1992, the SPLC warned of the growing threat of other white supremacist groups, which it claimed had grown by 27 percent from the year before. In 1995, the SPLC warned of the growing threat of rightwing militias. In 1998, the SPLC warned of the growing threat of Internet-based hate groups that, according to one press account, had “created the biggest surge in hate in America in years.”
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MAY 7, 2010 texture that is like a chameleon lizard,” he says. Firing art that reaches temperatures as high as 1,900 degrees comes with hazards. Despite wearing a foundry helmet and suit, similar to that worn by a firefighter, Long has burned the tip of his nose and once charred his fingertips to the point of being
black and crisp. Long enjoys inspiring children by teaching pottery at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito, Griset Branch — Encinitas. The course is made possible through a $12,000 grant from the Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation. He also teaches Raku workshops in his home studio.
A four-hour workshop costs $65. Long’s work can be seen at the Trios Gallery in Solana Beach; Art & Frames by Wood Gallery in Coronado and at the semi-annual student art show at Palomar College. For more information, visit Long’s website at alexlongart.com.
tion items include a ride in a vintage bi-plane, a cruise on Dennis Conner’s 145-foot schooner, Lasik eye surgery, dinner for six by Sam the Cooking Guy and local getaways to L’Auberge and Rancho Valencia. The vendors, all donating food and wine, are among the best restaurants in the area including Pacifica Del Mar, Blue Point, The Prado, Donovan’s, Ruth Kris, Vivaci
and Extraordinary Desserts. “We always had a spring event for the last 15 years,” Davidson said. “When we saw where the economy was going, we decided not to spend money on a hotel when you have it in your own backyard. We asked great local restaurants if they could make tastings of their signature dish or 400, they agreed.” She said all the food and
wine are donated which cuts expenses by 50 percent. “That enables us to spend more of the money we raise for programs and services we provide,” she said. Ticket sales are brisk but some are still available. They are $250 per person or a place in the VIP for $500. More information is available by calling (858) 942-4400 or by visiting SANALZ.ORG.
of course, the downside is that they’re breakable. Egg cartons: Use them to organize small items such as golf balls, jewelry, craft supplies, baby socks, seeds, rubber bands, loose change, garden seeds, etc. Along the same lines, ice cube trays can be used for similar items. These fit nicely in drawers. Plastic bags: Plastic freezer bags and large plastic comforter bags have the advantage of being clear, waterproof and flexible. You
can squeeze the air out of them and fit quite a bit in a small amount of space. They’re nice for storing assorted items such as costumes, recipe cards, game pieces, puzzles, clothing, activity kits for kids, craft projects, etc. Clementine crates: They work well for planting, and organizing washcloths, books, various tools and pantry items.They make nice gift containers, too. Plant pots: Whether it’s
plastic or ceramic, pots are useful containers for storing items that don’t need to be covered, such as pens, markers, combs, toothbrushes, hairbrushes or cosmetics.
at first to gain experience. “But with the majority of the Board’s insistence and promise of support, I accepted the office,” she said in her statement. “Although initial support was promised and received, it has abruptly come to an end.” Rodriguez said she didn’t want her resignation to be about individual board members, but working on a subcommittee with White to create a contract for James Peabody, the interim superintendent, has been one source of conflict. Days after McClain was fired, Rodriguez and her family went on vacation for spring break. Shortly after returning, she was unavailable because of a family illness. McDowell took her place on the subcommittee. White said she and McDowell met with the district’s attorney to discuss Peabody, but the appointment “was certainly not unauthorized.” Rodriguez said she learned about the meeting after seeing a letter
about Peabody signed by White. Rodriguez said she “was shocked” to see the letter an tried to “find out what was going on, but to no avail.” “There was no reason to begin without me,” Rodriguez said. “It’s not policy, but it’s a professional practice that the board president is privy to all actions and conversations.” She said it is “very unusual for board members to meet with counsel” without informing the president. Contrary to Rodriguez, White described the recent atmosphere among board members as “pleasant.” “Nobody’s been rude,” she said. “We’ve all been polite. We’ve moved on. We haven’t always agreed on everything, but I don’t see that part,” White said in response to Rodriguez feeling marginalized. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but if that’s the way she feels,” White said. “I’m sorry to hear about the news. ... Things happen and
life changes. I’ll support her if she wants to stay. I thought she would do a good job.” As board clerk, McDowell will run the meetings until trustees name a new president. If asked for a nomination, Rodriguez said she would offer McDowell because he understands that a board should operate by giving guidance and direction and creating policy. Rodriguez said Perkins was the only trustee to call her after receiving her resignation statement. “He said he was shocked and asked me to reconsider,” Rodriguez said. Although that seems unlikely, Rodriguez said she will focus on moving forward to address the issues facing the district. “I don’t want (the board) to be a distraction to the business of the district,” she said. “I will use my voice to support district stakeholders by weighing every decision I make on what is best for our children.”
In 1999, the SPLC warned that the growing threat of Webbased hate groups was growing even more, with a 60 percent increase from the year before. In 2002, the SPLC warned of the growing threat of postSept. 11 hate groups, which it said had grown 12 percent between 2000 and 2001. In 2004, the SPLC warned (again) of the growing threat of skinhead groups, whose numbers it said had doubled in the previous year. In 2008, the SPLC warned of the growing threat of hate groups overall, whose number it said increased 48 percent since 2000. And in 2010, just a few weeks ago, the SPLC warned of the growing threat of “patriot” groups, which it said
increased by 244 percent in 2009. In the world of the Southern Poverty Law Center, the threat is always growing. Ronald Reagan’s policies led to a growing threat. The first Gulf War led to a growing threat. The election of Bill Clinton led to a growing threat. The Internet led to a growing threat. Sept. 11 led to a growing threat. The war in Iraq led to a growing threat. Is it any wonder that Obama’s presidency has, in the SPLC’s estimation, led to a growing threat? Hate groups do exist across the political spectrum, and have for a long time. But they have nothing to do with the expressions of frustration over deficits, taxes and Obamacare that we have heard
at so many Tea Party gatherings. That frustration, felt by Republicans, independents and even some Democrats, is an entirely mainstream reaction to the sharply activist course the president and congressional leadership have taken. While the level of frustration is indeed a threat, it is a political threat.Ask Democrats running in this November’s elections. It’s important to distinguish between a political threat and a physical one. As Clinton might say, the hate accusers should watch their words.
Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail sara@frugalvillage.com.
Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner.
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bridges and dams, while the other will allow guests an opportunity to create different flows of water and control water blasting cannons. The area will also feature an Aqua Tune, “a musical stand that goes before you,” said Legoland spokesperson Julie Estrada. Guests can play music by placing fingers over different holes that shoot out water.
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standards, plant maintenance and development to new ideas and training. “Paul’s future-focused approach coupled with his commitment to public service has made him a leader in the industry,” said Michael Bardin, general manager of the district. “He is a very successful, high performance operator and team
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also led lectures on the subject of wine in New York, Las Vegas and San Diego. As general manager of Delicias Restaurant, Campbell will oversee the operations of the restaurant, train the serving staff to perfect customer service, and listen to customer feedback to truly reflect the guests’ needs and maximize their dining experience. He plans on creating a positive environment in the restaurant for not only the guests, but for the staff as well. As sommelier of Delicias restaurant, Campbell
“In a way, kids can conduct their own symphony.” The new park will also include two sandy beach areas and cabanas perfectly sized for families. A food and beverage station featuring California cuisine promises healthy meals like chicken and vegetarian wraps. Family-sized lockers and a changing station will also be available for use while at the water park. For more information, visit california.legoland.com.
leader.” The Santa Fe Irrigation District supplies more than 4.5 billion gallons of water per year to its customers using a blend of local water from Lake Hodges and imported water purchased through the San Diego County Water authority. The district operates the jointly owned R.E. Badger Filtration Plant and also owns rights to supplies from the San Dieguito Reservoir.
plans to reconstruct the wine program around the recent addition of the 5,000-bottle wine cellar, as well as assist patrons in pairing food with wines to compliment every meal. “Gino has impressive credentials as both a distinguished manager and certified sommelier and I am very excited to have him join our team,” said Owen Perry, owner of Delicias Restaurant. “I believe Gino is the final piece that will really enable the restaurant to succeed to its fullest and I hope that our customers visit the restaurant to find out for themselves in the coming weeks.”